Protect Our Patriarch

Xu Anming, an ordinary direct descendant of the Changning Xu Clan.

Now in his eighties, he retired from the family business years ago and became a clan elder, spending his days doting on his grandchildren and tending to his garden.

In his early years, he had cultivated to the eighth level of Qi Refining, but as he aged, his vigorous vitality gradually faded.

He didn't consume large amounts of spiritual food or elixirs to maintain his cultivation, so his current cultivation level is just barely maintained at the eighth level of Qi Refining.

Xu Anming didn't achieve much in his life, but he had his own pride.

He had three sons and two daughters, and a total of fifteen grandchildren and granddaughters. Now, he even has four great-grandchildren.

His life can be considered fulfilled.

As a clan elder, Xu Anming lived in the Lixiang Garden in the west of the main house. This house was very close to the main hall and was quite large. Even among the various houses and courtyards of the Changning Xu Clan, it was considered quite respectable.

In the spring, the plants in Lixiang Garden were lush and growing well.

Under the careful care of the servants, various types of flowers bloomed in a staggered manner, competing for beauty, making the entire garden pleasing to the eye and full of vitality.

Early this morning, the main paths in the garden were cleaned several times by the servants with clear water. The used water was swept into specially dug drainage ditches, so even in this rainy season, there was no need to worry about water accumulation affecting the master's mood.

Xu Anming also put on a new robe early in the morning and sat in the main hall. His majestic face showed a hint of anticipation, as if he was waiting for someone.

His sons and grandsons usually lived nearby, and today they all gathered in Lixiang Garden. The whole family was neat and tidy, showing some of the style of a small family within a large clan.

"Xu Zhenxing, go and see if your sister has arrived yet?"

Elder Xu Anming frowned slightly, seeming a bit restless.

Among his three sons and two daughters, the one he cared for the most was his second daughter, Xu Chunyun. Because the clan leader had arranged for her to marry Wang Shouxin, a direct descendant of the Peaceful Wang's Clan.

What was the Peaceful Wang's Clan like back then? Not only was it located in a remote countryside, but the family was also synonymous with "poverty."

How could his daughter have a good life after marrying into such a family?

Xu Zhenxing, the eldest son of the old master, was now in his fifties. Over the years, he had taken over from his father and was in charge of an important department in the Changning Xu Clan's weaving factory, making him a person of some importance.

Upon hearing his father's words, he bowed and said, "Yes, father."

Before he could leave, the second son, Xu Zhenye, also laughed and said, "I'll go with my brother. It's been three years since I last saw my sister. And this time, I heard that my brother-in-law Shouxin is also coming."

With that, the two brothers left together, showing no signs of displeasure in their demeanor.

In fact, before they left, they each instructed their wives to take good care of their father and to prepare everything that needed to be prepared.

At the main entrance of the Changning Xu Clan.

Under the slanting sunlight, a delicate and luxurious wooden archway stood tall, solemn and majestic.

On the archway, a plaque with the words "Changning Xu Clan" hung high, and the official seal representing the status of an eighth-rank noble family shone brightly.

Outside the archway was a wide, long path paved with bluestone.

The higher the rank of the noble family, the wider this path. For example, a ninth-rank noble family could only build a path one zhang wide, an eighth-rank could build a path two zhang wide, and a seventh-rank could replace the bluestone bricks with carved bricks. The higher the rank, the stricter the regulations. This was the dignity granted to noble families by the Daqian court.

At this moment, a beautifully decorated carriage bearing the emblem of the Peaceful Wang's Clan slowly stopped on the long bluestone path under the escort of the family guards and servants.

The gatekeeper immediately greeted them with flattering words.

The coachman of the Wang's Clan respectfully invited the master to get off the carriage.

Only then did Wang Shouxin and his wife, holding a child not yet three years old, get off the carriage under the respectful escort of everyone.

Wang Shouxin was now over fifty years old. Although he didn't look old, his demeanor was calm and restrained, and he looked quite majestic under the escort of the family guards and servants.

However, his originally neat brocade robe seemed a bit disheveled, and the tiger-shaped jade belt buckle on his waist was crooked, as if it had been hastily fastened.

His eyes were a bit evasive and uncomfortable when he looked at the coachman, and even more complex when he looked at his wife, Xu Chunyun.

This wife of his, who was always bold and reckless, had unexpectedly acted so recklessly.

Xu Chunyun's eyebrows were slightly raised with a hint of spring, as if she was a little proud and satisfied. Even her still charming face seemed to be slightly rosy and moist.

The coachman of the Wang's Clan drooped his eyelids, looking as if he had just woken up.

What had just happened? He didn't see, didn't hear, and knew nothing.

As a coachman who had been passed down through generations of the Wang's Clan, he had a high professional ethic. Being deaf and mute was the most basic, and occasionally his eyes could choose to go blind.

Now, Xu Chunyun secretly gave him a Top Gold coin and warned in a low voice, "Old Wang, you know, I've always had a bad temper. Don't let any rumors get out."

"Madam Xu, what did you say?" Old Wang pretended not to hear, but quietly, the Top Gold coin had been hidden on his person.

At this moment.

From the main house of the Changning Xu Clan, two robust middle-aged men in brocade robes came out.

Although they were both in their fifties or sixties, they didn't look old due to their long-term cultivation. Moreover, because of their background, they had been in high positions for a long time and held power, so they naturally had a calm and majestic demeanor.

Upon seeing his sister and brother-in-law, the leading Xu Zhenxing immediately greeted them with a smile, "Chunyun, Shouxin, you're already at the doorstep. What are you dawdling for?"Xu Clan was calm and composed, she bowed and said, "Chunyun pays her respects to her two elder brothers."

Wang Shouxin also stepped forward and bowed, "Shouxin pays his respects to his two elder brothers."

His attitude was neither arrogant nor humble, adhering strictly to etiquette.

"Shouxin, there's no need to be so formal."

Xu Zhenxing and Xu Zhenye hurriedly stepped forward, supporting him from left and right.

Both of them had smiles plastered all over their faces, their attitudes extremely warm.

"We brothers haven't seen each other for many years. This isn't a place to talk, let's go inside quickly."

"Please don't rush, my elder brothers." Xu Chunyun said, "There are still some things in the carriage, all gifts that our Shouxin brought for father."

Xu Zhenxing was slightly taken aback, then slapped his forehead and laughed, "Look at me, I was too excited to see you."

Saying this, he waved his hand, and several servants came out from the main house to help move the things.

What a sight.

A whole bag of white jade spirit rice weighing hundreds of pounds, a jar of spirit wine brewed from red crystal spirit rice, a front leg of a ferocious iron-backed boar weighing fifty to sixty pounds, a large jar of salted spirit fish meat weighing no less than sixty to seventy pounds, ten pounds of ordinary tea, and a few ounces of spirit tea.

In addition, there was a gift list, which included a large amount of ordinary rice, melons, fruits, vegetables, chickens, ducks, fish, geese, etc.

However, because there were too many items, they couldn't fit in the carriage, so a special carriage would deliver them later.

Xu Zhenxing and Xu Zhenye, who were quite influential in the Changning Xu Clan, were quite shocked by this sight.

Just a visit to her parents' house, and she had prepared such generous gifts. People who didn't know might think this was a betrothal gift.

The two brothers looked at each other, their voices much lower.

"This... Chunyun, Shouxin, isn't this too much?"

"My elder brothers." Xu Chunyun's eyes were full of pride, "Our Shouxin said that father's vitality is not as strong as before, so he should eat more spirit food to nourish his body. Only in this way can he prolong his life and live past a hundred."

At these words, the faces of the two brothers turned slightly awkward, their cheeks a bit hot.

The Changning Xu Clan was an old and prestigious eight-rank family. The old patriarch, Xu Anming, received a decent amount of support every year.

The reason why his vitality had declined so much in recent years was naturally because he had been supplementing his grandchildren with his own support.

This was something many patriarchs of other families would do, after all, they were in their twilight years, while their descendants were still young and had more room to grow.

However, when Xu Chunyun mentioned this, it naturally caused some discomfort in the hearts of her two elder brothers.

Fortunately, they were always aware of Xu Chunyun's temperament, so they laughed it off and moved on.

The Changning Xu Clan, with its long history and large population, was naturally much larger than the Ping'an Wang Clan. There were always people coming and going at the main gate.

Seeing this scene, anyone who asked around would know that Xu Chunyun, who had married into the Ping'an Wang Clan years ago, had come back to visit her family.

The news of the gifts she brought also quickly spread, causing quite a stir within the clan.

"She really didn't hold back for this visit."

"Patriarch Xu Anming sure has a good daughter~ It seems he can enjoy the blessings of his children and grandchildren in the future."

"I've always said that Uncle Anming is blessed, look, isn't this proof?"

Many people were envious of Patriarch Xu Anming, especially a few patriarchs of his age, who were green with envy.

After all, when it was time to choose someone to marry into the Ping'an Wang Clan, their daughters were also on the list of candidates. However, they had tried every means to refuse. Who would have thought that the tables would turn in just a few decades?

Amidst the buzzing discussions, Wang Shouxin and Xu Chunyun, along with Xu Zhenxing and Xu Zhenye, had already entered the Lixiang Garden where their father, Xu Anming, lived, with a pile of gifts.

In the main hall.

Xu Anming hadn't seen his daughter for many years, and he was naturally moved to tears. He held his daughter's hand, asking about her well-being.

To him, no matter how old his daughter was, she was always his precious girl.

Their family, except for the third son who was away on business and the eldest daughter who had married into the Wangxia Lei Clan, was almost all present.

Of course, the younger generation was not present, as they didn't like these family gatherings.

Wang Shouxin also stepped forward to pay his respects, "Greetings to father-in-law."

"Shouxin~"

Xu Anming wiped his tears and quickly helped Wang Shouxin up himself.

His expression was somewhat complicated. When his daughter married Wang Shouxin, he was extremely reluctant. With the situation of the Ping'an Wang Clan at that time, how could his daughter live a good life?

Fortunately, although the Wang Clan was poor, they didn't mistreat his daughter. Moreover, he knew that Wang Shouxin loved Xu Chunyun very much, which made him feel much better.

But he didn't expect that in recent years, the Ping'an Wang Clan had actually turned things around.

Wang Shouxin had also become prosperous, from a mere Qi Refining Stage Seven ten years ago, he was now full of vigor, his profound energy deep and unfathomable.

Could it be that the Ping'an Wang Clan was planning to let Wang Shouxin break through to the Spirit Platform Stage?

Not only was the old patriarch Xu Anming full of doubts, but even the two brothers Xu Zhenxing and Xu Zhenye were outwardly calm but inwardly turbulent.

They had never looked up to Wang Shouxin, but they didn't expect that Wang Shouxin's potential was so great that he was already surpassing them.

Xu Chunyun's three sisters-in-law had obviously dressed up carefully today, but compared to Xu Chunyun, they seemed to lose their luster.

Look at her outfit, the latest style of ice blue long dress made of ice spirit silk, adorned with water blue ice jewelry, her face was rosy and her vitality was nourished, obviously living a life of luxury and leisure.

If someone didn't know, they would think that the legitimate daughter of the Changning Xu Clan had come back to visit her family.They all wore smiles on their faces, chatting with Xu Chunyun about this and that, but their eyes were secretly glancing at their husbands.

Look at our sister's outfit, then look at ours, aren't you embarrassed? Is the prestigious Changning Xu Clan really that inferior to the Ping'an Wang's Clan?

The Xu brothers were filled with bitterness in their hearts.

Well, this is a big problem now.

The cost of the sister's outfit, if bought as a whole set, would not be less than a thousand Top Gold. With this spare money, it should be prioritized for the children's cultivation, how could it be wasted like this?

The two brothers quickly diverted their attention and picked up the two or three-year-old Wang Ning.

This child is the son of Wang Zongwei and the first member of the ninth generation of the "Shi" generation in the Ping'an Wang's Clan.

With this, the topic naturally shifted to the younger generation.

"Zongwei was a bit unruly when he was young." Xu Zhenxing, the elder uncle, said, "But in recent years, he has been able to calm down and do things steadily. By the way, I remember he married a direct descendant of the Gongsun's Clan, right?"

Mentioning her eldest son, Xu Chunyun also showed a somewhat proud smile: "Zongwei was a bit wayward when he was young. Fortunately, Fourth Uncle personally disciplined him, which made him realize his mistakes."

"Now that boy is developing in the East Sea Guard, and he has already managed a lot of things. His wife was personally chosen by Madam Gongsun. She is smart and capable, just right to keep that rascal in check."

"Auntie is really lucky." Second sister-in-law Dang laughed, "But our son is not bad either, he is not even thirty yet, and he has already reached the peak of the Qi Refining Realm. Even the Ancestor of our family has praised him several times."

Speaking of her son Xu Younian, Dang's eyes also showed a hint of pride.

The eldest sister-in-law Lei looked a bit unnatural, obviously her child was not as good, at least not as good as Xu Younian.

"I didn't expect Younian to be so successful now~" Xu Chunyun laughed happily, as if casually saying, "Speaking of which, our Zongchang has also been very busy these years, and hasn't come back to see you all."

As soon as these words came out, the second brother Xu Zhenye's face immediately turned awkward.

He looked at Dang with a stern face and said, "You are really out of touch. Our Zongchang is only twenty-two years old and he is already a famous young master, much more successful than Younian~"

The eldest brother Xu Zhenxing hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Sister, I heard that Lici went to the Zifu Academy for the exam, did she pass?"

Zifu Academy exam?

Everyone who hadn't heard about this suddenly became interested.

Being eligible to take the Zifu Academy exam is already considered a talent. If she passes, even if she becomes an ordinary disciple, she will definitely become a Lingtai Realm in the future.

As for her daughter Wang Lici, Xu Chunyun didn't pay much attention, and Wang Lici's real cultivation level was also kept secret, even she, as a mother, was not very clear.

Xu Chunyun thought for a moment and said, "These things were all arranged by Fourth Uncle Shouzhe. After Lici finished the exam, she stayed at the academy, so she should have passed."

As soon as these words came out, the Xu Clan was immediately excited, all showing a sense of pride.

Privately, they might be envious and jealous, but if Wang Lici could become a Lingtai Realm, then they, as uncles and aunts, would also rise to heaven.

Not only would it be a matter of face, but also a matter of substance!

Perhaps, in the future, Lici might be the support of their entire family~

"Good, good~" Xu Anming was also in tears, extremely gratified, "Once Lici enters the academy, she will definitely become a Lingtai Realm. I didn't expect that among my grandchildren, there would be a Lingtai Realm!"

Wang Shouxin remained silent.

Xu Chunyun didn't pay much attention to her daughter's affairs, and her daughter intentionally concealed it, so she naturally didn't know the truth, but he knew it very well.

His daughter Wang Lici was not a future Lingtai Realm, but had already become a Lingtai Realm.

In addition, he also heard from Shouzhe that Lici had found a remarkable master, and her future prospects were very promising.

Wang Shouxin thought to himself, Lici's master must be a Heavenly Realm master, no wonder Shouzhe wanted to keep it a secret. If this matter were to spread out, it would probably cause a stir.

Looking at Xu Chunyun's proud face, as if she couldn't wait to show off her children's excellence to the whole world, he felt a bit embarrassed.

Well, let her continue to be kept in the dark~

Unfortunately, even Wang Shouxin himself was kept in the dark. Wang Lici's master was not a Heavenly Realm master, but a prestigious Zifu Superior, and a vice-principal who ranked high among the Zifu Superiors.

Just as everyone was lavishly praising Wang Lici.

A majestic and hearty voice suddenly came from outside the door: "Third brother, I heard that Chunyun and Shouxin are here. Why didn't you inform me?"

This voice...

Xu Chunyun's family was all stunned.

Isn't this the voice of the clan leader, Xu Anbang?

Since when did the direct descendants of the Changning Xu Clan have to inform the clan leader when they come back to visit?

If everyone did this, wouldn't the clan leader be too busy?

...