Everyone made merry at the Xiao clan's estate until late into the night, while Li Guilan and Meng Wanshu returned early to the Great Xia Sword Sect to rest.
The rest drank at the Xiao clan, brothers opening their hearts and chatting freely.
Li Guanqi also showed concern regarding Ye Feng and Xiao Chen's upcoming marriages.
However, both shook their heads, saying that those could wait until after Li Guanqi was wed.
Early the next morning, after everyone returned to the Great Xia Sword Sect, Meng Wanshu prepared to take Li Guilan and bid farewell to the others.
"Aren't you staying another day?"
Meng Wanshu shook her head with a smile. "If I return today, tomorrow will be the day you present the betrothal gifts. I can hardly travel back home alongside you when you arrive with the gifts, can I?"
Meng Wanshu chided him fondly, rolling her eyes at Li Guanqi.
Li Guanqi shrugged. That made sense.
Bowing politely, he said, "Then Mother should return early and wait for our arrival."
Li Guilan's eyes crinkled into crescents with joy. It seemed that spending the past two days with her old acquaintances from Fulong Village had brought her immense happiness.
"Alright, alright. Once the auspicious hour is chosen, remember to let your father know."
Li Guanqi nodded with a smile, after which Meng Wanshu led Li Guilan onto the teleportation array bound for the Shenbao Domain.
No sooner had Li Guilan departed than Lu Kangnian flashed into view beside them, asking in puzzlement, "Wanshu and the others have already left?"
"Yes, just now."
"Perfect. Don't just stand there foolishly. Back to the main hall to try on clothes! I had eighteen sets of fine ceremonial robes made for you this time. You need to try each one on to see which fits best. If alterations are needed, that takes time."
In a whirlwind of energy, Lu Kangnian whisked everyone back to the main hall.
Inside the hall, lustrous, shimmering embroidered robes were displayed atop purple jade platters.
Lu Kangnian bustled about, saying, "Hurry, try them on quickly. See which color and pattern look best."
Li Guanqi chuckled ruefully. "Just wearing a red wedding robe should do. This is... a bit much trouble."
Lu Kangnian glared, snapping back, "How could that be the same?! Quit your rambling and hurry up and try them."
He then turned to the others and barked, "What are you all staring at? The robes over there are yours! Go try them on and see if the sizes fit."
Ye Feng burst out laughing and waved a broad hand. "Come on, let's go try on our robes!"
Within moments, the five brothers had all changed into red embroidered robes. Tailored and restrained yet brimming with iridescent luster, the gold and silver thread embroidery was grand without losing solemnity. It had to be said, once dressed in red, every one of them exuded an unmistakable festive air.
Looking at the handsome young men, Lu Kangnian could not help but chuckle. "Tsk, you little brats really do have the makings of pretty boys."
Cao Yan quipped, "When it comes to pretty boys, that's definitely Fourth Brother."
Xiao Chen curled his lip, his gaze unconsciously darting toward Gu Li's backside. Clicking his tongue, he teased, "Tsk, if we're talking about being fair, I definitely can't beat Old Six Gu."
"Hahahahaha!"
"Hahaha, did you catch a glimpse when Old Six Gu was injured and lying in the medicinal pool last time?"
Lu Kangnian smiled faintly and looked at Tang Ru with praise. "Now that you've slimmed down, you look quite dashing and elegant. Very nice."
Tang Ru's temperament remained as reserved and steady as ever, devoid of flippancy. At the man's praise, he merely smiled and cupped his hands in salute.
Immediately after, everyone turned their attention.
Wearing a magnificent navy-blue robe, Li Guanqi stepped out from behind the screen, looking entirely ill at ease. "This color doesn't seem quite right, does it..."
Lu Kangnian frowned. "Change into another."
"Try another one..."
Over the next while, Li Guanqi changed through several sets without being satisfied.
After shedding a white robe, Li Guanqi reached out and picked up a wedding robe styled in crimson and gold.
Once he had changed into it:
Li Guanqi looked at himself in the mirror and nodded in approval. The garment hung loose yet perfectly fitted, flattering his frame and making him appear tall, straight, and poised. The magnificent gold-thread embroidery was masterfully executed; coiled dragon motifs seemed poised to leap into the air at any second. Yet these golden dragons lacked the domineering ferocity and vicious aura of the dragon race. In their stead was an indescribable air of auspicious blessing!
Li Guanqi nodded with satisfaction, stepped out from behind the screen, spread his arms, and turned around for everyone to see.
The eyes of everyone lit up as they nodded in unison, his brothers giving him thumbs-up.
Lu Kangnian spoke with a smile, "The Valley Master of Feihua Valley never disappoints with her craftsmanship. Good! The wedding robe is settled, then. Get plenty of rest today. Tomorrow morning, we set out from the Great Xia Sword Sect and take the teleportation array to the Shenbao Domain's Meng clan! This teleportation array will allow those in the outside world to clearly behold our ceremonial escort. No drinking today. Don't mess up tomorrow's business. Understood?"
Li Guanqi and the others nodded repeatedly, changed out of their robes, and carefully stored them away in their storage rings.
Having spoken his piece, Lu Kangnian turned and departed; he had countless matters left to attend to.
With nothing else to do, the group decided to hang out at Li Guanqi's Yuhu Peak.
Yuhu Peak remained exactly as it had in the past—a modest, sky-piercing stone peak.
Li Guanqi joked, "It might be small, but since we're not sparring, it's more than big enough for you all to roll around on."
Hearing this, everyone burst into hearty laughter.
***
After Lu Kangnian returned to his study, he found a thick stack of documents piled beside him. Lu Kangnian took a deep breath, sat before the desk, and calmed his mind.
From his storage ring, he retrieved a two-foot-wide slab of purple gold crystal. It was a flawless crystal slab that Lu Kangnian had handpicked through meticulous selection.
He closed his eyes and gathered his focus for a moment, then produced an iridescent engraving knife.
With fluid, draconic strokes, he swiftly carved two large characters:
*Betrothal Letter!*
Indeed, Lu Kangnian was personally penning the betrothal letter. As Li Guanqi's elder and family, this was a gift bearing special meaning.
"Letter of Betrothal from Li Guanqi of the Li clan to Meng Wanshu of the Meng clan.
"Li Guanqi of the Li clan, with the utmost sincerity of heart, presents this betrothal letter to the Meng clan.
"Hardened by worldly trials from youth, steeped in propriety and righteousness in manhood, upright in conduct and noble in virtue.
"Now blessed to meet Meng Wanshu, virtuous and gentle, gifted in intellect and beauty, my heart holds profound reverence and yearning, seeking to join together in matrimonial union.
"Should the Meng clan grace us without disdain, Li Guanqi shall, with a heart of purest devotion, hold her hand and grow old with her. I pledge mutual devotion through every storm, dedicating my utmost strength to build a warm and loving home, so that Wanshu may never regret her choice in this lifetime.
"I pray only that the elders of the Meng clan will look favorably upon this suit and grant an auspicious date to consummate the marital rites."
Finally, the signature:
"Great Xia Sword Sect and Sect Master, Lu Kangnian."
Having inscribed the final sentence, the man set down his engraving knife and picked up the cup of wine from the desk, taking a light sip. He looked up out the window, his gaze slightly dazed.
This was the greatest backing he, as sect master, could bestow upon Li Guanqi.
He took out a blank scroll, spread it out, and raised his brush.
*Gift Letter.*
Then, the man began writing down, one by one, the betrothal gifts prepared by the Great Xia Sword Sect and Guanyun Pavilion.
Right at this moment, ripples in space gently pulsed.
Pengluo popped out from the void, clutching a pile of things in his arms.
"Um, Old Lu... these are gifts Ye Feng and the others prepared. Write them down too, will ya?"
Lu Kangnian smiled, took them over, and looked at Pengluo with a grin. "Do you want to write one too?"
Pengluo's eyes lit up, and he hopped onto the desk, sneakily whispering, "I can write one too?"
"Haha, of course."
"Hehe, then write one for me too!"
Sticking his rear in the air, Pengluo sprawled across the document, turned back to look at Lu Kangnian, and pointed at a spot on the paper. "Can you put my name right after those guys?"
"Sure. What do you want to give?"
"Uh... dried radish."
"Hey, old man! I'm gifting my very own essence—what's with that look?!"
Chapter 1515