On this day, the two of them were preparing to return to the official residence in Chang'an. After noon, they planned to rest for a while at a small pavilion along the road.
The pavilion was simple, built in the wilderness for travelers to stop and rest. Just as they were about to step inside, an elderly woman leaning on a cane suddenly raised her head and called out:
"Xian'er?"
The moment Ling Xian'er saw her, she cried out loudly,
"Grandmother!"
The old woman was none other than Yao Xiangu.
Wu Tong quickly stepped forward and respectfully greeted her.
"Grandmother!"
Yao Xiangu said with a smile,
"Xian'er, your parents have also come to see you."
Just then, a middle-aged couple walked toward the pavilion. Ling Xian'er immediately rushed forward and called out joyfully,
"Father! Mother!"
They were Ling Fei and Li Hua.
Ling Fei was tall and imposing. With a stern expression he said,
"I would like to see what kind of man dared to marry my daughter without even presenting a betrothal gift!"
Hearing this, Wu Tong's face immediately turned red. He hurried forward, knelt on the ground, and said respectfully,
"Your son-in-law, Wu Tong, Master of Zhongyi Hall, greets my honored father-in-law and mother-in-law!"
He then kowtowed three times.
Ling Fei spoke in a deep voice,
"Wu Tong, since you have married my daughter, why did you not present the proper betrothal gifts?"
Li Hua quickly tugged at Ling Fei's sleeve.
"Don't frighten the son-in-law!"
As the saying goes, 'A mother-in-law looks at her son-in-law and likes him more the more she sees him.'
She continued,
"Our son-in-law serves as an official in the court. His duties keep him busy. He also travels throughout the martial world. How could he be as leisurely as you?"
Ling Fei wanted to respond but found himself unable to interrupt.
Ling Xian'er also explained,
"My husband is the Master of Zhongyi Hall. His responsibilities are very different from ordinary civil officials. Although he does not attend court daily, the imperial court often assigns him missions. These matters must be handled personally."
Seeing Wu Tong still kneeling, Li Hua helped him to his feet.
"Tong'er, rise. Your father-in-law has a stubborn temper—don't take it to heart."
Wu Tong stood up.
At this moment Yao Xiangu walked over with her cane and scolded Ling Fei,
"Fei'er! Wu Tong, the Master of Zhongyi Hall, calling you 'father-in-law' is a blessing earned by the virtue of your ancestors! Don't put on such airs!"
Her words were not without reason.
Originally, Yao Xiangu had intended to marry another granddaughter to Wu Tong, but Liu Yun had strongly opposed the idea. In anger, Yao Xiangu even arranged a martial contest between Ling Xian'er and Liu Yun. Eventually, Ling Xian'er willingly chose to become Wu Tong's concubine. In order to secure her granddaughter's place by Wu Tong's side, Yao Xiangu had humbled herself greatly before Li Qian and Zhao Rou.
Ling Fei felt somewhat embarrassed and muttered,
"Mother…"
Yao Xiangu sighed.
"The Master of Zhongyi Hall is a hero among men, a pillar of the nation, and a righteous figure of the martial world. I am very satisfied that my granddaughter has married Wu Tong."
Ling Fei stammered,
"But… have the two of them formally performed the wedding rites?"
Yao Xiangu was briefly startled, then laughed.
"My foolish son, that's easy. They can perform the wedding ceremony at the Zhongyi Hall residence in Chang'an!"
Then she looked at Wu Tong.
"Grandson-in-law, what do you say?"
Wu Tong and Ling Xian'er were both people of the martial world. Although they had never formally held a wedding ceremony, they were already husband and wife in reality.
Wu Tong said somewhat awkwardly,
"Everything will be according to Grandmother's wishes."
Ling Fei immediately said,
"Good! Then let us go to Chang'an right away and arrange their wedding!"
Seeing how eager her husband was, Li Hua laughed.
"The young couple isn't even in a hurry. Why are you so anxious?"
Ling Fei, a stubborn old man, replied,
"How could I not be anxious? This is my only precious daughter! I may not accept the betrothal gifts, but the wedding rites must be performed—before Heaven and Earth and before her parents!"
Yao Xiangu laughed.
"My foolish son has always been stubborn. Very well, let us arrange the wedding soon. After all, Xian'er deserves a proper marriage and an honorable status."
Thus the group mounted their horses and headed toward Chang'an.
By evening, they arrived at the Zhongyi Hall residence in Chang'an.
Wu Tong instructed the steward Tang Yong to prepare guest rooms and a banquet.
After entering the residence, Yao Xiangu and the others were amazed by its grandeur. The buildings were magnificent and imposing.
Wu Tong and Ling Xian'er led them through the estate. Inside the courtyard, an atmosphere of ancient elegance filled the air.
Within the vast manor stood pavilions, towers, terraces, and corridors. There were waterside pavilions, wooden bridges, rare flowers and plants, and clusters of bamboo everywhere.
The residence was splendid and majestic, displaying an air of wealth and prestige.
When they reached the main hall, the three wives came out to greet them.
Yao Xiangu exchanged greetings with them, and Wu Tong introduced Ling Xian'er's parents.
Li Hua then said,
"Yun'er, do you still remember your aunt?"
Upon seeing her aunt, Liu Yun suddenly recalled her childhood. When she was very young, her aunt had once brought her cousin to Tianzun Sect, and the two girls had played together innocently. At that time Liu Yun was about four or five years old, while her cousin was only two or three.
Remembering her late mother, Liu Yun's eyes reddened. She stepped forward and embraced Li Hua, tears of joy falling from her eyes.
"Aunt!"
After all, Li Hua was her mother's younger sister.
Both of them had tears in their eyes.
Yao Xiangu said,
"Liu Yun, Xian'er told me that Sister Yun has taken very good care of her. This old woman must thank you."
Liu Yun smiled through her tears.
"Grandmother, what are you saying? We are like sisters. Of course I would take care of her."
At this moment Wu Tong spoke solemnly.
"My three ladies, I have something to say. Now that Xian'er's parents and grandmother have come, I would like to take this opportunity to formally marry Xian'er. What do you think?"
The three wives were briefly stunned—then suddenly burst into cheers.
Li Qian looked at Xian'er and said,
"Xian'er, congratulations!"
Zhao Rou added,
"This should have happened long ago!"
Liu Yun even spoke up for her.
"Brother Tong should have given you your rightful status much earlier!"
Ling Fei and Li Hua were overjoyed and immediately clasped their hands in gratitude.
"Thank you, ladies, for your kindness."
Ling Xian'er herself was also filled with happiness.
Wu Tong felt delighted and continued,
"Very well. In three days, we will hold a grand wedding banquet for Xian'er."
Wu Tong thought to himself that by formally completing the wedding ceremony with Ling Xian'er, he would finally fulfill the wishes of Yao Xiangu and her family.