Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 66 Moon Lake County (Seeking Further Reading)

"Isn't it just visiting relatives?" Xu Mingxian asked with a hint of suspicion.

The Yang and Xu families had been on good terms for several years. Yang Ronghua was dignified, gentle, generous and proper. After marrying into the Xu family, she was loved by the servants.

Both Yang Zhao and his son are honest and generous, and are worth getting to know better.

"Uncle Yang and the others wouldn't go so far as to lay a hand on my elder brother and the others, would they?"

Xu Chuan smiled faintly, "They won't, but Yun Nu, don't confuse individuals with families."

"In many cases, individuals in aristocratic families will protect the family for their own benefit, but the family may not necessarily protect the individual. Sometimes, one must even learn to give up."

Xu Mingxian nodded slightly, seemingly lost in thought.

Xu Chuan lowered his eyes and smiled, patting his shoulder. "Alright, stop worrying unnecessarily. Just focus on practicing your skills. Your father plans things out carefully before acting. What I just said was just a guess, don't take it seriously."

"The Yang family is, after all, a large family with a history of hundreds of years. They have their own style and demeanor. If they had only relied on plunder to develop, they would not have survived to this day. They would have long been a thorn in the side of the families in the county, and would be the target of their desire to get rid of them as soon as possible."

Xu Chuan raised his eyes and looked at the distant green mountains, his gaze deep and unfathomable, it was impossible to know what he saw in them.

"Let them go out and see. In the future, not only them, but you, me, and Ming Shu will all leave the Xu family and seek opportunities for the development of the Xu family."

After saying that, Xu Chuan said no more.

Xu Mingxian looked at the group of people who were gradually disappearing on the horizon, her eyes flashing with a sharp light, as if she was looking forward to seeing what would happen when they left the Xu family.

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Moon Lake County City.

Xu Mingwei and his group arrived near the city gate of Yuehu County by carriage.

Inside the carriage, Yang Ronghua held two-year-old Xu Dewen in her arms, while Xu Dezhao sat upright beside her.

Besides these, there were two maids.

As for the Xu brothers, Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingyuan, they rode horses with six guards.

Wu Rushan ultimately did not come along.

"This is the prefectural city. It is indeed magnificent and imposing, far surpassing any county town."

Xu Mingyuan looked at the majestic pass that came into view and felt a surge of emotion.

The city walls, built of bluestone, are like a giant dragon coiled up, with arrowheads from the previous dynasty embedded in the rammed earth layers, and stubborn thorns growing between the brick seams.

A gilded plaque bearing the inscription "Moon Lake" hangs above the main entrance.

The three arched gates beneath the plaque swallowed up merchants from all directions, and the iron-clad city gates had been worn down to reveal the original color of the wood core, with copper nails scattered like solidified rain.

A rusty alarm bell hangs beneath the eaves of the corner tower, its sound still carrying the echo of clashing weapons when the wind blows.

At the base of the city wall, layers of rammed earth have accumulated, and new moss and old bloodstains intertwine on the brick surface to form historical patterns.

And there is a wide moat surrounding the city, reflecting the mottled shadows of the walls.

"Indeed impressive," Xu Mingwei remarked.

We just arrived at the city gate.

The two then saw the Yang family steward, who had been waiting for them. Xu Mingwei had seen him before at the Yang family residence in Qingjiang.

"Butler Yang."

"Young master, the master told me to wait for you every day, and you've finally arrived."

Upon hearing the voice, Yang Ronghua lifted the curtain of the carriage. Seeing the familiar face, a smile immediately appeared on his lips. "Steward Yang, did Father send you to pick us up?"

"Yes, Miss, let's settle in the manor first."

"Good work."

The group walked along the wide streets of the county town, where people came and went in an endless stream. There were countless taverns, cosmetic shops, and vendors on both sides, and the bustling noise was full of vitality.

"It's really lively, much more so than a county town."

Xu Mingyuan's eyes lit up, as if he had seen unlimited business opportunities and wanted to make a name for himself in the county town.

Two quarters of an hour later.

They arrived at the Yang residence.

The Yang residence immediately became lively.

Yang Shichang, his wife, and Wen Jing all came out to greet them.

The mother and daughter were moved to tears upon seeing each other and embraced tightly.

"Mother, Mingwei and the others have had a long and tiring journey. Let them go in and rest quickly," Yang Shichang said with a smile. He then instructed his servants to go to the county government office to find Yang Zhao.

Xu Mingwei carried Xu Dewen and held Xu Dezhao's hand as they approached Yang Shichang. "Zhao'er, Wen'er, this is your uncle. Call him uncle." Xu Dezhao cupped his hands in greeting. "Uncle."

Xu Dewen opened his big, dark eyes and looked him over for a while before saying in a childish voice, "Uncle."

"Haha, so good!"

Yang Shichang smiled and patted their heads.

Madam Yang also came over and looked at her grandson.

"Call her maternal grandmother."

"Grandma."

"This is my aunt."

"aunt."

"Hurry up and go inside," Wen Jing said with a light laugh.

"Mingyuan, did you bring any gifts this time?" Yang Shichang chatted with Xu Mingyuan.

"Naturally there is."

The guards unloaded several jars of fine wine from the carriage and carried them inside.

The family was chatting in the living room.

Yang Shichang's son, Yang Ruifeng, dragged Xu Dezhao around the Yang residence.

Before long, Yang Zhao also walked into the hall with a smile.

Xu Mingwei and the others paid their respects to each of them.

"Father, this is Devon. Zhao'er, come and greet your maternal grandfather."

"Grandfather."

Yang Zhao picked Xu Dezhao up in one go, pinched his cheek, and laughed, "He's my good grandson."

"Grandpa, I want to be held too."

"Okay, let's go together."

Yang Zhao then picked up Yang Ruifeng with his other hand, and the two of them laughed non-stop.

He put it down after a long while.

"Mingwei, how many days do you plan to stay in the county town before returning?"

“Father-in-law, now that I am the head of the family, I can only stay in the county town for three or four days at most. A-Yuan is the same; he has many family matters to attend to and needs to go back as soon as possible.”

"Is your father now helping to manage things?"

"Before I came, I asked my father for help."

"Why are you in such a hurry? I know your father's abilities. Even if you go back in a month or two, nothing will happen to your Xu family. In fact, you might even rise to a higher level."

Wen Jing was slightly surprised upon hearing this, never expecting that Yang Zhao valued the old patriarch of the Xu family so much.

Xu Mingyuan smiled and said, "Father is getting old after all. A few years ago, he stopped taking care of household affairs and instead tended to the flowers and plants and practiced martial arts to keep himself healthy."

"Haha, I'm about the same age as him. You say your father is old, does that mean I'm also old and senile and can retire at home?"

Wen Jing said with a slightly dismissive tone, "Father, the old patriarch Xu is not like you, a Xiantian martial artist. He is in his prime. Some ordinary people are indeed considered old at forty or fifty."

Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingyuan didn't say much, but Yang Zhao lowered his eyelids slightly, his black pupils narrowed, and the contours of his face suddenly became sharp.

"If you don't know, don't talk nonsense. Who gave you the right to interrupt?"

“Father, that’s not what Jing’er meant,” Yang Shichang quickly said.

“Uncle Yang, we’re just having a casual chat, why make such a fuss? Even if my father were here, he wouldn’t care,” Xu Mingyuan said, trying to mediate.

Yang Zhao sighed, "Yes, that's definitely his personality."

"That's enough for today. Go and rest for a while. Later, Chang'er will take you to tour the county town. As for Zhao'er's matter, I will discuss it with the clan."

"Thank you so much, Father-in-law (Uncle Yang)!"

Yang Zhao and the others got up and left.

A cold glint suddenly appeared in Wen Jing's eyes, and that displeasure spread from the corners of her eyes, instantly staining her clear, autumn-watery pupils.

“Husband, what’s wrong with Father? He publicly rebuked me because of someone from a remote tribe. It’s heartbreaking.”

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(End of this chapter)