A thousand enlightenments in one night, starting from being a menial apprentice.

Duan Rong wanted Xiao Yu to move into the Lü family mansion because he was worried about her safety.

He couldn't say this directly. Although he trusted Xiao Yu and Lü Qingzhu completely, telling them that he had a grudge against Shen Tu Ying, a senior member of the sect and a powerful expert at the Cave-Nether Realm, and that Shen Tu Ying had even sent her disciple to attack him in the Divine Demon Ruins, would only make Xiao Yu and Lü Qingzhu worry about him.

After Duan Rong finished speaking, he fixed his deep gaze on Xiao Yu.

Looking into Duan Rong's eyes, Xiao Yu knew in that instant that he truly hoped she could move into the Lü family mansion. Although Xiao Yu didn't know why Duan Rong had this idea, she believed that Duan Rong must have his reasons for doing so.

In just a moment, she stopped hesitating.

Xiao Yu said solemnly, "My husband is right. As long as we are of one mind, the outside world's disturbances will not affect us. Xiao Qi and I will pack our things and move over."

“That’s exactly right,” Duan Rong said. Just now, in the instant their eyes met, the two of them clearly shared a tacit understanding.

Xiao Yu stood up and bowed, saying, "Husband, I'll go pack my things now."

Duan Rong nodded.

Xiao Yu then left.

Lü Qingzhu smiled and said, "Sister Xiao, let me help you."

Xiao Yu turned her head, her face beaming with smiles, and said, "Thank you very much, sister."

The two then went into the inner room hand in hand, while Duan Rong sat in the hall sipping tea.

The courtyard on this hilltop was only recently built, a few months at most. Xiao Yu and Zhu Xiaoqi didn't have many belongings to begin with. And since Lü Qingzhu had told them not to bring the things they had at the Lü family residence, they probably didn't have much either, just some everyday clothes.

Even everyday clothes and some jewelry, when a woman packs her things, it takes up many bags and small packages.

Seeing Xiao Yu and Zhu Xiaoqi dragging large bags and small packages out, Xiao Yu asked Zhu Xiaoqi, "Did you pack my light green dress?"

Duan Rong stood up and said, "It's not like we're raiding your home! Why bring everything? If we find something is missing, we can just come back and get it."

Xiao Yu wasn't listening to him at all; she was still searching with Zhu Xiaoqi.

Several hours later, they finally finished getting ready.

The group then left the courtyard and headed towards the Lü family residence.

As soon as they entered the Lü family mansion, the steward Han Cheng headed towards the flower hall.

In the flower hall, Lü Zhongtang and Li Baoyue were drinking tea.

Han Cheng stood outside the flower hall and called out, "Master."

Lu Zhongtang glanced at him, said nothing, and only took a sip of tea. Han Cheng then went in and said, "Lord Duan and the others have moved in. Xiao Yu and Zhu Xiaoqi have also moved in."

Lu Zhongtang raised an eyebrow and said, "Xiao Yu moved in too?"

Han Cheng said, "Yes."

Lu Zhongtang's face was somewhat gloomy as he said, "I understand. You may go."

Upon hearing this, Han Cheng bowed and left the flower hall.

Lu Zhongtang put down his teacup, his eyes flashing. He had met with Xiao Yu this morning and said some harsh words, his purpose being to prevent Xiao Yu from moving in.

Li Baoyue sat to the side, glanced at him, and said, "I think we should just let this matter go. These past few days, while tidying up that courtyard, I also sounded out Qingzhu's opinion. She seems to want to acknowledge Xiao Yu as her older sister."

Lu Zhongtang coldly replied, "She may admit it, but I don't."

Li Baoyue said, "Your relationship with your daughter has just improved. I advise you to be careful and not hurt Qingzhu's feelings again. That child has always had a bad temper."

Upon hearing this, a hint of hesitation flashed in Lü Zhongtang's eyes. He hadn't actually asked Lü Qingzhu for her opinion on this matter in detail; he always felt that he was doing it for her own good.

But if he asked himself honestly, was he acting for his own pride, or truly for Lü Qingzhu's good? To be honest, he himself wasn't sure.

But when he thought of the estrangement between him and his daughter in previous years, a chill of fear ran through him.

Lu Zhongtang picked up the teacup on the table and brought it to his mouth, only to find that the tea inside was already empty. He put the empty teacup down and got up to walk outside.

Li Baoyue asked, "Where are you going again?"

Lü Zhongtang said, "I'll go take a look at the courtyard next door."

Li Baoyue said, "They just moved in, so don't go over there and cause trouble!"

"I know," Lu Zhongtang muttered impatiently.

Li Baoyue watched with some worry as Lü Zhongtang walked out.

Lu Zhongtang slowly walked into the courtyard next door. He hadn't been to the courtyard since it was cleaned up, and his eyes lit up as soon as he saw it.

Although all the weeds were cleared away because there were too many, and the flowers and greenery were gone, the overall simple and elegant charm is still there.

Lu Zhongtang was already very familiar with the layout of the courtyard. With a quick glance, he headed towards the east wing.

Xiao Yu and Zhu Xiaoqi were chatting and laughing as they arranged the bronze mirror and rouge box on the dressing table. As soon as Lü Zhongtang walked in, they both saw him.

Zhu Xiaoqi immediately glared at Lü Zhongtang with an unfriendly expression.

Xiao Yu bowed and said, "Greetings, Elder Lü!"

Lü Zhongtang asked, "Xiao Yu, do you live in this east wing?"

Xiao Yu did not respond upon hearing this.

It was already impolite of Lü Zhongtang to barge into her boudoir without any reason, even though she had just entered and her things were still unpacked.

Seeing that Xiao Yu remained silent, Lü Zhongtang continued, "Isn't this east wing room where my Qingzhu lives?"

Xiao Yu's eyes flickered, and she immediately understood what Lü Zhongtang meant.

There is also a hierarchy among the east and west wing rooms, with the east wing being the most prestigious.

Xiao Yu is the older sister, which is why Lü Qingzhu instructed her to stay in the east wing. Lü Zhongtang's words at this moment are a way of bringing up the old topic again, using the east and west wing rooms as a pretext.

Xiao Yu was momentarily speechless, but Zhu Xiaoqi, already furious, retorted, "What do you mean, 'your Qingzhu'? She's already married to my son-in-law. She's our Qingzhu now! And you call yourself a sect elder? The husband is the head of the household, don't you understand? Well then, she lives in the west wing. If you want to find her, go to the west wing..."

Zhu Xiaoqi was quick-witted and spoke rapidly, like a machine gun, making Lü Zhongtang's face turn ashen. However, he couldn't afford to get angry with a mere girl.

"Xiao Qi, don't be rude!" Xiao Yu scolded Zhu Xiao Qi indifferently, then smiled at Lü Zhongtang and said, "Elder Lü, please don't be offended! It's my fault for neglecting to discipline her and spoiling her."

Just as Lü Zhongtang was about to say something, Lü Qingzhu suddenly walked in. She had come to check after hearing the noise.

Lü Qingzhu asked, "Father, what are you doing here?"

Lu Zhongtang gave an awkward smile and said, "You're moving, aren't you? I came to see you." As he spoke, his eyes flickered and he said, "Qingzhu, the east wing has better lighting. You've always been prone to feeling cold, so I think you should stay in the east wing. Xiao Yu, what do you say?"

Upon hearing this, Lü Qingzhu's expression changed slightly, and she immediately said, "Every family has its rules. It's not like Qingzhu can just live wherever she wants. We, the Lü family, are supposed to be descendants of the sect's patriarch. Do you think we don't know proper etiquette? Since Sister Xiao is the elder sister, she should naturally live in the east wing."

Lü Zhongtang was speechless for a moment.

Lü Qingzhu said, "Sister Xiao, shall I make your bed?" Xiao Yu smiled and said, "Thank you for your trouble, little sister."

The two happily began making the bed, and Lu Zhongtang was momentarily stunned by their harmonious interaction.

Lü Qingzhu tugged at the corner of the blanket, turned to look at her father, and said, "Father, why don't you go and see Duan Rong? What's so interesting about us girls making our beds here?"

"Okay, fine," Lü Zhongtang replied and walked outside.

He walked to Duan Rong's room behind the main hall and saw Duan Rong watering a pot of orchids with a bamboo tube. He couldn't help but laugh and say, "My dear son-in-law! You're really enjoying yourself, taking care of flowers now?"

Duan Rong smiled and said, "This was made by Qingzhu, who said it had the fragrance of orchids."

Lu Zhongtang's eyes flickered. He had mentioned Xiao Yu's matter to Duan Rong before, but he had been rebuffed, so he naturally couldn't bring it up again now.

After this trip, it seems that the things he thought he could accomplish have turned out to be completely unbreakable. This family is a united front, and he can't even budge Xiao Yu, let alone Duan Rong.

Seeing that Lü Zhongtang remained silent, Duan Rong smiled and said, "Father-in-law, now that we've moved in, it'll be easier to visit each other. I was thinking of preparing a feast here tonight and inviting you and Aunt Yue over for a chat. What do you think?"

Lü Zhongtang said, "You certainly know how to use someone else's flowers to present to Buddha! Okay, let's have another drink tonight."

Duan Rong laughed and said, "I'll keep you company to the end."

As Lü Zhongtang walked out of Duan Rong's courtyard, his thoughts about making Duan Rong divorce Xiao Yu and make Lü Qingzhu his legal wife had mostly cooled down.

He had initially thought there might be some progress on the matter. Now it seems the chances are slim.

Lü Zhongtang sighed and walked towards his courtyard.

As soon as Lü Zhongtang left, Duan Rong went into the east wing.

He lifted the curtain and came in, and saw Xiao Yu, Lü Qingzhu, and Zhu Xiaoqi laughing and joking. He couldn't help but smile and said, "I could hear your laughter from outside. What's going on? Why are you so happy?"

Xiao Yule said, "Just now, Xiao Qi released..."

Before Xiao Yu could finish speaking, Zhu Xiaoqi reached out and covered her mouth, saying shyly, "Miss, you mustn't say it."

Duan Rong said, "Let's talk about this matter later."

As he spoke, he looked at Zhu Xiaoqi, whose face was flushed with embarrassment, and said, "Xiaoqi, we need to invite Elder Lü and Aunt Yue over for dinner tonight. You have to prepare a feast."

"Huh!? Now?" Zhu Xiaoqi looked up in surprise and said, "I'm still helping Miss tidy up her room, I haven't even tidied my own room yet. And you're already ordering me around!?"

Duan Rong said, "Tell Shen Mizhi to tidy up your room."

Zhu Xiaoqi said, "I haven't really managed many banquets before! I don't want to make a fool of myself in front of those ill-intentioned guys."

Zhu Xiaoqi was referring to Lü Zhongtang.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yu glanced at Lü Qingzhu and saw that she did not seem unhappy. Then she turned to Zhu Xiaoqi and solemnly instructed her, "Xiaoqi, you must not be rude to Elder Lü in the future."

Zhu Xiaoqi replied, "Understood, Miss."

Duan Rong said, "It doesn't matter if you haven't done it before. Just bring out the dishes you're good at. There's wine here."

Zhu Xiaoqi said, "My dishes are all home-style cooking, are they okay? Are they presentable?"

Duan Rong laughed and said, "Little Qi, you should have confidence in your cooking skills. Those few dishes are enough!"

Duan Rong often ate the food cooked by Zhu Xiaoqi, and those few dishes were already much better than what Li Baoyue had prepared the night before.

Zhu Xiaoqi laughed and said, "Since the son-in-law says it's okay, then I'll get started."

Duan Rong said, "Just make sure the dishes are cooked well. As long as they don't embarrass your young lady."

Zhu Xiaoqi didn't fully understand the meaning of Duan Rong's last sentence, but since they had just moved in, the dishes served to others couldn't be shabby.

Zhu Xiaoqi then put aside his other tasks and focused on preparing for the evening's banquet.

As night fell, lanterns were already hung in the courtyard.

At the mahogany round table in the hall, Lü Zhongtang, Li Baoyue, Duan Rong, Xiao Yu, and Lü Qingzhu each took their seats.

Duan Rong glanced at Xiao Yu and said, "This family is finally complete tonight. Xiao Yu, my throat is a little sore today. Please offer a toast to Elder Lü and Aunt Yue on my behalf."

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes widened in surprise.

In particular, Lü Zhongtang looked at Xiao Yu with some displeasure.

Duan Rong's action was intended to convey to Lü Zhongtang Xiao Yu's position within the family. By having the principal wife offer a toast on behalf of her husband, and Lü Zhongtang drinking the wine offered by Xiao Yu, he was essentially acknowledging her status.

Xiao Yu naturally understood Duan Rong's thoughts.

She stood up, bowed to Duan Rong, and said, "Yes, my husband!"

Then, Xiao Yu poured two glasses of wine in front of her. She picked up one glass first, walked slowly towards Lü Zhongtang, and respectfully presented the glass to him, bowing and saying, "Xiao Yu toasts Elder Lü on behalf of her husband!"

Lu Zhongtang sat there, his face somewhat grim, and he did not reach out to take the wine from Xiao Yu.

Duan Rong said, "Father-in-law, after drinking Xiao Yujing's wine, our two families will be one family from now on."

Lu Zhongtang's lips moved slightly, and Lu Qingzhu looked at him and said, "Father, Sister Xiao is toasting you."

Lü Zhongtang looked at Lü Qingzhu and Duan Rong.

At this moment, he completely understood Duan Rong's intentions. This kid was telling him to give up on the idea of ​​him divorcing Xiao Yu as soon as possible. And to make matters worse, his own daughter was on Duan Rong's side.

He really is outnumbered and outmatched.

Lü Zhongtang said, "Alright! I'll drink this wine."

Then he accepted Xiao Yu's wine and drank it all in one gulp.

Xiao Yu's eyes flickered, and a great weight lifted from her heart. She understood the significance of this cup of wine. By drinking it, Lü Zhongtang was acknowledging her status, and the matter of divorcing her would no longer be mentioned.

If he insists on not drinking, or makes excuses, it means he will cause trouble again.

Afterwards, Xiao Yu toasted Li Baoyue again.

After Xiao Yujing finished toasting, Lü Qingzhu got up and toasted everyone again. Lü Qingzhu's toasting at this point was intended to appease them.

Then, they chatted about everyday things and ate some food, but no one drank any more alcohol.

The second half of the banquet was a bit quiet, and Lü Zhongtang and Li Baoyue took their leave.

The two walked back to their own courtyard.

Li Baoyue then said, "I told you not to do this again. Look at tonight's banquet. It's a perfectly good family, and you've made things awkward between them."

Lü Zhongtang said, "Don't bring this up again. I was blinded by greed..." (End of Chapter)