You've already caught the embroidered ball, and you still say it's not my husband?

Lu Xuan's mouth was agape, and he couldn't close it for a long time!

He, who had been single for eighteen years, suddenly even had a marriage certificate!

How could he not be shocked?

That was terrifying!

Su Qingwan blinked; it was the first time she had ever seen Lu Xuan so surprised.

She couldn't help but smile, her face beaming, and explained, "The state government has regulations that require any organization to report to the state government and obtain its approval before holding any large-scale event."

"Yesterday, Father went to the prefectural government office early in the morning to submit the application. Only after it was approved did the Su family hold the embroidered ball selection ceremony. There were also officials from the prefectural government present to witness the event. Afterwards, the dragon and phoenix invitation was naturally issued..."

This marriage proposal using an embroidered ball was approved by the state government, making it legitimate and legal!

In addition, the government definitely wants to promote population growth and collect more taxes, so opening the door wide makes getting the Dragon and Phoenix Certificate almost as easy as buying a candied hawthorn on the street!

Lu Xuanzhen was dumbfounded!

He accepted the Su family's embroidered ball in full view of everyone. Not only was it recognized by the people, but it was also officially approved. There was no way he could deny it!

But he wanted to be a bird soaring in the sky, not a live-in son-in-law!

"Miss Su... can't this Dragon and Phoenix Invitation be cancelled?"

Lu Xuan thought that if they could get married, they should also be able to get divorced, right?

Su Qingwan looked at Lu Xuan and smiled slightly, "Husband, you probably don't know this yet, do you? According to the marriage law of our Great Yan Dynasty, anyone who has registered for marriage but breaks off the engagement within one year will be punished with sixty strokes of the cane and will be prohibited from marrying for three years."

Lu Xuan was stunned!

She looked at Lu Qingqing for help, "Sister, is this true?"

Lu Qingqing and Li Du both nodded seriously, "That's right, that's how it is!"

Getting married is simple; the county or prefectural government office just needs to write your name and stamp it.

Married and then wanting a divorce?

Are you kidding me?! No way!

Or you could first get sixty lashes, then be banned from getting married for three years!

That's absolutely outrageous and unreasonable!

Lu Qingqing counted on her fingers, "Xiao Xuanzi is eighteen this year, and in three years he'll be twenty-one... He'll be middle-aged or elderly by then, absolutely not!"

If Lu Xuan insists on divorce, being punished is a minor matter; the major issue is that he cannot marry for three years. As his older sister, she absolutely cannot accept that!

"Ahem... Little Xuanzi, I think you and Miss Su are quite a good match. Why don't you listen to your sister and not get a divorce? Have a few more kids in the future..."

Lu Qingqing felt that her idea was better and advised Lu Xuan to accept the marriage.

Li Du also advised, "Xiao Xuanzi, don't struggle anymore. You won't find another girl as good as Miss Su even if you search the whole of Qingyang County. Anyway, the Dragon and Phoenix Invitation has already been issued, so I think we should just do it this way!"

The little girl, Tongtong, looked at Lu Xuan pitifully and called out in her childish voice, "Uncle, Tongtong... wants... Auntie."

Xi'er, the maid standing next to Su Qingwan, also advised, "Young master, my young lady is beautiful and kind-hearted, and skilled in music, chess, calligraphy and painting... Her master and mistress are also good people. You will definitely not suffer any grievances if you marry into the family."

Even Bao Bu Donkey in the corner looked on expectantly, as if to say, "Master, just give in to this little lady! Being a canary isn't so bad! That way, I, the little donkey, can eat and drink well every day!"

Lu Xuan's head was as big as a bucket!

It was as if, at this moment, if he dared to say "no," he would be making an enemy of the whole world!

Help!

"Husband." The young girl looked at Lu Xuan with eyes as clear as autumn water, gently biting her lip, looking pitiful. "Is it because Qingwan isn't pretty enough? Is that why you don't like her?"

Even the most hard-hearted person would soften upon seeing this pitiful young girl.

"No." Lu Xuan took a deep breath and said truthfully, "Miss Su... is very gentle and beautiful."

A blush rose on the girl's cheeks, making her even more charming.

Cough!

Lu Xuan coughed lightly, "But... a marriage needs to be based on affection. A marriage without affection is... strange. And affection takes time to cultivate. Miss Su, we've only just met..."

The two got their marriage certificate less than a day after meeting, a speed that caught Lu Xuan off guard and made him question his life. How could he accept it so quickly?

The girl hesitated for a moment, pondering: Is it true, as Lu Xuan said, that feelings need to be cultivated slowly?

Why does she seem to think she doesn't really need it?

She fell in love with Lu Xuan in less than a day, and cultivated her feelings for him in just one day...

She nodded slightly and smiled, "My husband is right. Feelings need time to be cultivated."

"How about this..." she said with a smile, looking at Lu Xuan, "If my husband still can't develop feelings for Qingwan after a year, and still doesn't like Qingwan, then Qingwan will write a letter of divorce and divorce my husband..."

The girl proposed a second solution.

Since the marriage contract has already been issued, it's not advisable to get a divorce within a year. Lu Xuan also declined, saying he wanted to cultivate feelings first. So, they would pretend to be a couple for now. If they still couldn't cultivate any so-called feelings after a year, then she would write a letter of divorce to divorce Lu Xuan and restore his freedom.

This plan seems pretty good!

At least it's much better than Lu Qingqing's suggestion that Lu Xuan should marry into the Su family and have more children!

"I think it's a good idea."

Lu Xuan nodded. At this point, there was no other way but to leave it at that.

"My lord, it's settled then."

Seeing that Lu Xuan agreed, the girl's smile became even brighter, though there seemed to be a hint of cunning in it...

After careful consideration, Lu Qingqing and Li Du were able to accept the proposal.

It doesn't matter whether Lu Xuan falls in love with Su Qingwan in the following year.

If they like each other, they can still be husband and wife; if they don't, they can get a divorce. Lu Xuan is only nineteen years old, so it's not too late for him to marry someone else!

That’s okay, that’s okay!

After this decision was made, the atmosphere became much more relaxed and easygoing.

A short while later, my brother-in-law, Li Du, prepared the meal and brought it all to the stone table in the courtyard.

There was braised free-range chicken with a bright red color, crispy and fragrant beef ribs, braised pork with a perfect balance of lean and fat, tender and not greasy, two small dishes of stir-fried vegetables... and a big bowl of fresh and tender wild sea bass soup!

"Qingwan, please sit down." Lu Qingqing warmly invited Su Qingwan to sit down, and she served rice and soup. "Come, come, Qingwan, have a bowl of fish soup to warm your stomach first."

"Thank you, Sister Lu."

Su Qingwan held the porcelain bowl containing fish soup in both hands, feeling a warm sensation in her palms and heart.

No matter what happens a year from now, she and Lu Xuan are husband and wife, which means they are family!

Like a warm-hearted older sister, Lu Qingqing put a few more dishes on Su Qingwan's plate, saying, "My husband's cooking skills are just so-so, they can't compare to what you have at home, Qingwan. Please don't be too offended."

Su Qingwan took a sip of fish soup and praised with a smile, "Sister, you're too modest. Brother-in-law's cooking skills are superb, comparable to some of the top chefs in Yunzhou restaurants. If he weren't a constable, he could definitely be the head chef of a restaurant!"

Li Du was a little embarrassed by the praise. He was a good cook, but he was far from being a chef at a famous restaurant.

Look at this Miss Su, she's also my sister-in-law. She's well-educated, reasonable, and knows how to talk!

Glug~

Someone's stomach was growling.

Xi'er's face immediately turned red. She had been helping to serve rice, pour tea, and pour wine, because this was what a maid should do, but her stomach started growling first.

How embarrassing! How shameful!

"Miss Xi'er, please sit down and eat with us."

Lu Qingqing took the hand of her maid Xi'er, urging her to sit down, but Xi'er instinctively declined, saying, "No! Xi'er is just a maid..."

In ancient times, there was a clear distinction between the noble and the lowly. Maids had a low status and were usually not allowed to eat at the table.

Today, she accompanied her young mistress, so she couldn't be impolite and embarrass her mistress and the Su family.

In Lu Xuan's previous life, in the 21st century, there weren't so many formalities.

He doesn't like this!

He then secretly used the Cloud-Piercing Hand technique, opening his left hand and gently grabbing forward. Xi'er screamed and, not knowing what was happening, staggered and sat down on the chair.

By the time they realized what was happening, it was too late; they were completely dumbfounded.

What kind of decorum is it for a maid to sit down? Especially on such an important occasion!

"Miss, it's Xi'er... I'm so sorry!" She cried out in distress.

If Madam Su found out, she would definitely scold her for not knowing the rules!

Su Qingwan was sitting next to Lu Xuan. She noticed that Lu Xuan had made a movement with his left hand just now—it must have been Lu Xuan who beckoned Xi'er to sit down!

"Miss Xi'er, there's no need to be so formal. You're a guest, so feel free to eat if you're hungry. There aren't any complicated rules here," Lu Xuan said casually.

Su Qingwan blinked. Her husband didn't have any prejudice against Xi'er because she was a maid. He treated Xi'er like a guest or family member!

Look at that mindset! That vision! That magnanimity!

Which other young master from a prominent family can compare?

"Miss..." Xi'er looked at her mistress, not knowing what to do.

Su Qingwan smiled gently, "If the young master tells you to sit down, then sit down. Don't worry, my mother won't know."

Waaah!

"Thank you, Miss! Thank you, Young Master!"

Xi'er was so moved that she cried, and kept her head down as she ate her rice.

This caused everyone at the table to burst into laughter.

"Miss Xi'er, don't just eat rice, eat some vegetables too!" Lu Qingqing put a lot of vegetables into Xi'er's bowl.

Tongtong just ate candied hawthorn and sugar figurines, and then two lotus seed paste pastries. Her little tummy is full, so she's teasing the donkey in the corner.

But the donkey hasn't eaten yet!

Bao Bu Lu was a gluttonous donkey. Its eyes were fixed on Lu Xuan, and its drool was practically flowing like a waterfall.

It was extremely envious when it saw Xi'er able to sit at the table to eat!

If maids can sit on the table, then can donkeys sit on the table too?

As it was thinking this, Lu Qingqing turned around and called out, "Tongtong, come and have a bowl of fish soup."

Tongtong trotted over, and Bao Bulu also moved his feet.

Ok?

Lu Qingqing immediately raised an eyebrow. "Does this stupid donkey also want to be on the table?"

"Donkeys won't do, only donkey meat will!"

hiss!

Startled, Bao Bulu quickly retreated.