My strength increases by one percent every day; I can destroy stars with my bare hands.

Madam Pei returned from the Li residence, and her carriage smoothly entered the Pei family mansion.

Pei Hongwen sat upright at his desk, reviewing civil affairs files for the entire prefecture. His expression was refined and solemn, and his demeanor was as steady as a mountain.

Seeing his wife return, he put down his brush and ink, raised his eyes, and asked softly, "How are things going with the Li family regarding the marriage arrangements?"

Madam Pei gracefully took her seat and recounted in detail the events of her visit that day.

"My lord, I personally visited the Li residence today to propose the marriage alliance. Lord Li and Lady Li were overjoyed and extremely satisfied."

Madam Pei had a good impression of Mr. and Mrs. Li. Although they were ordinary people, they did not have the sudden wealth and meanness of the common people. She believed that her daughter would not suffer even if she married into the family.

"However, the two elders are reasonable people who know that one's life-long affairs cannot be decided on behalf of one's children. They did not rashly agree, but said that it was up to the person involved to decide."

Pei Hongwen nodded slightly upon hearing this.

"It's rare for ordinary people to suddenly encounter a high-ranking family seeking marriage; most of them are eager to blindly follow suit and climb the social ladder."

"The Li family couple are not greedy for extravagance, are steady and polite, and respect their children, which shows that their family values ​​are upright."

His fondness for the marriage deepened.

He conspired with the clan elders to bet on Li Xuancang, drawn by his unparalleled bravery, illustrious military achievements, and promising future in this chaotic world.

But in the end, I only heard his name and never met him.

Pei Hongwen tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his gaze deep, and slowly expressed his doubts.

"Li Xuancang rose to prominence at a young age and gained the commander's favor. Looking at the younger generation in Anzhou, he is indeed unmatched."

"But precisely because things have gone too smoothly, I still retain a degree of caution in my heart."

"Most young people who achieve fame are arrogant, overly sharp, and domineering. The military is also full of killing and violence. I need to see this person with my own eyes."

Seeing is believing, hearing is deceiving, so Pei Hongwen decided to meet Li Xuancang in person.

If he is humble, polite, understands the big picture, and knows when to advance and retreat, then this marriage is a good match for the Pei family and can be finalized and fully supported.

If he is impetuous, arrogant, and self-reliant, then no matter how great his military achievements are, the Pei family will have to think twice before acting and cut their losses in time.

Having made up his mind, Pei Hongwen immediately got up and went to the ancestral hall to tell the elders his thoughts.

Several elders of the clan were sensible and experienced, having led the Pei family clan for decades. They had seen countless people throughout their lives and were well-versed in the ways of surviving in turbulent times and forming alliances through marriage among powerful families.

After listening to Pei Hongwen's concerns and ideas, he stroked his beard and pondered for a moment before slowly nodding in agreement.

"The clan leader's considerations are thorough and his approach is prudent and without error."

"My Pei family has been a prominent family for hundreds of years, with a long and profound cultural heritage. The fate of our eldest daughter and the destiny of our clan must not be entrusted to her lightly."

"Rumors are ultimately unreliable; hearing is believing, seeing is believing."

The group immediately made a decision.

"Choose a leisurely and auspicious day, prepare an invitation, and invite Li Xuancang to the Pei residence alone for a banquet under the pretext of a visit from a prominent family to express gratitude for the city's defense."

"There's no need to deliberately test us or make things difficult for us. Just let us, the elders of the clan, observe quietly."

"Observe their manners in dealing with people, their mindset in handling situations, their demeanor in speech and behavior, and their attitude when facing powerful and influential people."

"Whether it is pride or composure, frivolity or decline, fine jade or stubborn rock, can be seen at a glance."

"..."

The elders all seconded the motion.

As Li Xuancang returned home from the military camp, his parents, who had been eagerly waiting for him, rushed to greet him as soon as he stepped through the gate of his residence.

The couple couldn't hide their joy and excitement; smiles graced their faces, and even their tone became lighter.

Li's mother immediately grabbed his arm and hurriedly walked towards the main hall, eager to speak.

"Xuan Cang, you're finally back! Your father and mother have some incredibly good news to tell you."

Li Xuancang was slightly taken aback. Seeing his parents' undisguised joy, he couldn't help but chuckle.

"Father, Mother, what makes you so happy?"

After entering the hall and taking their seats, Li's father dismissed the servants from the mansion to ensure that no one was listening in before straightening his expression.

He recounted the entire story of the visit to the Pei residence in detail, without missing a single word.

"The Pei family is a top-tier official family in Anzhou. The Prefectural Governor holds the reins of civil administration in the entire prefecture, and his influence is profound."

"His daughter, Qingyuan, is seventeen years old. She is gentle, quiet, well-read, and of excellent character."

"The Pei family has gone to great lengths to arrange a marriage alliance, showing their genuine desire to form a kinship with us."

The couple discussed the marriage proposal and expressed their strong approval.

"Your mother and I can't help you much, but if you marry the eldest daughter of the Pei family, you'll have someone to rely on in the future."

Li's father revealed his true feelings, explaining that the reason they valued this marriage so much was that they hoped to leverage the Pei family's power to provide Li Xuancang with a strong backer in the future, so that he wouldn't face such difficulties.

The couple looked at Li Xuancang with eyes full of anticipation, joy, and trepidation.

They feared that their son, young and ambitious, would be too focused on war and have no interest in marriage.

They also feared that their son might be fixated on power and wealth, or dislike the constraints of a privileged background.

But deep down, they desperately hoped that their son would accept this marriage.

The Pei family deserves their son, who fought his way up through blood and sweat and stood tall and upright.

With a powerful family like the Pei family backing him up, his son won't have to work so hard in the future.

The hall quieted down, and the setting sun shone through the window, landing on Li Xuancang's serene face.

He listened quietly to the whole story, feeling quite surprised.

His bloody battles and numerous military exploits, his favor with the powerful and wealthy, and the bets placed on his future by prominent families—all these may seem unexpected, but they are actually quite reasonable.

He never expected that the dignified Prefect of Anzhou, a top family in Anzhou, would take the initiative to betroth his eldest daughter to him.

Seeing his parents' expectant, joyful, and impatient expressions, Li Xuancang felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

He fought on all fronts, risking his life, and his desires were never for wealth, honor, or high-status marriages.

But the joy of his parents and the stability of his family were the meaning behind his struggles in this chaotic world.

He did not object to a marriage alliance with the Pei family; with the Pei family as a backer, his family's safety would be greatly guaranteed.