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

The once grand Anzhou Marquis's mansion was now dilapidated, its vermilion paint faded and its courtyards deserted.

While it may appear to retain the grandeur and grandeur of a noble family, it reveals a decline and decay in every aspect.

The Marquis of Anzhou's former residence was a powerful and influential family, holding high positions and controlling both military and political affairs. It was undoubtedly the premier aristocratic family in Anzhou.

However, after several generations of change and power struggles in the imperial court, the Lin family's power gradually dwindled.

With military power stripped away and real power relinquished, most of his sons and brothers became mediocre and incompetent.

The once grand Marquis's mansion is now in decline, lacking successors and having long since become a fallen noble family with only titles, no real power, and no real influence.

Over the years, Lin Zhenyue has been guarding his hereditary title, but he has been subject to the control of the civil officials of the prefecture and the generals of the military, and has been retreating and being cautious at every step.

They watched helplessly as the Hou family's resources were gradually depleted, powerless to reverse the decline.

The only hope for the entire Lin family was their third son, who was to be admitted to Wenxin Academy.

Lin Zhenyue placed all his life's hopes and his obsession with the revival of his family on this genius son.

Inside the main hall, Lin Zhenyue sat upright at his desk, his brows furrowed, unable to conceal the melancholy that had accumulated over the years.

Seeing his beloved son enter the hall, he relaxed slightly and asked gently, "Jingyan, what brings you in such a hurry?"

Lin Jingyan bowed respectfully and reported directly without beating around the bush.

"Father, Pei Qingyuan, the eldest daughter of Pei Hongwen, the Prefect of Anzhou, is in love with me."

"Today, due to a sudden change of events, the Pei family clan held a banquet and has already recognized the military general Li Xuancang. They will finalize the marriage agreement and set a wedding date in the coming days."

"Your son begs your father to grant my request immediately. I will prepare gifts and visit the Pei residence to propose marriage first."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Zhenyue's eyes suddenly lit up, and a fierce light ignited in his eyes, which had been dormant for many years!

Having held a high position for decades, he had seen through the power struggles and intrigues of officialdom and the infighting among powerful families. In an instant, he discerned the immense opportunity behind this marriage.

The Pei family controls the civil affairs of the entire prefecture and has a deeply entrenched network of connections.

Holding real power over people's livelihood, officialdom, and dispatch, they are now the most stable powerful family in Anzhou.

The Lin family, though possessing hereditary titles, lacked real power and a solid foundation, and gradually became marginalized.

If they could marry into the Pei family, they could connect with a top-tier, powerful clan.

One article, one merit; a powerful bond.

The Pei family used the hereditary title and noble reputation of the Marquis's mansion to elevate their social standing.

The Lin family, leveraging the Pei family's real power in civil affairs and connections in officialdom, established themselves in Anzhou, reorganized their influence, and made a comeback.

This is not a simple matter of personal feelings between a man and a woman; it is a godsend opportunity for the Lin family to reverse its decline and revitalize its family after years of dormancy.

Lin Zhenyue was overjoyed and, without the slightest hesitation, immediately made his decision.

He was usually calm and reserved, but at this moment he could not hide his excitement.

"In recent years, my Lin family has gradually declined, our titles have become hollow and our power has been lost. We have long been marginalized in the military and officialdom."

"Now that chaos is imminent and vassal kings are rebelling, without the support of top-tier families, my Lin family will only decline completely in the future."

"The Pei family holds power in civil affairs and has deep roots and a thriving family, making them the best marriage partner."

"Li Xuancang is just a minor military officer. Even if he is currently in power, his foundation is still shallow."

"You are the pride of Wenxin Academy and the legitimate son of my Marquis's mansion. Your status, talent, and family background far surpass this person's."

After careful analysis, Lin Zhenyue had no further hesitation and immediately issued a stern order to the entire mansion.

"Guards, open the private treasury to the fullest extent and take out the treasured jade discs, calligraphy by famous masters, century-old artifacts, and hereditary brocades."

"Gather the finest gifts from the household for the six betrothal ceremonies, and prepare a matchmaker and ceremonial guards."

"Regardless of expense or cost, prepare sufficient betrothal gifts according to the highest standards of the Marquis's residence."

The long-dormant Anzhou Marquis's mansion suddenly sprang into action.

The sealed private vault was burst open, and all the priceless treasures hidden away were brought out.

The honor guard, which had been idle for many years, was reorganized and its soldiers were arrayed in formation.

All the stewards and servants in the manor were busy running around, creating a grand scene that had not been seen for a long time.

Lin Zhenyue stood up, looking at his handsome and distinguished son with eyes full of high hopes and determination.

"Jingyan, today you need not hold back, you need not back down."

"You are a top disciple of Wenxin Academy, and the hope for the revival of my Lin family."

"The legitimate son of a noble family, a peerless genius, is seeking to marry the legitimate daughter of the Pei family. It is a perfectly legitimate and match made in heaven."

Lin Zhenyue's eyes were sharp; he wanted to use this marriage to gamble on the Lin family's century-long fortune.

He wanted to use his children's marriages to help the Marquis's mansion rise again.

"Father, about this matter..."

While everyone was busy preparing, the father and son talked in hushed tones, and Lin Zhenyue's eyes grew brighter and brighter as he listened.

Immediately, a large number of servants from the Marquis's mansion were mobilized to spread the news frantically throughout the city.

In less than half an hour, the Anzhou Marquis's mansion, which had been quiet for several years and rarely made a fuss, suddenly started playing gongs and drums again, and music and ceremonial music resounded. The long-unseen procession of nobles and honored officials marched out of the mansion's gate in a grand and imposing manner.

Six ornately decorated carriages rode side by side, their cargo boxes filled with priceless treasures that had been sealed away for many years.

Two rows of guards from the Marquis's residence, clad in armor, followed him, their armor gleaming and their steps perfectly synchronized.

The ceremonial music troupe played elegant music along the way, the sound carrying through several streets, solemn and grand, exuding extreme nobility.

The entire street fell silent for a moment, then shook violently.

"It is...it is the Marquis's ceremonial guard."

"My goodness, it's been so many years since the Marquis of Anzhou's residence has had such a grand occasion."

"This is the highest-level betrothal procession. Judging from the etiquette and music, and the regulations, it is the grand ceremony of a prominent family accepting a betrothal gift."

"..."

The people along the street, the officials coming and going, the street vendors, and the soldiers patrolling the street all stopped and stared in astonishment.

The Marquis's entourage proceeded straight ahead, without taking detours or avoiding people, their destination extremely clear: the Pei residence.

The crowd exploded instantly, and the news spread like wildfire, reaching half of the county town in no time.

In a short time, shocking rumors swept through the entire city.

Marquis Anzhou personally brought six betrothal gifts to the Pei family to propose marriage for his beloved son.

At this moment, the banquet in Qingya Hall of the Pei residence had already come to an end, and the guests and hosts were all enjoying themselves.

The old man just made a public announcement, finalizing the important matter.

Three days later, on an auspicious day, the Pei family officially sent a matchmaker to exchange birth charts, establish a marriage agreement, and set a wedding date.

The elders in the room were all smiles and happy.

Pei Hongwen was about to see Li Xuancang off from the mansion. A marriage between a scholar and a warrior, a union of military and political power, was about to be finalized.

But then, an unexpected event occurred.

"Boom!"

Suddenly, a series of thunderous ceremonial music erupted outside the mansion.

Unlike ordinary folk music, it was the refined music of the imperial court, reserved for nobles and officials, solemn, grand, and awe-inspiring.

The entire Pei residence courtyard fell silent instantly, everyone stared in surprise, and looked towards the gate.

Before anyone could react, the gatekeeper, pale-faced and stumbling, rushed inside, his voice trembling and his manner panicked.

"Reporting to the Grandfather and the Head of the Family: Marquis Anzhou has arrived at the gate with his eldest son, Lin Jingyan, and a full set of betrothal gifts."

"They said they came specifically to ask for the hand in marriage with my family's eldest daughter, Pei Qingyuan."

As soon as he finished speaking, the room fell into a deathly silence.

The joyous atmosphere in the room suddenly froze.

The smiles on the faces of the Pei family members instantly froze, their pupils contracted sharply, and their faces were filled with surprise and disbelief.

hum!

The sound exploded in everyone's minds!

How is that possible?

Lin Jingyan has been living in seclusion at the academy for many years, detached from worldly affairs. Why would he suddenly make a high-profile visit at this time, bringing all six betrothal gifts and formally proposing marriage?

The timing was too coincidental, and too sudden.

Pei Hongwen's body stiffened slightly, his expression became serious, and his brows furrowed.

Having been in officialdom for a long time and seeing through the intrigues of power, he instantly grasped the entire situation.

This is no coincidence; someone delivered the message, most likely from within the inner court.

The Pei family had just finalized the marriage agreement with the Li family when Lin Jingyan immediately arrived with a royal procession and betrothal gifts to propose marriage. The timing was far too opportune.

The old patriarch of the Pei family's face instantly turned serious, his turbid gaze fixed on the inner courtyard, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.

The room was filled with elders, each with changing expressions and turbulent emotions.

Just moments ago, they were all certain that Li Xuancang was the perfect son-in-law.

But in the blink of an eye, the once-prosperous Marquis's mansion, though in decline, still retained its rich heritage, and a peerless literary genius came to propose marriage with gifts befitting a king.

The entire Pei family was suddenly caught in an unprecedented dilemma.