The next day, Shen Xian awoke within the embrace of a soft bed.

He rubbed the space between his brows; his head was still somewhat heavy and foggy.

The Ye Family’s spiritual wine, while not as potent as the Shen Family’s Drunken Immortal Wine, was still extremely fierce. If he hadn’t already established his Foundation, he probably wouldn’t have woken up this early after facing the Ye Family’s enthusiastic toasts last night.

He got up. A hangover-relief spirit pill had already been prepared beside the bed, along with a golden basin kept warm by talismans and a pure white towel.

After swallowing the pill, Shen Xian washed his face, changed into a splendid robe embroidered with cloud patterns, stepped into black brocade boots, and left the room.

“Young Master, you’re awake!” Xiang’er happened to be coming out and spoke immediately upon seeing him. “I’ll go prepare some food for you right away.”

“No need. I have to go see the Ye Family Patriarch soon,” Shen Xian said, glancing at the tightly closed door of the room to the front right.

During yesterday’s birthday celebration, the Ye Family Patriarch had sent word for him to visit the main family hall this morning.

The reason for this trip to the Ye Family was originally for the bride’s homecoming visit, so meeting her parents was a given. It was only due to the Ye Family’s previous disdain for Shen Xian that nothing had been arranged until now.

It wasn’t until yesterday, after the Matriarch made her stance clear, that the Patriarch finally decided to formally receive him.

Just then, a nearby door opened, and Ye Qingxian appeared once more.

Today, she had changed into a plain white dress. It diminished some of her noble air, making her seem more ethereal and transcendent, like a banished immortal.

“Let’s go,” she said indifferently.

The two walked side by side out of the courtyard and along a bluestone path toward the main family hall.

Along the way, members of the Ye Family who spotted Shen Xian greeted him warmly one after another, with none of their previous mockery or disdain in sight.

Inside the great hall.

Ye Lingxiao sat as straight as a pine tree in his ink-black Daoist robe. Beside him on a sandalwood side table sat a set of plain white tea utensils.

This tea set was usually only brought out when entertaining distinguished guests.

“You’ve arrived.” Ye Lingxiao looked at the two standing below the dais, his voice flat yet exuding an aura of authority that commanded respect without the need for anger.

However, in Shen Xian’s view, this presence still lacked a little something compared to his own father…

Perhaps it was because there was a Matriarch above him in the Ye Family, holding him down.

“Greetings to my Father-in-law and Mother-in-law!” Shen Xian cupped his hands in a formal salute. Beside him, Ye Qingxian stood proudly without moving a muscle.

Even facing her own birth parents, she maintained that same indifferent expression.

“Sit,” Ye Lingxiao said, paying no mind to her demeanor. With a light tap of his fingertip, the teapot floated on its own and poured each of them a cup of jade-green tea soup.

This “Azure Mist Cloud Tea” was unique to the Ye Family. Its annual yield was no more than three liang. In the past, even family elders rarely got a taste.

“My worthy son-in-law’s performance at yesterday’s banquet was truly eye-opening,” Ye Lingxiao’s voice was unhurried, but his gaze swept over Shen Xian like something tangible. “The Matriarch hasn’t been so delighted in thirty years.”

“You flatter me too much, Father-in-law.” Shen Xian took a small sip, letting the tea’s fragrance linger between his lips and teeth. “They were merely some clever little tricks. I’m just fortunate the Matriarch didn’t find them beneath her notice.”

Ye Lingxiao gave a slight nod, a trace of approval appearing in the depths of his eyes.

Previously, seeing his daughter married off to what he thought was trash from the Shen Family had displeased him.

But after yesterday’s events, he felt this “trash” before him wasn’t as incompetent as imagined. Although his aptitude was indeed low, his speech and conduct were fitting for someone of legitimate son status.

His daughter marrying him wouldn’t bring disgrace to their family name.

At that moment, Ye Qingxian suddenly stood up. She simply said, “I’m going to see the Matriarch,” and then left directly.

Ye Lingxiao’s brow furrowed slightly with displeasure, but he ultimately didn’t vent his frustration.

His daughter had always been like this at home. Yet, she happened to be doted on by the Matriarch. Combined with her recent loss of cultivation… as her father, he couldn’t bring himself to blame her too much either.

“Qingxian has been like this since she was little,” Su Yanqing, the Ye Family matron beside him, said helplessly.

Then she looked at Shen Xian with a smile in her eyes and a gentle tone. “You must pay more attention from now on. Make sure she doesn’t act recklessly.”

Their marriage concerned the relations between both families. This matron naturally didn’t want any trouble arising from her daughter’s temperament.

“What Mother-in-law says is true.”

Shen Xian responded with a light laugh while thinking internally: It seems not everyone is like my mother—able to treat their child equally or even dote on them after they’ve become an ordinary person.

Compared to how she fares in the Shen Family, this mother is clearly more worried about whether her daughter will cause trouble.

Afterward, they chatted with Shen Xian for a while longer, asking about recent developments in the Shen Family.

Although their attitude had softened, they seemed more concerned about what positive influence this union would bring to both families rather than their personal affairs themselves.

Shen Xian handled each question appropriately and with grace.

It wasn’t until a servant came to report that the Matriarch requested his presence that he rose to take his leave.

After Shen Xian withdrew, Su Yanqing resumed her usual cool, detached expression, saying lightly, “He does seem sensible. Pity.”

She shook her head, watching Shen Xian’s retreating back. “His aptitude is too poor, and he holds no status within the Shen Family. It might have been better if we had arranged the marriage with the Shen Family’s second son from the start.”

“What’s done is done. It’s no use saying more. Being able to win the Matriarch’s favor is also this boy’s good fortune,” said Ye Lingxiao.

“That’s true. I wonder what instructions the Matriarch will have now,” Su Yanqing murmured to herself, wondering if she should try probing a bit later.

After all, within the Ye Family, the Matriarch’s attitude was extremely important.

One shouldn’t be fooled by the fact that she ostensibly only controlled half the family’s say. If she truly had an idea, no one could stop her.

Passing through corridors and courtyards, Shen Xian arrived at a grove where plum blossoms bloomed in abundance.

This must be the Plum Garden that Ye Xian’er mentioned.

He wondered if that little girl was here. If she was, she’d undoubtedly pester him for a story again.

Shen Xian followed the pebble path inside, arriving at a quiet, elegant small pavilion.

Within the pavilion, where the subtle scent of plum blossoms drifted, light was cut by the window lattice into dappled diamond shapes.

Directly ahead, seated in the main position and leaning on a dragon-headed cane, was the Matriarch. Her hair was elegantly coiled up, and her noble, imposing air was palpable. Her aged face held the serenity of one who has seen through everything, her charitable smile bringing a sense of peace to the heart.

“Shen Xian pays respects to the Matriarch!” Shen Xian bowed, cupping his hands.

“No need for such formalities here with this old woman. Sit wherever you like,” said Ye Jingxin, her face full of smiles.

She already knew the gist of yesterday’s incident. She was very satisfied with how he handled things, especially that birthday gift, which she liked a great deal.

Added to the fact that today she discovered he had actually given the Evergreen Ring to Ye Qingxian, she was even more satisfied with him.

That was why she had specifically called him to the Plum Garden.

After Shen Xian sat down, Ye Jingxin pushed a plate of shelled pine nuts toward him. “Try these. Seeds from the thousand-year red pine in the back mountain.”

“Qingxian’s parents are accustomed to putting on airs. This old woman knows you don’t like it, so I specially called you here to sit and chat. Speaking of which, the child Xian’er often mentions you. I didn’t expect you to be quite the deep one, hiding your light,” Ye Jingxin examined him, her eyes slightly narrowed, appearing kind and benevolent.

“You overpraise me, Matriarch. My aptitude is dull, so I spent more effort in other areas. It can’t be called hiding my light,” Shen Xian said modestly.

“Is that so?” Ye Jingxin said smilingly. “This old woman knows your mind is quick and agile. That is good. It means the child Qingxian likely won’t suffer hardship in the Shen Family in the future.”

Here, she gazed intently at Shen Xian. Though the smile remained on her face, her eyes seemed like sharp swords capable of piercing through everything as she continued, “Can you guarantee that?”

Shen Xian’s expression remained unchanged, but a ripple stirred within his heart.

This Matriarch, though easygoing by nature, was probably someone who acted swiftly and decisively when provoked.

If I try to hide anything or pretend, she’ll probably see right through me immediately.

So, he answered truthfully, “Matriarch, rest assured. As long as I am here, no one in the Shen Family will be able to interfere with Qingxian!”

That was the truth. After all, he was still counting on her to cultivate so he could lie back and get stronger. Naturally, he didn’t want anyone to disturb her.

Ye Jingxin kept watching him. She waited until he finished speaking, fell silent for a moment, and then suddenly laughed. “Haha! Good. This old woman believes you, kid.”

She had just used a certain heart technique specifically to see how the little fellow before her would answer.

Now, it seemed this little fellow was far better than she had imagined.

This way, she could entrust the child Qingxian to him with peace of mind.

Afterward, Ye Jingxin chatted with him a bit more, but the topics were basically all related to Ye Qingxian… including things from when she was a child.

It turned out that from the time Ye Qingxian was little, she had followed beside this Matriarch as she grew up.

Compared to her parents, this Matriarch held genuine affection for her.

Finally, the Matriarch adopted a serious expression. “Although Qingxian’s nature is cold, her heart is not bad. You must be patient with her in the future. Since you are now husband and wife, you must work together with one heart.”

“Understood!” Shen Xian clasped his hands in salute.

“You may go. If you are interested, you may stay and enjoy the city for a few more days. There is no need to rush back.” Ye Jingxin gave a faint smile, then added with emphasis, “This time, you need not worry about anyone making a move against you!”

With the Ye Family’s strength, protecting a single Qi Refining Realm cultivator was more than sufficient.

Clearly, the previous assassination attempt had only occurred because he hadn’t been considered important enough.

Now that the Matriarch had spoken, it was likely a Nascent Soul True Venerable would be assigned to protect him around the clock from the shadows.

“Many thanks, Matriarch!” Shen Xian finished his bow and turned to leave.