Chapter 146: The White Jade Pagoda

“Ah!”

Looking at a list of gifts, Tian Manyin exclaimed in surprise and said to Lu Sheng, “Besides the Sihai Revered One’s people who remain in Yujing, the chief steward of the Sihai Trading Company in Yujing has also sent you a gift.”

“This note says it’s a compensation gift because of the matter in the Western Regions.”

“What did they do to you in the Western Regions? Why are they sending you compensation?”

“Just a small misunderstanding,” Lu Sheng replied calmly. Although somewhat surprised, he showed no interest in explaining further to Tian Manyin and instead continued writing his replies.

“Hmph! No fun at all!”

Seeing Lu Sheng’s indifferent demeanor, Tian Manyin snorted lightly and set aside her curiosity, turning her attention to the gift list.

However, upon closer inspection, she discovered that besides the Sihai Trading Company, other factions with representatives in Yujing—such as the Fire God Cult and the Blade King’s Pass from the Western Regions, as well as Mingyue Island and the Thunder Gate Sect from the Maritime Domain—had also sent Lu Sheng congratulatory or compensatory gifts.

“You have quite an extensive network,” Tian Manyin remarked in astonishment, looking at Lu Sheng. Considering his past experiences, she knew he had indeed crossed paths with all these factions. Being noticed simultaneously by such groups, each boasting Grand Masters, clearly indicated Lu Sheng’s potential.

“Looks like I truly chose a good partner!” Tian Manyin thought proudly.

Lu Sheng was also rather surprised inwardly but showed none of it. Instead, he asked, “Do I need to write replies to all of these as well?”

“Of course!” Tian Manyin said. “These factions are backed by Grand Masters. If you don’t want to make enemies of their people in Yujing, it’s best that you personally write your replies and settle those grudges!”

“Alright then.” Slightly resigned, Lu Sheng carefully considered his words and began composing replies to these factions.

Thanks to the practice he had gained from compiling martial arts manuals a few days earlier, his writing speed was now exceptionally fast. By the time Tian Manyin finished perusing the gift list, he had already written over a dozen replies.

It wouldn’t take long before he finished all the responses he needed to write.

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“Quick! Quick!”

“Hurry and tidy up this place, get it ready!”

Not long after, while Lu Sheng was writing replies alongside Tian Manyin in the room, he suddenly saw Luo Liheng leading a group of people busily decorating the courtyard.

As for Luo Liheng himself, he rushed into the room, grinning as he looked at the two of them.

“Lu Sheng, so you really are together with Tian Manyin—”

“No wonder Chief Lu Shan asked me to come prepare!”

He chuckled again, pointing at Lu Sheng and saying, “You, Lu Sheng, were still denying it just yesterday…”

“What preparations?” Before Luo Liheng could continue, Lu Sheng interrupted and asked.

“Of course, preparations for your wedding!” Luo Liheng came up to Lu Sheng and gave him a hearty slap on the shoulder, shouting, “You’re both like this now, surely you’re getting married!”

“Just now, Chief Lu Shan tasked me with making sure everything is ready here!”

“Wedding? Preparations?” Although he had never considered dodging marriage, Lu Sheng frowned slightly upon hearing this. “So soon?”

Judging by the time, even if Lu Chun Yuan had immediately gone to the Duke of Cheng’s residence after receiving his message, it would only be a quick trip back and forth.

“What’s the rush? Chief Lu Shan said the Duke of Cheng’s residence has long been prepared!” Luo Liheng said. “The Duke has already declared that you must be married tonight!”

“That’s why Chief Lu Shan asked me to bring people here to make the preparations!”

Frowning, Lu Sheng looked at Tian Manyin with some suspicion. “What did you say to the Duke of Cheng yesterday? Why is he so eager to marry you off?”

“It was his own arrangement!” Tian Manyin shrugged innocently and said to Lu Sheng, “Probably because my great uncle remembered that I asked him about you yesterday and saw that I didn’t return home last night—”

“So he made preparations ahead of time!”

“Ahead of time?” Shaking his head, Lu Sheng decided not to dwell on it and said, “Then you should head back quickly. We’ll get married tonight!”

Since things had come to this, he didn’t want to dig deeper. Asking too much might ruin their tacit understanding.

“All right! I’ll go back then!” Tian Manyin said, pointing to the notes on the table. “As for these replies, you can have someone else write them for you!”

Then she made a slight disguise, concealed her movements, and walked toward the Duke of Cheng’s residence.

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“Haha!”

“Lu Sheng, you’re truly fortunate. Just on the second day after being ennobled, you’re marrying such a great beauty!”

“Haha! I dare say, the entire city of Yujing must envy you!”

Watching Tian Manyin leave, Luo Liheng laughed loudly and said to Lu Sheng.

Although he had suspected this yesterday, he still found it incredible how quickly the relationship between Lu Sheng and Tian Manyin had progressed.

Even the Duke of Cheng, Tian Shuping, seemed a bit too eager!

Shaking his head, Lu Sheng pointed to the notes and gift list Tian Manyin had left behind. “Enough of that. Let’s find a few people to help me finish these replies first!”

“And the return gifts must also be properly prepared.”

“Replies? Return gifts?” Luo Liheng waved his hand and said, “You should find Lu Yunxi for these matters. His family is most skilled in such affairs.”

“His grandfather Lu Hongli, who is also Lu Hongyuan’s elder brother, is one of the Nine Ministers, the Grand Herald in charge of dealings with various powers. The family employs many experts in these matters.”

“If you can find a few of them, this problem will be solved.”

“That’s good!” After finishing the last few replies he had, Lu Sheng put down his brush and said to Luo Liheng, “You go find Lu Yunxi and have him bring a few people to help me handle these matters.”

“Now, should I start preparing for the wedding?”

“Of course!” Luo Liheng handed the brush back to Lu Sheng. “Though you’re taking a secondary consort, Tian Manyin is after all a member of the Duke of Cheng’s clan.”

“So you must invite some people to witness this. You’ll need to personally write the invitations.”

With that, he took out a list and said to Lu Sheng, “Here, not a single one of these people can be left out!”

“If it weren’t for your teacher’s face, they might not even come!”

Scanning the list with his eyes, Lu Sheng recognized that besides some relatives and friends, most were martial sect leaders and influential nobles.

The majority had contributed to the ennoblement process.

It seemed Lu Chun Yuan wanted to take this opportunity to properly express his gratitude when Lu Sheng took a secondary consort.

“They should indeed be entertained at a banquet.”

Thinking this, Lu Sheng wrote invitations for these people as his teacher had instructed.

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That night, the Prince of Jinyang’s residence was brightly lit.

After a complex ceremony, Lu Sheng formally took Tian Manyin, from the Duke of Cheng’s household, as his secondary consort.

Through this event, he not only met many people introduced by Lu Chun Yuan but also, through Duke Tian Shuping, established connections with many in Yujing City.

Thus, he gradually laid down roots in this city of Yujing.