As night fell, the evening banquet began.

The Liu Family, as the guests of honor, was seated to the left of the matriarch, with Lu Zheng among them, right beside Liu Qingyan.

An elder from the Fox Race was accompanying Elder Liu and his wife in conversation, while Tu Yujiao introduced Liu Qingquan to some young Celestial Fox friends. The matriarch, fond of Liu Qingyan, seated her close to Lu Zheng.

The matriarch introduced the affairs of Tushan to Liu Qingyan and Lu Zheng. Her gaze towards Liu Qingyan was gentle and kind, as if seeing her own daughter from years past. Halfway through the banquet, the intrinsically gentle and kind Liu Qingyan had already greatly satisfied the matriarch.

"Without such a mindset, it's impossible to gather so much Merit Golden Light," the matriarch admired.

The matriarch, with extraordinary cultivation, could see the partially hidden Merit Golden Light around Liu Qingyan. Anyone able to perceive this would know what a kind young lady Liu Qingyan was.

"I owe much to Lu Lang for giving me those medical books. Without his help, I wouldn't have developed the formula for the Little Four Spirits Antimalarial Soup, nor would I have been able to leave Tonglin County to aid those in need." Liu Qingyan looked at Lu Zheng with eyes full of affection.

"How did you meet?"

Upon mentioning Lu Zheng, the matriarch curiously inquired, "Looking at Xiaolu's age, he's probably not yet thirty, such a young age with such Dao Practice, yet only an Outer Disciple at White Cloud Temple?"

"I mainly don't want to become a Daoist monk," Lu Zheng explained with a smile.

"Considered half a Daoist then," the matriarch nodded with a smile, "But remaining out of the monastery is good; he wouldn't look so sprightly in a Daoist robe."

Lu Zheng blinked and could only smile silently, not knowing how to respond to this.

"Our family previously lived in Wanfu County, Yaozhou, Lingbei Dao. My father inherited Physician Liu's house and clinic, practiced medicine, and aided the world."

Liu Qingyan shifted the topic, recalling how she and Lu Zheng met.

"However, because a Wolf Demon from Wild Wolf Mountain took a liking to Qingyan, our family was outmatched. So, my father sold the house and clinic, and led us to reside in Tonglin County, Yizhou."

The matriarch's eyes narrowed, "A Wolf Demon?"

"That Wolf Demon is already dead," Liu Qingyan urgently added, "Killed by Lu Lang."

Following that, Liu Qingyan recounted Lu Zheng's ventures — opening a sugar shop, brewing beverages, apprenticing at White Cloud Temple, exterminating Southern Border Wizards, gifting her medical books, procuring large amounts of grain to aid people during floods, along with banishing Cold Jian from Wild Wolf Mountain and Du Yu Mountain's Cold Li.

Learning that Lu Zheng had a humble beginning, started cultivating in his twenties, and cultivated for less than ten years, the matriarch's eyes gleamed, looking at Lu Zheng with a newfound respect.

"So it was Cold Li from Du Yu Mountain."

The matriarch nodded, having heard Cold Li's name, "Died well!"

Du Yu Mountain was insignificant before the Tushan Celestial Fox lineage, so the matriarch paid little attention.

"Thus, your relationship truly is a delightful tale," the matriarch chuckled, pondering, "I initially planned for you to stay at Tushan, but you seem accustomed to life in the Great Jing, with Xiaolu taking care of you. I presume you wouldn't want to remain at Tushan for long?"

Liu Qingyan slightly bowed, "Thank you for your understanding, matriarch. I've lived well in the Great Jing, and indeed don't wish to leave. However, if the matriarch wouldn't mind, I would like to return to Tushan for visits."

"Not at all, absolutely not."

The matriarch held Liu Qingyan's hand, her eyes full of joy, "You look so much like my third daughter, though your personalities differ; she's gentle on the outside but strong within, while you're as gentle as flowing water."

"How could I compare to my ancestors."

"You can, you do. Your cultivation talent isn't weak at all; in such a short time practicing the Tushan Scripture, you've reached this stage. Your natural talent is by no means inferior to Tu Yuya's daughters."

"Qingyan thanks the matriarch for her praise," Liu Qingyan said softly.

"But Tushan is still your maternal home, and you must visit often."

Liu Qingyan nodded repeatedly.

The matriarch continued with a smile, "Should Xiaolu ever treat you poorly, feel free to come to Tushan and complain, and I'll handle it personally."

Lu Zheng was speechless, finally encountering the classic dialogue from the maternal family.

Hearing this, Liu Qingyan's face flushed, "Lu Lang wouldn't."

Seeing the matriarch's gaze on him, Lu Zheng hurriedly assured, "I will certainly ensure Qingyan doesn't suffer."

"Oh? If that's the case, why haven't you married Qingyan yet?"

The matriarch's eyes gleamed with slight amusement, "From what Qingyan said, you pledged your love years ago, sharing the same bed. Not even an Outer Disciple of White Cloud Temple, or even a Registered Daoist, is barred from marriage."

Indeed, wisdom comes with age; the matriarch deduced from a few words the fact that Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan weren't yet married.

Lu Zheng was stunned.

Liu Qingyan grew anxious, quickly saying, "It's because..."

The matriarch waved her hand, halting Liu Qingyan's explanation, and looked at Lu Zheng, "Let him speak."

Lu Zheng sighed, asked to speak, how could he respond but truthfully...

"Because I have several other close female friends," Lu Zheng confessed.

Beside him, Tu Yujiao nodded eagerly, "Peach Blossom Fairy, the Incense and Candle God appointed by the Great Jing Court — I've seen her, she's very pretty, and her cultivation doesn't fall short of Qingyan's, allegedly thanks to Lu Zheng."

Lu Zheng cast a glance at Tu Yujiao, thinking to himself, I really appreciate it!

The matriarch nodded, understanding, "So he's a philanderer."

Lu Zheng: ╭(°A°`)╮

"And Sister Shen is very kind to me too," Liu Qingyan quickly added.

"So the issue lies in deciding between a primary and secondary wife," the matriarch nodded, "But now that Qingyan has recognized her ancestral roots, Tushan is your maternal home, and the primary wife position shouldn't be something Xiaolu is unwilling to assign, right?"

Back then, Liu Qingyan's ancestor, the matriarch's third daughter, renounced her title of primary wife, eloped with the crown prince of the Central Plains Dynasty, a matter bordering on the matriarch's obsession.

Now seeing Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan together as a couple, yet not formally married, and Liu Qingyan not being the primary wife, the matriarch was slightly displeased.

Facing the matriarch's amused gaze, Lu Zheng couldn't help but smile wryly.

"Matriarch~"

Liu Qingyan unconsciously awakened her talent for coquettishness, tugging on the matriarch's sleeve with a coquettish voice.

"Will you still speak for your lover?"

The matriarch was somewhat perplexed but still patted Liu Qingyan's head, "I can tell you two are deeply fond of each other. But my daughters from Tushan hold a certain status; never belittle yourself solely for love.

Because the more you belittle yourself, the less others will hold you dear."

The matriarch spoke to Liu Qingyan while also looking at Lu Zheng.

"Today may be our first meeting, but I'm not blind. I can see Qingyan's innate goodness, gentleness, and virtue, unpretentious and accommodating. Xiaolu is also good, but as you're my descendant, I cannot but consider for you."

The matriarch looked at Lu Zheng, who could only continue to smile wryly.

At this moment, Liu Qingyan was no longer concerned with the matriarch's stature, yet dared not embarrass her amidst the crowd, secretly transmitting a message to her, "Matriarch, Lu Lang also has another cherished companion, the Master of South Border Phoenix Mountain, Si Lingxi."

The matriarch blinked, momentarily thinking she had heard wrong, "Who?"