Chapter 1544: Savoring The Flavor

The days passed quietly and peacefully.

After his duel with Situ Fang, Cang Sheng gradually gained the recognition of everyone in the Situ family.

After all, Situ Fang was several years older than Cang Sheng.

During the duel, everyone witnessed Cang Sheng closing his eyes and relying on his senses to dodge attacks.

They also saw Cang Sheng achieve a breakthrough in the heat of battle, realizing that despite his humble origins, he was a rare genius in swordsmanship.

Not only that, but Cang Sheng also had the backing of the ridiculously wealthy Yi Feng.

When it came to giving treasures, Yi Feng acted as if he were tossing out trash.

The weapons and martial arts techniques he provided were of great benefit to the Situ family.

In truth, the most important factor was Patriarch Situ Taili's attitude toward Cang Sheng.

Although Situ Taili didn't say much, he had already arranged for the family to prepare a wedding for his daughter and Cang Sheng.

This was a clear show of support through action.

Even though he didn't say it outright, everyone could see that Situ Taili was very satisfied with this son-in-law.

Cang Sheng, however, felt a sense of fear toward Situ Taili.

This was the psychological pressure of being a son-in-law, a feeling akin to being a thief.

After all, Situ Taili had raised his daughter for nearly two decades, and now she was being taken away. As a father, Situ Taili must have felt a pang of sadness.

But what could he do about it?

Men and women must marry when they come of age.

Moreover, Cang Sheng was truly outstanding.

On this day.

Situ Qingyi brought Cang Sheng to serve tea to her father.

This wasn't a formal tea ceremony to change titles, but rather a daily ritual meant to bring her two closest men closer together.

The relationship between elders and juniors is built on formality and etiquette.

Under Situ Qingyi's guidance, Cang Sheng was extremely respectful toward his future father-in-law.

Though he was somewhat awkward and nervous, he managed to recite several compliments for his father-in-law.

For example, "noble and imposing," "majestic and awe-inspiring," "steadfast as a mountain"...

Situ Taili was left speechless, nearly spitting out his tea all over the young man.

But seeing Cang Sheng's earnest and fearful demeanor, he couldn't help but find it amusing.

Back in the day, when Situ Taili was dealing with his own father-in-law, he hadn't been much better than Cang Sheng was now.

Situ Taili set down his teacup, suppressing the myriad emotions in his heart.

He said calmly, "Alright, go and prepare for the wedding. If you need anything, just ask the steward. By the way, Cang Sheng, did Mr. Yi Feng come with you to the estate today?"

Since Cang Sheng was now part of the family, and knowing that Yi Feng was no ordinary person, Situ Taili naturally changed his way of addressing him.

"Brother Yi Feng is here," Cang Sheng replied.

Situ Taili nodded slightly. "Good, I happen to have something I'd like to discuss with Mr. Yi."

With that, the young couple led Situ Taili through the courtyards in search of Yi Feng.

Along the way, the Situ estate was adorned with festive decorations.

Pillars and window frames were pasted with large red "double happiness" characters.

The corridors and doorways were hung with red lanterns.

The entire Situ estate was filled with a joyous atmosphere, and everyone's faces were beaming with smiles.

The children, each holding a handful of candies, ran around the estate, adding to the lively mood.

Usually, the Situ family was very strict with its upbringing, and the children had been quite restrained.

Now, they finally had a reason to play freely within the estate.

But when they saw Situ Taili passing by, they all stood to the side, heads bowed, not daring to make a sound, fearing the patriarch's reprimand.

Situ Taili merely glanced at them expressionlessly and said nothing.

His stern and commanding presence was befitting of a family patriarch.

But with the joyous occasion at hand, he also wanted the family members to relax and celebrate.

After all, being too tightly wound wasn't good. A balance of work and rest would lead to greater efficiency.

Once the patriarch had passed, the children, relieved that they hadn't been scolded, resumed their playful antics with renewed vigor.

Their laughter echoed, and a gentle breeze rustled the red silk decorations, filling the Situ estate with an air of celebration and harmony.

Situ Taili and the couple soon found Yi Feng in the front courtyard.

Yi Feng, as always, was dressed in white, sitting calmly on a stone bench, sipping tea and occasionally glancing at the estate's decorations.

Situ Taili knew very well that although Yi Feng appeared nonchalant, he was actually quite attentive to the estate's preparations, even if he pretended otherwise.

This showed just how important Cang Sheng was to Yi Feng.

Situ Taili had inquired about Yi Feng's background from his daughter.

Upon learning that Yi Feng had simply shared a carriage with Cang Sheng to Hua City and later stayed at his home, Situ Taili found the encounter somewhat deliberate.

This kind of care from an elder to a junior didn't seem like a chance meeting but rather something intentional.

Moreover, the words Yi Feng had spoken when he came to propose the marriage made Situ Taili feel that Yi Feng must have known Cang Sheng's elders.

Situ Taili decided to keep these thoughts to himself, not wanting to pry into Yi Feng's secrets.

After all, everyone had their own hidden stories.

And Yi Feng clearly was no ordinary man.

Situ Taili cupped his hands in greeting and sat down beside Yi Feng.

Yi Feng nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

As the young couple prepared to leave, Situ Taili stopped them.

"Stay for a moment."

"Of course."

So, the couple stood respectfully to the side.

"Mr. Yi, you must be very familiar with Cang Sheng's background. Marriage is a matter of parental consent and matchmaking. I boldly ask that you, as Cang Sheng's elder, serve as the witness for their wedding."

The couple nodded in agreement with Situ Taili's words.

Cang Sheng looked at Yi Feng with hopeful eyes, silently pleading.

Yi Feng glanced at the couple and smiled, feeling a sense of satisfaction.

"Of course, it's no problem."

The couple was overjoyed.

In their eyes, without Brother Yi Feng, it was highly unlikely they would have been able to be together, let alone get married.

They were deeply grateful to Yi Feng.

Especially Cang Sheng.

Brother Yi Feng had not only given him gold coins, guided him, and counseled him, but also stood up for him.

Although he called Yi Feng "brother," in his heart, he had long regarded Yi Feng as a father figure.

Situ Taili smiled and nodded repeatedly.

His intentions weren't entirely pure, but they were for the couple's benefit.

After all, if Yi Feng agreed to be the witness, it would mean that he would continue to look after the couple in the future.

With someone as extraordinarily wealthy and powerful as Yi Feng as their backer, Situ Taili felt the weight on his shoulders lighten considerably.

The Situ family's preparations for the wedding were meticulous, aiming for perfection.

As a result, the wedding preparations took a bit longer than usual.

During this time, Yi Feng continued his daily routine as always.

Every day before dawn, he would sit at the stone table in the courtyard, guiding Cang Sheng in his sword practice.

Afterward, he would go to the market to buy ingredients and cook Cang Sheng's favorite dishes.

The only difference was that there was now an extra set of utensils at lunch and dinner.

Situ Qingyi, who was not yet officially married into the family, came over every day to join them for meals.

She couldn't stop praising Brother Yi Feng's culinary skills.

The Situ family had its own dedicated chefs.

But not only did their dishes pale in comparison to Yi Feng's in presentation, but they also fell short in taste and variety.

This made Situ Qingyi somewhat critical of her family's chefs and even more impressed with Yi Feng's cooking.

As the saying goes, one good turn deserves another.

Upon learning that Brother Yi Feng enjoyed drinking, Situ Qingyi brought over many fine wines from the Situ estate.

Among them was the nearly twenty-year-old "daughter's red" that her father had buried underground.

This made Situ Taili feel a twinge of pain.

But when he found out it was for Yi Feng, he didn't say much.

Situ Taili couldn't help but think of the saying: a married daughter is like spilled water—once gone, she's gone.

And here she was, not even officially married yet, constantly sending things over to Cang Sheng's home.

It was a bittersweet kind of happiness.

Yi Feng didn't hold back. The twenty-year-old daughter's red was smooth, rich, and had a long-lasting aftertaste. It was a rare vintage, perhaps not as good as some of the wines he had tasted in the past, but it had its own unique flavor!

"Excellent wine!"

"I'm glad Brother Yi Feng likes it. I'll bring you more when this is finished."

"Thank you."

After the meal, Yi Feng turned to Cang Sheng.

"I'm planning to go away for a few days. Cang Sheng, keep up with your sword practice. Don't slack off just because I'm not here to supervise you."

"Don't worry, Brother Yi Feng. But our wedding is in ten days. Where are you going? Will you be back in time?" Cang Sheng asked with concern.

Yi Feng smiled gently. "Don't worry, I'll be back in time."

With that, Yi Feng stood up, ready to leave.

Suddenly, he seemed to remember something and paused. "Oh, by the way, give me a few of your wedding invitations."

Situ Qingyi immediately fetched several prepared invitations and handed them to Yi Feng respectfully.

After a brief farewell, Yi Feng took the fine wine and strolled out of the courtyard, disappearing into the bustling streets of Hua City...