88: Marry two daughters

Wu Guohua squatted by the field, his fingers gently caressing the plump grains, a satisfied smile on his face.

"Young Master, the quality of these Spiritual Rice…" Old Farmer Wu Sanye was too excited to speak.

"It's even three points better than Taro River Valley's," Wu Guohua nodded. "From today onwards, all Grade One High Grade spiritual plants will be transplanted here."

As time passed, the scale of the underground spiritual field continued to expand. In addition to staple foods like Spiritual Rice, spiritual wheat, and ling potatoes, Wu Guohua also transplanted a large number of medicinal herbs that had evolved into Grade One.

Ginseng, Ganoderma Lucidum, Fleeceflower Root… These rare medicinal herbs thrived in the underground spiritual field, their medicinal effects several times stronger than those cultivated externally.

"This way, the Taro River Valley outside can specialize in planting Grade One Low Grade spiritual items."

Wu Guohua stood in the center of the underground spiritual field, surveying this secret base belonging to the Wu Family. The gurgling sound of the underground river seemed to narrate the glorious future this Family was about to usher in.

Above ground, the morning bell of Wu Family Village rang on time. No one knew that dozens of meters beneath their feet, a miracle capable of changing the Family's destiny was quietly growing.

The scorching sun of July baked Wu Family Village, and cicadas chirped incessantly. Wu Guohua stood in the center of the training ground, sweat trickling down his chiseled face.

He slowly concluded his Cultivation, the faint green Spiritual Qi surrounding him receding into his body like a tide.

Not far away, four Family members, who had also reached the Grade One Innate Grandmaster Realm, were sparring, their Qi surging, creating ripples in the air.

"Marquis, Grandma He asks you to come over." As soon as he returned to his small courtyard, the butler, Old Li Tongwang, stood respectfully at the courtyard entrance, holding a gold-embossed invitation.

Wu Guohua took a towel to wipe his face, his brows slightly furrowed: "Grandma is in such a hurry, has something happened?"

As he walked through the corridor, he noticed that the servants in the mansion were busy hanging lanterns and decorating, and new red silk ribbons had already been hung on the pillars. A ominous premonition welled up in his heart.

In the study, Wu Jiulong and his wife were discussing something in low voices with his parents. Seeing his grandson enter, the old man's face immediately broke into a smile, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothing out: "Guohua, come and sit."

"Grandpa, is the mansion going to have a joyous event?" Wu Guohua asked tentatively, his gaze sweeping over the red gift list spread out on the table.

"It's precisely your joyous event," Wu Jiulong stroked his grizzled beard, a cunning glint in his eyes. "Now that you have broken through to Grade One Innate Grandmaster and are almost seventeen, it's time for you to get married."

Wu Guohua's heart skipped a beat, and the teacup in his hand nearly slipped.

He looked up at his grandfather, only to hear the old man continue: "I've sent people to arrange things with both the Zhou Family and the Huang Family. The weddings will be held simultaneously in half a month."

"Simultaneously?" Wu Guohua's voice suddenly rose. "Grandpa means… Zhou Qinghan and Huang Ying?"

"Precisely," Wu Jiulong smiled, showing all his teeth. "Both are good girls. Young Miss Zhou is gentle and virtuous, and the Huang Family girl is lively and charming. Our Wu Family is now flourishing in Qinghe Prefecture, and both families are eager to marry their daughters here."

Wu Guohua's fingers unconsciously traced the rim of the teacup, and the figures of the two girls appeared in his mind.

Zhou Qinghan always wore elegant dresses and carried herself with dignity; Huang Ying preferred martial attire and her eyes would curve into crescents when she smiled. He shook his head with a wry smile: "Grandpa and Grandma really are… Never mind, I'll leave it all to you."

As he walked out of the study, the setting sun stretched his shadow long. Wu Guohua stood in the center of the courtyard, gazing at the distant village with its rising smoke.

As the legitimate eldest son of the Wu Family, he understood the significance of this marriage better than anyone—it was not only about personal happiness but also about the Family's future.

For the next half month, the Wu Family mansion was bustling with activity. Large red lanterns hung from the eaves, and auspicious characters were pasted on doors and windows.

The best tailor from the county city custom-made a large red wedding gown for Wu Guohua, the gold-embroidered auspicious cloud patterns shimmering in the sunlight.

On a morning in late July, the wedding procession set off grandly. Wu Guohua rode a tall horse, dressed in his wedding attire, the red silk flower on his chest gently swaying in the morning breeze.

Behind him, two wedding processions headed separately to the Zhou Family and the Huang Family. Amidst the clamor of drums and music, the onlookers crowded the streets, their discussions rising and falling.

"I heard that Young Master Wu is marrying two brides at the same time?"

"Indeed! Young Miss Zhou and Young Miss Huang are both famous beauties in our county!"

"The Wu Family is truly not what it used to be…"

At noon, the two processions converged at the entrance of the Wu Mansion. Wu Guohua dismounted, watching the two sedan chairs slowly land.

The matchmaker lifted the sedan curtains, and the two brides, adorned with phoenix coronets and embroidered robes, stepped out with assistance. Although their red veils covered their faces, Wu Guohua seemed to feel Zhou Qinghan's dignity and Huang Ying's liveliness.

During the wedding ceremony, Wu Guohua stood between the two brides, listening to the officiant loudly declare, "First bow to Heaven and Earth," his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He could feel Zhou Qinghan's elegant and proper movements on his left, while Huang Ying's gestures on his right carried a hint of playfulness. When the cry of "Into the bridal chamber!" sounded, the attending guests burst into a wave of good-natured laughter.

The days after the wedding were unexpectedly peaceful. Every morning, Wu Guohua still went to the training ground to Cultivate without fail.

After breaking through to Innate Grandmaster, his perception of Spiritual Qi became even sharper, and the spiritual plants in Taro River Valley grew even more luxuriantly.

"Guohua, this batch of Spiritual Rice will be ready for harvest in half a month," his father, Wu Wenbin, squatted on the field ridge, carefully inspecting the rice ears.

Wu Guohua nodded, his gaze sweeping over the lush spiritual field.

Ever since the discovery of the underground spiritual field, it had primarily been used to Cultivate Grade One Low Grade spiritual plants, to train the Family's Martial Artists. He bent down to pull out a weed, his fingertips stained with the fragrant soil.

As night fell, Wu Guohua returned to the mansion. Zhou Qinghan had already prepared hot water, while Huang Ying cheerfully handed him a clean cloth.

The two wives, though different in personality, got along surprisingly well. Zhou Qinghan was skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, often quietly grinding ink while he handled Family affairs; Huang Ying, on the other hand, was proficient in martial arts and would sometimes spar with him.

"Husband, try the lotus seed soup I just learned to make," Zhou Qinghan said softly, gently placing a celadon bowl on the desk.

"Don't just drink the soup, look what I brought you!" Huang Ying, as if by magic, pulled out an exquisite dagger from behind her back. "I 'borrowed' it from Grandpa's collection; it can cut iron like mud!"

Wu Guohua smiled and shook his head, taking the dagger to examine it carefully. The blade gleamed coldly in the candlelight; it was indeed a fine weapon. He looked up at his two wives and suddenly felt that such a life was not bad at all.

Outside the window, a bright moon hung high. Wu Guohua stood under the veranda, gazing at the distant undulating mountains. Life after marriage had indeed not changed much, but deep down, he knew his burden was heavier.

As a husband, and as the future Family Head, he had to protect not only the Family's honor but also these two women who had entrusted their lives to him.