49: Chapter 49: Su Han Blesses the Newlyweds

Sandalwood incense curled inside the ancestral hall, and red candles burned brightly.

Su Han stood in the center of the hall, facing the tablets of the Su Family's ancestors with a solemn expression.

Behind him, Zhou Haitao and Su Lingxue stood side by side, both dressed in traditional ceremonial attire—Zhou Haitao in a bright red wedding robe, and Su Lingxue wearing a phoenix crown and embroidered robe.

"The auspicious hour has arrived. Newlyweds, pay your respects to the ancestors," Su Bowen announced loudly.

The hall fell silent instantly as all the guests held their breath, watching the scene.

Following the etiquette he had learned the previous night, Su Han took three sticks of incense from the altar, lit them on the candle flame, bowed respectfully three times to the ancestral tablets, and then inserted the incense into the burner.

"Ancestors of the Su Family above, today the Su Family's daughter, Ling Xue, is departing to be married to Zhou Haitao. May the ancestors protect them, and may the couple enjoy a century of harmony and soon be blessed with a son."

His voice was clear and powerful, echoing through the hall.

Despite his youth, his steady and composed demeanor commanded the respect of every guest present.

Su Han turned, took two sticks of incense from an attendant, and handed them to Zhou Haitao and Su Lingxue respectively: "Newlyweds, offer the incense."

When Zhou Haitao took the incense, his hands trembled slightly.

He took a deep breath and walked to the altar with Su Lingxue, bowing respectfully three times. Just as they were about to insert the incense, Su Han suddenly spoke:

"Wait."

Everyone was stunned.

Zhou Haitao looked at Su Han in confusion, not understanding why this "Third Grandpa" had suddenly called a halt.

Su Han walked up to Zhou Haitao, his eyes piercing: "Company Commander Zhou, according to Su Family rules, before the newlyweds offer incense, the groom must swear an oath to the ancestors. As a soldier, are you willing to swear upon your honor as a soldier?"

A heavy silence filled the hall.

Everyone held their breath, waiting for Zhou Haitao's answer.

Zhou Haitao straightened his back and without hesitation raised his right hand in a standard military salute: "I, Zhou Haitao, swear upon my honor as a soldier to the ancestors of the Su Family: In this life, I will treat Su Lingxue well, never leaving or abandoning her, sharing life and death! If I violate this, let me be punished by military law!"

His voice was resonant and powerful, echoing through the hall.

Su Lingxue's eyes instantly turned red, and tears welled up.

Su Han nodded in satisfaction and turned to Su Lingxue: "Ling Xue, are you willing to accept this oath?"

Su Lingxue nodded through her sobs: "I am."

"Good." Su Han took a step back. "Newlyweds, offer the incense."

Zhou Haitao and Su Lingxue inserted the incense into the burner at the same time. Wisps of blue smoke rose, as if truly carrying their oath to the ancestors in heaven.

"The ceremony is complete!" Su Bowen announced loudly.

Thundering applause immediately broke out in the hall.

The members of the Falcon Squad stood in a corner. Monkey couldn't help but mutter softly, "This is too formal, isn't it? It feels even more serious than a military oath-taking."

Zhou Mo said softly, "This is the power of a traditional clan. Although Brother Su is young, in this kind of setting, he is the absolute authority."

...

Inside the ancestral hall, red candles flickered, and sandalwood incense lingered.

Su Han sat upright in a grandmaster's chair, with a rosewood low table placed before him.

According to the Su Family's ancestral traditions, after offering incense to the ancestors, one must first serve tea to the highest-ranking elder of the clan and receive their blessing as a sign of filial piety.

"Newlyweds, serve the tea!" an elder of the clan called out loudly.

Zhou Haitao and Su Lingxue stood side by side, holding tea cups in their hands as they walked slowly toward Su Han.

With slightly red eyes, Su Lingxue held the tea cup with both hands and knelt respectfully: "Third Grandpa, please have some tea."

Zhou Haitao took a deep breath and also went down on one knee (soldiers do not kneel on both knees), offering the tea with both hands: "Third Grandpa, please have some tea."

His voice trembled slightly; he was clearly still not used to this form of address.

Su Han remained composed, reaching out to take Su Lingxue's tea cup. He took a small sip and said warmly, "Ling Xue, today you are being married. Your Third Grandpa wishes you harmony as a couple and a century of happiness."

After speaking, he took a small box wrapped in red silk from his sleeve and handed it to Su Lingxue: "This is the dowry Third Grandpa is giving you."

Su Lingxue took the box and opened it, letting out a sudden cry of surprise—inside was an ancient jade pendant, emerald green throughout and exquisitely carved.

"This... this is Great-grandmother's dowry!" She looked up at Su Han, her eyes filled with shock.

Su Han nodded with a smile: "Your Great-grandmother instructed before she passed that this jade pendant should be passed to the most promising girl of the Su Family. You have been sensible since you were a child, and now you have married into a good family; you truly deserve it."

Su Lingxue could no longer hold back, and tears streamed down her face: "Thank you, Third Grandpa..."

Beside her, Zhou Haitao watched, dumbfounded.

Although he didn't understand jade, he could tell that this pendant was worth a fortune.

"Company Commander Zhou." Su Han turned to Zhou Haitao, his tone suddenly becoming serious.

Zhou Haitao jolted and quickly straightened his back: "Present!"

"From now on, Ling Xue is entrusted to you." Su Han's voice wasn't loud, but every word was forceful. "If I find out you have mistreated her..."

He didn't finish, but the warning in his eyes sent a chill down Zhou Haitao's spine.

"Rest assured, Third Grandpa!" Zhou Haitao quickly declared. "I will definitely treat Ling Xue well, or else let lightning strike me down!"

Su Han finally nodded in satisfaction, took a sip from his tea cup, and then pulled a kraft paper envelope from his robe to hand over: "This is for you."

Zhou Haitao took the envelope in confusion. Upon opening it, he found it was a handwritten Su Family Boxing Manual!

"This..." He looked up in shock.

Su Han said calmly, "The Su Family's martial arts are not shared with outsiders, but since you have become a son-in-law of the Su Family, you are no longer an outsider. Practice well, and don't lose face for the Su Family."

Zhou Haitao's hands were shaking with excitement.

As a soldier, he knew all too well the value of this legendary boxing manual!

"Thank you, Third Grandpa! I will definitely practice diligently!"

After the tea ceremony, the newlyweds took turns serving tea to Su Lingxue's parents and other elders of the Su Family.

When it was Su Bowen's turn, the serious old man finally showed a rare smile.

He took the tea cup and said earnestly, "Ling Xue, after you move there, be filial to your parents-in-law and live in harmony with your neighbors. Haitao is a good boy; you two must be understanding of each other."

Saying that, he looked at Zhou Haitao: "Haitao, Ling Xue has been pampered since she was small. If she is occasionally willful, please be patient with her."

Zhou Haitao nodded repeatedly: "Don't worry, Dad. I will definitely treat Ling Xue well."

The tea ceremony lasted for nearly an hour. By the time the last cup of tea was served, Su Lingxue was already a mess of tears.

"Silly girl, why are you crying?" Mother Su said heart-wrenchingly as she wiped away her daughter's tears. "Today is your big day; you should be happy."

Su Lingxue nodded while sobbing: "Mom, I just can't bear to leave you all..."

Su Han stood to the side, watching this touching scene with a myriad of emotions.

Although he was a transmigrator, at this moment, he truly felt the bonds of the family's bloodline.

"Great-grandfather." Xiao Budian had somehow slipped to his side and tugged at his hem. "Why is Big Auntie crying?"

Su Han squatted down and rubbed her small head: "Because getting married is something that is both happy and hard to part with."

Xiao Budian nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite. "Then I won't get married in the future. I want to stay with Great-grandfather forever!"

Su Han chuckled: "That won't do. When our Xiao Budian grows up, she will also meet someone she likes."

Xiao Budian tilted her head and pouted: "But Xiao Budian likes Great-grandfather the most. When Xiao Budian grows up, she'll just marry Great-grandfather! That way, I won't have to leave home, and I can stay with Great-grandfather, and with Daddy, Mommy, Grandpa, and Grandma forever!"

"Hahaha..."

Xiao Budian's innocent words immediately drew a burst of laughter from everyone in the hall.