68: Chapter 68: Azure Phoenix Enters the Path, Daoist Companion Binding Opens the Trade Route Feedback

On the day Wang Qingluan entered the Family, the Li Family did not hold a lavish, bustling banquet, but all the necessary rituals were observed, perhaps even more thoroughly than an ordinary Family would.

Several prominent families in Qingshi Town sent congratulatory gifts, and even Steward Xu Wenshan from the Qingyun Branch sent people to deliver a gift, giving the Li Family plenty of Face.

Outsiders saw it as a joyous occasion, but those who truly understood the industry saw another layer of meaning: from this point on, the Li and Wang families had firmly bound together their most critical supplies, transport escorts, Outer Town shops, and Spirit Beast sources.

Great Elder Li Yuanheng stood in front of the Ancestral Hall, looking at the red silk adorning the courtyard. He couldn't help but stroke his beard and whisper to the Second Elder beside him: "This marriage is worth far more than simply leasing three shops."

Inside the New Courtyard, Wang Qingluan was dressed in a red wedding gown, which made her naturally fair skin look as white as snow. The heroic spirit between her brows was also softened by the festive colors.

When she was guided into the outer hall by the matchmaker, Su Qingyue was already waiting there.

Today, Su Qingyue wore a moon-white brocade dress, her figure curvaceous and her temperament gentle. She personally stepped forward to support Wang Qingluan, showing no signs of being a haughty matriarch, and said in a soft, gentle voice: "Once you enter this door, leave the rumors outside. In the future, within this home, we will follow the rules and act according to our capabilities."

Wang Qingluan bowed respectfully to her, her voice crisp and clear: "Qingluan understands. In the future, I will take full responsibility for the business routes and external affairs, so that you and the Family do not have to worry."

Su Qingyue smiled and helped her up: "That is good. I will take good care of the children's daily lessons and the internal affairs of the Spirit Medicine fields, so you won't be distracted."

Through this exchange, the two women clearly delineated the two most important lines of responsibility within and outside the New Courtyard, putting the attending women and stewards at ease.

Shortly after, in front of the Elders of both families and the core stewards, Li Qingfeng formally announced the division of powers and responsibilities for the New Courtyard:

Su Qingyue would continue to preside over the internal affairs of the New Courtyard, the training of the twins, the Family fields, and the distribution of Spirit Medicine.

Wang Qingluan would take over all business routes jointly operated by the Li and Wang families, the procurement of Spirit Beasts, the Outer Town shops, and the secret transport routes.

"The two lines must reconcile their accounts monthly," Li Qingfeng added finally. "For any major expenditures, all three of us must sign off before Spirit Stones can be withdrawn from the treasury."

When Wang Qingluan heard the four words "three-person signature," she looked up at Li Qingfeng, a flash of understanding in her eyes.

This was both granting her power and establishing rules for her.

Late at night, red candles burned brightly in the wedding chamber.

Wang Qingluan had already changed out of her heavy wedding gown into a lightweight red soft-satin dress, but she was not resting. She was still sitting at the table, holding a business route ledger that had just been handed over to her.

When Li Qingfeng walked through the door, this was the scene he saw, and he couldn't help but chuckle: "Still reading accounts tonight?"

Wang Qingluan looked up. The candlelight reflected on her Face, softening her expression and removing some of the sharpness from earlier in the day. She said earnestly: "I will only feel at ease once I have finished reading the ledgers."

Li Qingfeng walked behind her and reached out to remove the last phoenix hairpin from her hair, his movements very gentle: "After today, you can take your time with the accounts."

Wang Qingluan's shoulders instinctively tensed, and her voice dropped: "Are you this attentive to everyone?"

"Of course I must take care of my own wife." Li Qingfeng placed the phoenix hairpin steadily on the table.

Wang Qingluan was silent for a moment before asking in a voice only she could hear: "Then from now on… am I considered your wife?"

"From today on, yes."

Once the hour of the Rat passed, the System's golden panel suddenly lit up in Li Qingfeng's mind.

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for officially marrying a high-value Dao Companion: Wang Qingluan.]

[Target Rating: Spirit-grade mid-to-high Aptitude, status as a direct descendant of the Wang Family, value of business route control, value of Spirit Beast secondary industry.]

[Dao Companion binding successful!]

[Reward One: Cultivation infusion (Large amount)!]

[Reward Two: Business route feedback module activated!]

[Reward Three: Spirit Beast secondary industry acceleration!]

[Reward Four: Formation experience (Small amount)!]

[Current Formation attainment: Entry-level Formation Apprentice · Perfection.]

A stream of pure True Qi, far more vast than any previous times, surged into his Qi Sea. Li Qingfeng's cultivation, which had just stepped into the latter stage of Qi Refining Stage 9, was buffeted by this power, instantly stabilizing and taking a significant step forward into the depths of the latter stage.

Almost simultaneously, Wang Qingluan also felt the Wind-Wood spiritual power within her, which she had only just broken through with, being combed through by a gentle external force. Her Realm, which would have normally taken several months to fully stabilize, settled down within just a few breaths.

She looked at Li Qingfeng with some surprise: "Is this because of your Cultivation Technique?"

Li Qingfeng did not go into detail about the System; he only held her hand and said gently: "The cultivation nourishing technique of my branch is beneficial to one's Dao Companion. Qingyue has been stabilizing her cultivation step by step this way over the years."

Feeling the warmth of his palm, Wang Qingluan nodded gently: "I understand. In the future, I will do a good job with the business routes; I cannot just take your benefits for nothing."

The next morning, after Wang Qingluan served tea to Su Qingyue, Su Qingyue personally took her to the accounting room of the New Courtyard to begin handing over the interfaces for the internal and external accounts.

Li Qingfeng stood under the veranda holding Li Changqing as he watched. The little one saw the green jade pendant engraved with the Wang Family's business seal at Wang Qingluan's waist and curiously reached out his little hand to grab it.

Wang Qingluan's body stiffened slightly, and she instinctively wanted to dodge, but she saw Su Qingyue smiling and saying: "Just let him look at it. He likes these little things that carry Spiritual Qi."

Wang Qingluan hesitated for a moment, but still unhooked the jade pendant and handed it over.

Grasping the warm, smooth jade pendant, Li Changqing did not cry or fuss; instead, he gurgled and laughed.

Li Qingfeng found it amusing and teased: "It seems Changqing also recognizes you as his new 'money bag' steward."

The roots of Wang Qingluan's ears instantly turned hot, but she refused to admit it: "He recognizes the jade pendant, not me."

On the third day after the Dao Companion binding, the System panel refreshed with a new notification.

[Detected that the Li-Wang business routes have been officially integrated into the Family System. It is recommended that the Host complete the opening of the Outer Town shops within one month to form a sales closed-loop for the three product categories: Spiritual Plant, spiritual fertilizer, and beast-calming pill, which will maximize business route feedback revenue.]

Almost at the same time, Steward Xu Wenshan sent a secret letter: The review envoy from the Qingyun Sect had already set off and would arrive in Qingshi Town in one month to personally verify the quality of the Li Family as a "stable cooperative Family."

Li Qingfeng placed the title deed for the Outer Town shops and the jade talisman for the Sect review side-by-side on the table. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes as he directly set the plan: "Within one month, the shops will open, the Small Spirit Gathering Array will be set up, and the Sect review will be conducted. We will pass them all at once."