"Now big brother looks dashing... Indeed, this full beard suits my brother the best."
After nearly an hour of her handiwork, Tang Yuehua looked at her big brother's appearance and exclaimed with joy.
Wearing a grey-white robe adorned with simple gems on the cuffs and collar, Tang Xiao stood tall with his muscular build, resembling an unshakable wall. With his newly styled, gangster-like haircut and beard, he looked striking and imposing.
Tang Xiao glanced at himself in the mirror and nodded.
'Although this body's looks are average compared to my earthly one, under my careful grooming, it truly appears impressive,' Tang Xiao thought.
Granted, the middle-aged, ordinary face wasn't exactly to his liking—he was, after all, a man in his twenties trapped in this body—but the muscles helped make up for it. And of course, there was also the other "big" blessing this body carried between its legs, which Tang Xiao privately admitted was his favorite part of the package deal.
Just as his thoughts began to drift into an unhealthy realm, Tang Yuehua's urging voice reached his ears.
"Big brother, what are you spacing out for... Let's hurry to the hall, the Ning family people have already arrived."
"Alright, alright... Let's go."
---
Clear Sky Sect - Welcoming Hall
Inside the hall, in addition to the seven elders and sect leader Tang Zhen seated in the main positions, five elegant guests from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect sat beside them. Behind the guests, neatly dressed servants held trays stacked with gifts.
Unlike the burly men of the Clear Sky Sect, the five visitors appeared refined and graceful—especially one woman, who sat quietly like a white lotus among thorns.
She was Tang Xiao's bride-to-be, Ning Ruoyan. Her face was like the bright moon, her oval cheeks glowing, phoenix eyes sharp yet gentle, lips delicate as flower petals. With smooth silver hair cascading down her back, she resembled a fairy stepping out of a painting.
By the time Tang Xiao entered the hall with Tang Yuehua holding his arm, his gaze locked directly on the lady, not leaving her for even a second.
"Milky-white skin... wide hips... Excellent." Tang Xiao's innocent yet bright eyes scanned his soon-to-be wife thoroughly, as though examining a precious toy that would soon be his.
In his mind, the entire hall blurred into nothingness. It was just him and her. Everyone else might as well have been furniture.
Even when the whole hall fell silent at his arrival, Tang Xiao continued his inspection from head to toe, again and again, completely oblivious.
Fortunately, Tang Yuehua came to the rescue.
"Big brother... Greet the elders first." Tang Yuehua pinched his arm with all her strength. Though it merely tickled Tang Xiao, the effect was enough.
"Mmhm…" Tang Xiao finally broke out of his trance, utterly unashamed.
'Marriage isn't a joke. If I don't check my wife properly now, won't it be too late later? And it's not like I'm staring with lustful eyes… right? Right?!' Tang Xiao thought to himself.
Determined to appear dignified, he deliberately widened his eyes into a look of faux innocence—surely the epitome of gentlemanly behavior, he told himself.
Feeling proud, he finally turned his attention to the others. But before withdrawing his gaze completely, he sneaked in a small wink at Ning Ruoyan.
The lady, however, was dumbfounded.
Was her soon-to-be husband acting too much like a youth? To wink at her so openly in public... How shameless.
Although she looked like she was in her late twenties and he appeared middle-aged, the truth was she was 41 and he was 55. At their age, winking across the hall should've been left to hormone-ridden teenagers.
Oh heavens...
Ning Ruoyan felt her entire body flush with embarrassment. She quickly averted her eyes, staring down at her toes.
'But... he doesn't look bad either...' Ning Ruoyan admitted with a shy smile. His thick beard and majestic build did give him an imposing charm. Perhaps marrying such a man wasn't so bad...
Meanwhile, Tang Xiao acted as though nothing had happened, greeting everyone with a calm and innocent expression.
After some inquiries about health and well-being, mixed with teasing remarks, everyone sat as maids brought forth delicacies and drinks.
"Haha... From my son's reaction at the entrance, it's clear Xiao'er likes your family's lady very much. Then let us toast to our two families becoming in-laws." After the formalities and jokes, Tang Zhen rose, raising his cup toward an elderly man with grey hair and deep wrinkles.
This man was the father of Ning Fengzhi, the former clan leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and Ning Ruoyan's eldest brother. Since both of Ning Ruoyan's parents had passed away decades earlier, he came to represent her engagement as an elder, betrothing his sister to Tang Xiao, the eldest young master of the Clear Sky Sect.
"Indeed, indeed. Our Ruoyan also admires young master Tang Xiao. My Ning family is happy to become in-laws with you, brother Tang Zhen." Ning Zifan accepted the toast and drained his wine with a hearty gulp.
Afterward, the two sides conversed joyfully about the marriage, settling on a date for the beginning of next year—nearly eight months away.
Tang Xiao had no objection. Since the major turning point of Ah Yin's identity being exposed had already passed, he knew the marriage would not change much nor force Tang Hao to attend, avoiding an unpredictable butterfly effect.
He ate silently, occasionally chatting with Ning Fengzhi, but otherwise, as the groom, he did not interfere with the discussions.
By the time the banquet ended, both families reached a formal agreement. Tang Xiao and Ning Ruoyan were now officially engaged.