Chapter 95 The Union of Two Families, A Covenant Sealed in the Hall

Everyone turned their heads in unison to look toward the shadowy corner, even Zhou Wan from backstage directing her gaze there as well.

Shen Xian was nearly stupefied.

Don’t make trouble!

He was only here today because he’d promised Zhou Wan to handle any unexpected situations.

He had absolutely no intention of going on stage to deliver any wedding speech—he had no interest in such things!

Lin Zhiyin, Lin Zhixia, and the others all fixed their eyes on Shen Xian.

Seeing Shen Xian still seated, Xu Zijian turned to Yao Feiyu and said, “When it comes to traditional studies, is anyone more qualified than I am? There is—Comrade Xiao Shen over there!”

With that, he waved at Shen Xian. “Xiao Shen, come on! Why are you still sitting there?”

He winked at Shen Xian.

In that instant, Shen Xian understood his good intentions and felt a surge of gratitude.

Back at Jinshan Temple, Xu Zijian had asked Shen Xian about his profession, and Shen Xian said he worked in music.

Since that was the case, the Yao family was definitely a connection worth cultivating.

With Yao Feiyu’s support, his popularity and exposure would skyrocket.

Think of the traffic from pre-installed mobile apps—apps that come with the phone, requiring no download, suddenly popping up with advertisements.

A single popup, whether you wanted it or not, you had to click to close.

Whether you wrote novels, sang songs, sold goods, or streamed online, if you landed a popup promotion, you’d soar instantly.

So Xu Zijian was introducing Shen Xian to Yao Feiyu, building the bridge.

Since Xu Zijian had shown such goodwill, Shen Xian wouldn’t refuse; he rose and walked toward the stage.

“Who is that?”

“No idea.”

“That’s Shen Xian—the one who had that huge dispute with Liu Ruyun from Red Queen Entertainment!”

Seeing Shen Xian take the stage, Liu Ruyun was stunned.

What was going on?

How did Shen Xian know Xu Zijian?

“Damn it!” Liu Ruyun nearly ground her molars to dust.

Why should he receive Xu Zijian’s recommendation?

No matter how Shen Xian performed today, with Xu Zijian’s support, he would definitely be favored!

“Xu Zijian, shirking proper business to meddle in this!” Chen Feng was equally displeased.

But Lin Zhixia wasn’t surprised at all.

Only Lin Zhiyin seemed genuinely taken aback.

Her first impression of Shen Xian was that he was some gigolo kept by a wealthy woman, here just for the spectacle.

She never expected him to know Xu Zijian.

“Feiyu, let me introduce you—this is Xiao Shen, highly accomplished in classical literature,” Xu Zijian said.

Yao Feiyu immediately shook hands with Shen Xian. “Mr. Shen, welcome to my wedding with Lu Simin.”

“It’s an honor to witness this day,” Shen Xian replied with a smile.

Xu Zijian then said, “Xiao Shen, with your talent, composing a wedding blessing should be no challenge, right?”

Shen Xian gave a wry smile. “Since Professor Xu requests it, I’ll do my humble best.”

“Mr. Yao, Miss Lu, if my words fall short, please forgive me—it’s all rather last minute, after all!”

Yao Feiyu laughed heartily and clapped Shen Xian’s shoulder. “No worries, Mr. Shen, just having you here is honor enough.”

No wonder he was a top-tier heir—such poise, such eloquence.

If one were to ask which ancient-style wedding vow was the most stunning, it could only be those inscribed on the marriage certificates of the Republic era:

“Two families joined in union, vows made under one roof; a blessed match, destined for harmony. On this day, as peach blossoms burn bright, the home is adorned in joy; may the years ahead be filled with abundant sons and grandsons, their line unbroken, their prosperity enduring. With this promise to grow old together inscribed upon fine paper, this pact—like poetry on red leaves—shall be recorded in the annals of perfect love.”

Shen Xian spoke slowly, his voice clear.

As Xu Zijian listened, his eyes lit up and he applauded enthusiastically. “Excellent! Wonderful!”

Lu Simin, a graduate in Chinese Language and Literature, was equally moved. “What beautiful vows! There’s so much meaning in them. Mr. Shen, could you write them down for us?”

Shen Xian nodded. “Of course.”

“Bring paper and a pen,” Yao Feiyu called out.

Someone immediately brought writing materials, and Shen Xian began to copy down the words.

Everyone craned their necks to see.

When Shen Xian finished, Xu Zijian once again marveled, “Utterly beautiful!”

Yao Feiyu, scratching his head, asked, “What does it mean though?”

Xu Zijian explained, “It means: two families of different surnames are joined in marriage, forming a blessed union—a match to be admired. With peach blossoms in full bloom, it’s the perfect time to wed. It foretells a future of children and grandchildren, prosperity flowing without end, the promise of growing old together inscribed in writing, just like the fateful poem on a red leaf, their love recorded in the book of couples.”

Yao Feiyu, hearing this, gave a thumbs up. “Awesome! Incredible!”

“Brother, what kind of brain do you have?”

“Incredible, I love these vows!”

Lu Simin’s eyes sparkled as she asked Shen Xian, “Mr. Shen, is this the first time these words are being used?”

Shen Xian smiled, “Yes, I just thought of them—never written for anyone else before.”

“Feiyu, this is wonderful! These vows will be the witness to our love, and we’re the first to have them!” Lu Simin exclaimed.

Yao Feiyu waved his hand grandly and laughed. “We must pay you royalties for this, definitely!”

The guests below were left in awe.

Liu Ruyun clenched her fists, seeing Shen Xian thriving—she would rather die than endure this humiliation.

Anyone else could shine, could rise to prominence, could be in the spotlight.

But not Shen Xian. That would only expose her own shortsightedness, since she was the one who dumped him.

Lin Zhixia wore a cold, silent expression, lost in her thoughts.

Lin Zhiyin gazed at Shen Xian with a serene smile, her eyes unreadable.

Chen Feng felt defeated once again.

“It’s too beautiful! When I get married, I’m using these vows!”

“They should print them on marriage certificates!”

“I’m going to tell my father—we should have these vows on every certificate from now on!”

The guests all broke into applause.

Even Zhou Wan was clapping, her face bright with joy. “Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!”

I was right about you!

Qi Zhengqing clapped mechanically, his face blank.

But seeing Zhou Wan so enthusiastically applauding, his composure cracked.

Why?

Why him?

How am I inferior to Shen Xian?

Talent? Yet men more talented than Shen Xian are only fit to be my lackeys!

In truth, Lin Zhixia and Qi Zhengqing were well-matched—a pair cut from the same cloth.

“Mr. Yao, Miss Lu, I wish you both a blissful marriage!” Shen Xian said with a smile.

He then strode off the stage.

No sooner had he sat down than a message from Zhou Wan arrived: “So talented!”

“Flattered,” Shen Xian replied.

“Are you leaving soon?” Zhou Wan asked.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll probably get going,” Shen Xian answered. “Are you still performing?”

“I’m not sure yet—it depends,” Zhou Wan replied.

The host resumed, “Thank you to Professor Xu and Mr. Shen for their wonderful wedding blessing. Next, we begin the first program of the evening: a musical performance!”