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The Hoshimi Family Residence.
Miyabi returned to her room to make a few final preparations, while Arden followed the housekeeper to the living room.
It was a standard tatami-style reception room, with woven mats spread neatly across the floor and soft cushions arranged around a low table. The furnishings were minimal and refined.
Behind the low table, Arden finally met his future father-in-law.
Hoshimi Souichirou was a refined and gentle middle-aged man. He did not look old at all—an undeniably handsome man in his prime.
Hearing someone enter, Souichirou set down his teacup and offered Arden a warm smile.
"Hello, Uncle Souichirou."
Recalling what Miyabi had taught him earlier, Arden did not directly address him as father-in-law. Instead, he imitated Souichirou's posture and knelt properly on the cushion opposite the low table.
Arden preferred sitting cross-legged, but when meeting the woman's parents, proper courtesy was essential.
"I've prepared a small gift. I hope you'll accept it, Uncle."
As he spoke, Arden respectfully presented the gift box he had brought with him.
"Very thoughtful."
Souichirou nodded in satisfaction. The sandalwood box emitted a faint, elegant fragrance. From the exquisite craftsmanship and antique-style carvings alone, it was clear this was no ordinary item one could purchase from a shop.
It was evident how much care Arden had put into it, and Souichirou couldn't help but look forward to seeing what was inside.
"May I open it?"
Curious about what his future son-in-law had prepared, Souichirou did not wait for Arden to leave before inspecting it. Instead, he asked directly.
It wasn't a matter of politeness—Souichirou had already begun to regard Arden as family.
"Please."
Arden extended a hand in a courteous gesture.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony."
Souichirou opened the box, and the contents made his eyes brighten.
Inside were several small porcelain bottles.
"These contain longevity and beauty-preserving elixirs. They're very beneficial for you and Madam's health."
Arden offered the explanation at just the right moment.
"Mmm."
Souichirou nodded.
As people age, concerns about health and appearance inevitably arise. Neither he nor his wife was immune to such worries.
Beneath the porcelain bottles was a stack of talisman papers.
"I personally crafted these talismans. Placed on doors and beams, they can ward off misfortune and safeguard the Hoshimi household."
"Excellent!"
Souichirou nodded again.
He did not believe in superstitious nonsense, but cultivators of Yunkui Summit were genuine practitioners—not feudal mystics. It was all very scientific, of course.
The final gift was a handcrafted piece.
It was a fox mask, carved from pure wood and coated in lacquer as black as ink.
There were five masks in total—two large, two medium, and one small—symbolizing the Hoshimi parents and daughter, along with Arden and their future child.
"Ju Fufu, Yixuan, Sweety, Yiji, and I carved these family celebration masks together with Miyabi. Not only do they symbolize happiness, but in times of danger, they can transform into guardian spirits to protect the family."
"Heh heh~~!"
Although the gift was exquisite and its meaning beautiful, Souichirou's smile was somewhat strained this time.
He understood the deeper implication. Arden was telling him not to worry about Miyabi after she married into Yunkui Summit—that she would get along well with his other four wives.
It was indeed a good thing… but as a father, the thought of his precious daughter sharing one husband with four other women inevitably stirred a complicated sigh within him.
"Daoist Arden, you are truly a man of many talents."
Souichirou picked up the largest fox mask and placed it over his face.
It was remarkably comfortable. Upon wearing it, he even felt more alert and clear-headed—as if he had grown ten years younger.
Realizing that all these gifts had been handcrafted by Arden himself, Souichirou offered heartfelt praise.
"I grew up among the common folk. The more skills you have, the more paths you have to survive."
Arden replied modestly.
Exhale...
He quietly let out a breath of relief inside.
From Souichirou's attitude, he could tell his efforts had not been in vain. The father-in-law hurdle was essentially cleared. Next… would be the mother-in-law.
Ahh…
At that moment, the sliding door leading from the inner chambers opened, and two beauties—one older, one younger—entered.
Both were dressed in kimono. Madam Hoshimi wore a long orchid-blue kimono, while Miyabi's palette was deeper and more subdued, befitting her composed personality and preference for restrained colors.
Both had long, straight black hair and fox ears, their features seventy to eighty percent alike. At a glance, anyone would know they were mother and daughter… no! Arden felt perhaps "sisters" would be more fitting.
"Miyabi, you look beautiful today."
Arden spoke from the heart.
Miyabi's long hair was pinned up with an exquisite hair ornament, adorned with fresh flowers. She looked youthful and radiant, yet carried a subtle maturity and allure.
In short—magnificent.
"You as well. Very handsome."
Miyabi took light, graceful steps to Arden's side and knelt on the adjacent cushion.
Her gaze shimmered as she looked at him, smiling brightly.
At that moment, Arden felt profoundly blessed to have Miyabi as his life partner.
Madam Hoshimi sat beside Souichirou. Watching Arden and Miyabi gaze at each other so affectionately that sparks nearly flew, the parents could only maintain polite smiles to mask their astonishment.
They had never imagined their daughter would one day reveal such an expression.
If someone from Hollow Special Operations Section 6 were present, their jaws might drop—was this really the stoic, training-obsessed Section Chief Miyabi they knew?
…
With elders seated directly opposite them, acting too uninhibited would be inappropriate.
Arden restrained the impulse to enact immediate "punishment" and merely leaned in to place a gentle kiss on Miyabi's cheek. The two then returned to a composed demeanor.
After that, Miyabi and Arden sat on one side, while Souichirou and Madam Hoshimi sat on the other. No one spoke first, and an awkward silence settled over the room.
"Ahem, ahem!"
Arden cleared his throat to break the stalemate. "Hello, Auntie."
After several days of rest, Madam Hoshimi had fully recovered. She looked like a woman in her early thirties—one who had taken exceptional care of herself.
Arden couldn't help but feel that she and Miyabi looked more like sisters, while she and Souichirou seemed almost like father and daughter rather than husband and wife.
Of course, he only dared think such things privately. Saying them aloud was out of the question.
Compared to Miyabi, however, Madam Hoshimi—both in appearance and demeanor—exuded the unmistakable aura of a gentle, married woman. The warmth and kindness she radiated stood in clear contrast to Miyabi's crisp efficiency.
Suddenly, Arden felt his earlier concerns about the Hoshimi family's line of succession had been completely unnecessary.
Madam Hoshimi appeared youthful and healthy, and with the elixirs restoring Souichirou's vigor, if the two put in some effort… producing a few younger siblings for Miyabi would hardly be a problem at all.
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