15.

The next few days passed in a blur of excitement for the Shen family. Ji Zhiyu had kept his word and arrived at the Shen Manor a few days later, this time accompanied by his mother, Madam Ji, and several attendants. Their arrival was grand, with carts filled with carefully selected gifts—silks, gold, jewelry, and intricate artwork—intended to formally propose marriage to Shen Lingyun.

The atmosphere in the Shen Manor was lively as everyone rushed to prepare for the important occasion. Shen Yuan, standing with Shen Jiuyuan and Shen Mingxiu, watched as the attendants began unloading the lavish gifts, arranging them neatly in the main hall.

"Master Ji certainly knows how to make an impression," Shen Jiuyuan said with a grin. "Look at all this!"

Shen Yuan chuckled. "He's a man of his word, and his respect for Uncle Lingyun shows. These gifts are a symbol of how much he values this marriage."

Soon after, Madam Ji and Ji Zhiyu entered the main hall, where the Shen family had gathered to receive them. Shen Lingyun, dressed in simple but elegant robes, stood near Shen Qingge, his expression composed but nervous.

"Welcome, Madam Ji, Master Ji," Shen Yuan greeted them with a smile, bowing slightly.

Madam Ji smiled warmly, nodding to Shen Yuan before turning her gaze to Shen Lingyun. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Shen Lingyun. My son has spoken highly of you, and I must say, it brings me great joy to be here today."

Shen Lingyun bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Madam Ji. I'm honored by your visit."

Ji Zhiyu stepped forward, his face filled with sincerity. "Lingyun, as I promised before, I'm here to formally propose marriage. I hope these gifts show my true intentions and the respect I have for you and your family."

Shen Lingyun's face flushed slightly, but he smiled softly. "Your sincerity means more than any gift, Ji Zhiyu. I am ready to accept your proposal."

The moment was met with quiet applause from the family, and Madam Ji beamed with pride. "This is a union that will bring joy to both our families. Let's decide on a date for the wedding."

Shen Qingge, who had been quietly observing, stepped forward. "We've already consulted with the elders. A month from now would be an auspicious time for the wedding."

Ji Zhiyu and Madam Ji exchanged glances, both nodding in agreement. "A month it is, then," Madam Ji confirmed. "We'll begin the preparations immediately."

With the wedding date set, the Shen family's focus shifted to preparing for the big day. The house was buzzing with activity—everyone was involved in decorating the halls, shopping for gifts, and preparing Shen Lingyun's dowry.

One afternoon, while the family was gathered in the courtyard to discuss the wedding arrangements, Shen Yuan excused himself and retreated to his room. His mind had been racing with ideas ever since Ji Zhiyu's proposal, and now he felt a familiar pull—the System.

Sitting down at his desk, Shen Yuan called up the System Panel in his mind, the familiar blue interface materializing before him.

"System," he called out, his voice calm. "I haven't checked in for a while. Is there anything I can do to help with the wedding preparations?"

The System's voice chimed in, neutral as always. "You can access the System Mall to see if there are any items that may aid in your current tasks."

With a thought, Shen Yuan opened the System Mall and began scrolling through the available options. The screen was filled with a variety of items, each one tied to a specific task or goal. There were four main categories:

World Technology TasksPersonal TasksSide Tasks (involving cultivating ghosts)Main Task (building the underworld empire to allow ghost reincarnation)

Shen Yuan's eyes narrowed as he explored the Personal Tasks section. One of the tasks involved "helping loved ones marry happily," and he realized that his contribution to Shen Lingyun's upcoming wedding might earn him more points in the future.

"Let's see what I can get for the dowry," Shen Yuan muttered to himself as he browsed the list of items.

Thanks to the 50,000 contribution points he had accumulated over time, Shen Yuan was able to afford some of the rarest treasures available in the System Mall. After a few moments of searching, he selected several items that he knew would be perfect for Shen Lingyun's dowry.

He ended up purchasing 50 treasures in total, but he carefully chose 10 items that would stand out and bring great value to the wedding. He listed them out mentally, feeling a sense of satisfaction as he reviewed his choices:

Phoenix Feather Hairpin: A delicately crafted hairpin made from the feathers of a mythical phoenix, symbolizing rebirth and good fortune in marriage.

Moonstone Necklace: A rare gemstone necklace that glows faintly in the dark, believed to bring harmony and balance to its wearer.

Golden Lotus Incense Burner: A beautifully carved incense burner shaped like a lotus flower, perfect for the ancestral hall.

Silver-threaded Silk Robes: High-quality silk robes woven with silver thread, making them both luxurious and practical for formal occasions.

Dragon Scale Bracelet: A bracelet made from polished dragon scales, said to protect the wearer from harm and enhance their inner strength.

Crystal Lotus Lantern: A lantern carved from pure crystal, symbolizing purity and enlightenment, perfect for illuminating the new couple's home.

Jade Seal: A finely carved jade seal that represents authority and prosperity, an ideal symbol for a new household.

Pearl-embedded Mirror: A hand mirror inlaid with pearls, representing clarity and beauty, meant to be a part of Shen Lingyun's personal dowry.

Healing Balm of the Ancients: A rare balm that heals wounds quickly and leaves no scars, invaluable for a household that might encounter hardships.

Ceremonial Sword with Phoenix Guard: A ceremonial sword, not for battle but for protection of the family's honor. The handle was shaped like a phoenix, representing a peaceful but powerful future.

Satisfied with his selection, Shen Yuan made the purchase, and within moments, the items materialized in his personal storage space.

Later that afternoon, Shen Qingge entered Shen Yuan's room, finding him inspecting the treasures. "Yuan, I heard you've been working on something for the dowry."

Shen Yuan smiled, closing the System panel in his mind. "Yes, Uncle. I've gathered some rare items—treasures, really—through a trade. A foreign merchant was willing to exchange them for some soap and pencils."

Shen Qingge raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Foreigners, you say? They must've been eager to get their hands on your products. These treasures… they're exquisite."

Shen Yuan nodded. "Indeed. I thought they would make a fine addition to Uncle Lingyun's dowry. These are the kinds of things that will be appreciated in both Ji Zhiyu's household and ours."

Shen Qingge gave Shen Yuan a thoughtful look. "You've thought of everything, haven't you? These treasures will bring honor to the Shen family."

"No one will doubt their authenticity," Shen Yuan said with a smile. "I've made sure of that."

Shen Qingge chuckled, patting his nephew's shoulder. "You've done well, Yuan. Lingyun is lucky to have such a thoughtful nephew."

The days passed quickly, and as the wedding date drew nearer, the Shen family became even busier. The halls were decorated with red lanterns and festive banners, and everyone was rushing to prepare for the big day. Shen Mingxiu and Shen Mingyue spent hours finding the perfect fabric for Shen Lingyun's wedding robes, while Shen Jiuyuan and Shen Zhen handled the logistics of setting up the banquet and entertainment.

Throughout it all, Shen Yuan remained at the center of the preparations, quietly organizing everything and ensuring that his uncle would have the perfect wedding.

As the final touches were made, Shen Yuan couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. The wedding would be a grand celebration, not just of Shen Lingyun and Ji Zhiyu's union, but of everything the Shen family had built together.