Chapter 779

Where is there a father who personally visits to propose marriage for his daughter? This is far too shameful and shows excessive desperation.

Lady Zhu sighed: "Don't blame your father—he has no other choice. Lately, times have been hard. Only by your father going in person can he negotiate properly with the Ma family; a matchmaker always stands between them, and many things simply can't be said well."

"Oh." Zhu Yingtai softly replied, "I have no reason to blame him, but it's still unpleasant that Father has lost face."

"Let's not talk about this gloomy matter anymore." Lady Zhu's mood lifted, her voice suddenly brightening. "Speaking of this, it's truly bizarre. Your father went in person, and the Ma family said—better to give you to a Dao Jun than to marry you into their own family."

"Give me to a Dao Jun?" Zhu Yingtai's heart trembled. What kind of absurd idea is this!

"Er… Your father flew into a rage on the spot." Lady Zhu combed her hair as she recounted the events vividly. "But then the head of the Ma family sent something that completely changed your father's mind."

At this, Lady Zhu paused, pulling something from her sleeve.

"This!"

"The Great Radiance Mantra?" Zhu Yingtai took it, surprised. "What is this? Father has always disbelieved in such things—does he now believe because it came from the Ma family? Or is he merely pretending to agree with them to secure the marriage?"

"No." Lady Zhu shook her head. "First, recite it once. Then we'll continue. If I just tell you with words alone, you won't believe me."

"I believe whatever Mother says—how could I not believe?"

Zhu Yingtai's voice was faint, devoid of any emotion, like a floating duckweed swaying in the wind, ready to be carried away by the slightest breeze.

"This divine mantra truly has great benefits. Recite it now." Lady Zhu knew her daughter harbored resentment, but she didn't press. She spoke softly: "I have no reason to deceive you on this matter."

Zhu Yingtai nodded and softly began chanting.

Her heart had been deadened, but as she recited the mantra, sudden radiance flooded her mind, making her feel as if walking beneath the sun, surrounded by pure light.

As if this gloomy world had been bathed in illumination.

The people smiled with joy, no longer suffering; all had gained freedom.

"How wonderful!"

After finishing the mantra, Zhu Yingtai felt utterly light, her previous gloom completely vanished, and only then did she turn her attention to examine her own condition.

As she did, she froze.

"This mantra truly has such miraculous power?" Zhu Yingtai exclaimed. "It doesn't just cleanse the soul's impurities—it also strengthens the body. Could there truly be a method to become immortal?"

Daoism originated in ancient times, from the teachings of Huang and Lao, where Huang refers to Huang Di, author of the Yin Fu Jing.

Daoism emerged in the Eastern Han, founded by Zhang Daoling based on Daoist philosophy.

The concept of immortals arose during the Warring States period between them.

By the Eastern Jin, the belief in immortals had become extremely widespread.

Cultivating immortality and refining elixirs were well known among noble families; people often died from taking pills.

"There is no true method to become an immortal in this world," Lady Zhu shook her head. "This method comes from beyond this world!"

She then recounted the entire story in detail.

With the Great Radiance Mantra to convince her, Zhu Yingtai listened with rapt attention.

"Mother, since that Dao Jun is a celestial being, could I truly catch his attention?"

"And even if he does choose someone, he probably won't care about our Zhu family."

Lady Zhu smiled: "Don't worry about this. If he cares for our Zhu family, that's good. If not, just take care of yourself. As long as you're by that Dao Jun's side, the Ma family will naturally treat our Zhu family well."

"Mother is right." Zhu Yingtai nodded gently. "I agree. Tell Father to reply to the Ma family."

Lady Zhu was overjoyed. After finishing combing her daughter's hair, she left.

"If immortals exist, why don't they care for the world's suffering? Are immortals nothing but lifeless statues?" After Lady Zhu left, Zhu Yingtai looked up at the sky. A ray of sunlight passed through the window lattice and fell upon her expressionless eyes as she softly uttered a shocking statement.

Chat group.

Ma Wencai: "I've reached the True Qi realm—can I now deal with Shanhe?"

Su Xiao: "Of course you can. You don't have any transcendent powers there anyway; your current realm is more than enough."

Xiao Mai: "Wait, didn't Liang Shanpo and Zhu Yingtai eventually turn into butterflies? Isn't that a transcendent power?"

Hu Yifei: "Even if so, how powerful could it be?"

Ma Wencai: "True enough. Also, Zhu Yingtai admires the Dao Jun's aura and wishes to serve him in Dalaotian—would that be allowed?"

Su Xiao: "Zhu Yingtai admires Brother Taixuan—this sounds like another Ma family doing good deeds, doesn't it?"

Xiao Mai: "Haha, you ancient people are so strange—always giving people away. Li Shimin did it, and now the Ma family does too…"

Li Shimin: "Because arranged marriages were the norm in ancient times!"

Su Xiao: "I'm curious—why didn't ancient men enter into arranged marriages? No, I mean, why weren't princes sent for heqin?"

Zhao Kuangyin: "During dynastic transitions, rulers usually slaughtered all imperial princes and descendants to prevent them from being exploited. Sending a prince to marry into a foreign tribe? Only modern people could think of such a thing. It's like handing the nuclear launch button to the enemy. With the legitimacy of the Central Plains' throne, they could invade anytime and inherit your empire. It's far too dangerous!"

Li Shimin: "Exactly. Do you know Wu Zetian? She sent her nephew for heqin—and got beaten soundly by the Later Turkic Khaganate!"

Su Xiao: "Wait, wasn't Wu Zetian quick to kill her own sons? Why would she care about this?"

Hu Yifei: "No, she didn't care about her sons—she cared about the state's dignity. Marrying a son to the Turks would destroy her authority as Emperor. Losing sovereignty and humiliation—how could she govern?"

Hu Yifei: "Besides, Li Tang princes held the right to inherit the Tang throne. The Later Turkic Khaganate could use the prince's name to launch an invasion and claim the Tang legacy. Remember, the Later Turkic Khaganate was powerful back then—hundreds of thousands of troops. Sending a prince wasn't heqin—it was creating a terrifying enemy with a legitimate claim to the Tang throne."

Li Shimin: "Also, princes are raised from childhood in imperial politics—they're extremely politically astute. Foreign chieftains wouldn't dare keep such a person close. If he's too clever, he might stage a coup. Sending a prince for heqin—was that marriage or just trying to provoke them? It wouldn't improve relations; it might even worsen them."

Su Xiao: "I get it. Princes have succession rights, are easily manipulated, understand power games, and are inherently unstable—like ticking time bombs. They're dangerous to both the imperial court and foreign chieftains!"

Zhu Yuanzhang: "One more point—princesses sent for heqin weren't always real princesses. They could be daughters of the imperial clan or even palace maids. The emperor didn't care if they married out."

Su Xiao: "Wang Zhaojun: You're talking about me!"

Xiao Mai: "After all that, will Brother Taixuan let Zhu Yingtai come?"

Su Xiao: "Yes yes! That's the real question! @Zhang Taixuan"

Zhang Taixuan: "Why not?"

Xiao Mai: "Ahh, Brother Taixuan has become Ma Wencai. 【Shocked】"

Ma Wencai: "?? I've become an adjective?!"

Zhang Taixuan: "Don't overreact. Zhu Yingtai hasn't even met Liang Shanpo yet, so no tragedy will arise—that's why I'm willing! Otherwise, do you think I'd become the villain?"

Su Xiaoxiao: "You don't know each other?"

Ma Wencai: "The two of them really don't know each other. The Young Lady of the Zhu family has remained in her boudoir awaiting betrothal all this while."

Su Xiaoxiao: "Then there's no problem!"