Chapter 139: Dezhao's Marriage, Both Parties Willing

"Unlike you, Husband, who pours all your heart into the Xu family's great endeavors, I naturally noticed long ago."

Xu Mingwei laughed heartily and raised his hand to playfully tap her delicate nose. "Your husband is the Xu family's Family Head. If I don't plan for the Xu family, should I leave it to Xueji and Yunnu to manage?"

"Your concubine was just joking." Yang Ronghua quickly apologized.

"Do you think your husband couldn't tell?" Xu Mingwei's lips curved upward. "Enough teasing. Tell me, which families' young ladies have you taken notice of? Another day I'll have Zhao'er make time to meet each one."

"How could ordinary young ladies be worthy of our Zhao'er? Isn't there a ready-made one right here at home?"

Xu Mingwei instantly understood and pondered, "Qingyi is indeed quite good. After entering the path of cultivation, as her cultivation deepens, her bearing has also become increasingly outstanding."

"Right? Though your concubine hasn't met her many times, I've truly come to like this gentle and serene female immortal master on the mountain." Yang Ronghua's eyes brightened. "I occasionally hear her name from Zhao'er as well."

"It's just that I'm not certain whether Zhao'er has feelings for her. Also, Wu Tao has been cultivating on the mountain with Qingyi for over ten years. They say time breeds affection."

Time breeds affection?

"That is indeed a concern." Xu Mingwei stroked his chin. "If those two truly have feelings for each other, our Xu family really couldn't do something like tearing them apart."

"Yes, your concubine worries about this too."

"How about this: I'll first ask Father his thoughts, see if he has any ideas about Zhao'er's marriage, and then discuss the matter of Zhao'er and Qingyi."

"As Husband wishes." Yang Ronghua knew her husband greatly respected his father and said nothing more.

After a moment of silence, "Wife, have you rested enough?"

Yang Ronghua was startled for a moment, then her face flushed red as she giggled, "Husband, you're really too much."

"Hehe~"

The next day, Xu Mingwei went to find Xu Chuan and discussed Xu Dezhao's marriage with him.

"Zhao'er's marriage? Oh right, he's already eighteen now." Xu Chuan pondered briefly. "You're his father. You and Ronghua can decide this matter. Your mother and I have no objections."

Bai Jing smiled brightly. "Suddenly bringing this up, it seems you and Ronghua already have a suitable candidate in mind. Quick, tell us which family's daughter, how old, what's her appearance and character like?"

Xu Chuan waved his hand and laughed, "Why are you so anxious? Let your son speak slowly."

Bai Jing smiled bashfully.

Xu Mingwei said, "Ronghua and I both have our eyes on Shen Qingyi."

Bai Jing's eyes lit up. "That girl? And she's an immortal master too. She's certainly worthy of our Zhao'er. Besides, she grew up in our household since childhood. Though she's a bit older, both her appearance and bearing are excellent."

"How is she a bit older? When the wife is three years older, she brings gold bricks. She'll definitely help Zhao'er's line prosper with many descendants."

"You and your twisted logic." Bai Jing also laughed and scolded.

"However, there's no rush for the wedding. This is a crucial time for the Xu family, and the same goes for Zhao'er." Xu Chuan added.

"Indeed. Your child thinks the same. If Qingyi is willing, we'll get engaged first and formally marry in a year or two."

Xu Chuan nodded slightly.

"However, your child does have some concerns. I'm worried that Qingyi and Wu Tao have been together so long that feelings may have developed between them." Xu Mingwei said.

Xu Chuan was startled, then pondered, "I really haven't noticed whether they have feelings for each other."

After a moment, he continued, "Go find Mingshu. She's also often on the mountain and is closer to Qingyi than we are, and they're similar in age. Have her sound out Qingyi's feelings. She might be able to discover her true thoughts."

Xu Mingwei's eyes immediately lit up as he clapped his hands. "Father's idea is excellent. It's about time that girl Xueji contributed to our Xu family."

"Your child will go right away."

Xu Mingwei immediately took his leave and hurried off.

"This is the first time I've seen him so anxious." Bai Jing pointed at the departing Xu Mingwei and shook her head with a smile.

"After all, before long, he's going to become a grandfather too."

When Xu Mingshu heard about this matter, her eyes lit up and she grinned. "Zhao'er has also reached the age for marriage? Planning to overtake from the inside lane?"

"What are you talking about?" Xu Mingwei was confused.

"Father said it. He said if I keep dragging things out, sooner or later Zhao'er and the others will overtake me from the inside lane one by one. I suppose that means getting married before me.

"Don't worry, I'll go up the mountain right now to ask Qingyi how she feels. Big Brother, you should also probe Dezhao's thoughts. Maybe Dezhao doesn't like her?"

"As if it matters whether he likes her or not? Mother and Father, and Ronghua and I, all think this match is very suitable. When two immortal cultivators marry, the chance of their offspring having immortal cultivation aptitude greatly increases."

"Big Brother, you're just being stubborn!" Xu Mingshu was dismissive. "But I also think they're quite suitable."

After speaking, Xu Mingshu glided out and waved at Xu Mingwei. "Big Brother, I'm going. Ask Zhao'er yourself about his side."

Xu Mingwei shook his head with a smile and turned to leave.

Xu Mingshu naturally avoided the Yang family members and went to the Jade Cold Pool.

At Jade Cold Pool, Shen Qingyi's bamboo house.

Xu Mingshu came to her door and sent her voice inside. "Qingyi, are you there? I've come to see you."

Shen Qingyi opened her eyes from meditation. With a wave of her hand, a stream of magical power withdrew the bamboo house's restrictions and the bamboo door opened.

"Aunt Mingshu, how do you have time to come? Please come in."

"Would you like some tea?"

"No need. I'm just here to chat a bit. I'll go see Little White and the others later."

Shen Qingyi nodded slightly.

Xu Mingshu studied her and nodded with satisfaction, then sat down. "By the way, Qingyi, how old are you this year?"

"Twenty-one."

"How long have you been with our Xu family?"

Shen Qingyi was slightly startled but still answered, "I came to the Xu family at ten. It's been eleven years now. Aunt Mingshu, why do you ask?"

"Just chatting. Seeing that you're not young anymore, if you hadn't come to our Xu family, you'd probably have married long ago."

Shen Qingyi thought back to her family's circumstances before and sighed, "Perhaps so."

"Have you thought about it now? Is there someone you like?" Xu Mingshu asked indirectly. "Like my fifth brother, or Wu Tao, or Dezhao. They're all suitable ages for you."

Shen Qingyi was stunned and quickly waved her hands. "I've never had any improper thoughts about the Fifth Young Master."

"Then you like Wu Tao? Dezhao?"

"I've always looked after Wu Tao as a younger brother. As for Young Master Zhao... how could I be worthy?"

Xu Mingshu's eyes lit up. There's hope!

She immediately clapped her hands. "What's this talk of worthy or not worthy? You're now an immortal master at the fourth layer of Qi Refining. I've heard female immortal masters are very sought after. In the commandery city, the young masters from great families who'd want to marry you could probably circle the city walls once.

"Even young masters from immortal cultivation families want to marry a fellow female cultivator."

"If you like him, I'll go ask my father right now. His word is law in our Xu family. If he agrees to betroth you to Dezhao, neither my big brother nor Zhao'er will have any complaints."

"Aunt Mingshu, wouldn't that be inappropriate?" Shen Qingyi felt both hopeful and worried.

After all, she was living under someone else's roof and came from an ordinary commoner background. She had developed a sense of inferiority since childhood.

"Qingyi, in this world, it's not easy being a woman. You must know how to fight for yourself." Xu Mingshu patted her shoulder. "Look at me. I don't want to marry casually, and what can Father, Mother, or my big brother do about it?"

"Be firm!"

"I think since you and Zhao'er have gotten along for so long, you must have some feelings for each other. In the past when I saw you two talking and laughing, I thought you two got along very well.

"It's just that Zhao'er, like his father when young, is a bit slow. His heart is completely devoted to martial arts, and the whole family has great expectations of him. Naturally, he would neglect matters of the heart."

Shen Qingyi was also moved. Hearing this, she lowered her head bashfully, her ears completely red.

"I'll follow Aunt Mingshu's arrangements."

"Haha, don't worry. I'll definitely be your matchmaker. Qingyi, continue your cultivation."

Shen Qingyi nodded slightly but after Xu Mingshu left, she couldn't calm her mind to meditate for half an hour. What she hadn't dared hope for before now filled her mind with Xu Dezhao's image.

Xu Mingshu went to see the crimson-gold white tiger and the three Azure Fire Eagle brothers.

She stayed for a while before going down the mountain.

On the other side, Xu Mingwei also found Xu Dezhao and discussed the matter with him.

"Father wants to arrange a marriage for me?" Xu Dezhao pondered briefly. "Father can decide. Your child is fine with anything."

"Fine with anything?" Xu Mingwei shook his head with a wry smile.

"Actually, your mother brought this up. I also asked your grandfather, and he said you've reached the age for discussing marriage. However, the actual wedding can wait another two years."

"Grandfather is thoughtful." Xu Dezhao flattered from afar.

"Don't you want to ask who your father and mother have chosen for you?"

Xu Dezhao was startled. "Parents' orders and matchmakers' words, isn't that natural and proper?"

"What about Yao'er?"

Xu Dezhao's brows furrowed slightly. "Cousin Ruiyao? She's only thirteen, isn't she? And though we're cousins, we've only known each other for a few days..."

A smile appeared at the corner of Xu Mingwei's lips. "See, didn't you subconsciously refuse?"

"In our family, except for your grandmother, and of course your aunts as well, no one believes in this 'parents' orders and matchmakers' words.' Though you've also read texts on ethics and propriety, under the influence of our Xu family elders' teachings by word and example, you subconsciously also want to make your own decisions.

"You just haven't realized it."

Xu Dezhao thought about it briefly, and it really was true.

After all, with an aunt like Xu Mingshu who defied convention, he had spent even more time with her than with Xu Mingwei. How could he not be influenced?

"Then does Father intend to let Zhao'er choose for himself?"

Xu Mingwei shook his head. "We've already chosen for you. What do you think of Shen Qingyi?"

"Qingyi? She's an immortal master. Though her aptitude is only average, her temperament is excellent and her bearing is outstanding."

"So you like her?"

"Father, how can such words be spoken so easily?"

Xu Mingwei laughed heartily and patted his shoulder. "Boy, in this regard, you're far behind your father. Back in my day, your father, I..."

"Enough said. Since you do have some interest in your heart, then Qingyi it is."

"Think carefully. In the coming days, consider how to face her. Treating someone you're fond of isn't the same as dealing with us elders."

Xu Mingwei left with a smile, leaving Xu Dezhao alone.

"Shen Qingyi, huh..."

Xu Dezhao's mind also filled with memories of his interactions with Shen Qingyi, and ripples gradually formed in the lake of his heart.