Chapter 290: Testing the Waters

Zhou You still did not know about the changes happening in the outside world; should we just count that meeting that day as a blind date?

Over at the trading firm, the Shen father and son attached extreme importance to this, directly issuing the strictest gag order, and Shen Siying was even tragically grounded, unable to even cross the threshold of her own boudoir.

Inside the martial arts hall, the one who suffered the most damage was Lu Jianqing.

The goddess he only dared to see in his dreams was actually lining up to go on a blind date with Zhou You, a three-choose-one situation.

This could no longer be described as an insult; it was simply a ruthless crushing, a cold-blooded instant kill!

Zhou You first sensed the change when he went to Ceng Fuzi's residence for his literary studies, noticing the change in Ceng Ruyu's attitude toward him.

"Senior Brother Zhou, I heard you are also getting engaged soon?"

Ceng Ruyu's expression was a bit naive, and she wrinkled her nose as she said, "This engagement business is especially troublesome; you must be prepared."

She had long been betrothed, and the man's family was in Fucheng; the marriage had been delayed because they were currently in a period of mourning.

This pleasing-to-the-eye Junior Sister's thoughtful concern as someone with experience made Zhou You feel a bit amused.

Ceng Ruyu's attitude toward marriage and partners was very simple, with absolutely no romantic feelings whatsoever.

She had still not officially met that man who was still in mourning.

In her mind, a future husband was just like a father—a relative one lived with.

It is no exaggeration to say that the relationship between Zhou You and her was even closer than that with her future husband.

Hearing that Zhou You was going to get engaged, Ceng Ruyu also assumed that he was like her, about to have one more 'relative' in his household.

"It's not certain yet; Junior Sister, you also know that the thresholds of noble families are high, and I might not meet the requirements."

Zhou You was clearly being modest, but he did not expect Ceng Ruyu to take it seriously.

"What high threshold? You are my father's personal disciple; you are more than qualified to match their family's legitimate daughter."

However, the clan daughter introduced by Qi Fengzhang, the highest-status Qi Wu Guniang, was only a concubine-born daughter, and she did not even think much of Zhou You.

Qi Qingyao and Qi Fengzi, whose status was that of clan daughters, although they both carried the surname Qi, had a status in the family only slightly higher than servants.

"Books say, when taking a wife, seek virtue! You still need to pay attention to the character of the clan daughter."

Ceng Ruyu patted her soft chest, "Senior Brother, leave this matter to me; I will definitely find out clearly for you."

Zhou You only thought she was speaking casually; he did not expect his soft and weak Junior Sister to be quite efficient.

A few days later, when Zhou You went to the Zeng Fu to study, he encountered an uninvited guest.

"This young lady greets Young Master Zhou."

The young girl who bowed gracefully was none other than the Qi Family daughter Qingyao, that talented girl with an exaggerated figure that was prone to exploding.

Zhou You hurriedly looked at Ceng Ruyu: You actually invited her to the house.

Ceng Ruyu smiled naively and signaled to him with her eyes: Senior Brother, no need to thank me!

Qi Qingyao's reputation as a talented girl was not just a persona; she truly had substance. When conversing with Ceng Ruyu, she could easily cite any poem or classic, quite like a match between equals.

Zhou You drank tea and watched from the side; before he knew it, he had finished three large pots of tea and could never get a word in.

He could be certain now: beneath her fairy-like, beautiful appearance, Ceng Ruyu was essentially a little simpleton.

She, on the other hand, became more and more engrossed in the chat, treating Qi Qingyao as a rare soulmate, having forgotten what they were doing today.

"..."

After half a day passed, Ceng Ruyu noticed the light had changed and suddenly realized with a start that it was terrible—she had forgotten the main task.

"I will go add some tea; you two continue chatting."

Ceng Ruyu grabbed the teapot and, ignoring Dujuan's aggrieved gaze, snatched her work to find an excuse to leave.

This was leaving the two of them a chance to be alone! Zhou You thought that when his little Junior Sister wasn't being naive, she was actually quite thoughtful.

"Young Master Zhou, let us be direct. Brother Fengzhang arranged for us to meet with the goal of a marriage alliance."

Qi Qingyao got straight to the point, "I will speak the truth first: I do not like martial artists, but you have the qualifications to be listed within the gate of Ceng Fuzi, so you are not an ordinary martial artist."

The implication was that she did not reject Zhou You; the blind date result was very successful.

"Although the three of us appeared that day, Qi Wu Guniang is high and proud; you have absolutely no chance."

"The only ones left are myself and Qi Fengzi. You can tell from her name that the 'Feng' generation is the core of the family."

"If Feng Zi's father's generation were still around, you would not be able to reach for her; even now, if you wanted to seek her hand, you would have to face many competitors and encounter many twists and turns."

"Only I, with my humble appearance and lowly status, am a match for Young Master Zhou's status."

"If you were to ask for marriage, this matter would certainly succeed."

Qi Qingyao analyzed it word by word, her expression calm.

Zhou You remained calm and moved his gaze away from her; the saying "big chest, no brain" failed on her.

This talented girl had an incomparably clear understanding of reality, completely lacking the innocence and fantasy matching her age.

From her words, he also knew that Qi Qingyao did not have a good life in the family; she viewed this marriage alliance as a springboard to escape the sea of misery, and she had no romantic love for Zhou You, merely treating him as a tool.

Just what kind of cruel environment could foster such a pitiable, extreme personality?

"Miss Qingyao, why go so far?"

Zhou You sighed; he could not tell if what she said was true or false, but he could be certain that there was a one-third chance she was from the Human Seed Sect. Just for this point, it was too dangerous; he could not agree.

His tone and expression already revealed his polite refusal.

Qi Qingyao heard his meaning, and her emotions were somewhat dejected; it seemed the master had not expected to be rejected.

"Qingyao, among the several Martial Saints in history, whose deeds do you admire most?"

Zhou You suddenly brought up this question, wanting to probe the bottom. If there were no surprises, if she answered the Myriad Phenomena Martial Saint, then there was an eighty percent certainty of a background in the Human Seed Sect.

Qi Qingyao pondered, a wisp of dark hair falling from her side profile, adding a touch of quietness.

After a long while, she replied, "Naturally, it is the Mingxuan Wusheng, who understands all truths in the world and knows everything."

Mingxuan Wusheng was a legend among Martial Saints, pushing the Martial Saint to the supreme status of 'omniscient and omnipotent.'

Rumor had it that Mingxuan Wusheng was the only existence to have cracked the mystery of the Nine Tripods of Heaven and Man, and it was highly likely that he had touched upon the Heaven and Man! Hmm, worshiping Mingxuan Wusheng did fit her identity as a talented, literary girl.

Zhou You could not help but feel a little disappointed; this answer was watertight, showing no flaws.

"Senior Brother Zhou, I can see you have great ambitions; I heard you were unwilling to be left in the cold and took the initiative to break away from the hall."

"If you want to achieve great things in the future, you must have the help of a noble person. If your former master had not had the help of my Qi Family, how could he have thrived in the martial arts circles of Gongliang City?"

"There are only benefits and no drawbacks for you to marry into my family."

Qi Qingyao earnestly persuaded Zhou You, "Even if you look down upon my willow-like appearance, you can take concubines after we are married. As long as you can manage it, I will not object to however many you marry."

The terms could be said to be quite generous.

Although Qi Qingyao's appearance was also stunningly beautiful, she did not have the advantage compared to Qi Wu Guniang and Qi Fengzi! But that quiet and elegant temperament far surpassed the visual impact brought by delicate facial features, worth savoring like fine tea.

Moreover, it would be no exaggeration to describe this noble lady's figure as "a slender branch bearing heavy fruit."

(End of chapter)