Chapter 144: Young Lady Bai, Bai Suzhen?

"Gifted marriage?"

The room fell quiet for a moment.

Bai Ming was slightly startled, looked at his daughter, and said, "Do you already have a candidate in mind?"

Bai Qingtong said, "As for those who are of marriageable age now, or approaching it, we have Qiu Ning and Qiu Shuang from our own mansion, as well as Yiyi and Fangfei from Second Uncle's side. Daughter feels that either Qiu Ning or Fangfei would be acceptable."

A trace of contemplation appeared between Bai Ming's brows. He pondered for a moment, looked at her, and said, "Speaking of those of marriageable age, aren't you and your sister, as well as Second Uncle's daughters Xianxue and Li'er, all of age? Why, do you feel that because that young man's background is humble, Second Uncle, the Old Ancestor, and the others would not agree? So you didn't dare to bring it up?"

Bai Qingtong lowered her head and said, "That is indeed one reason."

Bai Ming was slightly startled: "Are there other reasons?"

Bai Qingtong hesitated, glanced at him again, and then gathered the courage to say, "Daughter told Father last time that that Young Master Luo already has a sweetheart, who is the daughter of Minister Liu, Liu Chujian. Father even helped Eldest Brother go to the Liu Mansion to propose marriage back then; Father should have seen her."

Bai Ming was startled upon hearing this and frowned, seemingly recalling that unpleasant incident.

He could not help but give a wry smile and said, "The temperament of that Liu Young Lady is truly stubborn, just like your sister's. Back then, she had already rejected your Eldest Brother once, yet your Eldest Brother would not give up and insisted on begging me to go in person, and the result..."

His expression shifted, and he suddenly realized: "Qingtong, since that Young Master Luo already has a sweetheart, why do you still speak of a 'gifted marriage'?"

Bai Qingtong kept her head lowered and did not speak.

Bai Ming's expression changed; he had already guessed her thoughts. He frowned, pondered for a while, shook his head, and said, "Although Qiu Ning and Fangfei are born of concubines, they are, in any case, Young Ladies of my Bai Family. To let them marry that Young Master Luo as concubines, how could that be possible? If word gets out, there is no telling how other families will mock us."

Bai Qingtong raised her head, sighed, and said, "Daughter also knows that doing this would wrong them. It is just that, apart from this method, Daughter truly cannot think of any other way."

Bai Ming pondered for a moment and said, "With our Bai Family's status, marrying a daughter to him is already marrying down; it is impossible to let them go and be his concubines. Qingtong, is there any possibility that that Liu Young Lady..."

"Father, it is impossible."

Bai Qingtong gave a wry smile and said, "For this matter, Daughter has already gone to sound out Young Master Luo many times. You should also know about that Yingchun girl from the Jia Mansion; today, Madam Xing from the Rongguo Mansion even came personally to find Mother, also for the sake of Yingchun. Young Master Luo has already clearly refused twice, all because of that Liu Young Lady. Young Master Luo is a person who values affection and righteousness; it is impossible for him to let that Liu Young Lady be a concubine."

Bai Ming's brows were tightly locked, and he did not speak again.

Bai Qingtong waited for a while and suddenly asked, "Father, do you think the family's face is more important, or the family's future?"

Bai Ming raised his head, his gaze fixed on her.

The expression in Bai Qingtong's eyes shifted for a moment before she continued, "This morning, in the schoolroom, Daughter learned a term called 'gains from disgrace.' I just mentioned it to Father, and Father also felt it made a lot of sense. For these past two days, Daughter had also been hesitating, fearing it would damage the Bai Family's reputation and face. But today, after listening to that Young Master Luo's lecture and his explanation of these four words, Daughter suddenly felt enlightened, as if struck by a bolt of wisdom."

"Our Bai Family has occupied the top spot among the Four Great Families for a long time, and in all of Lin'an City, we have held high positions and great power for a long time. Father should know better than Daughter that there must be many people gathered around us who are envious and jealous, or even preparing to cause trouble in secret."

"So Daughter feels that occasionally suffering a disgrace, letting others mock us, and experiencing some setbacks is actually not a bad thing. Just like when Sister intentionally... during that period, did Father notice that many people held a sympathetic attitude toward Father? Even those who were gloating in their hearts would offer a few words of comfort when they met, and during that time, they didn't think about making things difficult for Father."

"Of course, there are also those who kick a man when he is down."

"But in this way, it is easier for us to discover who are true friends and who are true enemies."

"Falling down first, lying on the ground for a while, and waiting until the path is clear, or waiting for others to help scout the path, before getting back up and continuing to walk—Daughter feels that at that time, one will walk even faster. What does Father think?"

"Of course, the premise for doing this is that Daughter has absolute confidence in Young Master Luo's future."

Bai Ming listened quietly until the end, then suddenly looked at her with a complex gaze and sighed, "Qingtong, it is a pity you are not a man. If your Eldest Brother had your intelligence and decisiveness, he would not have been trapped by love and gone far away to Yujing."

Bai Qingtong's heart filled with joy, and she said, "Does Father agree?"

Bai Ming did not answer immediately. He looked at her for a while longer and suddenly laughed, "Qingtong, ever since that Young Master Luo entered the mansion, every time you come to chat with Father, the topic always turns to him. How he is unconventional in his teaching, humorous and witty in his speech, gentle and refined toward others, how he writes poetry extremely well, and writes books extremely well, how his talent is peerless, and besides... he is also very handsome, isn't that right?"

Seeing that his gaze and words were full of hidden meaning, Bai Qingtong knew what he wanted to say. Her cheeks flushed, and she said, "These are all facts; Father should not misunderstand anything."

Bai Ming smiled slightly and said, "Father hasn't even said anything yet; what are you nervous about?"

Bai Qingtong lowered her head and said, "Daughter is not nervous."

Bai Ming smiled, his eyes full of paternal love, and said slowly, "Qingtong, Father, your grandmother, and your second and third uncles have long discussed your affairs. You are the brains of our Bai Family; we will not marry you off. When the time comes, if you have someone you like, just let him marry into our family as a matrilocal son-in-law to serve you in our Bai Family. How about that?"

Bai Qingtong raised her head and said, "Thank you, Father."

Bai Ming sighed and said, "Your grandmother also cannot bear to part with you, and your sister as well. Her old self has said more than once that she wants both of you sisters to stay in the mansion forever."

The father and daughter chatted for a while longer.

Seeing that it was getting late outside, Bai Qingtong prepared to withdraw.

Bai Ming thought for a moment and said, "Tomorrow at noon, I will be at home. Let's invite that Young Master Luo over for a meal. Your mother and I both want to meet him and, incidentally, express our gratitude to him in person."

Bai Qingtong nodded and withdrew.

Walking along the corridor for a while, she instructed a maid behind her, "Go tell Ziyuan to let Young Master Luo know first."

Just as the maid was about to agree, she suddenly said, "Never mind, I will go invite him myself tomorrow morning, otherwise it would not be very polite."

She passed through the long corridor and walked into the garden in the back.

She pondered for a moment and said, "Sister should not be asleep yet; let's go to Luoxue Residence to have a talk with her."

Several maids and nannies hurriedly walked in front, holding lanterns to scout the path, fearing there might be stones or snakes on the road.

Meanwhile.

Luo Zijun had already returned to Junzi Residence from Chujian Bookstore.

After chatting with the two young maids for a while, he went to the backyard and practiced the Liehuo Finger for a while.

Perhaps because of the advancement in his cultivation, the fire blade of the Liehuo Finger had now grown to three inches in length.

According to what was said in that cultivation manual, when the fire blade grows to about three inches long, it can be transformed into a flying blade and released from the hand.

It should be soon.

He was very much looking forward to the power of the fire blade when it would shoot out from his thumb and transform into a flying blade.

After returning to his room.

He practiced the "Soul-Shocking Technique" for a while longer, continuously condensing his Soul Power and erupting it from his throat with a thunderous roar.

After practicing for an hour, he felt increasingly proficient.

Unknowingly, it was already the early hours of the morning.

He got onto the bed, performed Soul Out-of-Body, passed through the roof, and flew out.

Now, as his soul gradually grew stronger, the time he could exist while leaving his physical body and flying alone also became longer and longer.

Even if he did not immediately possess other living beings, he should be able to persist in this state for an hour.

Of course, to practice Soul Refining, one still needs to possess a body.

Soon, he found that black cat nearby again, immediately pounced over, and burrowed into its body.

This time, he did not go to fight that white cat again, but went to the garden in the back alone to perform Soul Refining through various high-intensity movements and activities.

It was not until the fourth watch that he left the black cat's body, exhausted.

At this moment, the black cat was also sore all over and completely drained; after coming to its senses, it lay on the ground panting heavily, its whole body limp and unable to stand, with a look of confusion on its face.

That night, Luo Zijun had a good sleep.

The next day.

Just after getting up in the morning, Zhiyuan told him: "Young Master, Third Miss came to look for you just now, saying that after you wake up, I should go notify her."

Luo Zijun hurriedly went out to wash up, secretly guessing in his heart what that Third Miss wanted.

Before long, a knock on the door sounded.

Xiaohuan hurried to open the door.

Bai Qingtong walked in, standing tall and graceful in a cyan-green long dress, with an approachable smile on her face: "I hope I didn't disturb your sleep, sir?"

Luo Zijun said: "No, I wonder why Third Miss is looking for me?"

Bai Qingtong smiled: "It's nothing important. It's just that my father and mother want to see you, so they asked me to invite you to come over and have a meal with us at noon."

Luo Zijun was startled upon hearing this and hurriedly said: "What virtue or ability do I have to dare to sit and eat with the Master and Madam." Bai Qingtong smiled slightly and said: "Sir, please don't be so formal. My father and mother have long admired your talent and have been saying they wanted to meet you. It's just that my father has been busy with official business and only has time today; I hope you will not take offense or decline."

Seeing this, Luo Zijun knew that declining further would seem too hypocritical and impolite, so he could only say: "In that case, I will respectfully obey."

The two exchanged pleasantries for a while longer, and Bai Qingtong took her leave.

Luo Zijun saw her to the door, and only after watching her tall, slender back gradually walk away did he withdraw his gaze, a look of contemplation appearing between his brows.

The dignified head of the Bai Family actually invited him to eat together?

There is likely something else behind this.

Teaching at the school alone should not be enough to qualify for this.

In the morning, he did not go to the backyard to practice boxing.

Returning to his room, he first practiced the Soul-Shocking Technique for a while, then took out that book, "Art of Disguise," and began to practice.

Possessing both Internal Energy and Soul Power simultaneously seemed to make practicing it even simpler.

!

The Internal Energy in his Dantian Sea reached his cheeks very easily.

At the same time, his Soul Power also began to flow.

Soon, he entered a state of selflessness.

Unknowingly, the morning sun had already risen to the center of the sky.

Xiaohuan called out softly outside the door, and he finally came to his senses, hurriedly finished his practice, tidied his clothes, and went out with the two Young Maids.

Bai Qingtong was already waiting outside with her maids.

"Sorry to have kept Third Miss waiting."

Luo Zijun cupped his hands in a salute.

Bai Qingtong smiled slightly and said: "In the future, when you and I meet, sir, don't be so formal; just be casual, as we are not outside."

Luo Zijun said: "Actually, I would like to be casual too, but the maids and nannies behind Third Miss stare at me like tigers watching their prey every time, and I am a bit afraid..."

"Pfft..."

As soon as these words were spoken, the maids and nannies surrounding Bai Qingtong could not help but laugh out loud.

A nanny laughed: "Young Master Luo loves to joke; how would we dare to stare at you like tigers."

"Exactly, even our Young Miss respects you so much; as servants, we wouldn't dare."

The other nannies also said with smiles.

Luo Zijun immediately apologized: "Then perhaps I saw wrong, apologies, apologies."

Once this was said, those maids and nannies all laughed again.

An old nanny laughed: "Young Master Luo is witty and humorous; you are deliberately teasing us to make us happy."

The group chatted and laughed as they stepped onto the long corridor and headed to the front.

With a smile on her face, Bai Qingtong brought up the matter of Lady Xing from the Jia Mansion visiting their estate yesterday.

"That Lady Xing was likely forced to come by that Jia Da Laoye; she actually wanted us to try and persuade you, sir."

"My mother naturally did not agree. You are not a servant in our estate, sir, so how could we dare to persuade you on such a matter? After all, it is a lifelong affair."

Luo Zijun sneered and said: "Is that Jia Da Laoye so anxious to marry off his daughter?"

Bai Qingtong turned her head to look at him and smiled: "Who told Young Master Luo to be so outstanding?"

She paused.

Her gaze flickered, and she suddenly smiled again: "Don't talk about that Jia Laoye; even my father has this thought."

After speaking, she stared at the expression on his face.

Luo Zijun was startled upon hearing this and turned to look at her.

Bai Qingtong said half-jokingly and half-seriously: "My father heard of your talent, sir, and sighed to me, saying it is a pity that you already have a sweetheart, otherwise, he would..."

She did not continue, just watching the expression on his face.

A look of astonishment first appeared on Luo Zijun's face, then he suddenly laughed: "Third Miss really knows how to joke. I am but a commoner; even if I didn't have a sweetheart, how would I dare to climb high and reach for your noble family."

Bai Qingtong had a smile on her face: "A scholar is not a commoner, and besides, with your talent, sir, passing the provincial and metropolitan examinations in the future will be as easy as turning over one's hand."

Luo Zijun said: "Third Miss thinks too highly of me. Actually, I am already very satisfied to be a teacher in your noble estate."

Bai Qingtong smiled and did not say anything more.

Some things are best left at a hint, as this gives the other party time to think.

Speaking too clearly would be counterproductive.

Luo Zijun naturally did not ask any further, because he was not interested in this matter at all.

With a noble family like the Bai Family, if they really wanted to marry off a daughter, how could they possibly choose someone with his status?

Unless he changed his name and surname to become a matrilocal son-in-law.

In that case, he reckoned his senior sister would...

Hmm? Although his senior sister had said back then that if it were a noble family like the Bai Family, becoming a matrilocal son-in-law would be no problem, that must have been a joke; and as a real man, he naturally could not debase himself to become a lowly, pitiful matrilocal son-in-law who was mocked by others.

If his senior sister found out, she would beat him to death.

If Liu Chujian found out...

There was no need to mention that girl Liu Chujian; what was there to say about a girl who liked to cuckold him?

In any case, it was impossible for him to become a matrilocal son-in-law.

The group quickly passed through the long corridor and arrived at the reception hall in the front.

Bai Qingtong took a step ahead, walked in through the door first, and said to the people inside, "Father, Mother, Mr. Luo is here."

Just as Luo Zijun was about to enter the room to pay his respects, he suddenly heard a woman's voice ring out from inside: "Yan'er, these snacks were just made and are still hot. Take a plate to Luoxue Abode and let Suzhen and Fenfen have a taste."

"Suzhen?"

Luo Zijun was stunned for a moment, feeling that this name... seemed to have been heard somewhere before.

It was somewhat familiar.

Suzhen... Suzhen...

His heart gave a violent jolt!

The Bai Family... Bai Suzhen???

"Mr. Luo, please come in."

Bai Qingtong looked at him from the doorway and suddenly noticed that the expression on his face seemed a bit off.

"Third Miss, who is Suzhen?"

Luo Zijun's heart was trembling at this moment, and he could no longer care about being rash or etiquette, so he hurriedly asked.

Bai Qingtong was taken aback for a moment and smiled: "Suzhen is my elder sister; you have met her, sir. My sister's formal name is Bai Meixue, her childhood name is Suzhen, and Suzhen is also her courtesy name."

Luo Zijun was instantly left speechless.

Bai Meixue, courtesy name Suzhen.

The Bai Family's young lady, Bai Suzhen???

(End of this chapter)