Could it be that the person they’re talking about is Yan Changlan?
Just as Ye Shu was thinking this, the conversation among the girls continued.
A clear voice, assisting Wei Ying’er, spoke up: “Calm down, even though we are martial artists and not conventional ladies who seldom venture out, we still must maintain our reputation. How can you speak nonsense like this?”
Wei Ying’er quickly added, “Exactly! You can’t just make baseless accusations!”
The other girls listened and toned down their comments, but still grumbled:
“There’s no smoke without fire. If Master Wei didn’t mean anything by it, why would he take that person in? He’s neither a disciple nor does any work for the sect. Keeping him around like this, isn’t it…” lowering her voice, “a sign of looking for a son-in-law?”
“Yes, exactly!”
“We’re not making this up!”
Wei Ying’er, initially soothed by the earlier voice, was now both anxious and angry. After stomping her foot in frustration, she immediately rushed back to Qinghe Sect without even saying goodbye.
As soon as she left, the other girls fell silent.
Only one person muttered, “This Wei Ying’er, always so hot-headed.”
Hearing this, the girls stopped chatting further, and Ye Shu took his leave.
He pondered that while the engagement might not be real, it probably wasn’t baseless gossip either. He wondered how Yan Changlan intended to resolve this matter. If he truly intended to marry here, they might have to take a different path. Unless Wei Ying’er also had spiritual roots, they would have to choose one or the other, unable to have both.
However, this was a significant life event, and regardless of Yan Changlan’s choice, Ye Shu wouldn’t rashly make a decision for him. However, he would need to ask about it later to plan for the future.
With his mind made up, Ye Shu stopped dwelling on it and focused solely on reading through the ancient travelogues for any clues related to “immortals.”
After finishing reading the miscellaneous records of one bookstore, Ye Shu returned to the rented house and began practicing cultivation as usual.
After another two days pass, he will find an opportunity to meet with Yan Changlan.
…
Wei Ying’er returned to Qinghe Sect with a look of embarrassment and anger on her face. She rushed straight to the inner courtyard and exclaimed, “Mother! Look at how people outside are talking about your daughter! Father is too much!”
In the courtyard, a beautiful woman was embroidering a handkerchief. Upon hearing this, she accidentally pricked her index finger with the needle, causing a drop of blood to emerge. She wiped away the blood, stood up, and approached Wei Ying’er with concern, asking, “Ying’er, what’s wrong? Have you been wronged outside? Did your father upset you? Tell Mother, I’ll take care of it for you.”
Wei Ying’er looked unhappy, pouting and saying bitterly, “Those maidservants are spreading rumors that I’m supposed to marry that newcomer from a poor family. They even said we have a marriage contract and that he’s coming to propose. How could there be a marriage contract? What kind of man comes to propose himself? I refuse to marry him, Mother! I won’t marry him!”
The beautiful woman was momentarily surprised, then chuckled and said, “How could they suggest you marry him? He’s just the son of an old friend of your father’s, who has fallen on hard times and come seeking refuge. If he had good talent, he might be given some support, but if not, he’d be given some food to eat. How could he be worthy of marrying you? You are the beloved daughter of your father, and he will surely arrange a satisfactory marriage for you. The man you’ll marry must be both talented and of distinguished lineage.”
Upon hearing this from the beautiful woman, Wei Ying’er’s expression changed from anger to shyness, but she still said, “But everyone outside is speculating like this, which is bad for my reputation. Mother, please talk to father and make sure I’m not associated with that guy.” Then she suddenly remembered something and twisted her body, “But… I seem to recall father mentioning that I almost had an engagement with that poor fellow… Mother, is it true?”
“It’s already been said it was ‘almost’, so naturally it didn’t happen,” the beautiful woman smiled, covering her lips, and gently tapped her daughter’s nose with her slender jade-like finger, teasing, “You… alright, mother will talk to your father, don’t worry!”
Wei Ying’er finally felt relieved and, holding the wrist of the beautiful woman, coquettishly leaned against her.
In the evening, Wei Youxu finished his affairs, returned home to rest.
After dinner, he went to the martial arts practice area as usual. After practicing some palm techniques, he wiped his face with the handkerchief handed to him by his beloved wife and asked softly, “Why don’t I see Ying’er?”
The beautiful woman gave him a disdainful look, “Our Ying’er won’t come to see you today. She went to play with her little girlfriends and heard some rumors. Now she’s feeling aggrieved.”
Wei Youxu was momentarily stunned, then frowned with anger, “Who dared to upset Ying’er?”
The beautiful woman sighed, “Isn’t it because you’re too lenient with your subordinates, causing such rumors to spread? They’re all saying that Ying’er is supposed to marry the son of that old acquaintance you just took in. He’s not a suitable match for Ying’er. When Ying’er heard this, how could she not feel aggrieved? It’s all because of you, mentioning something about ‘almost having an engagement.’ Is there such a thing as an ‘almost’ engagement? It’s either there or it’s not!”
Wei Youxusuddenly realized, “You mean Changlan… Back then, brother Yan and I were sworn brothers, and you and sister-in-law were both pregnant at the same time. After a few drinks, brother Yan and I jokingly mentioned the idea of a betrothal between our children. However, neither of us had any tokens to exchange, and after sobering up, we both regretted it a bit, worrying that our children might not get along when they grew up. So we tacitly agreed not to bring it up again.” He chuckled, “Now that Changlan has grown up so handsome and talented, it’s just…”
The beautiful woman’s eyebrows furrowed upon hearing this, “What? Do you really have such thoughts?” She hadn’t expected her husband to have different thoughts from her own on this matter, and quickly said, “This won’t do. He’s penniless and has no one to rely on. How could he be a match?”
Wei Youxu comfortingly patted her shoulder, “What does it matter if a young man is temporarily poor? He’s only thirteen years old, yet his martial arts skills are already top-notch. How many people can compare? Although brother Yan’s early death has affected his status somewhat, now that he has no one else to rely on, marrying Ying’er will allow him to settle down within our Qinghe Sect, sparing us the trouble of marrying off our only daughter. I’ve observed that he conducts himself with propriety and has good character. In the future, he will surely bring glory to our Qinghe Sect. Besides, the Yan family has always been generous. After he marries Ying’er, I’ll mention to him the idea of having his second son inherit the Wei family name. I believe Changlan won’t refuse… With all these benefits, how can we only consider the present?”
Although Wei Youxu spoke as such, the beautiful woman still firmly refused. Seeing that her husband seemed about to finalize this matter, and no longer having any intention of persuading him, she immediately said, “Absolutely not, this matter must not happen.” She spoke quickly and resolutely, “The future is the future, the present is the present. Even if he has his merits, Ying’er is our beloved daughter, not just any ordinary girl from an ordinary family. Must we find a perfect match for her, or must we insist on marrying her to such a poor young man? Even if he may not be unworthy in the future, the days of ridicule Ying’er will endure during his struggles will be unbearable for her. Furthermore, husband, don’t just focus on the benefits of having an heir. A woman should marry into a distinguished family. Although staying at home may bring us happiness, outsiders will only see Ying’er as having married a weak husband, without considering the so-called ‘future.’ We’ve been married for over a decade, and with only one beloved daughter between us, I refuse to let her suffer any grievances.” As she spoke, her voice carried a hint of sharpness, “If Yan Changlan had any dignity, he wouldn’t entertain such thoughts. If he wants to marry Ying’er, I can only say he’s delusional…”
Wei Youxu had never seen his wife in such a determined state, realizing she was truly upset, he hurriedly tried to placate her, holding her hand and saying, “My dear, my dear, don’t worry, if you truly don’t agree, then it’s settled!”
The beautiful woman’s tone softened as she replied, “I’m not heartless, but Yan Changlan is truly not a suitable match for Ying’er… Husband, you mustn’t easily agree to marry Ying’er off.”
Wei Youxu naturally agreed repeatedly, never bringing up the matter of marrying Wei Ying’er to Yan Changlan again.
Feeling slightly relieved, the beautiful woman glanced casually at a nearby spot, then leaned closer to Wei Youxu.
Wei Youxu was too preoccupied with comforting her to notice anything amiss.
Yan Changlan’s face turned as dark as water as he silently and swiftly walked away from the martial arts arena.
Earlier, he had been summoned by a servant, saying that uncle Wei had something to discuss with him. Naturally, he came, but he didn’t expect to hear such words, nor did he miss the subtle expressions of Madam Wei… He instantly understood that Madam Wei deliberately had him summoned to hear her words.
Although he had never harbored any thoughts about Wei Ying’er, and he had no intention of marrying her, being looked down upon like this still stirred some anger within him.
However, upon returning to his room, Yan Changlan couldn’t help but smile bitterly.
Upon careful consideration, what Madam Wei said was not wrong.
Parents always want the best for their children, and Yan Changlan currently had no status or wealth. If it weren’t for his friend’s help in rebuilding his meridians, he might have lost even his martial arts skills. How could Madam Wei entrust her beloved daughter to such a person? Uncle Wei respected him, but his thoughts were not as delicate as a woman’s.
But…
Yan Changlan took a deep breath and made a decision.
However, what he had been unable to bring himself to say before, he now had to say as soon as possible. With that in mind, he decided to leave quickly, not wanting to linger in Qinghe Sect and make Madam Wei and Miss Wei uncomfortable.
With these thoughts in mind, he closed his eyes.
For some reason, he suddenly had an intense desire to see brother Ye and have a talk with him… After a long silence, he couldn’t bear it any longer and abruptly turned around, silently making his way out of Qinghe Sect.