Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 141: Two Choices for Wu Tao (Please Subscribe and Vote)

After coming down from the mountain, Xu Mingshu went to find Xu Mingwei.

Both sides smiled knowingly.

"It seems that both parties are interested, but one is constrained by his status and keeps his feelings hidden in his heart, while the other is busy with martial arts and has no time to pay attention to them and ignores them."

Xu Mingwei slapped his forehead. "This can't go on."

"Brother, what do you mean by that? It's obvious that Zhao'er and Qingyi's relationship is settled, isn't it?" Xu Mingshu asked in surprise.

Xu Mingwei shook his head and chuckled, "It's not about that, but rather a problem with my Xu family's conduct regarding matters between men and women."

“In our generation, apart from me, we were either busy with the rise of our families and were arranged to marry by our mothers, or we could choose freely, or we could simply not get married like you.”

"Brother, it's not that I don't want to get married, it's just that I haven't met the right person yet!"

"You're already twenty-eight, and your standards are still so high. What's the difference between that and not getting married at all? Anyway, you can handle your own affairs. I don't want to worry about this matter with you."

Xu Mingshu pursed her lips, then asked again, "Big brother, what are you trying to say?"

"After this dispute between the Su and Zhou families is over, let the younger generation in the family go out more often and interact with their peers. This applies to both ordinary families and dependent families."

"Brother's idea is excellent. I reckon we won't have to worry about the marriages of most of the younger generation."

“Not necessarily.” Xu Mingwei’s eyes were deep. “My Xu family cannot remain unaffected. It is inevitable that Dezhao and his generation will have to arrange marriages. After all, the path of immortality ultimately depends on the innate aptitude of the descendants. The Innate Five Elements Creation Technique can only select a few people each generation.”

"Big brother has thought things through thoroughly." Xu Mingshu nodded after careful consideration and smiled sweetly. "Fortunately, our generation has you and second brother to support us."

"It's uncertain what the next generation will be like. Xiao Ling'er is the most talented, but she probably won't interfere in the Xu family's affairs; instead, she'll focus on her cultivation."

Xu Mingwei nodded in agreement, "Yes, in our generation, Yun Nu is a natural-born cultivator, while Zhao'er and the others are like Ling'er. We can't hold them back."

After thinking for a moment, he added, "You don't need to worry about this matter. We will discuss it ourselves. Perhaps we will make significant changes after we officially become a family of cultivators."

Xu Mingshu seemed to be deep in thought, then clasped her hands in a fist salute and left.

Five days later.

The Xu family publicly announced the engagement between Xu Dezhao and Shen Qingyi.

This matter caused quite a stir in Dongxi.

Countless families lamented that their daughters or granddaughters had lost all hope.

The Shen family was overjoyed.

Shen's parents didn't even know that Shen Qingyi was cultivating immortality in the Xu family; they only thought that she had good aptitude and had been selected to cultivate martial arts.

“My Qingyi has been outstanding since childhood. She was chosen by the Xu family when she was young and entered the Xu family. Even her name was given by the old patriarch. It must have been decided long ago.”

Shen Qingyi's mother boasted about it to almost everyone she met, and she was very proud of herself.

After all, who among the people living in the Dongxi region doesn't know that Xu Dezhao, the eldest son of the Xu family, is both scholarly and martial, a prodigy, and most likely the next head of the Xu family?

Whoever marries him will become the mistress of the Xu family in the future. Isn't that like a sparrow turning into a phoenix and flying to the top of the branch?

The engagement banquet was a very grand affair.

The engagement of the first person in three generations was a matter of great importance to the entire Xu family.

As elders, Xu Mingyuan, Xu Mingxuan, Xu Mingshu, and Xu Mingxian each presented a generous gift.

Xu Dewen, Xu Deling, and the others also congratulated their elder brother.

The Yang family was no exception.

This was their first time meeting Shen Qingyi, and her outstanding temperament made it hard to believe that she came from an ordinary Li family in Dongxi.

"Zhao'er is so lucky to marry such a beautiful and untouched woman," Yang Shichang said with a smile.

"Thank you, Uncle." Xu Dezhao returned the greeting with clasped hands.

"What, you want to marry her too?" Wen Jing snorted coldly, startling him. Then, without batting an eye, she flicked her sleeve and said, "That's all nonsense."

"For the sake of Zhao'er's joyous occasion, I won't hold it against you."

"Congratulations, cousin," Yang Ruifeng and Yang Ruiyao said in unison.

“Cousin Dezhao, your wife is so beautiful,” Yang Ruiyao said again.

Shen Qingyi smiled slightly, "Ruiyao, you're a beauty in the making too."

Yang Ruiyao smiled sweetly.

Wu Tao stood in the corner, silently watching the two being congratulated by countless people, feeling a little lonely.

Having spent so many years together at Bihan Pool, how could he not develop feelings for Shen Qingyi?

He could tell, however, that Shen Qingyi didn't like him.

Now, seeing the two of them together, he has no chance at all.

Drinking the wine in my glass, trying to get myself drunk, I only became more and more sober.

The saying "the more you drink, the more sorrowful you become" probably describes this perfectly.

However, Xu Chuan witnessed this scene.

Whether it's Wu Tao or Shen Qingyi, once they came to the Xu family, they were already members of the Xu family.

Their fates were changed by the Xu family, and their destinies are now intertwined and inseparable.

The Xu family will never allow them to betray them.

"We should also consider what to do with Wu Tao. But judging from his appearance, it seems he has feelings for Shen Qingyi. In a relationship between three people, one of them will always get hurt."

The next day.

Xu Chuan went to Bihan Pool to find Wu Tao.

"Old Master, what brings you here?" Wu Tao was flattered.

"You like Shen Qingyi?" Xu Chuan asked, getting straight to the point.

Wu Tao's eyes widened suddenly, his pupils contracted, and he repeatedly said, "No, no, how could I dare to have any improper thoughts about the eldest young master's wife?"

“There’s nothing wrong with liking someone, but Shen Qingyi only sees you as a younger brother. He and Zhao’er are also in love. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have agreed to this marriage.”

Xu Chuan then added, "We had previously sent Ming Shu to investigate Qing Yi's feelings. Only after confirming that he liked Zhao'er did we finalize this engagement."

Wu Tao nodded slightly. "Patriarch, I know that the Xu family is a kind and benevolent family and would never do anything like bullying men and women or forcing marriages. It is my great honor to receive an explanation from the patriarch today."

"Letting go isn't something that happens overnight, but I believe you won't make the wrong decision," Xu Chuan said. "I've come to you today to give you a choice."

"Choose?" Wu Tao asked, puzzled.

"Shen Qingyi has become a member of the Xu family. What about you? Have you thought about your own future?"

"Master, everything about Wu Tao, including his name, was given to him by you. He is willing to follow any of your arrangements."

Xu Chuan nodded slightly and said with a faint smile, "I said I would give you a choice. One option is to marry and have children, strengthen your Wu family, and become a vassal of my Xu family. My Xu family will provide some support, but it will be limited, including your own cultivation resources."

Upon hearing this, Wu Tao remained silent and continued listening.

"Secondly, you can marry into my Xu family. I can arrange for Dejing to marry you. Although she is not a cultivator, as the eldest daughter of the third generation of my Xu family, her status is not low."

"Since you've married into my Xu family, I'll provide you with my full support. While I can't guarantee you'll reach the peak of Qi Refining, I can at least ensure you reach the late stage." "Having cultivated for over ten years, you know your own aptitude is inferior. Without help, you'll likely remain stuck at the fourth or fifth level of Qi Refining for your entire life."

Upon hearing the second option, Wu Tao's pupils flickered slightly. After remaining silent for a while, he said, "The old patriarch is right. Cultivation with a pseudo-spiritual root is too slow."

Before you returned, Wu Tao had cultivated for seven or eight years and only managed to enter the second level of Qi Refining with great difficulty. But with your help in making pills, he has now entered the third level of Qi Refining.

If the early stages of Qi cultivation are this difficult, imagine how challenging the middle and later stages are.

Xu Chuan said, "It's good that you understand this principle. How do you plan to choose?"

After a long pause, Wu Tao finally raised his head and said, "Since I came to this mountain, I, Wu Tao, have considered myself a member of the Xu family."

I was born a member of the Xu family, and I will die a member of the Xu family.

Therefore, I am willing to marry into the Xu family and dedicate my life to the development of the Xu family, giving my all without reservation.

"Alright!" Xu Chuan said with a smile, "I will discuss this matter with Mr. and Mrs. Mingyuan later. However, Jing'er is still young, and it will take another three or four years before you two can get married."

"Everything is at the disposal of the old patriarch."

Xu Chuan nodded in satisfaction and then descended the mountain.

Wu Tao knew in his heart that Xu Chuan seemed to have two choices, but in reality, he only had one.

Xu Chuan would never mind if an ordinary person developed and expanded his own family.

However, Wu Tao was adopted by the Xu family since childhood and has witnessed all the developments of the Xu family. He even knows many secrets, including that Xu Mingxuan and Xu Mingshu, who were originally martial artists, have recently become cultivators.

Moreover, their strength far surpasses that of him and Shen Qingyi, who have cultivated for more than ten years.

The Xu family can only feel at ease when their own people are always under their watchful eyes.

Because the Xu family's kindness has always been reserved for their own people.

When dealing with enemies, they will stop at nothing to eliminate them completely and leave no future trouble.

More than half an hour later.

Xu Chuan had someone summon Xu Mingyuan and his wife to his study.

"Father, you were looking for us."

"sit."

After the two sat down, Xu Chuan said calmly, "I called you here to talk to you about something. Zhao'er is already engaged, and it's time for Jing'er, as the eldest daughter of the Xu family, to get engaged as well."

"We're arranging a marriage for Jing'er." Wu Rushan was slightly surprised. "Father, Jing'er is only fourteen."

Xu Mingyuan waved his hand, indicating, "Let Father finish speaking first."

"We'll just talk about marriage first, like with Zhao'er, and postpone the wedding."

Wu Rushan felt a little relieved.

Xu Mingyuan asked, "Father plans to find a husband for Jing'er. She is my and Rushan's eldest daughter, the apple of our eye. You can't mistreat her."

"Look at what you're saying," Xu Chuan shook his head and chuckled, "When has Father ever mistreated any of you brothers?"

"Is it your elder brother who is dissatisfied with your sister-in-law, or you who are dissatisfied with Rushan, or does Mingxuan have grievances in his heart? Even Mingshu, I let her do as she pleases."

Looking across all the prominent families in Moon Lake County, I doubt there's any other young master and lady as perfectly fortunate as you all.

Wu Rushan smiled and said, "Father is right. Everyone praises your judgment. May I ask who Father has chosen?"

"Wu Tao," Xu Chuan uttered calmly.

“It’s him.” Wu Rushan was somewhat surprised, but Xu Mingyuan seemed to have expected it, and his expression did not change.

“Wu Tao, I have not met him much. He is not handsome, but he seems to be a smart and capable child. Otherwise, the Xu family would not have adopted him from a young age and settled him and Qingyi together at Bihantan.”

Xu Chuan seemed surprised, not expecting that Xu Mingyuan hadn't mentioned the Xu family's background to Wu Rushan, but Yang Ronghua should at least know about it.

"Wu Tao is not bad."

Xu Mingyuan said calmly.

He guessed that Xu Chuan did this to increase the chances of his family's descendants becoming immortal cultivators, and that Xu Dejing marrying an immortal cultivator would be a good choice.

"It seems you two have agreed," Xu Chuan said.

"I'll listen to my father."

“Since my husband and father both agree, I naturally have no objections,” Wu Rushan said.

"Hmm." Xu Chuan nodded slightly. "However, this is not about marrying Jing'er to Wu Tao, but about having Wu Tao join my Xu family as a son-in-law."

"Marry into the family?" Wu Rushan was slightly surprised.

At least in Qingjiang, marriage into another man's family is rare, and if it does happen, the man will be looked down upon by those around him.

However, marrying into the Xu family wouldn't be something anyone would dare to criticize.

"I have already asked Wu Tao for his opinion, and he is willing. You can just tell Jing'er about this. There is no need for a big fuss. The wedding will be held when Jing'er turns eighteen. Choose an auspicious day."

"If Jing'er is unwilling, you two should try to persuade him to change his mind. Don't let another one like your sister emerge, otherwise your father will have a headache."

“I know, Jing’er may have a temper, but he always listens to my husband and me and would never dare to disobey,” Wu Rushan said.

"That's all. You two can go back now."

"My child, please leave."

After leaving the study, Xu Mingyuan and his wife went back and found Xu Dejing to tell him the news.

"You want me to marry Wu Tao? And have him marry into your family?" Xu Dejing laughed and said, "This sounds so fake to me. Could it be that you, my parents, saw that Brother Zhao got engaged and want to arrange something for me too?"

Xu Mingyuan took a sip of tea and said calmly, "We just came back from your grandfather's place, what do you say?"

Wu Rushan nodded slightly.

Xu Dejing immediately objected, "My daughter is only fourteen. Is it really necessary to rush into arranging a marriage for me?"

"Maybe in a few years, our daughter will find someone she likes? Wouldn't it be better to marry someone she loves?"

“Your grandfather has already made up his mind about this matter, and it cannot be changed,” Xu Mingyuan said.

"Grandpa is biased!" Xu Dejing shouted angrily.

“Jing’er, don’t talk nonsense.” Wu Rushan glared at her fiercely. “Your grandfather chose Wu Tao for your own good. He can’t have chosen a bad person.”

"But it's not what I like after all!"

Xu Mingyuan sighed and said, "It seems that you've been spending too much time with your aunt and you've picked up her habits, haven't you?"

Immediately, his eyes sharpened again. "But how can you compare to your aunt? She is the only woman among the five of us siblings, so naturally she is favored by your grandfather. Besides, do you have your aunt's talent for communicating with beasts?"

"Your fifth uncle is also exceptionally talented; he is a cultivator."

"And you, your martial arts talent is mediocre. Although you have the ambition of an innate martial artist, if you leave my Xu family, do you think your husband's family will support you, a woman, to pursue martial arts?"
To what extent can they support you?

"My Xu family is open-minded, so you can pursue him with peace of mind. Even if you marry Wu Tao in the future, if he dares to mistreat you, your brothers, uncles, and aunts will stand up for you."

Wu Rushan also said, "Daughter, your mother is also from a noble family. I know how difficult it is for a daughter of a noble family. She is bound by all kinds of rules and regulations. If she is not favored by her father and brothers, she will be even more miserable. Even if she gets married, no one will stand up for her if she is bullied."

(End of this chapter)