Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 142 A Couple's Persuasion, Aristocratic Family Education (Seeking Subscriptions and Votes)

Xu Dejing lowered his head and remained silent.

Wu Rushan continued, "Trust your mother. Even if you find someone who suits your taste, given your appearance and character, he will definitely not come from an ordinary commoner's family. He will probably be a young master from a noble family."

You may truly love each other, but things are different before and after marriage.

Before you got married, the world consisted only of the two of you.

After marriage, each person gains their own relatives.

You are a woman from the Xu family. You would certainly not tolerate the intrigues and underhanded tricks in the inner quarters of ordinary noble families. If you act impulsively, you will attract countless people's condemnation and contempt.

Even if your future husband treats you very well, he will still hesitate when faced with choices made by his family.

After all, his family had raised and nurtured him, and that connection couldn't be easily severed.

Repeated maintenance efforts will eventually erode all the affection between you two.

Xu Dejing looked up at Wu Rushan, opening his mouth to speak, but was silenced by Wu Rushan's words.

"Don't deny it. You are still young and inexperienced. It's normal that you can't see the complexities between aristocratic families clearly. Emotional issues are very complicated. For example, your father and I were arranged by your mother."

Your third uncle didn't have much of an emotional foundation before his marriage, but didn't we get along well after we got married? Didn't we have a good relationship?
Whether a woman comes from a wealthy commoner family or a prominent clan, her happiness is not only in the hands of her husband but also in the hands of his family.

It was my mother's good fortune that she was able to marry into the Xu family.

If the Xu family hadn't appeared, Mother would likely have been a tool for the Wu family to consolidate its power and maintain connections with the major families of Fang, Wang, He, and Cao, exchanging benefits between them.

Let alone possessing my current innate martial arts realm, if I displease my husband, I fear I will be imprisoned, and my children will also be implicated.

After all, Mother's temperament is unyielding, and Jing'er, you and I are very similar."

Xu Dejing forced back the tears welling up in his eyes, but his face was filled with grievances.

Xu Dejing, who was living a carefree life, was suddenly betrothed to someone she had no feelings for. Naturally, she felt wronged.

That's why I fought for myself like that before.

But all of this seemed to be in vain.

Xu Mingyuan and Wu Rushan saw her clearly, and they saw her future clearly, leaving her speechless.

"Am I destined to marry Wu Tao?" Xu Dejing asked, her voice trembling with tears.

Xu Mingyuan nodded and said, "When you turn eighteen, the two of you will get married."

Wu Rushan sighed and said, "Wu Tao is also considered one of our Xu family members. He is quite talented and capable. The reason you don't have feelings for him is because you haven't had much contact with him."

Then try to get to know it better and visit Bihan Pool more often. Anyway, there are still four years left, so there's no rush.

Perhaps you two will develop feelings for each other.

"Azure Cold Pool, didn't Uncle say we weren't allowed to go up there unless absolutely necessary?"

Xu Dejing gradually calmed down, and his initial anger subsided.

"You can go with Zhao'er and Ling'er. They will take you with them as long as they know about your relationship with Wu Tao."

"Why?" Xu Dejing was very surprised. He had been to Bihan Pool a few times before, but apart from planting a large number of rare medicinal herbs, the air was particularly fresh.

She had never really understood why, apart from her father and elders, only a handful of people of her generation in the Xu family could freely associate with her.

"You'll know when you get there," Xu Mingyuan said calmly.

Xu Dejing looked at Wu Rushan in surprise. Wu Rushan chuckled and said, "Don't look at me. Your father didn't tell me what secrets are hidden on the mountain. He's kept it a secret very well."

I reckon I'm the only one among the women who married into the Xu family who's still completely in the dark.

"You'll find out when the time is right." Xu Mingyuan smiled at her. "Could it be that you're not comfortable down the mountain and insist on going up there to cultivate in seclusion?"

"I can't argue with you." Wu Rushan looked at Xu Mingyuan with resentment.

Xu Mingyuan smiled slightly, then said to Xu Dejing, "Jing'er, your mother and I will give you a few days to think it over. Tell us your decision when you've made up your mind."

If you really don't want to, we won't force you. We can even persuade your grandfather to cancel your marriage with Wu Tao.

But whether you marry into an ordinary noble family or form an alliance with a powerful family in the county town is beyond our control.

Even if you want to pursue so-called true love and leave the Xu family, that's your choice. But then, you will no longer have the protection of the Xu family.

"Alright, that's all Father has to say. Go back to your room and think about it."

Xu Dejing left somewhat dejectedly.

As soon as she left, Wu Rushan said unhappily, "Husband, Jing'er was clearly about to give in, why tell her all this at the last minute? Isn't that forcing her to make a choice?"

“She’s not young anymore, she should be more mature by now. She needs to understand what it means to be from a prestigious family, and that will benefit her future.” Xu Mingyuan continued, “Besides, these are also facts.”

“If she really doesn’t want to, Father will definitely not force her. He might even change her. Wu Tao’s future wife may not necessarily be Jing’er, but she will definitely be a girl from the Xu family.”

The reason Jing'er was chosen is probably because her age is suitable.

"Why not choose Ling'er? She lives in the mountains all year round and is more familiar with Wu Tao, right?"

Xu Mingyuan's eyes flickered, and after hesitating for a moment, he said, "Ling'er is special, just like her aunt."

"Does my husband mean that Ling'er is also exceptionally talented?" Wu Rushan sighed slightly. "It seems that in this world, it ultimately depends on individual talent and aptitude."

Xu Mingyuan shook his head and chuckled, "Special people often have special missions. I just hope that Jing'er can live her life well."

"My husband's words make sense. I hope Jing'er can understand."

Xu Dejing pondered the matter, feeling frustrated, and went to find Xu Dezhao.

Xu Dezhao looked at her with surprise upon hearing this, "Second Uncle wants you to marry Wu Tao?"

"It's what Grandpa meant."

"Grandpa?!"

"Brother Zhao, why are you so surprised? Aren't my father and grandfather the same?"

Xu Dezhao smiled and raised an eyebrow, saying, "Then let me ask you, do you want to get married or not? If you really don't want to, I'll take you to see Grandpa. Grandpa has always valued our own thoughts, so I don't think he'll force you to marry Wu Tao."

After all, you're not the only woman among our generation of brothers and sisters.

Xu Dejing was even more puzzled, and even became curious. After pondering for a while, he said with a hint of anger, "Can I say no? My father and mother have already told me about my future."

My father's tone was even more forceful. He said he wouldn't force me, but his words implied the same thing. Did he really think I couldn't understand?

Xu Dezhao became interested and beckoned, saying, "Dejing, sit down and tell me in detail. I'll analyze it for you."

Perhaps it's because peers can confide in each other more, or perhaps it's because Xu Dezhao usually takes good care of his younger siblings, which earns them their respect and love.

Xu Dejing spoke freely in front of him, criticizing Xu Mingyuan and his wife as he spoke.

After saying this, Xu Dezhao sighed slightly, "Second Uncle, Second Aunt really went to great lengths for you."

"Brother Zhao, whose side are you on?" "Of course I'm on your side." Xu Dezhao laughed. "Of course, you have to admit that your second uncle and the others have considered everything for you in detail."

"As far as I know, the women of noble families are generally as my second aunt described. Even if they are very favored, they are still used as bargaining chips to win over or curry favor with other noble families."

There probably aren't many people in my Xu family as cheerful as I am.

Xu Dejing looked suspicious. "Brother Zhao, what you said sounds very convincing, as if you've actually experienced it yourself."

"Haha, just because you haven't experienced it doesn't mean you don't know. Just like you may not have seen a pig run, but you've never eaten pork, right?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Dejing's lips twitched slightly.

Xu Dezhao continued, "Since Grandfather has brought this up, Wu Tao will inevitably have to marry into our Xu family. If you are unwilling, I'm afraid the other sisters will be willing. Marrying into other prominent families is not as comfortable as staying in our Xu family."

Don't you also want to pursue martial arts like your second aunt?

In the Xu family, it's highly unlikely you'll get what you want in other prominent families, given that your talent isn't particularly outstanding.

Xu Dejing seemed unconvinced and argued, "Although I am not as good as you and Dewen, I am not bad either. Even your cousin Yang, I heard that he only entered the third class at the age of fourteen, entered the first class at the age of sixteen, and has a chance to enter the innate class before the age of twenty."

"How can the Yang family compare to our Xu family?" Xu Dezhao said with a hint of disdain. "If you stay at home and pursue martial arts, you will have the opportunity to become a martial arts master in the future. But if you stay in the Yang family, even if the Yang family fully supports you, your hopes will be slim. Besides, they won't support you anyway."

You can tell by looking at your cousin Ruiyao. She's only a year younger than you, but she's only just become a martial artist.

Is it really that her talent is inferior to yours? Or is it that the Yang family simply doesn't care whether her martial arts skills are strong or weak?
If you don't believe me, you can ask her what she thinks about getting married in the future, and then come back and talk to me about it.

After a moment of hesitation, Xu Dejing said defiantly, "I'll go, but you have to come with me, brother."

"You women are discussing private matters. How can I go with you? Go find Deling."

Xu Dezhao waved his hands repeatedly, thinking to himself, "I'm a man with a girlfriend."

"OK then."

In recent days, Xu Deling has not gone up the mountain, but has been cultivating in her room. When she heard that Xu Dejing wanted her to accompany him to find Yang Ruiyao to ask some questions, she thought about it and decided to go with her.

West Wing Courtyard.

"De Ling, what brings you here? Are you here to see your maternal grandfather?" Yang Zhao said with a smile, his eyes full of laughter when he saw Xu De Ling.

“Grandfather, Deling has come to see you. She will also go with Sister Jing to chat with Cousin Ruiyao later.”

Yang Zhao understood perfectly. He patted her head and said, "Your maternal grandparents are both well. You cousins ​​should spend more time together."

"Yes, maternal grandfather."

Xu Deling was very sensible. When she arrived, she first visited Yang Zhao and the others before going to find Yang Ruiyao.

Mr. and Mrs. Yang Shichang were naturally delighted.

Yang Ruiyao's boudoir.

“Cousin De Ling, this is your second uncle’s daughter, De Jing, right?”

"Cousin Ruiyao has a good memory," Xu Deling praised. "My sister Jing came over and wants to talk to you about something."

"Oh? What is it?" Yang Ruiyao looked at Xu Dejing in surprise.

Xu Deling said, "Yesterday, my eldest brother got engaged, and Sister Jing told me that my second uncle and second aunt seem to be interested in arranging a marriage for him. I wanted to ask what your opinion is?"

Xu Dejing nodded and asked, "If Ruiyao were suddenly proposed to one day, would you accept or refuse?"

After pondering for a moment, Yang Ruiyao smiled and said, "It depends on the person. If they are exceptionally talented, I would certainly be willing."

"Why would you, who don't even know each other, be willing to marry like a puppet?"

"The marriage arrangement by parents and matchmakers is a matter of course. Moreover, the parents' choice is mostly for their own good. In aristocratic families, in addition to their own parents, the head of the family also has the right to arrange marriages between the children of different branches. If it really comes to that, it will probably just depend on luck."

After all, most parents genuinely love their children, but the head of the family is different; he only cares about whether something can bring benefits to the family.

Xu Deling was also surprised, "Are there really parents who don't love their own children?"

Yang Ruiyao smiled and said, "Your aunt and uncle certainly love you, cousin Deling, but not every family is like that."

In the county town, there are many children who are not favored by their parents. I have even heard of some illegitimate children born to unfavored concubines who are treated worse than some stewards or servants in the clan.

"Don't you care?" Xu Dejing asked, his brow furrowing slightly.

"Who told her to be just a concubine and unable to win the master's favor?"

"If you don't like her, why marry her?"

Yang Ruiyao smiled and said, "Dejing, you are really naive. Men are creatures who are always fickle. They may like you a little when they marry you, but after a while they get tired of you and naturally leave you aside."

There are many such young masters from prominent families in the county town. Although I don't know much about them, I've often heard of them.

“My parents had few children, and they loved my brother and me very much. Moreover, my Yang family is a prominent clan, so they would definitely not let me become a concubine.”

Yang Ruiyao continued, "The Xu family is doing well and shouldn't have fallen to this state, so Dejing, you don't need to worry too much about this matter. Just let nature take its course."

"What if a woman's family has no power or influence?" Xu Dejing asked.

Yang Ruiyao frowned slightly, not understanding why Xu Dejing asked such a question, since the Xu family should have considerable status and power.

However, after thinking it over, she replied: "Marriage should be based on matching social status. Those without power or influence should marry men of equal standing. If one insists on marrying a young master from a prominent family, even if one is exceptionally beautiful, one will only be fit to be a concubine."

After all, although men from aristocratic families are better off than us women, they are still largely not in control of their own marriages, especially their wives. Once they reach the legal age, they are already chosen.

I don't care about concubines.

Many young men from prominent families would take several concubines of their choice to serve them after several years of marriage.

Those who were less discreet would have one or two maids as concubines before marriage; as long as they didn't get pregnant and cause a death, it was considered good.

Yang Ruiyao looked at Xu Deling and asked, "Cousin Deling, I've heard that the Xu family doesn't seem to have the concept of maids who share rooms?"

Xu Deling smiled and nodded, saying, "That's right. Our fathers were strict and made us keep ourselves pure and upright. We were also usually busy with our studies and cultivation."

"This is the true grandeur a great family should have," Yang Ruiyao praised. "I heard from my mother that the Xu family has extraordinary potential, and it would be normal for them to reach the same level as my Yang family in the next few decades."

Xu Deling smiled slightly, "Cousin, you flatter me."

"By the way, Cousin Deling, is Cousin Devon married?"

“My second brother?” Xu Deling was taken aback for a moment, then smiled. “I’ve never paid much attention to these kinds of things, and my second brother hasn’t told me either. But my second brother has an extremely strong talent for martial arts, so I suppose Father and Mother will make arrangements.”

She looked at Xu Dejing and saw the disappointment in her eyes. She didn't seem inclined to speak again and immediately said, "It's about time. I should be cultivating at this time every day."

Cousin Ruiyao, I'll come over and chat with you again next time.

Yang Ruiyao smiled and nodded, "I'll see you off."

Afterwards, Xu Deling and Xu Dejing left the west wing.

(End of this chapter)