Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 143 Subtle Emotional Shifts (Please Subscribe and Vote)

"Jing-jie, are you alright?" Xu Deling asked with concern.

Xu Dejing staggered, his eyes filled with disappointment. "So what my father and mother said was true. Is this what a noble family is like?"

Regardless of their children, people have no say in their marriages.

How pathetic!

"Sister Jing, there are good and bad aristocratic families. Aristocratic families with strict clan rules should have good character among their members."

"Perhaps. Let's go find our elder brother."

Xu Deling nodded slightly.

Upon seeing Xu Dejing, Xu Dezhao said, "Now you know how well our Xu family elders have protected us."

"Yes, Yang Ruiyao is a year younger than me, yet she knows so much, while I am more like an ignorant young lady from a secluded family who is unaware of the ways of the world."

"Actually, this is also related to the fact that our Xu family is confined to a corner of the country. There are many powerful families in the county town, of varying quality. The more you see and hear, the more you will gradually be influenced by them."

Xu Dezhao sighed and asked, "Now, do you have an answer regarding marrying Wu Tao?"

"Huh!" Xu Deling exclaimed, looking at Xu Dejing in surprise. "Sister Jing, why didn't you tell me about this before? You and Wu Tao? When did this happen?"

"It was today's matter. It was Grandpa's decision, and Second Uncle and Second Aunt also supported it. But your sister Jing was unwilling and wanted to marry the man she liked."

"Oh, I see." Xu Deling said as if suddenly realizing something, "No wonder you asked Cousin Ruiyao these questions before."

“Actually, Grandpa has already considered everything very thoroughly,” Xu Dezhao said.

Xu Dejing looked up and asked, "Previously, Brother Zhao, you thought that the way my grandfather proposed this marriage would be different from the way my father proposed it. Why was that?"

"My second uncle proposed this so that you could have a better life in the future, and also for the sake of his descendants," Xu Dezhao said with a smile. "As for my grandfather's proposal, it was to make Wu Tao settle down completely. The person he marries may not be you, but it must be a woman from the Xu family."

Xu Dejing was puzzled, but Xu Deling seemed to be deep in thought.

"Future life, future generations?"

Xu Dezhao sighed slightly, "Alright, I'll tell you then. Actually, there's a reason why Wu Tao and Shen Qingyi were taken in by my Xu family since they were young and stayed on the mountain to cultivate."

Both of them were cultivators.

"My Xu family will surely become a cultivation family surpassing the Yang family in the future, and only cultivators are the true core figures of the Xu family."

After a pause, he added, "Perhaps, in the future, the status of some of the direct descendants of the Xu family who have not pursued the path of immortality may not be as high as that of the non-Xu family cultivators recruited and trained by the Xu family."

Xu Dejing's pupils constricted upon hearing this, "A cultivator?"

"The Xu family has recently been planning to become a family of cultivators, but only a few people know about it. Dejing, don't tell anyone."

Of course, my second uncle definitely knew, but I don't know about my second aunt.

Xu Dejing was somewhat stunned.

Although both are prestigious families, she was well aware of the vast difference between martial arts families and cultivation families.

Even top martial arts masters, though not weak in strength, still feel awe when facing immortal masters with various methods.

Xu Dezhao then added, "Marrying someone with the aptitude for cultivating immortality will increase the chances of their offspring having the same aptitude."

If both parents are talented, then out of four or five children, there is a high probability that one of them will be able to cultivate immortality.

Among ordinary people, perhaps only one in tens of thousands possesses all five elements.

Many prominent families in the county seat have lineages spanning hundreds of years, and each family has at least several cultivators. They are also working tirelessly, hoping to one day become renowned cultivation families.

"Why do you want Wu Tao to settle down?" Xu Dejing asked, puzzled.

"As cultivators, who doesn't yearn to create their own cultivation family?" Xu Dezhao looked at the plants and trees in the courtyard, his eyes also filled with longing. "My grandfather arranged for him to marry into the family in order to dispel this idea."

Of course, Grandpa must have given her quite a few benefits as well.

"I see." Xu Dejing said, "That old man values ​​Wu Tao quite a bit, doesn't he? He's very talented?"

"No, it's just the lowest level of spiritual root aptitude. Most of the people from aristocratic families who have the aptitude for cultivating immortality are of this type."

As for why the old man values ​​him, it's only because the Xu family is newly established, with only three generations of members and a small number of people with the potential to cultivate immortality.

Another reason is that Wu Tao is one of the elder cultivators of my Xu family. Our Xu family is not an ungrateful family. Even if he has poor aptitude, we will still help him out.

However, this is not unconditional; absolute loyalty to the Xu family is required.

Upon hearing this, Xu Dejing finally understood completely.

After pondering for a moment, Xu Dezhao said, "Dejing, our Xu family has only been around for three generations, so the brothers and sisters are quite close. By the fourth or fifth generation, the number of descendants will probably be at least several dozen."

It's impossible for all family members to be close.

The closer one is to the center of family power, the greater one's say naturally becomes. So, like my grandfather, my second uncle, and my second aunt, I hope you can accept Wu Tao.

As for feelings, they'll develop over time. After all, I can assure you, Wu Tao is a decent person and someone you can trust.

Xu Dejing pondered for a moment, then sighed deeply, "Dejing understands. I will spend more time with Wu Tao in the future, and I also need Brother Zhao and Deling to take me to Bihan Pool."

Xu Deling held Xu Dejing's hand and said with a smile, "It just so happens that there aren't any women around my age on the mountain."

Xu Dejing nodded slightly.

At this moment, she finally understood.

Since aristocratic families are generally so corrupt, there's no point in marrying into one. You can't spend every day cuddling with your beloved and not interacting with the other ladies in the inner quarters.

Her beloved grandfather, father, mother, and elder brother all support her relationship with Wu Tao. What else can she say?
Moreover, after learning that Wu Tao was a cultivator, Xu Dejing's mind underwent subtle changes.

After all, immortal masters are always high and mighty.

So, if Wu Tao and Shen Qingyi are cultivators, then are the others who are often on the mountain also cultivators?

She glanced at Xu Dezhao and Xu Deling beside her, still harboring doubts.

However, in the end, he didn't ask. Since the Xu family's goal was to become a family of cultivators, everything would become clear when the time came.

The next day.

Xu Dejing then told Xu Mingyuan and his wife about his decision.

Xu Mingyuan was naturally pleased and informed Xu Chuan on the same day.

After that, Xu Dejing also became one of the frequent visitors to Bihantan.

However, most of the time they practiced martial arts in silence, since Wu Tao also focused on cultivation. But when they had free time, the two would stroll through the Bitao Bamboo Sea.

Half a month has passed.

Xu Dejing has now gained some understanding of Wu Tao.

He is a man of few words and not very eloquent. Although not physically imposing, he is well-proportioned.

This is generally true for cultivators.

He has an ordinary appearance, but he is the kind of person who grows more attractive the more you look at him, perhaps because he has the air of a cultivator.

While I wouldn't say I was smitten, I didn't feel any aversion to being around them either.

someday.

After their training ended, they unconsciously strolled through the mountains together.

"Wu Tao, when did you arrive here?"

“When I was eight years old, I was selected to come to the Xu family. My parents also moved to Dongxi Village. With the help of the Xu family, they lived a comfortable life and their family has grown to include several younger siblings over the years.”

"Oh, I was only two or three years old when I was born."

"Aren't you bored staying on the mountain all the time?" Xu Dejing asked again.

Wu Tao smiled and said, "Miss Dejing, are you practicing martial arts? Are you bored?"

Xu Dejing was taken aback. "Being a martial arts master is what I aspire to be, and naturally I enjoy it."

"I feel the same way," Wu Tao said. "What mortal doesn't yearn to become a celestial master? Ever since I was told that I had the aptitude for cultivating immortality, I have decided to dedicate my life to this path."

Xu Dejing smiled and looked at him, saying, "Then we are quite similar."

Wu Tao met his gaze and nodded slightly.

"Father said that Grandfather wants us to get married and for you to marry into his family. What are your thoughts on this?"

"The Xu family led me onto the path of immortality. This kindness is like a second birth. Even if I don't marry into the Xu family, I will still dedicate my life to them to repay their kindness."

"Just repaying a debt of gratitude?"

"Miss Dejing, it's me."

"I don't really want to leave today, I'm going back."

When Xu Deling and Shen Qingyi saw the two return from their walk, Xu Dejing stormed down the mountain.

Xu Deling walked up to Wu Tao and asked in surprise, "What's wrong with Sister Jing? She seems very angry!"

"Miss Deling, I didn't do anything, and I wouldn't dare to do anything to Miss Dejing."

Shen Qingyi said with a faint smile, "De Ling, let Wu Tao tell us what happened first."

As Shen Qingyi gradually accepted the fact that she was Xu Dezhao's fiancée, her way of addressing people naturally changed.

"Wu Tao, if you can't give me a straight answer, don't blame me for being impolite," Xu Deling threatened.

Wu Tao had no choice but to recount the entire story of his walk that day.

"Huh, that's it?" Xu Deling was completely confused.

She herself was a naive teenager with little experience, so naturally she didn't quite understand the subtleties between men and women.

Shen Qingyi seemed to be deep in thought. After a moment, she chuckled and said, "It seems that Dejing has accepted Wu Tao and has even developed a liking for him."

"So fast?" Xu Deling was greatly shocked.

"Feelings are very subtle. Sometimes, even after three or five years of getting to know each other, romantic feelings may not develop. But sometimes, after just three or five days, feelings can develop even stronger than some people fall in love at first sight."

"It seems I've been too naive," Xu Deling said with a sigh, her wide sleeves drooping slightly and her eyes filled with helplessness.

Wu Tao was also shocked and astonished.

Shen Qingyi looked at him and smiled faintly, "Wu Tao, cherish her. Dejing is a straightforward and honest good woman."

"Let's go, Deling, let Wu Tao think about it himself."

Shen Qingyi pulled Xu Deling away.

Wu Tao also took a long time to come back to his senses.

He originally thought that someone of Xu Dejing's noble status would not be interested in him, and that his agreement was merely to follow the arrangements of Xu's elders.

He himself did not have any extravagant hopes; he simply wanted to get married and treat each other with respect.

Unexpectedly, after only half a month of getting to know each other, the other person developed feelings for her.

In an instant, he too was in a state of utter confusion.

I don't know how to deal with this.

While things remained peaceful in Qingjiang, the situation in Yuehu County was becoming increasingly chaotic.

The Zhou family launched several attacks, but the Su family remained holed up inside the formation and did not venture out.

Relying on the power of the grand formation, unless the Zhou family launches a full-scale attack, the Su family's grand formation can easily hold out for several days.

(End of this chapter)