Chapter 3: Refusing the Arranged Marriage

The Xie family of Mingzhou was also an ancient and prestigious clan in the cultivation world, renowned for its profound heritage. Xie Yurong was the youngest son of the current patriarch, seventh in the family, and was thus often called Seventh Young Master.

Xie Yurong was born extraordinarily handsome. It was said that at birth, he shone with a jade-like brilliance. Therefore, his father named him Yurong (meaning “jade appearance”).

Beyond his looks, Xie Yurong was gifted with rare spiritual roots and known for being precocious.

“If I remember correctly, Seventh Young Master is only twelve. Still a child!” Su Jingting frowned deeply and scolded, “Nonsense! Both of them are still children, why talk of marriage?”

Ye Qingmeng said calmly, “That’s precisely why it’s good, they’re of similar age, childhood friends who know each other well. That makes us feel reassured.”

“You’ve met Seventh Young Master too. The Xie family’s household is upright, and though he’s still young, you can already see he has a steady character. As for qualities, he’s outstanding: gifted with talent, and that appearance truly resembles a celestial youth descended to the mortal world.”

Su Jingting’s brows remained tightly knit. “He’s just a child, what can you tell from that?”

“They say a child’s nature shows by age three. Anyone can see Seventh Young Master will grow into an exceptional person,” Ye Qingmeng replied.

“And he himself agreed to this engagement?” Su Jingting asked curiously. “At such a young age, does he even know what marriage means?”

“Don’t underestimate children these days,” Ye Qingmeng teased. “Weren’t you just a half-grown youth when you pursued me?”

“Cough, cough…” Su Jingting quickly tried to change the subject. “But did he truly agree himself?”

“The proposal came from Xie Muchen, the patriarch,” Ye Qingmeng said calmly. “He has many children. Before bringing it up, he asked Seventh Young Master, and the child agreed, saying he wanted to look after Wei’er for a lifetime.”

Su Jingting’s frown deepened. “This proposal clearly has ulterior motives on Xie Muchen’s part.”

“He may have his own plans, but aside from that, Seventh Young Master is genuinely a good match,” Ye Qingmeng said. “Good-looking, young, of decent birth but not the heir. If he stays by Wei’er’s side as she grows, they’ll become natural companions. Under our guidance, they’ll likely develop feelings naturally.”

“What if Wei’er doesn’t like him?” Su Jingting asked.

“It’s just a betrothal,” Ye Qingmeng replied. “If they don’t want it when they grow up, the engagement can be broken.”

Su Jingting finally understood: his wife wanted to find Wei’er a child groom, a live-in future husband. As expected of her as a mother, already thinking so far ahead.

“Things aren’t so simple,” Su Jingting shook his head, disagreeing. “People’s hearts change. The children are young, and the proposal itself carries calculation, there’ll be more concern for gain than true affection.”

“If it turns out unsuitable, we’ll cancel it. But at least it gives them a chance to get to know each other,” Ye Qingmeng said lightly.

“You’re worrying too much,” Su Jingting disagreed. “Wei’er is still young. When she grows up and meets someone she likes, she can choose for herself. Don’t interfere too early, if it doesn’t work out, we’ll end up as enemies with the Xie family.”

“But what if she does like Seventh Young Master?” Ye Qingmeng teased.

“And what if she doesn’t?” Su Jingting countered.

“Well, she takes after you, she likes good-looking people,” Ye Qingmeng laughed.

“Seventh Young Master truly is famously handsome.”

“Cough, cough…” Su Jingting cleared his throat. “Enough of this talk, time to sleep!”

---

Meanwhile, in her room, Su Yanwei was so engrossed in reading the travel notes of Master Jinghu by candlelight that she had no idea her mother was plotting to arrange a childhood fiancé for her.

---

The next morning.

After practicing swordsmanship, Su Yanwei skipped over to the hall.

“Mother, father!” she called out cheerfully. “What’s for breakfast?”

Sitting inside waiting for her, Ye Qingmeng replied, “Green bean porridge and pickles, to help cool you down.”

“Oh.”

After washing her hands in a basin brought by the maid, she sat down and began to eat.

While they had breakfast together quietly (as her parents had long stopped needing food due to cultivation), Ye Qingmeng spoke:

“Wei’er,” she called gently.

“Mm?” Su Yanwei answered, sipping her tea.

“Do you remember your brother Yurong?” Ye Qingmeng asked.

Su Yanwei immediately thought of that very, very pretty boy with those long, thick lashes and dark, clear eyes like a starry night. She’d often been tempted to reach out and touch them.

“I remember,” she nodded. “He has very pretty eyes.”

Ye Qingmeng smiled. “Do you like him?”

“He’s okay, I guess.” Su Yanwei answered casually, but then, realizing something, she snapped her gaze up at her mother. “Why are you asking this, Mother?”

“How about letting your brother Yurong marry you?” Ye Qingmeng smiled.

“Pfft!”

Su Yanwei nearly spat out her tea, staring wide-eyed. Are you serious, Mother?

I’m still just a child!

“Careful!” Ye Qingmeng chided gently, wiping her daughter’s mouth.

“I think you scared her,” Su Jingting added dryly.

Ye Qingmeng shot him a warning glare. “Oh, really?”

Su Jingting wisely fell silent.

“Wei’er, would you like to marry your brother Yurong?” Ye Qingmeng asked again.

“No!” Su Yanwei replied instantly. “I’m still small; I don’t want to get married.”

“It’s not right away,” Ye Qingmeng coaxed. “It’s just an engagement. Besides, you wouldn’t have to leave home. Your brother Yurong would stay here with you, you’d never have to leave us.”

Su Yanwei froze. Wait… isn’t this just bringing in a live-in son-in-law?

“Did Yurong agree to this!?” she blurted out, echoing exactly what her father had asked the night before.

“Of course,” Ye Qingmeng replied.

“Did he truly agree himself, or was it…?” Su Yanwei pressed.

“That doesn’t matter,” Ye Qingmeng smiled. “As long as he agreed.”

“No, it does matter,” Su Yanwei frowned, her little face serious. “Mother, I don’t want to marry someone who isn’t sincere. No one will be happy that way!”

She jumped down from her chair, ran to her mother, and looked up, eyes resolute.

“Mother, I know you worry about me, but apart from you and Father, no one will ever love me so selflessly. If he agrees now, who’s to say he won’t regret it later? When trouble comes, will he be reliable?”

Ye Qingmeng was taken aback, her eyes shimmering with emotion.

“Wei’er…”

“Wei’er is right!” Su Jingting added. “Feelings built on deals aren’t reliable. I think you’re being foolish our daughter sees it clearer than you.”

Ye Qingmeng wiped at the corners of her eyes.

“Very well, we’ll do as you two say. Perhaps I was too impatient.”

Later, she informed Elder Mingfeng that they were rejecting the engagement.

Elder Mingfeng tried to persuade her for a long time, but Ye Qingmeng didn’t change her mind. Eventually, somehow he learned it was because Su Yanwei herself had refused, and so he came looking for her.

“Young Miss,” Elder Mingfeng called, blocking her way.

Su Yanwei knew this wouldn’t be good.

“Elder, what can I do for you?”

“I heard you refused the engagement with the Xie family?” he asked sternly, clearly disapproving.

“Yes,” she admitted.

“Why?” Elder Mingfeng asked.

“Because I’m still young. I don’t want to marry,” Su Yanwei answered simply.

“Young Miss, you’re being willful. You will grow up one day. The Xie family is a good match, and Xie Yurong is an exceptional boy,” he insisted.

“But I still don’t want to marry,” Su Yanwei smiled. “No matter how good he is, what does that have to do with marrying him?”

Elder Mingfeng looked at her and shook his head.

“You should think of your parents and the Su family. Your parents sacrificed so much to keep you alive. The family raised you, you should be grateful and repay them. Your marriage isn’t just yours alone, it concerns the family’s future.”

Su Yanwei didn’t like hearing that at all.

“My parents love me, so they sacrificed for me. I love them too and will be filial to them. That has nothing to do with the clan. What I eat and use comes from what they earned. My parents worked hard for the family’s prosperity. When I’m grown, I’ll help them and take up that burden. But not now and not by trading my marriage for benefits,” she said firmly.

Elder Mingfeng sneered.

“And what can you do? You’re alive only because your parents protected you. Living safely is already your greatest repayment.”

His face showed disdain.

“With your frail health, what can you do? You live under the Su family roof, wear the Su family’s clothes, and your parents are part of the Su family. So are you. You should do your part. Marrying into the Xie family is the only thing you can do.”

“You already denied your parents the chance to have another heir. You can’t be selfish again, Young Miss.”

That “Young Miss” sounded especially harsh from his mouth.

Su Yanwei felt her chest tighten and her pale face turned even whiter. It was suffocating.

“No, you’re wrong,” she forced herself to breathe steadily, her voice clear and resolute. “My parents gave me life and raised me. They’ve done enough for the Su family. Why should you demand I sell myself in return?”

She stared straight at Elder Mingfeng.

“And I’m not the useless invalid you think I am!”

“Don’t bother denying it, I know what you really think,” she said, straightening her back. “Stop looking down on me!”

Damn it, she cursed silently. I really want to shout that phrase now:

Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river, don’t bully the young and poor!

She used to think that line was so childish and embarrassing, but right now… it felt just right!