Letting Father Decide Everything

The hall fell silent.

Yan Shuyao's mind went blank for a moment, her face turned bright red instantly, she froze on the spot, her fingertips clenched so tightly they turned white, and she didn't even dare to breathe loudly.

Shen Jingchuan was also stunned, opening his mouth but unable to utter a word for a moment.

Yan Chongli raised an eyebrow as he watched Shen Jingchuan remain silent for a long time.

"What?" he said sternly, "You don't think much of my daughter?"

Shen Jingchuan then came to his senses, quickly stepped forward, and bowed deeply.

"Master, what are you saying?" His tone was full of sincerity. "My senior sister's reputation as a talented woman is known throughout the land. Countless high-ranking officials and Aristocratic Clan young masters yearn for her but cannot have her. How could I... possibly look down on her?"

Yan Chongli's expression softened slightly.

Shen Jingchuan paused for a moment, then spoke again, his voice tinged with hesitation.

"But... Master, isn't this all happening a bit too hastily?"

"Marriage is a lifelong commitment for two people. You can't just ignore what my senior sister thinks and whether she's willing. What if you ruin her life?"

Yan Chongli waved his hand, ignoring his comment.

"Arranged marriages by parents and matchmakers are the way things are," he stroked his beard. "But my daughter is someone I've doted on since she was little, and I'm not some unreasonable, domineering father."

As he spoke, he turned his head to look at Yan Shuyao, who was still frozen in place, and softened his tone.

"Shuyao, I have a question for you. The decision is yours. Are you... willing to marry Jingchuan?"

The moment those words left her mouth, Yan Shuyao's mind went blank, completely shutting down.

She stood there, stunned, her face flushed red, her fingers twisting the hem of her clothes, her mouth open but unable to utter a single word.

She had some affection for this junior brother; she had thanked him and asked him to help her with her cultivation. But those thoughts were far from marriage, and she hadn't even dared to consider them.

Her father's words today left her in a difficult position, unable to move forward or backward. Had her father lost his mind? How could he ask that to her face, with her junior brother still there?

Both eyes were on her, and she didn't dare to lift her head. After a long while, she managed to squeeze out a sentence as soft as a mosquito's buzz.

"These kinds of things... no, aren't they all decided by the parents?"

Her voice grew softer and softer until it was almost inaudible.

"Father... I will listen to you."

As soon as she finished speaking, Yan Shuyao could no longer hold back. She covered her face, turned around and ran out without even daring to look back.

Yan Chongli watched his daughter run away, covering her face, and couldn't help but smile slightly.

He stroked his beard, his mind perfectly clear.

Do you really think I'm blind?

He took a liking to this young man the first time he saw him at that poetry gathering.

His writing is exceptionally brilliant, and despite his young age, he is neither arrogant nor impatient. What's rare is his character; he's someone you can rely on.

His precious daughter, though she didn't say it aloud, how could she hide her thoughts from her father?

These days, the name Shen Jingchuan is frequently on my lips.

I recited his poems and talked about his character, but my mind wandered as I spoke, and I secretly smiled to myself.

He's been through this before; he can see through things at a glance.

Later, his daughter said she wanted to go to Yuxi Prefecture to find Shen Jingchuan. If he didn't approve of this guy, would he feel comfortable letting his only daughter travel all that way?

Ultimately, what he valued was not just the boy's poetic talent, but also his temperament and character.

Everything that happened today further confirmed his judgment. Of course, the mysterious background of Shen Jingchuan's Lineage also added to his appeal.

Shen Jingchuan gave him such a huge gift, saving his life—no kidding, extending his life by fifty years! Even emperors might not get that.

Is it possible that this apprentice has no feelings for Shuyao? Impossible. He doesn't say anything, but the gifts he gives his daughter could buy his entire Yan Residence.

Yan Chongli lived most of his life and was a renowned Confucian scholar. Was he the kind of person who would exchange his daughter for personal gain?

He couldn't do something like that.

He's happy to take this opportunity to break the ice.

The two children, one affectionate and the other willing, are both holding back, dragging their feet, and it's unclear when they'll finally get to the point.

They're all getting on in years, and they're all capable of cultivating, so it couldn't be better if they were all walking the same path from now on.

He, a mere mortal, had no idea how high his daughter's cultivation would reach in the future.

With Shen Jingchuan and his Shen Household supporting and helping her, her life will surely be good.

How could a father not think of his children's future?

He decided to swallow his pride and, assuming the role of a master, sealed the deal with a few words.

To avoid any unforeseen complications, and to prevent these two silly kids from wasting any more precious time.

Get married early.

Shen Jingchuan watched his senior sister run away, covering her face, and then he realized what was going on.

He understood the situation.

If a woman has no intention of repaying a debt, she will say that she has no way to repay the debt and that she will repay it in the next life; if she is willing, she will bow her head and say that it is entirely up to her parents to decide.

My senior sister's words were clearly an affirmation.

He was secretly pleased, but then he remembered there was something else he needed to clarify, so he turned around and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Yan Chongli.

"Master, there's one more thing I need to tell you first. I already have two wives in my family."

He spoke with some difficulty, unsure how to continue.

Yan Chongli showed no surprise, only glancing at him.

"Since you're referring to two wives," he said slowly, "My daughter won't be marrying into your household as a concubine, will she?"

Shen Jingchuan quickly waved his hand.

"No, no, how could that be!" he said urgently. "My senior sister is still a lady. I know this is against etiquette, but I treat them all equally, without distinction of rank, and there is absolutely no reason for one to be superior to the other."

Yan Chongli listened and smiled faintly.

"Then why are you refusing me?" He picked up his teacup. "Shuyao has been to Yuxi Prefecture before; she saw what was going on with her. Do you think we need to worry about her here?"

Shen Jingchuan scratched his head, a smile spreading across his face.

"I truly admire Senior Sister's talent." He spoke with increasing confidence, "And since she's a cultivator, I'll have her help in the future, which is wonderful..."

He was secretly overjoyed; Shen Jingchuan was a notorious womanizer.

To be fair, he was sincere and loving towards all his women, and he cherished and loved them all.

But he also had a man's flaw—he was a womanizer.

He knows he has this problem, but he just can't change it and keeps making the same mistake.

He had recently made a firm decision: he had enough women in his family, and he would never add any more.

Who knew that Great Confucian Yan's words today would cause his resolve to waver again.

He made excuses for himself.

How can you blame me? I didn't beg them; they came to me on their own initiative.

My senior is such a wonderful person, beautiful and talented, and she has feelings for me. If I were to reject her outright, how would she, a young woman, save face?

How am I supposed to get married in the future? What if my senior sister falls for me and insists on marrying Non-Self? What will happen to her lifelong happiness?

Breaking her heart, that would be a sin.