The Marriage Proposal

After Wang Changsheng and the other two had gone some distance, Wang Yaozu spoke up. "Big Sister, there's no outsider here, so I'll tell you the truth. Changsheng discovered a First Grade Middle Rank Spirit Vein. It lies at the border between Changping Prefecture and Pingyang Prefecture. We sent people to set up a Formation there, planning to grow some Spirit Grain. We never expected the Song, Liu, and Sun Families of Pingyang Prefecture to join forces and send people to attack the clansmen stationed at that outpost. Ninth Brother, my Eighteenth Nephew, and my Nineteenth Nephew all died in succession."

As he said this, an expression of grief and indignation appeared on his face.

Zhao Yuhui's expression changed, and she asked with a frown, "What? This really happened? Why would they attack your Wang Family for no reason?"

"We don't know either! Although our Wang Family is the weakest in Changping Prefecture, we're not someone just anybody can trample underfoot. If push comes to shove, we'll fight until both sides are destroyed. But unless it's absolutely necessary, we don't want to do that. Big Sister, the Liu Family and your Zhao Family are related by marriage. We came this time hoping you could mediate. We're all relatives; there's no need to ruin the harmony. Whatever the matter is, we can sit down and discuss it properly. There's no need to resort to blades and spears."

"Mediate? Yaozu, although our Zhao Family and the Liu Family are related by marriage, the Liu Family isn't our Zhao Family's vassal. I'm afraid we can't intervene in this matter."

Zhao Yuhui said with some difficulty.

Of course, she would not believe Wang Yaozu's one-sided account. Public matters were public, and private matters were private. After all, the Liu Family and the Wang Family were both related to the Zhao Family by marriage. Without sufficient benefits at stake, the Zhao Family would not favor either one.

"Aunt, we only want to ask you to pass a message to the Liu Family. They shouldn't let themselves be used by people with ulterior motives. We're all one family; if there's a matter, we can sit down and discuss it properly. If it truly comes to a fight, our Wang Family won't be afraid. At worst, both sides will be destroyed."

By the time Wang Mingyuan finished speaking, his eyes were filled with murderous intent.

"If it's only a matter of passing along a message, then there's no problem."

Zhao Yuhui thought it over and agreed.

"Big Sister, if possible, I hope you can have the Liu Family send someone here. Our two families can have an open and honest discussion. Some matters can be settled at the dinner table; there's no need to resort to blades and spears. What do you think?"

Wang Yaozong lowered himself considerably, addressing Zhao Yuhui as "you."

"Yes, Aunt. We want you to build a bridge and mediate between us. Aunt, if you can get the Liu Family and our Wang Family to make peace, your nephew can take responsibility and teach Sericulture Art to Cousin Ziheng."

Zhao Yuhui's eyes lit up, and she asked in disbelief, "Really?"

The Zhao Family's main source of income came from selling Spirit Fish. However, Spirit Fish had to be raised for at least two years before they could be sold, which took far too long. The Zhao Family had always wanted to start another business, but they did not understand other industries well enough to get involved.

The Wang Family raised several pairs of Spirit Silkworms. Their silk could be used in artifact refinement and brought the Wang Family a large sum of income every year. More importantly, Spirit Silkworms could reproduce and be cultivated as Spirit Insects to protect the clan. However, the Wang Family strictly controlled Sericulture Art and never allowed it to spread outside the clan. The Zhao Family had tried raising Spirit Silkworms, but the attempt ended in failure.

Every Immortal Cultivation Family had its own way of making money. They strictly guarded the secrets within their clans and would not easily let them leak out.

The Zhao Family had also once asked the Wang Family for guidance on Sericulture Art, but when it came to the core parts, the Wang Family refused to teach them no matter what.

The value of the Profound Gold Mine was far greater than that of Sericulture Art. Besides, the Zhao Family and the Wang Family were separated by a great distance. Even if the Zhao Family managed to raise several pairs of Spirit Silkworms, it would not affect the Wang Family's income.

"Of course it's true, Aunt. I'm the Family Head of the Wang Family. My word still carries weight."

Zhao Yuhui took a deep breath. After pondering for a moment, she said, "Mingyuan, you must be tired from traveling. Get a good night's rest first. I'll give you an answer tomorrow."

"Aunt, about this matter..."

Before Wang Mingyuan could finish speaking, Wang Yaozu interrupted him. "All right, then we'll trouble you, Big Sister."

"Uncle, Cousin, Cousin's Wife, Three Blossom Dew is our Zhao Family's exclusive Spirit Wine. It tastes fairly good, so have a few more cups."

Zhao Ziheng picked up the wine pot and poured a cup for everyone.

"Then I'll have a few more cups. By the way, Ziheng, Ningxiang isn't young anymore. Has she been promised to anyone?"

Wang Yaozu tactfully changed the subject.

Zhao Ziheng gave a wry smile and said, "That girl's standards are too high, and her mother indulges her. She can't bear to marry her off so soon, so I can only let her have her way."

"Men should marry when grown, and women should wed when grown. A girl has to marry sooner or later. Could it be that you plan to recruit a Live-in Son-in-Law?"

Wang Yaozong did not think much of it.

Zhao Yuhui shook her head and said, "That's not it. This girl has fairly good aptitude, and she only turned sixteen this year. She's still young. I want to keep her by my side for another two years. Of course, I also hope to find her a good husband."

Liu Qing'er smiled slightly and said, "Aunt is right. As the saying goes, a man fears choosing the wrong trade, while a woman fears marrying the wrong man. Marriage is a major matter and must not be treated carelessly. Aunt, you watched Changsheng grow up. What do you think of him?"

Zhao Yuhui hesitated briefly before saying, "Changsheng is honest and steady, without so many devious schemes. He's also Yuzhi's only grandson. I'm very fond of that child."

"Aunt, I'll speak frankly. My father-in-law and my husband both like Ningxiang very much, and so do I. Why don't we make the two families even closer through marriage? I think these two children look very much like a married couple. What do you think?"

"Yes, Big Sister, let's make the two families even closer through marriage! Changsheng and Ningxiang grew up playing together; they're childhood sweethearts. I remember Yuzhi said before she died that she hoped Ningxiang would become her grandson's wife. We like that child very much too. What do you think?"

Wang Yaozu voiced his agreement.

Zhao Ningxiang was the Zhao Family's cherished pearl, and her mother came from the Red Leaf Ridge Lin Family. If Wang Changsheng married Zhao Ningxiang, it would bring great benefits to both the Wang Family and Wang Changsheng.

Zhao Yuhui was somewhat tempted. She dearly loved her granddaughter, Zhao Ningxiang. Had she been anyone else, she would have married her off long ago.

Wang Changsheng was the grandson of her own younger sister, and she had watched him grow up. If the two became husband and wife, she would be happy from the bottom of her heart. Moreover, Wang Yaozu had said that this was Zhao Yuzhi's dying wish, so Zhao Yuhui truly found it difficult to refuse.

After hesitating for a moment, she said, "If it were someone else, I could agree right away. But Yuting has only this one daughter, and Yuting's uncle is the Family Head of the Lin Family. I need to discuss it with Yuting and ask her opinion. However, Yuting has returned to her maiden home and won't be back for some time. How about this? I'll give you an answer after a while."

She had neither agreed nor refused.

Wang Mingyuan's brows lifted, and he was about to speak when Wang Yaozu beat him to it. "No problem. Then we'll wait for your good news, Big Sister."

The meal lasted for more than an hour. After it ended, Zhao Ziheng personally arranged lodgings for Wang Yaozu's family.

After settling the three of them in, he went to Zhao Yuhui's residence.

"Mother, you can decide Ningxiang's marriage. There's no need to seek Yuting's opinion. You're her elder, while Yuting is your daughter-in-law. She won't object."