The Er Family disciples bowed in worship to Er Daiyuan.
Quite a few wore dazed expressions, especially the younger disciples. They had never imagined that the family matriarch spoken of from mouth to mouth would be so beautiful and youthful. Worthy indeed of an Earth Immortal!
Hearing Er Daiyuan's question, Sixth Master Er keenly sensed that something was wrong.
He hunched over, his face heavy with sorrow, and said softly, "In reply to the Family Head, it is not that we have been disrespectful. It is simply that Hall Master Azure Spider personally came to arrange this match.
"Besides, we would never dare marry Grandmother off. Young Master Zhu came here because he wished to marry into our family and become a live-in son-in-law."
Er Daiyuan sized up the middle-aged man and said, "Little Six. Though you were not born of me, you grew up under my knee. Because you were clever and alert, after I entered seclusion, I entrusted the family's affairs to you.
"And this is how you treat me? Again and again, listening to outsiders and insisting on finding me a son-in-law."
She continued, "Yesterday it was an elder from another family; today it is the adopted son of the Floating Mountain Lord. Tomorrow, will it be the Academy Master's prized disciple?—And let it be said, my companion has not died yet."
As she spoke, Er Daiyuan swept her gaze across the crowd. Everyone present wore shame on their faces upon hearing her words.
Yet none of them stepped forward to accept responsibility. Instead, they all turned their attention toward Sixth Master Er.
At this moment, Sixth Master Er lowered his head, his lips moving as he whispered a few words into the ears of the young man and woman beside him.
The pair then stepped out