Lin Fan was slightly puzzled. At Su Yuanshan's word, he took a seat. After consecutively refining more than ten batches of pills, he was indeed somewhat weary. Once seated, he straightened his back and waited quietly for Su Yuanshan to speak.
Su Yuanshan's gaze slowly swept between Lin Fan and Su Qingwei. His expression was solemn, no longer carrying the hearty laughter from before.
"Lin Fan, your talent is outstanding, your temperament steady, and your alchemy skills nothing short of breathtaking. I watched today's competition from beginning to end."
He paused, his tone gradually growing heavier. Looking at Lin Fan, he continued word by word.
"My daughter Qingwei is eighteen this year and has never discussed marriage. She is gentle and intelligent, educated in propriety since childhood, and her knowledge surpasses that of ordinary women. Her martial roots are Grade Five, middling at best. I wish to give Qingwei's hand to you. If you are willing, then from this day forward, you will be the Su Family's dragon-riding son-in-law. More than half of the Su Family's resources will be open to you. Should anything arise, the Su Family will also assist you with all our strength. What do you think?"
The moment those words fell, Lin Fan was stunned. He had never expected Su Yuanshan to say such a thing. Although he had a favorable impression of Su Qingwei, he had not given much thought to starting a family with her. Most of Lin Fan's energy ordinarily went toward cultivation.
Seeing Lin Fan remain silent, Su Yuanshan assumed that Lin Fan was dissatisfied with Su Qingwei's martial roots or something else and was unwilling to agree. He could not help adding, "Qingwei may perhaps be unworthy of you. But if you marry other women in the future as well, that is acceptable. A great man may have three wives and four concubines; Qingwei understands this principle too."
Su Qingwei's entire body stiffened slightly. She lowered her head even further, her ears burning red and her heart pounding wildly. Beneath the stone table, her fingers tightly twisted her skirt. Both shy and afraid, she made her breathing exceedingly soft as she quietly awaited Lin Fan's answer.
Lin Fan was silent for a moment. His gaze fell upon the solemn Su Yuanshan before him, then he secretly glanced at Su Qingwei beside him, who had lowered her head bashfully, her ears crimson. Every change in the young woman's expression was incomparably clear beneath Lin Fan's powerful Bone Tempering Realm senses.
During their time together, Su Qingwei had treated others sincerely. She was gentle in temperament, beautiful in appearance, and graceful in figure. She had also provided him with considerable help, and Lin Fan remembered this kindness in his heart. The support the Su Family's influence could provide was secondary. After all, he possessed the Cultivation Effect Doubling System, which doubled cultivation effects by spending silver. Sooner or later, he was destined to soar into the sky, and did not need to rely much on the Su Family.
Lin Fan understood. If he refused now, then he and Su Qingwei would likely have no future together. He did not oppose marriage, nor was he the sort of person who swore to remain single for life just for cultivation. Su Qingwei was quite suitable. After carefully considering it, Lin Fan took a deep breath, rose to his feet, and gave Su Yuanshan a deep bow, his tone sincere and firm.
"Thank you for your esteem, Patriarch. This junior is willing."
As those few brief words fell, Su Qingwei's shoulders trembled sharply. Her lowered head lifted again, her long lashes fluttering lightly as a gleam of delighted surprise instantly rippled through her eyes. The heart she had held suspended finally settled, while surging joy flooded her chest. Her cheeks became even more radiant, like blooming peach blossoms. After gazing at Lin Fan for a moment, she hurriedly lowered her head again, though her heart was already sweet as honey.
At the sight, Su Yuanshan burst into hearty laughter, his face brimming with satisfaction. He raised a hand and slapped the stone table. "Good! Good! Truly a match made in heaven! Today, this marriage agreement is settled!"
Su Yuanshan seemed to recall something and looked again at Lin Fan. "Lin Fan, should we send someone to notify your parents of this matter?" After all, such a major event ought to be handled solemnly.
"There is no need. My parents have already passed away. Other than my younger sister, I no longer have any family." Back then, Lin Fan's entire clan had been sentenced to execution. As his branch family had relatively weaker guards, his parents had been able to desperately send him and his sister away amid the chaos.
After hearing of Lin Fan's background, Su Yuanshan's expression also grew grave. He had not expected Lin Fan's circumstances to be so tragic, and he could not help offering a few words of comfort. As for Lin Fan being wanted by the Imperial Court, Su Yuanshan did not consider it anything at all. Strictly speaking, what martial expert in Zhao Kingdom's jianghu did not have a few matters on their hands? The Imperial Court generally turned a blind eye to such jianghu experts. Within the Capital City of Zhao Kingdom, the Imperial Court's control was strong. But in this relatively remote small town, its control was much weaker. Zhao Kingdom was now surrounded by powerful enemies, and when great war came, it would still need many martial experts of the jianghu to lend their strength. Once Lin Fan reached the Bone Tempering Realm, the Imperial Court might even seek to win him over and offer him amnesty.
At this moment, Su Yuanshan was exceedingly satisfied. Lin Fan's abilities were extraordinary and his temperament steady. If his daughter married him, she would have someone to rely upon for the rest of her life. The Su Family would also gain a top-tier expert and top-tier alchemist to stand guard over it, killing two birds with one stone. From then on, the Su Family would possess two Bone Tempering Realm experts. Even if the town's other two martial factions joined forces, the Su Family would not fear them. The Black Tiger Gang had two Early Bone Tempering Realm experts, while the White Ram Gang had only one Mid Bone Tempering Realm expert.
Su Yuanshan restrained his smile and said seriously, "Since the bond between you two has been settled, let us first establish the marriage agreement. Once we choose an auspicious day, we will formally hold the wedding. After the engagement is set, you will remain a Golden Guest Elder of the Su Family. Your previous monthly treatment of two thousand taels of silver will remain unchanged."
Lin Fan cupped his hands and replied, "Everything shall follow the Patriarch's arrangements."
Su Yuanshan turned to Su Qingwei beside him, his voice becoming gentler. "Qingwei, from now on, you and Lin Fan will be bound by a marriage agreement. You may spend more time together and nurture your feelings. Also, prepare for the handover over the next few days. Once you marry Lin Fan, you need no longer manage the shop's affairs. Your monthly stipend of eight hundred taels of silver will remain, and from then on, you need only stay at home and accompany Lin Fan."
Su Qingwei softly murmured, "Mm." Her voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz, and her hands still nervously clutched the hem of her clothes, her heart filled with a young woman's shyness and joy.
Su Yuanshan rose and waved his hand. "Alright, the two of you may talk some more here. I'll head back first. Once the wedding date has been chosen, I will send someone to notify you." Having said that, Su Yuanshan turned and strode out of the Pill Pavilion courtyard. His footsteps gradually faded, leaving only Lin Fan and Su Qingwei in the vast courtyard.
All around was quiet. The wind passed through the courtyard's flowers and trees, while leaves overhead occasionally rustled softly.
With the Patriarch present just now, Su Qingwei had barely managed to steady herself. Now that her father had left, the blush on her cheeks deepened further. Her head remained lowered, her gaze fixed on the bluestone slabs beneath her feet. She did not dare look up at Lin Fan at all. Her fingertips unconsciously pinched the fabric of her clothes, her heart racing as a subtle air of awkwardness and shyness filled the space.
Lin Fan was somewhat uncomfortable as well. Before, they had merely been a Guest Elder and a daughter of a great family, or business associates in the shop. Now, with a single marriage agreement, their identities had completely changed. The woman before him had become his fiancée.
He gave a light cough, taking the lead in breaking the silence. "When the Patriarch suddenly brought up establishing a marriage agreement just now, it was truly unexpected for me." Lin Fan's tone was calm. Seeing Su Qingwei keep her head lowered, her long lashes trembling faintly, he softened his voice slightly. "From now on, I will naturally do everything within my power to keep you safe and sound. No matter what happens in the future, I will always protect you by my side."
Hearing those words, Su Qingwei slowly raised her head. Her cheeks still carried a blush as her clear, bright eyes looked toward Lin Fan, shallow delight hidden within them.
"I will also always stay by your side."
A gentle breeze flowed through the courtyard, scattering several flower petals across the bluestone ground, as though they too were offering their blessing to the two of them.
Before you continue