"Jing, are you all right?" Xu Deling asked with concern.
Xu Dejing's steps faltered, her eyes filled with disappointment. "So everything Father and Mother said was true. Is this what an Aristocratic Clan is really like?
Whether sons or daughters, none can decide their own marriages.
How tragic!"
"Jing, there are good clans and bad ones. In great Aristocratic Clans with strict rules, I imagine the younger members would still have decent character."
"Perhaps. Come on, let's find our eldest brother."
Xu Deling nodded slightly.
When Xu Dezhao saw Xu Dejing and the state she was in, he said, "Now you know how well the elders of our Xu Household have protected us, don't you?"
"Yes. Yang Ruiyao is a year younger than me, yet she understands so much. I'm more like an ignorant girl shut away in her chambers, knowing nothing of the world."
"Actually, that also has to do with our Xu Household living in seclusion in this little corner. The Commandery Seat is full of Aristocratic Clans, good and bad mixed together. See and hear enough, and you gradually become stained with the same colors."
Xu Dezhao sighed deeply. "Now, have you come to a decision about marrying Wu Tao?"
"What!" Xu Deling exclaimed, looking at Xu Dejing in surprise. "Jing, why didn't you tell me about this earlier? You and Wu Tao? When did this happen?"
"Only today. A Weng decided it, and Second Uncle and Second Aunt supported it too. But your Jing here refused. She wanted to marry a man she loved."
"Oh, so that's how it is." Understanding dawned on Xu Deling. "No wonder you asked Cousin Ruiyao those questions earlier."
"Actually, A Weng has already thought this through very carefully," Xu Dezhao said.
Xu Dejing looked up at him. "Earlier, you said