Song Xuan's marriage

After leaving the government office, Song Qian could not help sighing with feeling.

"Uncle Zhao really lives up to his name. He's someone we can count on!"

"He certainly is!"

With Zhao Dezhu's promise, Song Xuan felt much more at ease. Anyone would feel reassured with a superior behind them who was willing to shoulder responsibility for his subordinates.

By the time they returned home, shadows had already darkened the sky.

Their father, Song Yuanshan, had come home early for once. He had already received word that both his children had passed the second-class Black Robe Guard examination. In high spirits, he had even bought a jar of wine on the way home.

Their mother, Song Linshi, had prepared a tableful of food to go with the wine. Song Qian caught the aroma before she even stepped through the door and grinned as she sidled toward the table.

Song Linshi slapped her hand. "You're a grown young woman, yet you're still so flighty. Go wash your hands!"

"Right away!"

Humming, Song Qian went into the courtyard to wash her hands. As she washed, she teased her father, who stood there practicing his punches. "Dad, are you doing the Elderly Exercise Routine?"

The Elderly Exercise Routine?

Song Yuanshan's face darkened, and he instinctively reached toward his waist for the Seven Wolves belt his son had given him.

But after feeling around and finding nothing, he remembered that he was wearing loose clothes at home today and had no need for a belt.

"Stop picking up all that nonsense from your brother. He's a man, so it doesn't matter, but you're a young woman. If you keep acting like a little lunatic, who'll dare marry you?"

Song Qian replied airily, "This heroine has high standards. You think just anyone who wants to marry me gets to?"

Song Yuanshan grunted twice. Apparently deciding that his daughter was too old for a beating now, he flicked his sleeve. "Inside. Dinner!"

"Made Dad angry again?"

At the dinner table, Song Xuan teased his sister.

Song Qian stuck out her tongue at him, then picked up the wine pot and filled their father's cup. "I was only joking with Dad. His heart is broad enough to float a boat in-why would he get angry with a little girl like me?"

At that bit of flattery, Song Yuanshan's expression immediately softened. Chuckling, he said, "Girl, pour your brother a cup too."

Song Qian curled her lip. Old Song is so biased. I'm always the one pouring, but I never get a share of the drinking.

Of course, she only dared grumble inwardly. She would never dare voice those complaints in front of her father.

Her father's Seven Wolves belt had never been merely for show.

"Come on, son. Let's have a toast!"

Song Yuanshan raised his cup, clinked it against Song Xuan's, and drained it. Then the floodgates opened.

"Son, you're the older brother. You need to look after your sister from now on, understand?"

"Yes, Dad. Don't worry!" Song Xuan nodded promptly.

"I heard about your examination today too. They say it got pretty bloody?"

Song Xuan nodded.

"Bloody is good!" Song Yuanshan clapped his hands and laughed. "In our line of work, sooner or later, we all get blood on our hands. There'll be plenty more bloody business ahead. You'll get used to it gradually."

Song Xuan kept nodding. He knew all this was merely a preamble. The subject his father really wanted to discuss was still coming.

"When I was your age..."

Song Xuan's attention stirred. He knew they had reached the real subject.

A nostalgic look came over Song Yuanshan's face. "When I was your age, at least a few dozen ruthless bandits, mountain brigands, and scum of the martial world had died at my hands.

"Of course, our family holds a hereditary post in the Black Robe Guard. That's our job, so it's nothing to boast about.

"What I'm truly proud of is that I married your mother before I turned twenty. If you count the years, the year I turned twenty was the very year you were born."

Speechless, Song Xuan turned his face aside, only to find Song Qian grinning and making faces at him.

"Well, for a man in this world, achieving fame and success doesn't count as real ability. Filling your halls with children and grandchildren does. Son, I know there's a knot in your heart, so I've never brought up marriage with you.

"But you really aren't that young anymore. It hasn't been easy for our Song family line to reach your generation. There are things you really ought to start considering."

Song Xuan rubbed his forehead. Men and women were expected to marry once they came of age, and he could hardly argue against that. He blinked at Song Qian, signaling for her to come to his rescue.

Song Qian caught his meaning and poured Song Yuanshan another cup.

"Dad, you're rushing things too much. My brother and I only just became second-class Black Robe Guards. We haven't even settled into our positions yet. Can't you wait a few more days?"

"Besides, Uncle Zhao just assigned us a case out of town. It's urgent, so we have to leave first thing tomorrow morning. How about we discuss my brother's marriage once this busy stretch is over?"

At her words, Song Yuanshan hesitated. "Well, you can go handle the case, while your mother and I find a matchmaker and discuss things first.

"The Lu family's second daughter, that girl Qingshuang-your mother and I both like her very much. If you have no objections, we could settle things first.

"After all, back then, you and the Lu family's eldest girl were about to become engaged..."

Before he had even finished, Song Xuan's expression changed. He put down his chopsticks and stood up. "Dad, Mom, keep eating. I'm full, so I'll head back to my room!"

With that, he turned and walked away without caring how his father looked.

"That boy!"

Song Yuanshan's cheeks trembled with anger. "His wings have grown strong, and now he won't even listen to his father!"

Song Linshi took his arm and chided him. "Didn't I tell you? Just talk about arranging an engagement. Why did you bring up the Lu family's eldest girl again?"

Song Yuanshan opened his mouth, then slapped his forehead, looking full of regret. "A little wine went to my head, and I couldn't keep my mouth shut. It's been five years. Why hasn't that boy gotten over that hurdle in his heart yet?"

With a sigh, he sat down and resumed drinking. "Forget it. Let him be. He's not a child anymore. I can keep him in line for a while, but can I do it for his whole life?"

Dinner ended on an unhappy note.

After the lights went out, Song Qian quietly felt her way through the darkness to Song Xuan's door and called in a low voice, "Brother, open up. I need to talk to you."

Inside, Song Xuan sat cross-legged, cultivating the Pure Yang Limitless Child Skill. In the darkness, his pure yang internal energy flowed through his organs like streams of golden light.

A faint golden glow even seemed to shine through his skin, making him look like a golden statue of a god.

Hearing Song Qian's voice, Song Xuan slowly brought his cultivation to a close and answered flatly.

"I'm asleep. Whatever it is, we can talk on the road tomorrow!"

Song Qian murmured an acknowledgment and tiptoed back to her room.

In the courtyard, Song Yuanshan and his wife secretly watched the scene, then carefully returned to their own room.

After closing the door, Song Yuanshan sighed helplessly. "Over the past few years, that boy has gone to the pleasure houses to listen to songs with Lu Xiaoliu plenty of times. I thought he'd let it go.

"Who would have thought... Ah, how did our Song family produce such a lovestruck fool?

"I refuse to believe it. There are plenty of good girls in this world. Just because Lu Qingxue left without saying goodbye, does that mean a son of our Song family can't find a wife?"