After hearing what the two had said, Lü Wenqiu seemed to catch on to something and asked with a faint, knowing smile, "You two came to plead that girl's case, didn't you?"
Xu Qingtong flushed at once, not knowing how to answer.
Du Siwen, on the other hand, said very calmly, "Master, I've already asked little sister Hui and Qingtong, and both wish to become Dao companions. I beg you to grant their wish!"
Ignoring Du Siwen, Lü Wenqiu turned to Xu Qingtong and asked, "Boy, what do you think?"
After a moment's thought, Xu Qingtong raised his head and said, "Martial Uncle, Senior Sister and I grew up together like green plums and bamboo horses, and our feelings run deep. We also have a son! Naturally, I won't abandon Siwen to seek a new love. But Hui'er and I made a pledge first. Though it was later broken, that wasn't her wish. Besides, she saved my life and is devoted to me. I certainly won't abandon her either!"
"So you're planning to keep a foot in two boats!"
"Master, Qingtong isn't trying to keep a foot in two boats. He wants the best for both!" Seeing her master grow angry, Du Siwen hurried to explain.
"Is there any difference?" Lü Wenqiu asked mildly.
"Keeping a foot in two boats means wavering between them, not knowing which to choose. Seeking the best for both means having two weighty bonds of affection, neither greater nor lesser than the other!"
Lü Wenqiu fell silent for a long while, then glanced sidelong at Xu Qingtong and asked, "Boy, can you guarantee you'll take good care of both of them?"
"Even if my liver and brains were scattered across the ground, I would not shrink from it!"
"Good! Then let me see whether you