A marriage meeting (part two)

"Sorry for the wait."

The chill in Lu Miaohuan's eyes softened a little as she gave Lu Changsheng a slight nod.

While Lu Changsheng had been looking at her just now, she had been studying him as well.

Perhaps it was because she had come with a different mindset today, but she felt that Lu Changsheng was much more handsome than she remembered.

His features were not particularly exquisite individually, but together, they formed a perfectly balanced, harmonious whole that raised his looks to another level. He was pleasing to the eye and comfortable to look at.

Combined with his gentle gaze and calm, composed bearing, he made her feel as though she were basking in a spring breeze.

As someone who adored good looks, Lu Miaohuan had originally resisted the idea of marrying Lu Changsheng. At this moment, however, she felt that marrying him might not be so unacceptable.

Lu Changsheng's aptitude was poor, with only a ninth-grade spiritual root.

But he was exceptionally gifted at talisman making, and with such handsome looks, he could certainly be called a man of both talent and beauty.

If there was one flaw to speak of, it was that he had too many wives and concubines.

On that point, however, Lu Miaohuan was very confident in herself.

Her confidence came not only from her status and family background, but also from her beauty and charm.

She had clearly caught the way Lu Changsheng had looked at her earlier, and it had left her feeling rather pleased with herself.

"I only just arrived myself."

Seeing that her attitude was not nearly as unpleasant as he had expected, Lu Changsheng felt that this marriage meeting could still continue.

He picked up the teapot and poured Lu Miaohuan a cup of tea. "I never expected to meet you again under these circumstances, Miss Miaohuan."

"First, I would like to apologize for my rudeness the last time we met."

As Lu Changsheng spoke, he raised his teacup as though offering a toast.

"I didn't expect you to still remember that."

Lu Miaohuan's willow-leaf brows lifted slightly when Lu Changsheng mentioned their previous encounter.

After all, their first meeting had not been particularly pleasant.

Mainly, Lu Changsheng's behavior at the time, combined with his reputation, had left her with a very poor impression.

"Of course I remember. Having witnessed your peerless grace, Miss Miaohuan, how could I possibly forget? That incident has lingered in my heart ever since. Whenever I recall it, I find it difficult to forgive my own rudeness."

"Now, after nearly two years, I've finally met you again and have the chance to apologize in person."

Wearing an utterly sincere expression, Lu Changsheng began spouting nonsense.

After all, Uncle Lu had told him.

This Second Miss was somewhat spoiled and willful, but she was still fairly innocent. All he needed to do was say a few nice things and coax her along with what she said.

If that was all it took, Lu Changsheng was willing to do it for the sake of a mother with a sixth-grade spiritual root for his children.

"I forgot about that ages ago."

"I was in a bad mood then, so my tone was a little harsh."

As the saying went, you did not strike a smiling face. Seeing Lu Changsheng's sincere expression, Lu Miaohuan actually felt a little embarrassed.

She lightly lifted her skirt and sat down gracefully, then raised her tea and took a small sip.

With an opening established, the two began to chat.

Over the course of their conversation, Lu Changsheng found Lu Miaohuan's personality much better than he had imagined.

She was not unpleasant at all. Having grown up as a young lady of a lineage, she was simply a little reserved and expected others to take the initiative.

She also did not smile much.

That made her look as though a faint chill always rested on her face.

In truth, she was not really so cold or unapproachable.

Outside the lodge, Uncle Lu used the Heavenly Ear Art to secretly listen to their conversation. His old face creased with a smile until it looked like a chrysanthemum.

He thought to himself that Lu Changsheng clearly had not married so many wives for nothing. The lad did have a few tricks up his sleeve.

Then he stopped eavesdropping and waited quietly outside.

In his view, with Lu Miaohuan willing to keep talking to Lu Changsheng, the matter was already halfway settled.

Inside the Bamboo Heart Lodge.

Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaohuan sat facing each other, sipping tea and chatting.

"There are indeed many fun and interesting things in the mortal world, though I don't know all that much about them."

"If you're interested, Miss Miaohuan, I would be happy to accompany you on a trip to have a look."

"As for women, where in the mortal world could I possibly find someone as fairy-like as you?"

"Have you forgotten how I lost my composure when I first saw you, struck by your heavenly beauty?"

Lu Changsheng continued flattering her, but his tone remained unhurried, and his eyes were perfectly clear.

In fact, much of the time, his gaze was not even on Lu Miaohuan.

Lu Changsheng wanted to marry Lu Miaohuan and have her bear his children.

But he was not about to force himself to fawn over her like some hopeless love-struck fool.

Besides, in his opinion, being too obsequious would only lose him points with a woman like Lu Miaohuan.

Thus, Lu Changsheng maintained a very composed attitude.

Over his four years with the Lu Lineage, Lu Changsheng felt that his greatest improvement had been in his state of mind and outlook.

The beauty of time lay in its inevitable passing: spring flowers, autumn moons, summer sunshine, winter snow.

When you bloomed, the gentle breeze would come of its own accord. Even when your heart rose and fell, a faint smile could keep you at peace.

The system, the Immortal Bearing Art, his craft as a second-rank talisman master, and the Nine Nether Mastiff all made Lu Changsheng feel that he was a flower in full bloom.

As the gentle breeze passed, bees and butterflies would naturally come to dance around him.

Besides, a woman won by lowering himself, reaching above his station, and fawning over her would demand considerable emotional attention, time, and energy afterward. It would also upset the balance among his wives and concubines.

He, Lu Changsheng, was destined never to spend most of his time and energy on a single woman.

"My elder sister was with me then. If you were struck by my heavenly beauty, didn't you feel anything when you saw her?"

A touch of happiness appeared on Lu Miaohuan's cool face. She crossed her long legs, clad in black stockings and high heels, and posed the question to Lu Changsheng, her posture alluring and seductive.

Lu Changsheng rose slightly, picked up the teapot, and refilled her cup.

At the same time, his gaze lowered to her crossed, beautiful legs, as though telling Lu Miaohuan why he had been so awestruck by her.

Rather than offending Lu Miaohuan, this gesture brought her a secret little thrill.

Since childhood, her elder sister Lu Miaoge had always overshadowed her, and most of the elders in their family praised Lu Miaoge as well.

Even the way she usually dressed would draw criticism.

Now, Lu Changsheng's open admiration gave her a sense of being appreciated.

"The eldest young lady, Lu Miaoge, is naturally like a fairy herself, stunning and beyond the dust of this world."

"Before that, I had been fortunate enough to meet her two or three times, but I never felt the flutter in my heart that I did upon seeing you, Miss Miaohuan."

"It reminded me of a verse I once heard: when golden wind and jade dew meet, their union surpasses countless joys of the mortal world."

"That was how I felt when I saw you, Miss Miaohuan. Though our meeting was only a fleeting encounter, it felt worth more than countless beautiful moments."

As Lu Changsheng spoke, he looked at Lu Miaohuan with a touch of sincerity in his eyes.

"When golden wind and jade dew meet, their union surpasses countless joys of the mortal world."

"What a beautiful verse. Did you hear it in the mortal world?"

Lu Miaohuan's beautiful eyes brightened, and a faint smile appeared on her cool face, like a secluded lotus blooming.

Hmm? This Second Miss actually likes poetry?

Lu Changsheng was a little surprised.

Then he remembered Uncle Lu's words. This Second Miss was not particularly interested in cultivation, and she was only in her early twenties. It made sense that she would enjoy such things.

"That's right. I heard it in the mortal world before. The full poem begins: delicate clouds weave their art, flying stars carry sorrow..."

"But I haven't read many books, so I don't really understand what it means. I simply felt that it suited my feelings at the time."

"There's a story behind this poem, too. If you're interested, Miss Miaohuan, I can tell you."

Lu Changsheng spoke with a smile.

"Yes, please."

Lu Miaohuan nodded her delicate chin.

After more than four years, Lu Changsheng finally found a use for some of the things he remembered from his previous world.

And so, the two chatted for more than two hours.

Their conversation made Lu Miaohuan very happy. Her fondness for Lu Changsheng grew, and in her heart, she was now willing to marry him.

However, her maidenly reserve and inward pride made her purse her lips before saying, "Lu Changsheng, I really enjoyed talking with you today."

"If you agree to a few conditions, I'll agree to marry you."

"Please go ahead, Miss Miaohuan."

Lu Changsheng nodded with a smile, gentle as polished jade.

"If I marry you, I must be your principal wife. And after marrying me, you can't take any more wives or concubines. As for having children, you can't force me. Also..."

Suppressing the shyness in her heart, Lu Miaohuan wore a cool expression as she listed her conditions one by one.

GG!

Hearing those conditions, Lu Changsheng mentally declared the game over.

He immediately knew that this marriage meeting was a bust.

Actually, he thought Lu Miaohuan's conditions were fine. They were not particularly unreasonable.

They were merely a young woman's emotional expectations of the love she longed for. She had barely mentioned anything material.

If Lu Changsheng had been an ordinary person or an ordinary immortal cultivator who wanted nothing more than to live out his life in peace, none of these conditions would have been a problem.

But with the Many Children, Many Blessings System, Lu Changsheng was destined to be a man whose love embraced many. He could not abandon an entire forest for a single towering tree.

Although he could agree first and get aboard before worrying about the rest, Lu Changsheng did not want to do that.

Nor would he stoop to deceiving someone's feelings.

Besides, he was still living under the Lu Lineage's roof. If he truly agreed, he would have to honor his promise.

"I understand your wishes, Miss Miaohuan."

"But please allow me to consider your conditions before giving you an answer."

Lu Changsheng spoke with an apologetic expression.

"You need to consider them?"

Lu Miaohuan froze, finding it rather unbelievable.

Throughout their conversation, Lu Changsheng had looked as though he liked her very much.

Furthermore, she felt that if she was willing to marry him, Lu Changsheng should immediately have been beside himself with delight, overwhelmed by the unexpected good fortune.

Yet now, Lu Changsheng actually said he needed to consider it?

What did he mean by that?

Was she supposed to beg him to marry her?

How could someone as proud as her endure such humiliation?

At once, Lu Miaohuan's cool, breathtaking face turned utterly icy, like a mountain of ice that had stood for ten thousand years. She rose straight to her feet and strode swiftly out of the lodge, her heels clicking against the floor.

Watching Lu Miaohuan's graceful figure retreat, Lu Changsheng shook his head slightly.

He was not yet blessed enough to enjoy such an exquisite beauty.

"Second Miss, what's wrong?"

Uncle Lu, who had been waiting outside the lodge, was taken aback when he saw Lu Miaohuan emerge with frost all over her face and hurry away.

Hadn't they been getting along perfectly well just before?

He immediately hurried after her.