Xu Dejing lowered her head in silence.
Wu Rushan continued, "Believe Mother. Even if you find someone to your liking, with your appearance and character, it definitely won't be someone from an ordinary commoner family. It would probably be some young master from a great family.
"You two might truly be in love, but before marriage and after marriage are different.
"Before marriage, the world has only the two of you.
"After marriage, there are each other's relatives.
"You're a woman from the Xu family. The schemes and tricks in ordinary great family inner quarters are things you definitely won't tolerate. Once you act impulsively, you'll invite countless people's criticism and contempt.
"Even if your future husband treats you wonderfully, when faced with family choices, he will also hesitate.
"After all, the family raised and cultivated him. That's not something easily severed.
"Time after time of defending you will eventually wear away all the affection between you two."
"Don't deny it. You're still young, with little experience. It's normal that you can't clearly see the complexities between great families. Emotional matters are very complicated. Like your father and me, it was Mother who arranged the marriage.
"Your Third Uncle also had no emotional foundation before marriage. But haven't we gotten along well after marriage? Don't we have good feelings for each other?
"Whether in commoner, wealthy, or great family households, a woman's happiness is not only in her husband's hands but also in her husband's family's hands.
"Mother being able to marry into the Xu family was Mother's good fortune.
"If the Xu family hadn't appeared, Mother would probably have been a tool for the Wu family to stabilize relations and exchange benefits with the Fang, Wang, He, and Cao families.
"Forget having my current innate martial realm. If I displeased my husband, I might have been confined, and even my children would have been implicated.
"After all, Mother's temperament would rather break than bend. And Jing'er, you're very similar to me."
Xu Dejing held back the tears at the corners of her eyes, not letting them fall, but her face was full of grievance.
Originally living a carefree life, suddenly one day being arranged into a marriage, to marry someone she had no feelings for, Xu Dejing naturally felt wronged.
That's why she had fought for herself earlier but everything seemed futile.
Xu Mingyuan and Wu Rushan saw through her completely, saw through her future completely, leaving her unable to refute.
"Must I only marry Wu Tao?" Xu Dejing said with a slight sob in her voice.
Xu Mingyuan nodded, "When you turn eighteen, you two will marry."
Wu Rushan sighed deeply, "Wu Tao is also one of our own in the Xu family. His talent and abilities are quite good. You have no feelings for him because you haven't interacted much.
"Then try to interact more. Go to the Jade Cold Pool more often. Anyway, there are still four years. No rush.
"Perhaps you two will develop good feelings for each other."
"The Jade Cold Pool? Didn't First Uncle say we're not casually allowed to go up there?"
Xu Dejing's mood gradually calmed. She no longer had the initial fury.
"Just go with Zhao'er and Ling'er. As long as they know about you and Wu Tao, they'll bring you along."
"Why?" Xu Dejing was very puzzled. She had been to the Jade Cold Pool a few times before, but apart from large quantities of rare medicinal herbs being grown there, the air was just particularly fresh.
She had actually never understood why, aside from her father and the elders in the Xu family, only a few of her generation could freely come and go.
"You'll understand when you go." Xu Mingyuan said indifferently.
Xu Dejing looked at Wu Rushan in surprise. Wu Rushan laughed softly, "Don't look at me. What secrets are on the mountain, your father hasn't told me either. He's hidden it very well.
"I suspect among those who married into the Xu family, I'm the only one still kept in the dark."
"You'll know when it's time to know." Xu Mingyuan smiled at her. "Could it be that you're not comfortable living at the foot of the mountain and must go up the mountain to cultivate in seclusion?"
"I can't argue with you." Wu Rushan looked at Xu Mingyuan with resentment.
Xu Mingyuan smiled slightly, then said to Xu Dejing, "Jing'er, your mother and I will give you a few days to think. Tell us your decision once you've figured it out.
"If you truly don't want to, we won't force you. We can even persuade your grandfather to cancel the engagement between you and Wu Tao.
"But in the future, whether you casually marry some ordinary great family's son or have a political marriage with a commandery city great family, we can't control that.
"Even if you want to pursue so-called true love and leave the Xu family, that's up to you. It's just that then you'll never again receive our Xu family's protection."
"Alright, that's all Father has to say. Go back to your room and think about it."
Xu Dejing left somewhat dazed.
Once she left, Wu Rushan said unhappily, "Husband, Jing'er was clearly about to agree. Why did you say those things to her at the end? Isn't this forcing her to make a choice?"
"She's not young anymore. It's time for her to understand things, to ultimately comprehend what being part of a great family means. This will also benefit her future." Xu Mingyuan continued, "Besides, these are all facts."
"If she truly doesn't want to, Father certainly won't force her. He might even substitute someone else. Wu Tao's future wife doesn't necessarily have to be Jing'er, but it will definitely be a Xu family daughter.
"The reason Jing'er was chosen is probably because her age is suitable."
"Why not choose Ling'er? She's on the mountain year-round and is more familiar with Wu Tao, isn't she?"
Xu Mingyuan's eyes shifted. After hesitating briefly, he said, "Ling'er is special, just like her aunt."
"Husband means Ling'er is also exceptionally talented?" Wu Rushan sighed softly. "It seems this world ultimately depends on one's talent and aptitude."
Xu Mingyuan shook his head with a wry smile. "Special people often have special missions. I only hope Jing'er can live her own life well."
"Husband speaks reason. I hope Jing'er can come to terms with this."
Xu Dejing thought back and forth, feeling troubled. She went to find Xu Dezhao.
Xu Dezhao showed surprise upon hearing this and looked at her. "Second Uncle wants you to marry Wu Tao?"
"It's Grandfather's idea."
"Grandfather?!"
"Brother Zhao, why are you so surprised? Whether it's my father or Grandfather, isn't it the same?"
Xu Dezhao smiled, his eyebrow raising. "Then let me ask you, do you want to marry or not? If you truly don't want to, I'll take you to see Grandfather. Grandfather has always valued our own wishes and probably won't force you to marry Wu Tao.
"After all, among our generation of brothers and sisters, you're not the only girl."
Xu Dejing became even more puzzled, even curious. After pondering for a while, she said somewhat angrily, "Can I say no? My father and mother have already made my future clear to me.
"Father was especially firm. He said in the end he wouldn't force me, but his words implied exactly that. Do they really think I can't understand anything?"
Xu Dezhao became interested and beckoned. "Dejing, sit. Tell your brother in detail. I'll analyze it for you."
Perhaps peers could confide in each other more easily, or perhaps it was because Xu Dezhao usually looked after these younger siblings more and earned their respect and love.
Xu Dejing spoke freely before him, criticizing the Xu Mingyuan couple as she went.
After she finished, Xu Dezhao sighed softly. "Second Uncle and Second Aunt really have put a lot of thought into you."
"Brother Zhao, whose side are you on?"
"Yours, of course." Xu Dezhao smiled. "Of course, you also have to admit that Second Uncle and the others have considered everything thoroughly for you."
"As far as I know, great family daughters are generally as Second Aunt described. Even if well-loved, they can't avoid becoming bargaining chips to win over or show goodwill to other great families.
"Families as open-minded as our Xu family are probably not many."
Xu Dejing looked suspicious. "Brother Zhao, you speak as if you've experienced it yourself."
"Haha, not having experienced it doesn't mean I don't know. Just like you haven't seen a pig run, but haven't you eaten pork?"
Xu Dejing's lips twitched slightly upon hearing this.
Xu Dezhao continued, "Anyway, since Grandfather proposed this matter, Wu Tao will definitely be marrying into our Xu family. If you're unwilling, I'm afraid the other sisters will certainly be willing. Marrying into other great families, how could that be as comfortable as staying in our Xu family?
"Don't you also want to pursue martial arts like Second Aunt?
"In the Xu family, you can. In other great families, most likely it won't go as you wish. After all, your aptitude isn't outstanding either."
Xu Dejing seemed unconvinced and argued, "Though I'm not as good as you and Dewen, I'm not bad either, right? Even your Yang family cousin, I heard he only entered third-rate at fourteen, entered first-rate after sixteen, and hopes to reach innate before twenty."
"How can the Yang family compare to our Xu family?" Xu Dezhao said with some disdain. "If you stay at home and pursue martial arts, you have a chance to become a martial grandmaster in the future. But in the Yang family, even with their full support, your hopes would be slim. Moreover, they wouldn't support you anyway.
"Just look at Cousin Ruiyao and you'll understand. She's only a year younger than you but has just become a martial artist.
"Is it really that her aptitude is worse than yours? Or does the Yang family simply not care whether her martial arts are strong or weak?
"If you don't believe me, you can also ask her about her views on future marriage, then come back and discuss this with me."
After pondering, Xu Dejing said defiantly, "Fine, I'll go. But Big Brother, you come with me."
"You girls chatting about private topics, how can I go with you? Find Deling instead."
Xu Dezhao waved his hands repeatedly, thinking to himself that he was a man with a partner now.
"Alright then."
These past few days, Xu Deling hadn't gone up the mountain but had been cultivating in her room. Hearing that Xu Dejing wanted her to accompany her to ask Yang Ruiyao about something, she thought about it and went with her.
…
West Courtyard.
"Deling, why have you come? Are you here to see your maternal grandfather?" Yang Zhao said with a beaming smile. Seeing Xu Deling, his eyes were full of joy.
"Grandfather, Deling naturally came to see you. Later, I'll also go with Sister Jing to chat with Cousin Ruiyao."
Yang Zhao's heart was as clear as a mirror. He patted her head. "Your grandfather and grandmother are both well. You cousins should interact more."
"Yes, Grandfather."
Xu Deling was very sensible. Coming here, she first visited Yang Zhao and the others, then went to find Yang Ruiyao.
The Yang Shichang couple naturally welcomed them.
"Cousin Deling, this is your Second Uncle's daughter, Dejing, right?"
"Cousin Ruiyao has a good memory." Xu Deling praised. "My Sister Jing came here to chat with you about something."
"Oh? What matter?" Yang Ruiyao looked at Xu Dejing with surprise.
Xu Deling said, "Yesterday, wasn't my big brother's engagement announced? Sister Jing told me that Second Uncle and Second Aunt also seem to have intentions of arranging a marriage for her. She wanted to ask your thoughts."
Xu Dejing nodded. "If you, Ruiyao, were suddenly told of an arranged marriage one day, would you accept or refuse?"
Yang Ruiyao thought for a moment, then said with a smile, "It depends on the person. If he's someone with outstanding talent and character, I'd naturally be willing."
"Why? You two don't even know each other. Would you really be willing to marry like a puppet?"
"Parents' orders and matchmakers' words are naturally proper. Besides, what parents choose is mostly for one's own good. Within great families, apart from one's own parents, the family head also has the authority to arrange marriages for children of various branches and lines. If it really comes to that, it's truly just luck.
"After all, most parents genuinely love their children, but the family head doesn't. Everything depends only on whether it can bring benefits to the family."
Xu Deling was also surprised. "Are there really parents who don't love their children?"
Yang Ruiyao smiled. "Aunt and Uncle naturally love Cousin Deling, but not every family is like this.
"In the commandery city, there are plenty of children who aren't favored by their parents. I've even heard that some children born to unfavored concubines have lower status than some steward servants in the clan, being mistreated everywhere."
"No one intervenes?" Xu Dejing frowned.
"Who told her to be just a concubine who couldn't win the family head's favor?"
"If he doesn't like her, why did he marry her in the first place?"
Yang Ruiyao smiled. "Dejing, you're really naive. Men are creatures who like the new and tire of the old. When they marry, they naturally have some liking, but after some time when they get bored, they naturally toss her aside and ignore her.
"There are plenty of such great family young masters in the commandery city. Though I don't know the details, I often hear about them."
"My parents have few children and dote on both me and my brother. Besides, our Yang family is a major clan, so they definitely won't let me become a concubine."
Yang Ruiyao continued, "The Xu family is developing well, so you probably won't fall to that point either. So Dejing, you don't need to worry too much about this. Just let things take their course."
"What if the maiden family has no power or influence? What should a woman do then?" Xu Dejing asked.
Yang Ruiyao's delicate brows furrowed, not understanding why Xu Dejing would ask this. The Xu family's status and power should both be quite good.
However, after thinking it over, she still answered, "Marriage emphasizes matching family backgrounds. Those without power or influence are best off marrying men of similar standing. If they insist on marrying great family young masters, even if they're extremely beautiful, they'd probably only be concubines.
"After all, though great family men have it somewhat better than us women, most also can't control their own marriages, especially regarding the official wife. Once they reach the appropriate age, candidates are already chosen.
"Concubines are different though.
"Many great family young masters, after being married for several years, will mostly take a few concubines they like to serve them.
"Those less proper might even have one or two bed-warming maids before marriage. As long as no pregnancies occur, it's all considered acceptable."
Yang Ruiyao looked at Xu Deling and asked, "Cousin Deling, I heard the Xu family doesn't have this practice of bed-warming maids?"
Xu Deling smiled and nodded. "Indeed. The elders have strict requirements. They tell us all to maintain our virtue. Besides, we're usually busy with studying and cultivation."
"This is the bearing a true great family should have." Yang Ruiyao praised. "I heard from Mother that the Xu family has extraordinary potential. Reaching our Yang family's level in the next few decades would be normal."
Xu Deling smiled faintly. "Cousin flatters us."
"By the way, Cousin Deling, does Cousin Dewen have a marriage arrangement?"
"My second brother?" Xu Deling was startled for a moment, then smiled. "I usually don't pay much attention to such matters. Second Brother hasn't told me either. But Second Brother's martial talent is extremely strong, so Father and Mother will surely make arrangements."
She looked at Xu Dejing, seeing her eyes full of disappointment with no intention of speaking further. She immediately said, "It's about time. Usually at this hour, I should be cultivating.
"Cousin Ruiyao, I'll come chat with you again next time."
Yang Ruiyao nodded with a smile. "I'll see you out."
Then Xu Deling and Xu Dejing left the west courtyard.