"Xueji, I must say a few words in Li Zhi's defense."
Xu Mingxuan suddenly spoke up, "Li Zhi's martial Dao talent is actually quite good. He grew up with us, his age is appropriate, he's still unmarried, and we know him thoroughly."
"Eh, why does it feel more and more suitable the more I say?"
Xu Mingyuan pondered briefly, "It seems in the entire commandery city, aside from us few brothers, only Li Zhi can barely match you."
"Second brother, third brother, neither of you will help me?" Xu Mingshu stamped her feet in anger.
"Could it be that Xueji, you mind that he was once our family's servant?" Xu Mingxuan frowned, "That would be wrong of you. Father often teaches us not to judge people by their status."
"Moreover, he's your third brother's good buddy."
"Of course not." Xu Mingshu shook her head, "How should I say it? Li Zhi is very good, but he's not what I like?"
"Liking is actually a very complex matter." Xu Mingyuan sighed, "Look at me and your third brother. Before marriage, we'd only met our wives once or twice, yet now aren't our feelings deep?"
"Cease such nonsense!" Xu Mingwei slammed down the bronze paperweight on his desk, his voice like a great bell, "We share the same bloodline. How can it be conflated!"
"But I've always regarded Li Zhi as an elder brother!" Not only was Xu Mingshu unafraid, she stepped forward, the silver hairpin by her temple trembling lightly.
"If that's the case, then it's truly difficult to force." Xu Mingxuan looked at Xu Mingwei, "Eldest brother, why don't you talk to Mother later and have her change a husband for Xueji?"
"Alright then." Xu Mingwei glanced at Xu Mingshu's expression and sighed deeply.
"Since I'm to choose a husband, I have requirements." Xu Mingshu said, "First, my husband must surpass me in ability."
"Second, he must have eldest brother's deep affection and Father's wisdom."
"I won't ask for more. After all, our Xu family doesn't value the other party's family background or wealth."
After speaking, all three men's faces darkened like ink.
Xu Mingwei's finger joints gripping the table edge turned white. It seemed turbid qi surged in his throat, leaving him momentarily speechless.
"Throughout all of Qingjiang and neighboring counties, is there an innate realm perfect martial artist your age?" Xu Mingwei's voice was like a broken gong, "As for affection, you haven't even married yet. How can there be deep feelings? Do you expect to court for three to five years first?"
The more he spoke, the angrier he became. The jade belt buckle at his waist struck the desk with tinkling sounds.
"You may be able to wait, but Mother can't!"
"Furthermore, with your pampered young miss temperament, even if there were someone well-matched, why would they suffer marrying someone who doesn't know propriety?"
"Wouldn't it be far better to find a refined young lady who can support her husband and teach children?"
Xu Mingshu stamped her foot to argue, but was sternly interrupted by Xu Mingwei.
"Even if such a person truly existed, would you dare marry him? He'd only be after our Xu family's wealth, power, and connections!"
"Such a utilitarian person, even if you wanted to marry, I would never agree!"
"If there isn't such a person, then I won't marry!"
Xu Mingshu took a deep breath, her eyes looking directly at Xu Mingwei without the slightest retreat.
"Even when Father returns, these will be my words!"
As her words fell, Xu Mingshu directly stormed out angrily, leaving the three brothers looking at each other, all with worried expressions.
Xu Mingyuan sighed, "Eldest brother, Father also said he has his own plans for Xueji's marriage."
"In the surrounding counties, not one person is worthy of Xu Mingshu. Even in the commandery city it's the same. At twenty-three, she's just one step away from innate realm perfect. Even in fifth or sixth-rank martial Dao families, there are only one or two such people."
"Could it be you want Father to find a disciple from a Qi Refining family for a marriage alliance?"
Xu Mingwei's words were deafening.
"Father probably wouldn't go that far." Xu Mingxuan said, "He previously said that Xueji would only take in a son-in-law, never marry out."
"Then let her be alone for life?" Xu Mingwei sighed deeply, "No wonder Mother says Father's heart is actually very hard."
"Forget it, eldest brother. Let's just let Xueji be." Xu Mingyuan's eyes flickered, seemingly thoughtful, "Perhaps if she can't find someone suitable, she'd rather spend the rest of her life alone."
"As for loneliness?" He grinned again, "We brothers plus Father will all accompany her. How could we let her fall to such a state?"
"As for Mother, her horizons are ultimately limited. Though she means well for Xueji, I believe Father also wouldn't harm Xueji. In any case, I definitely trust Father more."
"Without Father's strategic planning, we wouldn't have our current Xu family."
"Alright." Xu Mingwei nodded slightly, unable to refute.
"Eldest brother, as for Mother's side... I'll also trouble you to persuade her. After all, you're the family head."
As Xu Mingyuan spoke, he was already walking toward the door, leaving only his voice drifting in from outside.
Xu Mingxuan was also clever. Silent, he followed closely behind.
"A bunch of heartless ones, leaving all the difficult matters for me to handle."
After all, Bai Jing was their mother. As her sons, Xu Mingwei and the others couldn't be harsh with her. Moreover, she didn't practice martial arts like them, and her body was increasingly aging.
That afternoon, Xu Mingwei went to Questioning Heart Courtyard to relay Xu Mingshu's words to Bai Jing.
After much cajoling, Xu Mingwei ultimately threw all the problems onto the distant Xu Chuan.
"Alas, your father is unconventional, and those he teaches are all the same. Forget it. Let's discuss everything after your father returns."
Bai Jing waved her hand, hidden anger in her voice, "I'm tired. You may go."
She gazed at the swaying bamboo shadows outside the window, then suddenly added, "Go back and tell Xueji that if one day her father uses her as a chess piece for a marriage alliance, marrying her to a prominent family, she shouldn't come crying to me."
"Mother, don't be angry." Xu Mingwei's face was full of bitterness. Seeing she had no intention of turning to look at him, he cupped his hands, "Please take good care of yourself. This child will take his leave first."
After Xu Mingwei left, Ah Li by Bai Jing's side also said helplessly, "Old Madam, why must you be angry with the family head and them? You should be enjoying your blessings at this age."
"Ah Li, I've enjoyed blessings my entire life." As Bai Jing spoke, a trace of a smile appeared at the corners of her mouth.
"Sometimes I feel I'm the most blessed woman under heaven."
Bai Jing said slowly, "I can't accompany these children for much longer. I just want to do more for them before I leave."
…
Xu Mingwei felt depressed and went to Snow Dwelling Courtyard to admonish Xu Mingshu, "Go to the Jade Cold Pool for quiet cultivation for a period. Don't wander in front of Mother."
"Did you persuade Mother?" Xu Mingshu's eyes brightened, her skirt hem sweeping over the blue stone steps, "I knew eldest brother cherishes Xueji most!"
After speaking, she curtsied. The silver hairpin in her hair trembled lightly with the movement, "I'll go up the mountain immediately and will definitely break through to innate realm perfect soon!"
"Little White!"
As her words just fell, a white tiger with crimson-gold pupils leaped out from another place, landing before Xu Mingshu.
Roar~
"Come, let's go to the Jade Cold Pool and see if the Black Iron Fruits have ripened."
The white tiger's eyes lit up with brilliant light, excitedly letting out another soft roar.
Xu Mingshu mounted the tiger's back and lightly patted it.
The white tiger, familiar with the route, immediately sprinted toward the outside of the Xu residence.
Seeing the smile blooming like flowers on her face, Xu Mingwei suddenly felt the depression in his heart dissipate like smoke.
"Forget it. Perhaps this is more suitable for Xueji."