Chapter 63: Marriage Proposal
Chapter 63: Chapter 63: Marriage Proposal
The twelfth lunar month.
A cold wind swept across the Lingxi, swirling up withered leaves.
Inside, the charcoal brazier burned brightly, filling the room with a pleasant warmth.
Song Ying was holding their fourth son, Shoujing, softly humming a nursery rhyme.
The little one had just turned one. He couldn’t walk yet, but he gurgled and cooed, his little feet constantly kicking restlessly, as if he wanted to get down and walk.
Chen Li pushed the door open and came in, bringing a gust of cold air with him.
"Come, let Daddy hold you!"
He smiled and took his youngest son from his wife’s arms. Using his Qi Strength to support the boy from a distance, he encouraged him to walk, but the child was so frightened that he burst into tears, sitting on the floor and refusing to move.
Song Ying hurried over to pick up the child, chiding him affectionately, "You! The boy is still so young. How can he handle you scaring him like that?"
Chen Li chuckled and teased the little one for a moment before saying, "Ying’Er, I want to discuss something with you about Shouye."
Hearing this, Song Ying’s eyes filled with concern. "Shouye? What’s wrong? Did he get into trouble at the martial arts hall?"
Her tone carried the unique worry of a mother.
A smile touched Chen Li’s lips. "Not trouble, good news. A few days ago, I went to Jingshan County Town and stopped by the Kao Mountain Martial Arts Hall. I saw our son, Shouye. And guess what? Master Li’s younger daughter, Miss Jinru, the one who studies medicine, seems to be taking quite good care of him. I saw the two of them talking in the courtyard, and Shouye actually had a smile on his face. A rare sight indeed."
Song Ying’s eyes widened in pleasant surprise. "Really? With Shouye’s personality, you can’t get a word out of him most days. A young lady is actually interested in him?"
Chen Li nodded. "I think Shouye has feelings for her too. I made some inquiries; the young lady is kind-hearted and skilled in medicine. Most importantly, I saw the way Shouye looks at her. It’s different. He’s so introverted. If he could marry a considerate girl who understands him, it would be a wonderful match."
"This is wonderful news!"
Joy filled Song Ying’s face, but then her brow furrowed slightly. "But... what about Shouheng? He’s three years older than Shouye, and I’ve yet to see him show interest in any girl. We can’t just let his marriage prospects drag on, can we? As his father, you need to worry about him too."
Chen Li gently patted his wife’s arm, comforting her. "Marriages are destined. You can’t force them. Besides, it’s not a bad thing for a martial artist to marry later in life. As for Shouye’s match, however, I think we need to act quickly."
"What do you mean?"
Song Ying asked, puzzled.
Chen Li said, "The girl has reached a marriageable age. If we don’t hurry, I’m afraid another family will snatch her up."
Song Ying grew anxious at once. "Then we can’t delay! That boy of ours is so withdrawn. It’s rare for him to find someone he connects with. We must settle this matter quickly."
Chen Li mused, "I plan to go to the county town in two days, purchase some proper gifts, and personally go to the Kao Mountain Martial Arts Hall to propose the marriage to Master Li."
Song Ying nodded repeatedly. "That’s exactly what you should do."
「Two days later.」
Chen Li summoned Zhao Gui and two other long-term workers. The group set off for the county town early in the morning with an ox-cart.
The new year was approaching.
In Jingshan County Town, the marketplace was teeming with people. Crowds jostled shoulder to shoulder, buying goods for the new year. The cries of various vendors filled the air, and the entire area buzzed with a festive, boisterous atmosphere.
Chen Li, knowing his way around, first walked into a medicine shop he frequented and carefully selected many superior-quality medicinal herbs.
He had been purchasing from this place for years and was well-acquainted with the shopkeeper. Seeing a regular customer, the shopkeeper was especially attentive, not only recommending several precious and well-preserved medicines but also personally wrapping each one carefully in oiled paper and tying them up neatly and securely.
Afterward, Chen Li visited the Silk Shop, a tea merchant, and a wine shop in succession, purchasing a variety of respectable gifts.
Lastly, he didn’t forget to visit the most famous pastry shop in the county town. He chose several exquisitely made pastries and had them specially wrapped in auspicious red paper to show the gravity of the occasion.
The ox-cart was soon filled to the brim. Chen Li inspected everything carefully one last time, confirming that all propriety had been observed, before instructing the driver to head to the Kao Mountain Martial Arts Hall.
The doorman at the Kao Mountain Martial Arts Hall recognized Chen Li. Seeing him arrive with such generous gifts, he didn’t dare to be neglectful and quickly welcomed Chen Li into the hall.
Shouye, who was in the middle of training, was surprised to see his father arrive with so many gifts. He couldn’t help but ask, "Father, what are you doing here?"
Chen Li chuckled. "For the most important event of your life, of course."
"Ah..." Hearing this, a rare blush instantly flooded Shouye’s face. He was suddenly at a loss for words, stammering and unable to speak.
Shortly after they sat down in the main hall of the martial arts school, Master Li Weikun arrived, having heard the news.
"Younger Brother Chen." Li Weikun was dressed in practical martial arts attire. His gaze swept over the stacked gifts, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
Chen Li stood up with a smile to greet him. "These past few years, Shouye has been fortunate to receive Master Li’s dedicated instruction."
"Shouye has a steady temperament and isn’t afraid of hard work. He’s a good prospect." Li Weikun nodded, clearly holding his disciple in high regard.
Li Weikun was a man of few words, and he spoke his mind directly.
After the two exchanged pleasantries for a moment, Chen Li put down his teacup and got straight to the point. "Master Li, I have come unannounced today because there is a matter I wish to request of you."
"Feel free to speak." Li Weikun’s expression also grew serious.
Chen Li stood up and bowed with his hands clasped. "My son, Shouye, has been fortunate enough to be accepted as your disciple and receive your dedicated instruction. He has developed deep feelings for your younger daughter, Miss Jinru, and thinks of her day and night. Today, I have come with a brazen request: to ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage for my son. I hope you will grant us this wish."
With that, he presented a gift list, meticulously written in regular script.
Li Weikun was taken aback. He accepted the gift list and glanced over it. The items listed were indeed generous, a clear sign of sincerity.
He did not answer immediately. Instead, he fell into thought, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest of the mahogany chair. The atmosphere in the hall grew tense.
Chen Li did not press him, simply waiting patiently.
He understood that marrying off a daughter was a major life event, and Li Weikun needed time to weigh his options.
After a good while, Li Weikun finally looked up at Chen Li. "Shouye... I think highly of him. If Jinru can marry into the Chen Family, it would be her good fortune."
Chen Li’s heart relaxed, and he was about to express his thanks when Li Weikun’s tone shifted. "But, as parents, we always hope for our children to have a good future. Therefore, while I agree to this marriage in principle, I have two conditions."
"Please state them, Master Li." Chen Li’s expression remained unchanged.
Li Weikun stated his requirements crisply. "First, within five years, Shouye must reach Blood Refining Perfection. Only then can he formally marry her."
Chen Li immediately nodded in agreement. "Done."
Shouye had already achieved Marrow Refining Cultivation Great Success. With the support of his family’s Medicinal Cuisine and the Dragon Blood Bodhi Heart, reaching Blood Refining Perfection in five years would not be difficult.
"Second..."
Li Weikun’s gaze sharpened. "As for the betrothal gift, I don’t need those worldly possessions. I only want one thing: the recipe for the medicated ointment Shouye uses."
"The recipe?"
Chen Li’s expression changed slightly, his gaze instantly turning sharp as he stared directly at the other man.
Li Weikun looked slightly awkward, and uncharacteristically offered a lengthy explanation. "Younger Brother Chen, please don’t misunderstand. That girl, Jinru, is very observant. When she was helping Shouye change his dressings, she noticed that the medicated ointment he used was different in smell and color from our hall’s Southern Border White Medicine Ointment. Its effects were also far superior. She knows a little about pharmacology and mentioned it to me once..."