Chapter 62: Liu Qing'er’s Idea

Frankly, Wang Mingyuan and Wang Mingzhi were very pleased to learn that the Lin family patriarch's only son wanted to marry Wang Changxue.

The Lin family had allied themselves with the powerful Zixiao Sect and were under the protection of True Immortal Yunxiao, giving them excellent prospects for development. Such an in-law relationship would also benefit the Wang family's own progress.

However, their expressions darkened considerably when they learned it was for a 'co-wife' position.

A 'co-wife' position, while sounding agreeable, was practically no different from that of a concubine. Marrying his daughter off as someone's concubine was something Wang Mingzhi simply could not do.

Wang Changxue was respectful to elders, caring towards juniors, honored the old and cherished the young, and was diligently hardworking. The entire Wang family held her in high regard. If Wang Mingyuan were to marry Wang Changxue to Lin Yuting solely for the sake of the family's future development, it would undoubtedly alienate the clan members.

Of course, Wang Mingyuan would never do such a thing.

One must remember that Wang Changfeng, who possessed the best aptitude in the Wang family and had the highest hopes of reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, was Wang Changxue's elder brother.

The Wang family was cultivating Wang Changfeng as a future Foundation Establishment cultivator. If Wang Changxue were to be betrothed to Lin Yuting, there was a risk that Wang Changfeng might harbor resentment and become estranged from the family. Although the Wang family was not a prominent clan, they would not stoop to selling their daughter.

If this matter had arisen before, Wang Mingyuan would have rejected it without hesitation. But now, the Lin family had become in-laws with True Immortal Yunxiao, and their future prospects were excellent. A direct refusal would certainly offend them.

The Lin family had just announced Lin Yuxin's engagement. If the Wang family were to immediately reject their proposal, wouldn't that be a slap in the Lin family's face? The Lin family certainly wouldn't let it go.

Wang Mingyuan felt extremely troubled. He was sleepless all night and had no appetite for breakfast.

Wang Changsheng frowned. He had never imagined that the Lin family would send someone to propose, and for Lin Yuting, of all people—a notorious philanderer. Wasn't this pushing his second sister, Wang Changxue, into a pit of fire?

"Father, Eldest Uncle," he said, "we cannot marry Second Sister to him. Lin Yuting is a womanizer; I've seen it with my own eyes."

Wang Changsheng recounted what had happened during the Tianhe Minor Assembly. He certainly did not want his second sister to marry such a man.

After listening to Wang Changsheng, Wang Mingyuan and Wang Mingzhi's expressions grew even grimmer. It now seemed that they could not agree to this marriage, whether it was for a co-wife or a principal wife. However, a direct refusal would likely provoke the Lin family's wrath.

"Father, Eldest Uncle," Wang Changsheng suggested after a moment's thought, "how about we say Second Sister is already betrothed? That should discourage Lin Yuting. Over time, he will probably forget about it."

Wang Mingyuan shook his head and explained, "The Lin family sent Lin Haisheng. He is the Lin family patriarch's third brother. As soon as he sat down, he asked your Eldest Uncle if Changxue was already betrothed. Your Eldest Uncle didn't think much of it and truthfully said no."

"It's all my fault; I was blinded by foolishness," Wang Mingzhi said, his face filled with self-reproach. "I just thought it was a Lin family descendant, so I answered truthfully. But I never imagined it would be that good-for-nothing Lin Yuting. It's all my fault." His wife, before her death, had repeatedly urged him to find a good marriage for Wang Changxue and ensure she would not be wronged. Knowing Lin Yuting's womanizing nature, he could never agree to betroth Wang Changxue to him. However, the Wang family could not afford to offend the Lin family now.

"Eldest Brother, this isn't your fault," Wang Mingyuan said. "You didn't know Lin Haisheng was proposing on behalf of Lin Yuting. How about this: we say you are gravely ill, at death's door, and Changxue cannot bear to leave your side and wishes to stay to care for you..." Wang Mingyuan paused mid-sentence. This excuse was full of holes. Wang Mingzhi had just had a drink with Lin Haisheng yesterday; if he were to fall critically ill a day later, it would be treating the Lin family as fools. The Lin family would never let it go.

"Father, Third Uncle, you don't have to be troubled anymore," Wang Changxue's voice suddenly rang out. "I'll marry him."

Wang Changsheng turned to look, and saw Wang Changxue walking in quickly, with a determined expression.

"Changxue, why are you here?"

"You didn't return home last night," Wang Changxue said, her eyes red. "I guessed you were here with Third Uncle, and I came to ask you to return for breakfast. Father, Third Uncle, we cannot afford to offend the Lin family. I am willing to marry Lin Yuting. Your daughter won't be able to serve you by your bedside in the future. Please take good care of your health."

She didn't want to burden the family because of herself, nor did she want to put her father and Third Uncle in a difficult position. She intended to sacrifice herself for the sake of the entire clan.

"Oh, do you know what kind of person Lin Yuting is?" Wang Mingzhi sighed, tears uncontrollably streaming down his cheeks. "Your mother, on her deathbed, held my hand and repeatedly urged me to find you a good marriage and never let you be wronged. Lin Yuting is a known philanderer. If I let you marry him, how will I face your mother in the afterlife?"

Wang Changxue forced a smile onto her face and consoled herself, "Father, your daughter will marry sooner or later. Does it matter who it is? At least Lin Yuting is the Lin family patriarch's only son, and his status is noble. Marrying him isn't really a great hardship. At worst, your daughter will just turn a blind eye in the future."

Wang Mingyuan waved his hand, saying sternly, "Changxue, don't say another word. Third Uncle will not let you marry Lin Yuting. Third Uncle cannot stand by and watch you jump into a pit of fire. Knowing Lin Yuting is a womanizer, if I still let you marry him, what face would I have to be the family patriarch? What face would I have to face the family's ancestors in the afterlife? This would be selling my daughter for personal gain, and I, Wang Mingyuan, cannot do it."

Wang Changsheng's brow was furrowed in thought, his mind racing. Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he said, "Father, I've thought of a good solution. Perhaps Second Sister won't have to marry Lin Yuting."

"What is it? Tell us quickly." Wang Mingyuan urged, while Wang Mingzhi and Wang Changxue looked at Wang Changsheng with eager anticipation.

"We can agree to this marriage," Wang Changsheng explained. "Then, on the wedding day, we send people to intercept Second Sister halfway and take her away. That way, the Lin family should have nothing to say. There are examples of this in the mortal world."

"Ah, that's a terrible idea!" Wang Mingyuan waved his hand, dismissing the suggestion. "If the Lin family sends a Foundation Establishment cultivator to escort her, can you really snatch Changxue back? Even if you could take Changxue, would the Lin family just let it go? If they trace it back to us afterward, the disaster would be even greater. This method won't work."

"That's right! Your idea won't work."

Just then, Liu Qing'er walked in. Seeing the four of them with troubled expressions, she frowned and asked, "What are you talking about? Why do you all look so gloomy?"

Wang Changsheng truthfully recounted the entire situation. Liu Qing'er listened, then chuckled softly, and said to Wang Mingyuan, "Yuan Ge, do you remember? Father-in-law initially disapproved of our marriage and confined you. You wanted to escape and elope with me. If Changxue were to elope with someone, the Lin family certainly couldn't object, could they? However, this would be hard on Changxue. She wouldn't be able to return to the family for a while, her reputation would be ruined, and it would be difficult for her to marry in the future."

"That's a good idea!" Wang Mingzhi's eyes lit up, and he said with some excitement. "Compared to Changxue's lifelong happiness, reputation is nothing. Changxue, what do you think?"

Wang Changxue was somewhat moved, but then she remembered something, shook her head, and said, "Lin Haisheng might not believe that excuse. The Lin family aren't fools; they'll certainly see we're making excuses. Father, Third Uncle, please just let me marry him! I don't want to drag the family down. At worst, your daughter will just turn a blind eye in the future."

Wang Mingyuan waved his hand, saying sternly, "Changxue, I am the patriarch; what I say goes. Eldest Brother, let's go find Second Uncle and ask for his opinion. Changxue, you stay here. Don't run around until your father and I return. Changsheng, keep an eye on your Second Sister. Don't let her do anything foolish."