202: Chapter 202 Under the Pavilion

Over the past few days, Su Xinyao and Su Xinyue had finished reviewing the portraits and information of their potential marriage partners.

Among these candidates, the two residing locally in Qingyuan naturally received more of their attention.

The Cheng Family's daughter, Cheng Jianzhu, and Chu Yebai from the Su Clan Martial Arts Hall.

The siblings used the Insight Array set up by the Family to observe the daily conduct and private dealings of the two.

The final result was as Su Yang expected: Su Xinyao chose Cheng Jianzhu, and Su Xinyue chose Chu Yebai.

This was partly due to Su Yang and Qin Jiangmei's preference for these two, but also because both were in Qingyuan, making it easier to observe their character.

The other candidates were far away in the Yunmeng Ruins, making it impossible for the siblings to judge their true character; they also knew the atmosphere among Cultivators in the Yunmeng Ruins was vastly different from the Su Family.

Most Cultivators there had complex motives and unpredictable characters, often acting one way in public and another in private.

Since there were reliable options right before them, why go far afield to gamble on the character of a stranger thousands of miles away?

Thus, the marriage candidates were temporarily decided. Today's gathering at the Su Residence's Ting Lake was intended for the Juniors to get to know each other better.

Seven figures sat around the pavilion.

Su Yang and Qin Jiangmei sat in the primary seats, flanked by Su Xuanheng and Wei Yan, who had rarely set aside their Cultivation.

Then there were the protagonists of this gathering, Su Xinyao and Su Xinyue.

Also present was a beautiful girl with an elegant temperament and a composed expression—Cheng Jianzhu of the Cheng Family.

Led by Ji Ya, Chu Yebai arrived at the pavilion, his gaze immediately falling upon Qin Jiangmei in the primary seat.

It was Madam Su!

Chu Yebai instantly recognized her as the benefactor who had taken him and his sister in when they first arrived in Qingyuan!

His heart tightened slightly as he turned his gaze to the other side of the primary seat.

The identity of the young man in green robes accompanied by Madam Su was self-evident.

Chu Yebai immediately straightened his posture and bowed deeply and respectfully: "Junior Chu Yebai pays respects to Patriarch Su and Madam Su."

"Come and sit, there is no need for restraint."

Su Yang waved with a smile, signaling Chu Yebai to join them.

Flattered and overwhelmed, Chu Yebai first glanced at Qin Jiangmei.

Seeing her smile and nod, he only then dared to sit in an empty seat, looking somewhat stiff.

At this moment, among everyone in the pavilion, he was the only one who did not know the true purpose of this gathering.

"I invited you young people here today so you could get to know each other, learn about each other's different lives and experiences, and see what our Su Family is like on a daily basis."

Su Yang's tone was cordial, carrying a power that naturally calmed the mind.

As the conversation unfolded, even the usually taciturn Su Xuanheng occasionally chipped in.

Chu Yebai was the only Martial Artist present and had expected to find it hard to fit in. To his surprise, the conversation flowed from daily interests to Cultivation anecdotes, then from Cultivation insights to the path of Body Refining, and finally settled on a discussion about martial arts and the future of the Martial Dao.

When it came to the Martial Dao, Chu Yebai could no longer remain silent.

He joined the conversation, and to his surprise, the Cultivators present showed no sign of disdain or contempt. Instead, they were quite interested in what he had to say and continued the discussion based on his views.

This instantly gave Chu Yebai a whole new perception of the Su family members.

The conversation grew more lively, and the atmosphere became harmonious.

At some point, Su Yang and Qin Jiangmei had quietly left the table without anyone noticing.

It wasn't until Su Xuanheng and Wei Yan stood up, saying they were going to Cultivate, that the several young people suddenly realized they had been chatting for a long time, and the Patriarch and Madam were no longer in the pavilion.

Outside the pavilion, the lake shimmered, and Seven-Colored Treasure Fish darted beneath the surface like flowing neon.

Now, only the four of them remained in the pavilion.

The conversation gradually shifted to Su Xinyao and Cheng Jianzhu. Su Xinyue remained seated quietly to the side with a cool expression, while Chu Yebai, having lowered his guard, revealed a bit of simple-minded dullness.

However, after a long talk, the atmosphere among the four was quite good, and their first meeting was harmonious.

As the gathering dispersed, Cheng Jianzhu bid everyone farewell with perfect etiquette and returned to the Cheng Family with light steps.

Chu Yebai stood in place, somewhat at a loss, unsure whether he should leave directly or go find the Patriarch.

Just then, Su Xinyue, who had been silent, suddenly spoke. Her voice was as cool as a spring, yet her tone was calm:

"Brother Chu, Grandfather said that after the gathering, I should take you to see him. Follow me."

Although Su Xinyue appeared cold, Chu Yebai could vaguely sense that she was a girl who was cold on the outside but warm on the inside.

He nodded somewhat dully and followed silently behind her.

Su Xinyue did not lead him deep into the Inner Courtyard, but instead took him directly out of the Su Residence gates, along a quiet path, and all the way to a hill on the edge of the market.

The view from the hill was wide, offering a panoramic view of the entire Qingyuan Market.

Amidst the wind and snow, the market was still bustling with carriages and horses, lights intertwining. A thick sense of mundane life mingled with the unique excitement of a Cultivation Market, showing vibrant vitality in the cold wind.

Su Yang stood at the edge of the hill with his hands behind his back, quietly gazing at the Qingyuan Market. The falling snow melted silently around him, as if blocked by an invisible barrier.

After Chu Yebai was brought there, Su Xinyue gave him a slight nod and then turned to leave quietly, leaving the peaceful space to the two of them.

Chu Yebai understood in his heart that the Patriarch had something to discuss with him. He took a deep breath, calmed his mind, and stepped closer.

"Patriarch Su..."

As soon as he spoke, he was gently interrupted by Su Yang.

"I know you have many questions in your heart."

Su Yang turned around, a warm smile on his face and clarity in his eyes as he looked at him, getting straight to the point:

"Today's gathering was actually a Blind Date. My granddaughter chose you from many candidates. I wonder, after the conversation just now, what is your opinion of her?"

These sudden and blunt words caused Chu Yebai to freeze instantly. He even doubted if something was wrong with his ears.

Today was a Blind Date?!

Did the Patriarch's granddaughter refer to Young Miss Su Xinyue, who had just led him here?!

Chu Yebai's heart seemed to skip a beat. He tried to suppress the shock and panic in his heart, his mind a mess.

He subconsciously cupped his hands in a salute, his voice slightly dry from nervousness: "The Patriarch's words... really leave this Junior unable to recover for a moment. Regarding Young Miss Su, I..."

At this point, he was suddenly at a loss for words.

Chu Yebai recalled the interactions and conversations of the day. He didn't dislike Su Xinyue; although she didn't speak much, she wasn't arrogant. Her words revealed good upbringing and extraordinary insight, even making him feel she was a very good girl.

But she was the precious Young Miss of the Su Family!

He was just a Mortal Martial Artist with no Spiritual Root, stalled at the level of a Martial Arts Grandmaster. What right did he have to dare hope to marry such a woman?

Could it be a prank? But how could a figure like the Su Clan Patriarch play such a pointless joke on him?

Just as his thoughts were in turmoil, a broad, warm palm lightly landed on his shoulder.

Chu Yebai snapped back to his senses, only to find Su Yang standing before him, looking at him with a beaming smile.

"Don't get it wrong," Su Yang's voice remained gentle, yet carried an unmistakable clarity. "It is you marrying into the Su Family, not Xinyue marrying out to you."

"Of course, the Su Family treats a Live-in son-in-law no differently than any other son-in-law. We will never mistreat you, but you must also never mistreat Xinyue."

He paused. Although the smile on his face didn't change, his eyes held a bit more depth, and his words took on a hint of warning.

"If you don't feel repulsed in your heart, then interact with her more and get to know her. If you don't like her, you must answer honestly. Do not be vague and waste my granddaughter's time for nothing."

He allowed Chu Yebai to refuse, but he would never allow anyone to treat the Su Family's pearl with neglect or exploitative intentions.