107: Chapter 107 Marriage Choice

Pei Tianlin said with a surprised expression, "Isn't sixteen a bit too early to arrange a marriage?"

"The Old Ancestor has established a new clan policy. Any male in the clan who is not married by sixteen, whether from the direct, collateral, or main line, will have their benefits halved. As the head of the Pei Family, I must take the lead in implementing this to set an example."

"Besides, sixteen isn't young anymore. Settling it early will also allow Pei Sili to contribute his part," explained Pei Tianrong.

At that moment, Pei Tianlin recalled that during the major Family reform two months ago, there indeed was such a rule; he just hadn't paid much attention to it at the time. Now it seemed his good elder brother was intent on carrying it out.

But on second thought, he believed this was a good thing.

A Family's strength is inseparable from its population.

Now was the perfect time for the Family to expand. While the Old Ancestor was still alive and well, the Pei Family had to develop vigorously and encourage more births.

Pei Tianlin said solemnly, "Big Brother, then have you decided which Family Sili should form a marriage alliance with?"

Pei Tianrong said, "The specific Family hasn't been decided yet. The Bai Clan of Jinling, the Wen Clan of Jinhuai, and the Qin Clan of Longnan—I think these three are quite suitable. Once Sili returns, I'll take him to meet them."

Pei Tianlin pondered for a moment and said in a low voice, "Big Brother, forgive my bluntness, but I think we should skip the Bai Clan of Jinling."

Pei Tianrong asked in confusion, "Why?"

"The last time the Bai Clan of Jinling intermarried with our Pei Family was eighty years ago. At that time, a daughter of the Bai main line married Old Ancestor Qingyou, while Old Ancestor Lingwei married into the Bai main line. Ever since Old Ancestor Lingwei passed away, the relationship between the Bai and Pei Clans has grown increasingly distant. In the last ten years, the Bai Clan has only visited once, on Old Ancestor Qingyun's eightieth birthday."

"Especially in recent years, the Bai Clan has grown strong in Jinling, with strength approaching that of a veteran third-rate noble Family. According to the news I've gathered, the Bai Family seems to intend to settle in the commandery city. Furthermore, the Bai Family's daughter of the main line, Bai Ruobing, is not only exceptionally beautiful but also possesses extraordinary talent. At only sixteen, she is already a Late-Stage Divine Strength Martial Artist." Having said this, Pei Tianlin stopped and observed Pei Tianrong's reaction.

His meaning was clear: the Bai Family looked down on the Pei Family, and it was even more impossible for Bai Ruobing to look favorably upon Pei Sili.

The former was merely the Bai Clan's ingrained impression of the Pei Clan.

The Pei Clan had been in decline for years, reaching a point where they were almost failing to produce new talent.

It was normal for the Bai Clan to look down on the Pei Clan of the past.

Of course, things were different now.

With five experts in the Five Viscera Realm, the Pei Family's strength could already be considered that of a veteran third-rate noble Family.

In this regard, they were actually slightly stronger than the Bai Family.

It was just that the Pei Family had risen too quickly, and the Bai Clan might not be fully aware of it yet.

As long as the Pei Family appropriately demonstrated their strength, he believed the Bai Family wouldn't dare to look down on them.

But as for the latter point, Pei Tianlin had hit the nail on the head.

How could Pei Tianrong not be aware of his own Qilin son's talent?

Even within the Pei Family's younger generation, he wasn't the absolute best. It was only because Pei Sili was the sole son of the main line that he enjoyed the most resources.

That was why he was the strongest among his peers.

But even so, Pei Sili was only at the Early Stage of Divine Power.

There were only two minor stages between the Early Stage and Late Stage of Divine Power, but given Pei Sili's talent, it would likely take several more years of normal cultivation.

Thinking of this, Pei Tianrong had to admit it.

Given Bai Ruobing's appearance and talent, she truly wouldn't think much of his Qilin son.

Although the Pei Family wouldn't necessarily be humiliated if they visited, Pei Tianrong didn't want this predictable outcome to occur.

Pei Tianrong's expression remained unchanged as he said slowly, "Tianlin, you are indeed thoughtful. I'll listen to you; we won't go to the Bai Family of Jinling."

"Besides the Wen Clan of Jinhuai and the Qin Clan of Longnan, if you think any other Family has a suitable daughter of marriageable age from the main line, you can also help me screen them."

Hearing this, Pei Tianlin fell into thought.

After a moment of silence, Pei Tianlin spoke, "Now that you mention it, Big Brother, I remember someone. The daughter of the Qi Family main line from Huai River, Qi Yanran, just turned fifteen this year. She's exactly one year younger than Sili and is also practicing martial arts at Kaiyuan Academy."

"However, the Qi Family is only an ordinary third-rate noble Family, so there's still a gap between them and our Pei Family. But that Qi girl is very good; her looks and talent are beyond reproach. I met her once last year, and she definitely has the temperament of a primary wife for the Pei Family. If she weren't a daughter of the Qi main line who must marry into another main line, she would have been a perfect match for my Siping."

Pei Tianrong rolled his eyes and laughed, "Tianlin, you're joking with me. Your Siping is only twelve years old, still wet behind the ears, and yet he wants to marry a daughter of the Qi main line?"

"They say a wife three years older is like a gold brick. If Qi Zhongyin is willing to marry the girl Qi Yanran to my Siheng, what's the harm in waiting a few more years?" Pei Tianlin said seriously.

Pei Tianrong took a sip of tea and chuckled, "Fine, fine, since you've said so, how can I not believe you? The end of the year is approaching. Tianlin, find a time to meet with Qi Zhongyin and see if he's interested. If he agrees, our two families will pick a time for the children to meet. If it's a good match, we'll settle it right then."

"Then it's settled. Tomorrow, I'll make a trip to Huai River. Big Brother, you just wait at home for my good news," said Pei Tianlin.

...

Kaiyuan Academy.

As time passed, the news of the trade route to Wuyang County being opened also reached Pei Sili's ears.

Upon receiving the news, Pei Sili was in a very good mood. Even while walking, he unconsciously hummed a little tune.

Over the past six months, his pockets had gradually become empty.

If he hadn't hidden some private savings, he would have been left with nothing to eat.

But that wasn't what bothered him the most.

The most painful thing was that in this academy, he had become the bottom of the class.

As the worst student, the academy's martial arts teacher naturally used him as a typical example.

After every minor exam, he was inevitably singled out as a "model."

In contrast, life in the Pei Family was simply paradise. As the son of the main line, he was the strongest among his peers.

In the eyes of his younger siblings, he was an absolute authority.

The big boss among the children.

Faced with such a contrast, anyone would know which to choose.

Every day he spent at the academy, he thought about going home.

However, because of the trade route blockade, he had been unable to fulfill this wish.

Now that the trade route was open, he had to find a reason to go home.

Just as Pei Sili was pondering what excuse to use for requesting leave, a voice broke his contemplation.

"Young Lord, the Family Head has sent a letter for me to deliver to you," said a man wearing a long robe.

Pei Sili looked up and said softly, "Uncle Lei, thank you for your hard work."

Taking the letter, Pei Sili read it carefully.

If he had been trying every possible way to go home before reading the letter, then after seeing its contents, his heart sank to rock bottom.