novelraw Chapter 721 - Capítulo 721: 705: Si Family Owns a Mine, News of the Draft Selection
Chapter 721 - Capítulo 721: 705: Si Family Owns a Mine, News of the Draft Selection
Capítulo 721: Chapter 705: Si Family Owns a Mine, News of the Draft Selection
Hei Sha grimaced with a bruised face, drawing circles at the corner of the wall, cursing that violent monster which showed him no respect at all. How could he maintain any semblance of handsomeness in front of the Little Fairy after such a beating?
A bird with colorful feathers flew over and circled around him twice, chirping noisily, then spread its wings over his head, and loosened its bowels.
Plop.
A dollop of white bird droppings landed on his head.
Hei Sha stiffened, reached up to touch it, and roared, “You damn bird!”
He charged forward, transforming into a bear-like creature just as in the Black Desert, and lunged at the bird.
Chirp chirp chirp.
The Colorful Bird screamed in fright, terrified by the man-turned-bear!
Si Lengyue watched Hei Sha turn into a bear, then turned towards Qin Liuxi: “Is he a demon?”
“He is a Mountain Spirit, a simpleton lacking in wit,” Qin Liuxi said with a look of disgust, yet without malice. “Calling him stupid because he’s obstinately sticking to being a bear – though he could transform into anything, why can he not turn into a bird to chase after it? Foolish to death!”
Si Lengyue watched him clumsily chase after the Colorful Bird and snickered, “Being in your company, he must have some merits.”
“That, he really doesn’t. It was just a whim,” Qin Liuxi laughed sheepishly, then asked, “How have you been lately? Your father mentioned you’ve been engrossed in practicing witchcraft this past half year.”
“You met my father?”
“I first visited Qinglan Temple. He was staying there by coincidence and mentioned that you had been conducting a Daoist ritual there a few days ago.”
Si Lengyue explained, “It was my mother’s death anniversary; we hold rituals for her every year. But what brought you to Qinglan Temple?”
As she queried, she handed over a cup of flower tea she had prepared, with petals and a date floating and blooming in it, exuding a pleasant fragrance, very appealing to the eye.
Qin Liuxi accepted and complimented, “The tea is good, and the fragrance is nice, as beautiful as the person offering it.”
Si Lengyue’s cheeks warmed slightly, and she playfully glared at him.
Qin Liuxi took a gentle sip, savoring the lingering floral scent which refreshed his palate, and smiled with contentment, “Tasty. No wonder your father asked me earnestly to persuade you to find a man and have a child soon. It’s a waste not to pass down such excellence in someone like you.”
Si Lengyue laughed helplessly, “How did you end up on this topic? My father even bothered you with this?”
Qin Liuxi sighed, “Uncle Si is truly the most open-minded father I’ve encountered. He said it doesn’t matter whether you marry or not; you need to find someone to continue the bloodline, he even suggested a group venture for having children.”
“Huh?”
Qin Liuxi set down the tea cup and imitated Si Tu’s look of earnest distress and sincerity as he spoke, repeating verbatim what he had said.
Si Lengyue couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
It was indeed something her naive father would do.
After their laughter subsided, the sun was setting, so they climbed the mountain and sat on the grass by the cliff, facing the mountain breeze and watching the sky filled with colorful twilight.
“Xixi, does one necessarily have to marry and have children?” Si Lengyue asked, hugging her knees as she watched the orange-red sun slowly set.
Sitting cross-legged, Qin Liuxi, feeling the spiritual energy of the Si Family Ancestral Land, responded, “Not necessarily, I certainly won’t.”
Si Lengyue turned to look at her, “You won’t marry or have children?”
“Neither. I am destined to be childless in my old age, but I do have disciples, and disciples are like children,” Qin Liuxi smiled contentedly.
Si Lengyue pursed her lips and asked, “What would you do if you were me?”
“Little Yue, you and I are different. I have no imperial throne to inherit, nor do I have a unique bloodline, so being childless means nothing to me. You, however, are the only hope that the Si family has guarded for a century. Your ancestors continued and protected it through their blood, generation after generation, enduring a hundred years, only to finally see a new beginning; they fulfilled their duty. And you have yours.”
Qin Liuxi took her hand and gave it a squeeze, “You bear different responsibilities; you cannot whimsically decide your fate, because you carry the development and glory of the entire Si family and the continuation of its bloodline. Even without me saying, you know in your heart; you have no choice, for the Si family has only you.”
Si Lengyue clasped her hand back, responding, “I understand.”
“In its position, it campaigns for its role, this applies everywhere. Perhaps having children is not what you wish, but Little Yue, in this life, how many can freely live as they please? Many are forced to compromise by reality. And those who blatantly dismiss everything to live freely, they are not being liberated; they are selfish. We are all selfish, I understand, but sometimes, we cannot ignore the responsibilities we ought to bear.”
“You are the head of the clan, and the only remaining bloodline, like your father said, regardless of gender, you must continue a bloodline for the Si family.” Qin Liuxi chuckled, “Actually, it’s not a big deal, like your father said, ‘going for the looks, not the heart’, choose someone smart and most importantly, good-looking, just have one. Whether you get married or just have a child, I believe with your stature you could manage it properly. Once the child is born, you can then freely do what you wish to do, whether it’s business or practicing witchcraft. And let the continuation of the bloodline pass on to the next generation.”
Si Lengyue playfully punched her, then, looking distressed, said, “Actually, even without you playing my dad’s advocate, I would have had to arrange this eventually.”
Qin Liuxi blinked, “What do you mean?”
“The message has arrived from the Capital; the Saint is interested in selecting consorts in August, not limiting to merchant registration. If things go as expected, I will also receive the decree,” Si Lengyue said grimly.
“How could that be, you’re the Si family’s only bloodline, traditionally only accepting sons-in-law, how could you be summoned to the Palace?” Qin Liuxi frowned, looking quite upset.
Si Lengyue scoffed coldly, “The Imperial Family only looks at benefits; how would they care whether someone is the last of their line? To them, being the last makes it even more advantageous.”
“They have their eyes on the Si family?”
“The Si family owns mines, and the national treasury is short on funds.”
Qin Liuxi stood up, her voice turning icy, said, “If that old despicable Saint dares to touch you, I’ll make sure his throne becomes unbearable, impossible to sit upon.”
What nonsense, a man over fifty years old still desiring her family’s vibrant Little Yue to accompany him in the Palace? In his dreams!
Si Lengyue, moved by her words, smiled and squeezed her hand, saying, “Don’t be angry, the Imperial Family won’t get their way.”
Qin Liuxi remarked, “The Imperial Family has many disgusting maneuvers.”
“But however disgusting, are they really going to force a dying person into the Palace?” Si Lengyue said, “The news of my Blood Curse being lifted hasn’t been spread, it’s time for me to fall seriously ill, lingering sick in bed, then continue the bloodline.”
“You mean?”
“As greedy as they are, surely they wouldn’t want me, visibly pregnant, to participate in the selection?!” Si Lengyue snorted, “Giving up one mine will just swipe away that nomination.”
Hearing this, Qin Liuxi felt even more vexed; thus, the Imperial Family would gain significantly – that’s imperial power, disgusting!