Chapter 154: The Engagement Revisited
The news of Ji You and Fang Ruoyao's return quickly spread throughout Yuyang County.
Countless people couldn't help but gather on Paifang Street, the plaza in front of the Fang Residence, and Old Qiu's home outside the city.
They usually didn't dare to look up at Immortals, but both Ji You and Fang Ruoyao had grown up under the watchful eyes of these neighbors, so their fear was much less, far from the power of Fengxian Villa.
Many also got their wish and saw the returning Ji You.
In the afternoon, Kuang Shusheng arrived at the Ji Residence and invited Ji You to a banquet at his home; everyone saw him once.
The next day, at Chen Shi, Ji You went to a noodle shop to eat noodles and was watched by a crowd once.
Afterward, he went to the Qiu Family outside the city, and people also stopped to watch him for a long time on the way.
Although they knew Ji You was already an Immortal from the mountain, many commoners couldn't tell the difference between him and Mortals when his Spiritual Qi was restrained, as if he had never left Yuyang County.
During this time, Jia Sicong and Dong Wei mustered their courage to strike up a conversation, and then Ji You took them out for a meal.
"I don't feel any difference; he's more like a bandit."
Dong Wei nodded after hearing this: "Yes, could it be that he didn't cultivate anything significant after entering Tianshu Academy?"
Jia Sicong agreed: "I saw Young Miss Fang yesterday; she truly had an immense Aura. In comparison, Ji You doesn't seem to have as much Immortal grace as she does."
"That's right, I just pretended to casually pat his shoulder, and he didn't seem to use any Immortal power."
"So, in that case, Ji You is actually just at the beginning of the Dao of Immortals, and there's still a considerable gap between him and the Immortal Lords of Fengxian Villa, who exude Immortal Qi."
Dong Wei couldn't help but lower his voice: "Don't speak carelessly. Even if there's a gap, Ji You is an Immortal now, and killing you wouldn't be against the law."
As the two spoke, they saw four carriages approaching Paifang Street and stopping in front of the Ji Residence.
They recognized the first carriage; it belonged to the Yuyang County Magistrate.
Sure enough, as the carriages stopped, the Yuyang County Magistrate stepped out, and from the three carriages behind, three old men disembarked respectively.
Dong Wei and Jia Sicong recognized them at a glance: these were the three most respected clan elders of the Fang Family.
"Are they here for Ji You?"
"Probably. Fang Ruoyao and Ji You are the only pair of Cultivators to come out of Yuyang County. That canceled engagement will probably be reinstated now."
Jia Sicong and Dong Wei's guess was indeed correct; the Yuyang County Magistrate Fang had come this time precisely for the engagement.
In his opinion, the two had originally come from this small county town together, and they had an engagement before. After being alone outside for a year, even if there had been a rift, it wasn't irreparable.
So, for the past year, he had been writing to his daughter, telling her to reconcile with Ji You and forget the past.
Both of them had Immortal status. If they could unite, their descendants would also be able to cultivate, eliminating the need to seek out any quotas.
However, when Fang Zhongzheng asked about his daughter's situation, he found that she didn't want to speak at all.
Helpless, Fang Zhongzheng could only come in person to sound out Ji You's intentions.
However, because the forced cancellation of the engagement had indeed been rather ugly, to show sincerity, Fang Zhongzheng invited the three clan elders from his family to come along, which also showed his respect for Ji You.
Bang, bang, bang, a knocking sound rang out, and Ji You opened the gate of the residence.
He had just returned from the Yuyang County Academy, which he had funded. Chen Fuzi was the Instructor there, and the children of Yuyang County were now attending classes. He had barely settled down when guests arrived.
And what they spoke of was exactly as Ji You had expected—it was still about that engagement.
"That matter back then was indeed my foolishness, but it has nothing to do with Ruoyao. She actually always had you in her heart. If you want to blame someone, blame me."
"But then again, this is ultimately a good marriage."
"Our Fang Family and your Ji Family were considered Worldly Families back then, and it was a suitable match that led to your engagement. Although there were twists and turns in the middle, now that you are both students of Tianshu Academy, you are once again a suitable match, aren't you?"
"Our Feng Province is barren, and there are only a few families we truly know. Ruoyao and you are indeed a match made in heaven. If you two return to Feng Province in the future, both husband and wife will be Cultivators, and your descendants can also cultivate."
"In other words, if not Ruoyao, who else could you choose?"
"I heard that Cultivators also pay attention to family background. You've been in Tianshu Academy for a year; you must understand much more than us. Not to mention that those Young Misses from Worldly Families are arrogant and might not look down on us Feng Province people. Even if they could, it would certainly be a matrilocal marriage."
"The Ji Family now only has you. If you really enter into a matrilocal marriage, how will the Ji Family's lineage continue?"
Fang Zhongzheng spoke earnestly, explaining the benefits of marrying his daughter from various angles.
At this point, the eldest clan elder of the Fang Family couldn't help but speak: "Ji You, you are now an Immortal. Logically, I wouldn't dare to offend Immortal power and act as an elder, but you should also know that your grandfather and I are sworn brothers, and I watched you grow up."
The second clan elder also nodded: "The Ji Family only has your lineage; it must not be cut off like this."
Ji You listened from the side, then said, "I appreciate your intentions, but Fang Ruoyao and I are indeed not suitable. If there were truly a chance, it wouldn't have waited until now. Please leave."
"But I heard Ruoyao say that you've been avoiding her ever since you entered the academy and haven't truly interacted. How can you say you're not suitable?"
What Fang Ruoyao told Fang Zhongzheng was that she hadn't had much chance to speak with Ji You, and in Fang Zhongzheng's mind, this became Ji You constantly avoiding her.
In his view, this rift was still due to the forced cancellation of the engagement back then.
"Avoiding? There's no such thing. Besides, I already have a woman I like. Although a man can have three wives and four concubines, the one I like has extremely high standards."
Magistrate Fang frowned: "Who is that woman? Is she also from Tianshu Academy? Does she know that you are Ruoyao's fiancé?"
As his voice fell, Fang Zhongzheng instantly felt a sense of oppression that made his heart tremble, as if a sharp sword had risen, and he was directly pressed down onto the table.
Ji You looked down, his eyes already cold: "Fang Ruoyao and I have no relation whatsoever. Magistrate Fang should know this best. Not to mention the engagement has been canceled, even if it hadn't, when the Qiu Family suffered that incident, your entire Fang Family stood by idly. It's absolutely impossible between her and me."
"And you, old man."
Ji You turned to look at the eldest clan elder: "Sworn brothers? Where were you when the Ji Family faced disaster? I didn't kill you because I don't want to be like other Cultivators who treat Mortal lives as dirt, but now that I've said enough kind words, I'm already a bit annoyed."
The eldest clan elder held his breath: "You—
"Get out, don't force me to send you to heaven."
Without further words, Magistrate Fang immediately stood up and left hastily with the three clan elders.
Even after they returned to the Fang Residence, Magistrate Fang's heart was still filled with lingering fear, as if a sword still hung over his neck, not yet removed.
"It seems the outside world is truly prosperous; this Ji Family boy has been dazzled."
Back in the Fang Family's main hall, the three clan elders, furious from fear, slammed their walking sticks to the ground: "Rude, truly rude! After all, I am sworn brothers with his grandfather!"
Magistrate Fang took a deep breath: "Over the years, he and our Ruoyao are the only commoners who could enter an Immortal Sect. If he doesn't want to marry into another Worldly Family, he will surely regret it."
The eldest clan elder of the Fang Family turned his head upon hearing this: "His attitude today was so awful; even if he regrets it later, our Fang Family absolutely cannot agree to this marriage!"
Magistrate Fang pinched his sleeve upon hearing this: "Exactly, Ruoyao is a female. Marrying into a Worldly Family is far better than this kind of marriage!"
"Father, what are you saying?"
"!"
Fang Ruoyao came from the back hall, her eyes wide: "You went to see Ji You? Didn't I tell you not to go!"
Magistrate Fang looked up, remained silent for a long while, then said: "Ruoyao, you are a woman. I know some things are hard for you to say proactively, so I thought I would say them. Who knew that boy truly doesn't know what's good!"
"Ji You entered the Inner Courtyard; he looks down on me. I didn't want to tell you because I didn't know how to begin!"
"Inner Courtyard?"
Fang Zhongzheng looked up after hearing this, his expression filled with understanding. Although he wasn't a Cultivator, he knew that Tianshu Academy had an Inner Courtyard and an Outer Courtyard, and it was said that only those with extremely good Aptitude had a chance to enter the Inner Courtyard.
But just like Prefect Xiang's family in Dan Shui County, such a vague description couldn't truly convey the significance of that statement to Fang Zhongzheng.
"Even if he enters the Inner Courtyard, he was still your fiancé, after all. Just by this relationship, you two are much closer than others. If he doesn't choose you, who else can he choose?"
"He has many choices, naturally."
"Qingyun World values status. Could it be that his choice would be an even better match than you?"
Fang Ruoyao gave a bitter laugh: "A suitable match? Father thinks too highly of the Fang Family. Do you know that even the Princess from the current Great Xia Prince Chong's Mansion wants to marry him? And that Young Miss Lu from Yun Province, whom I often mentioned in my letters, also sent a belly band, waiting for Ji You's response. I can't even get in line."
The smile on Fang Zhongzheng's face gradually disappeared, and he sat down on a stool, somewhat stunned, unable to recover for a moment.
Living in Feng Province, Magistrate Fang was indeed more severely narrow-minded, not understanding what the Inner Courtyard meant, nor what status implied.
It wasn't until his daughter mentioned Chong Wang and the word 'Princess' that he, being in officialdom, vaguely understood Ji You's current standing.
But why?
Magistrate Fang was bewildered for a long time, and it wasn't until his daughter's subsequent words that he realized his imagination was truly not broad enough.
"After Ji You entered the Inner Courtyard, he already obtained the Aptitude to establish a Worldly Family. As I accompanied them on this journey, three Prefects have already bowed to him."
"Three Prefects—why?"
Fang Ruoyao pursed her red lips: "In Qingyun World, Immortal power is supreme. Since Feng Province has no Immortal Sects or Worldly Families, when Ji You establishes the first local Worldly Family in Feng Province, according to the qingyun immortal rules, he will be the true Lord of Feng Province, controlling all resources in this place, including tax offerings and Immortal Cultivation quotas."
Fang Zhongzheng's mind buzzed: "But our Feng Province still has countless Immortal Villas!"
"Also according to the Immortal rules, those foreign Immortal Villas must either move out or submit to his governance."
"What about a powerful Immortal Villa like Fengxian Villa?"
In Fang Zhongzheng's eyes, Fengxian Villa was the most powerful Cultivation force he had ever seen.
His previous Yuyang County Magistrate was once forced to act like a dog for seven days just because the tax offerings were a few days late, only then did he save his life.
So Magistrate Fang really wanted to know, would even a mighty Immortal Villa like Fengxian Villa be subject to this?
Fang Ruoyao glanced at her father: "If such an Immortal Villa were still here, perhaps the Villa Master would have personally come to the Ji Family to offer smiles. 【If they return to Feng Province, their descendants can also cultivate.】"
"【Even if you don't choose Ruoyao, you can only marry into a matrilocal family. How will your lineage continue?】"
At this moment, the shriveled hands of the three clan elders, gripping their walking sticks, became weak and powerless.
Like Jia Sicong and Dong Wei, they had also felt that Ji You was unremarkable these past few days, seemingly without any Immortal power. Coupled with having watched him grow up since childhood, they adopted an elder's demeanor.
In their eyes, Ji You and their own Ruoyao were both Immortals, so there might not be much difference.
But it was only at this moment that they understood: the returning young man was merely polite, but his status was now worlds apart.
They didn't even dare to lift their heads when facing Fengxian Villa, trembling all over, yet according to Fang Ruoyao, Fengxian Villa also wouldn't dare to act presumptuously in front of Ji You.
"How can this be? Is the Immortal Dao he cultivates not the same as yours?"
Fang Ruoyao bit her silver teeth: "Because I am not a Genius."
Magistrate Fang held his breath: "Then Ji You is a Genius?"
"No, he isn't either."
"Then why can he achieve such a level?"
Fang Ruoyao looked at the clouds outside the window: "Because the word 'Genius' is merely the threshold to meet him."
Fang Zhongzheng: "...."
"Father, you are lucky; you haven't seen him step by step, his Sword Qi reaching the heavens, as I have, hating him for climbing higher and higher while I am powerless."
In the front hall, Fang Ruoyao bit her red lips until they were bloodless: "This is all your fault! When I insisted on breaking off the engagement, why didn't you stop me!"
Yuyang County is not large, and some things can spread in less than half a day, just like when the Qiu Family girl was to be taken away for alchemy back then.
Here, there are scholars who enjoy fetching water for widows and guiding the blind; some things are naturally spread.
So, by evening, news about the Princess from the capital and young ladies from Worldly Families lining up to marry Ji You, as well as the possibility of Ji You controlling the tax offerings in Feng Province, gradually reached thousands of households.
Many people who heard this news were actually bewildered.
They couldn't imagine how someone who was harmless and scholarly could become so high and mighty after just one year away.
"【Did he not cultivate anything significant?】"
"【He's just at the beginning of the Immortal Dao, still some distance from the Immortal Lords of Fengxian Villa.】"
"【He's not as graceful as Young Miss Fang.】"
Jia Sicong now looked at the hand that had patted Ji You's shoulder and muttered, "I probably won't wash my hand for the rest of my life."
Meanwhile, Ji You, after the Fang Family left, had already gone to the Qiu Family and was sitting at the table, eating lunch.
The Qiu Family couple had also heard the rumors and looked at the young master before them, unsure what to say.
"Young Master."
"Hmm?"
"They say if you establish a Worldly Family, many things in Feng Province will have to listen to you. Your words will be more effective than the Provincial Governor's. Is this true or false?"
Ji You broke off a piece of steamed bun and fed it to Qiu Ru, then rubbed her little head: "Old Qiu, you really are destined to be a steward."
Upon hearing this, Qiu Zhong instantly held his breath.
"Before, you managed the Ji Family. Soon, you'll be helping me manage a mountain stronghold."
"Eh, isn't it a Worldly Family?"
"Are Worldly Families and mountain strongholds not the same?"