The heart needs to be cleared.
Autumn arrived in the blink of an eye, and after the harvest, the children were summoned back to the capital by Chen Yan.
The main hall of the Marquis of Anping's residence.
Shen Yan sat upright in the main seat, trying to project the majesty of the family head. His gaze swept over his children who had returned home: the composed Shen Xiao, the quiet Shen Wansu, the cold-faced Shen Hong, and Shen Suihe, who sat beside Ling Zhan with a peaceful expression.
He cleared his throat and took out the gold-embossed letter of appointment.
"Ahem," Shen Yan tried to make her voice sound solemn, "I've summoned you back today for a very important matter! Shen Hong and Shen Suihe, your marriage has been officially registered and the wedding date is set for seven days from now! Everything is ready in the manor, and you and Su Su will definitely have a grand and spectacular wedding..."
"father!"
Shen Hong suddenly looked up, his eyes sharp as knives, interrupting him with suppressed anger, "I have already made it clear! My heart yearns for the Great Dao, for tranquility and non-action! Marriage in the mortal world is a shackle and a cage for me, not what I desire! You are forcing me to do something against my will! Please, Father, retract your order! You cannot ruin my second sister's life."
He stood up, his back ramrod straight, showing no sign of backing down.
Shen Yan's stern expression vanished instantly, and he slammed his fist on the table and stood up.
"Nonsense! It's an arranged marriage! Is the seal of the Imperial Clan Court a joke?! You have no say in this..."
The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became tense. Shen Xiao frowned, and Shen Wansu looked at Shen Suihe with concern.
Ling Zhan remained seated, his gaze calmly fixed on Shen Hong.
To everyone's surprise, Shen Suihe stood up gently, her voice clear and gentle, carrying a maturity beyond her years: "Father, Mother, Brother Hong."
She looked at Shen Hong with clear eyes, without any grievance, only composure. "Since childhood, Suihe has been raised and taught by her parents. She knows the essence of love: mutual affection and naturalness. I followed my mother to farm and learn medicine. Going to the northern frontier to grow medicinal herbs was my heart's desire and also to do my best to help Brother Hong build the city and bring peace to the people. I never thought of using this to seek favors or to force a marriage."
She turned to Shen Yan, her tone earnest yet firm: "Father loves Sui He dearly, and Sui He is eternally grateful. But if, because of Father and Mother's decree and a mere family register, Brother Hong becomes resistant, depressed, or even abandons his Daoist heart, this is neither Sui He's wish nor a good match. A forced marriage will not be sweet and will only increase resentment. Please, Father and Mother... retract your decree."
After saying this, she gave a graceful bow, her demeanor composed, showing no sign of reluctance or resentment, only respect for Shen Hong's choice and openness to her own feelings.
Shen Yan was speechless at her daughter's clear and reasonable words, and pointed at Shen Hong.
"You...you look at Suihe! And look at yourself! Your second sister, a young lady, is so righteous and understanding, and what about you? Cultivating Taoism! Cultivating Taoism to the point of being heartless and ruthless!" He paced angrily in the hall, feeling that his "authority as head of the family" and his meticulous preparations were a joke. He looked at Ling Zhan for help, "Madam! You...you say something!"
Ling Zhan then slowly stood up, his gaze sweeping over the exasperated Shen Yan and the stubborn Shen Hong.
Finally, his gaze fell upon the calm Shen Suihe, a hint of barely perceptible approval flashing in his eyes.
She looked at Shen Hong: "Hong'er."
Shen Hong's body trembled slightly. Meeting Ling Zhan's cold gaze, he subconsciously concealed some of his sharpness: "...Mother."
"You say your heart is set on the Great Way, and you see marriage as a shackle and bondage, therefore it is not what you desire?"
“...Yes.” Shen Hong’s voice was low and wary.
Ling Zhan's tone was calm, yet every word was clear: "The Way follows nature. What is nature?"
Shen Hong was taken aback.
"How can you put down something if you've never picked it up? How can you transcend something if you've never experienced it?" Ling Zhan's gaze seemed to penetrate his strong defenses, pointing straight to the core. "You avoid it like the plague, and condemn it as a cage. It's your inner demons, it's your fear."
She paused slightly, her voice becoming more refined, carrying the sound of metal and stone.
"True spiritual practice takes place in the midst of the mundane world. The seven emotions and six desires, birth, old age, sickness and death, gathering and parting, are all places of spiritual practice, and all can be used to prove one's mind."
"If you lack even the courage to 'take up' something, and the boldness to 'experience' it, then talking about letting go and transcending is nothing but self-deception, building castles in the air. The Way is under your feet, not in the clouds. Life itself is the greatest practice. If you are afraid to try even the people and things around you, and dare not face them directly, where is the foundation of your Way?"
Each word struck like a heavy hammer blow, relentlessly hammering into the seemingly impenetrable barrier of Shen Hong's Dao heart! The resistance in his eyes surged and trembled violently! That deliberately ignored bond with Shen Suihe, the unwavering support she had silently provided through the winds and sands of the Northern Frontier, now became exceptionally clear. Was it fear of the unknown? Fear of shattering the "tranquility" he had set for himself?
His expression shifted, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
Xuan Chenzi, who had been sitting quietly observing, stroked his beard and sighed deeply, his voice filled with insightful compassion.
“Amitabha! Madam Ling has hit the nail on the head! Foolish child! What you fear is not love, but breaking free from the prison you have drawn for yourself! You fear facing the ‘delusions’ that may arise from your true heart! If this fear is not broken, your Dao heart will be clouded, how can you talk about transcendence? The path will be long and arduous!”
Shen Hong was struck dumb, staggering a step. He looked at Ling Zhan, then at Sui He's calm and open eyes, and finally his gaze fell on his tightly clenched fist. After a long while, his tense shoulders relaxed, and the intense emotions surging in his eyes gradually settled into a complex sense of bewilderment and... a hint of embarrassment at being exposed.
He looked at Shen Suihe, his voice hoarse and dry, filled with unprecedented hesitation and uncertainty.
“…Suihe…I…” He didn’t know how to continue. His resistance had subsided, but he hadn’t fallen in love with her immediately. It was just that the high wall called “not what I wanted” had collapsed.
Shen Suihe smiled slightly at him, her eyes still clear and unconditional: "Brother Hong, the path to enlightenment is long, there's no need to rush. Suihe only wishes you peace of mind."
Looking at the unexpected turn of events, Shen Yan let out a long sigh of relief, his back covered in cold sweat.
After the immense relief came a deeper sense of frustration—he had yelled, he had suppressed it, he had even brought out the betrothal documents, but in the end… the toughest nut to crack was finally pried open with just a few words from his wife and Suihe’s insightful understanding!
Why is he such a...frustrated head of this household?
He looked at Ling Zhan with a dejected expression, like a defeated rooster that was still unwilling to admit defeat.
I feel like my wedding night is a long way off!
Ling Zhan had already returned to his original seat.
Sensing Shen Yan's gaze, a mixture of relief, frustration, and resentment, she turned her head, her cool eyes lingering on his face for a moment. The corners of her lips curved upwards in an almost imperceptible arc, and she spoke softly in a voice only the two of them could hear.
"The head of the family should be like this: understand the general situation and control the direction. As for the 'wild beasts' whose hearts are difficult to tamer... there will be capable people to eliminate them."
Shen Yan was taken aback, pondering those words.
He understood the bigger picture—he knew it was time to let the children settle down and to resolve the issues between Hong'er and Suihe. He set the direction—he overruled the objections (mainly Shen Hong's), set the wedding date, and recalled everyone. The "wild beast" that was hard to tame… Shen Hong's stubborn inner conflict! Someone capable would remove it… Ling Zhan was that "capable one"! Yes! He steered the ship, and his wife took action—wasn't this perfect cooperation?!
A strange feeling, a mixture of relief and even stronger fighting spirit, instantly dispelled the depression!
Does this mean Madam approves of me?!
He straightened his back unconsciously, his gaze sweeping over his children in the hall—Shen Xiao was composed, Shen Wansu was serene, Shen Hong was lost in thought, and Shen Suihe was peaceful and open-minded. At this moment, home truly held the meaning of reunion. His path to becoming head of the family, this first step, though perilous, had finally been taken!
Moreover, it seems he's... grasped a bit of the ropes? At least, he knows where the next "wild game" will be!
Seven days later, at the Anping Earl's Mansion, the grand wedding ceremony took place.
The mansion was adorned with red decorations and filled with guests, making it an extremely grand occasion.
Standing in the high hall, watching the two newlywed couples complete their ceremony, and listening to the joyous celebrations and blessings filling the hall, Shen Yan raised his wine glass and laughed loudly, "Ladies and gentlemen! Double happiness! Let's drink to this!" Amidst the clinking of glasses, his gaze swept over Ling Zhan, who stood beside him as aloof as the moon, and he secretly vowed: Just you wait, my wife! The next "wild animal" will be caught by my own hands, and I will not trouble you with your presence!
The three-day banquet left behind a hall filled with joy, laughter, and blessings.
A few days later, the hustle and bustle of the capital gradually subsided.
In a bustling eatery or teahouse...
At dusk, before going to his shift, Little Bull invited his younger brothers to have a small gathering at a restaurant or teahouse.
"...Tsk tsk, you didn't see it! Those two grand weddings at the Marquis of Anping's mansion, the scale and grandeur!"
A tea drinker, spitting as he gestured, exclaimed, "The red carpet stretched from the gate of the mansion all the way to Zhuque Street! The ruyi scepters and jade discs bestowed by the palace were dazzling! The carriages carrying congratulatory gifts from various mansions blocked the eastern part of the city for half an hour!"
"I heard the brides are all incredibly beautiful! The eldest daughter of the Shen family has such an air about her, tsk tsk, no wonder she's the owner of Yunshangji! The second daughter is gentle and charming, I heard she's quite skilled in the Northern Frontier!"
"The most amazing one is the guard commander, Ling Feng! Heh, he's really risen to the top in one step! But his aura, standing next to the young lady, is in no way inferior!"
"Young Master Shen looks so energetic!"
"Indeed, a true gentleman, so handsome and refined. I heard they had a falling out before? He was so composed during the wedding ceremony! That look in his eyes, so responsible!"
"Of course! Lord Anping has really gone all out this time, giving us the utmost respect! It's a double celebration, a once-in-a-century event!"
The little bull, who was drinking tea, listened with great interest, even happier than if he were getting married himself.
He slammed his hand on the table, exclaiming with boundless pride, "Manager! I'm in a good mood today! Put all the tea expenses on my tab!"
"Hey! Young Master Xie Chen!"
"Master Xiao Shen is generous!"
"Young Master Chen, you're so generous! No wonder you work in the palace. How's your snow wolf?"
"It's fine! It's fine!"
The teahouse erupted in cheers.
Shen Xing munched on a snack, leaning closer to Shen Chen with a happy expression.
He whispered, "Second Brother and Sister Suihe are finally married! But... Brother Chen, I don't want to be forced into marriage by Father so soon! I want to go to the Southeast first to fight the Japanese pirates with the navy! I've heard it's really exciting!"
Chen Chen's eyes lit up: "Xingdi is right! I want to go too! Let's go together and see the sea! It's much more interesting than staying in the capital all the time! It's just that no one will be there to take care of Father Yang." He sighed and turned to ask Little Stone, who was sitting quietly to the side holding a book, "Stone, what about you? Are you really planning to take the imperial examination this year? You're only twelve!"
Little Stone raised his head, his eyes calm and gentle, and nodded.
"Yes. The teacher at the academy said I'm ready and can give it a try."
He paused, looked at Xiao Man Niu who was still excitedly chatting with the tea drinkers about the grand wedding, and earnestly instructed, "Brother Niu, it's getting late, you should go to the palace to go on duty. Remember..." He lowered his voice, "Don't get carried away and end up making food for His Majesty in the palace again."
Little Bull was talking about how delicious the crystal pork jelly at the banquet in Anping Marquis's mansion was, thanks to his guidance. Upon hearing this, his smile froze, and he scratched his head.
"Ah? Oh... I know, I know! Mother told me to stop doing it a long time ago, don't worry! I'll do my duty properly today!" He muttered as he stood up, his face still showing lingering excitement. "Let's go! Manager, the account is with the Earl's Mansion! I'll sign it for you first."
He called to his two younger brothers, who were still dreaming of fighting the Japanese pirates, and rushed out of the teahouse in a flurry.
All that remained were the good-natured laughter of the tea drinkers and the even more enthusiastic discussions about the grand wedding at the Anping Earl's Mansion.
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