"This marriage agreement, after you descend the mountain, you must fulfill it, understand?"
"Master, the senior sisters who have descended the mountain told me that it's the new century now. It's all about free love, and marriage agreements don't count anymore."
"Nonsense, once a marriage agreement is set, how can there be any regrets? Moreover, this marriage agreement not only concerns your significant marital affairs but also your identity. If you don't complete the marriage agreement, you will never be able to know the family secrets."
"But Master, the disciple doesn't want to leave the mountain, disciple just wants to serve Master for a lifetime."
"Go, go, go, if you don't leave now, the ones taking the initiative to propose marriage will trample my mountain gate!"
Though Taoist Wang Yifeng complained with his words, his heart was also very reluctant. His little disciple, Wang Ye, was his last disciple. The day Wang Ye descended the mountain would be the day he would enter into seclusion.
"Take care, Master, your disciple is leaving!"
Wang Ye shed tears in two lines, tears of both sorrow and joy.
Eighteen years in the Taoism sect, love deep as the sea. Once apart, it's hard to return for ten years.
But descending the mountain also had its benefits. The six senior sisters had already left the mountain, and now each of them was incredibly outstanding, stunning everyone around them. This time when Wang Ye descended, he was finally going to reunite with them.
Of course, the most important thing was still this marriage agreement. According to Master, this marriage agreement was brought along when he was abandoned at the mountain gate years ago.
The other party was the Su family's golden girl from Yun City, Su Wanqing, reputed to be a breathtaking beauty and also possessing a family fortune worth hundreds of millions.
However, whether she would still acknowledge this marriage agreement after eighteen years was still an unknown.
Descend the mountain, take a ride, enter the city.
On the bus, Wang Ye opened the letters sent by the six senior sisters.
"Little junior brother, heard you are descending the mountain? Come to your eldest sister, Sister will take you into the business world, to become an entrepreneur."
"Little junior brother, the other sisters must have sent you letters, right? Don't listen to them, you must come find the fifth sister, understand? Fifth sister will take you to appraise treasures and gamble on stones, it's most suitable for you."
"Little junior brother, the third sister won't say much, come to the third sister here to become a star. International supermodels, glamorous actors will be introduced to you. With your looks, sister guarantees you will be famous around the world."
Wang Ye looked at these letters and sighed softly, "Being too strong is also a trouble!"
The train arrived, and Wang Ye's first destination was Tiansheng Restaurant.
Because before descending the mountain, Master told Wang Ye, every year on the 15th of the sixth lunar month was Elder Master Su Yuanqiao's birthday. The Su family would host the banquet at Tiansheng Restaurant.
To fulfill the marriage agreement with Su Wanqing, this was the perfect time for Wang Ye to attend.
Stepping out of the train station, Wang Ye hailed a taxi and headed straight to the restaurant entrance.
Wang Ye got out of the taxi, ready to enter Tiansheng Restaurant.
However, he was stopped by the security guards at the door.
The two security guards examined Wang Ye's strange attire and said, "This young Taoist priest, Tiansheng Restaurant isn't open to the public today, sorry!"
"I know, today is Elder Master Su's birthday. I've come to offer birthday wishes."
"Birthday wishes? Where is your invitation?"
"I don't have it." Wang Ye replied succinctly.
"No invitation, then what are you here for? Better go somewhere else and don't waste our time."
"I really am here to offer birthday wishes. Please let me in."
"Go away, don't make trouble here, or we'll be less than polite."
The two security guards said, about to push Wang Ye.
At that moment, Manager Chu Juan came out of the hall and immediately noticed Wang Ye.
"Wang Ye, the Taoist priest?"
Wang Ye looked up at Chu Juan, puzzled. He had just descended the mountain, how could someone recognize him?
"Manager Chu, you know this young Taoist priest?" asked the security guard.
Chu Juan didn't reply but examined Wang Ye up and down, then took his arm, saying, "It really is you, Wang Ye, the Taoist priest! You're here to find your eldest sister, aren't you? Come with me."
Eldest sister?
Wang Ye thought for a moment, the eldest sister was a businesswoman, managing many enterprises.
This Tiansheng Restaurant seemed to be one of them.
"I am here to wish Elder Master Su Yuanqiao a happy birthday. After offering birthday wishes, then I can go find my eldest sister!"
"Is that so! Then that's fine, I will take you to offer birthday wishes."
Chu Juan agreed and led Wang Ye towards the hall.
Though she wasn't sure why Wang Ye would come to wish Su Yuanqiao happy birthday right after descending the mountain. But the company's chairman, also Wang Ye's eldest sister had personally instructed that seeing Wang Ye was as good as seeing the chairman herself. Anything the chairman wanted to do, Chu Juan naturally wouldn't dare hesitate.
...
Inside Tiansheng Restaurant, the Su family rented the entire hall for the banquet.
The Su family had a reputable status in Yun City for a century. Thus, many families brought gifts to congratulate.
"From Yun City's Long Family, Long Baichuan presents Elder Master Su with a jade ornament for his birthday."
"In Yun City, Wang Hongzhou of the Wang family presents Elder Master Su with an authentic Tang Yin painting for his birthday."
"In Yun City, Liu Yuanzhi of the Liu Family presents Elder Master Su with a blue and white porcelain vase for his birthday."
"..."
In the hall, the butler announced gifts loudly. Many family heads were present, each personally bringing substantial gifts.
At the head seat, Su Yuanqiao beamed with satisfaction, stroking his grizzled beard with an air of regal command.
However, his complexion was somewhat waxy yellow, and from time to time, he would turn away from the crowd, breaking into a violent cough.
"From the main branch of the Su family, Miss Su Wanqing is here to wish Elder Master Su a happy birthday."
At the center of the crowd, a girl in a flowing long dress, radiating an ethereal grace, slowly approached Su Yuanqiao.
The room fell silent, everyone's attention captured by the exquisite beauty of her face.
That flawless face, so beautiful it was intoxicating.
"Grandpa, happy birthday! This is a sculpture of Zen Sect's sixth patriarch Huineng, crafted by a renowned Southern Song artist, over a foot tall, perfect for your bedroom," she said with an elegant and intelligent voice, instantly filling the hall with her melodious and vibrant presence.
"Very good, very good, indeed my lovely granddaughter! I really like this statue," Su Yuanqiao exclaimed, quite satisfied.
"Is this the Su family's precious daughter Su Wanqing? She is immensely beautiful!"
"Indeed, just one look is enough to steal one's soul."
"What's most extraordinary is that Miss Su is not only beautiful but also extremely filial. She has a deep filial piety towards Elder Master Su, a full one hundred and twenty percent!"
"Really? Whoever marries her will be so fortunate!"
"Forget it, she's already spoken for."
"Really? Who is it?"
"Reportedly, it's the eldest young master of the Yang family, Yang Junsheng."
"Yang Junsheng? I heard he is both a scholar and a business elite. Alongside Su Wanqing, they truly make a handsome couple."
While people were discussing, the butler's voice once again rang out, "From Yun City's Yang family, Yang Junsheng wishes Elder Master Su a happy birthday, presenting a genuine Zhang Daqian painting and a thousand-year-old Shariputra."
Under the gaze of the guests, a tall, handsome man with an air of arrogance approached Su Yuanqiao, holding a box containing the thousand-year-old Shariputra.
"Elder Master Su, this birthday gift was prepared by my father. I hope you like it," he said.
The gift bearer was Yang Junsheng.
Yang Junsheng had long known that Su Yuanqiao's favorite things were antique paintings and calligraphy, and he was deeply devout to such ancient items. Thus, this gift was indeed to his taste.
"So it is Junsheng! With such a generous gift, of course, I like it," Su Yuanqiao exclaimed excitedly as he immediately put it around his neck. He had long wanted a thousand-year-old Shariputra but had never had the opportunity.
Moreover, Su Yuanqiao was well aware that the Yang family's generous gift was aimed at securing a marriage alliance.
"If Elder Master Su is pleased, that's great!" Yang Junsheng said as his gaze unconsciously drifted towards Su Wanqing.
Just one look made Yang Junsheng's heart tremble; her peerless beauty was like a critical hit to his heart.
Su Wanqing felt Yang Junsheng's gaze but responded with just a formal smile.
Although the two families were already considering a marriage alliance, Su Wanqing personally did not have a favorable impression of Yang Junsheng.
This type of arranged marriage was not what she wanted.
"Wanqing, Junsheng is an honored guest. You should entertain him well for grandpa," said Su Yuanqiao.
"Elder Master Su, please don't hesitate, Junsheng is here today not only to celebrate but also for an important matter!"
"Oh? Please, Junsheng, speak."
"Elder Master Su, I would like to formally request Miss Su Wanqing's hand in marriage!"
To marry Su Wanqing?
Everyone heard it, yet no one was surprised. After all, this news had been released earlier.
Su Yuanqiao remained calm; the marriage alliance between the two families was basically a done deal.
The Su family's business was struggling recently, so they needed an alliance with a powerful family like the Yang family to help stimulate economic growth.
However, Su Wanqing frowned tightly, looking unhappy. At just twenty-five, she did not want to marry so soon, especially to someone she did not like.
Just as Su Yuanqiao was about to agree to Yang Junsheng's proposal, the butler's voice once again filled the room:
"Wang Yifeng from Wudang bestows Elder Master Su a birthday gift from Wudang's special produce."
The crowd found this peculiar.
Since when did the Su family become associated with Wudang, and why would Wudang send someone to present a birthday offering?
Turning back to see, the man offering his respects was dressed in flowing white robes, with a handsome face, moderate build, and an air of defiant nobility. His long hair was tied up in a bun, and his presence radiated an otherworldly, serene aura.
The crowd gazed at Wang Yifeng as he approached Su Yuanqiao.
"Wang Yifeng of Wudang, paying respects to Elder Master Su."