As the melodious zither melody filled the mountains, Wang Suizhi and Zeng Yi, the two fellow disciple brothers, were also drinking and reminiscing on a side pavilion.
Looking beyond the overlapping trees and the water pond, the two could see the scene of the two people playing the zither and gazing at each other by the lotus pond.
Wang Suizhi's glass of wine was shaking in his hand, spilling all over, and he exclaimed with shock and anger, "Shameless scoundrel! How… how dare he treat Master this way!"
Zeng Yi used his palm to hold the wine pot and poured another cup for his senior brother. He said calmly, "Senior Brother, have a drink."
Wang Suizhi slammed his wine glass down heavily on the table, "Such disgraceful behavior, aren't you angry?"
Zeng Yi shook his head and said calmly, "If I didn't know about their past, maybe I would be as angry as you. But did you think Master risked everything and went against the entire world for Su Yishui to change his destiny, just because of a master-disciple relationship?"
Wang Suizhi was stunned by the question, and Zeng Yi continued, "We claim to be good disciples of Master. Back when Master's soul was scattered, only Su Yi Shui, this wayward disciple, sacrificed his own cultivation for a chance to save Master's life. If we look at it from this perspective, we are ashamed to be Master's disciples!"
Wang Suizhi's face reddened slightly as he listened, and at this moment, Zeng Yi looked at the man playing the zither, gazing intently at the woman smiling sweetly. Zeng Yi couldn't help but sigh softly, "So all our Master needs in this lifetime is happiness. We disciples shouldn't interfere too much."
Wang Suizhi, still not reconciled to this, shook his head and sighed, "I'm worried that Su Yi Shui has lost his memories about Master and has returned to his reckless ways from when he first joined the sect. What if he suddenly does something that harms Master?"
Zeng Yi was actually most worried about this as well, which was why he had secretly left with Master back then.
However, it seemed now that this worry was somewhat unnecessary. Although Su Yi Shui had lost his memories, his care for Master hadn't diminished in the slightest.
It would seem that the bond between these two couldn't be easily broken by a soul-cleansing talisman, so Zeng Yi was taking things step by step.
The close relationship of these two, didn't escape the notice of Qiao lian and her husband.
Although they were from a rural background, they weren't fools. They hadn't been to the Western Mountain before, so they did not see the daily interactions between master and disciple before. Now, they were alerted to this situation where this master and disciple were… being too close?
The couple wasn't going to let things develop naturally like Zeng Yi.
Their daughter was young and if she was captivated by this kind of handsome master immortal, it would be entirely understandable given her limited experience and world view. But what was this master immortal's intention? They couldn't let their daughter be taken advantage of just because she is young, and if he thought he did not have to take any responsibility!
So the couple discussed in private and decided to have a frank discussion with Master Su about their daughter's marriage.
Before talking to Immortal Su, the couple first asked their daughter for her thoughts.
Ranran felt that her situation with Su Yi Shui was too complicated. Telling her adoptive parents would only add to their worries, so she casually brushed it off, "Mother, you and father are thinking too much. My relationship with master… is not what you think."
Qiao lian glared "Not like what? I saw with my own eyes that you and Su Yi Shui were holding hands and strolling by the pond, and Su Yi Shui even picked leaves off your head for you. Does a master and disciple normally behave this way?"
Ranran,*hearing that that was all Qiao lian saw, felt relieved. "I thought you saw something else… Isn't this normal? Master is kind to other disciples like this too… Mother, I need to go practice now."
*LOOOL if her mother saw them kissing she would do something drastic
Ranran didn't want to say more, so she said she needed to go practice on the back mountain, and then she ran off.
But Qiao lian felt that something was not right with what her daughter said, and she had actually sighed in relief after hearing her words. Could it be that these two had done something even more inappropriate in private?
She thought that her daughter was naive in her youth, unaware that she was being taken advantage of.
So the couple decided to confront Su Yi Shui directly in the study. After chatting idly for a while about all kinds of matters, the couple exchanged a glance and mustered up the courage and solemnly told Su Yi Shui that they want to leave with their daughter.
Su Yi Shui had asked the couple to come to Xishan because Ranran had been worried about the safety of her adoptive parents. After all there have been monsters roaming around and they live in a secluded place which didn't feel very safe.
But he didn't expect the couple to be so ungrateful and suddenly want to take Ranran away.
Su Yishui turned them down flatly without any hesitation.
Ridiculous! Just because they were Ranran's adoptive parents, they thought they could make decisions like this? He was the one who gave Xue Ranran this life. If they had to talk about who had the right to decide, he was Ranran's rebirth parent, not this rural couple!
Qiao lian also guessed that Su Yi Shui wasn't about to let go easily, so she immediately brought up conditions "Immortal Master, I've also noticed these past days that you have been far too attentive to our daughter… But she's all grown up now, and you should be more cautious about gossip. Speaking hypothetically, if you really like our daughter and want to marry her, its not impossible. But my daughter is from a proper family, if you have the intentions, you should first go through a matchmaker and then see what our family thinks!"
Su Yi Shui now recalled the conversation with the couple just now, which he originally thought was just idle chitchat. Now every sentence had some hidden meaning behind it.
For example, Qiao lian asked about properties and businesses besides the Western Mountain, which was probing into his financial background.
The carpenter asked about his age, how often he got up at night, and if he had symptoms of frequent urination, weak waist or kidney deficiency. They were worried if he was too old and weak to be able to make their daughter *happy.
*R21 stuff lol
Additionally, Qiao lian was particularly concerned if he had previous marriages, fearing that Ranran might inadvertently end up a concubine.
The couple had asked about all these details, only then did they bring up marriage for their adopted daughter, showing that they had been planning meticulously and being exceptionally astute, for their daughter's future.
"She entered Xishan as my disciple, seeking longevity. This has nothing to do with what you're saying." Su Yi Shui coldly refused.
Qiao lian noticed that this Master Su seemed much colder towards them compared to before. Was he that confident now that he had taken advantage of their innocent daughter with his honeyed words?
Thinking this, Qiao lian's boldness surged again, and she spoke more bluntly, "Master Su, you are not the ideal son-in-law in our hearts either. Ranran is now at the age of blossoming youth, and finding a partner of similar age would be most suitable. As for you… although you have the appearance of an immortal and look young, your age is still rather old. Our daughter has limited cultivation and may not be able to withstand the passing of time like you to remain young. So if you have no intention, you should make it clear to our daughter. Although our family is not as wealthy as yours, we are not the kind of people who would sell their daughter to be a concubine. Tomorrow we'll take our daughter down the mountain, and we won't trouble your further guidance!"
This was completely the attitude of a rural woman. If the marriage talks didn't work out, she actually made a veiled insult about his age and health?
Based on Su Yi Shui's temperament, he would have immediately got up and left. But for some reason, as the words reached his lips, they changed into "…Was it Ranran who asked you to propose marriage?"
Qiao lian thought for a moment and felt that it would be better to show unity as a family of three. She said, "Of course, Ranran has this intention. She has liked watching others getting married since she was young. Now that she's of age, naturally she wants to become a proper wife through a formal marriage!"
So it was because Xue Ranran couldn't wait and begged her parents to propose to him — Su Yi Shui thought this and suddenly felt much more comfortable.
Even though she always said she wasn't sentimental to remain at Xishan, wasn't there still a hidden desire for marriage in her heart?
Actually, before this, he had never intended to marry a fellow cultivator.
When he got engaged to Wen Hongshan, it was to fulfill his mother's wish for him to get married. Later, when the marriage fell through, he didn't feel any regret. Since then, he had never thought of adding any burdens to his life.
The fact that Xue Ranran was so eager to marry him wasn't unexpected to him. After all, the admiration in the young girl's eyes was unmistakable; she should have feelings for him…
Considering that she was still quite adorable now and not as annoying as she had been in her past life, and they also had been somewhat intimate, to take her reputation into consideration, marrying her in a formal ceremony… wasn't out of the question.
After all, she had a stubborn nature, and even though she had improved significantly in this life, if left unattended, her true nature might emerge and become uncontrollable.
There were many things that a master couldn't control. For example, chatting endlessly with handsome junior brothers, smiling at unfamiliar men, leaving abruptly from the Western Mountain over trivial disagreements, etc. If she married him, then these bad habits could all be corrected.
sat back in their chairs. When Qiao lian recovered, she looked over Su Yi Shui again, now looking at him like her son-in-law, feeling very satisfied everywhere she looked!
Su Yi Shui even wrote an engagement proposal on the spot as proof for the couple. As for the *three letters and six ceremonies, he will follow up with it, and not one will be missed out.
*三书六聘 : 聘书,礼书,迎书 engagement letter, gifts letter, welcoming letter
纳采,问名,纳吉,纳征,请期,亲迎
Accept proposal, Confirm name, Accepting good news, Accepting betrothal gifts, Choosing wedding date, welcoming the bride
After settling this, the couple happily went to find their daughter.
Ranran was gathering Qi cultivation by the lotus pond, lightly standing on the lotus pod with her slender foot, nourishing herself on the water's surface like a dragonfly.
But when she heard her mother joyfully tell her that they had discussed and finalized on her impending marriage with Immortal Su, Ranran's qi sank, and she plopped into the water.
When she emerged from the lotus pond, her head was covered with green lotus leaves. She wiped her wet face and exclaimed, "Mother, what nonsense are you all talking about? When did I say I want to marry Su Yi Shui?"
Qiao lian thought her daughter, was just being young and shy, so she continued happily, "Immortal Su readily agreed. Not only did he ask Mr Zeng to act as a guarantor, he also provided his bazi and a proposal for us on the spot. This is not a joke!"
Of course, Ranran knew that once the proposal was made, it wasn't a joke. But for Su Yi Shui to do this… wasn't it because of the pressure from Qiao lian and her husband?
She couldn't explain clearly to her ecstatic parents at the moment, and could only go back to change into dry clothes and summon up courage to go ask Su Yi Shui what he was thinking and why he had hastily agreed to Qiao lian's demands.
Su Yi Shui was preparing medicine in the alchemy room. When he saw that Ranran had come over, he only cast one glance at her and continued with his work.
"My parents don't know our complicated situation. You don't have to take what they said to heart. I will explain to them properly, and your engagement letter doesn't have to count."
Hearing this, Su Yi Shui slowly put down the medicine bottle in his hand and looked up, saying, "It's true that you are *not young anymore. If you've considered getting married, just tell me directly. Since I've kissed you, naturally I have to take responsibility for you. They are your adoptive parents and I'm now your master, we are all your elders, so discussing your marriage is reasonable and justified. Since it's already decided, why shouldn't it count?"
*even if its xianxia, in their world people can get married by 15
Ranran stared wide-eyed, almost getting ensnared in Su Yi Shui's logic.
Perhaps her wide-eyed look was cute, as Su Yi Shui expressionlessly tapped her nose with the medicine bottle. "Although cultivators are not concerned with trivial matters, we still have some intimacy between us. Your parents asking me to marry you is also reasonable."
Most of the time, Ranran was very accommodating to her capricious master.
But in matters of marriage, she had a stubborn belief: "Marriage should be based on mutual love between a man and a woman, promising each other eternity. But you have completely forgotten the past and only remember my shortcomings from my previous life. I'm afraid that even if you have a very slight affection for me right now, it only came about after we got along for some time. I don't want you to settle like this. You already said that cultivators have a longer lifespan than ordinary people. If we regret it in the future, should we divorce, or do we kill each other for enlightenment? I don't want to become resentful partners with you… I will tear up that engagement letter, and my parents won't talk nonsense to you like that again!"
After saying this, Ranran turned around to leave but Su Yi Shui grabbed her arm. "Are you saying you don't really like me, and all the intimacy before was just meaningless flirtation?"
When he asked this, Su Yi Shui's brows were furrowed with anger, thinking that even after her reincarnation, she was still only here to play games in the mortal world! If she didn't like him, why could she chat and play the qin happily and be intimate with him?
Ranran had to use her true qi to stop herself from vomiting blood out of exasperation "It's not that I don't like you, it's that you don't like me! If you really liked me, why can't you remember me?"
After saying this, Ranran sadly ran out. Elder Jiu had said that if the love was deep enough, the soul-cleansing charm would resolve on its own.
But Su Yi Shui still had not recovered his memories from both her lives, which could only mean that although he had some affection for Xue Ranran, it wasn't the deep love he had for Mu Qingge.
If that was the case, why force a marriage proposal? Ranran didn't want to become resentful partners with Su Yi Shui, so it was better not to marry him.
But her abrupt departure left Su Yi Shui feeling frustrated by himself.
Initially, he didn't have a strong desire to marry either. But he felt that since he had kissed Xue Ranran and she was still an innocent young girl, her parents coming to hold him accountable, as a man, he couldn't shirk his responsibilities.
Moreover, whether as his disciple or his future wife, she would have to cultivate with him. Other than the marriage certificate, nothing else would change.
But he never expected that this darn girl would blame him for not remembering, as if it were his sin. Did she really expect him to die for her like what Elder Jiu had said?
If that were the case, her name in the cultivation world, might as well be called *"Wang Men Widow"!
*望门寡 is when a girl is engaged and her fiance passes away
Su Yi Shui originally had a nonchalant attitude towards marriage. But now, *he was the one so keen to marry, and so he found himself inexplicably determined to see it through.
*剃头挑子一头热 when doing something, one person is very passionate and the other is indifferent
If she didn't want to marry him, who else would she want to marry? He wasn't about to allow her to harm others!
In the end, that marriage proposal did not get torn up. Su Yi Shui got to Qiao lian and her husband first and said told them that Ranran was still young and playful. If she was to tell her parents that the engagement was not valid, he would go along with her wishes for now. However, that marriage proposal would always be valid for him. So until Ranran changes her mind, he asked the couple to keep it safe.
If Ranran wanted to marry someone else in the future… it wasn't impossible, but she must cancel the engagement with him first.
Su Yi Shui's tolerant and generous attitude once again won the favor of Qiao lian and her husband.
Later, as Immortal Su had predicted, Ranran came and immaturely insisted on canceling the engagement. Qiao lian and her husband had spoiled her since childhood, and their initial pressure for marriage was out of concern for their daughter being taken advantage of.
But now, since their daughter didn't want to marry, it was a different matter. Although Immortal Su was indeed extraordinary and capable, he was getting older, and they didn't know if he was truly as good as he appeared.
They would wait for their daughter to think things through before letting her marry.
Afterward, Ranran tentatively told Su Yi Shui that her parents wouldn't give her the marriage proposal, but he didn't have to worry, because she would never use the proposal to cause trouble for him.
Su Yi Shui glanced at her indifferently. "There are two copies of the marriage proposal, and your parents have stamped and signed them. If you go back on your word and want to marry someone else, you'll have to bring that man before me and let me have a look!"
As he said this, Su Yi Shui's voice was not loud, but Ranran felt a brewing murderous intent in his words, as if he was ready to act on it anytime.
Ranran asked cautiously, "And after you have a look?"
Su Yi Shui didn't expect her to continue with this, and wondered if there really was a dog of a man she intended to bring before him. So he couldn't help but look at her coldly "Xue Ranran, you can bring him over to try me."
Su Yi Shui rarely used her full name like that, and Ranran could tell that his words were highly-charged. She couldn't help feeling a little sweet inside her heart, so she tugged at his sleeve and said "I don't want to marry anyone else but you…"
After hearing this, Su Yi Shui couldn't help but feel his anger dissipate in a moment, but at the same time, he cursed in his heart: Not wanting to marry yet still teasing him, she hadn't changed her ways from her past life at all. If he were still a sixteen or seventeen-year-old youth, wouldn't she have toyed with his emotions and made him lose his soul completely? From this, he could tell that he had been bewitched by her ways twenty years ago, which was definitely forgivable. After all, the experienced enchantress had beguiled the ignorant youth that he was back then…
As he was thinking this, Ranran said in a low voice again, "I hope you could remember, not because I want you to die for me. If something really happens to you, how can I live on? But I just hope you would understand clearly why you are marrying me and I also know why I am marrying you, so we won't become resentful partners."
Su Yi Shui felt that Ranran's thoughts were too naive and childish, but he finally relaxed his stiff posture, and allowed Ranran to lean on his shoulder. He said "You're still young and don't understand that most resentful partners in the world all had their period of sweet romance, before they turned resentful. So resentful partners usually didn't start out because they didn't think things through, but they just couldn't withstand the test of time."
Ranran blinked her eyes, saying softly, "So, if we cultivators become immortal partners, wouldn't we face endless time and inevitably become resentful?"
Su Yi Shui thought for a moment and said very seriously "If your father's worries about me, having an aching back and weak kidneys, getting up too many times at night, were true, then resentment will most likely grow."
Hmm…
Ranran blinked, even though she was a very intelligent woman, she was unable to understand the meaning behind Su Yi Shui's serious words.
Seeing that she didn't seem to understand, Su Yishui leaned over and whispered a few sentences in her ear.
Ranran's fair face immediately flushed red, and she stared speechlessly at Su Yi Shui. She then stood up stiffly, and kicked her former wayward disciple in anger before rushing out.
She couldn't believe her ears. How could such a proper man like Su Yi Shui say such improper words?
But that night, Xue Ranran tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Eventually, when she finally fell asleep, she dreamt of herself in a red dress, covered in a red veil, being led by *Su Yi Shui into a red silk candlelit bridal chamber.
*男人 in the novel, the author liked to refer to Su Yi Shui sometimes as 'the man'.
Ranran blushed furiously and hesitated to recall the events in her dream after the candles were extinguished. But the dream was both tiring and long, with someone whispering in her ear, "If I don't exert some effort, what if you start to feel resentful?"
When she woke up in the morning, Ranran hid under the covers, and closed her eyes to secretly remember her dream for just a moment.
Then, Qiu Xier came to urge her to get up for breakfast, and when she saw Ranran's blushing face from the window, she jokingly said, "Junior sister, why are you still in bed? Was raunchy dreams keeping you?"
Ranran threw a pillow at her, feeling a sudden panic — was she that obvious? If Su Yi Shui noticed later, what should she do?