"That's right. A'Jiu, you're so beautiful, lots of men like you, but you rarely like them back. It's already his honor that you reciprocate his feelings. You're smart, educated, with a good head for business. The herbal store you added to the family business is doing so great and bringing in lots of profit. You're knowledgeable in medicine, and saved his life with your skills. You're kind and well mannered, a proper young lady with a good background. Humility, kindness, honesty and bravery are all attributes you have in abundance. Despite being wealthy, you wear the clothes the rest wear and don't look down on them, you stand up for the weak being bullied. Everyone loves you, your family also has money. Why on earth will you think you're not a good match?"

Anthony shook his head as he listened to the girls discuss love like some fairytale. They are in for a rude awakening. Not everyone is destined to have a happily ever after. And in a martial arts clan, love is never the most important thing, nor does flimsy feelings which might be fleeting guarantee a lifetime of happiness. Besides, who is to say she's not attracted to the man's status? As they rightly said, she rejected all suitors. But she was already falling in love with somebody way out of her league. Was it truly love or is she another pretender like Priscilla eager to climb the ranks? Only time will tell, and this story was one he was determined to keep an eye on.

"The Chu clan has more money than we do, more prestige, and most importantly they're a quickly rising force in the martial arts world. Chu Lan himself is genius that has been scouted multiple times by bigger sects. It's not the turn of a middle class girl to be with him. He needs a girl of equal standing who can travel the martial arts world with him to make a name together, not a clueless housewife that can only be a weakness for his enemies to target. I can only do house chores, cook, take care of him, direct the house servants and do business to bring in money. As for what really matters to him which is power, I can't afford that because I'm useless. Also, his parents don't like me. The last time I sneaked into the Chu clan to see him, I heard his parents beating him up because of me, and threatening him. They already have a girl in mind, I don't dare to have such thoughts." She whispered sadly, looking away.

"Even if his parents don't like you, what does it matter? You won't be living with them. With your family's resources you can establish another clan with him. He also has quite the supporters in his clan. As long as he loves you enough, it is possible. A man that loves you will risk everything for you, whether it's his parents support or his inheritance." Another girl chipped in.

Anthony's footsteps stopped at this point.

"If he sacrifices everything for you, what will you sacrifice for him? If he sacrifices his happiness, family and prestige to be with you, and loose his money, status and heir position, will you still love him? If he bets everything on you, what are you going to bet on him? How do you guarantee you won't make his life miserable once you think you got your wish?"

The girls lokked at him in surprise. They seemed to have forgotten that someone was tagging along with them as they gossiped.

"Young master." A'Jiu whispered, looking hurt. The others also looked upset, wondering why Anthony snapped at them.

"I ask you again, if he risks everything for you, what will you risk to make the relationship work? Or will the work be left for him because he's the man? Love is not a bed of roses, especially when your family is not supportive. If his family doesn't support it, the road ahead would be filled with thorns. He would be cursed and cast aside for not upholding filial piety. His mother might even threaten him with suicide, his name might be erased from the genealogical records and he will lose precious cultivation resources that enabled him to have an easy life. If he gives up all these things, his position and fame, leaving his parents in pain to live a simple life with you as a recluse, will you still accept him? A man who has lost everything that made him attractive while trying to hold onto you."

The girl kept silent, her eyes wet with tears.

"Do you even love him? Or do you love the idea of being his woman? If he get kicked out by his family, loses his cultivation or becomes disabled, will you still want him? If the answer is yes, then you should go on and hold on to him. But I'm telling you now, if he decides to go against his clan to be with you, he's going to lose a lot. Are you willing to take the gamble with him? If he sacrifices the most important things to him just to be with you, what are you going to sacrifice to make the relationship work?"

"You might look down on me because I look simple, but I'm not a fickle girl that wavers because of a storm. If he truly insists on making it work, I will do everything necessary from my own end. I may be young and don't know much, but I know that love is not a joke. We only choose a partner once in our part of the world. We live with them, we die with them. In my family, there are only widows and widowers, but never has it been heard that someone from my family deserted their other half for any reason." A'Jiu replied, biting her lips.

"Young master, you have gone too far." Xinglan shouted, rushing to comfort A'Jiu.

"It was not my intention to make her cry. I just didn't want her to raise her hopes too much. This kind of story happened before in a powerful clan. The man's parents didn't want the girl because of a feud and difference in perspective between the two families, the couple insisted on going on with the wedding with only the bride's family consent. The groom's father livid with anger came in and started a blood bath. The bride's family was not his match. However, a passing cultivator who was very powerful stepped in and forcefully quelled the chaos. To prevent the wedding from going on, the groom's father committed suicide at the spot. The devastated groom overwhelmed with guilt at having failed in his duties to his father killed himself. The heartbroken bride unable to bear the sorrow died too. And a wedding became a funeral. In a situation where the family don't agree, it's best to proceed with caution and carefully persuade them, instead of chasing hot headed feelings that might puff out like air in a balloon if not handled carefully."

"Why are scaring A'Jiu like that? Everyone's fate can't be the same. The incident which I'm guessing happened to someone you know since you got angry once you remembered it, is not guaranteed to repeat itself. I believe that love conquers all. As long as Chu Lan likes her, he will figure out a way around that."

Anthony chuckled.

"And how are you sure that he loves you enough to disobey his parents? Could it be just your wishful thinking?"

His scathing words made them speechless once again.

"How could that be? He truly loves her a lot. He buys her gifts, brings her game and fur after hunting monsters. He always comes to pick her up to wander around the market with him. He lives a bit far away, but he makes sure to come along often, even if it involved riding an hour on horseback and braving the forest trails at night. Even if he doesn't say it, actions are louder than words. If there are no genuine feelings, he won't treat her so well." Miao Miao quickly chipped in. Anthony wanted to point out that some men were just raised that way, trained to respect and honor women, worshipping and treasuring them like they were goddesses. And that his kindness and thoughtfulness could be as a repayment for saving his life. But he already offended them a lot. It would be better to bridle his tongue.

"Then I wish you good luck. Love is a beautiful thing and a beautiful woman like you deserves to find happiness." Anthony replied and winked at her.

An idea occurred to him and he suddenly turned to A'Jiu.

"What if he takes you in as a concubine instead of a wife? What would you do? His parents might ask him to make their choice the principal wife, and you a concubine. They might see this as a suitable compromise. He can marry the girl of a powerful clan as the official wife, maintaining the clan's reputation and honor, forging the so desired alliance. On the other hand, he could marry you the one he loves as a concubine, keeping her at home to manage the family and accompany him. It solves both problems, both him and his parents got their wishes. If you're hit with such a situation what are you going to do?"

The question immediately made the girls' faces turn black, obviously displeased with the idea.

"I won't marry him. I won't live such a pathetic life as someone's mistress. If I can't have him all to myself, I don't want him." Miao Miao said.

Anthony scoffed and turned to A'Jiu.

"The question was for her not you."

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