277 Chapter Seventy Seven - Everyone knows of our relationship (2/2)
”Jin Li's Grandfather,” Carmen turned to him seeking hope and to her relief, there was no disdain in his eyes, just his usual amused and amicable expression. ”This girl is confused, is matters of Jin Li's future happiness not a matter settled by his parents and your honoured self?” She said this even while knowing it really was little to do with a maternal grandparent unless the parents themselves wished otherwise.
His eyes flickered upward and saw quickly through the nature of his grandson and the youth beside him. They then filled with a mischievous glint and he pulled off a pained and hurt show. ”Aya, this unfilial grandson, whenever has he turned to this old man for such advice and support! Just goes and does things his own way... I matter so little in his heart.”
Leon looked confused and glanced up at Jin Li, tugging at his sleeve. ”The n-n-new t-teacher is your G-Grandfather?” He whispered.
Jin Li didn't answer him, just clicked his tongue and voiced his dissatisfaction with a word; ”Grandfather.”
”Alright, alright,” the youthful looking elder said, dismissively before muttering; ”always so serious.” Then he glanced down to smile sympathetically at the General's out of luck granddaughter. ”When it comes to marriage matters, it is true that we parents and grandparents seldom allow our descendants to be wilful, yet still willingly often try help them realise their hearts desires where possible. However that is for children born without the ability to cultivate. Did you know that my daughter was almost four hundred years old before she finally settled down? That is how seriously my bloodline takes such matters of Dao Companionship.”
Merylin noticed Carmen's face still filled with confusion and sneered. Although she was as deeply unhappy as the other girl, at least she was not so stupid to dig a pit beneath herself to fall into. She decided to enlighten her, expelling her bitterness while drawing a firm line under this horrible matter. Four hundred years old? She felt that she was more likely to reach four thousand before she could be relieved of the sourness in her heart.
”You, girl, I will express a kindness and teach you something you are clearly not aware of,” she held her head high as she spoke in icy tones. ”A Dao Companionship is not on the same level as a marriage, in this, you could be said to be correct. But that is because it is much more than a marriage. Within it, there is no room for secondary wives and concubines, there is no room for mistresses or tong fang. And there is also no divorce. One's children must come from one's companion or not at all. Affairs would likely cause heart demons or cultivation to stagnate or even cause deviation. One's fate is tied to one's Dao Companion until death.”
Seeing Carmen's face pale due to the immensity of Merylin's words somewhat satisfied the other and she turned to the General and seniors in turn before bidding them farewell and leaving with a straightened spine.
”Grandfather...” Carmen turned to the General with tears glimmering in her eyes as if wronged. The General's expression didn't alter, still dissatisfied with her.
”This old man let you see a joke,” he expressed to Jian Juren, who urged him otherwise. The General then called to his servant and told him; ”Take the young miss back to our quarters to reflect.”
”Grandfather...?” Carmen pleaded but to no avail. She was led away.
The General sighed, before speaking to his grandson, who looked as if he was feeling awkward; ”Have fun with your friends... I'll sit in the stands.”
”Allow me to accompany you,” Jian Juren offered, offering Jin Li a sly expression as he left.
Leon rubbed his temples, his forehead wrinkled due to a frown as he tried to digest everything that had just happened, before he blushed in realisation; Jin Li just openly revealed their relationship to everyone. He couldn't help but grip the other's hand shyly. Jin Li was quite smug, on the other hand. Now everyone knew that his small alchemist, Leon, belonged to him alone.