Chapter 622 - 208: Hong Qingzhu’s Request (Part 2)

Many families wanted to build a relationship with this Xuanzhen Sect prodigy of immense potential. Some were even secretly plotting to establish a bond with Yang Jing through a marriage alliance.

After news spread that the Lin Mansion was hosting a banquet for Yang Jing, within half a day, the young ladies of several families had sent her word, saying they wanted to take the opportunity that evening to sneak a peek at what Yang Jing looked like.

Some had even specially hired artists, hoping to secretly commission a portrait of Yang Jing to take back with them.

So, when Lin Shuhua heard Hong Qingzhu suddenly mention Yang Jing, she subconsciously assumed that her friend had also been captivated by the rumored genius and wanted to use tonight’s opportunity to sneak a look at the Xuanzhen Sect prodigy who was the talk of the town.

Hearing Lin Shuhua’s teasing words, Hong Qingzhu couldn’t help but roll her eyes. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she huffed, "Pah! What are you thinking? Shuhua, what I have to tell you is the complete opposite."

"The complete opposite?"

Lin Shuhua was taken aback. She blinked, the smile fading from her face, and looked at Hong Qingzhu in confusion. "Qing Zhu, what do you mean by that? I don’t think I understand."

She had assumed Hong Qingzhu was merely curious about Yang Jing’s appearance, so this response filled her with bewilderment.

Hong Qingzhu took a deep breath, as if steeling herself with great resolve. She looked up at Lin Shuhua and said in a heavy tone, "Shuhua, I’ll be honest with you. My father... he wants me to marry Yang Jing."

"What?"

Hearing this, Lin Shuhua froze on the spot, her eyes wide with astonishment.

But on second thought, she realized it made perfect sense.

These days, Yang Jing was the unrivaled man of the hour in Jintai Prefecture. He had tied for first place in the Xuanzhen Sect’s Fushan competition, and at such a young age, he had already used the Three True Skills to break through to the Qi Eating Realm. His talent was extraordinary, and he was destined to become a remarkable figure in the future.

It was perfectly logical for Patriarch Hong to want to use a marriage alliance to forge a close bond with Yang Jing. It would not only add a powerful ally to the Hong Family but also elevate the family’s status to a new level.

The only thing that surprised Lin Shuhua was that Patriarch Hong had chosen Hong Qingzhu.

After all, Hong Qingzhu was a daughter of the Hong Family’s direct line, doted on since childhood, with a free-spirited and untamable personality. The fact that Patriarch Hong was willing to offer her for this marriage alliance truly showed how important he considered it.

Lin Shuhua composed herself and looked at Hong Qingzhu, asking cautiously, "Qing Zhu, what do you think about this? Are you willing?"

Hearing her question, Hong Qingzhu answered without a moment’s hesitation, "Of course I’m not willing!"

Her tone was filled with unconcealed resistance, and there was even a look of distaste on her face.

Seeing her reaction, Lin Shuhua nodded gently, understanding completely.

Although in her opinion, a marriage alliance with a prodigy like Yang Jing was an excellent match that would benefit everyone involved.

It was advantageous for the Hong Family, for Hong Qingzhu herself, and even for Yang Jing, with no apparent downside.

But she knew Hong Qingzhu’s personality too well. She had always yearned for freedom and refused to be bound by worldly conventions. She was unlikely to accept a marriage arranged by her family.

"Shuhua, you know me, don’t you?"

Hong Qingzhu frowned, her voice tinged with grievance. "In all these years, what kind of young talent in Jintai Prefecture City haven’t I seen? From the scions of prominent families to rising stars of the Martial Dao with outstanding talent, has a single one of them ever caught my eye?"

Lin Shuhua hesitated for a moment before she couldn’t help but try to persuade her. "Qing Zhu, I know you have high standards and are proud, but this Yang Jing is different from the other young talents you’ve met. He’s a prodigy disciple of one of the five major sects. His talent and strength are top-tier, and his future achievements will be limitless."

She paused, organizing her thoughts, then continued, "I don’t mean to be harsh, Qing Zhu, but those men you’ve met before, while they might have good family backgrounds and looks, are mostly just ordinary geniuses from the various families in Jintai Prefecture City. Compared to a core prodigy from the five major sects, the gap is enormous.

"If you marry Yang Jing, not only will you gain a powerful husband, but you’ll also be able to leverage the Xuanzhen Sect’s influence. Your position in the Hong Family will be even more secure in the future.

"For the Hong Family, it’s a chance to ally with a great power like the Xuanzhen Sect—all upside and no downside.

"So I advise you to reconsider it carefully. Don’t refuse out of impulse."

But Hong Qingzhu just shook her head, her tone unyieldingly firm. "I swore an oath long ago. I will never be like my older sister, marrying a man I don’t love and living an unhappy, joyless life.

"If I marry, it will only be to a man I love. People call that marrying for love, and that’s exactly what I’ll do. I refuse to compromise."

Lin Shuhua opened her mouth, wanting to try persuading her again, but Hong Qingzhu cut her off.

"Shuhua, don’t bother trying to persuade me. You know my personality. Once I’ve made up my mind about something, I never change it. You can’t convince me."

Hong Qingzhu looked at her, her gaze incredibly stubborn. "Even if that Yang Jing is outstanding, his talent immense, and his strength formidable, I don’t like him, so I will never marry him.

"If I can’t find someone I love in this lifetime, then I’d rather never marry at all than make myself miserable."

Seeing her determined expression, Lin Shuhua sighed softly and said with resignation, "Fine, I can’t win this argument. Have it your way."