"Miss, you've truly gone mad. If Father agrees, how will you handle it?" Xiao Lan almost shrieked.
Who would gamble their own fate like this?
This was a matter of lifelong commitment, not to be trifled with.
Wen Xi said indignantly, "If I have to marry, I'll marry. At worst, we'll hurt each other. This scoundrel is too detestable."
"No, absolutely not."
Xiao Lan shook her head, unwilling to let her young lady act recklessly.
"Haha, silly girl, with this scoundrel's qualifications, how could Father possibly take a liking to him? And once this news spreads, those persistent suitors who have been chasing me will undoubtedly see Ji Mo as a thorn in their side, a splinter in their flesh."
Wen Xi revealed a sly, fox-like smile.
Xiao Lan, only then understanding, realized her young lady intended to use a borrowed knife to kill!
If they knew Wen Xi had chosen Ji Mo as her potential husband, those men with ulterior motives towards Wen Xi would surely be unable to resist making a move against Ji Mo.
At that time, people would continuously seek trouble for Ji Mo.
"Miss, won't this backfire?" Xiao Lan couldn't help but ask.
"If anyone's going to get burned, it'll be that Ji fellow," Wen Xi said dismissively.
Ji Mo, unaware, had already been plotted against in such a short time.
He returned to his room and took out his writing supplies.
"Mr. Ji, what are you doing?" Tang Xueyi asked.
"I'm writing a copy of 'An Ode to My Humble Abode' for that ill-tempered young lady outside, so she stops pestering me."
"Hmm, what style of calligraphy was it again?"
"Never mind, I'll write them all. It won't take much effort anyway."
Ji Mo didn't dwell on it. He dipped his brush in ink and began to write, producing various versions of 'An Ode to My Humble Abode' in Song, Kai, and Slender Gold script, among others.
Tang Xueyi, watching from the side, was dazzled and completely stunned.
Each piece of calligraphy not only featured different styles but also contained distinct Daoist charm.
Some exuded a vast, righteous aura, with rolling righteous energy washing over one.
Others were like iron strokes and silver hooks, each stroke and捺 (nà) a subtle sword move, resonating with sword intent, profound and unparalleled.
Some seemed to form entire worlds, with buildings, figures, and other elements unfolding before one's eyes like paintings, leaving people in awe.
...
Superb skill, truly superb skill!
"Go on, send that young lady away."
Ji Mo casually crumpled over a dozen sheets of paper and handed them to Tang Xueyi, asking her to deliver them to Wen Xi.
"All of them?"
Tang Xueyi felt the weight in her hands. Each piece of calligraphy was priceless, and to give them all away, she was reluctant!
"What, you want them too? There are piles of calligraphy and paintings over there. Take whatever you like later."
Ji Mo pointed towards the kitchen, where countless pieces of calligraphy and paintings were discarded, intended to be used as firewood.
A whole pile!
To be used as firewood!
Tang Xueyi's mind immediately buzzed. Treasures that cultivators would fight tooth and nail for were merely discarded refuse by Mr. Ji, used to start fires for cooking.
Generous, truly too generous!
Dazed, Tang Xueyi walked to the door and reluctantly handed the dozen-plus copies of 'An Ode to My Humble Abode' to Xiao Lan, saying to Wen Xi, "Mr. Ji is compensating you for this. Please don't cause trouble again."
Wen Xi remained silent. Was this considered causing trouble?
When Tang Xueyi knew she wanted to choose Ji Mo as her husband, she would understand what true trouble-making was.
Could a few casually written pieces of calligraphy possibly compensate for it?
Xiao Lan curiously glanced at one and was filled with astonishment, trembling uncontrollably, her voice quivering, "Miss, you must see this!"
"See what? Just a bunch of shoddy fakes. Don't act like you've never seen the world."
Wen Xi wished she could tap Xiao Lan's forehead. This girl was truly embarrassing.
Having seen plenty of good things at the Wen Manor, why was she so surprised?
"No, I think these are even better than your previous 'Ode to My Humble Abode'."
Xiao Lan couldn't help but remind her, her heart pounding rapidly.
Unfortunately, Wen Xi didn't believe it at all. She didn't even glance at them, dismissing them as dirt.
"Miss, if you really don't look, don't regret it," Xiao Lan asked again.
"So verbose. Throw them away, don't sully my eyes." Wen Xi said with disdain.
But how could Xiao Lan bear to throw them away? She clutched them tightly, afraid Tang Xueyi would take them back.
...
Mingyue City, City Lord's Mansion.
Recently, Wen Zhong had been extremely worried.
His elder daughter, Wen Xi, was devoted to arts and literature, while his second daughter was dedicated to cultivation. Both daughters were of marriageable age but had no intention of marrying.
The Wen family was already in decline, and they could not marry their daughters off. Therefore, they could only take in sons-in-law.
For this reason, Wen Zhong had to pressure his daughters daily to choose a husband.
Previously, he could let his daughters humor him, but recently his old injuries had flared up, and his health was declining day by day. For the continuation of the Wen family line, he had no choice but to urge his daughters to quickly find husbands and marry.
Now, upon receiving news from his elder daughter, Wen Xi, that she had found someone she fancied, he was overjoyed.
"Excellent, Xi'er has finally opened up."
Wen Zhong was extremely excited, wishing he could immediately hold Wen Xi's wedding and become a father-in-law.
"Baishou Town, Ji Mo!"
Seeing that the information about his future son-in-law consisted of only five words, Wen Zhong's heart chilled.
Because he couldn't recall any outstanding young masters from noble families or elite disciples from major sects named Ji Mo.
Could it be that Xi'er had fabricated someone to fool her old man?
Wen Zhong was not easily fooled and immediately dispatched people to investigate.
A few days later, his subordinates brought good news: there was indeed a person named Ji Mo in the Baishou Town area. He was an orphan, from a poor family, but pure-hearted, often offering free medical treatment to the poor, and had an excellent reputation.
"Baishou Town, the former residence of the White Emperor. It is indeed a place of outstanding people and spiritual energy."
Wen Zhong's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled. His initial impression of Ji Mo was quite satisfactory.
As for his humble background, he didn't care. What mattered most in a man was his character and virtue.
"Human hearts are unfathomable. I wonder if this Ji Mo is merely seeking fame and is not as good as he appears."
There were as many people in the world seeking to marry into influential families as fish in a school. As the saying goes, you can know a person's face but not their heart. He absolutely could not let someone with ulterior motives deceive Wen Xi's feelings.
Wen Zhong immediately made a decision: he would personally assess this son-in-law.
As long as he passed his scrutiny, he would arrange the marriage immediately.
Wen Zhong secretly traveled to Baishou Town and observed Ji Mo's every word and action from afar.
"Handsome appearance, clear eyes, a scholarly aura flowing through him, gentle and refined. Judging by his appearance and demeanor alone, he is indeed impeccable, and he is very well-matched with Xi'er."
"Diligent, simple, humble, sincere in his dealings with others, helpful..."
"Good, good. My daughter's taste is truly first-class."
After days of observation, Wen Zhong's impression of Ji Mo was very good.
More importantly, Ji Mo was an ordinary person, which was a significant plus.
An ordinary person would not overshadow the family and pose a threat to the Wen family, nor would his daughter have to fear being bullied in the future. This was excellent.
The more Wen Zhong looked, the more satisfied he became. This was simply the best candidate for a son-in-law.
"Haha, a heaven-sent worthy son-in-law! My Wen family will definitely have him!"
Upon returning to Mingyue City, Wen Zhong immediately instructed the old housekeeper to choose an auspicious date as soon as possible to send a betrothal gift to Ji Mo and finalize the marriage.