Nangong Wan returned to the main courtyard and pushed open the study door to see Shen Xiong standing with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing out the window.

She sighed softly and closed the door behind her.

“Has Xian’er agreed?” Shen Xiong asked without turning his head.

“Yes,” Nangong Wan replied, walking to his side, her voice low. “But I can’t help feeling there’s something odd about Xing’er suddenly suggesting that Xian’er go to the Divine Wood Sect.”

Shen Xiong turned around, a slight frown on his brow. “You’re overthinking it. Xing’er has always been steady and reliable. This move is surely for the family’s benefit.”

There was one thing he didn’t say: given his eldest son’s potential, even if he did have some ulterior motive, it wouldn’t be a big deal.

A trace of reluctance showed on Nangong Wan’s face. “But Xian’er just received the ancestor’s blessing. This is precisely when he needs the family’s protection…”

“That’s exactly why he should go,” Shen Xiong interrupted. “The Divine Wood Sect’s Nine Revolutions Marrow Cleansing Pool can help him consolidate his foundation. It’s a hundred times better than staying with the family.”

What he didn’t say was that during this time, he had finally seen just how little effort his youngest son actually put in.

Nangong Wan hesitated, wanting to say more but holding back.

Ever since returning from the Ancestral Lands, she had felt that her eldest son’s attitude toward his younger brother was overly enthusiastic, yet she couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was wrong.

After all, in everyone’s eyes, Shen Xing had always been a gentle, refined gentleman of flawless character.

“Speaking of which…” Nangong Wan suddenly remembered something. “It’s time for Xian’er to reconsider the matter of a Dao Companion.”

Ye Qingxian was gone, but the Shen Family could not be left without descendants. Especially since Shen Xian was about to leave for a sect; if something unexpected happened, the Shen Family would truly have no heir.

Moreover, she could see that her youngest son didn’t care much about cultivation, which was why she wanted to find him another wife to bear and raise offspring.

So, to be safe, the matriarch brought up the matter.

Shen Xiong raised an eyebrow, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Nangong Wan continued, “I observe that Xian’er has a lazy disposition. If he had a Dao Companion to urge him on, perhaps he would be more motivated.”

After a pause, she added, “Besides… the Ye Family has no objections either.”

The matter regarding Ye Qingxian had already been settled between the Shen and Ye families and did not affect their alliance. So, in name, she was still Shen Xian’s principal wife.

Nangong Wan intended to find him another wife to fill the gap.

Shen Xiong pondered for a moment. “Wei Zhaoli, the direct descendant daughter of the Wei Family in Azure Province. I hear her talent is quite good.”

He had actually been thinking about this too. After all, how could the heir to the family head have no descendants? Especially since this youngest son of his was truly somewhat… lazy.

“The Wei Family?” Nangong Wan’s eyes lit up. “That girl is a Heavenly Spiritual Root and has close ties with the Divine Wood Sect…”

“Exactly,” Shen Xiong nodded. “I’ve already sent someone to discuss it with the Wei Family. The marriage alliance between our two families is basically settled. We’ll arrange for them to meet.”

A faint smile finally appeared on Nangong Wan’s face.

She thought to herself that if Xian’er could marry into the Wei Family, it would at least provide an extra layer of security. And the Shen Family could also gain a new ally because of it.

That wouldn’t be bad at all.

“I’ll meet her first when the time comes,” Nangong Wan said.

To be honest, she actually thought Ye Qingxian was quite good. It was just a pity…

“Alright. Xian’er will be leaving for the sect soon. Let’s arrange for them to meet tomorrow,” Shen Xiong said.

He had already made arrangements regarding the marriage.

On the Wei Family flying vessel, Wei Zhaoli was adjusting her collar before a water mirror.

In the mirror, a young woman in a moon-white flowing cloud dress looked back at her, the green jade silk ribbon at her waist tied meticulously.

“Young Miss, we’re almost at the Shen Family estate,” a maid called softly from outside the door.

Wei Zhaoli paused her fingers; the silver bells on her wrist chimed lightly.

She took a deep breath and picked up a bamboo scroll from the table, tucking it into her sleeve.

This was a remnant scroll of Records of Strange Tales from Mountains and Seas she had specially chosen. It was said that Third Young Master Shen had recently shown great interest in ancient mythical beasts.

“As the ancient texts say: ‘Know yourself and know your enemy; in a hundred battles you will never be in peril,'” she whispered softly to her reflection. But upon seeing her slightly reddened earlobes in the glass, she couldn’t help but laugh at herself.

It was just a meeting arranged by their families; why be so nervous?

The flying vessel passed through the clouds, and the outline of the Shen Family villa gradually became clear.

Wei Zhaoli lowered her gaze to adjust the silver bells on her wrist, thinking: If this Third Young Master Shen really is as lazy as rumored, how should I handle it?

At the same time, inside the Shen Family villa…

Nangong Wan was personally selecting spirit fruits for their guests. “Set out those Vermilion Beauty Fruits from Liu City’s tribute. I heard Miss Wei likes sweets.”

She turned to instruct the steward, “Also fetch that set of green jade tea ware from the treasury. The Wei Family Head loves green jade most.”

The steward hesitated. “Madam, that tea set is a treasured collection of the Family Head…”

“It’s fine,” Nangong Wan waved her hand dismissively. “We must show our sincerity.”

Her gaze drifted toward the end of the corridor.

Shen Xian was leaning lazily against a railing there, utterly unconcerned about the impending meeting.

Nangong Wan sighed inwardly. If only someone could discipline this child…

“They’re here!” A maid hurriedly reported. “The Wei Family flying vessel has arrived at our mountain gate!”

Nangong Wan straightened her sleeves.

Shen Xian seemed to sense something; he adjusted his dark blue brocade robe collar slightly, a glint of amusement flashing in his eyes.

The newly opened Dao Companion slot from his system might come in handy very soon indeed.

Not long after, crisp bell sounds came from afar.

A group of figures walked slowly along the corridor. Leading them was Wei Mingyuan, head of the Wei Family, followed by several elders.

And amidst this entourage stood a young woman dressed in moon-white flowing cloud robes.

“Family Head Wei,” Nangong Wan greeted with a smile.

Wei Mingyuan cupped his hands in return. “Madam Shen.”

He turned slightly to introduce the girl beside him. “This is my daughter, Zhaoli.”

Wei Zhaoli performed an elegant bow; the silver bells on her wrist emitted pleasant chimes. “Greetings, Madam Shen.”

Her voice was clear and smooth, like flowing stream water.

Nangong Wan carefully observed the young woman before her.

Her features were like painted art, her skin like congealed cream, and her almond-shaped eyes clear and bright. The green jade silk ribbon at her waist swayed gently with the breeze—truly bearing the grace befitting a daughter from a great noble house!

“What a lovely child! Please, sit quickly!” Nangong Wan warmly took hold of the girl’s hand, then turned toward the figure standing behind her. “Xian’er! Aren’t you going to greet Miss Wei?”

Shen Xian stepped forward, bowing respectfully. His face was calm, his voice gentle as a breeze. “Miss Wei.”

Wei Zhaoli lifted her gaze and saw the youth before her. He was clad in a dark blue brocade robe, the hem subtly embroidered with cloud patterns.

He stood there exuding a certain languidness, yet possessing an indescribable air of elegance and charm.

Her heart suddenly skipped a beat. The silver bells on her wrist unconsciously trembled.

This sound startled her, and she hurriedly lowered her lashes to conceal her sudden fluster.

When she raised her eyes again, she met his gaze directly. Those seemingly smiling yet not smiling depths held within them something like a hidden galaxy or an ancient well without ripples—unfathomable, yet irresistibly drawing one to explore further.

“Young Master Shen,” she heard her own voice, lighter than usual. Her fingertips unconsciously tightened around the bamboo scroll hidden in her sleeve.

Ancient texts spoke of “one glance spanning ten thousand years.” She had previously dismissed it as mere literary exaggeration, but now she suddenly understood its true essence.

After everyone was seated, the maids served spirit tea.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Wei Mingyuan, Nangong Wan found an excuse to lead the others away, leaving only the two youths in the pavilion.

The breeze brushed across the water surface, bringing threads of coolness.

Wei Zhaoli took a small sip of tea and broke the silence first. “I heard Young Master Shen received the ancestors’ blessings. Truly a cause for celebration…”