Asking About Longevity Chapter 716

Chapter 716 Fate

 After the family banquet, the guests dispersed.

Although there were some twists and turns, everything was generally peaceful, and it could barely be considered a "guest and host enjoying each other."

 Late night, in the study of the head of the Gu family.

 Shangguan Ce and Gu Shouyan sat across from each other, making tea and talking by candlelight at night.

 The two grew up together and practiced together. In addition to being the heads of the family, they are also old friends.

Although the Shangguan family is stronger than the Gu family, the gap is not too big.

Gu Shouyan is slightly older than Shangguan Ce.

Both of them have lived for hundreds of years, gone through ups and downs, and have both calculated interests and deep friendships.

Gu Shouyan has an upright temperament and always speaks out when he has something to do. He said in a deep voice:

“You want to take back all Shangguan's business?”

Shangguan Ce said: "This is a gesture of goodwill. Brother Gu, even if you don't accept it, you should still give him some room for change..."

　　"Is Tao Lv my Gu family?"

These businesses are all located in some monastic properties near the border of Qianxue Prefecture, which were originally managed by the Gu family.

Gu Shouyan continued to make tea by himself and fiddled with the tea leaves in the tea can.

Shangguan Ce still shook his head, "You know everything I said, but I can't say anything you don't know."

Shangguan Ce said: "Whether you are well-intentioned or not, the interests are here."

 Shangguan Ce breathed a sigh of relief.

Gu Shouyan said with a cold face, "Those villains from the Shen family are useless to associate with."

Shangguan Ce shook his head, "This can't be said."

Shangguan Ce remained silent.

Shangguan Ce nodded, "The Shen family paid a high price, and I transferred it to them. Compared with our Shangguan family operating it ourselves, we can earn 20% more profit."

Gu Shouyan glared, "What kind of face? Do they want me to give them face? They want my power of the Gu family to give them face! They want Daolv to give them face!"

 “Does the power belong to my family?”

 The room felt a little dull for a while.

He and Shangguan Ce grew up together, and he knew exactly what kind of virtue Shangguan Ce was.

Gu Shouyan waved his hand, "Take them all away. Originally, your Shangguan family's wife was taking care of them. If you want to take them back, just tell her."

"The power of the Taoist court, the authority of the Taoist law, is taken from the way of heaven, and from the people below. How can I, the Gu family, be so virtuous and capable that I dare to take it as my own and use my power for personal gain?"

 “What benefit?”

Shangguan Ce's eyes narrowed slightly and he sighed, "The Shen family should have also come to see you, but you rejected them flatly?"

 Shangguan Ce could only do it by himself and poured himself a glass.

Gu Shouyan didn't want to pay attention to him, he was cooking tea by himself, looking at the steam of tea, concentrating on it, obviously not taking these gains and losses seriously.

Gu Shouyan sneered, "Is the Shen family so kind?"

Shangguan Ce shook his head, "In front of a noble family, we only talk about interests, not virtue. We must first put morality aside when we act, otherwise it will be easy to act on impulse and delay the development of the family."

Gu Shouyan was surprised when he heard this and raised his eyebrows.

The tea tastes a bit bitter and astringent, so it is not considered a good tea.

After a long time, Shangguan Ce's eyes darkened and he sighed:

 “Gu family...will be in trouble.”

 He did not give Shangguan advice to overthrow him.

 Gu Shouyan said "hmm".

Gu Shouyan sneered, "What other benefits can there be? It's just spiritual stones, elixirs, connections... Oh, and the quota for the four major sects?"

 But if it does not involve his own interests or those of the Shangguan family, he will also be considerate and speak more frankly.

After all, with his level of cultivation and status, there are not many monks left who can really speak a few words and chat for a while.

 This person is selfish, sophisticated and self-interested.

 But Gu Shouyan liked the taste of it.

Shangguan Ce probed: "The Shangguan family's business..."

　　"If you don't tell me, don't tell me. That's your business, but don't teach me how to do things." Gu Shouyan has a good temper.

Gu Shouyan asked: "Who is causing trouble for my Gu family? The Shen family?"

"Most of the monks in my Gu family are from Tao Tingsi. They are not good at business. These monastic properties are only used to supplement the family income. They are tasteless and it is a pity to throw them away. They also have to trouble that girl Wan'er. It is not worth it. ”

Shangguan Ce didn't like it very much, but he didn't say anything. He drank the tea silently, looked at Gu Shouyan's white hair on his temples, and sighed slightly:

“Brother Gu, a man is capable of bending and stretching...”

 So even though he disliked Shangguan Ce's virtue and felt that he was too scheming, Gu Shouyan still had a good friendship with him after so many years.

"There are so many aristocratic families above who have shown goodwill to the Gu family. As long as you give them a little face, the Gu family will not be promoted to the fifth rank...until now."

Gu Shouyan was very disappointed, so he poured himself a cup of tea and drank it slowly.

Shangguan Ce had a headache, "There are some things that others can do, but you, the Gu family, can't do it? Are you the only one who is noble and noble?"

　　"It doesn't count as noble," Gu Shouyan said with a look of disdain on his face, "I'm happy with it."

Shangguan Ce suddenly lost his temper.

Gu Shouyan glanced at Shangguan Ce and found that his old friend, at least at the moment, was not so thoughtful and really cared about him, so he sighed:

“You are obsessed with fame and fortune. You know better than me about fame and fortune, but this matter is actually far from as simple as you think.”

“Over the years, my Gu family has had ancestors from Dongxu, and I already have a fifth-grade background…”

“Although there are people in the aristocratic family who hate my Gu family to the core, there are also people who have very close friendship with my Gu family. No matter how popular they are, they will not be reduced to the point of being isolated and helpless.”

"Even several times, I have stepped into the threshold of the fifth level, but I still couldn't go further due to many constraints."

Gu Shouyan said in a low voice, "Is it child's play for a real Daotingsi fifth-grade family?"

“I, the Gu family, abide by the laws, but too many people don't want me to take care of the family and take this step forward.”

Shangguan Ce frowned slightly.

"Furthermore," Gu Shouyan muttered to himself, "do you think that if I accept the overtures of those aristocratic families and collude with them, they will accept me as the Gu family?"

Gu Shouyan shook his head, took a sip of tea, and continued:

“If I don't accept their overtures, then my Gu family will be a wild wolf.”

"Even if they are tigers and leopards and want to eat my Gu family, they still have to worry about my Gu family fighting back and tearing off a few pieces of meat."

“And if I benefit from them, then I will become a dog in taking care of my family!”

“On the surface, they may be polite, but secretly, they look down on me even more.”

“When I encounter some ugly things and they throw a bone, I will bite it and clean up the aftermath for them.”

Gu Shouyan's face was stern, his eyes were like swords, and he snorted:

 “Are they worthy of this group of silverfish?”

"Even if my Gu family risk their lives to bite off the meat from their bodies and eat it, they will not beg for mercy and lick the bones they throw away!"

Shangguan Ce thought for a moment, then shook his head and sighed:

“Brother Gu, you are still a little extreme. My Shangguan family can advance and retreat together with the Gu family, and they also..."

Gu Shouyan looked strong and said, "If you go to the official policy and accept the Shen family's overtures, you will be able to have good relations with the Shen family, because you are essentially the same kind of people."

 “And I'm not.”

 “You and I have never been the same kind of people.”

Shangguan Ce was startled, his eyes slightly cold, but not annoyed.

 Gu Shouyan continued:

 “This is true for the head of the family, and it is also true for the family.”

"Your Shangguan family and Shen family have prosperous industries, and they all rely on profit. As for my Gu family, working in Daotingsi, the fundamental reason is to rely on the 'roots' to build a family."

“If the Shangguan family suddenly talks about their 'roots', I'm afraid they will die in the blink of an eye.”

"Similarly, if my Gu family doesn't care about the 'roots', even if it is strong for a while, it will only be destroyed in a matter of seconds."

Shangguan's strategy is slightly absent-minded.

 He has always thought that his eldest brother has a tough temper, is rigid in his actions, and does not know how to adapt.

Unexpectedly, he was not as stubborn as he appeared.

 He actually understands many things.

 And it seems that he can see it more clearly than himself.

Shangguan Ce sighed in his heart, as expected, the real person cannot be judged by his appearance.

 He poured a cup of tea for Gu Shouyan and said calmly:

 “Brother Gu, just take care of yourself.”

 I hope that in the future, the Shangguan family and the Gu family will not go down the same path as fire and water.

 Gu Shouyan said "hmm", took the tea and drank it.

 At this point, basically everything that needs to be said has been said.

 The two of them drank tea separately. Although they did not speak, they did not scheming with each other, and the atmosphere became much more relaxed.

Gu Shouyan suddenly remembered something and glanced at Shangguan Ce curiously, but did not ask.

Shangguan Ce seemed to feel something. He put down his teacup and said slowly: "Brother Gu, just tell me if you have anything to do."

Gu Shouyan nodded, not shying away, and said bluntly:

"There's one thing I don't understand. How can you, a person who only cares about interests, have such deep prejudices against others?"

"Today's dinner, the elder of the Shen family made things difficult for Wan'er in such a manner, which was inappropriate, but you didn't say a word?"

Shangguan Ce was silent, "He's just a fool..."

He took a sip of tea, brushed the tea leaves, and said calmly, "The Shen family married her here to test the attitude of my Shangguan family."

“The Shen family has shown goodwill to us, and we must also show our attitude.”

"Even if she keeps messing around, we have to be polite. After all, she just earned the Shen family's spiritual stone, and she can be soft-spoken."

“And the other members of the Shangguan family are actually using her as a spearhead to put pressure on Yier..."

"The other members of the Shangguan family have long been eyeing the position of the head of the family. If they can't take it from me, then they can take it from Yi'er."

"This kind of thing will happen in the future, and I won't get involved."

"I am the head of the family, but I am only the head of the family. The real power lies in the hands of the ancestors, and I cannot decide many things."

"If Yi'er has the ability to serve everyone, then he can naturally become the head of the family. But if he can't control others, it would be a good thing to let someone else take this position as soon as possible. Otherwise, he will not be indecisive and damage the family foundation."

"As for Wan'er..." Shangguan Ce's eyes darkened, "She was implicated by Yi'er."

"Anyone with a discerning eye can see that Yi'er is too affectionate and has too much regard for Wan'er, so Wan'er naturally became his destiny."

“Husband and wife are one, and if Wan'er makes a mistake, then Yi'er makes a mistake.”

Shangguan Ce sighed slightly and said: "If Yi'er is just a child of an ordinary family, not the son of the head of the family like me, and is not involved in the dispute between the heads of the family, then naturally no one will think of embarrassing Wan'er."

“They, as a young couple, just need to live their lives in peace.”

“It's a pity that they are not ordinary people…”

Gu Shouyan nodded.

 “As for hearing about others…”

Shangguan Zhizhi pondered with complicated eyes, "Although the Shangguan family and the Wenren family have differences and have not intermarryed for generations, it is not a blood feud."

"Otherwise, the marriage between Yi'er and Wan'er will be cut off from the very beginning. No matter how hard Yi'er begs, it will be impossible."

Shangguan Ce glanced at Gu Shouyan and said calmly: "But I am indeed not optimistic about this marriage from the beginning to the end."

“Meeting the Wen family is just one aspect. I don't hate the Wen family, but there is really no benefit to the Shangguan family from marrying the Wen family…”

 “In other words, the benefits are not big enough.”

"Yi'er has a good background, good talents, and excellent appearance. Although some children are affectionate and indecisive, this makes women more popular."

“When we were discussing the marriage, I had several marriages in my hands. These women were of direct bloodline, with first-class family backgrounds, good looks, and powerful dowries.”

"Being married to them will be of great help to my Shangguan family, to me as the head of the family, and to Yi'er's future inheritance as the head of the family."

“Yi'er will have a smooth journey in the future.”

"But…"

Shangguan Ce sighed deeply, "Yi'er disappoints me so much. He doesn't want any of these good marriages. He only thinks about 'I won't marry anyone except you' and insists on welcoming this girl Wan'er into the door."

"Wan'er is not a bad child. He is as affectionate and righteous as Yi'er. Although he is a little willful, he has a good heart."

"But as the future wife of the Shangguan family, she is not qualified at all."

“Plus, this is the first time Yi'er has disobeyed me like this.”

“His marriage, through its operation, could have huge benefits, and my Shangguan family's status could also be further improved towards the unattainable sixth rank. However, everything backfired, and all the plans were in vain..."

Even though Shangguan Ce's palace was very deep, he could not help but slightly widen his eyebrows, showing a sulky look.

Gu Shouyan probably understood.

Sitting in the position of the head of the household, many things are not as simple as they appear.

He also understood Shangguan Ce's mood.

"But," Gu Shouyan frowned, "What about Yu'er? Wan'er, that's all. After all, Yu'er is your biological grandson in a single line. You can't do that because this girl Wan'er has alienated even your biological grandson..."

Shangguan Ce's eyes darkened slightly, his expression changed, and he seemed to have something to hide.

  “If it's not convenient, just forget it.”

Gu Shouyan just asked in passing and didn't insist on Shangguan Ce's answer.

 This is, after all, a family matter of the Shangguan family.

Gu Shouyan poured himself another cup of tea and began to sip it slowly.

Shangguan Ce's face was covered with a shadow. After being silent for a long time, he finally sighed and spoke slowly:

"When Yu'er was born...I asked an ancestor from Qin Tianjian to tell his fortune."

Gu Shouyan was stunned and frowned slightly.

Shangguan Ce continued: "Yu'er..."

He paused for a moment, closed his eyes deeply, then slowly opened them, with a cold tone, "Since Yu'er was born, his destiny has been to be a 'dead person', a mutilated body, not a living person. people…"

Gu Shouyan's hands trembled and he looked shocked.

　　Then his eyes darkened, "Fate matters may not be true..."

Shangguan Ce shook his head, "You don't know the identity of that ancestor. His fortune telling can't be wrong."

 “And...I can see it too.”

"Yu'er, this child, has been different from others since he was a child. Although he seems to be good, his spiritual consciousness is naturally weak, as if his soul is incomplete. Moreover, he can occasionally see things that ordinary monks cannot see, and he can do Some incredible nightmares, like...a baby with one foot half-stepped into hell..."

Shangguan Ce's eyes were a little painful, "So every time I see Yu'er, I feel like a thorn in my heart."

“He is my only biological grandson whom I got with great difficulty, but he is destined to be a 'dead man' who dies young and cannot be raised at all…”

Gu Shouyan looked stunned for a long time, then suddenly looked at Shangguan Ce, mercilessly, and sneered:

“You were too scumbag when you were young, and you deserve to be extinct when you are old.”

Shangguan Ce looked ugly, but he was unable to argue.

Seeing his expression, Gu Shouyan sighed, but his tone softened a little after all, "Can't we save him?"

Shangguan Ce looked bitter, "No one can change such things as fate."

"Fart!" Gu Shouyan's face darkened, "If we really can't change, then there won't be any words like 'change your destiny against the will of heaven'!"

Shangguan Ce sighed: "These are the original words of the ancestor. Back then, he said that Yu'er's fate was forged innately. The secret of heaven is too deep and the cause and effect are too great. It cannot be reversed by human power..."

Gu Shouyan asked in a low voice: "What kind of cultivation is that ancestor?"

Shangguan Ce pointed to the sky.

Gu Shouyan felt a chill in his heart and said no more, but he also knew in his heart the weight of this assertion.

 After drinking tea, Shangguan Ce left.

Gu Shouyan sat alone at the table, not drinking tea. He sat in a daze, and the innocent and well-behaved look of Yu'er that day came to mind again.

Gu Shouyan couldn't help but feel pain in his experienced heart, and sighed in a low voice:

 “A good boy, but he has a bad life...”

Mo Hua had a big meal and stayed one night at Gu's house. He was going back to Taixumen early the next morning.

Mr. Xun wrote the four words "deep blessings" and gave them to Wen Renwan in ink paintings.

Although Mr. Xun didn't explicitly say who he would give it to, Mo Hua vaguely guessed that his intention was to give it to Aunt Wan.

 When Wen Renwan took over this calligraphy, he was also flattered.

 In any family in Qianzhou, Patriarch Dongxu is a top figure, and ordinary disciples have no chance to meet him, let alone receive a gift of handwriting.

Wen Renwan originally wanted to return the gift to Mr.

 So she packed a lot of food and drink, as well as some second-grade formations, calligraphy formations and diagrams, and gave them all to Mo Hua.

 They are all things that Mo Hua likes.

 Ink painting declined a few times symbolically, and then accepted it happily and with peace of mind.

Before leaving, Gu Changhuai also found ink paintings.

 The two of them sat on the steps at the door and chatted briefly.

"I have something to tell you," Gu Changhuai thought for a moment and then said, "A few days ago, a group of demonic cultivators of unknown origin swarmed around the border of Qianxue Prefecture."

 “Moxiu?” Mo Hua was startled.

Gu Changhuai nodded, "The origin has not been found out yet, how many there are, and what their cultivation level is, is also unclear."

“The scope of activities is also limited to the second and third grade small state boundaries near the Qianxue state boundary. The intentions are unknown, but they must not have any good intentions.”

“Daotingsi has already started to take action, but the current situation is not easy to say...”

Gu Changhuai glanced at the ink painting again and reminded:

“Although you are 'grounded' and cannot leave the Qianxue state boundary, and there is a high probability that you will not encounter them, you still have to be careful just in case.”

 “Hmm,” Mo Hua nodded.

 (End of this chapter)

Chapter end