Qin Lu sat upright in the seat of honor, maintaining a composed smile, but his mind had already sunk into the system interface within his consciousness.

‘System!’

He silently intoned, his intent like a finger exploring the translucent interface.

The interface was extremely minimalistic. At its center were the statuses of two quests:

[Main Quest 2: Bloodline Spirit Awakening]

[Objective: Have first offspring possessing a spiritual root.]

[Status: Incomplete '0/1']

[Side Quest 1: Pulling the Thread of a Fine Match]

[Objective: Arrange a marriage for a family offspring through matchmaking. 'Incomplete']

[Reward: 30 points of Clan Fortune]

His gaze locked firmly onto the two characters for “Clan Fortune.” These mysterious points were the reward for completing the side quest, and more importantly, in his intuition, the key to unlocking his family’s immortal path.

When his intent concentrated on the words Clan Fortune, sure enough, a line of fine text emerged:

[Clan Fortune: The condensed essence of a family’s destiny, foundation, and potential. It can be used to enhance the aptitudes of family members, awaken talents, deduce techniques, strengthen bloodlines, and more. It is the core cornerstone for the survival and growth of a cultivation family.]

[Spiritual Root: Consume Clan Fortune to raise spiritual root quality or probability.]

[Cultivation: Consume Clan Fortune to assist in raising cultivation or improving constitution.]

[Technique: Consume Clan Fortune to deduce or optimize compatible techniques.]

[Talent: Consume Clan Fortune to accelerate the talent awakening process.]

[Current Clan Fortune: 0 points.]

‘Just as I thought!’

Qin Lu’s heart couldn’t help but beat faster! This Clan Fortune was indeed a divine object capable of defying fate and changing one’s destiny! His intuition was absolutely correct. With it, the mediocrity of his offspring’s spiritual roots—no, the very problem of having no spiritual roots at all—would be solved with ease! This was the system’s true value!

After the wild elation came an intense thirst.

30 points! Complete that side quest and he would instantly receive 30 points! This would be his first haul!

Once more, Qin Lu cast his gaze upon the side quest [Pulling the Thread of a Fine Match].

Offspring marriage...

To speak of a marriage that could be arranged now, it was naturally for his eldest son, eighteen-year-old Qin Wanlin.

Various pieces of information flashed rapidly through Qin Lu’s mind. His eldest son, Qin Wanlin, as the first heir of the Qin Residence, was naturally a focal point in the city. Though Qin Lu was devoted to pleasure, he was not completely ignorant of his son’s social connections. He vaguely remembered that his son seemed to be quite close with a daughter of the Fang family from the west of the city, Fang Qingxue.

The Fang family, though not as powerful as the Qin family, was considered an old and deeply rooted house that ran a medicinal herb business with extensive connections. And... Qin Lu’s gaze swept across the guest seats; the Fang family head, Fang Tongli, was right there among the guests, chatting and laughing merrily with several wealthy merchants!

“Wanlin!”

Qin Lu’s voice was not loud, but it carried a penetrating force, reaching Qin Wanlin’s ears clearly as he spoke with friends under the corridor. Upon hearing it, Qin Wanlin immediately begged pardon and quickly walked to the seat of honor, bowing to salute:

“Father, you called for me?”

Looking at his refined and cultured eldest son, Qin Lu revealed a meaningful smile. Lowering his voice, he came straight to the point:

“Wanlin, I’ve heard that you and the Fang family’s young miss have already developed feelings?”

Hearing this, a trace of surprise flashed in Qin Wanlin’s eyes. He hadn’t expected his father to suddenly bring up this matter. Yet that astonishment was instantly replaced by his customary composure. His gaze dipped slightly for a moment before rising again, his voice steady:

“Father’s perception misses nothing. This child and Sister Qingxue... indeed have some dealings. Sister Qingxue is gentle and well-bred, and in this child’s heart... there truly is admiration.”

Seeing his son’s impeccable bearing, Qin Lu was even more satisfied. He gave a slight nod. “Good! The Fang daughter is gentle, virtuous, and a fine match for you. Today is your father’s birthday banquet and an auspicious day. The Fang family head, Uncle Fang, is present among the guests at this very moment. Since you are sincere, your father will decide the matter and propose marriage on the spot! Are you willing?”

Qin Wanlin was momentarily stunned. Propose publicly? Right here at the birthday banquet? His father’s action was swift and decisive, far exceeding his expectations. But this matter went straight to his heart! He had long said that he would marry none but Qingxue in this life. Since Father had spoken, why not take advantage of the current? Thinking of this, he immediately bowed, his tone solemn: “Father has schemed so for this child! This child... is beyond grateful, and will abide entirely by Father’s decision!”

“Good!” Qin Lu gave a ringing laugh, clapped Qin Wanlin on the shoulder, and gestured for him to stand at his side. Then, with piercing eyes, he instantly locked onto Fang Tongli, head of the Fang family, seated among the guests. Qin Lu cleared his throat and suddenly raised his voice, drawing the attention of the entire gathering:

“Brother Fang!”

The chatter gradually subsided, and everyone looked towards the seat of honor. Fang Tongli turned at the sound, and seeing Qin Lu beaming at him with Qin Wanlin standing beside him, a sliver of confusion rose in his heart. Qin Lu raised his wine cup, gestured to Fang Tongli from afar, and declared in a sonorous voice:

“Today is my humble birthday, and with a hall full of distinguished friends, it is truly one of life’s joys! Yet I, Qin, observe that my unworthy son Wanlin, now of age and with passable appearance and talent, still lacks a worthy helpmate to establish his household and career. I hear that Brother Fang’s esteemed daughter Qingxue, with an orchid’s heart and a pure spirit, is renowned throughout the city, and my son has long cherished her!”

As soon as these words were spoken, all the guests were taken aback. Then they began to murmur lowly among themselves, sensing that a momentous event was about to occur.

“I, Qin, though unworthy, brazenly seize this auspicious day to propose marriage on behalf of my son Wanlin to Brother Fang! To seek the hand of the Qingxue maiden as his wife! May our two families be bound by the alliance of Qin and Jin, branches of the same tree, planning far ahead together! I wonder what Brother Fang thinks?”

The entire courtyard instantly fell silent, then erupted in even louder discussion.

A marriage proposal! The head of the Qin Residence was actually proposing marriage to the Fang family in public at his own birthday feast! The news came suddenly and carried tremendous weight. Everyone’s eyes shifted in unison to focus on Fang Tongli.

Fang Tongli himself was momentarily dumbfounded. His hand holding the wine cup paused mid-air, his eyes wide, clearly somewhat dazed by this sudden proposal. Qin Lu... Lord Qin... was publicly proposing marriage for his son to him? After the enormous shock, an irrepressible delight surged forth! The Qin family! To be allied by marriage with the Qin family—to him, this was undoubtedly a tremendous, dream-come-true boon!

After a brief lapse, Fang Tongli swiftly recovered. He set down his cup, walked briskly away from his seat, and came to the open space before the seat of honor. Bowing deeply to Qin Lu, his face brimming with smiles, his voice quavered slightly:

“Lord Qin! Such generous regard, Fang is truly overwhelmed by the unexpected favor!”

He straightened up, accepted a fresh cup of wine from an attendant, raised it high with both hands, and declared in a resounding voice: “To receive such esteem from Lord Qin, this is a fine match bestowed by Heaven! Our entire Fang family is supremely honored! We couldn’t ask for more! This cup, I toast Lord Qin! To worthy nephew Wanlin! May the Qin and Fang families forever bind their hearts as one, and enjoy friendship for generations!”

With that, he drained the cup in one gulp.

The surrounding guests, seeing this, quickly returned to their senses, erupting in applause and congratulations: “Congratulations, Lord Qin! Congratulations, Head of the Fang family!” “The Qin-Fang union, a perfect match of pearls and jade, worthy of joy and praise!” “Young Master Wanlin and Miss Qingxue, a talented man and a beautiful woman, a match made by Heaven!”

The clamor of congratulations filled the courtyard. Seeing this, Qin Lu’s smile grew even brighter. He likewise raised his cup, toasted Fang Tongli from a distance, and drank the wine in one swallow. And just as he set down the cup, that cold notification tone sounded as expected within his mind:

[Ding!]

[Side Quest 1: Pulling the Thread of a Fine Match]

[Objective: Arrange a marriage for a family offspring through matchmaking. Status: Completed!]

[Reward dispensed: Clan Fortune +30 points!]

[Current Clan Fortune: 30 points]