I left Clear Sky City the same way I came in—tired, but this time richer and with a flute in my sleeve. Hu Ren walked me all the way to the behemoth city gates, trying not to look emotional.
"Just don't ruin the shop," I told him. "That's all I ask."
He straightened up. "I'll expand it. Just wait. Spirit Needle Pavilion will outgrow Clear Sky City."
"I like the sound of that."
Changhu gave me a lazy wave from the side. "Tell your mom not to beat you too hard. And if she asks, all those expensive gifts were your idea."
"They were. I'm not letting you take credit for the gifts."
Then I got on my flying bird since I'm a weak 9th-level Qi Training cultivator and left.
Back at Ye Clan land, the place felt smaller but warmer. I didn't announce my return—just walked straight home.
My mother found me first. I handed her the alchemy furnace like it was some cooking pot.
She blinked at it, looked at me, then looked back at the furnace. "You spent this much?"
"You're the best alchemist in the province. Shouldn't you have the best tools?"
She hit me lightly on the shoulder, but I caught the smile before she turned away. "Foolish child."
I found my eldest brother Changming next. He stared at the umbrella I gave him.
"It blocks rain. And you can bash people with it."
He opened it once, tested the balance, then nodded. "This is actually very useful. I like it."
Changjian was checking the edge of his sword. "Clean craftsmanship. Balance is good. Did you buy this for me, or did you just like how it looked?"
"Both."
Changrui opened his fan, then grinned. "Changhu has one like this, doesn't he? This looks cool. I love it."
Tianying Aunt got her hairpin and stared at it for a long while. "You should spend money more wisely."
"See, I'm already at it."
She didn't say anything after that, just walked off. That meant she liked it.
Father looked over the spear's details, then nodded once. "Good weapon. You've grown."
Uncle Tianjian chuckled at the ceremonial robe. "You want me to wear this to the next business negotiation?"
"If you do, the price goes up before you even speak."
Uncle Tianxu tapped the jade abacus. "This buzzes."
"It calculates your trades faster. I figured you'd appreciate that."
He smiled faintly. Which for him was basically a celebration.
Even Grandfather looked surprised at the meditation platform. He sat on it right there and took a deep breath.
"It's good," he said simply.
After that, we gathered for dinner.
Changjian leaned in first. "So. All this money. All this growth. What now?"
"I'm done choosing," I said. "I'm going to ask Mother to arrange a political marriage."
Changrui raised an eyebrow. "That's not like you."
"I just can't make up my mind and choose. I'm too picky. That's the problem. So I'm having the clan choose for me. I mean, since I'm marrying random people anyway, I might as well get something out of it."
Changming cut in with a glance. "You're serious?"
"I am. Let the elders do what they're good at. Pick a girl, arrange the marriage, I'll do the rest."
By the end of the night, I was full, relaxed, and surrounded by family. And I'd just handed them the biggest decision of my life.
It felt... easier than expected.
Let the clan pick. I'd play my part. And maybe—just maybe—I'd get lucky. Anyway, it won't be the last time I'm getting married.
The next day, I spoke to my parents about it. They were puzzled about my urgency to get married, but either way, I convinced them. Now they'll bring it up in a clan meeting and figure something out.