277 Chapter Seventy Seven - Everyone knows of our relationship

Tong Fang were a type of servant, girls who had been chosen to 'educate' young Masters in the matters of the bedroom and later warm their beds and service their needs. They were not concubines, who would still generally marry into the house by some means or other, but they could be elevated to a concubine's status should the young Master and his parents agree to it. So they were lower than a concubine and they still had to go about other servant duties. They could also more easily be reassigned to other parts of the house, effectively being 'demoted' from their position.

So despite Tong Fang being told it was an honour to serve their Male masters in that manner, if they displeased their Masters or if their Masters no longer wanted them, they had less hope of a future than an actual concubine, who might at least be able to rely on their children. Servant girls still had hope of elevation beyond their status, however, so would seldom deny the position if offered, despite its dubious nature. Tong Fang were acknowledged by all, but quietly, behind shut doors. They should not be seen or mentioned in public and certainly, young unmarried misses should not openly discuss those matters at all.

The General frowned with disapproval, Leon paled and Maimai became angry, while Sun flushed pink and green, his complexion as myriad as his thoughts. His friends relationship was much deeper and real than a master and tongfang, but husband and wife would share intimacy... how did two men share a bed?

Merylin looked horrified and her hand itched to slap Carmen, but she could not do so in front of the girl's elder so could only curl fingers into a fist at her side. "You... you... this girl never thought of insulting seniors nor fellow students with such low accusations! I merely wished to remind others that the Institute does not recognise Master-servant relationships! I feared Jin Li's reputation would be damaged should others believe he treated Leon as a mere servant within the Institute! Such could have him suspended or expelled!" She turned to the elder, General Ramas and bowed slightly. "Please believe me, sir General, I intended no ill will to your grandson!"

"No need to apologise," the General said, still unhappy with his granddaughter's behaviour. He would have to speak to his wife about getting her a Teacher of etiquette and oversee teachings regarding the cultivation world himself. She was far too spoilt and wild!

"Leon is neither servant nor tong fang," he seemed to spit the latter word with heavy disdain, clearly his own stance on such a servant woman. His eyes then softened slightly and his lips curled upward a little as he declared; "He is my Dao Companion."

Several loud breaths were drawn in sharply. Jin Li moved much more quickly and decisively than anyone of his friends had imagined! They were torn between congratulating him and calling him an idiot! Dao Companionship was a lifetime matter! And who were Jin Li and Leon but two teenaged youths?!

The General also looked a little worriedly at the young men, happy in one sense that Jin Li was not the sort to mess around his future adopted grandson and unhappy that Leon's fate had been tied to the other at such a young age. They were not like mortals, the years ahead of them were fathomless. And even if Leon became unable to Cultivate beyond core formation, he would no longer be able to retreat and experience a simpler life.

But the rice had been cooked, if he wanted to acknowledge Leon as an adopted grandson, he would have to support this, he could only complain otherwise in his heart.

Only Jin Li's two circling admirers and one Maimai did not hold such torn expressions. Maimai grasped Leon's hands and congratulated him with no other thoughts conflicting her joy. On the other hand, her sister was frozen pale by shock, her hopes shattered into a million pieces and her heart pained. What was this?! She felt humiliated! All this time, all her efforts trying to get him to look her way and she'd not succeeded because of a man!?

"Senior!" She blurted out, unable to maintain her usual posture and demure appearance. "How could you!?" She clasped her hands over her rose lips, realising she'd damaged her image with her outburst, feeling a million eyes staring at her in disappointment. Actually, this last part was in her mind. What had many of her seniors not witnessed in their family's backyards or since being in the Institute and coming face to face with those girls they'd once placed on unreachable pedestals? Plus, other teams were looking over just a bit curious without any idea of what was currently occurring.

Carmen on the other hand was frowning, but not at Jin Li. "What is the big deal?" She said, dismissively. "Men are allowed three wives and four concubines, so Jin Li gongzi has given his servant a status, but marriage is a matter decided by one's parents and grandparents! Have Jin Li's parents approved of this arrangement? And what of Jin Li's grandfather?" She paused, not liking the odd looks that Sun's fellow students were giving her... that her own grandfather was giving her.

"Approved what?" Speak of the devil and he shall appear; Jian Juren had come to see what all of the fuss was about.

"Carmen!" The General warned, but she refused to heed it.

"Jin Li's Grandfather," Carmen turned to him seeking hope and to her relief, there was no disdain in his eyes, just his usual amused and amicable expression. "This girl is confused, is matters of Jin Li's future happiness not a matter settled by his parents and your honoured self?" She said this even while knowing it really was little to do with a maternal grandparent unless the parents themselves wished otherwise.

His eyes flickered upward and saw quickly through the nature of his grandson and the youth beside him. They then filled with a mischievous glint and he pulled off a pained and hurt show. "Aya, this unfilial grandson, whenever has he turned to this old man for such advice and support! Just goes and does things his own way... I matter so little in his heart."

Leon looked confused and glanced up at Jin Li, tugging at his sleeve. "The n-n-new t-teacher is your G-Grandfather?" He whispered.

Jin Li didn't answer him, just clicked his tongue and voiced his dissatisfaction with a word; "Grandfather."

"Alright, alright," the youthful looking elder said, dismissively before muttering; "always so serious." Then he glanced down to smile sympathetically at the General's out of luck granddaughter. "When it comes to marriage matters, it is true that we parents and grandparents seldom allow our descendants to be wilful, yet still willingly often try help them realise their hearts desires where possible.  However that is for children born without the ability to cultivate. Did you know that my daughter was almost four hundred years old before she finally settled down? That is how seriously my bloodline takes such matters of Dao Companionship."

Merylin noticed Carmen's face still filled with confusion and sneered. Although she was as deeply unhappy as the other girl, at least she was not so stupid to dig a pit beneath herself to fall into. She decided to enlighten her, expelling her bitterness while drawing a firm line under this horrible matter. Four hundred years old? She felt that she was more likely to reach four thousand before she could be relieved of the sourness in her heart.

"You, girl, I will express a kindness and teach you something you are clearly not aware of," she held her head high as she spoke in icy tones. "A Dao Companionship is not on the same level as a marriage, in this, you could be said to be correct. But that is because it is much more than a marriage. Within it, there is no room for secondary wives and concubines, there is no room for mistresses or tong fang. And there is also no divorce. One's children must come from one's companion or not at all. Affairs would likely cause heart demons or cultivation to stagnate or even cause deviation. One's fate is tied to one's Dao Companion until death."

Seeing Carmen's face pale due to the immensity of Merylin's words somewhat satisfied the other and she turned to the General and seniors in turn before bidding them farewell and leaving with a straightened spine.

"Grandfather..." Carmen turned to the General with tears glimmering in her eyes as if wronged. The General's expression didn't alter, still dissatisfied with her.

"This old man let you see a joke," he expressed to Jian Juren, who urged him otherwise. The General then called to his servant and told him; "Take the young miss back to our quarters to reflect."

"Grandfather...?" Carmen pleaded but to no avail. She was led away.

The General sighed, before speaking to his grandson, who looked as if he was feeling awkward; "Have fun with your friends... I'll sit in the stands."

"Allow me to accompany you," Jian Juren offered, offering Jin Li a sly expression as he left.

Leon rubbed his temples, his forehead wrinkled due to a frown as he tried to digest everything that had just happened, before he blushed in realisation; Jin Li just openly revealed their relationship to everyone. He couldn't help but grip the other's hand shyly. Jin Li was quite smug, on the other hand. Now everyone knew that his small alchemist, Leon, belonged to him alone.