It was after midday.
Ling Hu’s face was now a shade of maroon. Whining like a timid girl, he asked, “Brother, are we really going?”
“We don’t have to if you don’t want to marry,” Ling Xian mocked him.
“No, no, no, let’s go then.” Ling Hu shook his head furiously. Overcoming his embarrassment temporarily, he grabbed Ling Xian and began dragging him out the door.
“Even though 14 is not an unusual age to get married, aren’t you a touch too anxious?” Ling Xian laughed out loud, not fighting him.
Ling Hu’s mother let them go, a hint of sadness flashed across her face.
Her son was grown. He was getting married. Her happiness was mixed in with other unexplained feelings.
“Brother, stop mocking!” Ling Hu demanded. As they walked away, Ling Hu was no less concerned. “Brother, he wants 10,000 spiritual stones, you…”