{Video}

[lansizhui]

Have you ever thought about getting married? {The topic has been on his mind since a certain wedding.} I know you should be in love when you do it, but is it strange to think about it even if you're not?

I'm a Cultivator, so I realize that it isn't likely that I will ever be married - unless I settle down. But it does seem nice and everyone has someone, don't you think?

{Or has he been lost in his daydreams for too long?}

Comments

[dredefulchilde]

I assure you that it needn’t be. Marriage, as it existed for thousands of years until the Victorians got their hands on it, was all about acquiring property, or strengthening alliances. Love never rated in the equation, but that doesn’t mean it had to be a bleak affair. Affection and mutual respect built the foundation of many successful couples, even if romance or passion never rated.

[lansizhui]

Would you be satisfied with an alliance of that nature? I think I would want more, though I would try to love my partner.

[dredefulchilde]

I have never thought much about it, personally, given my circumstances. However, my appearance belies my true age and I hope that you will take my meaning when I tell you that I have seen a great many marriages for love fail, but a far greater number of marriages of convenience count themselves as great successes.

[lansizhui]

I suppose it depends on how you define success, doesn't it? People need to be compatible on more than one level. Lust can be mistaken for love and sometimes people can change to such a degree that the incompatibility is too great.

[dredefulchilde]

In that circumstance I believe that the marriage of convenience would be a benefit, as the incompatibility would be a known quantity and no one would have to pussyfoot around it. The lack of passion or emotional connection would allow the couple some room for rationality.

Or they could just kill each other, I suppose. I’ve seen quite a lot of that too.

[lansizhui]

I don't really want to live my entire life being completely rational. I think it's okay, sometimes, to be passionate. But, you're right, in a marriage, there should be enough rationality to keep it stable.

Really? That sounds horrible!

[dredefulchilde]

You strike me as rather sheltered, sir.

[lansizhui]

I...

I am a student of Gusu Lan. There are not many marriages in our sect.

[dredefulchilde]

I haven’t the faintest idea what that means, but if there aren’t any marriages, how does the sect continue to propagate itself?

[lansizhui]

We are strict and so it wouldn't be easy to acquire permission for marriage.

{His father had to go through a lot for it, he is sure.}

Students who are gifted are taken in to be trained. I suppose if either of the Twin Jades has children, they will inherit leadership roles.