[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-immortal-through-martial-path-i-who-cannot-die-s":3,"chapter-immortal-through-martial-path-i-who-cannot-die-s-immortal-through-martial-path-i-who-cannot-die-s-chapter-123":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Immortal Through Martial Path, I Who Cannot Die Shall Ultimately Be Invincible",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2325341,4549,"Chapter 123: The Young Widow","immortal-through-martial-path-i-who-cannot-die-s-chapter-123",123,"\u003Cp>Chunxiang’s information was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people renting Chen Ergou’s courtyard were three generations: a grandmother, her daughter-in-law, and a young grandson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the adult males in the family had died, and clan members, like wolves and tigers, set their sights on the family’s property; when soft tactics failed, they turned to force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two widows, plus a helpless three- or four-year-old child, had no defense against the clan’s threats. Crying, causing scenes, threatening suicide—it all meant nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Threaten to kill yourself?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clan members would be delighted if all three died—they’d get to claim the entire inheritance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With no other choice, they sold the property to a wealthy branch of the clan, took the money, and moved into the city to make a living.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How pitiful! Those damned clan members leave no room for survival. What kind of courage is it to bully two widows?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After learning the full story, Chunxiang felt deep sympathy for Pan Niangzi and her family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Niangzi was the young widow among the three generations, said to be exceptionally beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chunxiang was a kind-hearted woman; within just a few days, she grew close to Pan Niangzi’s family, and she even reminded Chen Guanlou, “Help if you can—we’re neighbors. But don’t let lust cloud your judgment and ruin Pan Niangzi’s reputation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou cried foul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wondered just how badly his reputation had been ruined in the neighborhood that Chunxiang held such a deep misunderstanding of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No! Chunxiang, how can you think so poorly of me? Who I am—others may not know, but don’t you know? I’ve always paid fair prices. I never even look at virtuous women.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chunxiang gave him a withering look, full of utter disgust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Others crave virtuous women—get rich and marry one quick. But you? You only fancy dirty, stinking outsiders.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chunxiang, that’s prejudice. Are you afraid I’ll corrupt Qian Da?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How dare you!” Chunxiang planted her hands on her hips, a full-fledged tigress. “I’m too tired to argue with you. Tomorrow, Hou Fu is hosting a banquet—short-staffed, I’ve got to help out. I need to get everything ready today. Move aside, don’t delay me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou’s skin was thick as armor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He kept pressing, “It’s not a festival or holiday—why is Hou Fu throwing a banquet? They’ve got so many servants, how can they still be short-handed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s the Lady’s birthday. Every major noble house, meritorious family, and imperial relative in the capital has been invited. Tell me, how many guests will come?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why is the Lady throwing a birthday banquet this year? She never did before.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m just a servant—how would I know what the masters do? You’re surnamed Chen—you don’t know either.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou pinched his nose, unable to refute her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, someone came calling for Chunxiang, telling her to report to Hou Fu immediately—the overseer was assigning duties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, she wouldn’t be going home tonight—she’d be swamped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chunxiang changed into clean clothes and hurried off. Before leaving, she reminded him once more: don’t go chasing cats or dogs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou: …\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His reputation was utterly ruined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He went home to cook and prepare for training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was busy, someone knocked on the gate. The knock was hesitant, timid—even Chen Guanlou could hear the tension in it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who could it be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neighbors around here always pounded on his door—bang, bang, bang—no hesitation, as if afraid he was doing something wrong, and they wanted to shout loud enough to warn him, sparing everyone the awkwardness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another proof: his reputation was ruined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Coming! Stop knocking!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou set down what he was doing, wiped his hands, and went to the gate to open it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside stood a timid young wife, daring only to glance up at him half-heartedly before quickly lowering her head, nervously twisting the hem of her dress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One glance was enough—Chen Guanlou saw clearly: a delicate, innocent little white flower, as fragile as a rootless floating weed, the very image of a mistreated young wife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her, Chen Guanlou saw a shadow—the figure of Bai Lingshuang from the old TV drama “Plum Blossom Print,” dressed in mourning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same cold, innocent, fragile aura—every detail matched. In terms of beauty alone, Pan Niangzi here was even more striking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou recognized her at once: the young widow, Pan Niangzi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re looking for me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou didn’t realize it, but his voice softened by a third, afraid he might startle the young wife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was so fragile!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I—I… do you have vinegar? Could I borrow some?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Niangzi spoke as if it were her first time addressing a strange man—her voice barely audible, her ears flushed red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou smiled slightly, trying to appear kind, “You need vinegar?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I—I’ll go to someone else’s house.” Pan Niangzi looked startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait—I’ll get it for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou gave her no chance to change her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, he brought a bowl of vinegar, “Is this enough?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“More than enough! Thank you!” Pan Niangzi took the bowl carefully, deeply grateful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou told her, “We’re neighbors—anything you need, come find me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you!” Pan Niangzi fled like a startled rabbit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chunxiang worked two full days at Hou Fu before returning home—and then Chen Guanlou heard a jaw-dropping rumor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second wife of Hou Fu’s household had her illegitimate niece from her natal family… slept with the young master of Jin Wang Fu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou instantly became a gossip-monger, eager to ask: “Really? What’s being done now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How would I know? All I know is the second lady flew into a rage—she nearly tore her sister-in-law’s face off, so humiliating. They knew she was trouble, yet brought her to Hou Fu as a guest—and now this scandal. The first lady immediately turned cold, scolding the second lady’s niece for having no upbringing. The second lady lost all face and dignity, fell ill from rage, and now has no energy to handle the aftermath.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou savored the gossip, “Anything else? Chunxiang, how do you know so much? Didn’t Hou Fu issue a gag order? If even you know this clearly, the whole city must be buzzing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chunxiang chuckled, “When it happened, everyone rushed to watch. By the time the gag order came, everyone who needed to know already knew.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Chen Guanlou was marveling, Pan Niangzi appeared timidly, her eyes swollen and red, tears still clinging to her lashes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Chunxiang’s heart softened—she forgot all about gossip and asked urgently, “Did your mother-in-law scold you again? She’s old and confused—don’t take it to heart. Raise your child well, and better days lie ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know, thank you, Chunxiang. I came to ask where I can buy fabric—I want to make new clothes for my mother-in-law and the child to wear outside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Niangzi spoke clearly and competently to Chunxiang. But when she noticed Chen Guanlou staring at her, her ears flushed red again, her voice grew quieter, and she grew visibly uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chunxiang shot Chen Guanlou a furious glare—clearly saying: Look what you’ve done, you’ve terrified her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou: …\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Can’t we reason? He hadn’t even spoken a word—why blame him? Pan Niangzi blushed on her own—what’s that got to do with him?\u003C\u002Fp>",1195,"2026-06-20T17:39:56.967Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","9bfb600ff9a50796db83f92549389c6bcc03438fc7aa21f6f8ff4ca6da2001ec","immortal-through-martial-path-i-who-cannot-die-s-chapter-124","immortal-through-martial-path-i-who-cannot-die-s-chapter-122",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fimmortal-through-martial-path-i-who-cannot-die-s-cover.jpg"]