Chapter 105: Accompanying the Guest (Extra Chapter for Special White Lord)

In Yunhai Pavilion, the maid Xiao Qin entered Jiuniang’s chamber and placed the satchel on the table: “Miss, this month’s stipend is five spirit stones—down one from last year.”

Jiuniang nodded, glanced at it, and said nothing. She knew well why the spirit stones in her stipend had declined: first, the Su family had lacked a high-level cultivator for thirty years and was increasingly looked down upon by the Danxia Sect’s Gejia ; second, the Yin family had drastically cut its supply of divine incense to Shenwu Mountain, and the cultivated spiritual beasts had fallen ill, naturally affecting income.

Would this trip to Xikou even help? Could that damned Yin Centipede finally back off and stop harassing us, restoring the incense supply?

Surely the Yin Centipede wouldn’t be so foolish as to ask Jingzhao for confirmation?

Whether it succeeds or not, this month will decide it.

Xiao Qin added, “Miss, Fifth Brother-in-law sent an invitation—he’s hosting a birthday banquet tonight at Yilingle and requests your presence.”

“Oh? Is it his birthday today?”

“Susu says it was yesterday—he planned to hold the banquet last night…”

“So you’re blaming me?”

“Not exactly. Susu said it’s Fifth Brother-in-law’s twentieth full birthday, so he’s pressing hard for you to attend.”

Su Jiuniang thought a moment, then said: “You know I hate these trivial affairs… Fine, I’ll go. I’ve delayed his banquet—better make amends. Go fetch… what’s suitable as a birthday gift?”

Xiao Qin smiled: “I asked Susu. That brother-in-law of his never stops talking about spirit stones. Give him one, and he’ll be grinning from ear to ear.”

Su Jiuniang rolled her eyes: “Already prepared? I bet you just want to go.”

Xiao Qin stuck out her tongue: “It’s been ages since I had a drink with Sister Susu. A small gathering would be nice.”

That night’s banquet was lively, but grew quiet after Hutoujiao appeared. Liu Xiaolou kept smoothing things over, apologizing to Su Jiuniang, claiming he and Hutoujiao had once been close friends, bound by life-and-death loyalty.

Hutoujiao nodded vigorously, saying he’d come specifically to celebrate Liu Xiaolou’s birthday and never expected to meet Jiuniang—truly, it was—

Jiuniang didn’t lose her temper on the spot, but her expression darkened; she held back only because she’d known Hutoujiao since childhood. She didn’t linger long—after enduring him for another quarter-hour, exchanging a few words, and sipping a few cups, she took her leave.

As she left, Liu Xiaolou received a furious glare from Xiao Qin that made him feel guilty. Fortunately, the worst didn’t happen—Jiuniang might be annoyed, but so what? Not only had Hutoujiao gotten two spirit stones, Jiuniang had slipped him a third. A true unexpected windfall.

Hutoujiao was delighted too. Though Jiuniang hadn’t given him a good look, she’d spoken to him—his first conversation with her in three years. Wasn’t that worth getting drunk over?

Satisfied, Hutoujiao got thoroughly drunk that night and stayed at Yilingle. Since the Lady was away in the back mountain, hosting a guest overnight shouldn’t matter—especially when the guest was a longtime Su family ally.

The next morning, Hutoujiao woke refreshed and bid Liu Xiaolou farewell: “Younger brother, I’m heading home. When you have time, come visit Lion Ridge—I’ll sweep the bed and sleep with you, foot to foot!”

Liu Xiaolou laughed: “Just one meeting and you’re content? Brother Hutou, truly a hero—this is what they call knowing when to let go.”

Hutoujiao shook his head: “How can I let go? I know Jiuniang’s heart isn’t with me—I won’t force her. As long as she’s happy and at peace, I’m content.”

Liu Xiaolou said: “That’s letting go too. What’s next for you, Brother Hutou? Why not find a lovely wife? Live peacefully, happily?”

Hutoujiao’s gaze hardened: “I have no intention of marrying. I’ll only guard Jiuniang. Whoever makes her unhappy, whoever steals her joy—I’ll make them unhappy, I’ll make them suffer!”

Please visit the latest address

He added, warning Liu Xiaolou: “Younger brother, as a Su family son-in-law and Jiuniang’s closest kin, if you learn of any such scoundrels, tell me immediately—I won’t let them off easily!”

Liu Xiaolou saw Hutoujiao off beyond the mountain, and they parted with reluctance. Back at Yilingle, he happily counted the spirit stones on his person—four in total.

Four spirit stones, earned without effort—too easy. He felt joy, yet also a strange melancholy, indescribable.

Susu tidied the room, changed the bedding, washed the floor with clean water, then sighed: “What a mess that Mr. Jiao made after getting drunk! Brother-in-law, don’t let drunk guests stay overnight again. Next time, just send them back to the guest quarters—this smell…”

She wore a tight-fitting short tunic after cleaning, her curves clearly visible, arms and ankles bare, skin smooth and luminous—the outward manifestation of true spirit after reaching a certain cultivation stage.

Liu Xiaolou once again felt the urge to discuss cultivation methods with her, calling out: “Come here, Susu. Yesterday’s session was interrupted by that uninvited guest—we wasted a whole day. Let’s pick up where we left off.”

Susu pinched her nose: “I just cleaned up—I’m filthy. Can’t do it now.”

Liu Xiaolou didn’t care: “Filthy? This is perfect…” He stepped forward and took her hand.

Susu pouted: “Brother-in-law, you still won’t give up?”

Liu Xiaolou yanked her over: “What give up? My late master said, for cultivators like us, diligence in practice is the foremost duty…”

“Brother-in-law! Brother-in-law!” Xiao Huan’s voice rang from outside, followed by footsteps. Since the door wasn’t shut, she barged right in.

Liu Xiaolou was speechless: “Xiao Huan, did you and Susu plan this?”

Susu covered her mouth and laughed. Xiao Huan looked confused: “Plan what? Brother-in-law, the Lady’s returned. She asks you to meet her in the front pavilion.”

Liu Xiaolou was stunned: “She wants to meet me? What happened?”

Xiao Huan said: “Master sent word—a distinguished guest has arrived. The Lady and Brother-in-law are to accompany him.”

This was precisely Liu Xiaolou’s main purpose for marrying into the Su family—to publicly announce that Su Wuniang was married, deterring any other families from coveting her. Accompanying guests was thus his primary duty, his greatest responsibility.

The two maids hurried to dress Liu Xiaolou anew and escorted him to the front pavilion, where Su Wuniang had already waited.

This was Liu Xiaolou’s second meeting with his wife since their wedding. He knew his place—he dared not call her “Lady” or “Wife” in private, and still bowed respectfully: “Wuniang’s back? How was your cultivation? Significant progress?”

Su Wuniang nodded: “Let’s go.”

They left Qingyu Fuyuan Garden and headed for Gualu Hall. Before entering, Su Wuniang warned: “Don’t speak out of turn when you meet the guest.”

Liu Xiaolou bowed: “Understood.”

Inside Gualu Hall, he saw his father-in-law Su Zhi and his uncle Su Xun seated, along with Su Dalang. The guests occupied three tables—all young, the lead guest under forty.

Then he looked at the guest at the far end—and his body tensed. He wanted to turn and flee. The man was extremely young, a red silk ribbon tied across his brow, face like peach blossoms, eyes bright as stars—a handsome young hero.

It was Han Wuwang, the Dongyang Sect disciple who had chased him after smashing Jinping Manor!

Please visit the latest address