Chapter 40: Chapter Thirty-Nine: Recognizing Kin

Nine Niangyilanerzuo ， Sushouqinghui ， Yidaozhenyuanzhilitouruliuxiaoloutinei ， Jiangtazhenyuanjiefeng ， Lidaorouhe ， Ruchunyurunwu 。

[1] Nine Niang leaned against the railing, her slender hand flicking lightly as a thread of true qi flowed into Liu Xiaolou’s body, unlocking his qi—gentle as spring rain nourishing all things.

“Tell me, how did you come to Dongting? How did you know I was here? And why are you spouting nonsense, claiming to be my nephew?” As she spoke, a faint smile betrayed the corner of her lips.

[2] “Tell me, how did you come to Dongting? How did you know I was here? Why are you babbling nonsense, claiming to be my nephew?” As she spoke, a faint smile betrayed the corner of her lips.

Liu Xiaolou climbed to his feet, face grim, and sighed: “I am foolish indeed—I mistook you for someone else. I had thought the person in the sedan was my long-lost aunt, but it turns out to be you—what a strange coincidence.”

[3] Liu Xiaolou scrambled to his feet, face grim, and sighed: “I am foolish—I mistook you for someone else. I thought the person in the sedan was my long-lost aunt, but it turns out to be you. What a coincidence.”

He added quickly: “As the saying goes, the net of heaven is wide but lets nothing slip. Could it be that I failed to fulfill my promise to you back then, and now heaven has brought me back to you? Please give me your command—I am ready to serve you in any way you require.”

[4] He added quickly: “As they say, heaven’s net is vast, yet nothing escapes. Could it be that I failed to fulfill my promise to you, and now heaven has brought me back before you? Please command me—I will do anything you ask.”

Jiuniangkanzhuliuxiaolou ， Hudao ：「 Nizhuangeshen 。 Zhuanguoqu ……」

[5] Nine Niang looked at Liu Xiaolou and suddenly said: “Turn around. Turn your back…”

Liu Xiaolou blinked in confusion: “Huh?” But he turned as instructed.

[6] Liu Xiaolou blinked in confusion: “Huh?” But he turned as instructed.

“Too far—turn back a little, face the brocade pond.”

[7] “Too far—turn back a little. Face the Brocade Pool.”

“Oh.”

[8] “Oh.”

Liu Xiaolou faced her sideways, occasionally glancing back at her. What is this girl up to?

[9] Liu Xiaolou faced her sideways, glancing back at her now and then. What is this girl up to?

Jiuniangquebushuohua ， Jiemaotiaodong ， Yebuzhizaixiangzhushenme 。

[10] Nine Niang said nothing, her eyelashes fluttering, lost in thought.

Guolebanshang ， Jiuniangzhangtanlekouqi ：「 Nizhenshiqijiedebiaosheng ？ Wozenmemeitingshuoguotayounizhemeyimenbiaoqin ？」

[11] After a long while, Nine Niang sighed deeply: “You’re truly Seventh Sister’s nephew? How come I never heard of such a relative of hers?”

Liu Xiaolou hurriedly replied: “You’re my aunt’s younger sister? Then calling you ‘aunt’ isn’t wrong at all.”

[12] Liu Xiaolou hurried to say: “You’re my aunt’s younger sister? Then calling you ‘aunt’ isn’t wrong.”

Jiuniangyaotoudao ：「 Wobushizhoujiaren ， Shilaifangyoude ， Fangdejiushinizheweibiaogu —— Ruguoqijiezhenshinidebiaogu 。 Shuoshuoba ……」

[13] Nine Niang shook her head: “I’m not of the Zhou family—I came to visit a friend, and that friend is your aunt—if Seventh Sister truly is your aunt. Tell me…”

Seventh Sister’s mother was the principal wife of the Zhou clan’s eldest son; both parents died young. Xingde Jun arranged Liu Xiaolou’s cover identity as the maternal kin of Seventh Sister’s mother—a distant relative, so far removed from the main line that even the Zhou clan head would never bother to inquire.

[14] Seventh Sister’s mother was the principal wife of the Zhou clan chief’s eldest son; both died young. Star Virtue Lord assigned Liu Xiaolou a cover identity as her maternal kin—so distant they were nearly beyond the five degrees of kinship, so remote that even the Zhou clan chief wouldn’t care to inquire.

Zhecengguanxiyishuo ， Jiuniangjiulenglengdao ：「 Yuanlairuci ， Shiriziguodejiannanle ， Laidaqiufengde ？」

[15] Upon hearing this, Nine Niang coldly said: “So that’s it—you’re destitute and came here to beg for handouts?”

Liu Xiaolou forced a smile: “It’s not quite like that. I’m alone in the world now, and my aunt is my last remaining relative—I simply wished to visit, to see her face.”

[16] Liu Xiaolou forced a smile: “It’s not quite like that. I’m alone in the world now. My aunt is my last living relative—I came just to visit, to see her.”

Jiunianghengleyisheng ：「 Wokeyibangniwenwen ， Dannimodacuolezhuyi ， Ruoshixitupanshanggaozhi ， Laishangwoqijie ， Tabufangbiandongni ， Benguniangquekeyirangnishengburusi ！」

[17] Nine Niang snorted: “I can ask for you—but don’t get the wrong idea. If you’re trying to cling to Seventh Sister, she won’t touch you, but I’ll make you wish you were dead.”

Liu Xiaolou nodded: “Rest assured, I’ve come only to visit family. If my aunt offers gifts, I won’t take a single coin.”

[18] Liu Xiaolou nodded: “Rest assured—I came only to visit. If my aunt offers anything, I won’t take a single coin.”

Jiunianglianseshaoji ：「 Qiedengzhu 。」

[19] Nine Niang ’s expression softened slightly: “Wait then.”

Liu Xiaolou quickly presented the incense pouch: “This is the token—my aunt will recognize it at once… Miss, may I turn around now?”

[20] Liu Xiaolou quickly presented the incense pouch: “A token—my aunt will know it at once… Miss, may I turn around now?”

「 Yongbuzhu ！」 Jiuniangshenshouyidian ， Youjiangliuxiaoloudiandao ， Jingzichuleyuanzi 。

[21] “No need!” Nine Niang flicked her finger, knocking Liu Xiaolou down again, then walked straight out of the courtyard.

Liu Xiaolou lay in the pavilion for a while, then footsteps approached—a woman rushed in, glanced at him, and her eyes instantly filled with tears: “Nephew… it’s really you!”

[22] Liu Xiaolou lay in the pavilion for a while when footsteps rushed in. A woman sprinted forward, studied him briefly, and her eyes instantly filled with tears: “Nephew… It’s really you!”

Jiuniangzhongyuxinle ， Jiangliuxiaoloujingmaijiekai ， Liuxiaoloukanlezhenvzirongmao ， Dequehenmei ， Dankanzhubijiuniangsuishumingxiandabushao ， Zhehuiquerenle ， Ganjinrenqin ：「 Biaogu ——」

[23] Nine Niang finally believed. She unsealed his meridians. Liu Xiaolou looked at the woman’s face—she was indeed beautiful, but clearly much older than Nine Niang . This time he was certain: “Aunt—”

Jiuniangkanzhugushengliabaotoutongku ， Gankaizhiyu ， Tuidaotingwai ， Geierrenliuchuxiekongjian ， Quemeiyoulikaideyisi ， Tadanxinzheweiqijietaiguoxinshan ， Beirendaleqiufengerbuzizhi 。

[24] Watching the aunt and nephew weep in each other’s arms, Nine Niang stepped back outside the pavilion, giving them space—but she didn’t leave. She feared Seventh Sister’s kindness might blind her to being taken advantage of.

She had always maintained high vigilance—and quiet disdain—for cultivators from Wulong Mountain.

[25] She always kept high vigilance—and quiet disdain—for hermits from Wulong Mountain.

Zijidailaidenvbixiaoqinzhenlechashuisongrutingzhong ， Chulaishixiangtazhalezhayanjing ， Mianrongguguai 。 Xiaoqinsuishibinv ， Hetaqueqingtongjiemei ， Yushijiuniangsuixiaoqinlaidaoyuanwai ， Wendao ：「 Zenme ？」

[26] Her maid Xiaoqin brought tea into the pavilion and, upon exiting, winked at her with a strange expression. Though a servant, Xiaoqin was like a sister to her. Nine Niang followed her outside: “What is it?”

Xiaoqin whispered: “Have you noticed, Miss? This distant relative of Seventh Sister bears a resemblance to Lord Jingzhao.”

[27] Xiaoqin whispered: “Miss, haven’t you noticed? Seventh Sister’s distant relative looks a bit like Lord Jingzhao.”

Jiuniangbuxiedao ：「 Nalixiangle ？ Chadeshiwanbaqianli ！」

[28] Nine Niang scoffed: “Where? They’re worlds apart!”

Xiaoqin covered her mouth and giggled: “His front face doesn’t resemble him at all—but his profile… just now, when I saw it, my heart skipped a beat…”

[29] Xiaoqin covered her mouth and giggled: “His front view is fine, but his profile… just now, it made my heart skip…”

Jiuniangdao ：「 Haole ， Bieshuole 。」

[30] Nine Niang said: “Enough. Don’t say more.”

Xiaoqin said: “Miss, it’s been so long since we heard any news of Lord Jingzhao…”

[31] Xiaoqin said: “Miss, we haven’t heard anything about Lord Jingzhao in a long time…”

Jiuniangzhoumei ：「 Bieshuole ！」

[32] Nine Niang frowned: “Stop it!”

Xiaoqin stuck out her tongue: “Alright. I’ll go check the Zhou kitchen and arrange some food and drink.”

[33] Xiaoqin stuck out her tongue: “Fine. I’ll go check the Zhou kitchen, arrange some food and drink.”

Jiuniangyaotoudao ：「 Yongbuzhu …… Tingqijiedeyisiba ， Bubizhuji 。」

[34] Nine Niang shook her head: “No need… Wait for Seventh Sister’s word. Don’t rush.”

Bujiu ， Zhouqiniangheliuxiaolouzitingzhongchulai ， Jiuniangshangqianwen ：「 Qijie ， Nizhewaisheng ……」

[35] Soon, Seventh Sister and Liu Xiaolou emerged from the pavilion. Nine Niang stepped forward: “Seventh Sister, your nephew…”

Seventh Sister said: “Thank you, sister. Xiaolou is leaving.”

[36] Seventh Sister said: “Thank you, sister. Xiaolou is leaving.”

“Leaving already?”

[37] “Leaving already?”

“He has other matters.”

[38] “He has other matters.”

Jiuniangkanxiangliuxiaolou ， Liuxiaolouxiaodao ：「 Lairifangzhang ， Jinrizhishiguolairengemende ， Yihouzoudongdejihuihaiduo 。」

[39] Nine Niang looked at Liu Xiaolou, who smiled: “There’s plenty of time. Today was just to find the door. We’ll meet again.”

Zhouqiniangdao ：「 Jiuniang ， Wochubudemen ， Nidaiwosongsongxiaolouba 。」

[40] Seventh Sister said: “Nine Niang , I can’t go out—please see Xiaolou off for me.”

Jiuniangshuangkuaidayingle ， Jiangliuxiaolousongchuzhuangzi ， Daodemenwai ， Lianselikechenlexialai ：「 Qijiefumuguoshidezao ， Woshiduanburongxutashoushenmeweiqude ， Nizijixinliyaoyouhaodai ……」

[41] Nine Niang agreed readily, escorted Liu Xiaolou out of the estate, and as they reached the gate, her face darkened: “Seventh Sister lost her parents young. I won’t let her suffer any insult. You know your place…”

After a pause, she pulled out two silver ingots—twenty taels total—and tossed them to Liu Xiaolou: “Take these. At least you didn’t come for nothing. But this ends here. Understood?”

[42] After a pause, she pulled out two silver ingots—twenty taels—and tossed them to Liu Xiaolou: “Take this. At least you didn’t come for nothing. But this ends here. Understood?”

Liu Xiaolou hesitated, then returned the silver: “Miss, you misunderstand. Though poor, I’ve always earned my keep through my own abilities—I eat only what my skills provide. I never accept charity.”

[43] Liu Xiaolou stared, then returned the silver: “You misunderstand. I may be poor, but I’ve always lived by my own skill—eat only what my ability earns. I never take charity.”

Dunledun ， Shifenchengkendekanzhujiuniang ：「 Zaizhe ， Liumouxiuxingzhiren ， Huoxuzaiguniangyanzhong ， Liumouzhefenxiuweibuzhiyiti ， Danliumouyixinxiangdao ， Ququjinyin ， Feiwosuoqiu 。」

[44] He paused, looking at Nine Niang with deep sincerity: “Besides, I am a cultivator. My cultivation may seem trivial to you, but I seek only the Dao. Silver and gold mean nothing to me.”

Jiunianglengxiaoyisheng ：「 Henhao ， Nanijiushuodaozuodao ！ Ruowozhinijiuchanqijie ， Dingbuqingrao ！」

[45] Nine Niang sneered: “Fine. Then keep your word. If I catch you harassing Seventh Sister, I’ll make you regret it.”

With that, she turned and reentered the estate.

[46] Saying this, she turned and walked back into the estate.

Liuxiaoloumozhubizi ， Shenshishiwang ， Anzidigu ：「 Zhejiuniangshigeshazime ？ Tingbumingbaiwodeyisi ？ Yihuoshigelinsede ， Shebudelingshi ？」

[47] Liu Xiaolou rubbed his nose, deeply disappointed, muttering to himself: “Is Nine Niang an idiot? Doesn’t understand me? Or is she just stingy, unwilling to part with spirit stones?”

Late at night, Liu Xiaolou hid atop an ancient pine outside the estate, growing restless from the chirping crickets and croaking frogs, when a shadow leapt over the wall and glided toward him.

[48] Deep in the night, Liu Xiaolou hid atop an ancient pine outside the estate, growing restless from the chirping crickets and croaking frogs, when a shadow leapt over the wall and glided toward him.

It was Seventh Sister.

[49] It was Seventh Sister.

“Where is he?” Seventh Sister asked, voice trembling.

[50] “Where is he?” Seventh Sister asked, voice trembling.

Liu Xiaolou waved: “Follow me.”

[51] Liu Xiaolou waved: “Follow me.”

Under cover of night, they headed northwest, walking less than five li before entering a dense forest.

[52] Under cover of darkness, they headed northwest. Not five li later, they entered a dense forest.

Xingde Jun was already waiting there; he and Seventh Sister clasped hands, speechless, overcome with emotion.

[53] Star Virtue Lord had already waited there. He and Seventh Sister clasped hands, silent, choked with emotion.

Liu Xiaolou withdrew from the grove and climbed a nearby hillock, keeping watch from above to guard their approach.

[54] Liu Xiaolou withdrew from the forest, climbed a nearby hillock, and kept watch from above, guarding their approach.

Zhemeshoulemeiduojiu ， Yanpihurantiaolejitiao ， Ganjueshenhouyouyi ， Zhuanguoshenshi ， Buyouhaileyitiao ， Zhebushijiuniangshishui ？

[55] He hadn’t watched long when his eyelids twitched—he sensed something behind him. Turning, he nearly jumped: it was Nine Niang .

Jiuniangyixiheiyi ， Zhanzaitashenhouzhangxuchu ， Lenglengdao ：「 Guoranyougui ！」

[56] Dressed in black, Nine Niang stood a pace behind him, coldly: “So there’s a trick after all!”

Liu Xiaolou broke into a cold sweat and forced a smile: “Miss? You’re here? What a… fortuitous coincidence…”

[57] Liu Xiaolou broke into a cold sweat, forcing a smile: “Miss? You’re here? What a… coincidence…”

Jiuniangwen ：「 Dayelide ， Nizaizheliguiguisuisuizuoshen ？」

[58] Nine Niang asked: “What are you sneaking around here for at this hour?”

Liu Xiaolou swallowed hard: “I… suddenly felt a surge of inspiration and came here to meditate, just as I was about to break through a crucial point—then you arrived.”

[59] Liu Xiaolou swallowed hard: “I… suddenly felt something, came here to cultivate a bit, just about to break through a crucial point—and you arrived.”

Jiuniangquzhuta ：「 Qiaoyanlingse ！ Benguniangbuhenifeihua ， Qijiene ？ Nibatadainaliqule ？」

[60] Nine Niang eyed him: “Smooth talk! I won’t waste words with you. Where’s Seventh Sister? Where did you take her?”