Chapter 410: Sword like reflecting water, news of the son-in-law, the evil dragon in the heart

【This sword intent is condensed from the Primordial Spirit, and the long sword in his hand is also transformed by the Primordial Spirit, but it is like a real object, the sword edge cold and sharp.】

【You hold the long sword "Dragon Shadow" gifted by Gongsun Niangzi; this sword is indeed a precious sword, neither light nor heavy in the hand, the hilt fitting the shape of the hand, as if tailored for you.】

【The sword-intent shadow floats, and on the blue stone slab under the sun, two confronting figures are reflected, one virtual and one real.】

【You do not rush to draw the sword, only pushing the hilt with your thumb, your right hand tightly gripping the scabbard, your left hand hanging down naturally.】

【"Zheng—"】

【The long sword is like a startled swan sweeping through the air, the sword light as fast as lightning, pointing directly at the opponent's throat. However, the sword-intent shadow turns his wrist lightly, and the long sword cleverly blocks it; sparks fly, and the sound of the sword's hum is crisp and pleasant.】

【This sword-drawing technique, you have painstakingly practiced for many days, but you did not expect it to be easily resolved by the sword-intent shadow, as if everything was under control.】

【The two figures cross, sword light like electricity, blade shadow like wind. You sweep horizontally, the sword like dense rain, while the sword-intent shadow is as light as willow catkins, the sword edge passing by your shoulders every time, unable to cause the slightest harm.】

【Suddenly, your body pauses, the sword momentum changes abruptly, the long sword dances, turning into a sky full of sword shadows, like a rainstorm, sweeping in all directions. However, that sword-intent shadow is like a ghost, moving freely in the sword shadows, his body fluttering, actually not suffering the slightest damage.】

【"Peng, peng—", the two blades intersect, sparks fly, and your body involuntarily retreats three steps. You know deeply that the next killing move of the sword-intent shadow is the sword body rotating, turning back to strike; you have already been defeated by this move many times.】

【However, the sword-intent shadow suddenly changes moves, the sword light like a snake spitting its tongue, suddenly reaching your heart. Your pupils shrink, you wave your sword to block, but you are half a beat slow after all.】

【"Chi—" with a light sound, the long sword in the sword-intent shadow's hand has already reached your chest, but it only pierces the clothes and fails to hurt your skin.】

【You possess innate internal energy and Primordial Spirit power; this sword light cannot penetrate your skin at all. However, being controlled so easily is truly a humiliation. If it weren't for the fact that the sword-intent shadow's face was blurred and had no expression, you would have felt his mockery long ago.】

【The sword-intent shadow stands with his sword, his body straight like a pine, the sword tip pointing diagonally at the ground.】

【A low voice sounds in your ear: "The Dao of sword technique lies in the heart, not in the form."】

【Finally, there is one more sentence: "Still need to practice!"】

【Hearing this, even if your nature is determined and your temperament is stable, you almost broke your composure. But having lost once, twice, three times... hundreds of times, there is always some clay-person temper.】

【You slowly raise the long sword, the sword tip pointing directly at the opponent, your tone calm: "Come again."】

【The sword-intent shadow nods slightly, his body moves, the sword light like electricity, attacking again, the sword light making the small courtyard shine; just in an instant, a sword edge has reached your throat.】

【You cannot help but sigh; this sword intent actually used the sword-drawing technique you just used to counterattack you.】

【It seems to know the sword techniques of a hundred schools, flexibly changing, understanding everything; several times it defeated you with the same method.】

【Using his own way to treat him!】

【You look up and down at the shadow, muttering in your heart: "I don't know if the sword intent is deliberately like this, or if it is pointing me out."】

【"Come again!" You shout in a low voice, launching the attack first, the sword light like electricity, the fast sword continuous, attempting to win with speed and suppress the opponent.】

【"Peng—"】

【"Peng—"】

【Sword light intersects, sparks fly, but after only ten moves, a long sword slashes diagonally, and you are defeated.】

【You sigh in your heart: "It seems recklessness won't work."】

【The sword-intent shadow stands with his sword, his tone indifferent: "Your heart is chaotic."】

【You hear this and cannot help but smile helplessly; this is only comparing sword moves, and this shadow left by the Second Teacher is truly full of pressure.】

【The sword intent is left by the Second Teacher, and the realm of his sword technique is so high that it is far beyond your reach.】

【You even have an impulse in your heart, wanting to use the Primordial Spirit and innate internal energy to beat this shadow, several times you were almost able to control it.】

【You take a deep breath, a quiet energy rises in your chest, suppressing the irritability in your heart, and whisper to yourself: "The heart is chaotic, and the sword is chaotic."】

【Your eyes are focused, you raise the sword again, the sword light like reflecting water, your body as light as a swallow, turning and returning the sword, the sword has quietly changed hands.】

【The sword-intent shadow unfolds the sword momentum unhurriedly, and you also settle your mind, the sword moves like clouds destroying fog.】

【Finally, a sword edge strikes the skin, gently stopping at your wrist; if force were used, I fear the palm would not be saved.】

【The sword-intent shadow slowly retracts the sword, and you also wake up from the immersion, counting silently in your heart that eighteen moves have passed, and you cannot help but reveal a smile of relief.】

【"Continue!"】

【Sword light and figures intertwine; you are completely self-forgetful, even forgetting the time.】

【Until the sun sets in the west, the footsteps of Sister Wu Tong and Luya returning pull you back to reality.】

【A Primordial Spirit power is released between your brows, slowly retracting the sword intent of the Eighth Sword into the Niwan Palace.】

【The Dragon Shadow sword in your hand returns to its scabbard; the broken leaves swept by the sword edge have not yet touched the ground before they are twisted into a sky full of golden butterflies by the swirling sword qi, dancing around the century-old red parasol tree in the courtyard.】

【Finally, the Dragon Shadow sword turns into a stream of light, returning to the sword crown and hanging on the tree branch.】

【This can also be considered the sword-controlling technique you have realized recently.】

【Just at this moment, the vermilion courtyard gate opens with a "creak." Sister Wu Tong crosses the threshold holding a gilded food box, followed by Luya holding brocade, the breeze blowing the girls' goose-yellow skirts, and both little girls have happy expressions on their faces.】

【Luya walks into the courtyard, bows respectfully, and says: "Young Master Guan, may you be safe."】

【You greet with a smile: "Luya is here."】

【Sister Wu Tong finds several gifts from the room, not lacking those gifted by the head courtesans.】

【Various gift boxes cover the stone table: there are the gilded silver Boshan furnace sent by Su Yun, the black iron sword tassel sent by Gongsun Niangzi, and the nine-carp-playing-lotus brocade handkerchief embroidered by Zhou Yuner—dazzling.】

【These are all gifts you and Sister Wu Tong have long discussed to give to the Fourth Cousin.】

【In a few days, your Fourth Cousin Xie Ying will marry Sima Ting; the marriage contract and betrothal gifts are all ready.】

【Fourth Cousin Xie Ying has taken good care of you; even when your mother was alive, she was one of the few relatives who could talk to you. You are naturally not a person who forgets kindness, and this congratulatory gift has long been carefully prepared.】

【You turn and enter the room, taking a book post from the desk, the handwriting neat; it is the congratulatory message you wrote for Fourth Cousin's wedding.】

【In the courtyard, Sister Wu Tong smiles and squints: "Luya, look if there is anything you like; the Young Master said you can pick whatever you want."】

【Although Sister Wu Tong is a person who loves money, she is exceptionally generous to her good sister Luya. She lays out all the gifts on the table for Luya to choose from.】

【Luya's eyes twinkle like stars, but after hesitating for a long time, she says in a low voice: "Sister Sister Wu Tong, these are too valuable; I cannot accept them. If the Young Lady finds out, she will definitely punish me."】

【Sister Wu Tong, hearing this, smiles and pats Luya on the shoulder, her tone relaxed: "What are you afraid of? If the Young Lady asks, just say the Young Master gave them; it doesn't matter."】

【Luya still hesitates, her gaze shifting between the gifts, finally landing on a delicate silver-thread sachet.】

【Sister Wu Tong, seeing this, immediately stuffs the sachet into her hand and laughs: "This is good, it matches your clothes today."】

【"Really?"】

【"My sister Luya has become even more beautiful."】

【Luya feels a trace of envy in her heart. Although the Young Lady treats her very well, compared to Wut

【She could tell that Young Master Guan had never viewed Sister Wu Tong as a servant; the concern in his eyes was something that could not be faked.】

【Sister Wu Tong leaned into her ear and whispered, "Fourth Miss, have you been asked to serve as a bedchamber maid?"】

【Luye's earlobes turned red. For maids like them, raised by their mistress's side since childhood, besides taking care of the young lady, there was actually another duty: to serve as a bedchamber maid.】

【Every month, the married ladies of the household always have a few days when they are indisposed. To prevent their husbands from going to other women, they would have their bedchamber maids serve the master of the house.】

【Luye answered shyly, "The young lady did indeed mention that if General Sima has any instructions, I am to go and serve him." Mentioning Sima Ting's tall figure, her cheeks flushed even more.】

【Luye asked Sister Wu Tong in return, "Sister Sister Wu Tong, are you still a maiden?"】

【Sister Wu Tong recalled how every night, the young master would return to her room to take off her shoes and massage her, and she would always fall asleep in a daze; it seemed nothing had happened. She pondered to herself, "The young master will be coming of age this year..."】

【At this moment!】

【You walked out of the room, holding the book scrolls in your hands. Seeing the two whispering, you smiled and said, "Luye, feel free to choose any of these gifts; there is no need to be reserved."】

【You walked up, handed the book scrolls to Luye, and said gently, "These are gifts prepared for the Fourth Cousin; I must trouble Luye to pass them on."】

【Luye hurriedly stood up, respectfully took the scrolls with both hands, and said in a low voice, "The young lady originally wanted to visit Young Master Guan in person, but due to the limitations of her status, it is inconvenient for her to come. I hope the young master will forgive her."】

【You nodded in understanding and smiled, "It is only proper etiquette."】

【In the Great Qi, influenced by Confucian rituals, women are expected not to step out of the main gate or the inner courtyard.】

【Even when Zhang Yunzhi and the others come to the small courtyard, they must be accompanied by Xie Yuan to avoid gossip from being alone in a room with a man.】

【Of course, Confucian rituals do not contradict the romanticism of the noble families; it is quite ironic.】

【Although Confucianism emphasizes moral teachings, it is common for noble sons to frequent brothels, while the courtesans of the West Wing Pavilion are not bound by these constraints; instead, it is considered a romantic affair.】

【Xie Ying is now betrothed, so naturally, she should be even more cautious and reduce contact with men.】

【Luye's expression was hesitant at this moment, but she finally spoke, "The young lady asked me to tell Young Master Guan that the young master will soon come of age. Recently, Lady Yuan has already arranged a marriage for the young master, to marry into the Li family as a son-in-law, and the household registration has already been sent to the Ministry of Rites... and entered into the lowly status."】

【Hearing this, Sister Wu Tong's hands tightened, and she blurted out, "How can it be so fast? The young master only comes of age this year!"】

【Luye said in a low voice, "The Fourth Miss went to beg the Mistress, but the Matriarch said that this matter was personally nodded and finalized by the Old Matriarch, and it cannot be reversed."】

【A rare look of anger appeared on Sister Wu Tong's face, and she gritted her teeth, saying, "This is truly bullying people too much!"】

【"Even if it is marrying into the family, there wasn't even an engagement, yet the household registration was changed in such a rush. The young master was supposed to take the imperial examination this year, and Mr. Zhang had already used his Licentiate status to vouch for him. Now that he has been entered into the lowly status and is marrying into the family, he doesn't even have the qualifications for the imperial examination!"】

【Seeing Sister Wu Tong so agitated, Luye did not know how to continue, and she lowered her eyes.】

【You, however, remained calm and comforted Sister Wu Tong, "Sister Wu Tong, didn't you already know about the marriage into the family? Why bother caring about it."】

【You turned your head to look at Luye, your tone gentle, "Luye, please continue."】

【Luye deliberated repeatedly before speaking, "It is said that the young lady from the Li family who is to be married is a practitioner of the Dao. She is often not at home, and the Li family has already postponed the wedding date..."】

【"Postponed the wedding date...", Sister Wu Tong was stunned, her hands trembling, "Young master, you were so outstanding at the Banquet of Flowers, why must you suffer such humiliation."】

【Marrying into a family is already a shameful thing in the Great Qi, and now that the wedding date is postponed, it is as if they have already refused; this is what kind of humiliation.】

【Sister Wu Tong stood up abruptly, "I am going to the Grand View Garden to ask the Old Matriarch for justice!"】

【Luye hurriedly grabbed her sleeve, "Sister Sister Wu Tong, you must not be impulsive. We servants have no right to defy the master's orders."】

【Sister Wu Tong paid no heed, but you reached out and stopped her.】

【Seeing your figure, Sister Wu Tong lowered her head and choked back sobs, tears sliding down silently, her voice trembling, "The Mistress told me to take care of the young master, it is Sister Wu Tong who is useless. The young master was blind at home for the past few years, and now he is marrying into a family and having his engagement broken, how can the heavens be so unfair!"】

【Luye also sighed on the side; the Great Qi values filial piety and ritual laws, and this is the command of parents and the words of matchmakers; Young Master Guan cannot defy them.】

【You gently wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and said softly, "If a person does not deceive themselves, heaven and earth can hardly deceive them."】

【Luye gently hugged Sister Wu Tong's sobbing shoulders, and gradually, the crying ceased.】

【"Sister Wu Tong, you and Luye go to the Fourth Cousin's place together," you said softly.】

【Sister Wu Tong wanted to say something more, but she was gently pulled away by Luye.】

【You kept your hands in your sleeves, quietly watching the backs of Sister Wu Tong and Luye as they left, your expression calm.】

【Marrying into a family, the imperial examination, entering the academy... they always think these are the great mountains above your head, the quagmire you cannot cross.】

【However, you have already met the Master, the Second Master who split the heavens with a sword, and that Prince Yan Lu Chen from three thousand years ago.】

【In a dream, I do not know who I am; not the moon, not the clouds, not the crane.】

【This person should have a different way of living.】

【You looked at the main hall inside the small courtyard, where your mother's spirit tablet was placed.】

【Your mother has been gone for nearly five years, and you are no longer that young child who cried until he went blind under the white banners in the mourning hall.】

【Your hand moved, and the long sword on the tree crown hummed and vibrated, dancing around you like flowing light.】

【Is this the Xie family, one of the nine great surnames of the Great Qi, which has produced three generations of dukes and marquises and spanned over a thousand years?】

【The young man, who had always been gentle, smiled slightly, revealing a cold and stern look he had never shown before.】

【"I would like to see if this vast Xie family can imprison me."】

【"And Father, how will you know you were wrong!"】

【Since the young man was a child, there had been a wicked dragon locked in his heart.】

【All these years, he never made a mistake, acting like a heavenly being.】

【Your emotions returned to calm in an instant, and you became the unflappable Xie Guan once again.】

【You looked outside the courtyard gate; there are still guests today!】

(End of chapter)