Chapter 412

【Zhang Shizai savored your words, but still shook his head, clearly not believing what you said at the end.】

【The Red-Eyed Army breaks through Bianjing? If the capital of a country is broken, then that country is not far from destruction.】

【The Great Qi's national fortune has lasted for 1,400 years; how could it fall apart because of a rebellion?】

【Although he appreciated your knowledge, he still felt that your words were too alarmist.】

【Xie Yuan was also full of disbelief, "Brother Guan, you'd be right in a hundred years, but how is it possible now?"】

【He recalled the prosperity of the Banquet of Flowers; the Great Qi is still a flourishing dynasty, how could it collapse as quickly as you said?】

【"Within five or six years, the world will be in chaos," you seemed to have already seen the future flames of war, "The uprising army will burn down the world."】

【Zhang Yunzhi heard this, "Young Master Guan, is this true?"】

【You nodded, "I dare not speak nonsense. Although the Red-Eyed Army seems like a mob, it nourishes the hearts of the people of the world. If the court blindly uses force to suppress it, I am afraid it will be counterproductive."】

【"The common people have suffered under the nine great surnames for too long."】

【This sentence was like a heavy hammer, striking the bottom of Zhang Shizai's heart, and he remained silent for a long time after hearing it.】

【As a member of the Zhang family, one of the nine great surnames, he naturally understood the weight of this sentence. Although the nine great surnames were illustrious for a time, they also gradually became estranged from the people due to their overwhelming power, and even became the mountains and scorching sun pressing down on their heads.】

【The sun set in the west, and the sky gradually darkened.】

【Sister Wu Tong returned from outside; recently she has been busy with the Fourth Cousin's wedding, mostly going to help Luye.】

【The two sisters have been close since childhood, and now that the Fourth Cousin is about to marry into the Sima family, and they will be separated, they cherish the time they spend together even more.】

【Seeing that it was getting late, Zhang Shizai stood up to prepare to leave, and Zhang Yunzhi followed behind him.】

【You sent them to the door, but Xie Yuan did not leave.】

【After Zhang Shizai walked away, Xie Yuan put his arm around your shoulder and winked, "Brother Guan, have you read 'Grass Lamp and Kindness'? How is the taste? Tell me quickly!"】

【You were about to speak, but unexpectedly, Zhang Yunzhi suddenly turned back.】

【She stood in front of the courtyard, her brows like distant mountains, her eyes like autumn water, and there was a bit of hesitation in the flowing light, "Young Master Guan, I... I have words I want to say to you."】

【The sunset glow shone on Zhang Yunzhi's beautiful face; she was slender, wearing a light green gauze skirt, the hem of which swayed lightly, as smooth as flowing water, making her figure look even more exquisite. Her shoulders were like they were carved, her waist like tied silk, and the snow-white skin on her neck made her look even more like ice and jade.】

【Born in the Zhang family, she had lived in luxury since childhood, and in her every move, she had both the dignity of a young lady from a great family and the liveliness of a young girl.】

【Compared to the courtesans of the West Wing Pavilion, she was not inferior at all.】

【You said gently, "Miss Zhang, please speak freely."】

【Zhang Yunzhi's expression was dim, and she asked in a low voice, "Young Master Guan, are you really going to marry into the Li family?"】

【You nodded slightly, your tone indifferent, "The Mistress has not yet sent a definite message, but this matter has spread throughout the main courtyard, and the Mistress has not scolded these rumors, so this matter must be true."】

【Hearing this, a flash of disappointment passed through Zhang Yunzhi's eyes, "Yunzhi also heard about this. That Seventh Miss of the Li family is a person who respects martial arts. She became a disciple of Master Xuanji of Qingliang Temple years ago, dedicated to martial arts, and never involved in the love between men and women."】

【The one you are marrying into the family is that Seventh Miss of the Li family.】

【Zhang Yunzhi paused slightly, "Moreover, the Old Matriarch of the Li family dotes on the Seventh Miss extremely, and I am afraid this marriage will be difficult to succeed. The Li family has no intention of accepting it privately, and the Old Matriarch of the Xie Fu and the Old Matriarch of the Li family also have a deep friendship, but... how could the Old Matriarch not know the reason..."】

【Before she finished speaking, you already understood her thoughts.】

【The Xie Fu is in a rush, moving your household registration out of the Xie family within a few days, while the Li family has repeatedly postponed the wedding date.】

【Both the Xie and Li families are among the nine great surnames and would never do things to the extreme; such an offense is mostly an arrangement by the Xie Fu.】

【Xie Yuan said, "Brother Guan, do not worry. I have already begged my mother about this matter, and there will definitely be a turning point. At worst, I will wander the world with you."】

【At this moment, a blush appeared on Zhang Yunzhi's face, her voice as thin as silk, "Just now Yunzhi asked my father... Father said..."】

【She paused slightly, as if it was difficult to speak, and finally said in a low voice, "Father also wants to visit the Xie Fu and speak with the Old Matriarch."】

【After speaking, her face was flushed, and she left in a hurry, as if she would be too ashamed to face anyone if she stayed for another moment.】

【Xie Yuan's eyes were surprised, and he scratched his head, "Fourth Cousin has always been straightforward and generous, what is wrong today? It's just asking Uncle-in-law for help, why be so shy?"】

【Sister Wu Tong, who was on the side, had her eyes move slightly.】

【Xie Yuan walked into the courtyard again; although he did not want to show his Primordial Spirit and martial arts in front of you, his martial arts had recently reached the third level of the "Qi and Blood" realm, and his hands were really itching.】

【A young man's heart always cannot help but want to show off.】

【Seeing that the water in the large vat in the small courtyard was only half full, his eyes lit up, and he hurriedly found a shoulder pole from the room, picked up two buckets, and walked out excitedly.】

【Your small courtyard does not have a water well, so you need to go to the clean water room of the West Garden to fetch water, which is not far away.】

【In the past, Sister Wu Tong had little strength and would slowly fetch water with one bucket, but now you have already fetched it in the early morning.】

【Xie Yuan went to fetch water with the buckets, and Sister Wu Tong did not stop him when she saw this. Xie Yuan has always been like this, always making people unable to figure him out.】

【Seeing this, you understood Xie Yuan's thoughts, smiled slightly, and did not point it out.】

【Before long, Xie Yuan walked like the wind, carrying two full buckets of water back, and poured the cool water into the large vat.】

【You deliberately showed a surprised expression and praised, "Sixth Brother, I haven't seen you for a few days, why are you so strong?"】

【Xie Yuan turned around, smiled indifferently, his tone relaxed, "Not worth mentioning."】

【Xie Yuan left happily, leaving only Sister Wu Tong and you in the courtyard.】

【Sister Wu Tong blinked, her tone carrying a bit of playfulness, "Young Master, I think Miss Yunzhi seems to like you very much."】

【"How did you see that?"】

【Sister Wu Tong lowered her voice and said mysteriously, "Just now Miss Yunzhi said she wanted to ask Master Zhang to come to the Xie Fu; perhaps it was to matchmake you and Yunzhi. How does the saying go in plays: 'The body has no colorful phoenix with wings, but the heart has a spiritual rhinoceros point of connection.'"】

【"A woman's thoughts cannot be hidden."】

【You smiled indifferently, tidied up the books on the stone table, and prepared to take them back into the room.】

【Seeing this, Sister Wu Tong could not help but ask, "Young Master, don't you like Miss Yunzhi? She is beautiful, has a noble family background, and is also knowledgeable and sensible."】

【You stopped your movements, turned to look at Sister Wu Tong, and said gently, "I like Sister Wu Tong."】

【Sister Wu Tong's face turned red instantly, and she complained, "Young Master, I am talking to you about serious matters... and how am I inferior to Miss Yunzhi."】

【"What I said is also serious," you said earnestly.】

【Sister Wu Tong lowered her head, was silent for a moment, and then said softly, "I know the young master's ambition is not in this small courtyard, nor in the Xie Fu, Li family, or Zhang family."】

【"Oh?"】

【Sister Wu Tong looked up, "Just now I saw Young Master Xie Yuan carrying water buckets with ease, but I saw the young master carrying water with nothing in his hands months ago."】

【She paused and continued, "Young Master Yuan said his martial arts practice is progressing rapidly, but I know that you have already left him far behind."】

【"And, I also saw you practicing martial arts with a fairy in the courtyard at night before."】

【"A fairy!"】

【When these words came out, you could not help but be stunned; presumably, the person Sister Wu Tong mentioned was Lu Hua.】

【When did Sister Wu Tong wake up, and you didn't even notice?】

【Sister Wu Tong's tone carried a bit of melancholy, "I knew that you are not an ordinary person, and perhaps you have never taken these romantic matters to heart."】

【Sister Wu Tong raised her head, her eyes flashing with firm light, "The book says that a man's ambition is great, and a great man does not worry about having no wife. I don't know about others, but I know you will not rot in this small courtyard."】

【Her voice gradually became firm from her initial hesitation.】

【You smiled slightly, although you used the "Turtle Breathing Technique" to hide your Primordial Qi, and your Primordial Spirit also restrained its brilliance, making it difficult for people to probe the depth of your cultivation.】

【Even a Commandant of the Demon-Slaying Division like Zhang Shizai, with profound cultivation, would find it difficult to see your bottom line if he did not test you personally.】

【However, this is ultimately difficult to hide from those familiar around you.】

【You said softly, "Alright, go back to the room, remember to take off your shoes yourself; I have been helping you take them off these past few days."】

【Hearing this, Sister Wu Tong's face turned red instantly, and she complained, "Who told you not to knock on the door every time you enter the room."】

【Her tone carried shyness; every day after you helped her comb her qi, she not only felt warm all over, but she always had dreams in the second half of the night, and several times she was wet.】

【After half a month of your conditioning, the cold qi in Sister Wu Tong's body has been completely removed.】

【You pondered in your heart whether you should let her embark on the path of cultivation; you had not thought it through yet.】

【The night was silent without a word!】

【The next day, you got up early to operate the "Yang Talisman Scripture" to absorb the innate purple qi of the rising morning sun.】

【You stood in the courtyard, your Mud-Ball Palace suddenly opened, and a strand of Yang essence qi shaped like a three-legged golden crow hung down from the sky.】

【The divine fire in your heart sea surged, and the flame core showed a gilded color. Two hours of breathing and exhaling were worth half a month of hard practice.】

【The wonderful use of the "Yang Talisman Scripture," the more you practice, the more you feel its extraordinary nature.】

【You are now at the eighth level of the Primordial Spirit, "Divine Fire." According to this cultivation speed, you will break through the eighth level in at most another month and enter the ninth level—the Purple Star Constant Realm.】

【You summoned the eighth sword intent figure in your heart sea and fought against it again.】

【After more than a dozen clashes, although all ended in failure, there was also obvious progress.】

【The sword in your hand was used with more and more control, the sword light like water, not falling a trace of dust.】

【"Although this sword intent figure is strong, it is not invincible."】

【You withdrew your mind, noticed the movement at the courtyard gate, waved your hand, and the Dragon Shadow Sword turned into flowing light and hid in the crown of the Sister Wu Tong tree.】

【A group of familiar figures came uninvited and stepped directly into the courtyard.】

【Xie Renfeng brought his personal maid Ganzhi, followed by a servant with a stooped back and a simple and honest face dressed as a groom.】

【Xie Renfeng still had the appearance of a humble gentleman, his gaze swept across the courtyard, and finally settled on you.】

【You did not lose etiquette, "Third Cousin."】

【Xie Renfeng nodded slightly, stepped into the courtyard, but ignored you, examining the small courtyard while looking up at the tall Sister Wu Tong tree.】

【He turned his head and said to the groom behind him, "Is this Sister Wu Tong tree too much of an eyesore? It would be better to cut it down."】

【The groom hurriedly nodded and bowed, "Everything is up to the young master's instructions."】

【Xie Renfeng smiled slightly, his gaze swept over the flowers and plants in the courtyard, his tone full of disdain, "These flowers and plants are all lowly wild grasses and flowers, not worth a penny, remove them."】

【"This room also needs to change its tiles; it looks old, how can a person live comfortably."】

【Sister Wu Tong heard the movement and walked out of the room. Seeing Xie Renfeng acting like the master of the house, as if the small courtyard already belonged to him, she was angry in her heart but did not clash, just quietly walked behind you.】

【Seeing Sister Wu Tong's appearance, a flash of amazement passed through Xie Renfeng's eyes. He had previously asked Ganzhi to ask for Sister Wu Tong, originally because he had taken a fancy to her beauty.】

【Unexpectedly, after not seeing her for a long time, she became even more beautiful. The flowers pinned on her double-snail bun made her egg-shaped face look even more moist, and there was no servant's slave-like nature or obedience in her apricot eyes.】

【You asked, "Third Cousin, what is the purpose of your visit today?"】

【Hearing this, Xie Renfeng withdrew his gaze, his tone cold, "Nothing, just passing by, and taking a look."】

【"Xie Guan, you have now entered the lowly status and have no qualifications to live in the Xie family. If it weren't for the Old Matriarch's extra-legal grace, allowing you to live for another month, you would have been kicked out of the mansion long ago."】

【Sister Wu Tong's face was indignant; although this small courtyard is in the Xie family, the young master is a descendant of the clan, yet he has to pay a high rent every month, which is even heavier than the rent of ordinary servants.】

【She could not help but grit her teeth secretly, "Where is this extra-legal grace? It is clearly bullying people too much!"】

【Xie Renfeng stood in the courtyard, his tone carrying a bit of sarcasm, "This West Garden was originally a place for servants to live. I specifically asked the Old Matriarch for it, so let the servants live here."】

【He looked at the groom, "How about this house? I will make the decision to give it to you."】

【Hearing this, the groom hurriedly knelt and kowtowed, "Thank you, young master, for your grace and reward."】

【Xie Renfeng, however, ignored the groom, his gaze fixed straight on Xie Guan. Seeing that his expression remained calm, he could not help but feel bored, snorted coldly, and kicked the groom who was kneeling on the ground. The groom's face was painful, but he did not dare to get up, just lying on the ground, groaning in a low voice.】

【Xie Renfeng glanced at Ganzhi who was standing on the side and said coldly, "Why don't you help him up."】

【Hearing this, Ganzhi walked forward slowly, her eyes lifeless, as if she were a walking corpse.】

【Sister Wu Tong saw it in her eyes, and her heart felt sour. Sister Ganzhi, who was originally respected in the courtyard, how did she become like this, but she could do nothing about it.】

【Everything is fate, how can it be up to people.】

【Xie Renfeng sneered, his gaze fell on Xie Guan again, his tone cold, "Xie Guan, wait, in another month, you will be kicked out of the Xie Fu. At that time, I have plenty of ways to deal with you."】

【After speaking, he turned his head to look at Sister Wu Tong again, and said jokingly to the groom who was rubbing his chest, "How about it, do you want this maid to be your wife?"】

【Hearing this, the groom hurriedly lowered his head, his voice terrified, "I dare not, I dare not..."】

【"You have the heart but no courage."】

【Xie Renfeng sneered and left with Ganzhi and the groom.】

【When you heard the last sentence, a flash of coldness passed through your eyes.】

【Sister Wu Tong worried secretly in her heart; the wind and rain of the Xie Fu seemed to have quietly approached.】

【You comforted her, "I will handle everything."】

【Sister Wu Tong finally felt a little relieved.】

【Not long after!】

【Su Yun brought Xie Xuan to visit.】

【Su Yun's face was full of joy, and his brows and eyes were all smiles. He walked quickly to Xie Guan and said with a bit of excitement, "Young Master Guan, today is the day set by Crown Prince Yuan. The carriage is ready, let's set off."】

【You nodded; you had long remembered that today was the day set for the gathering with that Great Sui Crown Prince.】

【You walked out of the courtyard gate together, "Young Master Yun, wait a moment, I will go and call Sixth Brother to go with us."】

(End of chapter)