Chapter 673: A True Man Needs Not Fear Being Without a Wife: Accepting the Crown Prince of Sui

Zhang Shi zai carefully savored your words, yet still shook his head, clearly disbelieving your final statement.

The Red-Eyed Army breached Bianjing? If a nation’s capital falls, its collapse is not far off.

The Great Qi dynasty has endured for fourteen hundred years—how could a single rebellion shatter it?

Though he admired your insight, he still thought your words alarmist.

Xie Yuan also looked utterly skeptical. “Brother Guan, a hundred years from now might be plausible—but now? Impossible.”

He recalled the splendor of the Gathering of Beauties; Great Qi still stood as a mighty dynasty—how could it crumble as swiftly as you claimed?

“Within five or six years, the world will descend into chaos,” you seemed to see the flames of war ahead: “Rebel armies will burn the land.”

Zhang Yunzhi asked, “Lord Guan, is this truly your belief?”

You nodded. “I dare not speak falsely. Though the Red-Eyed Army appears a rabble, they stir the people’s hearts. If the court persists in crushing them with force, it will only backfire.”

“The common folk have suffered long under the Nine Surnames.”

These words struck Zhang Shi zai’s heart like a hammer; he fell silent for a long while.

As a member of the Zhang clan—one of the Nine Surnames—he understood the weight of those words. Though the Nine Surnames once shone brightly, their overwhelming power had gradually distanced them from the people, becoming mountains and blazing suns pressing down upon them.

The sun set, and the sky darkened.

Wu Tong returned from outside; lately she had been busy helping Lu Ya with the wedding preparations for her fourth cousin.

The two sisters had been close since childhood; now that the fourth cousin was about to marry into the Sima family, they treasured every moment together before separation.

Seeing the hour grow late, Zhang Shi zai rose to take his leave, with Zhang Yunzhi following behind him.

You saw them to the gate, but Xie Yuan did not depart.

Once Zhang Shi zai had faded into the distance, Xie Yuan placed a hand on your shoulder and winked. “Brother Guan, have you read The Grass Lantern and Kindness? What’s its flavor? Tell me!”

You were about to answer when Zhang Yunzhi suddenly turned back.

She stood before the courtyard, brows like distant ink, eyes like autumn waters, shimmering with hesitation: “Lord Guan, I… I have something I wish to say to you.”

The last rays of the sun lit her lovely face; her slender form wore a pale blue silk robe, its hem drifting like flowing water, accentuating her graceful figure. Her shoulders were sculpted, her waist slender as bound silk, her neck a stretch of snow-white skin, revealing skin like ice and bones like jade.

Raised in luxury within the Zhang household, her every gesture carried the dignity of a noble lady, yet retained the liveliness of a young girl.

She rivaled even the courtesans of the West Pavilion.

You spoke gently: “Miss Zhang, speak freely.”

Zhang Yunzhi’s expression darkened. “Lord Guan, is it truly true you will become a son-in-law to the Li family?”

You nodded slightly, your tone calm. “My mistress has not yet sent confirmation, but the entire household has spread the rumor—and no lady has rebuked it. It must be more than idle talk.”

Zhang Yunzhi’s eyes flickered with disappointment. “I’ve heard it too. The seventh young lady of the Li family is a martial soul—she once took the Mystic Master of Qingliang Temple as her teacher, devoted entirely to martial arts, never entangled in romance.”

The one you are to marry as a son-in-law is precisely that seventh young lady of the Li family.

Zhang Yunzhi paused briefly. “Moreover, the Li family’s matriarch dotes excessively on her. This marriage may never come to pass. The Li family has no intention of accepting you—and though the matriarchs of the Xie and Li households are close, surely the old lady knows the truth…”

Before she finished, you understood her meaning.

The Xie household rushed to sever your ties, transferring your household registration out of the Xie family within days, while the Li family repeatedly postponed the wedding date.

Both Xie and Li are among the Nine Surnames—they would never push things to the brink. This maneuver is almost certainly orchestrated by the Xie household.

Xie Yuan spoke: “Brother Guan, don’t worry. I’ve already asked Mother—there will be a turn. If all else fails, I’ll join you in wandering the world.”

At this, Zhang Yunzhi’s cheeks flushed. Her voice was a whisper: “Just now, I asked Father… he said…”

She hesitated, as if unable to speak, then whispered: “Father intends to visit the Xie household and speak with the old lady.”

With that, her face burned crimson, and she hurried away, as if staying another moment would leave her too ashamed to face you.

Xie Yuan stared in surprise, scratching his head. “Fourth cousin has always been bold and open—what’s gotten into her today? It’s just asking Uncle Zhang for help—why so shy?”

Beside him, Wu Tong’s eyes flickered slightly.

Xie Yuan stepped back into the courtyard. Though he didn’t wish to reveal his Primordial Spirit or martial arts before you, his cultivation had recently reached the third stage—Qi Blood—and his hands itched to show off.

Youthful hearts always crave a chance to display themselves.

Seeing the courtyard’s large water vat was half-empty, his eyes lit up. He rushed inside, found a carrying pole, lifted two buckets, and headed out eagerly.

Our courtyard has no well—we must fetch water from the West Garden’s purified water house, not far away.

In the past, Wu Tong, weak of arm, carried one bucket slowly; now you’ve already fetched the water each morning.

Xie Yuan trotted off cheerfully with the buckets; Wu Tong made no move to stop him. Xie Yuan had always been this way—always baffling.

You understood his intent, smiled faintly, and said nothing.

Soon, Xie Yuan returned with swift steps, shoulders laden with two full buckets, pouring the cool water into the large vat.

You feigned surprise. “Sixth brother, in just a few days, how have you grown so strong?”

Xie Yuan turned, smiling casually. “Nothing special.”

Xie Yuan departed with a chuckle, leaving only Wu Tong and you in the courtyard.

Wu Tong blinked, her tone playful. “Master, I think Miss Zhang really likes you.”

“How can you tell?”

Wu Tong lowered her voice, conspiratorially: “Just now, Miss Zhang said she wanted her father to come to the Xie household—perhaps to arrange a match between you and her. Isn’t that what the operas say? ‘No phoenix wings to fly together, yet hearts connect with a single spark.’”

“A woman’s heart never stays hidden.”

You smiled indifferently, gathering the books from the stone table to return them indoors.

Wu Tong couldn’t help asking: “Master, don’t you like Miss Zhang? She’s beautiful, from a noble family, and well-bred.”

You paused, turned to Wu Tong, and said softly: “I like Wu Tong.”

Wu Tong’s face instantly flushed. She pouted. “Master, I’m being serious! And how am I any less than Miss Zhang?”

“What I said is serious,” you replied earnestly.

Wu Tong lowered her head, fell silent for a moment, then whispered: “I know your ambitions lie beyond this courtyard, beyond the Xie, Li, or Zhang households.”

“Oh?”

Wu Tong looked up. “Earlier, I saw Sixth Master Xie carry two full buckets with ease—but months ago, I saw you fetch water with empty hands.”

She paused, then continued: “Sixth Master says his martial progress is swift, but I know—you’ve already left him far behind.”

“And last night, I saw you training with a fairy in the courtyard.”

“A fairy?”

At this, you froze. Wu Tong must have meant Lu Hua.

When had Wu Tong awakened? You hadn’t even noticed.

Wu Tong’s voice carried a touch of melancholy: “I knew—you’re no ordinary person. Perhaps you’ve never cared for such romantic entanglements.”

Wu Tong lifted her head, her eyes gleaming with resolve: “Books say a man’s ambition is vast. A true man need not fear being without a wife. I don’t know others—but I know you won’t rot away in this courtyard.”

Her voice, once hesitant, grew steadily firmer.

You smiled faintly. Though you concealed your primordial qi with the Turtle Breathing Scripture and dimmed your Primordial Spirit’s radiance, making your cultivation depth impossible to discern,

even Zhang Shi zai, commander of the Demon-Slaying Bureau, with his profound cultivation, could not uncover your true nature unless he tested you directly.

Yet such concealment could not fool those close to you.

You spoke softly: “Enough. Go inside. Remember to take off your shoes yourself—I’ve been doing it for you lately.”

Wu Tong’s face flushed crimson. “Who asked you to barge in without knocking?”

Her tone carried a blush—after you helped her regulate her qi each day, she felt warm all over, and her nights were filled with dreams, often leaving her damp.

After half a month of your regulation, Wu Tong’s internal coldness had vanished entirely.

You pondered inwardly: Should you guide her onto the path of cultivation? You had not yet decided.

The night passed in silent stillness.

The next morning, you rose early and practiced the Yang Fu Scripture, absorbing the primordial purple qi of the rising sun.

Standing in the courtyard, your crown chakra suddenly opened, and a thread of yang essence, shaped like a three-legged golden crow, descended from the heavens.

The fire in your heart-sea surged violently, its core glowing a golden-golden hue. Two hours of breathing equaled half a month of arduous cultivation.

The wonders of the Yang Fu Scripture grew ever more extraordinary the more you practiced.

You are now at the eighth stage of Primordial Spirit—Fiery Heart. At this pace, you’ll break through within a month and enter the ninth stage—Purple Star Eternal Realm.

You summoned the eighth sword-intention figure within your heart-sea and sparred with it again.

After dozens of exchanges, though you always lost, your progress was clear.

Your sword movements grew increasingly precise, the blade’s light flowing like water, leaving not a trace of dust or smoke.

“This sword-intention figure is strong—but not invincible.”

You withdrew your focus, noticing movement at the courtyard gate. You waved your hand; the Dragon Shadow Sword flashed like a streak of light and vanished into the canopy of the tung tree.

A familiar group entered without invitation, walking straight into the courtyard.

Xie Renfeng arrived with his personal maid Gan Zhi, followed by a thickset, humble-looking servant dressed as a coachman.

Xie Renfeng still wore the demeanor of a refined gentleman. His gaze swept the courtyard, finally settling on you.

You did not neglect propriety. “Third cousin.”

Xie Renfeng nodded slightly, stepped into the courtyard, yet ignored you entirely, inspecting the small house and gazing upward at the towering tung tree.

He turned to the coachman. “Is this tung tree too obstructive? Better cut it down.”

The coachman bowed deeply. “As you command, Young Master.”

Xie Renfeng smiled faintly, his eyes sweeping the courtyard’s flowers and plants. “These weeds and wildflowers are worthless—remove them.”

“This house needs new tiles. It looks ancient—how can anyone live comfortably here?”

Wu Tong, hearing the commotion, stepped out from inside. Seeing Xie Renfeng acting as if he owned the courtyard, she felt anger but said nothing, merely stepping quietly behind you.

Xie Renfeng’s eyes flickered with surprise at Wu Tong’s appearance. He had once asked Gan Zhi to request Wu Tong for him—he had always been drawn to her beauty.

He hadn’t seen her in a long time, yet she had grown even more exquisite: her glossy black twin buns adorned with flowers, her oval face glowing, her almond eyes free of any servant’s subservience.

You asked, “Why has Third Cousin come today?”

Hearing this, Xie Renfeng withdrew his gaze and said coldly, “Nothing. I was just passing by, thought I’d take a look.”

“Xie Guan, you’ve been reduced to the low caste—you have no right to live in the Xie household. If it weren’t for the old matriarch’s mercy, allowing you to stay another month, you’d have been thrown out long ago.”

Wu Tong’s face flushed with anger. Though this courtyard belonged to the Xie family, Master was still a registered descendant of the clan, yet he had to pay exorbitant rent each month—more than even the ordinary servants.

She clenched her teeth inwardly: “This isn’t mercy—it’s outright cruelty!”

Xie Renfeng stood in the courtyard, his tone laced with mockery: “This western garden was meant for servants. I specifically asked the old matriarch to give it to me—so let it remain for servants.”

He turned to the coachman. “I’ll give you this house. Consider it mine to bestow.”

The coachman immediately knelt and banged his head on the ground. “Thank you, Young Master, for your grace and gift!”

But Xie Renfeng ignored the coachman entirely, his eyes fixed on Xie Guan. Seeing his expression remained calm, Xie Renfeng grew bored and sneered, then kicked the kneeling coachman over. The coachman’s face twisted in pain, but he dared not rise—only crawled forward, whimpering softly.

Xie Renfeng glanced at Gan Zhi standing nearby and snapped, “Help him up.”

Gan Zhi slowly stepped forward, her eyes vacant, like a walking corpse.

Wu Tong watched, her heart aching. How had Gan Zhi, once so respected in this courtyard, come to this? Yet she could do nothing.

All is fate—how can one defy it?

Xie Renfeng sneered, his gaze returning to Xie Guan, voice icy: “Xie Guan, wait. One month from now, you’ll be expelled from the Xie Fu. Then, Young Master has many ways to deal with you.”

With that, he turned to Wu Tong and mocked the coachman, who was still clutching his chest: “How about it? Want this girl as your wife?”

The coachman immediately bowed his head, voice trembling: “No, no… I dare not…”

“You’ve got the desire but not the courage.”

Xie Renfeng scoffed and left with Gan Zhi and the coachman.

When you heard those final words, a cold glint flashed in your eyes.

Wu Tong felt a quiet dread—the storm within the Xie Fu had already begun to gather.

You reassured her: “I’ll handle everything.”

Wu Tong finally relaxed a little.

Not long after!

Su Yun arrived with Xie Xuan.

Su Yun’s face beamed with joy, his eyes bright with delight. He hurried to Xie Guan’s side, voice tinged with excitement: “Young Master Guan, today is the day the Crown Prince of Yuan has set. The carriage is ready—let’s depart.”

You nodded. You had long remembered today as the day agreed upon to meet the Great Sui Crown Prince.

You stepped out of the courtyard together. “Young Master Yun, wait a moment—I’ll call Sixth Brother to join us.”

(End of Chapter)