Chapter 36: Troublesome Trifles

Dyehouse Street, Shuanggui Lane.

The morning sun rose, casting a golden glow upon the dew-kissed melon trellis, where droplets shimmered like scattered crystals. In the spotless courtyard, the rhythmic and light sound of chopping vegetables echoed:

*Thump, thump, thump...*

A stunning beauty in a pale cyan blouse stood gracefully by the kitchen window. The morning sun bathed her cheeks, and her peach-blossom eyes were lost in thought. After placing the chopped garlic sprouts onto a porcelain plate, she lifted her gaze toward the rising sun in the distance.

An old, small courtyard with three rooms. Cooking, tending to flowers, and waiting for her husband—no, waiting for her son and daughter to return. There were no flashing blades or shadows of the martial world here, only the leisure and tranquility of daily life...

Perhaps this was the life of ordinary people; something commoners might grow weary of, yet what those in the pugilistic world yearned for in vain...

*Step, step, step...*

Just as her thoughts were drifting, light footsteps sounded outside the courtyard. It sounded like Yunli.

Luo Ning pulled her focus back and looked over to see Yunli, dressed like a neighborhood girl, running in from outside. She vaulted directly over the wall and landed in the courtyard, looking somewhat anxious.

"Mistress, it’s bad! I was wandering on the street just now and ran into Protector Zhang..."

"Hmm?"

Hearing this, Luo Ning’s hand paused on the kitchen knife.

The Protector Zhang that Yunli mentioned was Zhang Henggu, known as the "Iron Diviner of Nanshan." Once a young acolyte at the Great Yan’s Imperial Observatory, he had fled to Mount Nanxiao with the Yan royalty when the previous dynasty fell. After sixty years of ups and downs, he was now one of the four Great Protectors of the Pingtian Sect and a founding elder—even the Sect Leader of Pingtian had to address him as "Uncle-Master."

For him to suddenly appear in the capital, it could only mean the Sect Leader had given an order: he had come to bring her back to Mount Nanxiao.

Luo Ning pondered for a moment, then stepped out of the kitchen to ask, "Where is Protector Zhang now?"

"He’s at the East Gate, arranging a way to leave the city. He asked me to come and fetch you, saying the Zhou family’s birthday banquet is coming up soon. The Zhou family has already sent the invitations, and since they helped forge your sword, you must attend. Otherwise, people in the martial world will say you are ungrateful, forgetting old acquaintances once you’ve married into a powerful family..."

Back when Luo Ning was still known as the "Goddess of the Toad Palace," she had traveled far and wide seeking masters to avenge her family. She had visited the Water Cloud Sword Pool; though she didn't learn their sword techniques, she relied on her reputation as a martial arts beauty to gain a favor from the Zhou family, who forged the famous "Weeping Water Sword" she wore at her waist.

Later, when she married into the Pingtian Sect and became the Sect Leader's wife, that favor was naturally credited to the sect. The Zhou family never asked her to repay it, but she certainly could not forget it.

"Doesn't Old Master Zhou’s birthday fall in the middle of next month? I never said I wouldn't go; why the rush?"

"Protector Zhang says the Zhou family and the Red Flower Mansion might clash during this banquet. If you are there, you will likely be drawn into it. Master wants to discuss a strategy with you, so he wants you to go back for a bit."

Luo Ning had originally planned to take a boat from the capital to the Zhou family in a few days—it wasn't far—and return after making an appearance to continue working on the matter of Qiu Tianhe.

Hearing this, she couldn't help but frown, glancing at the food warming in the pot. "The matter of saving Qiu Tianhe is already showing promise..."

Zhe Yunli patted her chest. "Don't worry, Mistress. I have already explained the situation to Protector Zhang. I will stay in the capital to accompany Brother Jingtang, and Protector Zhang will secretly monitor the situation. You can return with peace of mind..."

*?*

Luo Ning’s expression turned cold, and she looked sternly at Zhe Yunli. "Nonsense! You are impulsive. How can I be at ease leaving you alone in the capital?"

Zhe Yunli blinked. "Protector Zhang will be secretly protecting me. Protector Zhang is much stronger than you, Mistress..."

"That won't do either."

Luo Ning decided that if she didn't go, she would stay, but she couldn't leave Yunli with Ye Jingtang. Given that shameless thief's nature, by the time she returned, little Yunli might already be pregnant...

Luo Ning pondered for a moment and walked back into the kitchen. "Ye Jingtang has extraordinary talent. If Protector Zhang sees him, he will surely try every means to bring him to Mount Nanxiao..."

"Isn't that a good thing?"

"Good? My Pingtian Sect is not a den of bandits. Ye Jingtang has his heart set on an official career; he has already done more than enough to help us. Is it right to force him to become an outlaw?"

Zhe Yunli pouted, wanting to say something, but finding it hard to argue.

"Hurry up, the trip there and back will only take half a month... I will speak to Ye Jingtang later. He values chivalry; even if we leave, he will help save Qiu Tianhe. We can return in a few days."

Zhe Yunli was skeptical. "If we both leave, why would Brother Jingtang risk his neck to save people for us?"

"..."

Luo Ning opened her mouth but couldn't find a reason, so she could only say calmly, "Mistress will persuade him properly. You go prepare with Protector Zhang first; I will come later."

"Alright..." Zhe Yunli had no choice but to turn around and leave quickly.

---

Shao Estate.

The Red Flower Mansion was vast with numerous affairs. Just explaining the status of their various industries took the eight incense masters the better part of the day.

Ye Jingtang listened, but he didn't take it to heart. He was working for the Shao family and helping Third Mistress when needed; he wasn't plotting for their estate, so memorizing the details was useless.

By the time the Azure Dragon Hall meeting ended and the incense masters had left through their respective tunnels, it was already noon.

Ye Jingtang climbed out of Third Mistress’s bed and stepped into the boudoir, only to hear a "da-da-da" sound at the door—the sound of claws kicking the wood.

Ye Jingtang opened the door to see the courtyard silent. The bird, which had been left outside for most of the day, turned its head away the moment it saw him, putting on a little act of "valuing beauty over birds, I don't want to talk to you."

Shao Xiangjun emerged from behind the curtains, her demeanor shifting back into that of a gentle, delicate woman. She came to Ye Jingtang’s side, picked up the sulking bird, and praised him, "Having a man in charge of the house really makes a difference. These incense masters are elders of the family and are loyal, but they watched me grow up and always see me as a junior, so it’s hard for me to lecture them. You gave them a 'show of force' today to teach them the rules; it will be much easier to talk to them from now on."

In the past, Ye Jingtang felt flattered when he saw Third Mistress’s admiring gaze, but after discovering she was the "Red God of Wealth," the feeling changed instantly.

You, the dignified female leader of the Red Flower Mansion and a renowned martial arts overlord, are acting like a pitiful, delicate beauty in front of me, begging for protection?

But being admired by a strong woman seemed to make him feel even more inflated...

Ye Jingtang’s thoughts were a bit scattered. After a moment, he replied, "It was just my duty, Third Mistress, as long as you don't mind. It’s getting late, so I’ll head back first. I’ll come by tomorrow morning to hear your arrangements."

"You are the young master of the house now; staying outside is too impersonal. Your eldest aunt has cleaned out the east wing for you. From now on, just live here."

"The Shao family is made up of women. For an outsider like me to live here would inevitably invite gossip. Dyehouse Street isn't far; if you have any arrangements, just send someone to summon me."

Shao Xiangjun had pinned all her hopes for reviving the Red Flower Mansion on Ye Jingtang, so naturally, she wanted to keep him close to cultivate their relationship day and night. But since Ye Jingtang was so insistent, she couldn't force him, so she could only say:

"You don't need to help with the Tianshui Bridge matter. Your most important task right now is to go to the Juyi Building in a few days and help me keep the hall masters in check. Go back and rest for now; I’ll teach you the spear techniques later."

As she spoke, Shao Xiangjun walked to her vanity, opened a small drawer, and took out a stack of banknotes, looking as if she were giving Ye Jingtang pocket money.

Judging by the denominations, it was at least a million!

Seeing this, Ye Jingtang finally understood what it felt like to be supported by a beautiful, wealthy woman.

But as a righteous man with integrity, he certainly wouldn't take anything beyond his wages. He cupped his hands and said, "I'll be going now. Rest early, Third Mistress."

He then walked straight out the door.

"Hey?"

Shao Xiangjun, who had just taken out the banknotes, watched Ye Jingtang and the bird leave in a hurry, her expression quite helpless...