Chapter Twenty-Three: Maid Plum Blossom

The group hurried back to the Wang household in silence. Once home, Liu Wenxiang patted her trembling bosom and said, “Our son-in-law is right. The times are chaotic now; if we can avoid going out, we should.”

“Sigh, I wonder where our ninth-rank martial master, Zhang Hu, has gone. We haven’t seen him for so many days. If he were here, we wouldn’t have to be so cautious when venturing out, always fearing trouble from ruffians.”

The maids followed their mistress toward the inner quarters. Unconsciously, Xichun remarked, “Madam, our son-in-law is also a ninth-rank martial artist.”

All along the way, Xichun, the maid always at Wang Chunxiao’s side, was caught in a tangle of emotions. From the moment she was harassed by a wealthy young lord, to the son-in-law stepping forward, then swearing to protect her with his life, and finally displaying his formidable prowess by slaying a ninth-rank martial artist and stunning the crowd—it all felt dreamlike, fleeting through her mind. When had a master ever cared so deeply for a mere maid? After all, that was the young lord of the Chen family.

Xichun recalled last night, when the son-in-law had written her name in the envelope. Was it possible he truly had feelings for her? Yet, having served her mistress for so long, how could her mistress possibly let her go?

She was also her mistress’s closest confidante, and now she was to sleep with a man her mistress had never touched herself. The thought left her heart in turmoil.

If she truly became the son-in-law’s personal maid, would he treat her as well as he did Taohua? Though he was a son-in-law by marriage, he possessed both literary talent and martial prowess—otherwise, how could he have passed the imperial examination as a scholar and become a ninth-rank warrior? The impression of Su Yang in Xichun’s heart was subtly changing, her young heart beginning to sway.

Yet she could not get past the barrier of her mistress. If she truly went to serve the son-in-law, her mistress would surely be heartbroken. How could she do such a thing? This inner conflict had plagued Xichun all along, so when Liu Wenxiang finished speaking, Xichun blurted her thoughts out without thinking.

…

“What? The son-in-law is also a ninth-rank martial artist?”

“Xichun, what’s going on?”

“Ah… Brother-in-law is a ninth-rank martial artist?”

The alluring mother-in-law and the younger sister both turned their beautiful eyes toward Su Yang and Xichun, their gazes filled with doubt.

“Mother-in-law, I had a martial arts manual at home since childhood. In my spare time from studying, I trained my body, and after many years, I reached the ninth rank.”

At his words, Su Yang’s image immediately grew in stature in the eyes of the maids and his mother-in-law—a man accomplished in both civil and martial arts!

Of course, it was only that. Both his mother-in-law and Wang Xiahe still held the mindset of the old order, where a ninth-rank martial artist was no more than a household guard—a large watchdog, with some status, but only just. If one killed, the authorities would still come for them, little different from the common folk.

A master being as skilled as the family’s martial guard was nothing worth boasting about. The maids and his mother-in-law were surprised because Su Yang excelled in both letters and arms, which was rare indeed, but the literary aspect mattered more to them; martial skill was merely an adornment.

Though Yanggu County had fallen into chaos, things weren’t yet desperate. The rebels had only recently besieged the city, food supplies were not yet cut off, the authorities still functioned, and the basic order remained. People’s darker instincts had not yet been unleashed.

If the city’s food supply was exhausted, the authorities overthrown, and rebels entered the city, plunging everything into utter chaos, a ninth-rank martial artist would be valued far above a mere scholar—he’d be more useful than even a provincial graduate.

Given the current level of chaos, a ninth-rank martial artist was sufficient to keep the Wang family and ruffians at bay. If the situation deteriorated further, he would have to reveal his eighth-rank strength. Therefore, for now, improving his abilities was of utmost importance.

For Taohua, for his child, and for the Wang family—after all, they had paid off his two hundred tael gambling debt and helped him achieve his first family milestone. With such a lovely mother-in-law and a fresh, innocent sister-in-law, Su Yang could not bear to see them fall into the hands of others.

“In our Great Qian, scholars are highly valued, but those who excel in both civil and martial arts are valued even more. If our son-in-law passes the provincial or metropolitan examinations in the future, his prospects will be boundless and bring glory to our Wang family.”

Liu Wenxiang’s elegant face was bright with joy, yet another thought crept into her heart: if the son-in-law truly became a high official, would the household belong to the Wang family or the Su family? By rights, it should be the Wang family. Yet when that day came, could any man truly accept such a fact without resentment? She must be tactful, whether he spoke of it or not.

“Wonderful! Since Brother-in-law is a ninth-rank martial artist, he can protect us, and we needn’t live in fear any longer.”

“Ever since the rebel army arrived, our martial master Zhang Hu vanished, and our whole household has been trembling with fear. Now, things are looking up.”

“Let’s not stand here talking. Let’s go inside.”

With that, Liu Wenxiang led the maids and her younger daughter into the room, each girl wearing a look of happiness—except for Wang Chunxiao.

She remained cold, as if he had stolen away through the back door without her consent last night.

Wang Chunxiao’s face was icy, but in her heart, she felt lingering dread. Though chaos was at hand, order was not yet entirely lost. If her husband’s true strength had been exposed today, who knew what threats might still be lurking in the shadows?

Thankfully, this wretched scholar had kept it hidden—so he truly was a ninth-rank martial artist.

…

There was always a faint, alluring fragrance in the mother-in-law’s room, unlike anything found elsewhere, even though the incense was the same.

Wang Xiahe recounted the day’s incident in the rear garden—how she had encountered a drunken lout and been rescued by Liang Baihe, as well as the unsettling details she had noticed.

“A hero coming to a lady’s rescue—if it’s all a setup, it’s nothing but a ploy to seduce her. And as for what purpose, that’s anyone’s guess.”

After some thought, Liu Wenxiang said, “Xiahe, you must be cautious with this Liang Baihe.”

“That Liang Baihe, with his oily hair and powdered face, always carrying a folding fan and pretending to be cultured—he’s no different from the pampered favorites of high officials, utterly disgusting.”

“The true elegance of a scholar can’t be faked. He’s nothing compared to my brother-in-law.”

Wang Xiahe clasped her hands behind her back, her chest slightly raised.

Wang Chunxiao frowned slightly, feeling a little uneasy. Could this wretched scholar be secretly flirting with her younger sister behind her back? She couldn’t allow that. She needed to hasten the matter of the personal maids—select a suitable one to send to this scholar, lest one day he set his sights on her sister.

“Mother-in-law, the main branch is eyeing our second branch hungrily. This attempt to get close to Xiahe must be part of some scheme. Henceforth, we must not bother with pleasantries. If the main branch wants to swallow us up, we should treat them as strangers.”

“Our second branch should close its doors and mind our own small affairs—that is what matters most,” Su Yang said.

“Yes, you are quite right. We only need to mind our own business. Even if someone in the main branch dies, we won’t pay our respects. We’ll treat them as strangers and need not keep up appearances.”

Liu Wenxiang had made up her mind. If she didn’t tear off the mask now, would she wait for the main branch to swallow them before acting?

“Mother, there’s one more thing I’d like to discuss today,” Wang Chunxiao said.

“What is it?”

“My husband’s personal maid, Taohua, is pregnant and can no longer serve him. I wish to select another maid for his chambers. In my room, Meihua is quite suitable.”

“What do you think, Mother?”

At last, Wang Chunxiao voiced her plan, her eyes filled with deep conflict as she looked toward Liu Wenxiang.

“Chunxiao, are you serious?”

The alluring mother-in-law and the younger sister exchanged shocked glances, confirming her words.

Liu Wenxiang was genuinely puzzled. What was wrong with her daughter? Why was she sending one maid after another to the son-in-law’s chambers? Was she worried about something between herself and the son-in-law? She had been especially careful these past few days.

Perhaps it was Xiahe. She always called him brother-in-law so affectionately, and the two were quite close. Maybe Chunxiao feared the son-in-law and Xiahe might get involved, especially since Taohua was pregnant and could no longer serve.

The son-in-law practiced martial arts, his body filled with vigorous energy—it was understandable he might do certain things. This arrangement made sense.

Having thought it through, Liu Wenxiang nodded in agreement. “Very well. Will the son-in-law consent?”

“Thank you, my wife and mother-in-law, for your thoughtfulness. I shall take good care of my mother-in-law and always be filial to my dear wife…”

The sudden delight made Su Yang lose his composure. He threw himself down at Liu Wenxiang’s knees to express his filial devotion, tears soaking her dress, until Wang Chunxiao, unable to bear the sight, came forward and gave him a kick.

“Oh! Thank you, my dear wife, as well.”

Forcing down his aversion, Su Yang embraced Wang Chunxiao, weeping openly. Though she was eccentric, she was quite accommodating in the matter of personal maids. Giving her a hug was a fair reward.

If this eccentric woman requested something, what harm was there in granting it? Besides, with a more beautiful personal maid, he was making quite a profit… And truly, though she was eccentric, her curves were impressive—something he hadn’t noticed before.

Wang Chunxiao had meant to push Su Yang off her mother, but unexpectedly, the wretched scholar embraced her instead. A wave of masculine heat washed over her, and all her anger dissipated in an instant. Her body grew weak and tingling, unable to muster the slightest strength to push him away. This sensation was like an electric shock—she only ever felt this way…

“Thank you, my wife. I shall go prepare, and tonight you may send Meihua over.”

He let go of Wang Chunxiao almost immediately, stepping outside and brushing away her scent. If this eccentric woman hadn’t given him Meihua, he’d never have rewarded her with a hug.

“Sister, what if Meihua becomes pregnant too?”

Wang Chunxiao and Liu Wenxiang turned their icy gazes on Wang Xiahe in unison.

…

“Son-in-law, why have you returned so early?”

Taohua saw Su Yang return at midday, put down her pipa, and came over, nestling into his arms and savoring his warmth.

The young lady, Li Doukou, quietly slipped away, but kept glancing back, her heart secretly yearning as she wondered what sweet romance truly tasted like.

“There was some trouble, so I came back early. Have you eaten lunch?”

“We have.”

Su Yang told her about Meihua, and Taohua was delighted. “That’s wonderful. If Sister Meihua comes, there will be someone to serve you.”

“You’re not jealous?”

“Why would I be jealous if someone is serving you?”

“Little Taohua, you’re not jealous?”

“Being jealous won’t change anything.”

…

Taohua decided that since Meihua would be coming, the courtyard needed a thorough cleaning. She and Li Doukou fetched brooms and cloths and began tidying up. Su Yang cautioned them not to overexert themselves, then found a quiet spot to open his panel.

Name: Su Yang (Prospective Immortal)
Incense Points: 65
Realm: Eighth-rank—Tempered Skin
Skills: [Incense Division] [Qi Observation] [Heart-Control Worm]
Longevity: 101+
Family Progress: The family’s development is progressing smoothly. You now have two wives, which means you will need more resources for your offspring and consorts. In troubled times, ruthlessness is necessary. Your hands are already stained with blood, but it is not enough. Kill ten people—one must be a ninth-rank martial artist—to gain 40 incense points.
Progress:
Ordinary enemies: 2/9
Ninth-rank enemies: 1/1
Daily tip: The Heart-Control Worm is very useful. The protagonist should focus on cultivating it.

With the latest family milestone, the ninth-rank martial artist requirement was complete. Only seven ordinary enemies remained—a simple task that could be finished tomorrow, earning forty incense points, especially now with so many ruffians in the city.

Earlier, at the main branch’s birthday celebration, Su Yang had heard rumors that the rebellion in Qinghe County was no mere accident, but a premeditated uprising.

Besides Qinghe, nearly seven other counties, including Bailiu and Hulou, had rebelled simultaneously. The force behind this was a garrison stationed in Hulou County, supported by a powerful family. Through infiltration, and with the help of local gangs, landowners, and desperate peasants, they had seized seven counties in an instant!

Within days, they had taken dozens of county seats. This rebel army, calling itself the Blue Sky Army, was setting the land ablaze.

No one knew how much longer Yanggu County could hold out. If reinforcements came, there might be hope; if not, the city would soon fall.

When that happened, everyone would have to rely on their own abilities.

Before the rebels entered the city, Su Yang had to strengthen himself as quickly as possible.

The Black Serpent Dagger.

This was the trophy he’d won from Chen Shaokun today. When drawn, the gem on the hilt flashed red, catching the enemy’s eye. The blade was jet black and could cut through iron like mud.

Moreover, the edge had special grooves for applying poison—a wound would be fatal. Truly insidious.

He lay back in his rocking chair, waiting quietly for Wang Chunxiao to send Meihua to his chambers.

…

Meihua was still cleaning the courtyard. Ever since that day with Su Yang, she had been transferred to the eldest miss’s room and busied herself with work, silent and withdrawn.

Though in idle moments, the image of the son-in-law would flash through her mind.

Meihua knew well she was only a rough maid and would never cross paths with the son-in-law again. She must lock away these feelings in her heart. After all, he was but a son-in-law, treading on thin ice in the Wang household; she could not be the cause of any trouble for him.

Whenever she thought of that day—the son-in-law bursting in and kicking away her attacker—her lips would curl into a bitter smile.

If there were another life, Meihua wished she could use a hundred lifetimes’ worth of merit to be reborn as the daughter of a wealthy family.

Only then would she be worthy of the son-in-law.