Chapter Thirty: Zhang Qingshi

That night, under the guidance of former Wang family servants, the group of eleven slipped furtively into the Wang estate, ready to carry out their plans. Over the past few days, Su Yang had been on alert for petty troublemakers, so he had set up numerous warning devices in the courtyard—traps, mousetraps, and the like, all clearly marked for those in the know.

Unfamiliar with the estate’s mechanisms, one of the intruders was soon caught in a mousetrap and let out a piercing scream, rousing Su Yang and the two family martial artists from their sleep. Though the invaders numbered in the dozens, they were no match for Su Yang and his two guards. One guard suffered a cut to his arm, but most of the assailants were quickly subdued, disarmed, and bound.

“You used to be a servant here, didn’t you?” Su Yang addressed a man whose face he recognized.

“Sir, yes, I was a servant of the Wang family. Times have been so hard I saw no other way… If I’d known you were a martial artist, I wouldn’t have dared lead them here, not for my life…!”

“Sir, please have mercy! For all the years I served the Wang family…” The former servant pleaded tearfully for his life, not realizing his reward would be a dagger plunged into his chest.

“Scoundrel—organizing this attack was your idea, wasn’t it? You led the way, after all,” Su Yang said coldly. “Whatever your reasons, the Wang family once fed you.”

He withdrew the dagger, blood spraying across the ground, his gaze turning steely as he addressed the remaining ten men. “Those willing to sign a death contract and become family servants may live. The rest will be handed over to the authorities.”

Terrified, the ten quickly nodded, pressed their handprints on confessions, and were bound and tossed into the woodshed to await registration at the magistrate’s office the following day.

—

“Sir, what happened?” Xiliu, Lady Liu Wenxiang’s personal maid, hurried over as Su Yang entered.

Gazing at the curvaceous, ripe beauty before him—Aunt Liu, as luscious as a peach—he replied, “It’s all taken care of. Is Mother-in-law asleep?”

“Not yet, she’s waiting for news.” Xiliu led him toward the room.

“How old are you this year, Aunt Liu?” he asked suddenly.

“Why do you ask such a thing?”

“I was just thinking, you must be about twenty-seven or twenty-eight. Why haven’t you married? Was it Mother-in-law’s decision?”

“No, I simply haven’t met the right person.”

“That makes sense. A great beauty like you deserves to be choosy…”

Aunt Liu laughed, her voice as clear as crystal. “Sir, you’re quite the joker. At my age, I doubt I’ll marry. It’s enough to stay by the lady’s side and serve her.”

“Age is no obstacle. If I weren’t a live-in son-in-law of the Wang family, marrying a beauty like you would be a blessing from a previous life…”

“Nonsense! If my lady heard you, wouldn’t that be trouble?” Xiliu quickly cut him off, though her heart fluttered. After all, what woman doesn’t long to be praised for her beauty? Especially one like Xiliu, who hadn’t heard such words in years—and from a handsome young man, no less.

“Alright, enough of that,” Su Yang relented.

Inside, not only Liu Wenxiang but also the two young ladies had been awakened by the commotion and were waiting anxiously in the courtyard.

Startled in the night by the intrusion, Liu Wenxiang wore only a thin white undergarment, her figure full and mature, her hair cascading down adding to her allure. She hurried to Su Yang and asked, “Sir, how is it outside?”

“Don’t worry, Mother-in-law, everything’s settled,” Su Yang reassured her, recounting the events. The sturdy maid Qiu Ju was sent to inform Wang Chunxiao and Wang Xiahe.

The next day, they would go to the magistrate to register the ten men, who, with evidence of their crimes in Su Yang’s hands, would obediently sign the indenture contracts. Soon, the authorities would come for conscription; if there were no men available, the family would have to pay in grain or silver.

These ten would serve their purpose—sent to man the city walls and defend against invaders, making some use of their remaining strength. On regular days, they would be kept bound in the woodshed, given only scraps; not enough to escape, but enough to keep them alive.

—

The following morning, Su Yang took the captured bandits to the authorities, had them sign and seal the contracts, registered them for tax, and brought them back to be locked up again.

Upon returning, Plum Blossom informed him her monthly had not come. Delighted, Su Yang took her to the pharmacy to have her pulse checked by a doctor—it was indeed a pregnancy.

Name: Su Yang (Prospective Longevist)
Incense Points: 165
Realm: Eighth-Grade Tempered Skin
Cultivation: Incense Branch, Aura Reading, Heartworm Control
Manual: Wild Ox Long Fist
Lifespan: 88+
Family Progeny: 1
Family Progress: The family prospers; you now have two pregnant wives. Ensuring their safety is paramount. Subdue a loyal retainer for 30 incense points!
Daily Tip: Each month, a pregnant descendant provides 1 incense point per day!

The information panel had changed—a new section appeared: Family Progeny: 1. That must be the child in Peach Blossom’s womb, now past the first month and able to provide one incense point daily.

One incense point could be exchanged for ten days of life! In other words, as long as he had a child, every day they lived he gained ten days of lifespan.

If, in time, he had a hundred children, wouldn’t each day grant him three years of life?

With both Plum Blossom and Peach Blossom pregnant, there was no one left in the chambers to share his bed. He needed to find another companion quickly, to keep the incense flowing.

Since that incident ten days ago, he and Spring had scarcely dared interact for fear of being discovered by Wang Chunxiao; merely exchanging glances in secret. Their relationship needed to progress.

Once home, he decided to announce Plum Blossom’s pregnancy, hoping his eccentric wife might herself select another companion for him, saving him the trouble.

As for the new family task, it was straightforward. The Heartworm was nearly ready for use—once cultivated, he would have someone ingest it, ensuring absolute loyalty.

—

To reach seventh grade, he didn’t know how much incense it would take, but it was surely significant. It had taken three hundred incense points to advance from ninth to eighth, and only thanks to the Taishan Blood Ginseng did he use less than usual.

He estimated that advancing from eighth to seventh grade might require eight hundred or a thousand incense points—a daunting task. But with more children, the incense would accumulate faster.

Upon returning home, Liu Wenxiang called him over, saying her close friend Lady Zhang had arrived with her daughter and son. The young people could chat together.

Inside, besides Liu Wenxiang, Wang Chunxiao, Wang Xiahe, and Lady Zhang, there were two unfamiliar faces.

One was Zhang Ji, the Zhang family’s eldest son, dressed in white, unremarkable in appearance.

The other—a young woman with an elegant figure, feet clad in white lotus-embroidered shoes, reserved and dignified, a true lady of refinement. She was clearly a learned and gentle beauty.

This must be Zhang Qingshi.

These were Lady Zhang’s children.

“Qingshi, Zhang Ji, this is my son-in-law Su Yang. He’s now in charge of all the family affairs,” Liu Wenxiang introduced, her face relaxed.

“Lady Zhang,” Su Yang greeted with a bow, then glanced at Zhang Qingshi and Zhang Ji. Zhang Qingshi’s expression was cold and aloof, her gaze detached as if untouched by the mundane world.

Zhang Ji, on the other hand, was delighted. “So you’re Brother Su! Not only a scholar, but also a ninth-grade martial artist—a true talent in both pen and sword.”

“It’s nothing special, just a stroke of luck. I’m sure you’ll have a bright future as well,” Su Yang replied modestly.

“Big sis, why don’t you spar with Brother Su? Aren’t you also a ninth-grade martial artist?” Zhang Ji urged.

“Don’t speak nonsense!” Zhang Qingshi frowned, reluctant to mention her martial prowess.

“Oh?” Su Yang was surprised. “Miss Qingshi is also a martial artist?”

Zhang Ji explained, “To be honest, my sister is exceptionally gifted. Our family sent me to the martial hall, but she insisted on learning the techniques at home. She was only twelve when she saw the basic fist forms and declared them simple. She spent one night practicing, and by morning, had reached the ninth grade. The master came to recruit her as a disciple, but she declined. My sister cares little for martial arts—her heart is set on poetry and prose. If she’d pursued martial training, who knows how skilled she’d be by now.”

Lady Zhang, seated beside Liu Wenxiang, smiled and said, “My son is quite enthusiastic—he and your son-in-law seem to get along well.”

“Since you’ve practiced since childhood, what grade are you now, Master Zhang?” Su Yang asked.

“I… I was never talented in martial arts, never reached the ninth grade, so I switched to commerce instead.”

“Business has great prospects too,” Su Yang replied.

“Heh, that’s what I think. Brother Su, why not spar with my sister?”

“Let’s not—how could I bear to spar with such a beautiful lady and spoil her gentle grace?”

Su Yang’s tone was calm, but Zhang Ji’s childish enthusiasm made Zhang Qingshi sigh helplessly.

“Brother Su, you think my sister is a great beauty?”

“Of course. ‘With a single glance, a hundred charms arise; all red skirts pale beside her!’” As Su Yang spoke, Zhang Qingshi’s eyes flashed with surprise.

“With a single glance, a hundred charms arise; all red skirts pale beside her!”

“Sir Su, are you describing a celestial maiden?”

Joy flickered in Zhang Qingshi’s heart. The praise was extravagant, but the poetry was exquisite. In all her studies, she’d never heard a line so brilliant. She was delighted not only by his compliment, but also by the thought that this verse might forever be associated with her—a beauty named Zhang Qingshi.

Moreover, Liu Wenxiang, Lady Zhang, and even Wang Xiahe looked at Su Yang in wonder. Educated themselves, they recognized the poem’s artistry, worthy of the highest halls and equal to famous verses.

Liu Wenxiang, deeply gratified, glanced at Lady Zhang as if to say, “I have a wonderful son-in-law, don’t I?”

“I’ve never met a fairy of the skies, but today I’ve had the fortune to meet one on earth,” Su Yang added, feeling a sharp, icy glare—no doubt from his eccentric wife Wang Chunxiao.

“Sir Su, is there another line to your poem?” Zhang Qingshi asked.

“No second line, but there is a first line.”

“Oh, do share!” Zhang Qingshi’s eyes shone with expectation.

Su Yang recalled and adapted a few words:

“In the Zhang family, a girl has come of age,
Raised in the deep chambers, unseen by the world.
With a single glance, a hundred charms arise,
All red skirts pale beside her!”

“This poem is truly wonderful…” Zhang Qingshi’s voice trembled, and her gaze toward Su Yang warmed with enthusiasm.

—

Zhang Qingshi cared nothing for martial arts; even before the strongest fighters, she remained disdainful. Her soul belonged to poetry. Su Yang’s poem struck her to the core—she’d never dreamed a young man her age could create such verse. Once spread, it would be sung for generations.

“What title would you give it?” she asked.

“Sister, I think Brother Su’s poem should be called ‘Longing’… Yes, ‘Endless Longing’!” Zhang Ji declared.

At his words, Zhang Qingshi’s heart skipped, as if struck by lightning, her emotions in turmoil.

“Don’t be ridiculous—you can’t say such things lightly,” Lady Zhang interrupted at once. A poem could be taken as mere flattery, but with that title, it implied more—a connection between Su Yang, the Wang family’s son-in-law, and her own daughter.

“That scholar, such talent,” Wang Chunxiao muttered through gritted teeth, her glare icy, wishing she could storm over and thrash him for flirting right in front of his wife.

But intervening would only show she cared for him, so she suppressed her anger, though her jealousy lingered.

“Enough, enough. You young people go chat in the garden,” Liu Wenxiang said, wanting to speak privately with Lady Zhang.

The five young people and their maids left for the back garden. Xichun, who had looked rosy and well these days—no doubt thanks to love—walked at the rear with Su Yang.

Burning with anger, Wang Chunxiao strode ahead, Wang Xiahe and the others following. Su Yang, walking last with Xichun, slipped an arm around her slender waist.

Her delicate figure fit perfectly in his embrace, her fragrance intoxicating. He longed to dote on her.

“Sir, not here…” Xichun gasped, face pale, and Su Yang let go.

“Sir… there are so many people. When we’re alone, you may do as you wish, alright?” she whispered, worried he was angry.

“A kiss then!”

“There are too many people; the lady is just ahead…”

Xichun’s face reddened, and she hung her head in silence until they reached the garden. There, she whispered, “Sir, when will you ask for me?”

Meeting her eager gaze, Su Yang replied, “I have good news.”

“What is it?”

“Plum Blossom is expecting!”

“What? So soon?”

“Naturally—do you doubt my abilities? If you became my companion, you’d have two by your third year…”

Xichun’s face flushed as she murmured, “Sir…”

“Your lady feared I’d grow too attached, so she sent Peach Blossom first. When she conceived, she sent Plum Blossom. Now that Plum Blossom is expecting…”

“So do you think your lady will find you another companion?”

“She probably won’t consider me—I’m her personal maid. If she does, she’ll choose Xue Yuan, Qiu Ju, or Qing Zhu first…”

“There’s always a way. Don’t worry.”

“Mm!” Xichun nodded, comforted by a glimmer of hope. Quietly, she whispered, “Sir, why don’t we just…”

“Xichun!” Wang Chunxiao’s voice rang out ahead. Xichun jumped, hurrying to catch up. “Coming, miss…!”

The group lingered in the garden. The news of Plum Blossom’s pregnancy could wait until breakfast.

Until lunch, Zhang Qingshi clung to Su Yang, discussing poetry. His accumulated knowledge from another life fascinated her, and the pair were engrossed in conversation.

Wang Chunxiao watched from afar, her eyes cold.

After lunch, Zhang Qingshi departed with her mother, reluctant to leave—a testament to Su Yang’s charm.

“Sister, don’t worry. I’ll visit Brother Su in a few days and bring you along, to ease your longing!”

“Stop teasing, or I’ll have to punish you…”

—

Lunch revealed a pressing problem—the Wang household was out of meat. With two pregnant women in the house, this wouldn’t do. Su Yang decided to visit the Zhou family market that afternoon to buy some provisions, though he wasn’t sure how much meat cost these days.