Chapter Eight: Plum Blossoms

“The son-in-law must devote himself to his studies and not be distracted by other matters. As his wife, the young lady has a duty to help the master ease his worries and solve his problems.” Xiliu glanced up and down at Peach Blossom, then turned her gaze to Su Yang as she spoke.

Ugly women are always causing trouble.

Not willing to share a bridal chamber with me, and now she wants to hinder my family’s progress. Is it because her injury has made her twisted inside?

Speaking of twisted, I suddenly thought of Zhang Hu, the martial artist from the Wang family. He must be dealt with quickly; his hatred for me runs deep, and who knows when he might try to kill me.

“Sister Xiliu, don’t worry. Of course I’ll focus on my studies. Perhaps I’ll even bring the Wang family a scholar’s title.”

“Take this maid back with you. I still need to report to Madam and the young lady. The rest can be dismissed.” With that, Xiliu led the sturdy maids away, disappointed. Peach Blossom followed behind Su Yang, her heart pounding with excitement, but she dared not show it in front of Xiliu, shrinking back and keeping her head down as she obediently trailed him.

Peach Blossom understood the warning in those words.

…

Inside Liu Wenxiang’s room.

Fine incense wood sent wisps of smoke curling through the air. Wang Chunxiao sat silently in her wheelchair. The dark spots and pockmarks on her face were gone, revealing delicate, fair features and a quiet, dignified beauty.

Wang Xiahe propped her chin in her hand, guessing whom Su Yang would choose. In the end, she was sure it would be Xue Yuan or Plum Blossom, since those two were the prettiest among the sturdy maids.

“Who was it?” As Xiliu entered, Wang Chunxiao, seated in her wheelchair, spoke in a cold, sour tone.

“It was Peach Blossom,” Xiliu replied truthfully.

“What? Peach Blossom? Why her?”

“Xue Yuan and Plum Blossom are clearly the prettiest ones. What kind of taste does brother-in-law have?” Wang Xiahe was frustrated by her mistaken guess.

“He must be intimidated by the young lady, not daring to be too blatant,” Xiliu suggested.

“Hmph, what a coward, with not a trace of manliness. He doesn’t even dare choose the maid he likes. How can such a person ever stand tall in the world?”

“Well, let it be Peach Blossom then.” Wang Chunxiao’s mood brightened considerably. In her opinion, Peach Blossom posed little threat; perhaps it was the aesthetics of the era—petite girls were not favored.

But for Su Yang, tall, long-legged beauties were to his liking, yet petite, clever girls were equally exquisite.

“Chunxiao, how are things going with the grain stockpiling?” Liu Wenxiang asked.

“I’ve already instructed the servants to take care of it, but several of our chefs have been poached by the main house. The business at our restaurant doesn’t look optimistic.” Wang Chunxiao frowned deeply, worry filling her voice. “The restaurant is our most profitable venture. If business suffers, daily expenses and food wastage will be substantial.”

“Think of a solution. Perhaps we can poach talent from other restaurants?” Liu Wenxiang suggested.

“All the average chefs are under contract with their restaurants. When our two chefs’ contracts expired, Father deliberately didn’t renew them to win favor.”

“No one expected this to happen.”

“The top chefs, though not under contract, rarely switch jobs—almost never. The rest are mediocre cooks; we already have some, but hiring more won’t help. Today’s food tasted different, and many customers caused trouble, demanding compensation.”

Exhaustion colored Wang Chunxiao’s voice.

“There’s no other way right now. We’ll have to keep offering high wages to attract talent, at least to get through the immediate crisis.”

After Liu Wenxiang finished, Wang Chunxiao nodded. “Mother, that’s all we can do for now.”

…

The Golden House.

“Peach Blossom, from now on, this is your home. For now, it’s just the two of us in this courtyard.”

Su Yang locked the gate and pointed to the courtyard, which had only recently been tidied up.

“Master.” Once inside, Peach Blossom could no longer contain her urgent feelings. She threw herself into Su Yang’s arms, clinging to him like an octopus.

Su Yang greedily inhaled every trace of her scent, savoring its sweetness, wishing he could blend it into his very being.

The sky had not yet darkened.

…

Outside, gentle rain fell from heaven, landing on delicate peach blossoms. A rouge bird fluttered its black wings, its stout beak drinking rainwater from the pink flowers, accompanied by their fragrant sweetness.

As the rain increased, the rouge bird’s thirst grew, and it ravaged the delicate peach blossoms until the tree shook off its rain. Only then did the bird depart, satisfied.

“Look! It’s a rouge bird!” Not far from the courtyard, a maid pointed at the bird resting on the eaves.

“I’ve heard rouge birds love the nectar of flowers and rain. If a woman makes a wish for a child upon seeing one, it often comes true.”

“Then why don’t you hurry and make a wish?”

“Oh, I’m not married yet. How could I?”

“Ha ha… I think your spring feelings are out of control!”

“Nonsense! I’ll pinch you to death!”

“Ha ha ha!”

Laughter from the maids echoed outside the Golden House, but inside, Su Yang paid no heed, lost in the study of beauty.

…

Peach Blossom lay on the bed, her hair slightly disheveled and damp from sweat, adding to her allure. Her fair, swan-like neck glistened with a few drops of sweat.

Su Yang held her small, delicate foot in his hand, admiring its soft curves and exquisite, pink toes—a true treasure.

Her sleepy eyes gazed at the man before her, sweetness welling up in her heart. She never imagined she would be happier than the young lady herself.

Name: Su Yang (Quasi-Immortal)
Incense Value: 30
Realm: None
Cultivation Methods: [Incense Division+] [Aura Observation Technique]
Lifespan: 117+
Family Progress: The family’s progress is going smoothly, but as head, you need not only fertility but also strong management skills to gather resources for your descendants. To help them grow rapidly, please earn enough silver within five days. Rewards will be based on the amount earned.

Top reward: 50 Incense Value!

Daily Reminder: Aura Observation can discern a person’s fortune.

On the panel, the cultivation method column now had a plus sign after Incense Division, indicating a breakthrough was possible. He quickly clicked it.

In the next moment, his incense value was depleted, and the realm column displayed “Ninth Grade: Blood-Burning Stage.” A wave of scorching heat surged into his blood.

“Damn.”

Su Yang’s eyes were bloodshot, his body burning hot, feeling his blood boiling more intensely and refined than ever, even able to control its flow and heat.

Peach Blossom clung to him in panic, not knowing what to do. Fortunately, Su Yang comforted her, calming the trembling girl.

The sensation came and went swiftly. As his body returned to normal, Su Yang realized he could control his essence and strength, his power many times greater than before.

He could easily lift a millstone, and in a fight, if both wielded blades, his opponent wouldn’t even be able to hold their weapon—a single strike would split it in two.

Thus, the gulf between ordinary people and martial artists was enormous. Even a tall wall could be vaulted with ease, though few could reach such a level.

The ninth grade is the Blood-Burning Stage.

The eighth grade is the Skin-Tempering Stage, where the skin becomes as hard as iron.

The method is to control one’s essence and refine the skin until it’s impenetrable by blades and bullets—a true achievement.

A grind against the skin leaves only a white mark.

Such a person, on the battlefield among ordinary foes, is like a wolf among sheep—a killing machine unless exhaustion claims them.

A new family progress task appeared: earn enough silver in five days, incense rewarded according to the amount, with a maximum of 50. The cap was low, so Su Yang guessed the requirement wasn’t too high.

A hundred taels?

That’s too low. Two hundred would be about right!

After all, two hundred taels could support a common family for half a lifetime. A decent courtyard cost only a few dozen.

In this era, Su Yang had plenty of ideas for earning money. There were no capital restrictions, so buying more grain and selling it after five days would yield a small profit, but at most five percent.

Two hundred taels required four thousand in capital.

No, that’s impossible—he didn’t have that much. He only had sixty-odd taels. If only there were a business with no upfront cost.

At this thought, inspiration struck him.

…

“Master, are you alright?” Peach Blossom held Su Yang, tears glistening in her eyes, her face full of worry and fear.

“I’m fine—I just suddenly felt feverish all over.”

“If you keep crying, you’ll turn into a little kitten.”

Rising from her soft thighs, Su Yang wiped away Peach Blossom’s tears. “Quick, tidy up—the meal will be here soon.”

Knock knock knock!

“Master, master…!”

No sooner had he spoken than a maid called from outside. Su Yang had Peach Blossom help him tidy up and then opened the door.

“Master, is that you? Where’s Peach Blossom?” asked Plum Blossom, the maid carrying the meal box.

Su Yang looked her over. She was the one who stood next to Peach Blossom, with exquisite features and notably long, straight legs.

Her hands were rough from hard work, but her eyes revealed resilience—like the scent of plum blossom born from bitter cold. She was a hardworking girl, and among the sturdy maids, one of the prettiest.

In his previous life, such a girl would be goddess-tier.

Sadly, she was born in the wrong era.

Had she lived in his world, she wouldn’t have suffered like this, and would surely have many admirers.

“Peach Blossom is tidying up inside. Whoever comes out to fetch the meal is fine,” Su Yang replied with a gentle, spring-like smile.

“Peach Blossom is lucky to have a master like you.”

Seeing Su Yang’s gentle gaze and refined demeanor, Plum Blossom’s eyes showed a hint of loss and envy—how wonderful it would have been to be chosen herself.

“Would you like to serve by my side?”

“If you wish, I’ll ask Madame for you,” Su Yang said with a smile.

“Master, please don’t. I was just talking nonsense. Little Red is waiting for me—I’ll be off.” Plum Blossom was startled by his words, hurriedly handed over the meal box, and left. Sure enough, Little Red was waiting around the corner.

If the master personally went to Madame and mentioned her by name, they’d think she was seducing him—she’d be beaten to death.

Still, knowing Su Yang wanted her by his side warmed her heart.

“Plum Blossom, look—the rouge bird is still on the eaves. Hurry and make a wish to conceive soon,” said the maid Little Red.

“Oh, Little Red, you’re impossible…!”