Cai Zhao sprang up like a shrimp and bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Uncle Zhou! I hope you’re well and enjoying good fortune and longevity.”
Zhou Zhizhen patted Cai Zhao’s head, smiling gently.
Compared to the arrogant nouveau riche Song Shijun, Zhou Zhizhen exuded a noble aura, as if he hailed from a distinguished family steeped in generations of scholarly tradition. Consequently, Chang Ning had no choice but to stand and offer a proper bow.
Aware of the Chang family’s situation, Zhou Zhizhen spoke consolingly to Chang Ning with genuine sincerity. He even produced a jade cicada as a token, explaining that if Chang Ning ever faced dire circumstances, he could use this jade cicada to seek help from anyone at Peiqiong Manor.
“Uncle Zhou is truly sincere,” Cai Zhao beamed. “He never speaks or acts insincerely. Senior Brother Chang, why are you hesitating? Quickly accept it!”
Although Cai Zhao’s mother, Ning Xiaofeng, disliked Zhou Zhizhen almost as much as Qi Yunke, Cai Zhao herself held both Qi Yunke and Zhou Zhizhen in high regard, especially when they arrived bearing gifts.
Chang Ning silently accepted the jade cicada and stepped aside.
“Uncle Zhou, you’ve lost weight again,” Cai Zhao observed, her face full of filial concern. “I know the elderly Mrs. Zhou isn’t well, but you’re not young either. Don’t neglect your health while caring for her.”
Zhou Zhizhen was visibly pleased, his eyes brimming with affectionate smiles. “Zhao-Zhao, you’re so thoughtful. You’ve truly grown up. I was worried you might not adapt to living away from Luoying Valley, but it seems my concerns were unfounded. It’s a pity your Uncle Qi acted faster; otherwise, I would have taken you back to Peiqiong Manor. Becoming my disciple wouldn’t be inferior to studying under the Grand Master Qi. I wonder if little Zhao would be willing!”
Cai Zhao feigned a sigh. “Uncle Zhou, let me be honest with you. Look at that shabby little town below Nine Li Mountain, then think of the bustling markets surrounding Peiqiong Manor. Where do you think I’d prefer to study?”
Zhou Zhizhen stroked his beard and laughed heartily. “Exactly! How could our Zhao-Zhao settle for such a quiet, dull town like Qingque Manor?”
At that moment, two handsome young men with similar features approached, calling out, “Uncle, come quickly! We’ve encountered the Liu brothers. Come see their family heirloom swords!”
As they drew near, the slightly taller one noticed Cai Zhao and smiled. “Oh, little sister Zhao-zhao has grown up!”
The shorter one winked mischievously. “Though she hasn’t grown much taller. I bet she still needs a stool to reach the counter when fetching aged vinegar…”
“Watch your words! If you can’t speak properly, go practice before opening your mouths again!” Cai Zhao snapped, her mood instantly souring.
Zhou Zhizhen shook his head, laughing. “Yuqian, Yukun, stop teasing Zhao-zhao. You’re all adults now! Alright, I should go meet your Uncle Liu. Let’s head over there.”
As the Zhou family trio departed, Chang Ning eagerly asked, “Is Manor Lord Zhou your aunt’s fiancé? But I’ve heard… I’ve heard he…”
“You’ve heard he’s already married with children, right?” Cai Zhao replied, unsurprised. “We all know that.”
“Uncle Zhou’s wife is his mother’s niece, surnamed Min. She trained at Peiqiong Manor with everyone when they were young. My aunt knows her. Oh, and their son is called Zhou Yuqi. He’s two years older than me.”
Even Chang Ning, who prided himself on having seen all facets of human nature, was stunned by this revelation.
Cai Zhao continued, “My grandparents passed away when my aunt was only ten, and my father was even younger. The old Manor Lord Zhou, remembering his friendship with my grandfather, personally took my aunt and father to Peiqiong Manor and accepted my aunt as a nominal disciple.”
“You can imagine the situation back then. My grandparents died early, and my grand-uncle was off who-knows-where living freely. Luoying Valley wasn’t in great shape. Fortunately, the old Manor Lord Zhou was kind. He not only cared for and protected my aunt and father but also upheld the marriage promise he’d made years before.”
Confused, Chang Ning picked the most obvious question. “Doesn’t your aunt like Manor Lord Zhou?”
“How could she not? In his youth, Manor Lord Zhou was one of the most handsome men in the martial arts world, from a prestigious family, and a prodigy among the younger generation. Only Master Song from Guangtian Gate could rival him, but Zhou’s reputation was far better. Why wouldn’t my aunt like him?”
“Then why didn’t Lady Cai marry Manor Lord Zhou?”
Cai Zhao scratched her ear, her fair, tender earlobe turning pink. “I’m not entirely sure. Initially, it was probably because they were too young. Later, when Nie Hengcheng started his reign of terror, everyone was busy fighting the evil cult. After that… my aunt’s life hung by a thread, and she could barely survive day to day. How could she marry and have children?”
“Regardless of the reason, since the marriage didn’t happen, there must be some lingering resentment. Yet your family seems to have no ill feelings toward Zhou Zhizhen. You’re even so close to the Zhou family!” Chang Ning began to wonder if he was being too cynical, and perhaps people could truly be so magnanimous.
“Why should there be any ill feelings?” Cai Zhao replied matter-of-factly. “Of course, I’m close to the Zhou family. I’ll be going to Peiqiong Manor in the future.”
Chang Ning: “…To do what at Peiqiong Manor? Haven’t you already become a disciple of the Qingque Sect?” He wondered if the Cai family was so concerned about their daughter going astray that they wanted her to have two masters. Were the Cai Valley Master and his wife really that cautious?
Cai Zhao patiently explained, “I’m not going to Peiqiong Manor to become a disciple. I’ll be living there for the latter half of my life.”
Chang Ning: “??”
“I’m going to marry into the Zhou family. Not only was my aunt betrothed to Manor Lord Zhou since childhood, but I’ve also been betrothed to Zhou Yuqi since we were young.”
Chang Ning’s expression looked as if someone had slashed his face.
“Senior Brother Chang, why have you gone silent?” Cai Zhao waved her hand in front of Chang Ning’s face.
Chang Ning glanced sideways as if he had a fishbone stuck in his throat.
“Oh, so this is where Sister Cai has been enjoying herself! We’ve been searching high and low for you,” a familiar, delicate female voice called out as two young women gracefully approached.
On the left was the beautiful Qi Lingbo, wearing a lotus-pink palace dress and a gold hairpin adorned with pearls, truly more enchanting than flowers. On the right was a graceful and dignified young woman in a snow-cyan crinkled silk dress, whose gentle smile was as refreshing as clear, flowing water.
The young woman on the right bowed slightly. “It’s been a while, Sister Zhao-zhao. How have you been?”
Cai Zhao muttered, “Not another one,” before rising to return the greeting. “Greetings, Sister Xinrou. I’ve been well lately.” She then briefly introduced the newcomer to Chang Ning—this young woman was named Min Xinrou, the niece of Lady Min from Peiqiong Manor, the same age as Qi Lingbo and a year older than Cai Zhao.
Chang Ning, perhaps still reeling from the earlier shock, seemed completely disinterested in engaging with anyone. He merely raised an eyebrow, exchanged a few perfunctory greetings, and then sat silently to the side.
Qi Lingbo knew Chang Ning’s foul temper well. Not wanting to create additional problems, she quickly linked arms with Min Xinrou and said with a coquettish laugh, “Sister Xinrou and I hit it off immediately. As we talked, I discovered that you, my junior, not only know Sister Xinrou from before but are also engaged to her cousin, the young master of Peiqiong Mountain Villa. Oh my, Zhaozao, why didn’t you tell us earlier? If we had known, us three sisters could have played together harmoniously.”
Cai Zhao responded with a half-smile, “Since I arrived at Wanshui Qianshan Cliff, I’ve encountered Senior Sister Qi three or four times. We were either fighting or arguing, leaving no time for pleasant conversation.”
Qi Lingbo’s face stiffened as she desperately held back her emotions.
Min Xinrou smiled gently, parting her red lips, “Sister Zhaozao is still as amusing as when she was young. No wonder Uncle is so fond of you. Alas, it’s a pity Brother Yuqin isn’t here. Otherwise, we three childhood playmates could have a proper reunion. I’ve been urging Brother Yuqin to come, saying that not only is this the North Chen Patriarch’s bicentennial ceremony, but he should also visit for Sister Zhaozao’s sake. Unfortunately, the old madam’s health is declining day by day, and the doctor insists that a grandchild must stay by her side. There’s nothing we can do about it…”
“It doesn’t matter,” Cai Zhao replied emotionlessly. “Brother Yuqin and I will have most of our lives to stare at each other. Seeing each other one more or less time now is insignificant. Instead, Sister Xinrou, you should spend more time with Brother Yuqin while you can. After you’re married, you can still visit your parents’ home, but you won’t be able to run to your cousin’s house every day. However, Sister Xinrou, if your future marriage turns sour – for instance, if your husband beats you black and blue or forces you to sleep on the porch – make sure to tell me. I’ll seek revenge for you…”
“What on earth are you saying?!” Qi Lingbo couldn’t hold back any longer, while Min Xinrou’s face had turned as pale as her dress.
Cai Zhao remained calm, “Sister Xinrou, you’ve visited Falling Petal Valley with Uncle Zhou three times. During the first two visits, we ‘compared’ our martial arts skills. On the third visit, we switched from physical to verbal sparring. Sister Xinrou, why don’t you tell Senior Sister Qi whether you’ve ever won against me, either in fighting or in words?”
Min Xinrou lowered her powdered neck, her face flushed with embarrassment, “Sister Zhaozao is clever and quick-witted. She surpasses me in both martial arts and eloquence. However, that was when we were young and didn’t know better. Now…”
Cai Zhao interrupted her, turning directly to Qi Lingbo, “Senior Sister, you’ve heard it. Whether in physical or verbal contests, I always win. So, why did you bring this defeated opponent to confront me? Did you think having her by your side would help you regain face?”
After enduring such sarcasm, Qi Lingbo couldn’t contain herself any longer. She shouted, “Don’t think you’re invincible just because you’ve gained the upper hand over me and Sister Xinrou. Even a great hero needs three helpers. Sister Xinrou has the support of Mrs. Min and the old madam, and I have my mother and senior brothers to help me. Hmph, you probably don’t know that I’ve been engaged to Third Senior Brother since childhood…”
“Oh, that’s not apparent at all,” Cai Zhao replied coldly. “If it weren’t for Eldest Senior Brother’s desperate intervention at noon today, Third Senior Brother would have insisted on punishing you.”
Seeing Qi Lingbo nearly choked with anger, Min Xinrou hurriedly said, “Come now, we’re all sisters. Why argue over mere words?”
Qi Lingbo caught her breath and sneered, “Cai Zhao, it doesn’t matter if you offend me, but you shouldn’t offend Sister Xinrou. Mrs. Min is your elder after all. If you keep bullying her niece, how can you expect her to treat you kindly in the future?!”
“Why wouldn’t she treat me kindly?” Cai Zhao seemed surprised. “Since you’ve brought up the Min family, let’s discuss it thoroughly. The Min family’s abilities don’t match their ambitions. They often challenge strong opponents under the banner of Peiqiong Mountain Villa. That’s fine, but they lose every time and always need rescuing. Not to mention my great-uncle, my aunt alone has saved the Min family’s patriarch and two uncles three or four times. Later, when the demonic cult tried to capture the Zhou family’s women as hostages, my aunt saved the old Mrs. Min and her niece again.”
“Such great kindness doesn’t require the Min family to repay with grass and rings. They just need to treat me well after I marry into the family,” Cai Zhao said, casually waving her handkerchief.
“But, but, the Zhou family also owes the Cai family gratitude. I know your aunt and father were raised by the old master of the Zhou family,” Qi Lingbo persisted.
“When your father lost control while practicing martial arts, it was my aunt who went through great trouble to save him. Yet, I don’t see you showing any mercy when scolding me,” Cai Zhao retorted. “Well, the six sects of North Chen are closely connected. There’s no need to keep such a strict account.”
She added slowly, “Anyway if the Min family doesn’t treat me well in the future, they’ll be seen as ungrateful wolves and dogs who forget kindness. If Uncle Zhou doesn’t support me, I’ll surely complain to all the uncles in the righteous martial arts world.”
Qi Lingbo was left speechless, while Min Xinrou, extremely embarrassed, could only keep smiling to hide her unease.
Chang Ning looked up at the sky.
He had wondered why Cai Pingchu would send Cai Zhao to Qingque Sect, knowing about his discord with Yin Sulian. Wasn’t he afraid his beloved niece would be bullied? Chang Ning thought Cai Pingchu was too naive, not realizing that not everyone remembers kindness.
Now he realized he was the naive one.
With Cai Zhao’s demeanor – smiling on the surface but ruthless underneath – if Yin Qinglian and her daughter dared to bully her, she’d probably dig up the Yin family’s ancestral graves overnight and plant a field of foxtails.
Seeing Qi Lingbo’s distress, Min Xinrou rubbed her back to calm her down while saying tearfully, “Sister Zhaozao, don’t be angry. It’s all my fault. Don’t quarrel with Sister Lingbo. All the mistakes are mine. If you’re angry, you can hit or scold me. I shouldn’t have mentioned my feelings for my cousin to you on your aunt’s death anniversary last year…”
Qi Lingbo seized the opportunity to interject, “How can this be your fault? Sister Xinrou, you’re so gentle and lovable, everyone adores you. I’m sure Young Master Zhou must like you too…”
Min Xinrou quickly interrupted, “No, no, no, it’s entirely my private affection. My cousin only sees me as a sister! In any case, Sister Zhaozao, please don’t blame me for my foolish love.”
Hearing the word ‘sister,’ Cai Zhao clenched her back teeth, her smile growing colder. “How could I blame Sister Xinrou? We’ve known each other since childhood. Our relationship is extraordinary, even closer than ordinary sisters.”
Min Xinrou, noticing the coldness in Cai Zhao’s eyes, began to feel uneasy.
However, Qi Lingbo, unable to read the atmosphere, continued, “Let’s be frank. Since you know Sister Xinrou’s feelings, why not both marry into the Zhou family? You can address each other as sisters and look after each other. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?” Regardless of whether it would happen, as long as it annoyed and disgusted Cai Zhao, she’d be happy.
Cai Zhao cast a dismissive glance at Qi Lingbo. “My bond with Senior Sister is even stronger now. Why don’t you marry into the Zhou family with me? We could be together day and night, year after year. Wouldn’t that be even more wonderful?”
“You’re talking nonsense!” Qi Lingbo nearly exploded with anger.
Min Xinrou, understanding Cai Zhao far better than Qi Lingbo, realized that Cai Zhao was already irritated. She desperately tried to pull Qi Lingbo away, but Qi Lingbo stubbornly refused to move.
Cai Zhao sneered, “My aunt showed kindness to Old Madam Min, to Min’s father and son, and even more so to Mrs. Min. If it weren’t for my aunt, Mrs. Min would have either been taken by that Tianqu Elder as a cauldron or become the twenty-eighth concubine of some sect leader! Yet, you still want to call me sister? Is this how you repay kindness?”
“Those in the martial arts world don’t expect repayment for their kindness. Who else keeps bringing up past favors like you do?” Qi Lingbo retorted, still resisting Min Xinrou’s attempts to pull her away. “Besides, there’s still Young Master Zhou. He’s so filial to his grandmother and mother. Wouldn’t he want to take good care of the Min family and Sister Xinrou? Why don’t you ask yourself: if Young Master Zhou could choose, would he marry you or Sister Xinrou?”
Cai Zhao laughed coldly. “It seems Senior Sister is determined to help Sister Xinrou. Since the Min family is so upright and always repays kindness, they surely won’t be ungrateful. Sister Xinrou wants to marry into the Zhou family and repay the debt of gratitude. How about this…”
She slapped the table. “I’ll be the first wife, and you’ll be the concubine. I’ll eat while you serve the dishes. I’ll wash my feet while you bring the water. After you marry, I’ll give you a new name – ‘Daizi’. From now on, you’ll be called ‘Min Daizi’! How’s that?” [Note: ‘Daizi’ means ‘ribbon’ and is a derogatory term for a concubine]
Even with her strong character, Min Xinrou couldn’t bear such humiliation. She burst into tears, covered her face, and ran away. Qi Lingbo was left dumbfounded, her gaze shifting to Cai Zhao.
Cai Zhao smiled sweetly. “If Senior Sister Qi doesn’t want to marry into the Song family in the future, you can come to our Peiqiong Mountain Villa. Just change your name to ‘Qi Daizi’, and it’ll be fine.”
Qi Lingbo stomped her foot, flung her sleeves, and stormed off with a stiff face.
After everyone left, Cai Zhao sat down and snorted coldly. “Those two – one a true villain, the other a hypocrite. They’re truly sisters from different parents!”
Chang Ning waited for Cai Zhao to calm down before speaking slowly. “Didn’t you always remind me to ‘be harmonious to prosper’? Why are you so angry now?”
Cai Zhao replied, “I can be harmonious with anyone, except those who have wronged my aunt. The Min family have all benefited from my aunt’s kindness. I don’t expect them to remember the favor, but it would be good if they didn’t curse and insult her behind her back!”
“If the Min family is so unworthy, why did your aunt arrange your engagement to Zhou Yuqin? Isn’t that sending a lamb into a tiger’s den?” Chang Ning mocked.
Cai Zhao felt frustrated. “Perhaps my aunt felt guilty towards Uncle Zhou.” She still remembered the apologetic look in Cai Pingchu’s eyes when she gazed at Zhou Zhizhen on her deathbed.
“What did she have to feel guilty about towards Master Zhou?” Chang Ning scoffed. “Zhou Yuqin is two years older than you. Counting back, it means that right after the Tushan battle, Master Zhou immediately got married and had a son the following year. Even if your aunt was in poor health and couldn’t marry and have children, did he need to be in such a hurry?”
“It was my aunt who personally persuaded Uncle Zhou to marry quickly,” Cai Zhao explained.
Chang Ning was caught off guard again.
Cai Zhao sighed, “No matter how much Old Madam Min begged and pressured, Uncle Zhou originally refused to marry Mrs. Min. In the end, it was my aunt’s earnest persuasion that made Uncle Zhou agree. Didn’t Master Chang tell you all this?”
Chang Ning muttered, “My father didn’t even mention this.”
Cai Zhao smiled slightly. “My mother told me that at the time, the old master was on his deathbed, and his last wish was to see Uncle Zhou married. But even at that stage, Uncle Zhou was unwilling to agree. Uncle Zhou is a good person. Three years ago, he sat by my aunt’s bedside, watching her take her last breath. He cried until he fainted and later fell seriously ill.”
Chang Ning fell silent.
For someone with Zhou Zhizhen’s deep inner strength, it was rare to fall ill, let alone faint. It showed the depth of his grief at that time.
“I understand now,” he suddenly realized. “That’s why the old Master Zhou insisted on seeing his son married before he died. If he hadn’t insisted, given how deeply Master Zhou cared for your aunt, no one could have forced him to marry after the old master passed away.”
“Yes, that’s why my aunt always felt guilty towards Uncle Zhou,” Cai Zhao sighed softly. “My grandparents passed away early, and old Master Zhou looked after my aunt and father for many years, treating them as his children. Not to mention Uncle Zhou. My aunt once said that when she and my father first arrived at Peiqiong Mountain Villa, although Uncle Zhou was young, he took great care of them. He even personally delivered charcoal for heating every time, never letting my aunt suffer any hardship.”
She sighed and continued, “So when Uncle Zhou proposed to continue with the engagement, my mother agreed before my aunt could speak.”
Chang Ning glanced at Cai Zhao. “Your mother must have been afraid your aunt would hesitate, so she agreed first.”
Cai Zhao replied helplessly, “In my mother’s heart, nothing is more important than my aunt.”
“But what if you end up in a bad marriage?” Chang Ning asked.
“My mother said, ‘If it’s not a good marriage, you can always remarry. It’s just changing families, not a big deal. If you don’t want to marry, you can always return to Falling Petal Valley and find a husband there. It wouldn’t be the first time a son-in-law has run the household in Falling Petal Valley.'”
This time, it was Chang Ning’s turn to sigh.
He didn’t understand romantic relationships at all, so he couldn’t judge whether Cai Pingchu’s guilt of ‘not being able to marry you but persuading you to marry another’ was normal or not. He just felt inexplicably frustrated.
“Alright, let’s talk about Zhou Yuqin. After all, he’s the one you’re going to marry. What kind of person is he?” Chang Ning asked.
Cai Zhao’s face showed a mixture of amusement and restraint. “He’s certainly not bad. Refined, gentle, and kind to others.”
“What about his martial arts skills?”
Cai Zhao blinked her big eyes. “Out of respect for the relationship between our families, let’s say we’re evenly matched.”
Chang Ning narrowed his eyes. “If you disregard the family relationship and fight with all your strength?”
“I’d make him surrender within 138 moves.”
Chang Ning heard the satisfaction in Cai Zhao’s voice and couldn’t help but laugh. “Is Zhou Yuqin quite good to Min Xinrou? Have you disliked him for a long time?”
“Sigh, actually, Brother Yuqin isn’t a bad person. He’s very indulgent towards me too. My mother says Uncle Zhou was the same way before. It’s not that he has other intentions, but he’s been raised to be too genteel since childhood. He’s always tender and protective towards women, unable to bring himself to hit or scold them. But that’s not a big deal – if he can’t bring himself to do it, I can.”
Chang Ning was speechless.
After pondering for a moment, he turned to face Cai Zhao seriously and, for the first time in his life, began to give heartfelt advice:
“Marriage is not a small matter. Now that your aunt has passed away, breaking off the engagement wouldn’t be a big deal. Master Zhou loves you so much; if you say you don’t want to marry Zhou Yuqin, he will surely agree. The Min family will get their wish, and the Zhou and Cai families won’t become enemies. Breaking the engagement won’t hurt anyone.”
Cai Zhao looked surprised. “Why break off the engagement? I’m not unwilling to marry Zhou Yuqin. I’m willing to marry him. Where did you get the idea that I’m not happy about it?”
Chang Ning: …
“I’ve thought it through. Marrying Zhou Yuqin is quite good. First, he can’t beat me in a fight, and Uncle Zhou protects me, so I can do whatever I want at Peiqiong Mountain Villa. Hmph, that old Min woman was once unkind to my aunt, not to mention Mrs. Min. I’ll make sure to ‘serve’ them well. If they dare to use filial piety to manipulate me, I’ll use the debt of gratitude to keep them in check!”
“… So you’re going there to seek revenge?”
“Oh, ‘seeking revenge’ sounds so harsh. It’s better to resolve grudges than to keep them. Secondly, Peiqiong Mountain Villa has beautiful scenery and is prosperous. The surrounding towns and cities have everything you could want, even livelier than Falling Petal Valley. I’ve thought about it since I was little – living in Falling Petal Valley before marriage and Peiqiong Mountain Villa after marriage. It’s perfect!”
“Wealth and prosperity are external things. True righteousness lies in helping others and upholding justice,” Chang Ning mechanically retorted, feeling like he had used up a lifetime’s worth of righteousness in one night.
“Are helping others and enjoying prosperity mutually exclusive? Besides, your father has hidden mountains of gold and silver. How can you say such things?”
“…”
“Thirdly, the Zhou family members are all quite amiable – and those who aren’t can’t beat me anyway. The older generation of uncles used to be close to my aunt. Now, Brother Yuqin and Brother Yukun are close to me. Uncle Zhou thinks everything I say is right. Plus, Brother Yuqin can’t beat me in a fight or an argument. In the future, behind closed doors, I’ll be in charge of Peiqiong Mountain Villa! Senior Brother Chang, don’t you think that’s great?” Cai Zhao felt increasingly content as she thought about it.
“Senior Brother, Senior Brother Chang, why aren’t you saying anything again?” Cai Zhao started waving her hand in front of Chang Ning’s face.
“… I need some quiet time to think,” Chang Ning replied.