Xie Hongchen stood to one side, watching as Huang Rang clutched the golden breath soil on the ground, overcome with grief.

He had spent many years eliminating demons and upholding righteousness, so in truth he had grown accustomed to such scenes. But today, he felt somewhat soft-hearted.

Perhaps it was because he sympathized with his disciple, or perhaps… it was because she cried so beautifully.

Huang Rang was very good at crying.

No matter when, as long as she wished it, tears could always fall like pearls and jade, each drop crystal clear. Her crying had quite a few tricks to it—she could weep silently, or she could cry with sorrowful, melodious turns.

But she never became hysterical.

Crying was useless.

But if one could cry with pear blossoms drenched in rain, supremely beautiful and supremely mournful, at least one could suffer much less. Huang Rang had long since mastered this ultimate skill. It was her essential ability for surviving in the Huang family.

In the past, Xie Hongchen understood this perfectly, so his heart was like iron and stone, and he never paid it any mind.

But now, Xie Hongchen clearly did not understand her well enough yet.

He walked to Huang Rang’s side, and only after she had cried enough did he say: “Huang Shu was a man who committed countless evils, not only unworthy of being a father, but even more unworthy of being human. You need not grieve.” These few sentences, though cold and indifferent, were meant as comfort.

How ridiculous. Huang Rang had been his wife for a hundred years, yet never received a single word of consolation from him. Now that she had become his disciple, she had finally obtained it.

Huang Rang still held the breath soil that Huang Shu had transformed into, saying: “Though he has a thousand wrongs, in the end he is my father. I received the grace of life from him, and seeing him come to such an end, after all I am…”

—After all, I am extremely happy!

The rest of the words, she did not speak aloud, wanting to leave them for Xie Hongchen to savor himself.

Xie Hongchen indeed savored them, and he continued: “I understand. Since it is so, then you should nurture his dharma body. I hope he can cultivate his heart and examine himself, repent and reform. Under your attentive care, surely he will one day attain enlightenment and awaken, cultivating back into human form.”

That would truly be wonderful. Huang Rang found a sandalwood box and carefully gathered up the breath soil that Huang Shu had transformed into from the ground. That breath soil was properly packed into the box by her, not a single grain left behind.

—He still wants to have such a day?

Huang Rang held the sandalwood box tightly in her arms like a treasure, saying: “As a daughter, I naturally should care for him attentively in every way.”

Of course I must care for him attentively, to prevent him from truly having such a day of attaining enlightenment and becoming human!

But this was not enough. She immediately continued: “Now that my father has suffered such a terrible fate, it is also because he failed to cultivate virtue in the past. It’s just that this disciple still has brothers and sisters at home. With father away and not returning, I fear they… in their anxiety, will not be able to handle matters peacefully.”

Her face showed worry, yet she spoke of the matter with utmost euphemism.

But Xie Hongchen understood perfectly well—how could Huang Rang’s brothers and sisters merely be unable to handle matters peacefully?

They had grown up under Huang Shu’s tyranny, naturally influenced greatly by him.

If they learned of Huang Shu’s death, who knew what kind of chaos they would cause.

Xie Hongchen asked: “What do you wish to do?”

Huang Rang said: “This disciple wishes to request a few days’ leave to return to Immortal Tea Town. Firstly, to bring back news of father. Secondly… I also wish to consider a way forward for them.”

—A way forward? The way forward is to let them know who in the Huang family is now the true beast.

“You are truly too kind-hearted.” Xie Hongchen sighed lightly and said: “Your brothers and sisters at home, whether in talent or character, cannot command respect from others. Only you are capable of bearing the great responsibility of family head.”

“Master must not say such things.” Huang Rang quickly said, “Ah Rang still has an elder brother at home, and moreover cannot remain in Immortal Tea Town year-round…”

Xie Hongchen said: “Ah Rang.” He called these two characters once again, and still his heart trembled slightly. That feeling was very strange, as if there was a kind of… stirring.

At that moment, Huang Rang, holding the sandalwood box, also felt somewhat puzzled.

It was as if time had not passed, and she was still at Prayer Dew Platform, when he suddenly came over. He passed through the half-moon shaped archway and stood beneath the triangular pavilion, also softly calling: “Ah Rang.”

Xie Hongchen tried hard to ignore this feeling and continued: “Only if you assume the position of Huang family head can the Huang family possibly continue.”

Tears like shattered diamonds filled Huang Rang’s eyes. She asked softly: “Does Master not want this disciple anymore? Are you driving me back to Immortal Tea Town?”

Her voice was very soft, very soft, with the feeling of feathers brushing across one’s heart. Xie Hongchen almost immediately said: “No. Never.”

Having spoken these words, he too was stunned. He had said “never.”

Tears brimmed in Huang Rang’s eyes, about to overflow but not yet fallen. She bent both knees and knelt on the ground, saying: “This disciple also wishes to remain by Master’s side. To study arts under Master forever and ever. I beg Master not to expel this disciple.”

At that moment, Xie Hongchen’s heart felt warm and tender. He reached out his hand, almost trembling as he went to stroke Huang Rang’s head. Her hair was soft and smooth. Xie Hongchen had to try very hard to maintain the loving kindness of an elder.

—Rather than the endless impure thoughts of a base and filthy wretch.

“You can study arts while residing at Yuhu Xuanzong, and lead the Huang family from afar. You are my disciple—no one dares oppose this.” Xie Hongchen gently stroked the crown of her head. “As your master…” He carefully spoke these two words, then continued: “I will also not allow anyone to oppose it.”

That would be truly wonderful.

Huang Rang allowed him to gently stroke the crown of her head—Hongchen, so it turns out that to obtain your loving care, one must not fall in love with you.

The next day, Xie Hongchen allowed Huang Rang to rest for a few days. Huang Rang left the sect and returned to Immortal Tea Town.

However, Huang Rang still waited until the improved varieties at Prayer Dew Platform had matured. She dried and boxed these seeds, carried them all the way to the postal station at the mountain’s foot, and sent them all to He Xijin.

After filling in the address, Huang Rang thought for a moment, then decided to write a letter to He Xijin.

In the letter she wrote that, having been entrusted by Sect Leader He, she had specially cultivated a number of improved varieties. She hoped these would be distributed freely for emergency relief.

The letter was written simply, but she was still thinking—wondering what this Sect Leader He would do with these seeds.

Use them to build his own reputation? Or seek profit?

This was truly so very curious.

Of course, Huang Rang did not care about the outcome.

She cultivated these improved varieties only to let Xie Hongchen see this “supremely pure and supremely kind” beauty’s heart of hers.

To her, human nature was just like this.

If you want to see a good person, then do not peel away the sugar coating wrapped around the surface of the human heart.

Having done all this, Huang Rang, carrying the breath soil that Huang Shu had transformed into, prepared to rush back to Immortal Tea Town.

At this time, however, eldest senior brother Nie Qinglan was waiting at the mountain gate.

Huang Rang was slightly startled, but still walked over. She did not bow, yet her voice was warm: “Eldest senior brother.”

She had limited respect for Nie Qinglan, but abundant affection instead. There was no help for it—after all, outside the dream she had been his martial aunt for over a hundred years.

Nie Qinglan did not mind, and instead liked her innocent and unrestrained nature, saying: “Master knows that junior martial sister is returning home, and specially had me deliver this letter.” He handed a letter to Huang Rang.

Huang Rang accepted it and asked: “This is…”

Nie Qinglan said: “This is the letter Master asked me to give to junior martial sister. There is also a transmission talisman. Master wants junior martial sister to return to Immortal Tea Town and immediately invite the clan elders of each family to discuss the matter of succeeding as family head.”

Huang Rang accepted the letter, not knowing why Xie Hongchen had not come in person. She cupped her hands toward Nie Qinglan. Nie Qinglan returned the gesture, indicating she should return home immediately.

Meanwhile, at the Wind-Facing Water Pavilion halfway up the mountain, Xie Hongchen stood leaning against the railing, watching her gradually depart into the distance.

Huang Rang left Yuhu Xuanzong and traveled all the way back to Immortal Tea Town.

She was quite obedient. After returning to town, she immediately took Xie Hongchen’s letter to find the town mayor, asking him to notify the clan elders of each family to come to the Huang family for discussion.

On this point, Xie Hongchen’s words were absolutely correct—carrying his banner, no one dared raise objections.

Sure enough, the mayor delayed not at all and immediately sent people to summon all the clan elders.

Huang Rang then returned to the Huang family alone.

Not having returned for several months, the Huang family had changed little. When Huang Rang stepped through the family gate, her many brothers and sisters reunited with her after long separation, yet showed not half a trace of joy.

Her eldest brother Huang Zeng’s gaze was suspicious as he asked: “Why have you returned? Where is father?”

Huang Rang did not acknowledge his interrogation, but instead casually walked around the home.

Her small courtyard had long since been occupied by other sisters, and naturally all the various objects inside had also long been cleanly divided up. In the Huang family, it was as if for an instant there had never been such a person as her.

“Could it be that tenth elder sister’s thoughts are impure, and you were driven back by the immortal sect?” Behind her, a sister who was ranked somewhere in the teens spoke up mockingly.

Huang Rang glanced back but said nothing.

She had sixteen brothers and sisters, and there were also some without status who had been made into servants by Huang Shu.

What the Huang family had most of were Huang Shu’s concubines and maidservants. Inside and out there were fully sixty-some people.

If they truly started making trouble, it would be noisy enough.

She circled around the surroundings once, finally returning to the main hall.

Huang Zeng could finally bear it no longer and asked: “Where is father? What, did you go to the immortal sect for many days and become mute?”

“Father will not return again.” Huang Rang looked at the painting hanging on the main hall wall—it depicted a spring planting scene.

“Really?” Upon hearing these words, everyone’s first reaction was actually to show joy. But very quickly, everyone began turning over other schemes in their minds. Huang Zeng said: “With father gone, I am the eldest brother. This Huang family should be under my command! Huang Rang, tell us—what happened to father?”

His words had barely fallen when someone immediately shouted: “What kind of thing are you? Nothing but a bastard born of a lowly concubine. You dare call yourself our eldest brother?”

The one who said this was Huang Rang’s sixteenth younger brother.

Ah, his mother was Huang Shu’s second wife whom he had married later.

Though she too had died early of illness.

“Huang Cheng, do you still want to be in charge? Just how your mother that second wife came to be—do you want us to speak of it publicly?” Huang Zeng retorted sarcastically.

For a time, the entire main hall erupted into chaos.

Everyone argued over who should be in charge. As for Huang Shu’s whereabouts—who cared?!

Huang Rang stood in the center of the hall, once again looking toward that spring planting painting.

Spring planting… the reason she chose to return at this season was because she had invited Di Yiqiu for drinks.

She wondered if he would come.

Hopefully the Rosé Drink buried in the courtyard was still there.

The main hall was in complete uproar, with some even beginning to come to blows.

After a long while, Huang Rang suddenly said: “From now on, I will be in charge of the Huang family.”

Her voice was very soft, but because she had cultivated some martial arts, when it emerged it was like startling thunder. The thunderclap exploded beside everyone’s ears, temporarily halting the clamor.

Huang Rang turned around to look at her many brothers and sisters. Her gaze was calm and gentle as she enunciated each word: “From now on, I am the family head.”

“What did you say?! You, a woman, dare to have the hen crow at dawn!” Someone immediately loudly refuted her.

Huang Rang’s seventh sister said suspiciously: “You actually want to succeed as family head—could it be that you harmed father to death?!”

As soon as she said this, the other brothers and sisters immediately surged forward en masse—ostensibly to interrogate, but actually wanting to first tear her appearance to shreds.

If a person’s appearance becomes wretched, naturally they will not be so convincing.

But Huang Rang did not strike back, only retreated.

Just then, someone outside said: “What are you doing?”

It was the town mayor striding in.

Coming with him were also the clan elders of all the families around Immortal Tea Town.

—Sect Master Xie’s personally transmitted disciple was returning home, and she carried his personal letter—how could these people not come?

Seeing the town mayor, everyone still felt some dread. They immediately dared not continue their wild behavior.

The mayor walked before Huang Rang and first inquired with concern: “Is Ah Rang unharmed?”

Huang Rang bowed gracefully to him, saying: “Thank you for the mayor’s concern. Ah Rang is well.”

Only then did the mayor nod, indicating that the various clan elders should sit.

Huang Rang handed Xie Hongchen’s letter to him, saying: “My teacher suddenly sent this disciple home, asking her to invite all the clan elders and then deliver the letter to the mayor. The truth will surely become clear.”

The mayor wiped his hands on his clothes several times before carefully and respectfully receiving the letter.

Xie Hongchen’s letter shone with radiance in every character.

The mayor read aloud in a loud voice: “After investigation by this sect master, Huang Shu of Immortal Tea Town conducted himself improperly and was obsessed with lust. Moreover, for many years he privately manipulated improved variety prices, bringing disaster upon the common people. Today his cultivation has been destroyed, ordering him to re-comprehend善 good thoughts and re-cultivate the immortal path. The descendants of the Huang family should each examine themselves…”

After the letter, he had attached in detail Huang Shu’s crimes. There were instances of forcibly taking other men’s wives, as well as disregarding court laws and privately manipulating improved variety prices.

But uniquely, there was no mention of Huang Shu’s crime of molesting his own biological daughter.

He knew what effect such a reputation spreading out would have on Huang Rang.

This would likely be a stain that would follow her for life, forever difficult to wash away.

And this was precisely the reason that, in the fifth year of Chengyuan outside the dream, Huang Rang had desperately hidden it from him.

Growing up under the knee of a father with improper character who could even defile his own biological daughter—if such a matter reached her own husband’s ears, how could he believe in her innocence?

Huang Rang had always served him with her beauty. If she let him develop such suspicions, would the two of them not be estranged for life?

Dai Yue had calculated that she would not dare speak, and she could only keep silent.

Unfortunately, despite all her concealment, in the end there was still a hundred years of estrangement.

Nothing had changed.

Huang Rang stood in the hall, coldly listening to the mayor read Xie Hongchen’s personal letter.

The Huang family about to fall into her hands could not occupy her full attention.

She began thinking of the wine buried in the small courtyard, thinking of whether Di Yiqiu would come to keep the appointment.

Or rather, could he come?