The matter of Di Sanmeng being Huang Rang spread like wildfire overnight.

Along with this revelation, the world also learned that Di Sanmeng had joined the court, becoming the Division Scholar of the Xuanwu Division at Si Tianjian.

The common people beat drums and gongs, celebrating joyously, spreading the news far and wide.

The court’s prestige indeed rose with the tide.

As for Huang Rang’s salary, unlike Baowu and the others whose compensation could be calculated in monthly silver stipends, the court simply gave her a monthly salary of ten thousand taels. Moreover, all profits from the superior seed varieties under her name would be distributed by the court, with a seventy-thirty split in her favor.

When Huang Rang signed the contract, she had not yet realized what kind of magnate she had become!

And this magnate, as soon as she returned to Si Tianjian, was chased and beaten by院Director Zong Zigui.

Huang Rang barely escaped from the Breeding Institute, only to run into the furious Miao Yunzhi.

Just as she was about to flee from Si Tianjian, she was caught by He Xijin and Qu Manying.

Finally, all parties converged. Miao Yunzhi and Zong Zigui stood to the side fanning the flames. Qu Manying, holding a broom, “cordially greeted” Huang Rang’s backside.

Even He Xijin, who usually doted on his charges the most, said: “She de-deserves it, so mi-mi-mischievous!”

While Si Tianjian was in complete chaos, the atmosphere at Yuhu Xuanzong was grave and tense.

Xie Lingbi and Xie Hongchen sat facing each other. Xie Lingbi said, “Why is this Huang Rang able to use the Heart Sword?”

Xie Hongchen replied, “This disciple is currently investigating. She is the daughter of Huang Shu, born in Immortal Tea Town, and has no connection with our sect. The matter of the Heart Sword is indeed suspicious.”

Xie Lingbi said in a heavy voice, “Not only the Heart Sword—she knows the sword techniques of Yuhu Xuanzong like the back of her hand. With such cultivation level, she is definitely not from a collateral branch, but must be a direct disciple.”

Xie Hongchen said, “This disciple will investigate further.”

When he said this, he glanced at Xie Lingbi—he who usually paid no attention to worldly affairs was suddenly so concerned about Huang Rang’s matters. Moreover… Huang Rang had revealed the Heart Sword after being attacked.

Xie Lingbi had not been present at the time, yet he knew about it in such detail.

It was truly strange.

Xie Hongchen’s mind had always been sharp, and though he noticed the anomaly, he did not speak of it directly.

As for Huang Rang’s origins, Xie Hongchen investigated repeatedly and confirmed that she indeed had no connection whatsoever with Yuhu Xuanzong.

At age eight, she had been taken away by He Xijin and his wife, but she had not studied sword techniques at Ruyi Sword Sect either. Rather, she had gone to the Capital Breeding Institute that same year.

—She did not cultivate the martial path, so how could she execute the supreme sword techniques of Yuhu Xuanzong?

She clearly did not have much breeding experience, so how could she, under the name Di Sanmeng, surpass Xi Huaiyi and cultivate varieties renowned throughout the realm?

Xie Hongchen studied Huang Rang over and over, filled with doubts—it was all indescribably strange.

After Huang Rang received the “cordial greetings” from her elders, her marriage was also put on the agenda.

The court had no intention of obstructing Huang Rang’s marriage to Di Yiqiu.

—Why let such wealth flow to outsiders? How much silver did she make each year?

Thus, the court’s approval was quickly sent down to the Ministry of Rites.

The Ministry of Rites had already been urged by Jianzheng until their scalps were numb. As soon as they received the approval, they immediately made thorough preparations and went to propose marriage to Ruyi Sword Sect.

Lord Jianzheng made trip after trip between Ruyi Sword Sect and Si Tianjian.

Huang Rang was not idle either. She handled everything personally, starting with the wedding dress, making arrangements together with Di Yiqiu.

On an estate in the outskirts of the capital.

Xi Yin unfolded the letter sent by Qu Manying. Qu Manying had informed her of Huang Rang’s affairs, telling her everything from how Huang Rang was actually Di Sanmeng and had tricked all the elders into bowing to her repeatedly, to her marriage with Di Yiqiu.

Xi Yin read with a smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

At the end of the letter, Qu Manying asked whether she would return to Ruyi Sword Sect. After all, she was Huang Rang’s birth mother. At Huang Rang’s wedding, she should be present.

Xi Yin put down the letter with a smile. After a long while, just as she was about to reply, suddenly a group of people entered from outside.

“Xi Yin!” A stern voice called out.

Xi Yin looked up, her entire being as if struck by a thunderbolt, frozen in place.

The visitor was none other than Old Master Xi—her father.

Xi Yin stood up. Behind Old Master Xi stood Old Madam Xi, who was also Xi Yin’s birth mother.

When the most familiar faces from memory reappeared before her eyes, Xi Yin felt afraid.

How merciless time was! When she had left home all those years ago, she had still been a daughter of an aristocratic family, a young lady sheltered from the world. Now, reunited with family, after countless twists and turns, things remained but people had changed.

“Rebellious daughter! After all these years, do you still not know your mistake?!” Old Master Xi’s voice remained cold and severe, while beside him, Old Madam Xi’s eyes reddened.

“Ayin…” Old Madam Xi sighed repeatedly, saying, “Come here!”

Xi Yin walked forward two steps, then slowly stopped.

The contents of Qu Manying’s letter just now appeared once more in her mind.

—Huang Rang was Di Sanmeng, and she was about to marry the son of Shi Wenyu.

Xi Yin used all her strength to control her tears.

She struggled to stand straight, saying, “Father, Mother, why have you come?”

Old Madam Xi sighed, “Look at what kind of place you’re living in! There isn’t even a single servant. Huang Rang and Huang Jun are both grown now—is this how they treat their birth mother?”

Xi Yin lowered her gaze, saying, “This place is very good. It was I who preferred tranquility, so I did not hire anyone.”

Old Master Xi snorted coldly, saying, “Back then, you were the one who set your heart on following that lowly thing Huang Shu! A life of hardship and suffering can only be blamed on yourself!”

Xi Yin said, “Father’s admonishment is correct. Back then… it was this daughter who was shallow and foolish.”

Only then did Old Master Xi say, “Enough. After all these years, you must have learned your lesson. Now pack your belongings and come back. You are still a daughter of the Xi family. Living here—what does it look like?!”

With that, he turned around, waiting for Xi Yin to obediently go back with him.

However, Xi Yin paused for a long time. She took a deep breath, then suddenly smiled and said, “Father, your daughter is already a married woman. What reason is there to return to her natal family? This place is very good. Your daughter… will not trouble Father and Mother any further.”

“What did you say?” Old Master Xi was furious! Old Madam Xi also tried to persuade her: “Ayin! Haven’t you suffered enough all these years? At this point, are you still going to defy your parents?”

Xi Yin feared her father and obeyed her mother.

She had originally been the most gentle and docile person. Later, bewitched by Huang Shu, she had done things that brought shame to her natal family.

But at this moment, her back was straight. Never in her life had she been so resolute.

She said, “In reply to Father and Mother, Ayin has married into the Huang family, and shall remain a woman of the Huang family for this life. I dare not trouble my father and brothers again!”

“Ayin!” Old Madam Xi’s tears fell, every word filled with sorrow. “My daughter, how can you be so confused! You are now a mother yourself—do you know that your daughter is about to be married? Ruyi Sword Sect is decorated with lanterns and colored banners, but look at your place here—who cares about you, the mother?”

Xi Yin lifted her head, looking at her birth mother.

After a long while, she said softly, “Mother, never before have I realized as clearly as I do today that I am a mother.”

Old Madam Xi suddenly fell silent.

Xi Yin looked into her eyes and said, “Before, I always felt that if it weren’t for Ajun, I wouldn’t have had to marry Huang Shu. Later I thought, if Arang had been a boy, I wouldn’t have endured all that mockery. For so many years, I never realized that I am a mother. But now, I know.”

Because she was a mother, she could not return to the Xi family.

Otherwise, if she went back, Huang Rang would only fall under the Xi family’s control.

These words, no one spoke aloud.

Why pierce through what everyone knew in their hearts?

Old Master Xi laughed coldly, saying, “I had thought that after suffering, you would become a bit sharper. Who knew you would remain so foolish—simply beyond redemption.”

With that, he waved his hand, saying, “Someone come—take her back!”

Xi Yin’s heart jumped in alarm. Several people stepped forward, about to bind her.

But just at this moment, a voice said, “Is Old Master Xi trying to abduct someone?”

Both Old Master Xi and Old Madam were startled. They turned around simultaneously, only to see a tall, robust martial warrior slowly entering from outside the door.

He wore a fur-trimmed robe, a golden blade at his waist, and in his hand he held a small gray cat.

The cat was too small, and he was too large—the contrast was truly incongruous.

“Baowu?!” Old Master Xi glanced at him, practically fuming with rage: “What are you doing here?!”

Baowu walked before Xi Yin and casually handed her the small cat.

This cat was truly too small, starved until even its voice was pitifully weak.

Xi Yin hurriedly took it in her hands, asking, “So small—where did you get it?”

Baowu replied offhandedly, “Picked it up. If you like it, raise it.”

Xi Yin agreed and went to find something to feed the small cat.

Old Master Xi, seeing how familiar these two were with each other, immediately felt his temper flare: “Shameless woman! You’ve seduced this warrior as well?!”

Baowu clicked his tongue, saying, “Old Master Xi, if you have no business here, please leave quickly. Otherwise, don’t blame this Bao for giving offense!”

“You dare!” Old Master Xi said angrily. “This old man has come to take his daughter home—what business is it of yours? And you, a strange man, have privately intruded into a woman’s residence—what are your intentions?”

“My intentions?” Baowu helped himself to a ladle of water, first drinking two mouthfuls before saying, “Then this Bao will have to show Old Master Xi what my intentions are!”

With that, he strode forward directly!

The few household servants Old Master Xi had brought to deal with Xi Yin—how could they be his match?

He knocked these people to the ground in just a few moves, then bound Old Master Xi and threw him into the prison of Baihu Division. The charge was forcibly abducting a commoner woman.

Let Old Madam Xi wail to the heavens all she wanted.

…

The Xi family was enraged and made a fuss at Si Tianjian many times.

But the estate where Xi Yin lived was property of Lord Jianzheng. Old Master Xi had forcibly seized someone—he truly was not in the right.

Even so, Lord Jianzheng remained magnanimous. When the Xi family made a fuss, he sent Baowu to apologize.

Lord Bao was just a rough warrior—he neither reasoned nor cared for face.

What did apologizing matter?!

Old Master Xi was so angry he vomited blood, but Xi Yin’s place finally regained its tranquility.

On this day, when Baowu came over, Xi Yin was replying to Qu Manying’s letter.

That small gray cat, after being washed clean, turned out to be white. Now that it had eaten, it slept in Xi Yin’s embrace.

“The food is ready, warming in the pot,” Xi Yin said while replying to the letter.

Baowu grunted in acknowledgment and went to serve himself.

He did not care what Xi Yin was writing.

After finishing his meal, Lord Bao once again became a woodcutter, a water carrier, and a gardener. Xi Yin watched for a while, then suddenly said, “The fish tank at the east end of the courtyard has a crack in one corner. I want to make a new one.”

Lord Bao agreed with a sound and became a stonemason.

Bare-chested, he chiseled a stone into a fish tank, sweat pouring down his body, not saying a word.

Xi Yin came to the courtyard, spread out her embroidery pattern, and slowly embroidered a wedding quilt.

The small cat lay on a corner of the bright red wedding quilt, occasionally stretching its short little legs.

Xi Yin worked stitch by stitch, her heart filled with joy.

—That girl is getting married too.

At Si Tianjian.

Huang Rang and Jianzheng together sewed the ceremonial robes for both parties. Lord Jianzheng personally crafted jewelry and hairpieces for his wife.

The two tried to scrounge from the scraps of Zhuque Division as much as possible—whatever didn’t cost money, they wouldn’t spend money on.

Qu Manying prepared a generous dowry for Huang Rang. She and Huang Jun worked through the night making new clothes for Huang Rang. Even the furniture had been crafted.

Then everyone discovered that Huang Rang and Di Yiqiu actually had no plans to purchase a new residence!

Qu Manying rushed to Si Tianjian and pulled Huang Rang, who was sewing boots for her husband, aside.

Huang Rang said, “Aunt?”

Qu Manying said urgently, “For such an important matter as marriage, how can you not purchase a residence?!”

Huang Rang was baffled: “That’s so exhausting. Besides, living in official quarters doesn’t cost money.”

“You’re such a penny-pincher you’ll pinch yourself to death!” Qu Manying was both angry and amused. “Those official quarters… aren’t they very inconvenient?”

Huang Rang reassured her, saying, “Official quarters are provided by the court. Besides, they even assign servants. What’s inconvenient? Aunt, don’t worry!”

Qu Manying opened her mouth, seeming to want to explain. After a long while, she said, “Fine, in any case, you’ll find out sooner or later.”

“I know Aunt cares about me.” Huang Rang wrapped her arms around her waist, rested her little head on her shoulder, acting coquettish.

What could Qu Manying do about this?

She could only say, “You… sigh, in any case, you two should look for a residence soon, you pair of fools!”

As the wedding day drew closer and closer, Huang Rang also returned to Ruyi Sword Sect to await her marriage.

And on this day, an unexpected guest arrived at Ruyi Sword Sect.

—Sect Master Xie had come calling once again.

He Xijin and Qu Manying received the guest together. Originally thinking that Huang Rang was about to be married, and with the previous marriage proposal matter, they decided not to have her appear again.

But Xie Hongchen had clearly come for Huang Rang. There was no helping it—they could only have her come as well.

Xie Hongchen sat in the guest seat, still gentle and courteous as ever.

Huang Rang gave him an elegant bow, then casually presented an invitation, saying, “Sect Master, your timing is perfect. In two days will be this young woman’s wedding day. Please, Sect Master, do come and drink a cup of celebratory wine.”

This child…

What karma had Sect Master Xie wrought… Qu Manying and He Xijin couldn’t bear to watch.

Xie Hongchen lowered his gaze, staring at the invitation in her hand—fiery red as if about to burst into flames. After a long while, he reached out to receive it, saying, “Of course I should attend.”

Only then did Huang Rang sit down happily. Sect Master Xie’s monetary gift should be quite substantial.

This person had always been generous, actually.

Xie Hongchen tucked the invitation into his sleeve, saying, “Sect Leader He, Madam He, this sect master has come this time to understand Miss Arang’s sword techniques. Having observed them last time, this Xie found them extremely similar to our sect’s sword path. Please tell me, Miss Arang, the origins of this sword technique.”

While asking these questions, every word rational, only his right hand hidden in the snow-white sleeve, his fingertips lightly caressing that invitation.

She was getting married.

The bright red of the invitation seemed to burn him.

Yet he still smiled, revealing a gentle and elegant countenance.

Xie Hongchen, Sect Master of Yuhu Xuanzong, had no right to feel loss or sorrow. He could only be this composed and calm, even though his heart was desolate.