In the inner city of the capital, at Taihe Restaurant.

The three great powers He Xijin, Zhang Shujiu, and Wu Zichou, along with their wives, reserved a private room.

Naturally, Si Tianjian’s Jianzheng Di Yiqiu had also come along.

Compared to these people, Di Yiqiu was naturally young and inexperienced.

But his unscrupulous behavior today had quite won the hearts of the three great powers. Therefore, everyone had invited him along.

And because Jianzheng knew these three people’s character, he had come readily.

The party of seven courteously took their seats. The three ladies—Madam He Qu Manying, Madam Zhang Feng Zheng’er, and Madam Wu Dai Wushuang—sat together. Through the earlier incident when He, Zhang, and Wu had all knelt, the three women already had an extremely favorable impression of each other.

Now sitting together, they immediately began chatting about each other’s clothes, jewelry, rouge, and cosmetics.

Once women opened their chatterboxes, it immediately became endless.

Before long, they had sworn sisterhood.

Sect Master He, Pavilion Master Zhang, and Gate Master Wu, due to their “similar family traditions,” also cherished each other as kindred spirits and found their words congenial.

The young Jianzheng sat at the lower seat and felt somewhat out of place.

Just then, someone lifted the curtain and entered.

—It was precisely Huang Rang.

With Sect Master He and his wife here, they naturally wouldn’t forget their niece.

At this time, as soon as Qu Manying saw her, she immediately beckoned: “Arang, come quickly and meet your other two aunts!”

Huang Rang acknowledged and her gaze immediately spotted Di Yiqiu.

A sweet smile immediately bloomed on her face: “Oh, Jianzheng is also here!”

Di Yiqiu couldn’t help but shift to the side. Huang Rang seemed to radiate light from her entire being. She came to Qu Manying’s side and very obediently paid her respects to Feng Zheng’er and Dai Wushuang.

The two women hurriedly helped her up, and naturally there was another round of praise.

“Arang’s appearance and bearing are truly one in ten thousand.” Feng Zheng’er clicked her tongue in admiration.

Dai Wushuang patted Arang’s hand and sighed: “If only back then Ayin hadn’t been by Huang…” She wanted to lament about past events, but remembering Huang Rang was present, changed her words: “Now is also good. The child is so fresh and lovely, just looking at her makes one like her from the bottom of one’s heart!”

Huang Rang took the opportunity to sit down and said: “Aunt Dai, how did my mother take a liking to my father back then? Her taste was really so poor!”

“This child!” Qu Manying immediately chided with a smile. “Children shouldn’t speak of their father’s faults. Don’t talk nonsense.”

Huang Rang said: “But it’s true, isn’t it?”

She glanced at the dishes on the table and said: “Dear aunts, I want to order one more dish.” She was so at ease—who among the others would fuss with her? They only nodded with smiles.

Huang Rang thus turned to instruct the waiter: “Bring another plate of cherry meat.”

Di Yiqiu clearly didn’t want to dine at the same table as her, but he couldn’t refuse He Xijin and his wife’s face.

Fortunately, he didn’t show it on his face and still smiled, saying: “How did the three seniors come to the capital? Could it be you also know about Teacher Di Sanmeng’s matter?”

When he mentioned Di Sanmeng, Huang Rang’s face immediately showed a strange expression.

She glanced at Di Yiqiu, but because she was always stealing glances at him, Jianzheng paid it no mind. He didn’t even plan to respond.

He Xijin opened his mouth, but Zhang Shujiu immediately spoke first: “Although we’ve never met him, we’ve also heard about some of his deeds.”

With him saying this, Di Yiqiu’s interest immediately piqued—he was exceptionally interested in everything about Teacher Di Sanmeng.

Therefore, Jianzheng hurriedly asked: “I wonder what the three seniors know?”

He Xijin set down his chopsticks and said: “Sp-speaking of, of it… Te-Tea-Teach-Teacher Di Di Di Sa-San-Sanmeng…”

Zhang Shujiu quickly said: “Speaking of it, this Di Sanmeng should have arrived in the capital ten years ago. This person is definitely not from an inferior or miscellaneous school. The first batch of superior varieties he cultivated was already extremely stable—not only resistant to insects and disease with a short maturation period, but also with extremely high yields.”

Huang Rang lowered her head and silently ate her food.

Wu Zichou also said: “Precisely. At first his reputation wasn’t prominent, so it wasn’t much. Later as his scale gradually grew, those bastards from the black market offered quite a few bounties on his head. We didn’t investigate further, and whenever we encountered any traces, we’d even help cover them up for him.”

He Xijin nodded repeatedly. At this moment, the cherry meat arrived.

Huang Rang took her chopsticks and first picked up a piece for Di Yiqiu, saying: “Their cherry meat here is delicious, try it.”

Jianzheng’s brow furrowed deeply. After quite a while, he said: “Miss Arang is too kind.” Though he said this, he showed no intention of moving his chopsticks.

He Xijin and Qu Manying exchanged glances, and everyone saw different content in each other’s eyes.

Feng Zheng’er and Dai Wushuang also had hearts of seven apertures—how could they not understand?

He Xijin simply asked: “A-A-Ara-Arang is is in…”

His speech was truly labored. Qu Manying only smiled, and after quite a while, she finished her husband’s sentence: “Your uncle is saying that you’ve also been in the capital for over ten years. I heard you’ve also cultivated several superior varieties—have you never met this teacher?”

With this question, sure enough, Di Yiqiu’s gaze was drawn over.

“Uh…” Huang Rang thought for a long time. Jianzheng’s voice was cool as he asked: “What, Miss Arang has actually cultivated several superior varieties?” His face showed mockery as he asked: “Why does this seat not know of this?”

How outrageous!

Huang Rang sighed: “Jianzheng has prejudice against this young woman, so naturally you don’t know.”

She was clearly so much older than him, yet called herself a young woman. Though immortal sects didn’t care about age, Jianzheng cared. He said: “At Miss Arang’s age, she cannot be called young.”

This damn thing, why is he so sharp and mean?!

Huang Rang took a deep breath. Beside her, Qu Manying had long seen her niece’s thoughts. Of course, she had also seen Jianzheng’s thoughts.

These two people.

Qu Manying shook her head and said: “Arang, eat first.”

Huang Rang was so angry she was full—how could she eat more? She said: “Didn’t you ask me if I’d heard of Di Sanmeng? I’ve met him.”

As soon as she said this, everyone at the table immediately froze.

He Xijin said: “No-no-not po-pos-possible to jo-joke joke!”

Huang Rang leaned toward Di Yiqiu and said: “Not only have I met him, I can also arrange a meeting between you and him. How about that?”

Di Yiqiu’s pupils contracted slightly. After quite a while, he said: “You’re lying!”

Huang Rang shrugged: “Believe it or not!”

On the side, Qu Manying straightened her expression and said: “Arang, children can’t speak carelessly.” After speaking, she turned to Di Yiqiu and said: “Teacher Di Sanmeng appears and disappears unpredictably—how could a young lady like her know his whereabouts? Jianzheng shouldn’t listen to her jokes.”

Di Yiqiu naturally thought the same. He acknowledged with a sound and didn’t pursue it further.

Huang Rang knew the He Xijin couple didn’t want her to discuss this topic further, so she didn’t say more and said: “Dear aunts, try this dish, it’s so delicious…”

She stood up to serve food to the three aunts Qu, Feng, and Dai, and the three women naturally responded with smiles.

Zhang Shujiu then continued: “I heard that Jianzheng wrote an open letter, posting it throughout the city, wanting to find Di Sanmeng?”

Di Yiqiu said: “Precisely. The Si Tianjian detected that there will be a great drought, and we want to cultivate a batch of superior varieties. This seat thought that Teacher Di Sanmeng has the realm at heart—if he learned of this matter, he would surely agree.”

Zhang Shujiu said: “This matter, I’ve also heard of. It’s just that Di Sanmeng’s circumstances these years—Jianzheng understands all too well. This person—it’s better not to search for him.”

Di Yiqiu’s expression was solemn as he said: “Such a noble person should not be buried in the marketplace, never seeing the light of day. This seat respects Teacher’s wishes. If he wishes to remain hidden like a dragon in the depths, I will also not pester him further. But if he’s willing to emerge to help, this seat will naturally serve before and after him, protect him for a lifetime, and spare him from worries. Even if it means my brains being dashed out, I will not decline.”

He said this earnestly, and Huang Rang listened earnestly.

—This damn thing truly never loved beauty.

Then why outside the dream did he have a hundred years of deep feelings for her?

Huang Rang couldn’t figure it out.

“Jianzheng is still young after all.” Zhang Shujiu sighed. “Those despicable tactics in the gutters—how could Jianzheng alone prevent them all? If your protection is inadequate, you’ll only harm him.”

Di Yiqiu said in a heavy voice: “I won’t.”

The three—He, Zhang, and Wu—didn’t know the weight of these words.

But Huang Rang knew.

Over a hundred years outside the dream, entering the dream twice, his promises had never been mere lip service.

—He did his utmost to fulfill them.

“If Di Sanmeng heard Jianzheng’s words, he would surely believe them.” Huang Rang said softly.

But Di Yiqiu ignored her—Jianzheng truly didn’t like this salted fish.

All the way until the meal ended, He Xijin and the others had to return.

Qu Manying, Feng Zheng’er, and Dai Wushuang had bonded at first sight and sworn sisterhood. He, Zhang, and Wu were also permitted by their wives to travel together and play together.

Taking advantage of everyone talking, Jianzheng left Taihe Restaurant alone.

Huang Rang had long since quietly followed: “Is Jianzheng returning to Si Tianjian? I’ll go with you.”

Di Yiqiu quickened his pace, and Huang Rang pursued relentlessly.

Seeing he was about to walk through the Si Tianjian gates, Huang Rang steeled her heart and said: “Don’t you want to meet Di Sanmeng?” Di Yiqiu slowly stopped in his tracks. Huang Rang immediately continued: “I can arrange a meeting for you, let you see him once.”

“Just you?” Jianzheng was skeptical.

Huang Rang quickly caught up to his side and said: “Yes. Just me.”

Di Yiqiu naturally didn’t believe it. He asked: “How can this seat trust you?”

Huang Rang said: “Since I’ve said this, I can naturally earn your trust. But how will you repay me?”

Her question was subtle. Jianzheng saw her gaze burning as she stared at his collar, and couldn’t help but step back.

Ahem, Huang Rang withdrew her gaze and said: “How about this—I’ll arrange a meeting with Di Sanmeng for Jianzheng, and Jianzheng accompanies me for a day touring the capital. How about it?”

Di Yiqiu still didn’t believe. Huang Rang could only say: “Oh my, I’ll first arrange Di Sanmeng for you, then you accompany me for a day.”

Jianzheng was naturally tempted. He asked: “Just touring the capital?”

Huang Rang said joyfully: “You agree?”

“Hmph!” Di Yiqiu flicked his sleeve. “You just go arrange it. If I can truly meet Di Sanmeng, this seat will naturally keep my word!”

“This is too easy!” Huang Rang was overjoyed and said: “Just wait, I’ll come find you later!”

That night, at Xuanwu Si, in the study.

Di Yiqiu hadn’t yet gone to sleep. Candlelight burned high in the room. He held a book in his hand but wasn’t reading it.

Huang Rang’s words during the day—he didn’t know if they were true or false. But if what she said was true, then wouldn’t he truly be able to meet Teacher Di Sanmeng?

Jianzheng’s hand holding the book tightened slightly. He lowered his head and discovered he was actually somewhat nervous.

Just then, someone outside suddenly said: “Jianzheng, Miss Arang has come.”

“Let her in!” Di Yiqiu suddenly stood up, his eyes fixed directly on the door.

The door was opened, and Huang Rang indeed entered carrying a pot of sweet soup.

“Have you arranged a meeting with Teacher Di Sanmeng?” Di Yiqiu asked directly.

“What’s the rush?” Huang Rang set the soup pot on the table and said: “Drink the soup first.”

“This seat is asking you a question.” Jianzheng’s voice was quite urgent. Huang Rang carefully ladled the soup from the pot into a small bowl: “Drink this bowl of soup, and I’ll tell you.”

Di Yiqiu had no choice but to sit down again. The soup was clear and sweet, fragrant upon entering the mouth. But he had no time to savor it carefully and quickly drank it all.

Only then did Huang Rang take something from her sleeve and pass it over.

Di Yiqiu received the object and looked at it carefully—even his gaze seemed to have weight.

—This was… Di Sanmeng’s seal.

Other things might be fake.

But a seed cultivator’s seal was the most confidential item, extremely difficult to counterfeit.

Even more rare was that the handwriting on it must be the seed cultivator’s own hand. Later printed versions also had many anti-counterfeiting measures.

Now, what Huang Rang brought was Di Sanmeng’s seal, but what was written on it wasn’t the name of a superior variety or notes about suitable soil and such.

The twisted, intertwining calligraphy was rich and elongated.

—Teacher Di Sanmeng would meet him tomorrow in the small grove outside Kanyue City.

Kanyue City…

Di Yiqiu didn’t know why he would arrange to meet in such a place.

But he would definitely go.

No matter where Di Sanmeng arranged to meet, he would definitely keep the appointment.

Seeing his expression, Huang Rang knew he had no more doubts, so she said: “Remember our agreement—after you meet him, you have to accompany me touring for a day!”

After speaking, without waiting for Di Yiqiu’s answer, she turned and left.

Jianzheng pondered for a long while, then suddenly said: “Where is Li Lu?”

The guard outside hurriedly said: “Jianzheng, Minister Li has already left for the day. Does this subordinate need to summon him?”

“Yes.” Jianzheng acknowledged.

After a while, Vice-Monitor Li rushed over with utmost urgency: “Jianzheng, what has happened?”

Jianzheng said with a serious face: “This seat suddenly feels I should have a set of everyday attire.”

Li Lu thought he hadn’t woken up yet. Why could he understand every word Jianzheng said, but when put together, he couldn’t understand?

After quite a while, he said: “Every-everyday attire?”

“Correct!” Jianzheng put his arm around his shoulder and said: “You accompany this seat out to pick a set.”

Vice-Monitor Li’s eyes widened—at this hour, you want to go pick out clothes?