Meihua Jiuniang smiled. “Since he has no special qualities, then there’s nothing worth seeing.”

She picked up her teacup and unhurriedly drank her tea, leaving an awkward scene before her. A breeze blew past, lifting the cloth covering her legs, and Cao Yanhua suddenly froze.

Below her knees, there was nothing!

Luo Ren saw it too, but quickly averted his gaze, pretending not to notice. He heard Mu Dai say softly, “Master, aren’t you being a bully?”

She felt wronged on Luo Ren’s behalf, thinking her master was doing this deliberately.

She had guessed correctly.

Earlier, Meihua Jiuniang had already learned about Luo Ren from Zheng Mingshan.

At that time, she had asked Zheng Mingshan, “What do you think of him?”

Zheng Mingshan thought for a moment and replied, “He’s a character, not easy to see through at first glance, but Little Junior Sister likes him.”

Every word hit the mark. This Luo Ren knew his place, understood propriety, remained composed, and kept his emotions in check. Just as when the cloth was lifted, Cao Yanhua’s shock was visible, but Luo Ren remained expressionless.

Meihua Jiuniang asked him, “What’s good about our Mu Dai?”

What’s good about her?

Luo Ren was momentarily at a loss for words. After a pause, he said, “I can’t think of anything bad about her.”

Mu Dai lowered her head, trying hard to appear unconcerned, but the smile at the corner of her lips betrayed her feelings.

Meihua Jiuniang smiled and pushed Mu Dai, saying, “Go over, stand beside him, let me take a look.”

Mu Dai obeyed, but even though she had been with Luo Ren for some time, she still felt awkward about this “special” and “deliberate” arrangement. Why did they have to stand together, side by side, with so many eyes examining them?

She was uncomfortable, fidgeting with the red silk at her waist, trying to avoid any contact with Luo Ren.

Meihua Jiuniang looked at them for a long time, then said softly, “You make a good match.”

Brother Luo passed the test so easily?

Cao Yanhua could hardly believe it. Back in their room, he was jumping up and down in front of Luo Ren. “How can this be, Brother Luo? My Grand Master leads a ‘martial arts sect’! Shouldn’t she at least make you go through ‘three knives, six holes, and crossing the fire basin’?”

What nonsense was this? Luo Ren didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Do you even know what ‘three knives, six holes, and crossing the fire basin’ means?”

Wasn’t it about intimidating someone?

Luo Ren explained that “three knives, six holes” was an old gang ritual where, if someone had done something unforgivable and wanted forgiveness, they had to use a knife to pierce three holes through their own body. As for crossing the fire basin, that was an old ceremony for new brides entering their new home, symbolizing the removal of impurities picked up along the way and wishing for a prosperous future.

Meihua Jiuniang would have to be out of her mind to make him go through that.

So that’s what it meant.

Still, Cao Yanhua kept muttering, feeling that Luo Ren had gotten off too easily.

Luo Ren looked at Cao Yanhua. “Do you think I’ve passed the test?”

Cao Yanhua was surprised. “Haven’t you?”

Luo Ren smiled.

Of course not. Otherwise, Meihua Jiuniang wouldn’t have kept Mu Dai behind alone.

Mu Dai rarely entered Meihua Jiuniang’s room. Even when she had reason to go in, she always hurried in and out. By all rights, the main hall should have the best lighting and airiness, but for some reason, the Master’s room always seemed a shade darker and colder than elsewhere, so she never liked to stay long.

This time, Master had solemnly called her in alone. For what purpose? Did she not like Luo Ren?

Unlike when speaking outside, once inside the room, Meihua Jiuniang’s spirited demeanor vanished. With eyes closed, exhausted and weak, her small, thin body curled up in the wheelchair, like a white candle nearly burned out in the wind, which might turn into thin blue smoke at any moment.

Senior Brother was right. This time, Master was truly near the end of her life. She had only summoned her energy in the morning to meet Luo Ren and Cao Yanhua, and after speaking for just that short while, she was already tired.

Mu Dai felt distressed. She moved the yellow brocade cushion next to the wheelchair, knelt, and softly called, “Master.”

Meihua Jiuniang reached out her hand and gently stroked her hair.

“Your Senior Brother told me you brought a boyfriend back. I didn’t believe it at first—eight years have flown by, and the little girl has grown up.”

Warmth welled up in Mu Dai’s eyes as she looked up at Meihua Jiuniang. “Master, do you… Not like Luo Ren?”

Meihua Jiuniang replied, “He may be a good person, but Master doesn’t have the time to like him, nor the time to help you understand him better.”

Details can help you roughly outline a person, but to truly understand someone’s character and heart requires a long time. she had a good impression of Luo Ren, but with her age and experience, this “good impression” could easily be broken and overturned in the future.

“Your Senior Brother told me he wants to help you judge well for your happiness, but I think rather than expecting anything from that Luo Ren, it’s better to expect it from you.”

Expect what from me? Mu Dai didn’t understand.

“In the past, when a daughter was about to marry, her mother would give her many instructions. I’ve always felt I was too old, that I wouldn’t live to see your marriage. As for your Auntie Hong… to be honest, she hasn’t even sorted herself out properly, and I don’t think much of her.”

Mu Dai couldn’t help but smile, softly defending Huo Zihong. “Auntie Hong has been good to me.”

“While I still have breath, you’ve brought him here. That’s good. Now I can tell you some things.”

She heaved a long sigh.

“I don’t know Luo Ren, nor do I particularly like him. In the eyes of your Senior Brother and me, this man’s background seems much more complex than yours. He stays calm in difficult situations, acts with steadiness, and understands taboos and rules well—in these ways, he’s much better than you. I feel you love him more and might overly accommodate him.”

Mu Dai wanted to say something, but Meihua Jiuniang gestured for her to just listen.

“Perhaps Master is wrong. It doesn’t matter. Master isn’t opposing your relationship with him, but I have a few words of advice for you.”

Mu Dai nodded and straightened her kneeling posture.

“In the future, you might marry Luo Ren, or you might marry another man. But no matter how good that person is, don’t become dependent on them. At all times, be yourself. You are first Mu Dai, then my disciple, and then someone’s lover. If you establish yourself as a sail, the wind will come to fill it.”

“Yes.”

“If you like him, then be with him. If one day you discover you’ve chosen the wrong person, leave him and find someone better. The old saying goes, ‘A woman fears marrying the wrong man,’ but that’s nonsense. If you’ve married wrong, change it. Follow your own heart; there’s nothing to fear. If he wrongs you, teach him a lesson. If you can’t beat him, call your Senior Brother to help.”

Mu Dai burst out laughing.

Meihua Jiuniang sighed softly in her heart.

It might take Mu Dai some time to understand what she was saying.

Luo Ren was the first boyfriend Mu Dai had brought home. As for the future, she couldn’t be sure whether Mu Dai would stay with Luo Ren or fall in love with someone else. She didn’t have the time to individually admonish all those young men who wanted to take away her beloved disciple, so she only told Mu Dai: “I don’t care at all who your future person is, whether he’s tall or short. As long as you live well, always stay true to yourself, don’t take mistreatment, don’t feel wronged—that’s enough.”

Perhaps she was being pessimistic, but in this world, happiness is hard to maintain; avoiding harm is already good enough.

She began to cough, and Mu Dai quickly stood up to pour her tea. As the cool tea flowed into the cup, Meihua Jiuniang said something behind her.

“After dinner, come to my room alone. Master wants to discuss the succession of the lineage with you.”

Mu Dai’s hand trembled.

Master saying this was essentially making it clear that she wanted Mu Dai to inherit everything. But shouldn’t it be Senior Brother?

After leaving Master’s room, Mu Dai felt somewhat dejected. Passing by the triangular waterside pavilion, she saw Zheng Mingshan feeding the fish again. She silently went over, sat down next to Zheng Mingshan, and said, “Senior Brother, feeding them like this, you’re going to make the fish burst.”

Zheng Mingshan glanced at her sideways. “Burst? Do they have stomachs the size of a pinhead?”

Mu Dai hesitated for a moment but couldn’t help asking, “Senior Brother, did you know Master wants to pass everything… to me?”

Zheng Mingshan said, “Of course I know.”

He found it perfectly natural. “You know I haven’t cultivated our sect’s martial arts. Master’s skills, especially her lightness technique, you’ve learned more thoroughly than I have. If not to you, who else would she pass them to?”

Mu Dai asked cautiously, “Then, Senior Brother, you… Won’t be upset?”

Zheng Mingshan was stunned for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter, reaching out to ruffle her hair, turning her neat ponytail into a mess.

He said, “Have you been watching too many TV dramas? Do you think I would turn against you over the little Master is leaving behind?”

Master occasionally discussed this matter with him, but every time he heard words like “succession of the lineage,” though outwardly respectful, he found it amusing inside.

Although they were a “martial arts lineage,” they could hardly be called a “sect” anymore, with just two or three people. To still solemnly talk about “succession of the lineage” seemed somewhat pitiful.

He stretched out his hand, pointing to the courtyard. “What do I have to be upset about? Master will leave this Guansi Pailou to you, but you know that this house can’t be transferred or sold. You’ll have to find people to clean it, to guard it—such a troublesome thing, why would I be jealous?”

Mu Dai sighed, her gaze sweeping over the familiar grass and trees in the courtyard. “That’s true.”

While Mu Dai was chatting with Zheng Mingshan, Luo Ren made a phone call to Qingmu, asking about the situation in Lijiang.

Qingmu replied, “I’ve made arrangements for Uncle Zheng. Phoenix Tower has closed for a few days, and I’ve moved him and Pin Ting to a safe place. I’m keeping an eye on the bar. There’s no unusual activity for now, except…”

Except what? Luo Ren tensed.

“Except they argue every few days over a chicken. What’s the point? Might as well slaughter it and eat it.”

Zhang Shu couldn’t stand the sight of Cao Jiefang and always felt irritated.

Lijiang was such an exquisite, romantic, and sophisticated place. Other inns and bars raised cute cats or dogs, but who had ever seen someone raising a chicken?

It would stretch its neck and crow “co… co… co” at all hours, crowing but never laying eggs. Occasionally, when they forgot to close the bar door, it would waddle in, treating the bar like a chicken coop.

The nerve! Huo Zihong had an easygoing personality and would say, “Just let it be,” but Zhang Shu couldn’t allow this. He had to let Cao Jiefang know who was in charge.

So after breakfast, he grabbed a kitchen knife and stormed toward Cao Jiefang with fierce determination.

Cao Jiefang was taking a walk in the courtyard. Upon seeing Zhang Shu, it probably sensed trouble and scurried around the yard in a flurry before flying into the arms of Yan Hongsha, who had rushed out at the commotion.

Yi Wansan, with his arm in a sling, followed behind, smiling nervously. “Uncle Zhang, let it go. It’s just a chicken.”

“Just a chicken?” Zhang Shu pointed at his massive dark circles. “It rained all night last night. If I don’t teach it a lesson, the neighboring inns will start complaining—you, get down, stand still, don’t move!”

He was addressing Cao Jiefang. Yan Hongsha had no choice but to put Cao Jiefang on the ground, patting its head and saying, “Don’t move, okay?”

Cao Jiefang drooped its head, looking pitiful and dejected.

Zhang Shu squatted down, the shiny blade gleaming as he tapped it three times with his finger, making a “clang, clang, clang” sound.

He asked, “Do you know what this is? This is a knife! With that skinny neck of yours, if I go ‘swoosh’ like this, your little legs will be kicking in the air, understand? Nod if you understand.”

Cao Jiefang rolled his eyes. Yan Hongsha pressed its head with her finger, making it nod three times.

“If you dare to crow at night again, it’ll be ‘swoosh.’ I mean it!”

Having said that, he brandished the knife in front of Cao Jiefang a few times, then walked away.

Cao Jiefang seemed very unhappy. It stretched its neck, about to let out a “co… co… co,” but Yi Wansan, quick on the draw, pressed its pointed beak shut with two fingers.

Yan Hongsha was also at a loss. After a while, she suggested, “How about tonight, we use clear tape to wrap up its beak?”