After settling the matter with Dafang, peace returned to Mount Jiuli. The Cai couple initially planned to spend more time with their daughter, hoping to rectify her views on marriage and love while showcasing their loving relationship. However, they soon received a pigeon message from Ning Family Castle. In the letter, Old Madam Ning once again claimed she was “not long for this world” and wished for her daughter’s family to visit.
“How many times has this happened now?” Cai Zhao counted on her fingers.
“The third time,” Ning Feng sighed.
After the passing of the old Ning hero, Old Madam Ning’s temperament changed dramatically. In her youth, she had eschewed worldly attachments and despised crowds. Now, she feared loneliness above all else, desperately wanting her children and family by her side daily.
Once devoted to asceticism and urging her children to become monks or nuns to fulfill her wishes, she now regretted the decline of the Ning family name. Seeing Ning Family Castle so desolate, she lamented daily that her husband’s surname and unparalleled skills would have no heir. She worried that after a hundred years, no one would remember the great hero who had mastered mechanisms, tactics, medicine, and swordsmanship.
Ning Feng sometimes marveled at how peculiar her parents were. Her father, the old Ning hero, had been such an open-minded and enlightened person, yet he had fallen for such a capricious and stubborn woman as her mother.
The Cai Pingchun couple planned to stay for an extended period this time. They had already sent people to Luoying Valley to bring their son, Cai Han, directly to Ning Family Castle.
Before departing, Ning Feng tugged on her daughter’s ear, repeatedly admonishing her: “Don’t stray from the right path, don’t act recklessly, and most importantly, don’t associate with evil cult members. Listen to your elders.”
Cai Zhao, exasperated, retorted: “Mother, aren’t you embarrassed to say such things? When have you ever listened to your elders? You always did exactly what Grandmother forbade. You nearly destroyed Aunt’s Xuankong Temple. How can you lecture me?”
Unfazed by this verbal sparring, Ning Feng replied: “Well, I was lucky. As soon as I left home, I met your aunt! Why should I listen to my elders when I could just listen to your aunt? Are you fortunate enough to have someone like that? Are you?”
Defeated, Cai Zhao conceded: “If I’d known it would be like this, I might as well have stayed home. Then there’d be no trouble at all.”
“Enough nonsense! Just do as I say!”
While mother and daughter bickered, Cai Pingchun remained deep in thought. After his wife finished scolding him and left, he called his daughter aside to ask privately: “In your opinion, will Mu Qingyan truly punish the culprits who massacred the Chang family?”
Cai Zhao shifted uncomfortably: “Although that person’s face and name were fake, I believe his feelings for Uncle Chang were genuine. He’ll probably punish those responsible severely. I think we needn’t investigate the Chang family massacre further. Since the evil cult was behind it, let their new leader kill a few people to establish his authority.” She had resolved to stop using that person’s name to affirm her determination to cut ties.
Cai Pingchun replied: “The evil cult’s actions are unpredictable. We can’t fully trust them. We must continue to inquire about this matter and not let the culprits off lightly. In two months, it will be the first anniversary of Brother Chang’s death. We’ve known each other since we were young; I never imagined it would end like this. Your master and I have discussed bringing Brother Chang’s ashes to the Chang family cemetery for burial, so the family can be reunited.”
He paused, then continued, “Others may not feel obligated, but our family owes Brother Chang a great debt. We must conduct a sincere memorial service. When the time comes, you should go first to properly prepare the Chang family ruins, arrange the coffin, offerings, and other funeral necessities.”
Cai Zhao agreed, then asked: “Should we find the real Young Master Chang?”
Cai Pingchun pondered for a moment: “Let it be. Since Chang’s nephew can’t practice martial arts, bringing him back to the jianghu would do more harm than good. We’ll follow Brother Chang’s wishes and let him remain a carefree scholar in the countryside.”
Cai Zhao nodded, then noticed her father’s furrowed brow. “Father, is something else troubling you?”
Cai Pingchun hesitated: “When you’re organizing the Chang family cemetery, look around carefully… everywhere.”
“What am I looking for?” Cai Zhao asked, puzzled.
Cai Pingchun seemed to struggle for words. “In the early spring before the Battle of Tushan, I accompanied your aunt to Chang Family Castle. While your aunt and Brother Chang were discussing important matters, I wandered around the castle grounds and came upon the vast Chang family cemetery on the back mountain. A few months ago, after the bicentennial ceremony for our ancestor, I went to investigate Chang Family Castle and found myself in that cemetery again…”
“Father, don’t keep me in suspense! That’s one of his bad habits!” Cai Zhao urged anxiously.
Cai Pingchun smiled wryly: “You impatient child! Ah to be honest, I’m not sure myself. I just felt something was off.”
“Were there new graves added?”
Cai Pingchun shook his head: “It’s been over a decade. Birth, aging, sickness, and death are natural occurrences. A few new graves wouldn’t be strange.”
“Were there any unusual tombstones?”
“The Chang family has always followed Taoist principles of simplicity. Their tombstones and burial objects are all plain and unadorned. There was nothing out of the ordinary.”
“Then what felt wrong?” Cai Zhao was at a loss.
“I don’t know,” Cai Pingchun gazed into the distance. “That year, Nie Hengcheng seemed to have mastered some evil technique and was attacking everywhere, his power overwhelming. Your aunt’s sworn brothers and the heroes of the Northern Chen Six Sects suffered heavy casualties. At the time, I felt helpless and stood on the stone steps at the southern end of the cemetery for a long while, my mood sinking lower and lower. I stood there until sunset when your aunt called me back to wash my face with cold water and clear my head.”
“A few months ago, I visited that cemetery again. It was around the same season, and I stood in almost the same spot until sunset.” Cai Pingchun’s face showed a perplexed expression. “I felt something was different, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. If only your grandfather were still alive; he would have noticed immediately.”
Finally, he said, “Anyway, just take a look when you go there, Zhaozho. Don’t worry if you can’t spot anything; I might be overthinking it.”
Cai Zhao nodded firmly.
Unlike her impulsive mother, Cai Zhao knew her father to be calm and astute. He wouldn’t mention something without good reason. Since he had brought it up so seriously, there must be something truly strange that he found difficult to express. She would need to pay close attention when the time came.
“After we pay our respects to the Chang family, your mother and I will take you to Yi Pin Pavilion for roasted pigeon. Then we’ll go to Ning Family Castle to see your grandmother,” Cai Pingchun looked at his daughter affectionately, “and Han too.”
“Studying martial arts like this, three days fishing and two days mending nets, Master won’t be happy,” Cai Zhao said with a grin.
“Then we’ll invite your master to join us for roasted pigeon and to visit your grandmother. Your grandmother has always praised him for being honest and kind,” Cai Pingchun replied.
“Hahaha, Father, you’re so mischievous! That year, when Mother had just escaped from Xuankong Temple, Grandmother still wanted her to become a nun. Mother made up a story about already having a sweetheart. Since Aunt had already revealed her identity as a woman, Mother had no choice but to use Master as a prop to convince Grandmother. Who knew Master couldn’t lie? In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, he had sold Mother out completely! Hahaha… Since then, Mother has held a grudge against Master.” Cai Zhao clutched her stomach, laughing heartily.
Recalling the past, Cai Pingchun couldn’t help but smile.
However, what his daughter didn’t know was that the grudge between Ning Feng and Qi Yunke had started much earlier than this incident.
These two – one being Cai Pingxiu’s most beloved sister, the other her most trusted sworn brother – had their issues. The former worried the latter would compete for Cai Pingxiu’s affection, while the latter couldn’t understand why Cai Pingxiu tolerated such a willful and capricious girl.
Later, as the situation grew more perilous, Cai Pingxiu had to hide Ning Feng to protect her, spending more time fighting alongside Qi Yunke. To this day, Ning Feng still cries with anger when she thinks about it, deeply regretting her lack of skill to help and resenting Qi Yunke for allowing Cai Pingxiu to ascend Tushan alone, despite his ability to assist.
In the carriage on their journey, Ning Feng continued to worry: “Zhaozao’s luck is a bit poor. I entered the jianghu and immediately met your father, enduring all sorts of hardships throughout my life. As for me, I met Sister Pingxiu as soon as I entered the jianghu, which wasn’t necessary either. But Zhaozao is so unlucky, encountering an evil cult member waiting in ambush on Mount Jiuli as soon as she left home…”
Cai Pingchun’s lips moved slightly, “Zhaozao isn’t a rabbit.”
“Don’t change the subject,” Ning Feng continued. “It’s your fault. If you and Qi Yunke hadn’t insisted that the scoundrel was the Chang family’s orphan, Zhaozao wouldn’t have treated him like one of our own. Now all the misfortune has fallen on one person. Is there any justice in this world?!”
Cai Pingchun also grew worried at these words and couldn’t help but ask, “Was it too late to send her out as an apprentice?”
…
“It’s because they sent their daughter to Qingque Sect too late that I’m in such pain now!” Song Shijun complained incessantly while directing servants to pack for the return journey.
“How would coming to Qingque Sect a few years earlier have changed anything? What exactly is Father lamenting?” Song Yuzhi stood nearby, his eyebrows slightly raised, looking cold and quiet.
Song Shijun dismissed the servants with a wave of his hand. Lowering his voice, he turned to his son and asked, “Yuzhi, be honest with me. What’s going on between you and Lingbo? During your recovery, she’s only visited once or twice, barely uttering a word. Have you two had a falling out? Are you considering breaking off the engagement? If so, tell me immediately. I’ll handle it swiftly and elegantly, ensuring no one in the world will gossip!”
“Father,” Song Yuzhi’s eyes showed disapproval.
“Alright, alright. I’ll drop it. You can handle Lingbo’s matter yourself,” Song Shijun said, flapping his wide sleeves. “You two have never gotten along, quarreling even over a simple snack. I knew from the start it wasn’t a good match, but your mother and sister insisted on the arrangement. Sigh, a forced melon will never be sweet. A couple can’t live like this—I’ve noticed you get along quite well with the Cai family’s girl!”
“Father?” Song Yuzhi questioned, unsure of his father’s intentions.
Song Shijun paced the room, unable to contain his excitement. “When I first learned of that girl’s birth, I had this thought. Three years ago, when Cai Pingxiu passed away, I secretly hoped they would send their daughter to Qingque Sect soon. Who knew it would take three years? It nearly drove me mad!”
“Cai Zhao has only been at Qingque Sect for a few months, yet she was willing to face danger with you in the evil cult. This shows she has extraordinary feelings for you. If she had come to Qingque Sect three years ago and you two had spent day and night together as fellow disciples, wouldn’t that have been even more extraordinary?” Song Shijun winked at his son, his tone eager.
“Father!” Song Yuzhi’s forehead vein throbbed violently.
“Alright, alright. I’ll stop,” Song Shijun knew when to quit. He continued wistfully, “Ah Yuzhi, you never saw Cai Pingxiu’s glory days. That year, she wanted to celebrate Ning Feng’s fifteenth birthday in the famous flower sea of Yu City—you know Yu City, right? That’s the evil cult’s southern stronghold!”
“Then Cai Pingxiu casually wrote ten large characters: ‘Cai Pingxiu will visit here in three days’ and had someone post it on the city wall. Haha, the evil cult’s nest in Yu City was in an uproar, but what could they do? Within three days, the cult members had evacuated completely, not daring to leave a single person behind. Ning Feng held feasts and toured the city, frolicking for a full seven or eight days. Only after they left did the evil cult dare to sneak back—now that’s a life worth living, to have such magnificent prestige!”
Seeing his father’s expression of longing admiration, Song Yuzhi sighed, “Father…”
“Okay, okay. I’ve said my piece. Yuzhi, you need to be smart about this. Sigh, if it weren’t for your second brother causing trouble recently, I’d want to stay a few more days. Maozhi’s temper is too hot; how can he expect to become the leader of the Six Sects in a single day? Xiuzhi can’t control Maozhi either, so I’d better hurry back.”
Song Shijun flapped his sleeves and strode out the door, grinning as he said, “Brother Yunke, let’s skip the farewell feast. If I get drunk again, I’ll have to stay another day…”
On the way down the mountain, Song Shijun suddenly grew worried. He beckoned Pang Xiongxin to his sedan chair and said, “Sixth junior brother, why don’t you stay in Qingque Town to give Yuzhi some advice?”
Pang Xiongxin smiled, “What’s the matter, Sect Leader? The third young master has been mature beyond his years since childhood. He’s more level-headed than you when it comes to decision-making.” Having grown up in Guangtian Gate, Pang Xiongxin was very close to the Song family.
Song Shijun sighed, “Even expert swimmers can drown. I’m afraid Yuzhi is too calculating and might ruin things.”
“What do you mean, Sect Leader?”
Song Shijun explained, “For a strong-willed child like Cai Zhao, when it comes to marriage, she needs either someone like her parents who are deeply in love and entrust their lives to each other or someone like Zhou Zhizhen’s foolish son who she can control—Yuzhi is neither here nor there.”
“So if Yuzhi truly has feelings for the Cai girl, he has two options now. He can either break off his engagement with Lingbo immediately and then wholeheartedly devote himself to Cai Zhao; or he can be upfront with both sets of parents and show his sincerity.”
“As long as Cai Pingchun and Ning Feng aren’t blind, they’ll see that my Yuzhi is a hundred times better than the Zhou boy. With a strong wife and a weak husband, how long can that marriage last? I think the girl is quite filial. If her parents approve and she’s not deeply in love with the Zhou boy or disgusted by Yuzhi, the marriage will naturally happen.”
“Alas, Yuzhi refuses to take either path.”
Pang Xiongxin quickly asked, “Why is that?”
Song Shijun’s expression turned somber, “Maintaining composure, keeping his cards close to his chest, neither rushing nor dawdling, waiting for things to naturally fall into place—that’s what Yuzhi’s mother taught him.”
“That does sound like Madam’s style, but isn’t it the right approach?” Pang Xiongxin nodded repeatedly. “Miss Cai’s engagement happened too early. She hasn’t thought everything through, so there’s still time for changes.”
Song Shijun shook his head, saying nothing more.
Back on Mount Jiuli, in Chuitian Hollow, Song Yuzhi gazed out the window.
A servant boy brought tea, smiling as he said, “The Sect Leader is worried about you, young master. He’s turned back three times after taking one step.”
Song Yuzhi smiled faintly, “Father is overthinking things.”
He closed the scroll in his hand. “Take these excerpts to Chunling Pavilion and deliver them personally to junior sister Zhaozao.”
The servant boy accepted the task and left.
The handsome, tall young man stood by the door. Brilliant sunlight filtered through the treetops, falling on his proud, sharp features, dazzlingly bright.
He watched the servant boy leave, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
In the scroll, he had personally copied some tales from the jianghu, including stories of killing, betrayal, estranged couples, feuding fellow disciples, and even family members slaughtering each other.
For the first fifteen years of her life, Cai Zhao only knew the jianghu as described by Cai Pingxiu, along with a bunch of romantic stories and dramatic plays.
He would gradually show her the other side—the petty, calculating world of the jianghu—through these excerpts.
It was no secret that Zhou Yuzhi’s martial arts skills and talents were unremarkable.
According to Peiqiong Manor’s rules, he might not necessarily become the next manor lord. This meant that all of this generation’s Zhou family descendants had a chance to compete for the position. However, this mediocre Young Master Zhou had a formidable fiancée.
Although this fiancée hadn’t been well-known in the jianghu before, word of her single-handedly breaking through the heavy siege at Wanshui Qianshan Cliff was spreading. Many people now knew that the Cai family had produced another extraordinary woman.
Song Yuzhi had seen most of the Zhou family descendants. Without belittling them, he knew that as long as Cai Zhao wasn’t excessively lazy, none of them would be her match in three years.
Thus, an awkward situation arose.
If Zhou Yuxi relied solely on his abilities, he couldn’t succeed as a manor lord; but with Cai Zhao’s help, he could.
Cai Zhao would help.
Consequently, the future Mrs. Zhou, the young manor lord’s wife, would face three conflicts:
Firstly, there would be rumors that the young manor lord was incompetent and only gained his position through his wife (although this was true);
Secondly, among the Zhou family descendants who originally had a chance to compete for the position, even if some accepted it graciously, others would certainly resent it;
Thirdly, in the future, who would truly be in charge of Peiqiong Manor? If it were Zhou Yuxi, some would object; if it were Cai Zhao, others would still object.
As time passed, how could the Zhou family remain harmonious under these three conflicts? How could the couple stay happy? To maintain peace, Cai Zhao would inevitably have to compromise and yield.
Song Yuzhi looked up at a line of geese flying high in the sky. His cold, profound features broke into a delightful smile, like a phoenix soaring ninety thousand miles. The maidservants passing by the corridor all blushed at the sight.
Just like him and Qi Lingbo, Cai Zhao and Zhou Yuxi weren’t a good match either.
Zhaozao was intelligent; she would figure it out.
If she hadn’t thought about it before, he would gradually point it out to her.
Zhaozao would slowly realize that in the vast world, among the Northern Chen Six Sects, only the two of them were truly suitable for each other.
Water flows downhill, wind blows where it will, winter gives way to spring, ice melts, and snow thaws—nothing in the world is more natural than this.
As long as one follows the natural course of things, what in the world cannot be accomplished?
Outside Qingque Town.
Pang Xiongxin was still trying to persuade Song Shijun: “I witnessed Miss Cai’s solitary charge into Wanshui Qianshan Cliff that night. She was indeed like a fierce fire and a soaring hawk! But let’s be honest, before the third young master was injured, he was still slightly superior to Miss Cai. Looking at it this way, is there anyone more suitable for our third young master among the Northern Chen Six Sects? Sect Leader, you needn’t worry. I think this match can work out.”
After offering this clumsy advice, the burly man slipped away.
Song Shijun remained alone in his sedan chair, sighing deeply. Having navigated the complexities of human relationships for many years, he knew well that matters of the heart often defied logic.
What would it take for his son to understand that relationships couldn’t be calculated so meticulously?
Because, in this world, there are always people who like to make things difficult for themselves.