Though only sixteen years old, after sorting through all her memories, Wang Sandong suddenly felt a sense of worldly vicissitudes.
Miss Zheng, Cui San’er, Mr. Yi, Liu Ruyan…
Plus Wang Sandong’s past and present lives.
All these memories combined amounted to nearly two hundred years.
Beyond the lengthy memories, there was also a wealth of information.
It included family-secret cultivation methods like the Noble Spirit Art, the Life-Taking Sword Manual, and the Willow Leaf Blade.
There was also exceptional medical knowledge, and a health-preservation focused technique—the Spring-Returning Hand created by the world’s greatest physician, Huitian.
Unfortunately, Mr. Yi’s aptitude was poor and he never mastered it.
However, for Wang Sandong’s constitution—a waste with no Spiritual Root—these cultivation methods were all useless.
She couldn’t practice a single one.
It was like possessing beautiful jade but lacking the skill to carve it.
“Wang Tong, how is your practice of the technique I taught you going?”
In Anzhi Courtyard, Wang Sandong, drowsy from the sun, asked Wang Tong.
Wang Tong, standing attentively nearby, wiped sweat from his brow and replied, “My aptitude might not be good. Up to now, I… I haven’t made much progress.”
His voice grew softer until it was almost inaudible.
“Cultivation isn’t something to rush. Take it slowly.”
Wang Sandong offered comfort, then reconsidered.
“Perhaps that technique isn’t suitable for you. Hmm… Alright, I’ll teach you another one. Give it a try.”
This time, Wang Sandong taught Wang Tong the Life-Taking Sword Manual.
Once Wang Tong had memorized the incantation, Wang Sandong said, “Alright, strike while the iron is hot. Go practice. I don’t need your service here for now.”
Wang Tong acknowledged and withdrew.
Wang Sandong continued to close her eyes and bask in the sun.
Unlike the sweat-drenched Wang Tong, even under the blazing sun, Wang Sandong didn’t sweat.
Without a Spiritual Root, her body was extremely weak.
Practicing Huitian had also led to excessive internal cold.
That’s why she loved sunbathing.
It wasn’t that Wang Sandong couldn’t sweat.
Occasionally, she did.
Like when she was once scared into a cold sweat by Yuan Di.
Medically, this was called deficiency sweating.
Deficiencies were of four types: Yin deficiency, Yang deficiency, Qi deficiency, and Blood deficiency.
As the causes differed, so did the tonifying methods.
Not understanding medical principles and recklessly tonifying risked making things worse…
In swordsmanship, there was also the concept of a ‘deficient heart’.
A deficient heart led to timidity, making one vulnerable to the sword’s edge.
To take a life, one must first shatter their courage…
Humans are born of the Heavenly Dao and should nurture a Noble Spirit.
A heart with righteous Qi is then brave and fearless.
Wherever I go, all is illusion…
Yet, all the world’s changing techniques, their myriad forms of arrogance, are merely superficial!
Arrogance is a method to conceal deficiency—one surge, then decline, then exhaustion.
One should avoid its sharp edge, like willow branches entangling, like willow leaves piercing the air…
The stored “volume of knowledge” was truly a bit excessive.
Just thinking of anything would immediately bring a flood of related information.
Various different viewpoints mixed together, each having its own logic.
“Ha…”
Wang Sandong yawned, tears seeping out.
While wiping the corner of her eye, she spotted the back of a servant trimming flower branches not far away.
The protruding back of his head looked familiar.
Where had she seen it?
Wang Sandong frowned slightly, thought for a moment, then had a sudden realization.
Some time ago, by the Junlin River, after “she” had just disembarked from the pleasure boat, someone had brushed past her.
She had been annoyed at the time but didn’t make a fuss.
Having just expended energy on the boat girls, she couldn’t be bothered to argue.
The servant turned around, his face now towards Wang Sandong.
It was A-Gui.
The corner of Wang Sandong’s mouth lifted.
It seemed her previous suspicions could be confirmed a bit more.
This A-Gui was most likely the Disciple of the Demon Sovereign!
Wang Sandong was very curious: What was the Disciple of the Demon Sovereign’s purpose in infiltrating the Wang Family as a servant?
What was his intent in sending her a letter to sow discord between her and Yuan Di?
What was his intent in twice using Soul-Seizing to send people to provoke her?
A figure passed by A-Gui.
“Brother Teng.”
Wang Sandong called out with a smile.
Wang Yunteng smiled and nodded at Wang Sandong, then glanced at the craftsmen repairing a building not far away.
“With so many people working, isn’t it too noisy? Why not go sunbathe in the back garden?”
He said, walking over.
“Too lazy to move.”
Wang Sandong replied, then shouted loudly, “Wang Tong! We have a guest!”
A guest? Wang Yunteng was both amused and exasperated.
But he was used to Wang Sandong’s playful nature.
He didn’t take offense, not even offering a sarcastic remark.
“I came to tell you something.”
Wang Yunteng said.
“Actually, it’s not from me, but from Second Uncle. Second Uncle heard that the girl Yuan Yuan from Fengyue Tower is someone you’ve taken a fancy to.”
“Second Uncle knows about this?”
“Ha, you told so many gossips at Liu’s Rouge Shop. Naturally, the whole city knows by now.”
Wang Yunteng chuckled, then added, “Second Uncle’s meaning is, you should just buy that Yuan Yuan girl and bring her home. If a young master of the Wang Family leaves a girl he fancies in a brothel, it’ll become a laughingstock.”
Wang Sandong laughed along.
“This matter isn’t important enough for Brother Teng to make a special trip, is it?”
Wang Yunteng nodded somewhat awkwardly.
“Even if you like her, you can’t be reckless. After all, your body is too weak. If something were to happen…”
He paused, then said with a bitter smile, “These words aren’t something an uncle can easily say to you. So, it falls to me.”
Wang Sandong sighed, clicking her tongue.
“If something were to happen, it would be detrimental to the Wang Family’s reputation.”
Wang Yunteng fell silent for a moment, then sighed.
“Considering the family’s reputation is, of course, a natural thing to do.”
“Mmm, Brother Teng is right.”
Wang Sandong thought for a moment.
“I’ll consider it.”
She changed the subject.
“Why is that fellow Cui Er’s wedding set for the ninth? Celebration Day has already passed. Many families choose to hold weddings on Celebration Day itself.”
Wang Yunteng sighed.
“His wife set the date.”
“In the future… it’ll be tough for him.”
Wang Sandong said.
“Jinnian says not having to manage the household himself is quite relaxing.”
Wang Yunteng said, then remembered something else and smiled wryly.
“Originally, this year for Celebration Day, Jinnian wanted to go to the New Capital to meet his fiancée and relax a bit. It was all settled, but then the girl changed her mind at the last minute.”
He sighed and shook his head.
“Jinnian had already promised many people to bring back New Capital specialties.”
Plans already made, changed by someone else’s sudden whim.
One could imagine Cui Jinnian’s mood wouldn’t be great.
Wang Sandong frowned, recalling the Cui family’s attitude towards Cui Jinnian, and sighed.
“He should be used to this sort of thing.”
“Yes. This marriage is the same. The girl previously said she wouldn’t marry until she broke through in her cultivation.”
Wang Yunteng said with a bitter smile.
“I don’t know why, but she suddenly set the wedding for the ninth.”
He sighed again, then laughed.
“I used to think your sister-in-law’s temper was infuriating enough. But compared to this…唉.”
Speaking of his wife…
Wang Sandong suddenly thought of someone.
“Right, doesn’t my sister-in-law have a younger sister? Is she married?”
“Married? Pfft.”
Mentioning that sister-in-law, Wang Yunteng’s face clearly showed disdain.
The usually refined man actually uttered a coarse phrase.
“That little… ahem. Dozens of matchmakers have been arranged. Either she dislikes the man’s cultivation level, or she dislikes his looks. If the family status doesn’t match, it’s no good. If the height doesn’t match, it’s no good. Too fat, no good. Too thin, still no good… Last time I introduced someone to her. It’s fine if she didn’t fancy him, but she even scolded me, saying I looked down on her, introducing just anyone… At that time, I really wanted to retort: She should at least take a piss and look at her reflection. Doesn’t she know what she’s like? And she’s still picking and choosing.”
He was genuinely angry, getting worked up as he spoke.
He glanced at Wang Sandong’s waist.
“With those elephant legs of hers, her calves are thicker than your waist.”
Wang Sandong couldn’t help but laugh.
“Stop joking, how is that possible?”
She said, reaching to pinch her own waist, then remembered the girl’s figure from her impressions.
“Uh… seems like it really might be…”
That girl’s calves were truly thick, and Wang Sandong’s waist was truly slender.
“Her parents are also…”
Wang Yunteng started, then suddenly looked warily towards the entrance of Anzhi Courtyard, lowering his voice.
“I’ve noticed that many people’s confidence is given to them by their parents.”
Wang Sandong burst out laughing.
She laughed until her face turned red.
Feeling her heartbeat become irregular, she quickly suppressed her laughter, slowly calming her breathing.
“Whew… Brother Teng, does that sister-in-law of yours still often pick fights with you?”
Wang Sandong asked.
“Hmph.”
Wang Yunteng frowned.
“Guess how she scolded me last time?唉, a woman, unmarried, the filthy words she uttered… I, a grown man, am too ashamed to repeat them.”
“You’ve been putting up with it all along? She probably thinks you’re easy to bully.”
Wang Yunteng sighed and nodded.
“You’re right. Last time she scolded me, I ignored her, and she actually tried to hit me. Your sister-in-law stopped her.”
Wang Sandong grinned, not hiding her mockery in the slightest, speaking bluntly and even rudely.
“You, putting on a proper face in public, but at home you’re also a pushover.”
Wang Yunteng wasn’t angry, just resigned.
“It’s not that bad. Your sister-in-law is alright. It’s mainly her family… too…唉, your sister-in-law also can’t bring herself to be harsh. Let’s not talk about this. It’s pointless.”
“I think it’s because she lacks a man, her personality twisted from pent-up frustration.”
Wang Sandong laughed.
“How about this, I’ll introduce someone to her?”
As she spoke, Wang Sandong casually glanced at A-Gui, who was still trimming flowers not far away.
For such a small flower bed, he had been trimming for a long time and still wasn’t finished.
Wang Yunteng looked at Wang Sandong suspiciously.
“You spend all day either sunbathing or visiting brothels. How many people could you know… Uh, it’s not some man you met in a brothel, is it? Don’t bother. She said she absolutely won’t accept any man who’s been to a brothel.”
Wang Sandong pursed her lips, smiling.
“Whether it works out or not, let them meet. What if it does? Arranging a marriage is a virtuous deed that accumulates merit. Alright, let’s say at three-quarters past three in the afternoon, at the Clear Tea House. I’ll host. You get your sister-in-law to come out.”
“Really? You’re serious?”
“Can I joke about something like this?”
Seeing Wang Sandong’s serious expression, Wang Yunteng nodded.
“In that case, I’ll go back right now and have your sister-in-law tell her.”
“Good.”
Wang Sandong looked again at A-Gui pretending to be busy, thinking of the scheme for the afternoon, and couldn’t help but feel amused.
Daring to repeatedly use Soul-Seizing to control others and cause trouble?
Think this young master is easy to bully?
First, I’ll toy with you a bit!
Test the waters.
If there’s an opportunity…
The memories of a Disciple of the Demon Sovereign would surely be very valuable.
However…
Since he’s a Disciple of the Demon Sovereign, his strength shouldn’t be underestimated.
At the very least, it’s not something the current her could handle.
His Soul-Seizing technique was truly insidious and hard to guard against—a sinister demonic art that could control people without them realizing it.
Perhaps she had already been affected by Soul-Seizing?
Probably not, right?
If not, what if that guy, cornered this time, uses Soul-Seizing on her…
Wang Sandong was well aware of the strength of that sister-in-law’s younger sister.
That heavyweight girl, if not exceptionally strong, how could she make the relatively refined Wang Yunteng lose his composure just mentioning her?
So…
“Wang Tong! Prepare the carriage!”
Wang Sandong decided to bring Yuan Di along to the Clear Tea House for the meeting, just to be prepared.
Soon, the carriage arrived at Fengyue Tower.
Wang Sandong entered the front hall and saw Yueniang having her clothes groped by a customer.
Not wanting to disturb Yueniang’s ‘good time,’ she headed straight for the backyard.
In the pavilion outside the backyard building, Yuan Di was drinking tea with someone.
Seeing Wang Sandong arrive, Yuan Di stood up and bowed.
“Third Young Master has arrived.”
Wang Sandong was stunned.
Yuan Di’s attitude was very strange.
Only when the person sitting across from Yuan Di, with their back to Wang Sandong, turned to look did Wang Sandong suddenly understand.
“Uh, Zheng Xiao? What are you doing here?”
Seeing Zheng Xiao, Wang Sandong was very surprised.
Zheng Xiao smiled and asked in return, “Can’t I come?”
“Cough, you’re a woman. What woman visits a brothel?”
Wang Sandong said with a bitter smile.
“Aren’t you afraid of being laughed at?”
“Those who cultivate need not be bound by trivial conventions.”
Zheng Xiao smiled, looking at Yuan Di, still addressing Wang Sandong.
“Your taste is good. Miss Yuan’s beauty is peerless, her intelligence innate, and her insight profound, her demeanor elegant and composed. Though fallen into the world of pleasure, she is still a good match.”
Yuan Di gave a slight bow, modestly saying, “Miss Zheng praises me too highly. This humble one is of common stock, fortunate to have gained Third Young Master’s favor, and dare not harbor improper thoughts.”
Her respectful and cautious attitude was a rare sight.
“Ha…”
Seeing Yuan Di’s gentle, maidenly demeanor, Wang Sandong actually couldn’t help but laugh.
Favor?
If I had something to ‘favor’ with, I’d ‘favor’ you to death!
Seeing both Yuan Di and Zheng Xiao look at her, Wang Sandong quickly stopped laughing, cleared her throat, and said, “Drinking tea? I’m just thirsty.”
She walked into the pavilion and sat down boldly between the two, her gaze sweeping over Zheng Xiao’s face before finally settling meaningfully on Yuan Di.
Yuan Di wore no makeup, no deliberate adornment, yet she still outshone Zheng Xiao.
Peerless beauty…
That was Zheng Xiao’s evaluation of Yuan Di.
Wang Sandong thought it fitting.
A doubt arose in her heart: Yuan Di, Yuan Di, are you really a man?
Thinking again of Yuan Di’s earlier words about “improper thoughts,” Wang Sandong couldn’t help but wonder: What improper thoughts?
What had the two been discussing before?