Wang Sandong had a weak constitution.
Even just sitting around drinking tea and chatting, she couldn’t stay seated for long.
Even with the Huitian technique sustaining her, ensuring she wouldn’t die easily, she didn’t dare be careless.
After leaving the Qing Tea House, Wang Sandong, Zheng Xiao, and Emperor Yuan got into the carriage one after another.
Wang Yunteng had one foot on the carriage step, but when he looked up and saw the three peerless beauties inside the carriage, he was momentarily stunned.
Suddenly, he felt he shouldn’t get on.
So he withdrew his foot.
“I just remembered I have a small matter to attend to. I won’t ride with you.”
Wang Sandong smiled.
“What matter?”
“A small thing. You go on ahead.”
Wang Yunteng waved at Wang Tong.
Wang Sandong didn’t stand on ceremony.
She ordered Wang Tong to drive off.
Thinking back to Wang Yunteng’s complicated look, Wang Sandong leaned against the soft backrest, glanced at Zheng Xiao and Emperor Yuan sitting opposite each other on the left and right, and suddenly chuckled.
“The reason my Brother Teng didn’t ride with us is quite complicated.”
Zheng Xiao smiled faintly, looking at Wang Sandong.
“Not many people can remain composed after learning my identity.”
Then she looked at Emperor Yuan, a hint of amusement and scrutiny in her eyes.
Emperor Yuan was slightly startled inwardly, but offered no explanation. She simply gave a faint smile.
She knew that rather than racking her brains to come up with a forced explanation and appearing guilty, it was better to remain silent.
Although Wang Sandong was somewhat clever, she wasn’t as crafty as Emperor Yuan.
But just as she was about to defend herself, she caught Emperor Yuan’s attitude.
She immediately shut her mouth and, like Emperor Yuan, pretended to be inscrutable.
The carriage rumbled along slowly and finally stopped in front of Fengyue Tower.
Emperor Yuan got out, performed a proper bow in farewell.
The carriage moved on.
Zheng Xiao said, “If I were a man, I would also fall for Miss Yuan. You have good taste. Compared to me, Miss Yuan suits you better.”
Wang Sandong smiled, “comforting” Zheng Xiao.
“You don’t have to sell yourself short.”
Zheng Xiao suppressed a smile and nodded.
“I wasn’t. It’s just that I’m focused on cultivation and have no interest in worldly affairs. Matters of love… Heh.”
She shook her head lightly.
“No interest at all.”
“Then you still want to marry me?”
“For the sake of my family.”
“And having children?”
“Is there a conflict?”
After a brief moment of surprise, Wang Sandong laughed and replied, “No conflict at all.”
Zheng Xiao smiled along, looking at Wang Sandong with an “appreciative” gaze.
“Your smile is very infectious.”
“Haha, am I handsome?”
Zheng Xiao pursed her lips and nodded in praise.
“I’ve never seen anyone in this world with a more handsome face than yours.”
“Really?”
Wang Sandong lifted her chin slightly and asked with a grin, “Still no interest in worldly affairs?”
“Mm.”
Zheng Xiao met Wang Sandong’s eyes and smiled.
“I’m getting older. Unlike you youngsters, I’m not easily swayed by looks.”
Seeing her calm demeanor, Wang Sandong couldn’t help but sigh.
She suddenly remembered they’d talked about something similar last time.
Maybe the reason Zheng Xiao has no interest in worldly affairs is simply because she’s never tasted the sweetness of worldly pleasures.
Zheng Xiao let out a “tsk” of laughter, squinting slightly.
“I know what you’re thinking. Young people shouldn’t have such dirty thoughts.”
“How do you know I’m thinking dirty thoughts?”
“Are you not?”
“Of course not.”
Wang Sandong replied seriously.
“I was just thinking about the meaning of life.”
“What meaning?”
“Haven’t figured it out yet.”
“Then take your time.”
“Let’s talk business.”
Wang Sandong pulled two gold leaves from her bosom and handed them to Zheng Xiao.
“Is this enough?”
Zheng Xiao looked skeptical and didn’t reach out to take them.
“For the forging fee.”
“No need.”
Zheng Xiao said dismissively.
“Although the Zheng Clan has just suffered a calamity, this little bit of silver is a trivial matter.”
Ignoring the gold leaves, she thought for a moment and said, “As for Cui Jinnian’s cultivation… well, if you don’t have any special requirements, I’ll just forge him a sword at my convenience.”
“Don’t be too casual. It’s a wedding gift after all.”
Wang Sandong smiled.
“Try to forge a good sword.”
“I can do that.”
“We’re family, so I won’t thank you.”
Zheng Xiao pressed her lips into a smile.
“That’s as it should be.”
“One more thing…”
Wang Sandong thought of asking Zheng Xiao to kill Chen Youde.
“About Chen Youde… when would it be convenient for you?”
Although Wang Sandong believed Chen Youde wouldn’t strike at her for now, the longer the night, the more dreams.
Kill him early to be done with it!
Zheng Xiao pondered briefly.
“Let’s wait until after Cui Jinnian’s wedding.”
“That works too.”
Wang Sandong said.
“How is my little brother-in-law’s condition? I’ll go take a look.”
Since Zheng Xiao was willing to continue the transaction, Wang Sandong had a responsibility to treat her brother’s injury.
Bringing up a visit now made her intentions clear.
Zheng Xiao was sharp-minded and understood Wang Sandong’s meaning, so she didn’t stand on ceremony. She nodded.
“Good.”
But her tone carried a hint of powerlessness.
Her brother’s injury was a chronic ailment that required Water Essence to cure.
Fortunately, Mr. Yi had left a prescription with Wang Sandong, giving the Zheng Clan a glimmer of hope.
But that damned Zither Emperor was ruthless and had inflicted fresh wounds on her brother.
Now, even if Mr. Yi were still alive and Water Essence were available, there might be no good solution.
Still, as a brother-in-law, Wang Sandong was kind enough to visit; it wouldn’t be right to refuse.
The ruins of the Zheng Clan were still being slowly cleared.
The few remaining houses were enough to live in.
Because not only had the Zheng Clan lost many buildings, they had also lost many people.
Seeing that his elder sister Zheng Xiao had brought Wang Sandong, the Zheng Clan Head felt a flicker of doubt, but he still respectfully cupped his hands in greeting according to the Old Capital customs, addressing Wang Sandong, “Brother-in-law.”
Wang Sandong, with a touch of mischief, looked at the gray-haired but seemingly middle-aged man who was of the same generation as her grandfather Wang Fa, and said, “Worthy younger brother, how is your health?”
As she spoke, she noticed the Clan Head looked much older than when she last saw him.
Hearing the address “worthy younger brother,” the Zheng Clan Head felt a twinge of discomfort, but he replied respectfully, “Thank you for your concern, brother-in-law. I am faring well.”
“Come, let me take a look.”
Wang Sandong gestured for the Clan Head to extend his wrist for pulse diagnosis.
The Zheng Clan Head glanced at Zheng Xiao.
Seeing no particular reaction from her, he extended his hand and let Wang Sandong take his pulse.
Unlike most doctors—including Mr. Yi—who used a three-finger method, Wang Sandong first placed four fingers on the pulse, then withdrew two, leaving only her ring and little fingers.
“Are you still taking the medicine?”
“I dare not stop.”
Zheng Xiao answered.
“Mm.”
Wang Sandong fell silent for a long moment.
“Try circulating your qi.”
The Zheng Clan Head looked at Wang Sandong’s youthful, pretty face, feeling doubtful.
But seeing her serious expression, not as if she were joking, he did as told and slowly circulated his qi.
“Stop!”
Wang Sandong closed her eyes, paused.
“Again. Stop… Again.”
She repeated this several times before withdrawing her hand.
She frowned slightly, pondered for a long while, then said, “Bring brush and ink.”
Zheng Xiao looked at Wang Sandong, hesitated only briefly, then raised her hand to signal a servant to bring brush and ink.
Wang Sandong exhaled and said to the Zheng Clan Head, “Worthy younger brother, do you usually circulate your qi and regulate your breath?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t do that anymore.”
Wang Sandong said.
“Your Zheng Clan’s Noble Spirit Art is a pure yang technique, too fierce and violent. It’s not good for your injury.”
The Zheng Clan Head frowned and looked at Zheng Xiao.
Zheng Xiao said, “Using righteousness to repel evil—isn’t that correct?”
“No.”
Wang Sandong explained.
“Our little brother’s chronic illness has caused meridian damage and poor qi and blood flow. The pure yang method is a forceful suppression; it looks good on the surface but causes internal depletion… My master once said, evil should be dispersed, not annihilated…”
When she said “my master,” both Zheng Xiao and the Zheng Clan Head assumed she meant Mr. Yi.
In reality, she meant the Spring-Returning Hand.
Zheng Xiao listened carefully to Wang Sandong’s explanation.
Just then, a servant arrived with brush and ink.
Zheng Xiao stepped forward, dismissed the servant, and personally ground the ink.
She held back the words she wanted to say until Wang Sandong finished writing the prescription and explained the details.
Only then did Zheng Xiao speak.
“It seems you’ve not only inherited Mr. Yi’s true teachings but have surpassed your master.”
Wang Sandong gave a sheepish smile.
“Standing on the shoulders of giants allows you to see farther. Besides…”
Besides, Mr. Yi hadn’t understood the Noble Spirit Art.
“Besides, he’s my own little brother-in-law. Of course I’ll do my best.”
The Zheng Clan Head cupped his hands in thanks, but Wang Sandong avoided his salute.
“No need for formalities within the family.”
In truth, Wang Sandong was thinking of Miss Zheng.
I killed Miss Zheng, and now I’m saving the Zheng Clan Head…
Maybe it’ll ease my conscience a little.
“Rest well. Don’t catch a chill.”
Wang Sandong gave a few more instructions, then took her leave.
The Zheng siblings saw Wang Sandong to the gate of the mansion.
Wang Sandong got into the carriage, then lifted the curtain to remind Zheng Xiao, “Don’t forget the thing.”
Zheng Xiao said, “It will be delivered punctually on the morning of the ninth.”
“Good.”
Watching the carriage fade into the distance, the Zheng Clan Head let out a breath.
He glanced at his elder sister Zheng Xiao.
“Brother-in-law… will that prescription work?”
He still harbored doubts.
“We’ll try it.”
Zheng Xiao said.
“After all, we have no other choice.”
She turned and went back into the mansion.
Zheng Xiao added, “This marriage alliance with the Wang family… seems to have brought unexpected surprises.”
The Zheng Clan Head frowned and sighed.
“It’s just that you’re being wronged, sister.”
“It’s fine.”
Zheng Xiao smiled.
“Anyway, she’s weak and can’t do much.”
As she spoke, her smile gradually faded.
“Besides, even when I’m very close to her, I can hardly sense any life force from her. Perhaps… she doesn’t have long to live.”
The Zheng Clan Head looked at Zheng Xiao’s profile, wanting to speak but holding back.
He could tell his elder sister Zheng Xiao’s emotions were complicated.
Originally, Zheng Xiao had agreed to marry Wang Sandong in order to personally steal the Water Essence.
The initial plan was to have a younger generation marry into the Wang family as an insider, but unfortunately, that young relative had fled from the marriage.
So, to be safe, Zheng Xiao had stepped in herself.
Later, Zheng Xiao worried that the prescription Wang Sandong gave might be ineffective, so she didn’t promptly break off the engagement.
Even later, she feared the Zither Emperor would go all the way and wanted to leave a bloodline for the Zheng Clan—even though her own chances of bearing a child were very slim.
From beginning to end, Wang Sandong held little significance for the Zheng Clan.
“I’m going to forge.”
Zheng Xiao briefly explained the reason, then added, “The Cui Clan also did their best to protect our Zheng family back then. So… even if this Cui Jinnian isn’t particularly favored in the Cui Clan, the gift still needs to be meticulously prepared.”
The Zheng Clan Head replied, “I understand, brother. It’s a matter of face.”
“Mm.”
Zheng Xiao went to the forging room and busied herself.
She worked late into the night without stopping.
She was so focused on forging that she didn’t know the deep night in the Old Capital was seething with undercurrents.
In the dead of night.
The Liu residence.
In a woman’s bedchamber.
Blood had soaked the mattress.
The fat woman on the bed was decapitated, her head separated from her body.
Her eyes, as big as copper bells, were wide open, the eyeballs slightly bulging, her face full of terror.
“Heh…”
A snicker sounded by the bedside.
The murderer looked at his handiwork, very satisfied.
He loved killing, and he loved “beheadings” even more.
Slowly cutting off a person’s head was a pleasure to him.
After admiring it a little longer, he turned to leave.
But as he took a step, his expression changed drastically.
Underfoot, a mass of Demonic Qi bloomed, shaped like a Tianjue Flower, but black in color.
On the walls, ceiling, and floor, Tianjue Flowers appeared one after another, blooming in disordered succession.
Though lacking the bright redness, they were filled with a dark, cold heaviness. In an instant, the entire room was surrounded by black Tianjue Flowers.
The murderer’s face turned cold.
So the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.
“Emperor Yuan! This Old Capital is packed with experts right now.”
The murderer said coldly.
“Do you dare to make a move against me here? Aren’t you afraid I’ll burn the jade and the stone together?”
On a wall surging with Demonic Qi, Emperor Yuan stepped out from within.
She looked at the murderer with a calm smile on her face.
“The fish will definitely die. Whether the net will break… is hard to say.”
As her words fell, the surrounding Demonic Qi surged like boiling water.
But the murderer was not afraid. He said coldly, “You are no longer at your peak. Do you think you can kill me? Are you confident?”
Then he taunted, “Clearly a man, yet dressed as a woman. Ha! Do you have some special fetish?”
He reached down and grabbed his crotch, saying lewdly, “Compared to that sissy disciple of yours, your grandpa here has a sturdy body and a natural gift. Want to give it a try?”
As he spoke, Demonic Qi roiled around him, wrapping his body, making him look exaggeratedly muscular.
Emperor Yuan looked at the murderer with icy eyes, as if she were looking at a dead man.
She whispered softly, gentle yet cold, like an echo from the underworld: “Go meet the Demon Sovereign.”
With a thunderous crash.
A mass of Demonic Qi howled and smashed toward the murderer.
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