Translator: CinderTL
Two days later, Xu Sanyan pushed open the door of his room, tilted his head slightly to gaze at the setting sun on the horizon, and slowly exhaled a long breath.
These past two days had exhausted him.
It should be about time, Xu Sanyan thought to himself. He had deliberately hidden himself to observe how things would ultimately unfold.
If the Wang Family remained hostile toward him, he would have no choice but to leave Thousand Autumns City and seek another place to settle.
But if Wang Zixuan's plan succeeded, he could marry into the Wang Family, use their influence to conceal his true identity, and perhaps even gain some advantages along the way.
"Young Master Lin..."
The young woman inside the room, fully dressed, limped over to him, leaning against the wall for support. Each step sent a searing pain through her body.
Xu Sanyan gently pinched her cheek and casually pulled a handful of spirit stones from his storage pouch, stuffing them into her bosom. "You served me well. I'll come back again when I have time."
"Young master, I don't want spirit stones. I want to go with you..."
Of course, Xu Sanyan had no intention of taking her with him. Ignoring her pleas, he flicked his sleeve dismissively. "Be good now. I'll come back to see you when I have time."
He didn't even know the girl's name, nor did he care to ask. This was simply a consensual transaction; what need was there for formalities?
Though this girl lacked the sophistication of the courtesans in the brothels, her youth and beauty, coupled with her naive innocence, made her all the more appealing.
"Then you must come back..." The girl's face showed reluctance as she watched Xu Sanyan disappear into the fading glow of the setting sun.
Inner City,
In the garden of the Wang Family estate, Wang Zixuan gazed at the young man before her with a helpless expression. She tried several times to speak, but he kept interrupting, showering her with incessant concern.
"Cousin, I heard you were injured as soon as I returned. I was so worried! I dropped everything and rushed here immediately. This is a Bone-Mending Pill I got from Father. Take it right away."
The young man seated himself at the stone table, reaching for Wang Zixuan's hand, but she subtly evaded his touch. Undeterred, he continued, "Who dared to hurt you? I'll bring them back here myself! How dare they lay a hand on a member of the Wang Family!"
He stared at Wang Zixuan's injured arm, his face contorted with indignation and heartache, as if he himself had been wounded.
"Once I find them, I'll tear them limb from limb to avenge you, Cousin."
"Cousin, there's no need for such drastic measures," Wang Zixuan finally managed to interject, refusing the pill. "I just tripped and fell. Please take back the Bone-Mending Pill. Seventh Grandfather has already examined me. It's nothing serious—just needs some rest."
The young man's face stiffened as he saw the medicinal pill being pushed back. Realizing he wasn't welcome, he pressed his lips together and said, "Very well. If Seventh Grandfather says it's nothing serious, then it must be true. In that case, I won't disturb you any further. Rest well and recover, Sister."
"Alright, I'll see you out, Cousin," Wang Zixuan replied without a hint of reluctance, as if she couldn't wait for him to leave.
The young man took a deep breath, suppressing his inner irritation while maintaining a warm smile. "Sister, please don't trouble yourself. I'll visit again another day."
The moment he stepped out of the courtyard, the smile vanished from his eyes, replaced by a stubborn, malevolent glint.
If it weren't for your powerful mother, who would bother chasing after you so relentlessly?
What do you have to offer? Your Initial Stage Dao Seeking cultivation level? Or just your young, pretty face?
Pah!
The young man spat inwardly and strode away.
Wang Zixuan sighed inwardly, a hint of resignation on her lips. She saw through her cousin's intentions perfectly. His fervent attention was nothing more than a ploy to gain favor with her mother, leveraging her influence and status.
The Wang Family's internal dynamics were complex, with the Eighth-Generation Ancestor and clan head at the top, followed by several elders and various Madams.
"Although the Wang Family, a great clan, distinguished between 嫡 (legitimate) and 庶 (illegitimate) children, the distinction wasn't as rigid as one might imagine.
In this world, strength reigned supreme. Once you possessed sufficient power, the status of being a legitimate or illegitimate child mattered far less.
Thus, even though Wang Zixuan wasn't a legitimate daughter, she had a formidable mother!
The Third Madam's family wielded considerable influence. While not on par with the Wang Family, they were still one of the most prominent clans in the Chaotic Cloud Mountains.
Combined with her own impressive cultivation level and iron-fisted management, the Third Madam commanded significant authority within the Wang Family. Countless individuals sought to curry favor with her, the young man being just one example.
Wang Zixuan had long understood these dynamics, which was why she rarely grew close to others. She avoided attracting the attention of those with ulterior motives, lest she bring unnecessary trouble to her mother.
After the young man departed, the Third Madam emerged from the long corridor and slowly approached Wang Zixuan from behind. She reached out and drew her daughter into a warm embrace, the two appearing as intimate as sisters from a distance.
The Third Madam tenderly stroked her daughter's cheek. "Xuan'er, we've found him. Go bring him back. Mother wants to meet him."
"Ah!"
Wang Zixuan looked up at her mother, her voice as clear and bright as a lark's song. "Mother, you're the best! I love you the most!"
The Third Madam was utterly helpless against her daughter's charms. She could only playfully flick Wang Zixuan's nose and sigh, "You little rascal... I must have owed you something in my past life."
"Hehe..."
The Third Madam had come to terms with the situation. Whatever the man's motives might be, keeping a close eye on him would suffice. A mere Soul Refining Realm cultivator couldn't possibly stir up any trouble within the Wang Family.
Moreover, this arrangement had its advantages. By having her daughter marry a live-in son-in-law, the two of them wouldn't have to separate and could continue living together.
"I'll go right now!"
Wang Zixuan couldn't wait another moment. She sprang to her feet, eager to find Brother Lin, the man she had been longing for day and night.
She had discovered that with each passing day, her longing for Brother Lin only deepened. Time had done nothing to diminish her yearning.
Now, her mind could hold nothing else—it was entirely filled with thoughts of Brother Lin.
"Go ahead, dear. I'll wait here for him."
"Mm-hmm!" Wang Zixuan nodded emphatically.
On the long street, Xu Sanyan stopped and turned to face the two men who had been openly "following" him. He waved at them with a hint of resignation.
The two men stepped forward and bowed slightly. Third Madam had instructed them not to "invite" him back, but simply to keep an eye on him.
"Are you from the Wang Family?" Xu Sanyan asked.
"Yes, Young Master Lin."
"Why are you following me?"
The two men exchanged glances. One of them replied, "To ensure your safety, young master."
"Protect me?" Xu Sanyan's lips twitched. Looking at their Dao Seeking Realm cultivation levels, he wondered where their confidence came from.
Though their cultivation was low, their presence sent a clear signal: the Wang Family harbored no immediate ill will toward him. Otherwise, they wouldn't have sent such weak guards.
"Brother Lin~!"
A shout echoed from the far end of the street. Xu Sanyan looked up, a smile instantly spreading across his face. "Xuan'er, you're here!"
Wang Zixuan arrived with two guards in tow. After the previous incident, Third Madam realized that even within the Wang Family's territory, her daughter wasn't entirely safe and had arranged for personal protection.
"Brother, come quickly! Mother agreed!" Wang Zixuan grabbed Xu Sanyan's arm, her face glowing with excitement.
"What did your mother say?" Xu Sanyan asked, wanting to understand the situation before rushing off.
(End of the Chapter)
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