Chapter 365: Little Jade Sister, Help Your Sister
Because of her eldest grandson’s death, Madam Shen suffered a great blow. Although there were no obvious changes on the surface, that was just her pretending to avoid bothering everyone. Being bedridden was the best proof.
“Grandmother, are you feeling any better?” Liu Biao asked knowingly after entering the bedroom.
“Much… much better! Don’t worry about me, just focus on handling your elder brother’s funeral affairs properly,” Madam Shen replied, slightly out of breath.
“Rest assured, I’ve already made arrangements with the servants for my elder brother’s funeral. Since you’re bedridden, I can’t neglect you either!” Liu Biao embellished his own concern before impatiently getting to the main point. “Grandmother, I want to talk to you about Yue’er. She’ll be back in a few days to attend the funeral. My intention is that once she’s back, she shouldn’t go out again. She should find a good family to marry into. She’s not young anymore. I think the Hai family is a good match; they are influential and powerful. If we can form a marriage alliance with them, it will greatly benefit the Liu family.”
“You can rest assured about that. Three years ago, your elder brother and I made an agreement. If she can’t complete her mission by the end of the year, she will naturally comply with the family’s arrangements. Everyone in the Chen family knows about this matter,” Madam Shen said as calmly as possible.
“What if she completes the mission?” Liu Biao carefully probed.
“If she completes the mission, I will naturally keep my promise, and her marriage will be her own decision,” Madam Shen stated very clearly.
Liu Biao’s expression instantly turned cold, and he said in a frosty tone, “Grandmother, a child’s marriage has always been decided by the elders. What logic is there in them deciding for themselves? Isn’t your decision too hasty?”
“Hasty? I don’t think so. As the acting clan leader, you should be most aware of the situation at the Yongning Prefecture branch. If Yue’er can double the profits there within two years, it’s enough to prove this child’s business acumen. She has the right to decide her own marriage!” Madam Shen stated her reasoning.
“Doubling the profits of a small branch is nothing. Once we form a marriage alliance with the Hai family, the entire Juyin Auction House will benefit immensely. Don’t you understand?” Liu Biao reiterated.
“Don’t you understand? Grandmother values Yue’er’s business acumen, not those meager profits. If she can truly complete the mission, she is the future of the Liu family! Can such a child be married off carelessly? Cough, cough…” Madam Shen coughed in anger.
“In my opinion, no matter how much business acumen she has, it’s not as valuable as marrying into the Hai family,” Liu Biao remained unmoved. It was precisely because he understood the implications that he had to marry Liu Yingyue off; otherwise, his own children would never have a chance to turn things around in the future.
Madam Shen paused for a moment, her face showing a thoughtful expression. After a moment, she asked, “From what you’re saying, you are determined to marry her off, aren’t you?”
“Yes, as the Liu family’s clan leader, I must consider the future of the Liu family,” Liu Biao stated very forcefully.
“What if I disagree?” Madam Shen tested.
“Disagree? Then what can your grandson do? You are an elder, and you are advanced in age. Your grandson would not dare to contradict you. If anything were to happen to you, how would I explain it to everyone?” Liu Biao’s smile gradually froze, and naked killing intent flickered in his eyes.
“Alright, we’ll do as you say!” Madam Shen sighed.
“Thank you for your approval, Grandmother!” Liu Biao was overjoyed and then patted his chest, assuring, “Don’t worry, Grandmother! You rest and recuperate. I’ll send the necessary medicine as soon as possible.”
…
Meanwhile, Qi Huang was still traveling with the two women. Having lost their guards, the two women were extremely jumpy, often startled by the slightest rustle and breaking into a cold sweat.
“Sister Yue, Sister Weiwei, don’t worry. Good fortune smiles upon the blessed; everything will be alright,” Qi Huang said cheerfully, trying to comfort them. Without anyone else to disturb her, the world had finally quieted down, and she could peacefully admire beauties and scenery.
A wry smile appeared on Liu Yingyue’s flawless fair face. Once upon a time, she too was so innocent and carefree. Only after being battered by the harsh realities of life did she understand the dangers of this world.
“You little imp, you’re really not a cultivator!” Xia Wei, who was acting as the driver, couldn’t help but quip.
“What makes you say that?” Qi Huang asked curiously.
“Although I’m a warrior, I’ve heard that the path of cultivation is going against the heavens. Who would believe in good fortune smiling upon the blessed?” Xia Wei analyzed with reason.
“That’s why I said ‘the heavens’ I’m referring to isn’t the one above, but myself,” Qi Huang declared with great bravado.
“You? Heavens? You’re naive, more like it. Truly naive at first glance!” Xia Wei mocked.
“Why is it that when I speak the truth, no one believes me?” Qi Huang shook her head, feeling somewhat speechless. It seemed she was destined to keep a low profile! Although she was underestimated, Qi Huang didn’t take it to heart. While enjoying the beauties and scenery, her spiritual sense spread out all around, clearing any potential danger immediately.
Nothing happened during the day, and the three women stayed at an inn in a small town. Liu Yingyue and Xia Wei seemed a bit more settled, as the journey hadn’t been as perilous as they had imagined.
“Miss, why don’t you hire two more cultivators to travel with you?” Xia Wei suggested, not appearing to have completely let down her guard.
“Xia Wei, this town is so remote. Where would we find cultivators on such short notice?” Liu Yingyue retorted.
“No need, I’ve already said it, I am a cultivator.” Qi Huang quickly stated, but was, as usual, ignored by the two women.
“Isn’t Brother Huang a cultivator? You can use the Thousand Li Sound Transmission Device to ask him for help,” Xia Wei suggested after a moment of thought.
“Aren’t you afraid he’ll find someone as naive as me?” Qi Huang couldn’t help but tease.
“When adults are talking, children should shut up!” Xia Wei couldn’t help but roll her eyes at Qi Huang.
“I’m already seventeen, how am I a child?” Qi Huang retorted indignantly.
“There’s no more time. Father’s funeral is on the 19th,” Liu Yingyue shook her head.
“How about we tell Madam about the difficulty? If possible, ask her to find someone to choose another auspicious date for Master,” Xia Wei said cautiously.
“What nonsense are you talking about? Can such things be changed just like that? Father has waited for me for three years. Now that he has passed away, how could I bear to make him wait any longer?” Liu Yingyue immediately reprimanded. Xia Wei was stunned by the scolding and dared not speak again. In truth, she knew her suggestion was extremely rebellious, but wasn’t the living more important than the dead?
The next day, Liu Yingyue woke up early to urge them on, and the three women set off again. Qi Huang, as usual, was responsible for their safety, so the rest of the day passed without any danger. Liu Yingyue was solely focused on rushing, thus missing the last small town and eventually having to camp in the wilderness.
“Fortunately, we didn’t get rid of this carriage. Otherwise, in this situation, we’d just have to sleep on the ground,” Liu Yingyue said with lingering fear.
Girls are naturally clean, and after a day of traveling, they felt uncomfortable all over. Therefore, Liu Yingyue and Xia Wei decided to heat some water to wash their bodies. The reason they didn’t bathe was firstly because there were no large wooden tubs, and secondly, it was already winter, and the cultivation world had heavy yin energy, making the creek water extremely cold, which no one could endure.
Xia Wei wanted to help, but her young lady stopped her, reasoning that someone had to be on guard at all times, and as the strongest fighter, there was no doubt who that should be. Although Qi Huang, as a cultivator, didn’t need to bathe frequently, she felt awkward just watching, so she pitched in.
After a while, the water was hot. Liu Yingyue carried some in a wooden basin into the carriage. Even in the wilderness, as a young lady of a distinguished family, she couldn’t possibly undress in the open, especially with the cold outside. Qi Huang gazed enviously at the carriage, noticing how the curtains swayed gently with the breeze, revealing slight gaps. She couldn’t help but swallow her saliva. Unfortunately, she had the desire but not the courage; she dared not look closely or use her spiritual sense to peep.
“Little Jade Sister, come in and help your sister.” Just then, Liu Yingyue’s soft, charming voice suddenly called out.
“Help… help with what?” Qi Huang asked foolishly.
“Help me wipe my back! It’s really inconvenient for me to do it alone, so I have to trouble you to help,” Liu Yingyue said with a hint of pleading.
