So, no refusal.
Zhu Xuan harboured doubts about this, or rather, suspicion. He knew full well what kind of character the Wang family had, and their reputation was hardly impressive. He refused to believe the Earth Mother was unaware, and even if they were distant relatives, could the Earth Mother truly approve? Would she marry her direct disciple into such a family?
Yet after the Zheluo Mountain Wang family released relevant rumours, the Sinan Prefecture side did not seem to make any rebuttal, and outsiders could not figure out what the Earth Mother was actually thinking.
However, the Sinan Prefecture’s attitude did indicate one thing: there had indeed been marriage discussions, otherwise the Wang family would not have dared to spout such nonsense no matter how bold they were.
Of course, thoughts were one thing, but on the surface he still laughed heartily, “That is true, a forced melon is not sweet.”
His gaze then turned to Wang Wentian, “I wonder, nephew, how things are progressing with that Miss Zhong?”
Had it been a private matter concerning an ordinary person, he would have had no interest, but matters involving the Earth Mother were different. This could already be treated as intelligence worth probing, otherwise he had a pile of his own troubles to deal with and would have no interest in being endlessly polite with some spirit plant sect.
The Wang father and son naturally understood what the Wang family’s current standing relied upon. The reason they had released rumours about the marriage discussions with the Earth Mother was precisely the same, to make the outside world believe the Wang family had a close relationship with the Earth Mother.
Although Wang Wentian was relatively young, he was not ignorant of this. Upon hearing the question, he immediately puffed out his chest a few degrees and put on a modest smile, “It is hardly worth calling progress, just normal interaction. We meet and chat when we have time. At our last meeting we agreed that she will come stay at Zheluo Mountain for a period next month, and then this nephew will formally ask her intentions.”
Zhu Xuan could not help but exchange a glance with Qi Duolai upon hearing this, for the other’s words surprised them. A young lady willing to go stay at a man’s home, did that not mean the marriage was more or less settled?
But at this moment Wang Xuetang rebuked his son, “Do not speak nonsense. When you meet the young lady, observe proper decorum. Everything must happen naturally. This sort of thing cannot be forced, do not rush to make her declare her position.”
Wang Wentian immediately stood up and responded, “Yes.”
At this point, Qi Duolai suddenly turned his head to look outside toward the bow of the boat, as if someone was looking for him. He placed the box in his hand on a nearby table and quickly went out.
After waiting in the cabin for a while, sipping tea and chatting leisurely, Qi Duolai finally hurried back in and reported to Zhu Xuan, “Commander, the identity of the masked man who killed the sea clan merman has been determined.”
The Wang father and son were both startled and exchanged a glance. The matter of someone killing the ferry merman could be said to be the most talked-about topic in the Sea Market recently, and they had naturally heard of it. They had not expected to coincidentally learn the murderer’s identity here.
Zhu Xuan was also taken aback by his trusted subordinate’s words. Had this not already been reported just now? But he quickly reacted and understood what his trusted subordinate meant. He immediately said in a deep voice, “Who is the murderer?”
“This…” Qi Duolai subconsciously glanced at the Wang father and son, hesitating to speak, looking rather troubled.
The Wang father and son immediately understood. The murderer’s identity was inconvenient to reveal in front of them, and they felt regretful in their hearts.
Wang Xuetang was still tactful. He quickly stood up to indicate he would withdraw, “Lord Zhu, your official business takes priority. We shall not disturb you.”
Wang Wentian also stood up to take his leave.
But who would have thought Zhu Xuan would extend his hand toward them, indicating there was no hurry. He turned back to ask Qi Duolai, “Do not make people withdraw for every matter. Brother Wang and I need not stand too much on ceremony. If it does not involve any secrets, you may speak freely.”
Qi Duolai glanced at Wang Wentian and mumbled, “It does not involve secrets, but speaking the murderer’s name may damage young Master Wang’s dignity.”
At these words, Zhu Xuan was naturally not the least bit surprised.
The Wang father and son, however, were astonished. They had not expected this matter could somehow be connected to them.
Wang Xuetang hurriedly said, “Mr. Qi, you must be mistaken. We would absolutely never be connected to this sort of thing.”
Zhu Xuan also spoke up, “Do not put on airs here. Since it does not involve secrets, then speak. Who is it?”
Without needing even half a word of discussion, the two directly coordinated, their cooperation seamless.
Qi Duolai then turned toward Wang Wentian and asked, “I wonder, young Master Wang, have you heard that the Earth Mother’s disciple with whom you are discussing marriage once had a fiance?”
Wang Wentian’s face instantly stiffened, somewhat embarrassed. He barely managed to reply, “I know.”
The Wang family’s marriage discussions with the Earth Mother were indeed real. Although the specific process was inconvenient to disclose to the outside world, the main truth was more or less similar to what the Wang family had released.
Actually, at the beginning, Wang Wentian had also been rather bothered by the fact that Zhong Ruochen had once had a fiance. Moreover, Zhong Ruochen’s fiance was a world-renowned scholar, known as the greatest talent under heaven. Who did not know the name of the Tanhua Scholar? He too had his pride to consider. If he married Zhong Ruochen, who knew how many people would mock him behind his back.
He wanted to switch to someone else. After all, the Earth Mother had more than one female disciple. Did not Zhong Ruochen also have a younger sister? He felt this was the same.
In the end, his father Wang Xuetang cursed him to a bloody pulp. If she were a woman of clean reputation and also the Earth Mother’s disciple, what thing was he? What qualification did the Wang family have to make such a request? That younger sister with the clean reputation was not even worth thinking about. One word and they might provoke the Earth Mother’s wrath. It was only the one with the damaged reputation that they could try asking about.
Fine, he had been scolded awake.
At first, he had thought he would endure humiliation for the sake of the Wang family. Then, upon seeing Zhong Ruochen’s flower-like beauty, his heart immediately swayed and all grievances vanished. He began longing to win Zhong Ruochen’s hand in marriage.
Now, having someone bring up Zhong Ruochen’s former fiance to his face, he naturally felt awkward. He also understood why the other party had feared speaking it would damage his dignity.
Wang Xuetang asked in alarm, “Mr. Qi, you are not saying the one who killed the merman is that Tanhua Scholar, are you?”
Qi Duolai nodded, “Precisely him.”
“…”
The Wang father and son were both left speechless.
Wang Xuetang finally managed to squeeze out a question, “How is this possible?”
Qi Duolai said, “I have no reason to deceive you. If you do not believe me, I can tell you where he is staying, and you can go confirm it yourself.”
Wang Xuetang fell silent.
Wang Wentian’s face flushed, his head half-bowed. He had not expected to encounter his beloved’s former fiance here.
This was nothing in itself, but that former fiance’s reputation was too great. Even with his connection to the Earth Mother, his own fame did not match up. The key point was that the other man had dumped Zhong Ruochen, and the woman he himself desperately sought was one the other had discarded. At this moment, he inexplicably felt a sense of humiliation.
After that, nothing more was said, and the Wang father and son took their leave.
After seeing off the guests, Qi Duolai returned to the cabin. Zhu Xuan, standing before the window, watched the father and son departing on the ferry boat, and said slowly, “Deliberately provoking?”
Qi Duolai replied, “Would the Earth Mother marry her direct disciple to him? Do you not think this should be tested?”
Zhu Xuan said, “In this sort of matter, the father and son should not have the guts to spout nonsense outside, right?”
Qi Duolai said, “Do you not find it strange? That so-called Zheluo Mountain is just a mob the Wang family gathered together. Where is there any semblance of a proper sect? They merely got rich by riding the Earth Mother’s coattails. And this Wang Wentian, we already know what kind of goods he is. At his core, he is a spoiled young master who bullies others with his backing, frequents brothels, and constantly carouses in places of pleasure. The Earth Mother, as a woman, could be considered to value her reputation. How could she marry her direct disciple to such a person?”
Zhu Xuan said, “Perhaps there are secrets we are not aware of.”
Qi Duolai said, “So we must test it. Those above also want to determine whether this marriage discussion is real or fake, do they not? Since we have the opportunity, it is better to get results sooner.”
Zhu Xuan said, “You think the Wang family can clash with A Shiheng?”
Qi Duolai said, “Wang Xuetang most likely cannot act rashly, but his good son is hard to say. He has never been short of jealous fits. Anyone with even a little discernment knows that the Earth Mother’s disciple reconciling with A Shiheng would be the best choice for restoring her reputation. I do not believe the Wang father and son are completely unaware of this. If one day A Shiheng truly reconciles with the Earth Mother’s disciple, where would the Wang family’s face go?”
Zhu Xuan smiled, “This encounter will trigger old feelings?”
Qi Duolai said, “Commander, your use of ‘trigger old feelings’ is excellent. In any case, we have done nothing. If something happens, it cannot implicate us. At most, we arrange for people to subtly provoke that young man. We will make sure he cannot endure it!”
Zhu Xuan nodded, “If something truly happens to A Shiheng, we shall see whether we can force any reaction from the Nether Temple, and see what the relationship between the two sides truly is.”
Qi Duolai clapped his hands in approval, “Exactly!”
Late at night, carrying large and small bags on her back, Hu Youli finally returned home. She had been out wandering around the entire day, her face full of exhaustion, even somewhat travel-worn.
Upon entering the door and seeing the three adults and one child all waiting for her in the ground floor hall, Hu Youli was somewhat surprised.
Little Black was the first to go over and hug her waist, looking up at her, “Hungry.”
Hu Youli’s exhaustion instantly vanished. She giggled, rubbed his head, and said, “Arranged!”
With that, she began untying the large and small bags on her back. Little Black hurriedly took the initiative to help unload things, making Hu Youli even happier. This fox demon again laughed out her shallow dimples.
The three senior and junior brothers were somewhat speechless, only now discovering that Little Black had the makings of a sycophant. For the sake of some food, was it really worth it?
After Hu Youli was freed from her burden, Nan Zhu greeted her cheerfully, “Back? How was business today?”
Hu Youli sighed, “Scraping by. Did not earn much money, and almost walked my legs off. The key is that this wandering peddling method easily gets one mistaken for a swindler. If only I could have my own shop.” At these last words, a light of longing appeared in her eyes.
Nan Zhu rubbed his large belly with both hands and laughed heartily, “Why say it so pitifully? Fine, we shall patronise your business once more.”
Hu Youli’s eyes lit up slightly, “What business?”
Yu Qing said, “Did you not say you can do woodblock carving? Help me print three thousand copies of this.” He held out a sheet of paper.
Hu Youli took it, looked at it, and exclaimed in surprise, “You are here to find your younger sister?”
Yu Qing answered a different question, “Can you do it?”
Hu Youli immediately guaranteed, “No problem, leave it to me with confidence. Only… what about the money?”
Yu Qing said calmly, “Name your own price.”
Hu Youli thought for a moment, held up five fingers, “Since you are acquaintances patronising my business, I will give you a cheaper price. Five thousand taels!”
Mu Aotie frowned, and Nan Zhu also raised an eyebrow, about to argue properly. He wanted to say that once the block was carved, printing was just a matter of a sheet of paper with a few characters. How dare she ask for more than one tael of silver per sheet?
But before he could even open his mouth, Yu Qing had already nodded, “Fine, five thousand it is.”
This time it was Hu Youli’s turn to be stunned. She had thought these people would definitely bargain with her and had left room for negotiation, one tael of silver per sheet. Who would have thought the other party did not bargain at all, so straightforward that it left her dumbfounded.