Chapter 289: Slave Status

The Zhang Family Residence. East City Courtyard.

The early morning was cool, filled with the chirping of birds and the fragrance of flowers. This was Zhang Xinxiong's exclusive courtyard, vast and utterly luxurious. In the past, the only people allowed to move freely within this courtyard, besides its master, were Zhang Xinxiong's personal maids.

“It’s been three days,” He Yuxing said, looking at the woman in the black dress sitting calmly in the pavilion, as the morning sun rose again. It was their third day at the Zhang family residence, and they had spent all three days here. They hadn’t even been given a place to rest. Although neither of them truly needed a place to rest, as two of the thirty-three inner disciples of the Heavenly Mulberry Spirit Palace, the Zhang family’s attitude was indeed a significant issue. Was it simply because… she was a maid?

Lan Xinzi raised her chin, her red lips parting slightly. “Impatient?”

“Of course not,” He Yuxing shook his head, stating gravely, “My will cannot be broken by three days. Not just three days, I could wait three years, even thirty years! As long as…” He gazed at Lan Xinzi, but could only see her exquisite profile, and he sighed. “Once I rise, this Zhang family, for daring to treat you like this, will have no value left.”

Lan Xinzi’s lips curved into a smile as she lowered her head, and He Yuxing was captivated.

“Let’s go!” The woman in the black dress suddenly stood up, looking towards the east. As the east awakened, her standing seemed to illuminate the world.

“Where are we going?” He Yuxing asked.

“After waiting three days, where else do you think we’re going? Back home? Has that old man Zhang Taiying agreed to see you?” He Yuxing was surprised. He looked around but saw no movement, nor did he detect any spiritual will or thought. How had Lan Xinzi known?

“Just a telepathic message between master and servant,” the woman in the black dress said softly, as if sensing his thoughts, and then walked away.

Just as He Yuxing was about to follow, the woman ahead said, “Wait for me here. Don’t go anywhere.”

“Wait?” He Yuxing paused. Honestly, he was uneasy. Deep down, there was nothing he detested more than “waiting.”

He moved his foot.

“Wait for me!” The undeniable voice came again. He Yuxing took a deep breath, finally stood still, and watched Lan Xinzi depart.

“Wait…” A self-mocking expression flickered across his face, but it quickly vanished, replaced by an unyielding resolve. He Yuxing sat down, tapping the table with his hand, a fierce fire reigniting in his eyes. “Wait!”

***

The main hall of the Zhang Family Patriarch's Residence.

Seated on the gilded main chair was an exceptionally tall man, dressed in opulent robes, with a pair of piercing eyes. His right arm was severed at the root, yet as he sat, his demeanor lost not an iota of its imposing presence, still like a giant. The sheer terrifying aura, capable of crushing all things, was enough to make everyone prostrate themselves.

“How are the preparations for the City Lord’s Mansion banquet coming along?” Zhang Taiying rested with his eyes closed, leaning back in his chair, looking somewhat languid.

The steward, bowing low, hurried forward and reported, “Everything is ready. We’ve even obtained the unique scroll of ‘Heaven’s Mystery Art’ that you specifically sought for the Deputy City Lord. This plan is sure to be foolproof. Furthermore, with the Zhang family’s thriving development in recent years, we are sure to secure even more spots for the White Cavern this time. Perhaps even a double-digit number!” The steward beamed, seemingly trying to lift the man’s spirits, but there was no reaction.

“White Cavern spots…” Zhang Taiying rubbed his brow, and as his eyes opened, their piercing gaze directly caused the steward to recoil. “Tell me,” he said, “sometimes, isn’t all this preparation pointless?” He seemed to be still addressing the steward, but his gaze was fixed intently on the woman in the black dress kneeling in the hall, his tone chilling. “The one who should be alive hasn’t come to see me, yet there are plenty of messy things appearing!”

With a thud, the steward immediately fell to his knees. “This subordinate deserves death!”

Zhang Taiying sneered, looking back at him. “Deserves death? What have you done wrong?”

“I…” The steward’s face turned ashen, his back drenched in cold sweat, utterly unable to utter a word.

Zhang Taiying waved his hand, clearly not wanting to overly burden this old steward who had followed him for over a decade. He was merely having trouble controlling his emotions. “That’s enough. You can preside over the meeting inside on my behalf. There must be no mishaps at the City Lord’s Mansion banquet this time.”

The steward stood up, nodding repeatedly. “Yes, yes.”

“Patriarch!” A sudden female voice rose, halting Zhang Taiying’s steps.

The steward’s face turned green as he glared at the kneeling woman, his gaze seemingly capable of devouring her. Couldn’t she see the Patriarch’s state was already troubled? In this situation, how dare she speak? Couldn’t she just wait a little longer?

Lan Xinzi, however, couldn’t wait. Seeing Zhang Taiying pause and then prepare to leave again, she spoke up once more to stop him. “Patriarch!”

The steward took a step back, his face as pale as paper. He feared the splatter of blood.

Zhang Taiying finally stopped, glancing at the woman in the black dress on the ground, his eyes cold, his voice mocking. “With Xionger’s death, you wish to be freed from servitude?”

At these words, the other maids and servants in the hall trembled and collectively fell to their knees. Heaven knew, ever since the news of Zhang Xinxiong’s death arrived, the entire Zhang family had endured immense suffering. Though the Patriarch hadn’t explicitly said it, anyone who dared mention anything related to “death” or “Xiong” would forfeit their life. And now, this maid, who had been away from the family for a full seven years, had directly brought up the idea of being freed from servitude immediately after Zhang Xinxiong’s death. If this wasn’t seeking death, what was it?!

The hearts of everyone present turned cold. If she wanted to die, she shouldn’t do it in such a terrifying manner! If she was truly tired of living, couldn’t she just find a rope herself? Why come here and make things difficult for all of them?

In the focus of everyone’s gaze, Lan Xinzi’s body also trembled. She dared not look up. She could face anyone with composure, but only when facing this man before her did Lan Xinzi's body involuntarily tremble. Zhang Taiying, the Zhang family patriarch, was a man who had truly risen from countless bones. Single-handedly, in a matter of years, he had led the Zhang family to become the head of the four great families in the Heavenly Mulberry Prefecture. None of that… was important! What was important was the lowliness from the depths of her soul, which did not allow Lan Xinzi to look up and speak to her master. Even though she was one of the thirty-three and had attained the rank of a Grandmaster!

“This has nothing to do with Young Master Zhang. This is my personal matter, merely…”

“You?” Zhang Taiying’s voice rose.

Lan Xinzi was interrupted but dared not make any move. Hearing him, she lowered her body even further. “This is this servant’s personal matter. Even without Young Master Zhang’s incident, I… this servant, would still bring it up!” She uttered these words almost through gritted teeth. A dream of seven years, and the humiliation of seven years. All of it should be over now! She was already a Grandmaster; she could be honored as a distinguished guest in any family, so why…

“Hmph!” Zhang Taiying let out a cold snort, like a thunderclap in the hall. He raised his left arm, twisting his wrist, and his tone became calm. “So, you’re saying you had this idea even before Xionger died?”