Chapter 36: Visiting Auntie

Zhang Yue'e was born into the Zhang family of Nanyan County, a cultivation family that, at its peak, boasted three Foundation Establishment cultivators and controlled three counties.

Zhang Yue'e was the second daughter of Zhang Jiacheng, the head of the Zhang family. Her cultivation aptitude was average. At sixteen, she married into the Wang family in a grand ceremony.

Zhang Yue'e had been married into the Wang family for twenty-five years and had two sons with Wang Mingcai. Their elder son, Wang Changge, was twenty-two and had reached the sixth level of Qi Refinement, while their younger son, Wang Changyi, was fourteen and at the fourth level of Qi Refinement.

She was usually responsible for raising Snow Cloud Chickens, which were family property. However, she also raised several low-grade Rank 1 spirit fish, bringing her an annual profit of thirty to forty spirit stones. She saved all her accumulated spirit stones and gave them to her two sons, hoping they could progress further on the path of cultivation.

One day at noon, she returned home to cook for her two sons, as usual.

Wang Mingcai was quite busy and rarely came home for lunch.

For lunch, there was purple sweet potato porridge, a plate of dried tofu, and three large steamed buns. Wang Changge was stationed at the quarry and couldn't come back, so only Zhang Yue'e and Wang Changyi were present.

After Wang Changyi finished eating, he returned to his room to rest. Zhang Yue'e began clearing the dishes.

Just as she finished clearing the dishes, Wang Mingcai rushed in.

"My dear, lunch is already finished. Please go rest in your room for a bit, and I'll call you when dinner is ready."

Wang Mingcai shook his head and said, "I've already eaten. Changyi is in his room, right? Please get ready; we need to go back to your maiden home."

Zhang Yue'e paused, slightly bewildered, and asked, "My father's birthday has long passed. Why are we going back to my maiden home now?"

"Uncle Nine was attacked and unfortunately killed on his way back. Investigations confirmed that the Song, Sun, and Liu families of Pingyang County jointly attacked our Wang family. Second Uncle instructed us to go back to your maiden home. I need to have a good talk with your father. If I recall correctly, your sister Yuejiao married the head of the Sun family. Second Uncle hopes your father can mediate; a complete fallout would benefit no one."

Zhang Yue'e frowned slightly and said, "Why would the Sun family suddenly attack our Wang family? Both sides are family; my father wouldn't side with either your Wang family or the Sun family."

"I know. I just want your father to mediate. If our two families really start fighting, it won't benefit anyone. Third Brother promised me that if your father can get the Sun family to stop, Changyi will receive an additional two catties of mid-grade Rank 1 spirit grain every month from now on."

Zhang Yue'e's eyes lit up. She asked, "Really? Did Third Brother actually say that?"

Wang Mingcai nodded and said, "Of course it's true. Why would I lie to you? Third Brother said it in front of several of his brothers. If we handle this well, we'll have made a significant contribution to the family. It's only right that Third Brother gives Changyi an extra two catties of mid-grade Rank 1 spirit grain every month. Changyi is at the optimal age for cultivation right now; if he can consume an additional two catties of mid-grade Rank 1 spirit grain monthly, his cultivation speed will increase."

"That's wonderful! Let's leave immediately then. My father enjoys spiritual wine; we should buy a jar of Azure Bamboo Brew to take back. If the old man is happy, mediating will definitely not be a problem."

Knowing that this matter concerned her son's future cultivation resources, Zhang Yue'e became very invested and actively offered suggestions.

Soon, Wang Mingcai's family of three left Qinglian Mountain and flew towards Nanyan County.

***

Zhao Yuhui was already an elderly woman of 141 years. She was one of the two Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Zhao family and also the most senior member by generation.

Zhao Yuhui did not marry out; instead, she took a live-in son-in-law. She had two sons and one daughter. Her daughter had already married out, and her elder son had passed away. Her younger son, Zhao Ziheng, was the head of the Zhao family, responsible for all family matters. Unless it was something exceptionally important, Zhao Ziheng would not disturb Zhao Yuhui's cultivation.

One afternoon, Zhao Ziheng arrived at the pavilion where Zhao Yuhui resided. He gently knocked three times on the door and said, "Mother, Auntie's husband is here, and so is Cousin Mingyuan's family."

A slightly hoarse voice came from inside the pavilion: "My birthday isn't for another half a year. Why are they here now?"

The door swung open, and an elderly woman in a green robe, well past seventy, emerged. The old woman had kind eyes and a benevolent expression, her face full of wrinkles but with a ruddy complexion. She held a green staff in her right hand.

Zhao Ziheng shook his head and said, "I'm not sure, but I noticed that Auntie's husband and Cousin Mingyuan look very anxious. Perhaps something happened to the Wang family. They are currently in the living room."

Zhao Yuhui pondered for a moment, then instructed, "Tell the kitchen to prepare a table of food and wine. They've come a long way, so we mustn't be impolite. I'll go see them now. Oh, and have Ningxiang and Ningxuan come to the living room to keep them company."

"Yes, Mother."

In the living room, Wang Yaozu, Wang Mingyuan, Liu Qing'er, and Wang Changsheng were seated. Wang Yaozu and Wang Mingyuan looked anxious, while Wang Changsheng appeared bewildered.

Wang Changsheng had been refining artifacts when Wang Yaozu suddenly came for him and brought him to Butterfly Valley. Butterfly Valley was the family residence of the Zhao family in Guangyuan County. Wang Changsheng's deceased grandmother was the biological younger sister of the Zhao family's Old Matriarch. By seniority, the Zhao family's Old Matriarch was Wang Changsheng's maternal grand-aunt.

Wang Mingyuan's ability to become the head of the Wang family was due not only to his fair dealings but also to Zhao Yuhui's strong support. Every year for Zhao Yuhui's grand birthday, Wang Yaozu would bring Wang Changsheng to the Zhao family to offer congratulations. After Wang Mingyuan became family head, he had been too busy with family affairs and hadn't visited the Zhao family for a long time. In Wang Changsheng's memory, his maternal grand-aunt was kind and doted on him. However, in recent years, being stationed in Ping'an County, he hadn't been able to attend her birthday celebrations.

Wang Yaozu hesitated slightly, then asked a middle-aged man sitting nearby as a companion, "Zijun, is Eldest Sister not at home?"

The middle-aged man, with an honest face, was about forty years old. Zhao Zijun smiled politely and said, "Nephew is unaware of Auntie's whereabouts, but if Auntie is available, she will surely come out to meet you. Please wait a moment, Auntie's husband."

"Yaozu, it's only been a year since we last met, why has your temperament become so impatient?" Zhao Yuhui's voice came from outside. As soon as the words fell, Zhao Yuhui strode in, a warm smile on her face.

Zhao Ziheng stood behind her, and behind Zhao Ziheng, a tall, thin man with refined features, around twenty years old, dressed as a scholar, and a woman in a green long dress, about fifteen or sixteen, with fair skin, delicate features, and a graceful, appealing figure, followed.

"Eldest Sister, you still look so radiant." Wang Yaozu forced a smile and offered a polite compliment.

"I'm old and no longer useful," Zhao Yuhui said, shaking her head and casting a meaningful glance at Wang Mingyuan. "Speaking of which, Mingyuan hasn't come to see me in a long time. What prompted you to visit me today?"

Wang Mingyuan quickly explained, "Auntie flatters your nephew. Your nephew has always thought of you, but family affairs have been so demanding that I couldn't get away. This time, your nephew specifically came to visit you."

"Yes, Auntie!" Liu Qing'er seconded, taking out an exquisite food box from her storage pouch. "A few days ago, my husband dreamt of his mother-in-law, who scolded him severely because of this. He was filled with remorse. After finishing his urgent tasks, he immediately came to visit you, Auntie. My husband knows you like the pastries from Hundred Flavors Pavilion, so he specifically bought some there."

"Having this filial piety is enough; there's no need to specially go to Hundred Flavors Pavilion for pastries. Ziheng, please accept them!"

Zhao Ziheng acknowledged and smiled, "Cousin Mingyuan, you're too polite. We are family; there's no need to be so formal."