Chapter Fifteen: The Virtuous Wife, Su Yinxue

Yang Cheng had always been puzzled: could one discern a person’s cultivation level at a glance? Lu Baichuan explained with a smile that among practitioners, there were both the strong and the weak. Unless someone intentionally released their aura for others to sense, or unless one probed and tested, it was impossible to judge by sight alone. Otherwise, most people would bully the weak and fear the strong, attacking the defenseless and avoiding the powerful, and the world would soon descend into chaos.

Yang Cheng was struck by this truth—the world was indeed a muddle of all kinds. There was no such thing as a “beginner’s village” where one could steadily fight their way up to power, unchallenged by stronger foes while still weak. Some pursued the path of strength through martial prowess, honing themselves constantly, while others sought enlightenment through contemplation. A person’s strength was not determined solely by the level of their cultivation. Otherwise, if two sides clashed, they could simply compare their ranks and forgo the battle entirely. There were also factors such as the quality of their techniques, the superiority of their weapons, and many other variables. For instance, two late-stage Core Formation cultivators, wielding the same techniques and weapons, fighting to the death—their experience, skill, and state would all influence the outcome.

The two talked for a long time, and Yang Cheng finally gained a general understanding. Suddenly, something came to him and he said, “Brother Lu, I remember you once said your sworn brother’s widow is a woman of rare virtue.”

“Yes,” Lu Baichuan replied, “I only met her once, but my brother often spoke of their life together. She was once the cherished daughter of a wealthy family in Linhai City—well-educated and sensible. They eloped to this place. My brother was exceptionally gifted and obsessed with cultivation, so it was she who managed their household affairs. Sadly, they’ve fallen on hard times now, leaving only a mother and child. I had thought to visit them in secret, but I’m afraid the aftermath of that incident would bring harm upon them, so I wanted to wait for a calmer time.” After a pause, he added, “But why do you ask about her all of a sudden?”

Yang Cheng replied, “You see, I suddenly have over a hundred people here, men and women alike, and I have many matters to attend to. Steward Yang can’t manage it all on his own. Uncle Yang has been with my family for decades, but his position is low, and his experience is limited. He simply isn’t capable of managing so many servants.

From what you’ve told me, her situation with her son is dire. I would like to invite her here to manage the household as a female steward. I’ve also sent Xiao Wu to inquire about her—she and her son have moved to an even worse dwelling, and with no one to rely on, all her former business contacts avoid her. Starting anew must be terribly hard. If she comes to work here, it would benefit us both. And in the future, if their circumstances improve, they would be free to stay or leave as they wish.”

Hearing of Su Yunxue’s straits, Lu Baichuan’s eyes welled with tears. He had never imagined that the family of his once-heroic sworn brother would suffer so after his death. He hadn’t given much thought to what would come after, believing at the time he would die together with his enemy. He had wiped out the enemy’s entire household, not wanting his brother’s wife and child to become targets of revenge, so he had left no one alive, regardless of guilt or innocence. Now, burdened with blood debts and guilt, he was still alive against all odds. Since he had survived, he felt bound by duty to care for his brother’s family.

He hadn’t intended to ask Young Master Yang for help, feeling he already owed him too much. It was a relief that Yang Cheng valued his brother’s widow too, sparing him the awkwardness of begging a favor. Naturally, he was more than willing, though he felt the weight of yet another debt to Yang Cheng. He cupped his hands and said, “It is rare for you to be so considerate, Young Master Yang. This is wonderful. I only hope she will do her utmost to help manage your affairs. I will go fetch them at once.”

Yang Cheng said, “No need for you to go yourself, Brother Lu. I’ll have Xiao Wu take two swift beast carriages to bring them here. You don’t know the way, and would have to ask around. If anyone is still investigating that incident, you’d surely be watched, and if they recognized you, it would bring misfortune upon them. I, on the other hand, have no connection to the matter, and hiring her for work will seem perfectly ordinary to outsiders.”

“That’s fine. I thank you on their behalf,” Lu Baichuan said sincerely.

Yang Cheng replied, “Come, Brother Lu, there’s no need to be so formal. Whenever I’m with you, I feel oddly restrained.”

Yang Cheng had no intention of selling his old house; it would serve well as a supply depot, given the considerable stock needed for a hundred shops. Saving on distance was a boon. Goods could be produced and dispatched at the same time, and the new house could provide backup if necessary. Now, he would need more carriages for procurement and delivery. He was glad that, when signing contracts, he hadn’t recklessly agreed to deliver all the goods himself. Otherwise, a hundred shops would require countless carriages and waste endless manpower. For these shops, sending someone to fetch their goods was a small matter.

With a little time before everyone arrived, Yang Cheng sought Lu Baichuan’s guidance on cultivation methods. The disparity in their abilities was vast, and Lu Baichuan’s instruction was effortless. However, Yang Cheng’s aptitude was so poor that even Lu Baichuan found it exasperating, thinking: such a clever man, yet so slow to learn cultivation; truly, he had never seen the like.

After two or three hours of practice, a crowd soon gathered, and the new residence was bustling with life. The original twenty-odd staff each called for all their aunts and uncles to come help. The master had given the order, and though it was only for a day, their wages would not be lacking.

Moved by the master’s usual kindness, they all brought friends and family, saying they did not want him to spend needlessly, and that they’d repay his generosity with a drink when time allowed.

By the time most had arrived—some eighty or ninety in all—they came armed with hoes and brooms, chattering and laughing. Yang Cheng bowed to them and said, “Thank you all for coming to help today. There is much to do, and it will be hard work, but I promise you will be well rewarded.”

They were not house servants, and felt no need for formality. Seeing the young master so polite, someone laughed, “What need is there for wages? Young Master Yang is moving into a new home, and we’re here to lend a hand and wish you joy.”

“Yes, my child has always been well treated by the young master. We’ve never lacked for wages. Such a small thing—there’s no need for you to go to any trouble,” an elderly person added.

“That’s right, young master, no need for ceremony. We’ll get to work so you can move in as soon as possible.”

With laughter and banter, the crowd set to work without waiting for further instructions.

Yang Cheng bowed again. “Let me thank you all in advance for your efforts.”

The crowd worked with great enthusiasm, while Lu Baichuan watched these ordinary folk, lost in thought.

Xiao Wu soon returned but headed off again by carriage. Four hours later, he came back with a woman and a boy of thirteen or fourteen. The woman had bright eyes and fine features, her face as lovely as a peach blossom—delicate and charming, with an air of mature elegance that her plain clothes could not conceal. The boy’s features were chiseled and handsome, but beneath his sword-like brows, his eyes held a trace of gloom.

Xiao Wu led the two through the busy courtyard and straight to the rear.

At that moment, Su Yunxue was filled with anxiety. The young man had come to her, saying that Young Master Yang of the Yang family in Nanqiu wished to hire her as a steward, and that she could bring her child and belongings. Since her husband, Mei Daoqing, had been murdered, everyone nearby knew her family was at odds with the Deputy Commander, and her small businesses had all been cut off. Forced to sell off their possessions for a pittance to pay suppliers, she was left with barely enough to survive.

Former friends kept their distance in her time of need. Even after rumors spread that the Deputy Commander was dead, no one dared hire her, not even for temporary work. With no means of survival in sight, Xiao Wu had appeared.

If not for Xiao Wu’s honest and youthful face—so clearly not that of a villain—and her utter desperation, she would never have climbed into that carriage. Whether this turn of fate was a blessing or a curse, she would see in time. After all, the worst that could happen was death. If not for her child, she would have chosen death long ago, when her husband was killed.