Zhao Family

Zhao Ping'an gave Butler Fu an awkward smile and immediately followed him.

The Zhao Residence wasn't large, facing south and built as a two-courtyard structure, covering just over an acre (700 square meters).

The southernmost area was where Butler Fu and several maids and servants lived. Entering through the second gate led to the main courtyard.

There were four bedrooms, a reception hall, and a kitchen. Besides several brick paths connecting the various buildings, most of the courtyard was filled with exotic flowers and rare plants, a delightful sight.

"Ping An, you'll live here from now on! A'Fu, have Xiao Lan and Xiao Ju tidy it up."

Zhao Xiuyun pointed to a bedroom in the northwest corner and said to Zhao Ping'an, then instructed Butler Fu to make preparations.

"Yes, Miss!"

Butler Fu bowed quickly.

"Put your luggage on the table, and come with me for a walk."

After entering the reception hall, Zhao Xiuyun pointed to a spotless table in the center and said to Zhao Ping'an.

"Okay, Mistress, where are we going?"

Zhao Ping'an obediently put down the two bundles, one large and one small, in his hands and asked curiously.

"To buy you some things. You're growing too fast; your clothes are already too small."

Zhao Xiuyun gestured to Zhao Ping'an's tight clothes and his rapidly growing height, speaking softly.

"Uh, hehe..."

Zhao Ping'an scratched his head, a little embarrassed.

The two didn't take a carriage; they walked.

After all, Zhao Xiuyun was a genuine Martial Artist who had generated internal energy, possessing physical strength, stamina, and power far exceeding ordinary people.

Zhao Ping'an was even more so.

Zhao Xiuyun, familiar with the way, led Zhao Ping'an to a clothing store and bought him a well-fitting set of clothes. It was a martial artist's outfit, predominantly blue with purple trim.

It clearly wasn't cheap.

She then custom-ordered three more sets of outfits in different colors, asking the owner to deliver them to the Zhao Residence in the city once they were ready. After paying a deposit, they left.

Zhao Ping'an's previous set of clothes, which were already a bit small, were discarded on the spot.

Afterward, Zhao Xiuyun took Zhao Ping'an to a pastry shop called Yunfang Zhai. After queuing for half an hour, they managed to buy five kinds of fragrant pastries.

Finally, they went to a restaurant named Baiwei Lou and picked up a pre-packaged food box.

However, these weren't for Zhao Ping'an to eat; they were gifts.

They were gifts for Mistress Zhao Xiuyun's parents, though Zhao Ping'an didn't know this.

"Ping An, come back with me."

Zhao Ping'an, who was carrying things and looking around curiously, suddenly heard his Mistress's words. He paused and asked doubtfully:

"Mistress, are we going back so soon? I want to look around a bit more."

It was his first time exploring a city in this era. Unlike the street vendors commonly seen on television, cities in this world prohibited street vending on most roads, except for specific commercial streets.

Zhao Ping'an was currently on one such commercial street, lined with various shops selling clothes, pastries, medicinal herbs, weapons, cosmetics, restaurants, and more – a dazzling array.

At the intersections between shops, small vendors hawked their wares, selling fruits, sugar figurines, snacks, and there were even two Houtian Martial Artists performing on the street.

Zhao Ping'an was mesmerized by it all and didn't want to leave.

"Not back to the Zhao Residence, but to my maiden home, the Zhao Mansion!"

Zhao Xiuyun clearly understood that Zhao Ping'an had misheard and emphasized again.

"Zhao Mansion? Okay, Mistress."

Hearing they were going to his Mistress's maiden home, Zhao Ping'an's interest immediately piqued. He had never seen what a wealthy and influential family's residence looked like in ancient times and was eager to experience it.

While the Zhao Mansion wasn't one of South Ridge City's three major aristocratic families, it was considered the next tier of prominent households. Its status within South Ridge City was comparable to that of the Blazing Blade Sect.

Among the retainers they employed were three Innate Realm Martial Artists. Additionally, Mistress Zhao Xiuyun's elder brother and third brother were both experts at the seventh level of the Innate Realm. In South Ridge City, they could practically do as they pleased.

This was also why the Zhao family had initially disapproved of Zhao Xiuyun marrying Zheng Hetong. At that time, Zheng Hetong had not yet broken through to the Innate Realm and was simply not worthy of a daughter from the Zhao Mansion.

However, something happened several years ago that led to Mistress Zhao Xiuyun reconciling with her parents.

The two walked towards the Zhao Mansion, carrying their purchases, with Zhao Ping'an carrying the items and Zhao Xiuyun leading the way.

About half an hour later, they arrived in front of a grand mansion. Two large characters, "Zhao Mansion," were written in a flowing script above the main gate.

The gate was half-open, guarded by four gatekeepers, all of whom were Houtian Martial Artists, though only at the third or fourth level.

Upon seeing the approaching pair, the four gatekeepers clearly recognized Zhao Xiuyun and bowed respectfully. The one in charge spoke:

"Greetings, Fourth Miss. The Master is in the study, and the Madam is admiring flowers in the west garden."

"Mm, I'll go in myself. This is Zhao Ping'an, my husband's youngest disciple."

Great families had their rules. The gatekeepers had a duty to know the identities of any strangers entering or leaving.

"Very well, Fourth Miss, please come in!"

The four guards immediately bowed and retreated to their original positions.

The Zhao Mansion was vast. Zhao Ping'an followed Mistress Zhao Xiuyun through seven or eight gates before arriving at a garden filled with various vibrant flowers and exotic trees.

The garden covered about a thousand square meters, with one-meter-wide paths paved with white pebbles.

In the center of the garden stood an exquisite pavilion.

Inside the pavilion, several figures were present.

"Mother! Xiuyun is here to see you!"

From afar, Zhao Xiuyun happily quickened her pace and shouted joyfully.

Zhao Ping'an followed closely behind, and soon got a clear view of the figures in the pavilion.

An old woman in her fifties or sixties sat askew on a transverse chair. She had white hair and a youthful complexion, exuding vitality, with four maids standing on either side.

As the two approached, she quickly stood up.

"Xiuyun is back. I figured you'd be coming down the mountain these past couple of days. Come let Mother see if you've lost any weight in these few months?"

Afterward, the old woman took Zhao Xiuyun's hand and continuously chatted with her, asking about her well-being. The bored Zhao Ping'an stood outside the pavilion, curiously looking around.

It had to be said, wealth was indeed good. The garden's flowers competed in beauty, clearly not cheap. Even the pebbles on the ground were carefully selected, each plump and free of any blemishes.

"Ping An, come here! This is my mother, you can call her maternal grandmother."

"Mother, this is Zhao Ping'an, my husband's youngest disciple."

Soon, Zhao Xiuyun called Zhao Ping'an over and introduced him.

"Maternal Grandmother!"

Zhao Ping'an immediately and obediently stepped forward, handed over the pastries in his hand, bowed, and paid his respects.

"Good, good, good! Ping An, what a wonderful name. May you be safe and sound your whole life, unlike your elder brother and third brother, who run around everywhere every day, causing worry."

The old woman clearly doted on him because of her affection for Zhao Xiuyun, praising him happily, completely forgetting that Zhao Ping'an was also a martial artist.

Fortunately, he hadn't brought the Hundred Refinement Blade with him today; otherwise, it would have been awkward.