Prince Guangyun

"Yes." Song Yun bowed in acknowledgment, but couldn't help feeling a pang of disappointment.

The Eldest Young Lady's attitude had clearly already tilted toward Chu Zheng.

As for Chu Zheng's words, Song Lingxue naturally wouldn't take them at face value, but she hadn't found any flaws either—it was likely eighty or ninety percent accurate.

The only thing she couldn't quite figure out was what reason Chu Zheng had for only wanting those few texts.

It was simply too unreasonable.

Unless what those texts contained was, to Chu Zheng, far more important than wealth or freedom.

Then what could it be...

The next morning at dawn.

Chu Zheng rose early, ate breakfast, then fished a few interesting items out of the Filth Room and packed them together with the texts.

He didn't head straight for the Storehouse; instead, he went to the accounting office first.

The accounting office wasn't far from the main gate of Song Manor—two side rooms housing two accountants, one old and one young.

The Old Accountant had entered Song Manor at twelve years old and had been there for fifty-three years now, spending his whole life in the manor.

The younger one, only fifteen this year, was named Song Shui. He was also a household-born servant and had been following the Old Accountant for seven years.

The Old Accountant had lost his wife in middle age and had no children, so he treated Song Shui like his own son.

These past two days, an endless stream of gift lists had been delivered from various families, keeping the accounting office swamped as they sorted through incoming and outgoing records.

Chu Zheng waited a while before finally catching the Old Accountant, took the receipt, filled in the amount, and handed it back. "Log it."

Glancing at the sum on the receipt, the Old Accountant couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "Whoa, Xiao Zheng, come into some money?"

"Took care of a few things. The Eldest Young Lady rewarded me."

Chu Zheng didn't say much, tossed off the remark casually, and turned to leave.

As he passed the main gate, a thunderous roar suddenly hit his ears—hoofbeats like crashing thunder. Even the two-zhang-high courtyard wall couldn't block the dust billowing up outside.

After a brief pause, Chu Zheng quickened his pace toward the Storehouse.

His curiosity was sharp enough, but sometimes it had to be tempered by the occasion. Unnecessary curiosity only invited trouble—better to ask fewer questions in situations like this.

The Storehouse was deep in the back courtyard. After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Chu Zheng finally stood before its gates.

The Storehouse was heavily guarded day and night by Martial Artists who had condensed Internal Qi. Right now, the gates were wide open as an inventory was being taken.

The gifts sent by various families were a mixed lot, and sorting them out would take a long time.

Song Lingxue had clearly given word ahead of time, because as soon as Chu Zheng arrived, someone led him in to help categorize the Storehouse's contents.

Silver Bear Paw (Zero Order): Taken from a silver bear that lived over twenty years. Originally a fine tonic, but the skill in harvesting the paw was lacking, causing much of its essence to be lost. Recommended for restoration before consumption.

Bone Strengthening Pill (Zero Order): Made from a large quantity of herbs mixed with ground beast bone. Strengthens tendons and bones when taken. Has been stored too long, losing thirty percent of its Medicinal Potency. Recommended for restoration before consumption.

Green Feather Bow (Zero Order): Made from century-old ironwood and thirty-year-old ox sinew, soaked in tung oil. The bow is heavy and powerful, capable of piercing armor at a hundred paces. It hasn't been drawn in some time, but the sinew remains strong.

As the prompts rang out one after another in his mind, the gleam in Chu Zheng's eyes grew brighter and brighter. The Storehouse was truly where he belonged.

He buried himself in sorting for a while, until an unexpected piece of news came from the Front Courtyard.

A sparring platform had been set up in front of the manor. Song Lingxue was going to duel someone.

One Period of Time earlier.

Just as Chu Zheng was getting familiar with the Storehouse, a commotion arose before Song Manor's main gate.

Whoosh—

Over a hundred Iron Cavalry stood silently before the gate. The lingering dust irritated the warhorses, and snorts rang out without end.

A royal banner bearing the character "Zhao" flapped in the wind, snapping loudly.

The two men at the front wore no armor. One, around forty years old with a short beard, exuded an air of nobility—adorned with jade and gold, clad in a purple robe embroidered with python patterns, imposing without needing to show anger.

The other, younger, around twenty, had a handsome face, his hair bound with a jade hairpin. He wore a green robe embroidered with an Azure Fox Auspicious Beast, also carrying an uncommon refinement.

By the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the Purple Python Robe could only be worn by princes. In the small patch of land that was Wuyang Commandery, the only one who dressed like this was Prince Guangyun, Zhao Yunheng, and no one else.

Song Tonghai stood waiting at the gate, glancing at the "Zhao" banner with an unreadable expression.

Behind Prince Guangyun stood the Great Zhou Dynasty, ruling over a hundred thousand li of rivers and mountains, with experts as numerous as clouds—even immortal retainers. From ancient times to the present, the imperial house had produced several Immortal Seeds.

That the current Great Zhou was the Zhao family's realm was not unrelated to this.

Even setting aside the Great Zhou, Zhao Yunheng himself ruled several commanderies, with a Great Grandmaster stationed in his manor. The Song Family couldn't afford to offend him now.

"Brother Song, pardon the sudden visit!"

Zhao Yunheng strode forward with a broad smile, raised a hand in greeting, then gestured to the young man beside him. "This is my son, Jichang."

"Jichang pays respects to Uncle Song." Zhao Jichang offered a bow in turn.

"You flatter me, Prince. Your presence here brings honor to my humble home—how could it be a disturbance?"

Song Tonghai returned the smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "The Heir Apparent is truly outstanding. Please, enter the residence and speak at ease."

The group filed into the hall, took their seats according to rank, and maidservants served tea.

Zhao Yunheng sat in the place of honor, lifted his teacup, and took a light sip. His eyes lit up. "Excellent tea!"

"I was fortunate enough to obtain an ounce of Dragon Blood Leaf the other day. I'm glad it suits your taste, Prince."

After a round of pleasantries, Song Tonghai cut straight to the point. "May I ask what brings the Prince here so suddenly today? Please speak plainly and put my mind at ease."

"I've come today to shamelessly seek a marriage for my son. That Young Phoenix of yours—once she spreads her wings, I fear this humble secular prince of mine won't even be worth a glance from you."

Zhao Yunheng didn't beat around the bush, adding with a hint of jest, "So I'd better seize the chance to latch onto your lofty branch while I still can."

"You flatter me, Prince. To form a marriage alliance with the Prince's household is my Song Family's good fortune."

Song Tonghai furrowed his brow slightly. "However... Song Lingqing has already entered an Immortal Sect. Her marriage prospects, I'm afraid..."

At this, Zhao Yunheng waved his hand repeatedly. "Brother Song, you're overwhelming me. My son's fortune is shallow—what I seek is not the Young Phoenix, but your Eldest Young Lady, Lingxue."

"Lingxue?" Song Tonghai paused, caught off guard. After a moment's thought, he understood.

"That's right. I intend for Jichang to welcome her with the Rites of Principal Wife. When he inherits the title in the future, Lingxue will be the Princess Consort." Zhao Yunheng nodded.

Now that Song Lingqing was a member of an Immortal Sect, Zhao Yunheng, for all his pride, wouldn't delude himself into thinking his son could match an immortal. Song Lingxue, however, was indeed a fitting match.

Song Tonghai hesitated briefly, then said, "Lingxue has grown up now. How about I call her in and ask for her own opinion?"

"That works." Zhao Yunheng nodded agreeably.

Before long, Song Lingxue entered the hall. She had just finished martial training, clad in form-fitting practice clothes, the sharp edge of her demeanor yet to fade.

After learning the full story, she cast a glance at Zhao Jichang and spoke in a firm, ringing voice:

"If you can beat me in a fight, then we'll talk about marriage."