This time, the note was delivered into the hands of Elder surnamed Zheng.
However,
To the surprise of many,
Elder surnamed Zheng merely glanced at the note before putting it away. As though nothing had happened, he continued chatting with Zhao Jie.
Seeing this, Zhao Jie understood. Not every great household would heed a woman's opinion.
The Dan Family having listened to the woman just now had already been an exceptional move.
Elder surnamed Zheng's approach was the norm.
Wang Sheng glanced at the elder, then looked toward the guest room beside them. The voices inside had fallen silent, yet there was no further movement, so he stopped hoping for too much.
"Young friend, there's no need to keep looking. Marriages are arranged by parents' command and matchmakers' word. How can such a major matter be left for a woman to decide?"
After chatting with Zhao Jie for a while, Elder surnamed Zheng spoke up, worried that Wang Sheng would not give up and might relentlessly pester a Zheng Family girl.
"Alas! Your talent truly is mediocre. It isn't that I insist on refusing this matter. It is simply that I must consider the Lineage's interests. Not a single cent can be wasted."
Elder surnamed Zheng added another sentence out of respect for Zhao Jie.
Otherwise, if Wang Sheng had not practiced martial arts and had truly entered Li Manor as a servant, how could he have been qualified to speak directly with Elder surnamed Zheng? How could he have received such a chance to marry a young lady from a great household?
Of course, failing to seize that chance was another matter entirely.
"This junior understands!"
Wang Sheng lowered his head and cupped his hands in salute.
So long as he publicly revealed his Bright Energy strength, the Zheng Family and Liu Family would surely change their expressions and invite him inside.
But he had to consider Zhao Jie's feelings, as well as the trouble that would follow if it was exposed that the time he had spent advancing into Bright Energy was only a little longer than the time he had taken to get started.
In this era, once malice arose in the heart, killing intent sprang forth on its own. The authorities' power of restraint was far too weak.
Thus, he had to proceed with utmost caution if he wished to travel farther.
At that moment,
A young maid emerged from the guest room next door. Rather than walking toward the elder, she headed straight for Wang Sheng.
"My young miss said that though she was fortunate to meet you, you were fated to have no bond. At parting, she wishes to give you this hairpin as an apology!"
After speaking solemnly, the young maid offered up a golden hairpin with both hands.
Elder surnamed Zheng frowned. He wished to rise and stop her, but after a moment of silence, he could only let it go for now out of consideration for Zhao Jie's status as a Transforming Energy Grandmaster.
Wang Sheng's expression froze as he turned his head and looked toward the guest room.
Yet he had no x-ray vision and could not see the woman's appearance within. He could only vaguely sense someone watching him.
"Why go this far?"
Wang Sheng sighed.
If he accepted the golden hairpin, the nature of their relationship would become entirely different.
Not only might he offend the Zheng Family, but it could also implicate the Zheng girl's chastity and give rise to rumors.
In such a feudal age, even holding hands could be considered illicit relations, let alone giving a personal belonging in front of everyone. If he truly accepted it, who knew what the rumors would turn it into?
"Please tell your young miss that I am a humble and lowly man, unworthy of such a valuable gift. Please take it back."
Wang Sheng cupped his hands in salute.
The young maid's eyes widened. She had still been muttering to herself about how lucky this man was to receive her young miss's golden hairpin. It was worth several hundred taels of silver.
But she had never expected Wang Sheng to refuse it.
Zhao Jie nodded in satisfaction.
The Zheng Family girl did not understand propriety, but his disciple did. At the crucial moment, Wang Sheng had not made his master lose face, and had given the Zheng Family face as well. This greatly improved the mood of Zhao Jie, who had always cared dearly about appearances.
The young maid's steps were somewhat disordered as she returned. Her mind still could not make sense of it. She did not understand why Wang Sheng would refuse a golden hairpin worth several hundred taels of silver, and she was even annoyed that he did not know what was good for him and was unworthy of her young miss.
Once the young maid returned to the guest room, the courtyard immediately fell silent.
No one spoke. Quite a few gazes settled upon Wang Sheng and Elder surnamed Zheng.
After pondering for a moment, Elder surnamed Zheng said, "Young friend, you truly understand propriety and did not lower yourself to the level of my family's girl."
"How about this? I know the hardships of the martial path. I shall gift you one hundred taels of silver to support your martial cultivation!"
"A gift from an elder must not be declined!"
"Thank you, Senior!"
Wang Sheng cupped his hands and said.
This was money he could accept.
Though that golden hairpin had been valuable, it was too hot to handle.
"Hahaha!"
"See? Didn't I say my disciple was quite excellent?"
"What do you say, gentlemen? Would you care to reconsider?"
"Old Liu, might our two families renew this match once more?"
Wang Sheng had allowed Zhao Jie to save face before everyone, leaving him quite pleased. In his delight, he immediately stepped forward for Wang Sheng once more, seeking investment for him.
The lips of Elder surnamed Liu, who had been named, twitched. After a pause, he set down his teacup.
Elder surnamed Liu assessed Wang Sheng once again, his gaze carrying a trace of disdain.
That Lin Shu from last time had at least satisfied the Liu Family.
But this Wang Sheng truly did not catch the Liu Family's eye.
Even if that direct-descendant daughter of the Liu Family had a damaged reputation, she was still a Liu Family daughter, a young miss from a great household. Wang Sheng's talent was far too poor. How could a few more words from Zhao Jie make the Liu Family change its mind?
"Master Zhao, you jest."
"I can state it plainly: Wang Sheng will find it difficult to produce inner force within ten years. Even if he becomes a Bright Energy Martial Artist, he will have no hope of Dark Energy for the rest of his life. My Liu Family has far too many servants like him. There are also quite a few stronger than him."
"So do not blame me for speaking unpleasantly or for failing to give Master Zhao face. That Lin Shu from last time was very good. But this Wang Sheng is very poor. I even doubt whether his Low-grade Physique can produce inner force at all! That itself is a question."
Elder surnamed Liu spoke with great arrogance and coldness, his words stabbing straight into the heart as he made no attempt to hide his contempt for Wang Sheng.
He had even compared Wang Sheng to the Liu Family's servants. It was a resounding slap across the face.
"Enough."
Zhao Jie's expression darkened.
"You all withdraw first."
Zhao Jie had Wang Sheng and the others leave first.
"Yes."
Wang Sheng's expression was equally unpleasant. He bowed with cupped hands, and after turning away, killing intent suddenly surged in his eyes.
That Elder surnamed Liu deserved to die.
Kill him once and teach him a lesson. In his next life, he would know how to behave.
After leaving the inner courtyard,
A circle of people swiftly gathered around Wu An, Li Chaodong, and the others.
Even Martial Artists who had produced Bright Energy, such as Li Hu and Wei Yu, became interested.
"Hahaha, this time I will definitely obtain that Bone Strengthening Pill!"
Wu An laughed loudly, making no effort to hide his wild arrogance.
Even Dark Energy martial masters were normally reluctant to buy Bone Strengthening Pills.
When some of the surrounding people learned that Wu An had truly been selected for marriage by a great household, they were filled with envy. They repeatedly praised him, currying favor and seeking to draw close.
Luo Zhengwen walked over to Wang Sheng and asked about the matter. Once he understood the situation, he patted Wang Sheng's shoulder and comforted him, telling him not to rush.
"There truly is no rush!"
Wang Sheng nodded.
Once I have used up the silver in my hands on medicine, the first one I'll kill will be Fang Mingguang. The second will be that old man. The third will be the steward of Li Manor. The fourth...
Wang Sheng thought to himself. He recalled everyone with whom he had grudges, recalled how Fourth Madam had once told him that Li Manor's steward wished to harm him, and calculated the people he intended to kill. His urgency and anticipation for increased strength grew ever stronger.
Very soon,
Wang Sheng exchanged the hundred taels of silver gifted by Elder surnamed Zheng for ten Premium Blood Replenishing Pills. Together with the pills he had left from before, they were enough to support nearly another two months of cultivation.
Time flew by.
Nearly two months of peaceful cultivation passed swiftly, and Wang Sheng's progress surged steadily every day.
By now, his Great Tablet Shattering Hand had risen from Minor Success (505/1000) to Minor Success (999/1000).
His strength had advanced from the middle stage of Bright Energy to the great perfection of the late stage of Bright Energy.
If Wang Sheng had possessed a method for cultivating Dark Energy through the Great Tablet Shattering Hand, he would have stepped directly into the Dark Energy level.
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