Family Ties

Although the man wore a deferential smile, his eyes wandered over every nook and cranny of the courtyard.

Li Jiwu walked to the center of the courtyard and clapped his hands, signaling for everyone to stop working.

The clang of the forging hammers gradually died away, and everyone looked up at him.

"Everyone, I've come today to announce something."

Li Jiwu's voice was warm and clear, brimming with friendliness.

"Steward Li has unfortunately passed away. The Sword-Forging Courtyard can't go a single day without someone in charge. With Father's approval, Zhao Dezhu will serve as acting steward, overseeing the courtyard's daily affairs. Dezhu worked under me for many years. He's diligent and dependable, and I'm sure he'll get along well with all of you."

When he finished speaking, he stepped aside.

Zhao Dezhu stepped forward and cupped his hands to everyone, beaming. "I'm Zhao Dezhu. I'm new here, so I'll be relying on all the masters to show me the ropes. If any of you need anything from now on, just let me know. I'll do my best to take care of it."

The masters exchanged glances. A few murmured their agreement, while others simply nodded in silence. They weren't exactly enthusiastic, but no one could fault their response.

After all, it had only been a few days since Steward Li's death, and now a new steward had been parachuted in—and he was Second Young Master's man.

Everyone had their own thoughts about it, but naturally, no one let them show.

Shen Chu glanced over once, then turned his attention back to the iron in his hands.

As far as he was concerned, it made no difference who was steward. Whether it was Steward Li or Zhao Dezhu, neither would affect his daily work forging blades and practicing martial arts.

Rather than fret over all this scheming, he'd be better off forging a few more blades, practicing his punches a few more times, and earning a little more money.

Physique, martial prowess, cultivation techniques, silver—

Those were the things that truly belonged to him. No one could take them away.

Sun Ping, nearby, said nothing either. He simply kept his head down and went about his work.

Zhao Dezhu's gaze swept across the courtyard, pausing on Sun Ping and Shen Chu for a moment before moving on as though nothing had happened.

He clapped his hands with a smile and called out, "All right, all right, back to work, everyone. Don't let the work pile up. I'll take some time to get familiar with the place today. We can talk things over as they come."

Everyone gradually returned to their workstations, and the clang of the forging hammers rang out once more.

Li Jiwu stood in the courtyard, his gaze passing over Sun Ping and Shen Chu's backs as if by chance. A faint smile tugged at his lips before he turned and left.

Meanwhile,

"Dad, what did you call me in for?"

Early that morning, Li Chengwen had been summoned to Master Li's study. He was a little puzzled.

"Ahem. Eldest, there's something I'd like to discuss with you..."

Master Li looked a little awkward, then hesitantly told Li Chengwen about what he and Madam Liu had discussed.

At first, he'd worried that asking his eldest son to come along on a business trip would upset him.

After all, the steward at the Sword-Forging Courtyard had just died. If he transferred his son away now, anyone would think that he, as a father, was deliberately trying to sideline him.

But to his surprise, when Li Chengwen heard that he'd be accompanying his father to discuss business, he froze for a moment.

Then his eyes reddened, and he rushed forward, throwing his arms around Master Li and bursting into tears.

His son's sudden embrace and sobs left Master Li at a loss.

He stood rigidly in place, both hands suspended in midair, unsure where to put them.

"What are you doing?"

"Dad!" Li Chengwen sobbed, tears and snot running down his face. "You're finally willing to take me with you! Do you know how long I've waited for this day?"

His son's tears struck Master Li dumb. All the scolding he'd prepared got stuck in his throat.

Li Chengwen continued between sobs, "Ever since our family's circumstances improved, my younger brother was born, and Mother left, you haven't looked at me properly even once. You only have eyes for him. You think he can do no wrong, while I can't do anything right. I know you think I'm too fat, that I'm bad at studying, that I don't know how to speak or handle things, and that I embarrass you..."

The more he spoke, the more heartbroken he became. His tears wouldn't stop, soaking a large patch of Master Li's robe.

"But Dad, I'm your own son! I want to improve too. I want to help you shoulder the burden! If you're willing to take me with you and teach me, I'll study hard! I won't let you down!"

Master Li had still been harboring some ulterior motives, but hearing his eldest son speak from the heart, he felt as though something had slammed into his chest.

He looked down at his pudgy son, sprawled over his shoulder and sobbing uncontrollably, and suddenly remembered how things had been many years ago:

Back then, the Li Family hadn't yet made its fortune. He'd taken little Chengwen along the streets and alleys to collect scrap iron. Father and son had shared a bowl of plain noodles, and the boy had always picked the slices of meat from his own bowl and put them in his father's, saying, "Dad, you eat. I'm not hungry."

Back then, he'd loved this son from the bottom of his heart.

So how had he gradually come to find him more and more annoying, while growing fonder and fonder of Jiwu?

Could it be that he really had favored one son over the other all these years?

Master Li's eyes suddenly stung. He slowly raised a hand and clumsily patted Li Chengwen's back. "All right, all right. You're a grown man. Why are you still blubbering? I'm just taking you along on a business trip. Is that really worth crying over?"

His words were gruff, but his pats were unusually gentle.

"Go get your things ready. In a few days, I'll take you out of town to discuss a deal. Pay attention on the road and learn a thing or two. Don't embarrass me."

Li Chengwen lifted his head from Master Li's arms and vigorously wiped the tears and snot from his face. He nodded hard. "All right! I'll go get ready right now!"

Master Li watched his son grin like a fool, feeling both exasperated and amused.

"Go on, go on! Hurry back and get your things ready!"

Li Chengwen practically floated all the way home.

He rummaged through his trunks until he found his finest outfit, changed into it, then checked himself in the bronze mirror again and again.

Though his reflection still showed the same round, plump figure, he felt especially sharp today.

"Someone! Go to Zuixian Restaurant and order two tables of their finest dishes. Have them delivered to the courtyard! I'm treating everyone tonight!"

When word spread, the masters at the Sword-Forging Courtyard were flattered and surprised. The Eldest Young Master had been stopping by often lately, but this was the first time he'd held a proper banquet.

By evening, the Sword-Forging Courtyard was ablaze with lamplight. Two banquet tables were laden with chicken, duck, fish, meat, and seasonal vegetables. The clay seals had been knocked off several jars of fine wine, and its aroma filled the air.

Li Chengwen sat at the seat of honor, his face glowing. He went around toasting everyone, endlessly talking about how happy he was.

"Come on, come on, fill your cups! I'm happy today! Dad finally agreed to take me along on a business trip! What does that mean? It means I still matter to him as his eldest son!"

The masters raised their cups in congratulations.

"Congratulations, Eldest Young Master!"

"May your journey go smoothly and your deal be a great success!"

"With the Eldest Young Master handling it, the deal is sure to go off without a hitch!"