Yang Zhao's Troubles: "Please Keep Reading on Tuesday"

"Brother Xu, please tell me plainly: have you reached the Houtian Peak?"

Yang Shichang's expression turned solemn as he asked in a low voice.

Xu Chuan usually warned Xu Mingwei to keep a low profile, but after a moment's thought, he nodded.

"The Houtian Peak at eighteen. You truly have the makings of a Grandmaster."

He was a year older than Xu Mingwei, yet had only reached the level of a First-Class Martial Artist.

There were not many Apertures to open between First-Class Martial Artist and the Houtian Peak, but opening them was no easy task.

"Xiantian is still far beyond my reach, let alone Grandmaster," Xu Mingwei said ruefully.

Yang Shichang smiled. "There is a shortcut to Xiantian, actually. A Qi-Inducing Pill draws qi into the body and helps you sense the power of heaven and earth, speeding your advancement to Xiantian Martial Artist."

"That's what the outstanding disciples of the major Aristocratic Clans in the Commandery Seat do."

"How can one obtain a Qi-Inducing Pill?"

"They're exceedingly rare in the county seat. Even in the Commandery Seat, the major Aristocratic Clans control the supply. Only a cultivator can refine them, and each pill costs three thousand taels."

"A Qi-Inducing Pill can't guarantee you'll sense the qi of heaven and earth. It only improves your chances a little. Most people need more than ten before they have any hope of succeeding."

"Even the most talented person the Commandery Seat has seen in the last decade needed three."

"Has no one managed it on their own?" Xu Mingwei asked curiously.

"Of course some have, but it's difficult. Among a hundred Xiantian Martial Artists in the Commandery Seat, only one will have succeeded unaided." Yang Shichang glanced at Xu Mingwei and smiled. "Still, in the Martial Way, the earlier you break through, the farther you can go."

"Once you pass sixty, your vitality begins to decline. A further breakthrough becomes all but impossible."

"If our families became relatives by marriage, given your talent, my father might be able to get a few Qi-Inducing Pills from the Lineage to help you break through."

The Yang Household thought highly of the Xu Clan, and of Xu Mingwei.

But they would not provide a precious resource like Qi-Inducing Pills without reason. If their children married, however, that would be another matter.

"My father must decide this."

"Brother Xu, you really are... To think my sister adores you so much she refuses to marry anyone else."

"Brother Shichang, who refuses to marry whom?"

Xu Mingshu's light laughter rang out. Along the corridor ahead came two figures, one older and one younger.

The older was graceful as a lotus rising from the water; the younger was lively and adorable, mischief gleaming in her crescent-shaped eyes.

They were Yang Ronghua and Xu Mingshu.

"Sister, I don't think Brother Xu intends to marry you. You'd better find yourself another worthy husband."

"Brother, what are you saying? Brother Mingwei won't let me down. We've already exchanged vows."

Xu Mingwei and Yang Ronghua met each other's eyes and smiled softly.

Over the past three years,

the Xu Clan and the Yang Household had grown close.

They visited often, and the younger members of both families knew one another well.

Affection had also blossomed between Yang Ronghua and Xu Mingwei.

Everyone could see it. They thought the two made a golden pair.

"I would never let Ronghua down," Xu Mingwei said, as though swearing an oath. "I'll break through to Xiantian as soon as I can and meet my father's condition. Then, with the Three Letters and Six Rites complete, I'll bring Ronghua home as my bride in an eight-bearer sedan chair."

"Hahaha!" Yang Shichang suddenly burst out laughing. "Brother Xu, you said it yourself."

"My sister and I will be waiting, then."

"Little Xueji, let's go see your Little White. We shouldn't disturb these two while they talk."

Xu Mingshu blinked. "Let's go, then. You can see how formidable Little White is!"

Yang Shichang sparred with Little White for a while.

Sure enough, he was no match for the Variant White Tiger. Watching him get thoroughly trounced, Xu Mingshu clapped and cheered.

Of course, Xu Mingshu would never actually let Little White injure him.

She would have no way to answer to her godfather and godmother. Once she got home, both she and the tiger would be severely punished, and Little White might never be allowed out again.

Not long afterward,

Xu Mingwei and his sister returned to Dongxi Village.

The Xu Residence now covered more than a hundred mu. Its grand buildings finally gave it the air of an Aristocratic Clan.

Xu Mingwei told Xu Chuan about the Qi-Inducing Pill.

"I'll discuss this with your Uncle Yang, and I'll have A Yuan ask around too."

"As for marriage, you're both still young. Waiting another year or two won't hurt."

Xu Chuan smiled at Xu Mingwei, who nodded. "You're right, Father."

"Prepare well for the Founding a Clan ceremony."

"This is the great day our Xu Household formally becomes an Aristocratic Clan of Qingjiang."

"Shitou understands how important it is."

That night,

at the Yang Household on Azure Cloud Street.

"Husband, what has made you so happy today?" Madam Yang poured Yang Zhao some wine, curiosity on her face.

"A letter came from the Lineage. A position has opened up in the Commandery Seat. We can go back."

"Really?"

"My eldest uncle wrote personally. How could it be false?"

"Let's have a few more cups tonight, my dear."

"Yes, husband."

After three cups,

Madam Yang took out an invitation. "The Xu Household had Mingyuan bring this over. They're Founding a Clan and opening their ancestral hall in half a month. They've invited us to attend the ceremony."

At that, the expression on Yang Zhao's face froze.

"What is it?" Madam Yang asked in surprise.

"How swiftly the Xu Clan has risen! Three years passed in the blink of an eye, and now they're about to Found a Clan," Yang Zhao sighed.

"Swiftly indeed. The Xu Clan is no longer what it once was. Its roots may not yet run deep, being so young and having few members, but its wealth, strength, and network of connections cannot be taken lightly," Madam Yang said with a nod.

"Once all five sons have established their own families and careers, the clan will flourish, and its foundations will be firm."

Yang Zhao agreed, but his expression was unlike it usually was.

Madam Yang noticed too and asked, "Why does your face change whenever the Xu Clan comes up this year? It wasn't like this before."

Yang Zhao sighed softly. "My eldest uncle's letter instructed me to contend for the post of Commandery Commandant. But there are many rivals, and the Chang Clan and the other families are watching like tigers eyeing their prey."

"To succeed, I need the Wen Household's support."

"Several Commandery Commandants have come from the Wen Household. Though they cannot compare with the Chang Clan or our Yang Household, their roots run deep and their resources are considerable."

"That is why my eldest uncle suggested a marriage alliance with the Wen Household."

"I'm the Yang Household's strongest contender for the post at present."

"That's wonderful!"

Madam Yang knew this concerned her husband's future, and joy appeared in her eyes. "Chang'er is old enough to marry. A match with an eligible young woman of the Wen Household would be perfect."

"Wait. Husband, you want to marry Hua'er into the Wen Household?"

Yang Zhao nodded heavily and said in a low voice, "Chang'er and Hua'er would both go. One would marry a Wen daughter, the other a Wen son, and both marriages would take place together."

"That would bind our families twice over. Only then would the Wen Household lend me its full support in the contest for Commandery Commandant. With the Yang Household and Wen households joining forces, our victory would be assured."

"This..." Madam Yang's face took on the same expression Yang Zhao's had worn moments before.

Though nothing had been formally agreed, the Yang Household and the Xu Clan had long shared an understanding: when the time was right, Xu Mingwei would marry Yang Ronghua.

Yang Zhao had always favored a marriage alliance with the Xu Clan. Xu Mingwei was capable and of good character; he would make an excellent husband for Yang Ronghua.

Yet now he faced a choice between his future and his daughter's happiness.

"But Hua'er... Chang'er told me the two are deeply in love. They've sworn vows as vast as the seas and mountains. He won't marry anyone but her, and she won't marry anyone but him."

"Nonsense! What do children know of the world? What vow lasts forever?"

Yang Zhao slammed his palm onto the table, his voice and expression fierce. Whether he was angry that his daughter had pledged herself in secret or grieved that his future demanded the sacrifice of her happiness, he could not have said.

"Husband, is there truly no other way?"

Madam Yang's heart ached for her beloved daughter. At the thought of how Hua'er would be torn apart by this news, tears welled in her eyes.

"Do you think I don't cherish Hua'er too?"

Yang Zhao was helpless. With a long sigh, he said, "But even if I were willing to give up my prospects, what could I say to my eldest uncle and my father? This concerns more than me. The rise or fall of the entire Yang Household is at stake.

"The Yang Household raised and taught me. How could I turn my back on the clan?"

"Couldn't you simply tell them that Chang'er is still unbetrothed, while Hua'er has already been promised to another family? That the betrothal gifts have been given, and she only awaits an auspicious date to marry? You've always thought highly of the Xu Household and said it would one day become Qingjiang's foremost Aristocratic Clan.

"If Hua'er marries into the Wen Household, ill feeling may arise between our families, and everything we've built over the years will come to nothing.

"Husband, please think it over carefully."

Yang Zhao pondered her words for a long time before saying, "You're right.

"The Xu Clan has extraordinary potential. One day, it may rival our Yang Household.

"I'll return to the Commandery Seat tomorrow and discuss with my eldest uncle whether another eligible young woman of the clan could marry into the Wen Household, or whether I could adopt a daughter to marry in Hua'er's place."

Hearing this, Madam Yang broke into a smile.