The Zhu Family Receives Visitors

Zhu Family.

From early morning, the household servants had been bustling about, slaughtering cattle and sheep. The scene was nearly on par with a New Year celebration.

Wang Zhao had cleaned the stables until they were spotless first thing in the morning.

Ever since Li Rui had redeemed himself and removed his name from the household register, Wang Zhao had become the Zhu Family's new Groom.

He was still quite young.

He had not yet reached the standing required to take apprentices, so most of the time, he tended the stables alone.

Fortunately, he had long grown used to such days and did not find them tiring.

He swept the stables over and over with a broom.

"Steward Zhu told me to clean the stables properly today. Looks like some important figure is coming again."

Wang Zhao was not particularly quick-witted. He could not compare to Li Rui, nor even to the late Ma Yang.

But he was steady and dependable.

He carefully carried out whatever the stewards instructed. If he could not do it right once, he did it twice, never growing impatient. Master Zhu of the Zhu Family liked him precisely for that.

What household would not like a diligent servant who did not slack off?

Just then—

A familiar voice sounded behind him. "Yo, Xiao Zhao, still sweeping?"

Wang Zhao straightened up and wiped away his sweat with the back of his relatively clean hand. "Uncle Yong."

Most of the time, if someone called you Little plus your surname, the relationship was merely ordinary. If they called you directly by the latter part of your name, they were already quite close. But if they added Little before your given name, the two of you were thick as thieves.

Wang Zhao and Yang Yong both worked for the Zhu Family, and because of Li Rui, they had gradually become friends despite their age difference.

They could look out for each other and live a little better in the Zhu Family estate.

They were merely miserable souls huddling together for warmth.

Wang Zhao asked curiously, "Uncle Yong, what important figure has come to the estate? Why is it so grand?"

Ducks sense the warmth of spring before anyone else.

A manor was much the same. Whenever something major happened, the guards were often the first to notice.

Yang Yong curled his lip. "Who else could it be? The eldest young master has returned from Huaqing Sect. Seems he brought several fellow disciples with him."

"It's only June. Why has the eldest young master returned already?"

Wang Zhao was somewhat surprised.

Eldest Young Master Zhu Yue was the Zhu Family's future, the guaranteed next family head. Naturally, Wang Zhao paid close attention to matters concerning him.

Yang Yong shrugged. "How could a mere guard like me know?"

As the two spoke—

A sudden crackling burst of firecrackers sounded outside.

Wang Zhao's expression shifted.

"They're here!"

Outside the Zhu Family gates.

Three jujube-red horses strode briskly along, their hooves clattering across the bluestone road beyond the alley.

Zhu Ping had brought his entire family to wait outside the gates early.

The surrounding neighbors all cast envious looks their way.

Zhu Ping straightened his back, his face brimming with pride.

He had given birth to a fine son.

Zhu Yue was now a disciple of Huaqing Sect. Perhaps he might become a Seventh Rank martial artist in the future. When he returned to inherit the family business, he would surely lead the Zhu Family to new glory.

It was not impossible for them to become a century-old clan like the Three Great Families.

Zhu Ping felt that he had not lived this life in vain.

Soon, his eyes lit up.

Zhu Yue appeared around the street corner, riding a Blood-Sweating Horse. With him were Han Qin and Jiang Yan, who had visited the Zhu Family before.

Han Qin wore his usual smile. "Junior Brother Zhu, your family truly has a grand estate. Very refined indeed."

Zhu Yue forced out a smile and glanced at Jiang Yan beside him, whose brows had faintly furrowed.

The stench of saltpeter filling the street was unpleasant.

Before long.

The three of them rode up before the Zhu Family members.

Zhu Ping beamed with delight. "My good son, two honored guests, we meet again."

Han Qin smiled faintly. "Uncle Zhu."

Jiang Yan said nothing, merely nodding slightly in greeting.

Zhu Yue stepped to Zhu Ping's side and lowered his voice. "Father, do not bring out such vulgar things as firecrackers again in the future."

Zhu Ping nodded with a smile. "Since you dislike them, we simply will not set them off again."

Then the Zhu Family members surrounded the three Huaqing Sect disciples and led them into the main courtyard.

A trace of barely noticeable disappointment flickered in Zhu Ping's eyes.

"When sons grow up, they no longer obey their parents."

Ever since Zhu Yue had gone to Huaqing Sect, his horizons had risen higher and higher. He had already begun to look down on the Zhu Family, even on all of Clear River.

There was nothing wrong with that.

But for the heir apparent to the family head, it was a serious problem.

Zhu Ping hoped that his son would achieve great things in Huaqing Sect, yet he also feared that Zhu Yue's ties to the Zhu Family would grow ever fainter, until he eventually no longer wished to inherit the position of family head.

If that happened, when Zhu Ping died of old age, this vast family fortune would become someone else's wedding gown.

The Zhu Family let out a soft sigh.

He feared his son would not be good enough, yet also worried that his son would be too good.

"Let him go as he pleases."

Zhu Ping took a deep breath. He was indeed the Zhu Family head.

But he was also a father.

As long as Zhu Yue could live well, then so be it if he did not inherit the family business. His branch of the family would still spread its roots and flourish elsewhere in the future.

Everyone took their seats in the main hall.

Only then did Zhu Ping politely ask, "Yue'er, the two of you, can you stay in Clear River for a few more days this time? There are quite a few pleasant places nearby to escape the summer heat."

Han Qin politely declined. "Uncle Zhu, there is no need for sightseeing. You are not an outsider, so there is no harm in telling you. We came this time to assist Elder Jiang in handling matters concerning the Ghost Underworld Sect."

Elder Jiang?

Zhu Ping's pupils widened slightly.

Jiang Linxian!!

He was merely a family head, so naturally he did not know the full story of what had happened in the city that night. But Jiang Linxian's reputation was like thunder in his ears.

Jiang Linxian had actually come to Clear River?!

Zhu Yue spoke. "Father, this matter concerns Elder Jiang. Do not ask any further."

"Yes, yes, yes."

Zhu Ping nodded repeatedly.

Knowing too much about certain matters would only bring disaster upon the Zhu Family. He had long developed the good sense to rein in his curiosity.

Zhu Yue then turned toward Jiang Yan, who sat nearby. "Junior Sister Jiang, the demonic followers of the Ghost Underworld Sect are deeply hidden. Finding them will take quite some time. Why not invite Elder Jiang to stay at my home for a few days?"

Jiang Yan shook her head. "My father is free-spirited, a divine dragon whose head is seen but whose tail is not. Even I do not know where he has gone."

"All right."

Zhu Yue was somewhat regretful.

Zhu Ping could no longer conceal the shock in his eyes. The young girl before him was actually Jiang Linxian's daughter.

A noble daughter!

Back then, he had used certain means to win Zhu Yue's mother. Only after the rice was cooked did he rely on the resources provided by Zhu Yue's maternal family to climb step by step to his current position.

Naturally, he did not dare use such filthy methods on Jiang Yan.

But if Zhu Yue could become Jiang Linxian's son-in-law, then it did not matter if he never inherited the position of Zhu Family head!

Zhu Yue cast a discreet glance at Jiang Yan.

Was that not exactly what he had been thinking as well?

Jiang Yan said, "The Ghost Underworld Sect's roots and branches are tangled and intertwined. We need other forces to help us as well."

Zhu Yue hurriedly replied, "The Zhu Family has some connections in the government. We can help."

Ever since learning that Jiang Linxian was in Clear River.

He had been wholly focused on showing himself more often, hoping to leave a favorable impression on his future father-in-law.

Jiang Yan shook her head. "The Zhu Family is not enough. We need more people, and stronger ones."