Testing the Waters

Situ Ping replied, "Compared to a small gang like our Fierce Tiger Gang, it is naturally the difference between clouds and mud."

Wan Chengjiu said, "Then how about having Elder Yun Feng of my sect take you as his disciple? From then on, we will be one family. Would it not be wonderful for the Fierce Tiger Gang and Wan Jian Peak to live together in harmony?"

Joy appeared on Situ Ping's face, but her heart was filled with bitterness. Had such an opportunity suddenly come to her before, she would naturally have been overjoyed and agreed without a second thought. But now, she had much more to consider. Having become involved in such an exceedingly confidential matter of Wan Jian Peak, Wan Jian Peak naturally could not easily let her leave and leak the news. Yet Wan Chengjiu had so openly seized the treasure she had obtained, leaving her deeply disheartened. And if she were admitted into the sect, then the Fierce Tiger Gang would naturally belong to Wan Jian Peak. Though the Fierce Tiger Gang was small, it was still hers. Now that she was handing it over to someone else, resentment was inevitable.

However, Wan Chengjiu's next words reassured her considerably. "Gang Leader Situ, if you join my sect, then for rendering such great service this time, you may seek out a suitable high-level cultivation method from our sect's classics. You will surely climb a hundred-foot pole and advance another step, entering the ranks of martial experts."

After weighing matters in her heart for a moment, Situ Ping gracefully knelt and bowed before Wan Chengjiu. "Greetings, Martial Uncle Sect Master Sword Lord."

Wan Chengjiu smiled as he helped her up. "Good Martial Niece, rise for now. In a few days, we shall choose an auspicious day and have you formally enter Elder Yun's school. Come, Xiangyang. Meet your Senior Sister Situ."

Ma Xiangyang stepped forward as instructed and saluted her. "Greetings, Senior Sister."

Situ Ping returned the salute. "Greetings, Junior Brother."

Within Wan Jian Peak's Council Hall, the atmosphere was harmonious, and all matters had settled.

Leaving aside the bloody winds and rains, mutual deception, and scheming of the martial world, the Zhang family courtyard in Guo Village was at this moment filled with boundless warmth.

The afternoon sunlight was so brilliant. Though it was winter, that only made its warmth all the more apparent. In the Zhang family courtyard, Zhang Cai led the family in basking in the sun. The winter slack season was the time agriculturalists loved most. There was no need to rise early for work, and even the women who usually circled endlessly around the stove could chat alongside their own men. Watching her family laze about so contentedly, Guo Sufi's heart was full to bursting—especially with Liu Qian beside her doing needlework.

Liu Qian had come to the Zhang family a few days ago.

Guo Sufi had not expected Liu Qian to arrive so quickly. She had thought that, no matter what, Liu Qian would wait until after the New Year and come during the spring plowing season. When Liu Qian arrived at noon yesterday, Guo Sufi had been running about in a fluster, preparing food for the injured members of the household. The moment Liu Qian entered, she greeted everyone and immediately helped Guo Sufi, leaving Liu the Butcher, who had brought her over, to talk with Zhang Cai. Guo Sufi instantly felt much more relaxed, and many household chores became orderly and well-arranged. Liu Qian had also brought pork belly for Zhang Xiaohua and quite a few pastries for his grandmother, immediately bringing smiles to both their faces. Though Grandmother could no longer see, she held Liu Qian's hand and praised her without end, making Liu Qian's face turn red.

Liu Yueyue had not come. Liu the Butcher awkwardly explained that there was work to do at home, and since Liu Qian had come here, Liu Qian's home also needed someone to look after it. Naturally, Zhang Cai and Guo Sufi did not mind. They repeatedly comforted Liu the Butcher, saying, "A household is busy, and no one can be spared. Children have their own affairs. The thought is what counts." Only then was Liu the Butcher's embarrassment somewhat dispelled.

But Liu the Butcher's awkwardness lasted only until lunch. When Zhang Xiaohua returned from buying wine, Liu the Butcher pulled Zhang Cai into drinking with him and soon threw the matter to the back of his mind.

When Liu the Butcher left after eating and drinking his fill, he repeatedly reminded Liu Qian of things and asked Guo Sufi's family to take good care of her. At that time, Guo Sufi thought, Did you even need to say that? If we did not take good care of her, how could we persuade her to stay?

After Liu Qian arrived, it was not only Guo Sufi who felt relieved and no longer rushed about in a panic. The rest of the family also sensed the changes in the house. Never mind the small changes indoors and in the courtyard that made everything feel fresh, nor the different ways breakfast and dinner were prepared that whetted everyone's appetite—simply having such a flower-like, jade-like young woman join this large family filled them with endless delight.

Though a single day could not prove much, this beginning had already let the Zhang family taste the sweetness of a good life.

The healing medicine specially prepared by the Misty Sect was indeed effective. After only a few days, aside from some lingering pain in his bones and internal organs, Zhang Xiaohu's external wounds had basically scabbed over. Zhang Cai still needed a crutch, but like Xiaohu, his external wounds had also scabbed. As for Zhang Xiaohua, there was even less to say—he had long since become lively as a dragon and vigorous as a tiger, running around everywhere. Every day, he held a wooden stick and waved it about as if practicing martial arts. But judging from his utterly unstructured movements, it was merely wild fox Zen. Zhang Xiaolong, who had suffered the worst, was now the happiest. His internal and external injuries were more severe than anyone else's, and only now had they begun to show slight improvement. There was even less to say about his arm; it had only been fixed in place for a few days, and there was still a long time until his next medicine change. What made Zhang Xiaohu and Zhang Xiaohua envious was that whenever Zhang Xiaolong needed anything, such as eating, Liu Qian was the one to feed him. Though Guo Sufi and Zhang Xiaohua had fed him before, ever since Liu Qian arrived, the two of them had been pushed aside. The first time she fed him, Zhang Xiaolong and Liu Qian both flushed bright red and felt terribly awkward. By the time the meal was over, the food had gone completely cold. But Liu Qian quickly settled into the role and became perfectly natural about it. Seeing how at ease Liu Qian was, Zhang Xiaolong guessed that she had often cared for her father and brother at home. Since the young woman was so open and generous, there was no need for him to be overly reserved. Thus, the two quickly grew familiar with each other.

Agriculturalists had the simplicity and forthrightness of agriculturalists. Though Zhang Xiaolong had not read many books and knew few characters, and though his looks were ordinary and unremarkable, his innate bearing and steady manner deeply attracted Liu Qian and earned her great admiration. She truly felt that Zhang Xiaolong was an uncut jade, born into this poor family and never yet polished. To encounter such a man truly had to be heaven's will.

There was even less to say about Zhang Xiaolong. Liu Qian was pretty and lovable; she possessed both the plain honesty of agriculturalists and the cultivated reasonableness of a gentlewoman from a modest household. From her efficiency in managing household affairs to her refined manner in dealing with people, everything about her filled Zhang Xiaolong with admiration. He had never imagined that such an outstanding young woman could emerge from the countryside where he had lived for so many years. At this moment, he felt as though he were living in the heavens. He wished his injuries would take a thousand years to heal, so that he could look upon this young woman already carved into his heart and grow old with her.

In short, Zhang Xiaolong and Liu Qian were mutually in love, drawn together like magnets.

Zhang Cai and Guo Sufi saw it with their eyes and pondered it in their hearts. Their son had looks when looks were needed and a sturdy build when a sturdy build was needed, but Liu Qian came from a scholarly family after all. Her standards naturally differed from those of ordinary agriculturalists. Their son barely knew a few characters—how could he compare to Liu Qian's breast full of ten thousand scrolls? Besides, though Mr. Liu's family lived in the countryside, their circumstances were still well-off. From Zhang Xiaohua's descriptions, the life they lived was far beyond anything their own family could match. Their families were not equal in status or wealth. Even if the girl were willing, her father and brothers would not agree. This truly was difficult. How could they sound out the girl's feelings?

Though the afternoon sun made people drowsy, Guo Sufi worked on her needlework while muttering to herself, wondering how she could probe indirectly without leaving any trace and learn what the girl had in mind. Just then, Grandmother spoke. "Sufi, if I remember correctly, Xiaolong is nineteen this year, isn't he?"

Guo Sufi replied, "Yes, Mother. Once the New Year passes, he will be twenty before we know it."

Grandmother asked again, "A while ago, I heard you mention finding Xiaolong a wife. Why has there been no news lately?"

The moment Guo Sufi heard that, her heart blossomed with delight. Just as she had been thinking of sleep, someone brought her a pillow. Her own mother truly could not see with her eyes, but her heart was bright as a mirror. She quickly took up the thread of the conversation. "That is how it is, Mother. Before the New Year, Zhang Cai and I did have that thought. We looked over all the girls from the neighboring villages, but the families we liked were unwilling, while the families that were willing did not seem suitable to us. We had not yet found anyone appropriate for Xiaolong when this incident happened during the New Year, and we had no mind to think about it anymore. When the weather warms and Xiaolong's injuries have healed, we will look properly again and find a good wife who satisfies our whole family."

After saying this, without even looking at the "resentful" gaze Zhang Xiaolong was directing at her, she pretended not to care and said, "While Qianqian, this female scholar, is still staying with us, she can help us take a look and give us her judgment."

Who was Liu Qian? She had a delicate and perceptive heart. She had long since heard the meaning beneath Guo Sufi's words. Her face immediately reddened, but she did not know how to respond, so she lowered her head and said nothing.

But Grandmother had no intention of letting her off so easily. She continued, "Then you must hurry. Find someone who looks like Qianqian. These past few days, Qianqian has cared for Xiaolong, and even this old woman has benefited along with him. This child has a good heart and is thoughtful. I cannot see, but I imagine her looks must be first-rate as well. Sufi, if you find me a daughter-in-law who is not as good as Qianqian, I will not be willing."

Ah, those words were far too plain. Liu Qian's face burned, and unable to bear it any longer, she stood and ran into the house. Zhang Xiaolong immediately grew anxious. His face bright red, he said, "Grandmother, Mother, just listen to what you are saying—you scared her away." His eyes remained fixed on the room, full of concern. If not for his injuries, he would already have chased after her.

Only Zhang Xiaohua sat on his little stool, gazing at his blind grandmother with worshipful admiration. Old ginger was still the spiciest. A few days ago, he had just told Grandmother about his eldest brother and Sister Liu Qian, and now Grandmother had cleverly brought it out. It looked like this future sister-in-law truly had a chance.

In truth, Guo Sufi also found it strange. Ever since she could remember, her mother had always been composed and able to hold her ground. Bringing up this matter today could indeed sound out the girl's feelings, but it was still far too rash. It did not seem like her mother's usual style at all. According to Guo Sufi's original plan, they should at least have waited another ten days or half a month and observed things properly first.