Inside a room on the third floor of Peaceful Restaurant.
Xiao Yan was organizing the medicinal herbs provided by the Hundred Herbs Pavilion.
Zhu Zhuqing stood by the window, her brows furrowed as she looked at the several figures on the street below who were clearly monitoring the restaurant.
" The Zhu Family family has arrived," she said softly.
Xiao Yan looked up upon hearing this. "Finally couldn't hold back anymore?"
"Um!"
Zhu Zhuqing turned around and watched Xiao Yan continuously sorting the medicinal herbs, then said:
"The restaurant manager just relayed a message that the second master of the Zhu Family, my second uncle Zhu Xiaolin, sent someone to deliver an invitation, inviting me to meet him at Clear Heart Teahouse tonight."
Zhu Zhuqing's tone was very calm. Although she was talking about news about her family, her emotions did not change much.
Do you want me to come with you?
Zhu Zhuqing shook her head upon hearing this.
"No need, this is a matter for the Zhu Family, I want to handle it myself."
Xiao Yan looked at her for a moment, nodded slightly, and smiled at Zhu Zhuqing:
"Okay, if there's any trouble, I'll definitely be on your side."
Nighttime at Clear Heart Teahouse.
This is a rather elegant teahouse with a tranquil environment, where literati, scholars, and aristocratic youths often gather to enjoy tea and discuss philosophy.
It is also the place where the sons of the noble families in Star Luo City most often linger.
Zhu Zhuqing was led by a waiter to the innermost private room on the second floor.
Pushing open the door, I saw two people sitting inside the private room.
The person in the main seat was a middle-aged man in his fifties. His face bore some resemblance to Zhu Zhuqing, but his expression was serious, and his brows carried the majesty of someone who had long held a high position.
He was wearing a deep purple brocade robe and toying with a pair of jade balls in his hands. He was Zhu Xiaotian, the father of Zhu Zhuqing, the current head of the Zhu Family family.
Sitting beside him was a man in his thirties, handsome but with a slightly frivolous look in his eyes. He was Zhu Zhuqing's second brother, Zhu Zhuming.
"You've arrived?"
Zhu Xiaotian glanced at Zhu Zhuqing, his tone calm.
Zhu Zhuming, standing to the side, sized her up, a playful smile playing on his lips:
"Little sister, you've grown even more beautiful in the years I haven't seen you. I heard you've been getting quite close to that Xiao Yan?"
"Not bad, you've hooked up with the youngest elder of the Spirit Hall. You've got some skills."
Zhu Zhuqing gave him a cold look:
"It's been years, and my second brother's words are still as unpleasant as ever."
"You..."
"Enough!"
Zhu Xiaotian interrupted him, his gaze falling on Zhu Zhuqing.
" Zhu Zhuqing, you've been away from the family for several years now. The family hasn't forced you to come back during these years because it's given you time to think things through."
Now that you're back, you should rejoin the family as soon as possible.
"Return?"
Zhu Zhuqing raised her head, a hint of mockery in her eyes.
"Go back where? Is there still a place for me in the Zhu Family? Besides, wasn't this what you've been demanding of me since I was little?"
"The battle between Zhu Zhuyun and me is still undecided."
What are you saying?
Zhu Xiaotian frowned and said:
"You are a daughter of the Zhu Family, and the blood of the Zhu Family flows in your veins."
If you are willing to come back, your family will naturally give you a chance.
Moreover, heir apparent Dai Weisi has now been formally appointed.
Zhu Zhuyun is about to become the Crown Princess.
As for Dai Mubai, he's already a cripple, so your relationship with Zhu Yun isn't necessarily irreconcilable.
As a daughter of the Zhu Family, you should return to serve your family.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing gave a bitter smile, a smile tinged with sarcasm.
"Yes, Dai Mubai was crippled by Xiao Yan."
So, Father means for me to return to that cold mansion and continue to be a dispensable shadow in your eyes?
Or is it that you intend to use the same old trick, using me as a marriage partner to forge a cooperation with Xiao Yan?
Zhu Xiaotian's face darkened, and his brows furrowed.
" Zhu Zhuqing, watch your words."
The family nurtured you, provided you with resources, and made you a Soul Master, not so you could talk back to your elders.
"Nourish?"
Zhu Zhuqing raised her voice slightly.
"Since the day I awakened my Martial Soul at the age of 6, the resources my family has given me have been less than a third of what Zhu Zhuyun received, right?"
"From childhood to adulthood, with so many assassination attempts and neglect, Father, put your hand on your heart and tell me, has the family ever truly nurtured me?"
Zhu Zhuming scoffed.
"Family resources are limited, so naturally we should prioritize those who are more talented and more useful to the family."
"With your talent, little sister, the family has already done more than enough to give you all this."
Zhu Xiaotian waved his hand, signaling Zhu Zhuming to shut up.
He looked at Zhu Zhuqing, his tone softening considerably.
"There's no need to dwell on the past. Zhu Zhuqing, I've called you here today to give you a chance."
"If you can do that, I guarantee you'll have the highest level of resources in the Zhu Family from now on."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing sneered inwardly but spoke calmly.
"Father wants to know about the pills Xiao Yan has, right?"
"That's right."
A glint of light flashed in Zhu Xiaotian's eyes, and he spoke directly.
"If you can obtain the formula and refining method for that elixir, the family may accept you back, and even let you manage a portion of the family business."
Zhu Zhuqing fell silent upon hearing this, then slowly shook her head.
"I'm sorry, Father, I can't get it."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuming retorted sarcastically:
You don't want to take it, do you?
How come following Xiao Yan makes them think they're all grown up and no longer respect their families?
Little sister, don't forget, without the Zhu Family, you are nothing.
"Bang!"
Zhu Zhuqing slammed her hand on the table, her eyes flashing with cold light, and spoke in a chilling voice:
"Enough!"
" Zhu Zhuming, what right do you have to talk to me like that?"
Have you ever contributed even a fraction of the family resources you've consumed over the years to the family?
Besides indulging in eating, drinking, and having fun, and using your family's power to bully the weak, what else can you do?
Oh, right, you'll have another use.
It has only one function: to continue the family line.
"You--!"
"Enough!"
Zhu Xiaotian shouted sternly.
" Zhu Zhuqing, I know you resent your family, but you must understand that in this world, your family is your only support."
Can Xiao Yan protect you for a while, or for a lifetime?
You need to understand, what will you do if he meets someone better later? You won't even have a way back then.
"We are connected by blood; only your family can truly support you."
"Give up, Father."
Zhu Zhuqing slowly shook her head, her expression calm, but her tone unusually firm.
"From the day I left Star Luo City, I never thought that my family would become my support."
As for Xiao Yan, whatever the future holds, this is my own choice, and I will never regret it.
As Zhu Zhuqing recalled the hardships she and Xiao Yan had endured along the way, a slight smile appeared on her lips.
Zhu Xiaotian's face darkened completely.
"So you're determined to sever ties with your family?"
Zhu Zhuqing slowly shook her head.
"It's not a break, it's a choice, my own choice."
"Good! Good! Good!"
Zhu Xiaotian said "good" three times in a row, then laughed in anger:
"Since you put it that way, from this day forward, you will no longer..."
"Master Zhu Family, why get so angry?"
At that moment, a gentle voice interrupted Zhu Xiaotian.
The door was pushed open, Xiao Yan walked in slowly, bowing slightly to Zhu Xiaotian before speaking.
"Junior Xiao Yan greets Zhu Family."
Zhu Zhuqing turned to look at Xiao Yan, and said with some surprise:
What brings you here?
Xiao Yan shook his head and remained silent.
In any case, Xiao Yan thought that Zhu Xiaotian was right about one thing.
Regardless, Zhu Zhuqing is, after all, a member of the Zhu Family.
This is her family, Xiao Yan is unwilling for Zhu Zhuqing to completely sever ties with her family over a little bit of medicine.
Even though her family didn't give her many pleasant memories.
But in the end, there's always a place I care about.
However, Xiao Yan would not reveal these things.
Zhu Xiaotian's gaze fell on Xiao Yan, scrutinizing him carefully. He quickly regained his composure and stood up.
" Elder Xiao's arrival is a great honor; I have failed to greet you properly."