Volume 6, Chapter 352 – Little Sister Yu, Help This Elder Sister

Due to the passing of her eldest grandson, Lady Shen suffered a tremendous blow. Though no obvious changes could be seen on the surface, that was merely her deliberate pretense, not wanting to trouble others. Her bedridden state was the clearest proof.

“Grandmother, are you feeling any better?”

Liu Biao walked into the bedroom, asking despite already knowing the answer.

“Better… much better! Don’t worry about me. Focus on handling your elder brother’s funeral arrangements properly.”

Lady Shen spoke with labored breaths.

“Don’t worry, I’ve already given clear instructions to the servants regarding Elder Brother’s funeral. But with you bedridden, how can I simply ignore you?”

After embellishing his own image, Liu Biao eagerly steered the conversation toward his true purpose:

“Grandmother, I’d like to discuss Yingyue’s situation. She’ll be returning in a few days to attend the funeral. My opinion is that once she’s back, she shouldn’t leave again. It’s time for her to marry into a good family, she’s not young anymore. The Hai Family seems like an excellent choice, powerful and influential. Forming a marital alliance with them would bring immense benefits to the Liu Family.”

“You needn’t worry about that. Three years ago, I made an agreement with your elder brother. If she fails to complete her task by the end of the year, she will naturally submit to the family’s arrangements. Everyone in the family knows of this.”

Lady Shen spoke as calmly as possible.

“And if she completes the task?”

Liu Biao cautiously probed.

“If she completes the task, then I must honor my promise. Her marriage will be her own decision.”

Lady Shen’s stance was firm.

Liu Biao’s expression instantly darkened, his tone turning cold.

“Grandmother, a child’s marriage has always been decided by their elders. Since when does one decide for themselves? Isn’t your decision far too reckless?”

“Reckless? I don’t think so. As the acting family head, you should be well aware of the situation at the Yongning branch. If she can quadruple its profits within two years, that alone proves her business acumen. She has the right to decide her own marriage!”

Lady Shen stated her reasoning.

“What does quadrupling the profits of a mere small branch matter? Once we form ties with the Hai Family, the entire Golden Fortune Auction House will benefit endlessly. Don’t you understand that?”

Liu Biao reiterated.

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“Why can’t you see it? What I value isn’t just those meager profits, it’s Yingyue’s business talent! If she truly completes the task, she will be the future of the Liu Family! How can such a child be married off so carelessly? Cough, cough…”

Lady Shen was so agitated she began coughing.

“In my view, no matter how sharp her business mind is, it pales in comparison to the value of marrying into the Hai Family.”

Liu Biao remained unmoved. Precisely because he understood the stakes, he was determined to marry Liu Yingyue off, otherwise, his own descendants would never have a chance to rise.

Lady Shen froze momentarily, a thoughtful expression flashing across her face. After a brief pause, she asked:

“From the sound of it, you’re dead set on marrying her off, aren’t you?”

“Yes. As the head of the Liu Family, I must consider its future.”

Liu Biao’s tone was unyielding.

“And if I disagree?”

Lady Shen tested.

“Disagree? What can this grandson do then? You are, after all, the Ancestress, and advanced in years. I dare not oppose you, what explanation would I have if something were to happen to you?”

The smile on Liu Biao’s face gradually stiffened, his eyes revealing undisguised killing intent.

“Very well. We’ll do as you say.”

Lady Shen sighed in resignation.

“Many thanks for your understanding, Grandmother!”

Liu Biao was overjoyed, thumping his chest in assurance.

“Rest easy, Grandmother! Focus on recovering. I’ll personally ensure the medicines you need are delivered promptly.”

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Elsewhere, Qi Huang continued her journey with the two women.

Having lost their guards, the two women were now terrified of every shadow, often breaking into a cold sweat at the slightest rustle of grass.

“Sister Yue, Sister Weiwei, don’t worry. Good fortune favors the virtuous, nothing will happen.”

Qi Huang cheerfully reassured them. Without the others disturbing them, the world had finally quieted down, allowing her to leisurely admire both the beautiful scenery and the beauties before her.

A bitter smile touched Liu Yingyue’s delicate, porcelain-like face. Once, she too had been this naive. Only after being battered by the cruelty of the world did she understand its dangers.

“You really aren’t a cultivator, you little brat!”

Even Xia Wei, their coachwoman, couldn’t resist grumbling.

“What makes you say that?”

Qi Huang asked curiously.

“Though I’m just a martial artist, I’ve heard that cultivation is a path of defying the heavens. Who would believe in ‘good fortune’?”

Xia Wei analyzed logically.

“Exactly! The ‘heavens’ I speak of aren’t the ones above, they’re me.”

Qi Huang declared with lofty pride.

“You? The heavens? More like naïve! You’re the very picture of naivety!”

Xia Wei scoffed.

“Why does no one believe me when I tell the truth?”

Qi Huang shook her head helplessly. It seemed she was destined to remain low-key.

Though looked down upon, Qi Huang didn’t take it to heart. While enjoying the scenery and the company of beauties, she spread her divine sense far and wide, ready to eliminate any threats the moment they arose.

The day passed without incident, and the three women settled into an inn in a small town. Liu Yingyue and Xia Wei grew slightly calmer, as the journey hadn’t been as perilous as they’d imagined.

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“Miss, perhaps you should hire a couple of cultivators to escort us the rest of the way?”

Xia Wei suggested, still not entirely at ease.

“Xia Wei, this town is so remote, where would we find cultivators at such short notice?”

Liu Yingyue countered.

“No need. I’ve already told you, I am a cultivator.”

Qi Huang quickly interjected, only to be ignored once again.

“Brother Huang is a cultivator, isn’t he? You could use the Thousand-Mile Communication Tube to ask him for help.”

Xia Wei thought for a moment before proposing.

“Aren’t you afraid he’ll just find someone as ‘naïve’ as me?”

Qi Huang couldn’t resist teasing.

“Adults are talking. Children should be quiet!”

Xia Wei rolled her eyes at her.

“I’m already seventeen, how am I a child?”

Qi Huang retorted indignantly.

“There’s no time. Father’s burial is on the nineteenth.”

Liu Yingyue shook her head.

“Then… perhaps we could inform Madam of our difficulties? If possible, she could arrange for someone to select another auspicious date for the burial.”

Xia Wei ventured cautiously.

“What nonsense are you spouting? How can such matters be changed on a whim? Father has already waited three years for me. Now that he’s passed, how could I possibly ask him to wait longer?”

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Liu Yingyue immediately scolded.

Xia Wei was stunned into silence. Deep down, she knew her suggestion was highly improper, but shouldn’t the living matter more than the dead?

Liu Yingyue rose early and urged them to depart. The three women set off once more.

As always, Qi Huang remained vigilant, ensuring another day free of danger.

Focused solely on hastening their journey, Liu Yingyue missed the last town along the way, forcing them to camp in the wilderness.

“Thank goodness we didn’t discard this carriage. Otherwise, we’d be sleeping on the ground.”

Liu Yingyue sighed in relief.

Women naturally valued cleanliness, and after a day of travel, they felt grimy and uncomfortable. Thus, Liu Yingyue and Xia Wei decided to heat water for a quick wash.

As for why they didn’t bathe properly? First, they lacked a large tub. Second, winter had arrived, and the spiritual world’s pervasive Yin energy made the streams unbearably cold, no one could endure such temperatures.

Xia Wei initially offered to help, but her mistress stopped her, insisting someone must remain on guard at all times. As the strongest fighter present, the duty naturally fell to her.

Though cultivators like Qi Huang didn’t need frequent baths, she couldn’t just stand idly by. So, she helped with the preparations.

Soon, the water was heated. Liu Yingyue carried a basin into the carriage. Even in the wilderness, a young lady of her status couldn’t possibly undress in the open, especially in such cold weather.

Qi Huang stared dreamily at the carriage, noticing how the door curtain swayed gently in the breeze, occasionally revealing glimpses inside. She swallowed hard, her heart pounding, but though her thoughts were bold, her courage was lacking. She didn’t dare peek further, nor did she dare extend her divine sense to spy.

“Little Sister, come in and help this elder sister.”

Just then, Liu Yingyue’s soft, alluring voice suddenly called out.

“H-help with what?”

Qi Huang stammered in response.

“My back. It’s hard to reach on my own. Would you mind assisting me?”

Liu Yingyue’s voice carried a hint of pleading.