Family Feast

Zhou Changhe affectionately held Zhou Chengqian close, then turned him toward Zhou Ping and spoke softly.

"Chengqian, call him great-uncle."

Zhou Chengqian's eyes were clear, and he called out to Zhou Ping in a childish voice, "Gweat-uncle."

His voice was immature, the words still tumbling out clumsily.

"Aye."

Zhou Ping was dazed for a moment, then responded with joyful surprise.

He was only in his thirties and was already a great-uncle. It truly felt strange and wondrous; if this were his previous life, he might not have even started a family by this age.

"Come, let us go see your great-grandfather and great-grandmother."

Zhou Ping smiled and walked toward the most imposing courtyard in the center, with Zhou Changhe following closely behind, carrying Zhou Chengqian.

The remaining children ran off to a small side courtyard. They were the offspring of servants like Zhou Shi and Zhou Hu. The Zhou family did not oppose their maids marrying male retainers and estate guards; in fact, they secretly encouraged it.

These maids and retainers who grew up within the household would always be more loyal than those from the Wang and Sun families. To those who were virtuous, kind, and honest, the Zhou family would even bestow the surname Zhou.

This was both a bestowal of honor and a means to expand the Zhou surname. For Zhou Ping, it was also a way to conceal his own lineage among them, lest it attract unwanted attention.

Zhou Ping carried Zhou Bai into the courtyard and saw the servants busy serving dishes. Two of them respectfully bowed.

"Second Master, Eldest Young Master."

Zhou Hong sat on a chair to the side, grinning. "I just heard Bai'er's voice and knew you were back, so I told them to bring out the food."

Zhou Hong was several years older than Zhou Ping and was now in his forties. Many white strands already frosted his temples, and his face was no longer as youthful as it had been in previous years.

Zhou Ping smiled. "I was just craving a good meal. Call everyone in to eat."

The nearby servants dispersed to summon the main family members from their respective courtyards.

Before long, Zhou Dashan walked out unsteadily, supported by Zhou Hu.

Ever since the severe drought began, the Zhou family's herbal medicine business had also come to a halt. Zhou Hu naturally did not want to fall behind Zhou Shi, but Zhou Shi had been a steward for many years and was deeply favored by Zhou Changhe. Knowing he could not win that competition, Zhou Hu sought another path and became Zhou Dashan's personal attendant.

His wife, Huixiang, was also an old servant of the Zhou family. She had always managed the inner courtyard servants and was utterly loyal. Even younger generations like Zhou Minghu respectfully called her Sister Huixiang.

Zhou Dashan was nearly seventy. His skin was pale and mottled, thoroughly showing his advanced age.

Fortunately, he had been eating spirit rice daily for the past two years, and Zhou Ping and his two sons frequently used Spiritual Qi to nourish his body. This allowed Zhou Dashan's health to gradually improve, making him appear far less decrepit than he had two years ago.

Madam Huang, on the other hand, seemed to grow younger with each passing year. If not for her silver hair and deeply wrinkled skin, no one would believe she was over seventy.

Eldest Sister-in-law Madam Lin arrived alongside Zhou Chang'an. A few years ago, during that night raid, local thugs like Lin Shitou from Lin Family Village had died tragically in Baixi Village, naturally incurring the resentment of many in their home village.

During those years, whenever Madam Lin returned to her natal village to visit relatives, she suffered endless curses from the families of the deceased. Caught between her maiden family and her husband's family, the torment became too much to bear. She eventually developed a heart ailment, aging over a decade in just a few short years.

Even though Zhou Changhe and his brothers strongly urged their mother not to visit her natal home, they could not dissuade her heart. After all, no matter what happened, it was still her family.

It was not until two years ago, when Zhou Ping broke through to the Qi Condensation realm and the Zhou family suddenly rose to become an Immortal Clan. The various branches of Lin Family Village instantly changed their tune. All the uncles and cousins swarmed in, hoping to curry favor with the Zhou family through Madam Lin.

Only then did Madam Lin's heart ailment begin to improve, though she could never regain her former youth.

Zhou Chang'an was only thirteen or fourteen, yet he had already grown into a handsome young man. Well-read and scholarly, he naturally exuded a refined, gentle temperament.

Zhou Ping truly had not expected his young nephew to possess such a talent for studying. Perhaps their family might eventually produce a scholar or a provincial graduate.

Next came Zhou Changxi, walking arm-in-arm with a woman, looking deeply affectionate. However, the woman appeared somewhat rugged, lacking the gentle softness of a typical farm girl.

Zhou Changxi had been raised in the inner courtyard as a child, heavily influenced by the womenfolk. He had a delicate, indecisive personality and struggled to stand on his own. With Zhou Changhe and Zhou Minghu handling affairs, there was no need for him to do much anyway. Having learned martial arts from Uncle Xu, he possessed some life-saving skills. Thus, like a wild horse slipping its reins, he often spent his time hunting and enjoying himself in the mountains.

One day, he brought this woman back from the mountains, claiming she was the daughter of a local hunter, known as Madam Mulu.

At the time, Zhou Ping suspected she might be a spy sent by some rival faction. However, she only doted on Zhou Changxi and rarely even stepped out of her room, let alone attempted to probe the location of their family's warding array.

So, he let the matter be, though he still instructed Zhou Xuanya to keep a close eye on her, lest any trouble arise.

Next to arrive were Chen Nianqiu and Zhou Xuanya. The harmonious, affectionate mother-and-son pair greeted everyone before taking their seats beside Zhou Ping.

Soon after, three women walked out from the back courtyard. The first was Zhou Changhe's lawful wife, Madam Sun, and beside her was Qian Fangsu's younger sister, who was Zhou Changhe's concubine.

Yet, these two women actually showed considerable respect toward the final woman, their posture slightly deferential as they trailed half a step behind her.

As for that last woman, she was Zhou Minghu's concubine-a daughter of the Wang family, and a granddaughter of Wang Feng.

Back when the Wang family had come to propose a marriage alliance, their original intent was to forge a connection with Zhou Hong by marrying her to Zhou Changxi. The Wang family knew that Zhou Minghu was an Immortal Master and would likely look down on their daughters; if they insisted and were rejected, they would lose face. It was better to settle for the next best option.

At the time, Wang Feng was still negotiating with Zhou Hong. Zhou Hong naturally deflected and evaded, as he had no desire to decide his son's marriage so hastily. The two conversed for a long time without reaching an agreement. It was then that Zhou Minghu stepped forward and declared he would take her as a concubine.

Wang Feng was naturally delighted. Anyone with eyes could see that while the eldest branch held nominal power in the Zhou family, everything truly depended on the second branch. Furthermore, Zhou Minghu was an Immortal Master. Even being his concubine was vastly superior to being Zhou Changxi's lawful wife.

Afterward, Zhou Ping had asked Zhou Minghu what he was truly thinking. After all, the young man had once vowed to slaughter every last member of the Qian, Sun, and Wang families, yet now he was marrying a Wang woman.

"I would rather he hate his father than hate his uncle."

That was what Zhou Minghu had told him at the time.

Madam Wang bowed to the room, then gracefully curtsied to Zhou Ping. "Father-in-law."

Zhou Ping snapped back to reality and nodded in response.

Just then, from outside the doors, Zhou Minghu arrived, thoroughly travel-worn. He first greeted Zhou Dashan and the other elders before sitting beside Madam Wang. The two sat closely together, looking every bit the loving couple.

Madam Wang gazed at her husband happily, her heart as sweet as if she had eaten a honeyed date.

She knew that Zhou Hong had not wanted her as a daughter-in-law, and it was her husband who had stepped forward to save her family's face. After they married, he doted on her endlessly, making others green with envy. She firmly believed she must have cultivated immense blessings in her past life to marry such an ideal husband in this one.

Watching his son and daughter-in-law interact, Zhou Ping finally buried his lingering thoughts. No matter what Zhou Minghu chose to do, as his father, he would silently support him.

Zhou Dashan looked around the room, taking in the sight of his children and grandchildren. Hearing his great-grandson babbling joyfully, a deeply satisfied, contented smile spread across his ancient face.

"Everyone is here. Let us eat."

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