Volume 3, Chapter 257 – What Girl Doesn’t Get Married

That evening, after a noisy day, Lu Zhuxin returned to her room.

Chi Xiyan had said the courtyard belonging to the Chi family’s second young lady wasn’t ready yet, so Lu Zhuxin could only temporarily stay in Chi Xiyan’s courtyard for now.

After closing the door, Lu Zhuxin sat on her soft couch.

Her eyes carried a trace of gloom.

The current situation was even more troublesome than she’d imagined.

The Song family bringing people to the Chi family to urge the wedding had caught Lu Zhuxin completely off guard.

In her original plan, she had at least a year’s buffer. During that year, she could slowly wear down Chi Xiyan’s resistance and conquer her.

But now, after the series of chain reactions triggered by her, this small butterfly, the situation no longer allowed her to slowly strategize.

Lu Zhuxin raised her hand to rub her forehead, recalling her earlier conversation with Chi Xiyan in her mind.

“Sister, what do you think about it yourself? Do you really want to marry that man?”

“Zhizhi, Young Master Song isn’t a bad person. Whether in family background or talent, he’s the best choice. Marrying him isn’t a bad thing, and it benefits the Chi family too.”

When discussing her own marriage, Chi Xiyan only considered the benefits that could be gained from it.

Personal feelings and preferences were never within her scope of consideration.

That’s right. In the original text, this was her character setting.

In the original text, she’d taken over from Chi Jingwen to control the Chi family after marrying Song Shixuan, borrowing the momentum of the Heaven-Mandated Male Lead.

Thinking of this, Lu Zhuxin felt her head ache.

Persuading Chi Xiyan to give up this marriage arrangement wasn’t a simple matter.

Even if Chi Xiyan didn’t want to marry, the Song family and Lingxiao Sword Sect wouldn’t allow it.

“So the breaking point of this marriage arrangement is no longer with Chi Xiyan.” Lu Zhuxin muttered to herself.

She thought of the “Song Shixuan” she’d seen today.

That person was definitely not Song Shixuan.

But who was he? And who had been exchanging letters with Chi Xiyan all along?

Carrying these doubts, Lu Zhuxin lay down on the bed and closed her eyes.

…

In the boundless dreamscape.

Lu Zhuxin was barefoot, wearing fluttering thin gauze that half-concealed, half-revealed the outline of her slender waist.

A small copper bell was tied around her ankle. As she lightly stepped on the lush grassland, it rang out with a crisp sound.

A gentle breeze came, and the thin gauze on her body lifted slightly, revealing snow-white skin.

Lu Zhuxin raised her hand to press against the wide-open neckline, her elegant brows furrowing.

How had her clothes changed?

And what kind of aesthetic was this?

Was she supposed to be some courtesan princess?

This wasn’t Lu Zhuxin’s dreamscape. The clothes on her body didn’t seem to be under her control.

“Your Majesty.” Hu Mei’er twisted her graceful waist as she came to Lu Zhuxin’s side.

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A pair of fox eyes wandered all over Lu Zhuxin’s body.

Looking closely, one could see that on Hu Mei’er’s seductive face, there were still traces of pure blush.

Mystery solved—when had this fox girl become so bold?

However, right now, Lu Zhuxin was too lazy to quibble with this girl.

“I need some intelligence,” Lu Zhuxin said. “Intelligence about the Song family.”

Seeing that Lu Zhuxin wasn’t angry, Hu Mei’er felt slightly relieved.

She hadn’t expected Lu Zhuxin to enter the dream at this moment.

Good thing, good thing—the dream content was completely under the master’s control. She’d withdrawn that earlier dream content in time. Otherwise, if she’d let Her Majesty discover it…

Ahem… getting off track!

Hu Mei’er cleared her throat and said seriously, “Your Majesty, the sisters from the Yellow Fox Tribe have been working hard to infiltrate and gather information about these aristocratic families.”

“But aristocratic families have strict rules, and unlike the sword sects, we don’t have help from someone like Lingxu Sword Sect. So our grasp of intelligence on these human aristocratic families is quite limited.”

“No matter.” Lu Zhuxin said. “I don’t need any specific news.”

Regarding aristocratic families, Lu Zhuxin only needed to worry about Song Shixuan’s whereabouts.

But since Song Shixuan hadn’t personally come to the Chi family, he must still be holed up in the Song family recovering from his injuries.

“I need information on the younger generation of the Song family,” Lu Zhuxin said. “Both direct line and branch families.”

Hu Mei’er asked, “Do you need both men and women?”

Lu Zhuxin pondered for a moment, thinking of that “Song Shixuan’s” reaction when she’d actively tested him today.

“Both men and women, but focus on the Song family’s daughters.”

Hu Mei’er nodded. “Understood, Your Majesty. I’ll go ask about it shortly.”

Lu Zhuxin asked again, “Nothing’s gone wrong with Lingxu Sword Sect, has it?”

Hu Mei’er answered, “Lingxiao Sword Sect has been in frequent contact with the imperial capital lately. Sect Master Huang has followed your orders and hasn’t gotten involved in Lingxiao Sword Sect’s affairs. The other sword sects are basically the same.”

“Most of the elite disciples within the sects have already been dispatched. The majority were urgently sent to support the frontlines, while another portion joined forces with the Demon Suppression Bureau to search for our demon clan compatriots hiding within the human empire.”

“But Your Majesty needn’t worry. The sisters from the Yellow Fox Tribe are very experienced in dealing with this kind of situation. The current circumstances won’t pose too great a threat to us.”

“I hope so.” Lu Zhuxin said softly.

For some reason, Lu Zhuxin vaguely felt that things might not be so optimistic.

And now, what was actually more worrying was the situation with Lingxiao Sword Sect.

The pheromone detection stone had been destroyed, yet Lingxiao Sword Sect still hadn’t shown much of a reaction. Even Chi Zhong could still remain lively and active in the Chi family.

Lingxiao Sword Sect had never been generous enough to not care about losing a precious pheromone detection stone.

Of course, Lu Zhuxin thought this was also partly because Hu Xian’er’s containment plan had worked.

After the Empress ordered an investigation of fox demons infiltrating the territory, Hu Xian’er led troops to the border and consecutively removed many strongholds guarded by the Seven Sword Sects.

Under pressure, the Seven Sword Sects had no choice but to dispatch many elite disciples to the frontlines, redirecting part of their manpower back to the front.

This resulted in what should have been a joint purge operation by the Seven Sword Sects and the Demon Suppression Bureau becoming primarily led by the court’s Demon Suppression Bureau.

The Demon Suppression Bureau wasn’t the sword sects—they weren’t as sensitive to fox demons. They just uniformly targeted all demon clans infiltrating the empire.

This outcome also made Lu Zhuxin realize something.

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When Lingxiao Sword Sect had previously sent pheromone detection stones to various commanderies, they’d likely intended to test the fox clan’s experts.

But the higher-ups of Lingxiao Sword Sect very likely didn’t know that the Fox Monarch had infiltrated the human empire.

Otherwise, given Lingxiao Sword Sect’s hatred toward the fox clan, there was no way they’d be this quiet.

Either they were quietly planning something big, or they truly didn’t know.

If Lingxiao Sword Sect truly didn’t know, then the person directing the sword sect to use the pheromone detection stones might have deliberately concealed their purpose, or might not even be from the sword sect.

After this suspicion arose in her heart, the first person Lu Zhuxin thought of was Qu Qingtang.

Could it be that Qu Qingtang was still alive?

Lu Zhuxin pondered.

If Qu Qingtang was still alive, she would indeed be the person with the most motive to do such things.

But judging from the Seven Sword Sects’ various actions, Qu Qingtang should truly be dead.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have rushed so hastily to the Chi family to urge the wedding.

Marriage alliances were meant to solidify the cards in one’s hand.

But if it wasn’t Qu Qingtang, what other person could command Lingxiao Sword Sect?

“Your Majesty.” Hu Mei’er suddenly spoke up. “Huang Huying asked me to inquire how Your Majesty wishes to handle that wolf clan princess.”

“Handle Bu Lianshuang?” Lu Zhuxin came back to herself. “What’s wrong with her?”

Hu Mei’er smiled bitterly, looking troubled. “Originally, Huang Huying had already settled that princess in a safe place, but after she returned to the base, she insisted on helping no matter what.”

“And asked Huang Huying to arrange it for her.”

As she spoke, Hu Mei’er carefully observed Lu Zhuxin’s reaction. “That wolf clan princess was rescued by Your Majesty. Without Your Majesty’s consent, the Yellow Fox sisters don’t dare handle it on their own.”

Lu Zhuxin irritably rubbed her forehead. Dealing with Chi Xiyan’s advanced wedding date was already annoying enough. Why did that little wolf also have to join in the commotion at this time?

She really didn’t have the energy to deal with another Heaven-Mandated Female Lead right now.

“Let her do as she pleases.” Lu Zhuxin impatiently waved her hand. “Have Huang Huying keep an eye on her. As long as she doesn’t cause trouble, try to satisfy her needs.”

Originally, Lu Zhuxin had wanted to refuse, but Heaven-Mandated Female Leads had heavenly fortune. They had strong subjective initiative in advancing various events.

If she completely restricted her, who knew what trouble it would cause?

Lu Zhuxin couldn’t watch her all the time, so she might as well go along with her.

As long as she didn’t cause trouble, Lu Zhuxin was too lazy to care about her right now.

Hearing this, Hu Mei’er’s eyes flickered with some surprise.

She hadn’t expected Lu Zhuxin to actually agree.

“I understand.” Hu Xian’er nodded and said, “I’ll have Huang Huying handle it carefully.”

…

In the morning, Lu Zhuxin crawled out of bed and stretched luxuriously.

Although cultivators didn’t need to sleep for rest, after a night’s recuperation, Lu Zhuxin’s mental state had recovered considerably and she’d calmed down quite a bit.

Though the Song family urging the wedding was sudden, for great aristocratic families, marriage alliances weren’t small matters. Whether selecting an auspicious date, preparing banquets and ceremonies, or inviting guests—all required considerable time.

So Lu Zhuxin still had a chance to stop all this.

Anxiety and irritation wouldn’t help the current situation at all.

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Moreover, last night, Lu Zhuxin had also obtained quite a bit of intelligence from Hu Mei’er.

The Song family had many branches and flourishing descendants.

Among the direct bloodline, there were over ten people of similar age to Song Shixuan. Including branch families and offshoots, the number was countless.

However, if she could narrow the scope to women, she could eliminate quite a few targets.

“Second Young Lady, Second Young Lady.” A maid’s voice came from outside. “Second Young Lady, are you awake?”

Lu Zhuxin recognized this voice.

Qingshan and Luluo, Chi Xiyan’s two most trusted maids.

The one outside now was Luluo.

Lu Zhuxin climbed out of bed and straightened her disheveled clothes.

Mei’er wasn’t here, so she was too lazy to carefully dress herself.

When sleeping at night, she’d just slept in her clothes.

She simply washed her face and pushed open the door.

The maid Luluo was waiting outside the door. When she saw Lu Zhuxin push the door open, she froze for a moment.

Although she’d always known this Second Young Lady came from a common family, this appearance was a bit too unkempt.

“Second Young Lady, you’re…” Luluo looked at Lu Zhuxin with a complicated expression. “You’re going out looking like this?”

Lu Zhuxin wound a strand of hair from beside her cheek around her finger. “Is there a problem?”

There’s a problem! A big problem!

Where does this look like a young lady from an aristocratic family?

She doesn’t have any of the proper appearance a young lady from an aristocratic family should have!

Luluo complained frantically in her heart.

She wanted to properly teach this Second Young Lady before her, to let her know the proper grooming and deportment of an aristocratic family young lady. But thinking of Chi Xiyan’s favoritism toward this Second Young Lady, she could only awkwardly abandon that thought.

The job of training the Second Young Lady could only be personally handled by the First Young Lady. As a mere maid, what qualification did she have to interfere?

“Second Young Lady, the First Young Lady is waiting for you outside.” Luluo’s eyes quietly examined Lu Zhuxin, hinting with a complicated gaze. “The First Young Lady has always placed the most importance on aristocratic family etiquette. Look, with you like this, shouldn’t you prepare yourself again…”

Lu Zhuxin didn’t have that patience.

These matters were normally handled by Hu Mei’er when at Fox Palace.

These past few days at the Chi family ancestral home, with Hu Mei’er absent, Chi Xiyan came every morning to change Lu Zhuxin’s bandages and would also help tidy her up.

Under Chi Xiyan’s careful care, Lu Zhuxin’s injuries had already mostly healed and didn’t need such frequent bandage changes. So today it had changed to Luluo calling Lu Zhuxin to wake up.

“It’s not good to keep Sister waiting.” Lu Zhuxin said. “Let’s go find Sister first.”

Naturally, Luluo didn’t dare say anything, so she led Lu Zhuxin away from the courtyard.

It was early morning, and the sunlight was gently warm.

In the courtyard, Chi Xiyan was instructing the maids about something.

Lu Zhuxin saw her and, lifting her skirt, quickly ran over. “Sister~!”

Hearing the voice, Chi Xiyan turned to see Lu Zhuxin and raised her hand to dismiss the maids.

“Why did you just get up, you lazy little cat?”

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“Look at you, running around everywhere without properly grooming yourself. Where do you look like a young lady from an aristocratic family?”

As she spoke, Chi Xiyan reached out her hand and very naturally began tidying Lu Zhuxin’s hair. “Even your hairpin is crooked.”

“You’re the Chi family’s Second Young Lady now. You can’t continue like this in the future.”

Lu Zhuxin playfully stuck out her tongue. “Sister, I don’t know how. Will you help me from now on?”

“You lazy little cat.” Chi Xiyan lightly scraped Lu Zhuxin’s cheek with her finger.

The young girl’s skin was delicate as cream, white as jade.

Irresistibly lovely.

“I can help you once or twice, but I can’t help you every time.”

“After you marry in the future, when I’m not by your side, who will you ask for help?”

Lu Zhuxin quietly muttered, “Then Sister just shouldn’t get married.”

Chi Xiyan heard it and laughed as she scolded, “You, what nonsense are you saying again?”

“What girl doesn’t get married?”

“But I don’t want to get married…” Lu Zhuxin quietly objected.

Although Chi Xiyan didn’t hear Lu Zhuxin’s objection clearly, seeing her expression, she knew what she was thinking.

She helplessly shook her head.

“Father has already had someone clear out the northern courtyard for you. In a bit, after helping you tidy up, I’ll take you to move there.”

“Eh!?” Lu Zhuxin raised her head, her beautiful eyes widening slightly. “I can’t live with Sister?”

Chi Xiyan said, “You’re still a proper young lady of the Chi residence. How can you keep living in your sister’s courtyard?”

“Your name has already been written in the Chi family genealogy. You should enjoy all the rights of a Chi family direct-line young lady.”

“Besides an independent courtyard in the ancestral home, there are also regular clothing and jewelry, household servants and guards, maids and attendants, carriages and horses for outings, and so on… You should enjoy the same standards as me.”

“Now Father has already prepared the courtyard. The tailors have almost finished making the clothes you’ll use from now on. I’ll have people fetch jewelry and accessories from the storeroom for you.”

“Household guards can also be recruited from the Chi family martial hall.”

“As for the rest, the serving maids…” Chi Xiyan thought for a moment.

“Although maids and servants can also be transferred to you from other places.”

“But the personal serving maids will follow you for a very long time in the future.”

“Like Qingshan and Luluo, who’ve been by my side since childhood.”

“So you still need to select some pleasing and compatible ones yourself.”

Lu Zhuxin naturally understood this.

Anyone who’d read ancient-style wish-fulfillment novels understood the important position of personal maids.

In novels, the protagonist’s maid characters usually played important roles. They weren’t just assistants in the protagonist’s life but could also be important carriers of emotional storylines.

These maids were either clever and quick-witted or deeply scheming, able to develop intricate relationships with the protagonist.

For instance, in the wish-fulfillment novels Lu Zhuxin herself had written, many protagonists’ first women were loyal, clever, and capable maids by their side.

Chi Xiyan continued, “It just so happens that I’m acquainted with the owner of a broker’s house. In a bit, I’ll take you to the broker’s market to select a few that catch your eye.”