During the bustling of Bottle Mouth Alley,
On the other side, a Xia Family carriage procession heading towards the Yun Family, far from that street, in one of the rear sedan chairs.
The second daughter of the main branch of the Xia Family, Xia Qing, dressed in a bright and magnificent palace outfit with blue and white porcelain patterns, held the Jade hairpin she had just "sent" out, her phoenix eyes slightly squinted, her pupils shimmering uncertainly.
At her feet, two delicate maids were kneeling beside her, tapping Xia Qing’s calves with exquisite little wooden hammers. One of them, with a hint of arrogance in her demeanor, chewed her tongue, "Second Lady is really too agreeable. If that lad just now didn’t have the name of Ninth Mountain behind him, he would’ve been nothing but a bumpkin, daring to be so rude, offending Second Lady’s dignity, really thinking too highly of himself."
Second Lady is what people from the main family call Liu Qing.
"Exactly, to think Second Lady’s dignity was snubbed by a mere soldier, it really is a sign of the times. Second Lady is too kind-hearted; If it were me, I would’ve simply killed him," another sweet-looking maid echoed, sticking out her tongue while talking of murder.
At this moment, Xia Qing’s gaze shifted away from the Jade hairpin, her hand hooked the naive maid’s chin, and she smiled gently, her beauty carrying a trace of something enchanting.
"You, a girl from a good family, always thinking of murder, this won’t do, even our uncles up front haven’t said a thing."
With that, her fingertips glided across the maid’s chin, a flicker in her eyes, "Indeed, a sign of the times."
"Second Lady, do you really intend to marry that Yun Tiansheng from the Yun Family? He’s a military man, most likely very uncultured. Just thinking of his strong scent makes me feel nauseated—how can you bear it? Surely, those noblemen who flirt with poetry and music understand amorous affairs much better," the maid curiously inquired.
With years of service to her, they knew that Second Lady, despite being a woman, possessed the heart of a man. In families like the Xia Family, resources and inheritance often favor male successors. Yet their Second Lady stood out from the competition among her numerous brothers and sisters, managing and overseeing significant parts of the Xia Family’s vast assets.
Her martial arts advancement was no less than that of men, now only a hair’s breadth away from reaching Heavenly Pass.
Every time they went out, countless sons of big sects would contrive coincidental meetings, inviting Second Lady to join them, but not one caught her eye.
They also knew that with Second Lady’s temperament, she wouldn’t want those stinky men dominating her.
This time, Second Lady took the initiative to bring up this matter of marriage to the Yun Family. Even though she said it was to save the Family Head, as those who have followed her for years, they still didn’t understand.
There are not such deep affections in a great family!
Upon hearing her maid’s words, this second daughter of the Xia Family smirked meaningfully, "It’s not that I have only this choice, but that he has been chosen by me."
"Take it slow, let’s look at the bigger picture."
Saying so, her phoenix eyes examined the Jade hairpin in her hand, and then with a squeeze, it immediately shattered into tiny crystalline fragments that were dusted off from her sleeve and blown out of the sedan chair.
Not long after,
The horse procession ahead halted.
Shortly, respectful voices came from outside the sedan chair.
"Miss, we’re approaching the Yun Family."
"Good!"
"Go deliver the visiting cards."
"Let the uncles go in first."
As her words fell, a deep voice came,
"Qing’er, your Third Uncle and I will go ahead. After all, it’s not proper for you to show up in this affair. If there’s a change, you can visit the Third Young Master Yun in your name," said Second Master Xia.
"Yes, uncles, as you command."
Inside the sedan chair, Xia Qing obediently responded, then her phoenix eyes roved, trying to recall the appearance of Yun Tiansheng, and the little moments they had shared in the past.
She had a good memory, but now she couldn’t quite remember anything special about him. However, she wasn’t in a hurry, feeling confident in her heart and ready to proceed with the plan.
But after only a short while, the sound of horse hooves rang out again, and then someone outside reported with a voice somewhat out of breath.
"Second Master, Third Master, Miss,"
"A lot of people have come to the Yun Family’s door; our men have seen the Murong Family, Liu Family, and Four Seas Sect among those arriving. What shall we do?"
The families mentioned by the person outside were all significant Family Sects from Jingguan City.
Upon hearing this, Xia Qing’s bright eyes flickered slightly in the sedan chair, but she had anticipated this situation.
If the Xia Family was aware of the connection between the Yun Family and Ninth Mountain, other families would naturally also know.
"Qing’er, then you shall come too. It seems that inside the Yun Family, there are others with the same intentions as us, so this method you mentioned, it seems we’ll have to rely on you," spoke Second Master Xia from the neighboring sedan chair, seemingly unsurprised.
"Qing’er understands," Xia Qing replied calmly.
The procession moved on, until they stopped in front of a mansion with a sizable estate.
"Miss, we’ve arrived at the Yun Family!"
A respectful voice announced from outside.
Xia Qing’s eyes sparkled, she exited the sedan chair, her charisma immediately brightening the surroundings.
At the same time, two middle-aged men, adorned in gorgeous robes and exuding an impressive presence, also stepped out from the other two sedan chairs.
It was the Second Master and Third Master of the Xia Family!
The duo looked at the carriages of various families arrayed in front of the gate, their eyes slightly narrowed—at such a large number of powers seeking this once second-tier family.
Hopefully, the Yun Family won’t get carried away!
At this moment, a steward-looking figure from the Yun Family residence stepped forward, steadying his hand.
"I am Yun Fu, the steward of the residence. The two Colonels honor us with your presence, please come in."
The Xia Family had already sent their calling card, and the butler politely greeted them without saying much else, promptly inviting them inside.
The Second Master Xia and the Third Master Xia stood back, nodding with their hands clasped behind them, but did not move immediately, tilting their faces to the side.
It was then that Xia Qing stepped forward, her bright eyes lifted, and courteously greeted them.
"Please trouble yourself to inform Third Young Master Yun that I am an old acquaintance of his. Upon hearing that Third Young Master Yun has triumphantly returned from the Demon frontline, Second Lady Xia wishes to meet with him and catch up on old times."
Upon hearing that this second daughter of the Xia Family wanted to meet Third Young Master Yun, the butler’s face showed difficulty.
"To be honest with Miss Xia, several of our young master’s ’old friends’ have already come to visit, and all have been turned away. Moreover, the young master has already stated that he will meet with no one. You see... Perhaps Third Young Master Yun has just returned from the battlefield and is quite busy. We servants should not disturb him!"
When Xia Qing heard the butler’s tactful rejection, which seemed to hint at something, her long eyelashes fluttered slightly. She then took out a jade pendant from around her waist and said clearly:
"When your young master sees this jade pendant, he may wish to come and see me; it is a token."
"Then I shall try again!" Butler Yun Fu took the jade pendant.
He was actually familiar with this renowned Second Lady Xia; it seemed that Third Young Master Yun had some involvement with her. To be safe, he took it anyway.
What he’d said was also true; indeed, many who claimed to be old friends of the Third Young Master had come to visit, but all had been turned away.
"Someone, go and ask Third Young Master Yun!"
The summoned individual took the jade pendant and ran towards the inside of the mansion.
"Gentlemen, would you like to wait in the front hall first? Today the mansion has received many honorable guests; the family head will likely come soon."
"No rush, let’s wait a moment!"
Second Master Xia waved his hand.
The key figure they wanted to break through was Third Young Master Yun; they wanted to see if Qing’er could make any progress on her side.
After about half the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the Yun Family servant who had gone to deliver the token hurried back.
Upon his return, Xia Qing, who had previously maintained a calm and stately demeanor, started to speak with a hint of urgency,
"What did your young master say?"
"Back to Miss Xia," that servant of the Yun Family replied, hands extended to return the jade pendant,
"Third Young Master Yun says he won’t meet!"
At these words, the expression of this second daughter from the main branch of the Xia Family shifted, her brow and lips twitched, and her hand clenched tightly within her sleeve.
"Did you say that it was Second Lady Xia who wanted to meet him?"
"I did!"
"Did he see the token?"
"Third Young Master Yun did not look at it; he instructed me to leave," replied the Yun Family servant.
Xia Qing’s complexion reddened slightly, and she was about to speak again when she heard a stern voice next to her,
"Qing’er, no more words."
Second Master Xia spoke up, his tone somewhat gloomy and his expression slightly unwell.
There was only one last method left: to unite with the other families and plead with the Yun Family.
"Someone, bring up the gifts!"
Soon enough, the servants of the Xia Family moved precious gift boxes down from the carriage, some of which were sealed with talismans, presumably to keep the treasure’s aura contained.
To ask a favor, of course, one must bring gifts.
Xia Qing hadn’t considered this aspect, but Second Master Xia had thought the situation through completely.
"Let’s go, we’ll head to the front hall!"
Witnessing this scene, Xia Qing’s pretty face shifted, before finally exhaling, feeling somewhat embarrassed by her behavior, and composed herself.
Quite the character, that Tiansheng Yun!
He wouldn’t be playing a game of cat-and-mouse with her, would he?
That was child’s play to her.
Her eyes once again lit up with determination.
..........
Meanwhile, in the study of the Yun Family’s main branch, three people sat inside.
Yun Family Patriarch Yun Fangting, Yun Family Second Branch’s Yun Chuxiong, and the Yun Family’s Third Young Master, Ninth Mountain’s Leading Military Officer Tiansheng Yun.
Yun Fangting sat at the head with a smile, "Haha, thanks to you, those who usually show little respect to our Yun Family have come knocking today, I hear they’ve brought quite a few treasures."
"Their purpose is better known to you than to me. Let me make it clear, I can’t involve myself in this matter; you father and son can handle it."
Yun Family Patriarch Yun Fangting’s eyes beamed at the thought of the decision he made a month ago to heed his nephew Tiansheng Yun’s advice to support the Ninth Mountain, bringing about today’s scene and raising the prestige of the Yun Family. The might of Ninth Mountain’s Colonel Yun had elevated the Yun Family’s status significantly.
"I’ll go then!"
Tiansheng Yun’s determined gaze furrowed slightly, and then he got up and left without any delay.
Yun Fangting looked at his younger brother Yun Chuxiong, a bit concerned, "You’re at ease letting Tiansheng go?" Yun Chuxiong smiled reassuringly, "Big brother, don’t worry. Tiansheng, following the Nine Colonels through battles from east to west, has seen countless grand scenes and has grown rapidly, surpassing even his father. Now, he’s ready to take up the mantle of our Yun Family!"
Yun Fangting nodded, full of praise, "It seems that both you and your son have gained much from this trip. You’re also close to forming your own Taoist Soldier, aren’t you?"
"Yes indeed! I didn’t expect it either. Big brother, some things are hard to describe, but believe me, the Yun Family must stand with Ninth Mountain from now on!"

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