Chapter Forty-Four: Bound by Love to Jiuli

The low pearwood table was carved with delicate patterns. Jiang Lan plopped herself down on a cushion that was meant for kneeling, propping up her right leg and swirling the remaining half-pot of pear blossom wine in her hand. She struck a thoroughly roguish pose, the very image of a careless young nobleman.

Her ice-blue, narrow-sleeved robe was worn loosely and somewhat disheveled, the jade ornament at her belt had fallen onto the mat, and the small silver crown in her hair, inlaid with jade, gleamed brilliantly under the room’s light.

Seated below her, Jiang Cheng stole glances in her direction. Although his little granduncle’s features were rather plain—even his own grandsons outshone her appearance—her bearing possessed an undeniable elegance. For a moment, he fancied he could glimpse, beneath the ordinary surface, a grace as rare as the first magnolia blossom.

Noticing the furtive glances, Jiang Lan’s eyes flicked with amusement. She knew her so-called eldest nephew, who clung to her with shameless familiarity, was sizing her up. But she was bold by nature and met his gaze openly. After all, she was the elder—it was only right to show some concern.

“Nephew, what have you been busy with lately?”

Jiang Lan drained the wine in one swig, a faint flush rising to her cheeks, yet her mind remained remarkably clear. She smiled at her nephew with the air of a solicitous elder.

Jiang Cheng, in his sixties, hailed from a martial family. In his youth, he’d served at the border, and though he was now advanced in years, his constitution remained robust. Even three or four sturdy fighters might not best him. Yet, for all his martial discipline, Jiang Cheng was a lover of wealth. The reason Jiang Lan’s “eldest cousin” could so securely hold the position of head of the Jiang clan was due not only to his legitimate birth, but also to this filial son’s generous spending.

Raising his cup for a toast, Jiang Cheng’s face colored with a bashful glow. If he were a young man with the face of a spring morning, Jiang Lan might have felt her heart flutter. But confronted with this bashful old man, she truly didn’t know where to look.

Were all her cousin’s family like this? Outwardly simple, easily flustered, yet inwardly full of schemes and evasions. Was it that in the Jiang clan, the older one grew the more cunning they became? A family of old foxes, indeed!

“Thank you for your concern, Granduncle. I’ve been quite idle lately, and… thinking of finding something to do.”

Jiang Cheng nervously rubbed his gnarled hands, his face flushing as red as a sunset, lighting up the room. Jiang Lan had been mildly annoyed by his familiar address, but seeing him so easily cowed, she found it impossible to stay angry.

“What is it you wish to do?”

At this, Jiang Wu’s heart leapt with joy, but he kept his expression meek and respectful.

“To be frank, Granduncle, I’ve set my sights on the prosperity of the southern lands. I’d like to do business there, but…”

Jiang Lan’s gaze lowered, concealing her thoughts. She herself was considering finding someone trustworthy to manage her own enterprises—how convenient that this opportunity should suddenly present itself. Wasn’t it too much of a coincidence?

“Oh? Why sigh over such a good thing?” she asked, probing further.

Jiang Cheng rubbed his rough hands, the flush fading from his cheeks, making him seem even more sincere.

“To be honest, my father is quite strict. All my income is held by him.”

“So you’ve come today just to win over my dear ‘eldest cousin’?” Jiang Lan couldn’t help but laugh at the thought of her cousin still circling the wine bottle. Like father, like son—always with an angle.

Her words made her nephew blush even more, leaving him momentarily speechless. Indeed, the son of an old fox—a family of sly spirits!

“What made you think of doing business in the south? Isn’t it rather far from the capital?”

Jiang Lan smiled at the trap laid before her but did not step into it.

Sensing her lack of interest, Jiang Wu quickly signaled to the maid, who brought several more pots of fine pear blossom wine.

“You’re right, Granduncle. I had no such plans at first. Last time, I traveled to the south on behalf of Master Pei and was truly astounded by its wealth…”

Jiang Lan accepted a fresh cup from the attendant, inhaled the fragrance but did not drink, her curiosity piqued by Jiang Wu’s account.

The southern region had always been the granary of the realm; even the commoners there were wealthier than elsewhere, breeding many renowned merchants. Of course, the collusion of officials and merchants was a longstanding tradition—so long as it didn’t get out of hand, the court would turn a blind eye.

After all, if merchants were taxed too heavily, it would only harm the common people.

Jiang Wu was likely seeking his father’s help to climb aboard her ship, given the rumors of her favor toward her elderly “eldest cousin.”

But money was a powerful temptation! Matters of wealth, great or small, required caution; they were a true test of character. If she entrusted her assets to him and he merely skimmed a little, it would be a small matter. But if he were to commit some heinous act, what then?

Half a life could be ruined for less.

Better to observe the man first.

“What plans have you made, Nephew?”

Jiang Cheng was an experienced businessman who understood people well. Hearing this question, he realized his prospects were already half-secured.

“I’ve already established connections in the south and identified promising ventures. Here, Granduncle, please have a look.”

Jiang Lan nodded, and the maidservant hastened to present a ledger with both hands.

She rose, took the book, and descended the steps.

“This matter is worth considering. However, the scholars’ quarters are overgrown with weeds and plagued by mosquitoes…”

Jiang Cheng’s eyes lit up; he knelt on one knee and cupped his fists. “I will attend to it personally at once.”

Jiang Lan raised a hand to stop him. “No rush—see to it later.”

“Very well,” Jiang Cheng replied. “Then, um…”

“Come by my residence tomorrow evening.”

Passing through the flowered corridors and several courtyards, she finally left her “eldest cousin’s” sprawling compound.

At the door of her own small house, Xi Chi waited, face cold and silent.

Inside, Ming was seated at his desk, poring over his books. Jiang Lan checked the time.

Hearing her arrive, Ming turned, his small face brightening. “Uncle!”

“Have you eaten?”

Ming nodded. “I have, Uncle. Have you?”

Jiang Lan nodded as well. In truth, she’d only been drinking and hadn’t eaten, but she wasn’t hungry.

“There’s no need to study so hard without rest. Take a break.”

Jiang Ruoming glanced at his essay, obediently closed his books, sat on the bed, took off his shoes, and lay down.

“Uncle, I’m afraid I’ll oversleep. Will you stay with me for a while?”

Seeing him so well-behaved, Jiang Lan was pleased. She sat by the bed, leaned against the wall, and pulled out her little gold fan, gently fanning the air.

“Sleep, you won’t miss your lesson.”

“Mm.”

Once the child was asleep, Jiang Lan drew the ledger from her robes and began to read.

…

After leaving the White Birch Cavern, Jiuli joined the Qingqiu demon-expelling party.

For reasons unknown, chaos had erupted in the demon realm. The Demon Tower—which imprisoned the most wicked fiends of the six realms—had suddenly collapsed, and all the great demons escaped, scattering in every direction.

Some, blind to danger, trespassed into Qingqiu. With Lord Bai Ruo in seclusion and the other gods vanished, only Jiuli—a demi-god—stepped forth to restore order and clean up the mess.

As she was dealing with the chaos, several massive boulders came tumbling from the sky.

If the boulders were allowed to fall unchecked, both the battling people of Qingqiu and the rampaging demons would be crushed to dust.

In this critical moment, Jiuli unleashed her soul power and transformed into her true form. Her seven silver fox tails merged into a single barrier, shielding both the demons and the people of Qingqiu.

The boulders struck with immense force. Jiuli was only half a step from godhood; within two breaths, she had expended seventy percent of her power and spat up blood.

The stunned people of Qingqiu immediately ceased fighting, brandished their magical weapons, and helped repel the falling stones.

“Boss, are we still fighting?” asked a green-winged serpent demon.

Beside him, the white tiger demon king smacked him on the head. “Fight, my foot! We only ended up in Qingqiu by running too fast. All these old foxes from Qingqiu are practically spirits themselves. Fight them? Do you think I’m stupid?

Besides, our old demon king’s granddaughter is related to someone important in Qingqiu. We just need to put on a show. If we really started a fight and got captured, who knows how that old one would punish us?

Qingqiu was decent enough back then. When our demon king’s granddaughter caused havoc across the five realms, they refused to get involved. I respect that, don’t you?”

The green-winged serpent, simple-minded as he was, smacked his own forehead. “Boss, you’re right. Should we run?”

Another smack.

“You fool! After all that fighting, did either side suffer any losses?”

The serpent shook his head.

“Exactly! Since everyone’s being so civil, how could we just run away? Besides, how could two grown men hide behind a dainty little lady? We’d lose all dignity!”

The serpent glanced strangely at his boss—was she really a dainty lady? She’d hit the hardest just now.

He was about to protest when his boss roared, transformed into a white tiger, and leapt into the sky.

The serpent sighed. If not for his little sister’s injury, he would never have been tricked into sneaking into the heavens to steal the elixir, dragging his boss into trouble. In the end, the demon king had saved them. Outwardly, they were sentenced to reflect and cultivate in the Demon Tower, but life there wasn’t so bad. The tower’s only ironclad rule, known throughout the six realms, was: no fighting, no dual cultivation, and daily lectures from the demon elders.

The green-winged serpent thought his boss must be driven mad by the restraint—such violence! Ah, it was fate.

He followed his boss into the sky.

The boulders, though brimming with demonic power, lost their force once separated from their master. United, the group shattered them all.

Jiuli, withdrawing her divine power and returning to human form, approached the injured white tiger and green-winged brothers.

The serpent stepped forward, fists raised. “You… what do you want?”

The white tiger covered his face and pulled his brother back.

“Fairy Jiuli, we really only came in by mistake! We know your Qingqiu rules. How about this—let me cut off an arm as compensation?”

He raised his right arm, turned his face away, braced for pain.

But instead of pain, a sweet fragrance reached him.

Opening one eye, he found the strikingly beautiful woman before him cupping her fists in gratitude. “Thank you, both of you. Since this was a misunderstanding, there’s no need for further explanation.”

The white tiger felt dizzy, as if showered in peach blossoms. He’d never seen such a delicate and valiant woman. His ears suddenly burned. “Um… my name is Shen Ye.”

“Make arrangements for our guests—prepare wine and food, and treat them well!” Jiuli turned to the brawny man. “What did you say just now?”

“Um, um…”

Jiuli continued, “I’ll be away for a few days. You’ll be in charge of Qingqiu while I’m gone…”

“What did you say?”

“…?”