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For the descendants of the Black Tortoise Clan, who boast a long lineage, everything must be done with asured restraint.
Especially before marriage, utmost attention must be paid to appearance and reputation, among other factors. Otherwise, it could significantly affect marriage prospects, to the extent that a downgrade in marriage could occur.
No Black Tortoise Clan would marry their daughter to a notorious wastrel. In particular, legitimate sons and daughters must pay attention to these details, which often concern the reputation and face of both noble families.
Thus, the legitimate sons of noble families have only servants attending to them from a young age, rather than a host of maidservants.
The idea of taking concubines before marriage is almost unheard of. Every noble family cares about their reputation; how can they marry a legitimate daughter to soone who already has concubines?
Moreover, in families like the Spirit Platform Family, resources are usually scarce, and they are always intent on elevating the family to greater heights.
It’s rare for a clan leader to take concubines as well; high-bloodline won cannot beco concubines, and having children with a low-bloodline concubine would diminish descendants’ status.
Besides, children born to concubines are illegitimate, which puts them in a very awkward position. With the Spirit Platform Family’s financial and resource prowess, why invest heavily in an illegitimate child?
However, in the Celestial Human Family, because they control more resources and have greater family wealth, they also need more talent to manage various family industries. Thus, the culture of taking concubines gains popularity gradually.
Standing at the ship’s bow, Chen Fangjie was blown into disarray by the cold wind.
He was sowhat envious of Wang Shouzhe’s romantic luck yet worried for him. Could this Miss Zhong Luoxian really be an authentic legitimate daughter of the Zhong Family?
Indeed, it’s not entirely impossible.
Before, Shouzhe secretly visited the Hundred Islands Guard, and subsequently, soone from the Zhong Family personally ca to deliver items. Later, he even dined with the Zhong Family’s Spirit Platform Realm mber.
Could it be that Shouzhe really has so intricate relationship with the Celestial Human Family—Zhong Family?
But with Shouzhe’s status, it’s doubtful that he could reach the level of a Zhong Family legitimate daughter. Could he be planning... to cross the Rubicon first?
But what about Miss Liua?
Such an act that humiliates the family door, how could the powerful Liua Family just let it slide?
Could it be that with Shouzhe’s wit, he has already pacified Miss Liua in secret?
Shouzhe, Shouzhe, you’re playing too big this ti.
Your unwise brother, with his frail constitution, and being from a small household like the Chen Family, cannot help you this ti. You’ll have to rely on yourself for good fortune.
Chen Fangjie stood at the bow, mulling over the clandestine eting between Miss Zhong and Wang Shouzhe in the inner chamber of the ship’s tower while he could only endure the cold wind and worry for him, which was indeed very miserable.
Alas!
This future brother-in-law might not be an easy one to handle.
Fortunately, Wang Shouzhe did not know that his future brother-in-law, while buffeted by cold wind, had already imagined an elaborate love triangle drama. Otherwise, he might have kicked this future brother-in-law into the river to clear his mind.
...
"Wang i, is the plan for the next major undertaking clear?" Wang Shouzhe asked calmly, sipping his hot tea. "If there’s anything unclear, you can ask. This ti, you may need to take so risks."
Whether to take risks or not depends on the potential gains. When it concerns so enormous benefits, and also when there’s a chance to strike at the enemy, taking risks is inevitable.
"Patriarch."
Wang i’s "Star Eyes" were slightly shimring with light as she softly said, "For the patriarch, even sacrificing my life is worth it."
The voice was alluring yet ethereal, extrely pleasant to hear, causing one’s heart to involuntarily soften.
"Pfft!"
Wang Shouzhe almost spit out a mouthful of tea, staring as he said, "Speak properly."
"Well... forgive , Patriarch. I’ve gotten used to this tone these days. What I an is, to deal with the Liu Family and the Zhao Family, I wouldn’t hesitate to sacrifice my life." Wang i smiled awkwardly, swiftly returning to her naturally sowhat ordinary tone, her voice tinged with resentnt.
She was a household general of family heritage; her Grandpa Zeng had died in that fierce battle back then, how could she not hate?
Upon hearing her real voice, Wang Shouzhe found it bland and tasteless, furrowing his brows as he said, "Use the fake voice again."
"Yes, Patriarch, I’ll always listen to you." Wang i obediently switched back to her coquettish, captivating voice that resonated within the heart, and after entering the state, she also montarily gave him a charming sidelong glance.
"Hiss!"
Wang Shouzhe held his forehead, that voice was too bewitching, he couldn’t take it. Imdiately, he waved his hand helplessly, saying, "Enough, enough, let’s use the real voice again."
"..." Wang i blinked innocently, wondering why the patriarch wanted her one way at one mont, and then another the next.
This taste truly was elusive.
...
In the early morning.
The sky had not yet brightened.
A boat set sail from Dingpu Ferry, its passengers included the Patriarch Liu, Liu Shengye, the family’s promising young generation Liu Yongzhou, and several other core family mbers.
"Patriarch." A middle-aged clan mber exclaid excitedly, "I never expected this. After a careful investigation, we found sothing surprising. Among the nearby Guardian Cities, there are three noble families with the surna Zhong, and the one most fitting to Miss Luoxian of the Zhong Family should be the Celestial Guard Family of Hundred Islands."
Liu Shengye’s expression was also very serious, with a trace of uncontrollable delight: "Miss Zhong’s identity is noble. It makes sense that she wouldn’t want to reveal her identity after falling into such circumstances. I implore everyone to remain composed and not bring disgrace to our Liu Family."
"Yes, Patriarch." Everyone responded in unison.
Only Liu Yongzhou stood straight as a javelin at the bow of the ship, with a faint hint of fervor occasionally flashing in his eyes.
Celestial Human Family.
Luoxian is, no, as expected, she is a young lady of the Celestial Human Family.
No wonder she continuously avoided questions about her family background. It must be that only a Celestial Human Family could nurture such an extraordinary Immortal Noble Lady, emitting an aura of inaccessibility with every move and word.
What stirred his heart the most was that Luoxian seed to display a slightly different attitude towards him, as if she wanted to be closer, yet had deep reservations.
Seeing her occasionally furrow her brows with a seemingly worried expression, Liu Yongzhou’s heart broke.
Indeed, the enormous gap between their noble families was the barrier between them.
With that thought, Liu Yongzhou’s fervent heart cooled a bit.
Yet, another thought erged in his mind: His uncle, Liu Shenghao, was about to ascend to the Ancestor Spirit Platform. Their family’s resources would undoubtedly increase significantly. As for Liu Yongzhou, he was already slated to be the next to embark on the Path to the Spirit Platform.
Given his status, even if there was still a significant gap with Luoxian, it was no longer an insurmountable barrier. If the whole clan supported his pursuit of the Spirit Platform, and Luoxian had affection for him, they might indeed succeed.
His heart grew more fervent, filled with hope for the future.
The ship traveled a short distance.
The Liu Family caught sight of a luxurious dium-sized tower ship coming into view.
"That is..." The mbers of the Liu Family were all taken aback. The eting with the grain seller arranged by Miss Zhong was not expected to be on such a luxurious and exquisite tower ship.
"Hmm?" Liu Shengye peered intently, his pupils shrinking, "Although this ship doesn’t bear a family banner, based on the emblem at the ship’s bow, it should be from the Tantai Family of the King of the Eastern Sea.
The Tantai Family?
The East Sea Guard is adjacent to the Changning Guard, unlike the remote Hundred Islands Guard. The King of the Eastern Sea is a well-known na among the Celestial Human Families, heard by the surrounding guards.
"This tower ship is extraordinarily luxurious, and its owner is likely an important figure of the Tantai Family." Liu Shengye advised with caution and respect, "Let’s steer clear of it, to avoid inadvertently courting disaster."
However, Liu Yongzhou had a hunch—could it be...
Sure enough, a graceful silhouette in a celestial gown floated out from the tower ship.
"It’s Miss Zhong Luoxian." Liu Yongzhou exclaid excitedly, "It turns out the seller she found is from the Tantai Family of the King of the Eastern Sea; truly befitting of the legitimate daughter of the Zhong Family."
The mbers of the Liu Family, too, were all thrilled. Having the opportunity to connect with the family of the King of the Eastern Sea was a coveted chance.
The ships docked together.
Following the guidance of the other ship’s crew, the mbers of the Liu Family boarded the tower ship, becoming exceedingly cautious at the sight of its opulence. The cost of this tower ship was likely no less than three to four thousand Qian Gold.
The total inco of the sizable Liu Family could reach such a number, but their expenses were also imnse, leaving them with only five to six hundred Qian Gold a year.
"Young Master Liu." Zhong Luoxian first set her eyes on Liu Yongzhou, appearing sowhat joyful at the sight of him before quickly restraining herself and calming down. Bowing slightly to the mbers of the Liu Family with a lodious, ethereal voice, she said, "Luoxian greets the elders of the Liu Family."
Patriarch Liu Shengye quickly led the group in returning the courtesy. Though Miss Zhong was addressing them as a junior, they dared not act superior? The legitimate daughter nurtured by a Celestial Human Family indeed, what an approachable deanor.
Liu Shengye felt thoroughly optimistic about the ultimate purpose of this visit.
After a brief exchange, Zhong Luoxian guided them into the tower ship to et the grain seller for this transaction.
As the mbers of the Liu Family entered, they were even more astonished by the lavish interior decoration and layout. They had underestimated the ship’s cost; the various ornants alone probably exceeded a thousand Qian Gold.
Inside a hall, a handso young man donned in a silk robe and adorned with a jade crown lounged lazily on a couch. His entire deanor showcased what it ant to possess a noble status.
The brocade robe was made of Ice Spirit Silk, with a slight shimring of icy white light, appearing exceptionally extraordinary. Ice Spirit Silk has always been an incredibly luxurious and expensive material.
Wearing it offers a refreshing coolness in the scorching sumr without any sweat, and prolonged wear nourishes the skin, providing whitening and beautifying effects.
Most importantly, Ice Spirit Silk is extrely dense and resilient, making it resistant to cuts by ordinary swords and providing so defense and fire-resistance.
Descendants of noble families have long considered Ice Spirit Silk as a highly coveted luxury. The Spirit Insect Masters of the Changning Xu Family reportedly secretively raised so Ice Spirit Silkworms, earning a significant fortune. Yet despite this, few in the Xu Family could afford an Ice Spirit Silkworm Robe.
The price is exorbitant.
Even an undergarnt would cost over one hundred Qian Gold. This young nobleman’s entire silk robe ensemble likely cost several hundred Qian Gold. Even the jade crown on his head shimred with splendor, clearly a treasure of significant value.
The household general standing behind him also exuded an impressive aura, appearing remarkable.
"Zhong Luoxian." The noble young man, half-lifting his eyelids to sweep a glance at the Liu Family mbers, lazily and disdainfully said with a slight frown, "You wrote to our Tantai Family just to deal with this lower-rank noble family?"
"?"
A surge of anger flared within Liu Yongzhou’s heart. Who was this scoundrel who dared to speak to Miss Luoxian in such a manner?
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