Chapter 224 – Finding a Weaponsmith to Be My Father-in-Law - Part 2

Later that afternoon, at the Cui residence...

The Cui Clan was a major clan situated beyond the second gate, nestled in a prime location surrounded by two acres of sixth rank meat fields in the northwest. They had chosen this spot back when they were at their strongest.

While the third gate might seem more prestigious, the resources there—one fourth rank and two fifth rank meat fields—were reserved for the temple master, deputy temple masters, elders, and direct disciples. Most clans or outer disciples, without special permission, were limited to cultivating near the sixth rank meat fields. As such, the Cui Clan picked the best possible place in the vicinity of the second gate.

Still, the question was how long they could hold on to such a prime estate. It might remain secure for a few years, perhaps even a decade or more, but in time things could change. After all, the Cui Clan had once boasted three elders of the fifth rank and was now down to

one and a half

.

Cui Heng, the current head of the Cui Clan, was a refined-looking man. Sighing softly, he headed into the depths of the compound. Their patriarch had returned, and he needed the elder’s approval on a critical matter.

Before long, he arrived at a small pavilion. A white-robed man, looking even younger than Cui Heng, lounged there with a folded fan in hand, admiring the landscape. This was Cui Wuji, the

one

in the

one and a half

elders remaining in the clan.

Next to him stood a lively young girl, who immediately straightened her posture and became prim and proper the moment she spotted Cui Heng. Bowing politely, she greeted him, “Father.”

Cui Heng gave her a nod, then turned to Cui Wuji. “Patriarch, we’ve received word back from Li Yuan.”

Cui Wuji smiled calmly. “Then show your sincerity and finalize the marriage. But don’t try to strong-arm him. We can’t afford to offend him.”

“Of course,” Cui Heng agreed. He hesitated, then said, “Only...Li Yuan doesn’t want to wed the candidate we offered him. He wants to marry the

Yin Consort

instead.”

He paused, looking troubled. “She was meant for the imperial household. She was conferred the title of consort but never actually consummated her marriage with the Emperor because, not long after the conferment ceremony, the Red Lotus Rebels forced the Emperor to flee in haste. Luckily, we had people in the capital who managed to hide her away before bringing her back here.

“Since she’s returned, she’s carried herself as though still a consort of the imperial court, with her head held high at all times. It’s...difficult.”

Cui Wuji raised an eyebrow. “He knows her personally?”

Cui Heng shook his head. “She rarely leaves the house, so there’s no way he’d know her. Word is that he specifically wants to learn smithing and believes marrying her is the key to doing so.”

Cui Wuji nodded thoughtfully. “He’s sixth rank, pretty much the pinnacle for a wandering cultivator. So it’s natural for him to seek ways to step beyond that barrier. Trying to reach the world of fifth rank and above through smithing is understandable. As for the Yin Consort, there’s no future for her with the Emperor. He’s become deeply entangled with undying husks and Red Lotus Rebels.”

Cui Heng sighed. “But why in the world would the Emperor do all that?”

Waving a hand dismissively, Cui Wuji said, “It’s complicated. Even I know only bits and pieces. Ever since he poisoned all his siblings, he hasn’t been the same emperor we once knew.”

Cui Heng exhaled heavily.

Then, Cui Wuji continued, “Go explain the pros and cons to Yin Consort. Let Li Yuan give it a try. If he can break through that icy pride of hers, then let her be his wife.”

Cui Heng nodded reluctantly. “Patriarch, I’ve tried reasoning with her many times, and she does understand our predicament. She’s 22 now. Six years have passed since she entered the Jade Capital and was given her title at 16. She’s no fool; she knows the situation all too well. But her pride is sky-high, so much so that she still refers to herself as

we

in conversation.”

Cui Wuji paused, then gave a quiet laugh. “She’s just a young woman who wanted to prove herself, to her father and everyone else. Master Zhu never had a son to carry on his smithing, and he refused to teach his craft to a daughter. He must have criticized her many times for it.

“Plus, Master Zhu married into our clan in the first place. Before he became a recognized smithing master, he was looked down upon by many. The Yin Consort must’ve felt that scorn as well. She wanted to join the imperial family and return in triumph.”

Cui Heng sighed again. “That’s one bond no one can undo. After Master Zhu failed to forge a spirit weapon that one time, people mocked him, and the death of his wife was...well, partly tied to that scoundrel. The grudge runs deep.

“I tried everything I could to mend our relationship and make up for past wrongs, but it had little effect. And that little scoundrel belongs to the Jing Clan, so there’s no way to get revenge for what happened.”

Cui Wuji replied, “Let Li Yuan give it a try. Make the situation plain to everyone involved. If it works out, it’ll benefit our Cui Clan, Master Zhu, and even the Yin Consort herself.”

Cui Heng sighed. “I just don’t know how capable Li Yuan really is. I’ve heard of how he unraveled Guo Guangdan’s scheme and nearly forced the man to take action personally. Still, coaxing the Yin Consort or getting Master Zhu to teach him weapon smithing...both seem like tall orders.”

˙·٠✧🐗➶➴🏹✧٠·˙

Late in spring, a sudden rainstorm descended on the city. Raindrops rolled off the eaves, giving off a faint, cool fragrance; the wind chimes tinkled in crisp, clear tones.

Standing by the window was an elegant beauty. Her waist was slender, her eyes almond-shaped, and a tiny teardrop mole adorned the corner of her left eye. Tall and poised, she carried herself as though she were always looking down on others, yet beneath her long lashes, a hint of melancholy showed through, as if she were gazing off into some distant void.

She had been watching the clan head walk away; even after the doors closed, her gaze lingered on the rain. She took in the cool, fragrant air and the ringing of the wind chimes, lost in thought.

Just then, a maid’s voice broke the silence.

“My lady, do you want to see this visitor?”

The speaker was a long-legged maid with playful eyes and her hair done up in two little buns. The woman by the window did not respond.

Pouting, the maid muttered, “Hmph. A mere sixth rank from outside the city, and the clan head wants you to marry him? The clan head says you won’t be made a concubine, but still...why should you settle for that? You’re a consort of the imperial palace! People like him wouldn’t even get an audience with you, and if they did, they’d be kneeling.”

Still, her mistress said nothing.

Seeing no reaction, the maid cleverly shifted her tone. With a bright smile, she went on, “But the clan head said this Li Yuan is actually quite accomplished, and that he wants to learn weapon smithing from Master Zhu. It’s been six years since everything happened. Maybe, just maybe, he’ll turn out to be decent. I’m not taking his side or anything, I just think the master knows how proud you are. He wouldn’t send you some nobody, right?”

Having said her piece, she carefully studied her mistress’s expression. That mistress was Cui Huayin, better known in the household as the Yin Consort. The maid’s name was Yao Jue, her personal attendant who had accompanied her to the palace in the Jade Capital.

Suddenly, the rain intensified, the wind whipping against the window until it slammed shut with a bang.

“Ack!” Yao Jue exclaimed, rushing forward to prop it back open. Meanwhile, the regal woman remained unmoved, like a jade statue whose gaze only slowly drifted back from the scene outside. Lowering her eyes, she seemed wholly indifferent to the marriage proposal. She merely asked, “It’s raining. Have you put away my books?”

“All taken care of,” Yao Jue said cheerily. “Not a drop of water will touch them. Those palace poetry collections are absolute treasures. I wouldn’t dare be careless.”

Grinning, she added, “An imperial steward once told me that in ancient times, many of the masters who created new cultivation techniques first found inspiration through poetry or painting. A painting can come from imagination or travel experiences, but poetry truly tests your heart.

“On a rainy day, some only see the inconvenience of getting drenched. Others see into themselves, and in that moment of insight, a brilliant verse may appear by chance. From there, they find the spark to form amazing new techniques.”