In the sprawling courtyard of the Bo Wang Marquisate, a single spring jujube tree stood as a defiant testament to nature’s caprice, heavy with fruit far past its season. Scarlet spheres, ripe and plentiful, bowed its branches low, nearly touching the earth.

Heavy Xuan Sheng sauntered forth, plucking a handful with practiced ease. He offered several to Jiang Wang, sharing as they walked and ate.

The Bo Wang Hou Mansion, a realm unto itself, possessed courtyards that seemed to stretch to the horizon. Upon his first arrival in Linzi, Jiang Wang had felt as though he gazed upon an ocean. Should the Marquisate truly host a grand feast, its scale and magnificence would surely eclipse the wedding banquet he had attended three months prior at the Shuofang Bo Mansion. After all, this was a pinnacle of Great Qi’s esteemed families, currently boasting three Marquises and basking in an era of unprecedented prosperity, far surpassing the Bao family.

Today, however, was a private affair, with few outsiders present. Following the aged steward through winding corridors and hidden turns, they finally reached the main hall, where Heavy Xuan Yun Bo was engaged in jovial discourse with a middle-aged gentleman.

“Hahaha, how can one resist saying it? Just mentioned him, and he returns!” the old Marquis boomed with laughter. He motioned them forward. “Come, come, A Sheng, Qing Yang, quickly pay your respects to Doctor Ye!”

Their guest of honor was none other than Ye Hen Shui, a Court Discussing Doctor in the Political Affairs Hall. His literary fame was widespread, particularly his mastery of “green words.” These elaborate writings, also known as “green chapters,” were employed in sacrificial rituals to petition the heavens and compose memorials to the successive Emperors. They earned their name from the tradition of inscribing red characters upon green vine paper. Their sole purpose was to exhibit lavish prose, a dazzling display of the era’s grandeur.

Ye Hen Shui was renowned as the foremost exponent of this luxurious style in contemporary Qi. His writing was likened by his peers to a “Dragon Palace Garden,” suggesting that reading it was akin to strolling through such a magnificent domain – a realm of ultimate extravagance. Numerous imitators abounded, and his style held considerable sway within the literary circles of Qi. Every major sacrifice performed by the Qi court was, for the most part, penned by Ye Hen Shui, a clear indication of his standing.

Even accounting for Heavy Xuan Sheng’s regard, Jiang Wang found it impossible not to show respect to Heavy Xuan Yun Bo. Moreover, he had always maintained the decorum of a junior in the presence of the old Marquis. Thus, at the old master’s behest, he promptly stepped forward to offer his greetings.

Heavy Xuan Sheng, usually skilled in the art of social grace, was strangely subdued. He trailed slowly beside Jiang Wang, offering a perfunctory bow.

In terms of seniority, both Jiang Wang and Heavy Xuan Sheng were juniors, and Ye Hen Shui, as the elder, naturally received their respects. But just as Jiang Wang prepared to bow, Ye Hen Shui rose from his seat, a broad smile on his face. “I am an old friend of the Heavy Xuan family, and you and A Sheng are sworn brothers. We are essentially one family, there is no need for such formality.”

Jiang Wang was unaware of such a close relationship between Ye Hen Shui and the Heavy Xuan clan, but faced with Ye Hen Shui’s geniality, he could not refuse. “To be able to sit with the renowned Doctor Ye, whose green words are so elegant, though I am unrefined, I can still inhale the fragrance of ink. It is truly a joy beyond words!”

“A Sheng.” The only person remaining seated was Heavy Xuan Yun Bo. He gazed at Heavy Xuan Sheng, a hint of concern in his voice. “Has your cultivation at the academy been taxing this period? Grandfather sees your spirits are not very good.” He then smiled at Ye Hen Shui. “This child is usually very lively. It seems Jixia Academy is a good place to temper one’s disposition.”

Ye Hen Shui, his face also wreathed in smiles, looked at Heavy Xuan Sheng. “This time, I thoroughly reviewed the eastern line of the campaign against Xia. A Sheng’s temperament – where does it still need tempering? In the future, he should not be inferior to Ding Yuan Hou!”

“Doctor Ye is too kind. How can I compare to my uncle?” Heavy Xuan Sheng seemed to finally come to his senses. He replied to Ye Hen Shui, then turned to Heavy Xuan Yun Bo and said, “Not concealing it from Grandfather, your grandson is provoked and beaten by his hall brother every day in the academy. I have accumulated hidden injuries, thus my spirits are low and I have no appetite. I will go back to rest first.”

Heavy Xuan Yun Bo laughed and waved his hand. “You child, don’t jest in front of your Uncle Ye, otherwise, how will your Uncle Ye not worry?”

“I am not jesting.” Heavy Xuan Sheng, whose face was usually brimming with smiles and chubbiness, was now utterly serious. He bowed to Ye Hen Shui. “My apologies, Doctor Ye. Heavy Xuan Sheng is unwell and will not be able to accompany you.”

“It matters not.” Ye Hen Shui, far from showing any displeasure, said gently, “If you are unwell, you must rest and recuperate properly.” He then turned to Heavy Xuan Yun Bo. “Marquis, A Sheng’s health is important. I shall not linger further. We can share tea another day.” Having said this, he turned and departed directly.

Even Jiang Wang, usually slow to grasp subtle cues, now sensed the disquiet in the air. He quickly caught up a few steps, following Ye Hen Shui out of the hall. “Doctor Ye, I shall see you out.”

The main hall of the Bo Wang Hou Mansion, naturally, was bright and clean with excellent lighting. With the outsiders gone, the vast room held only grandfather and grandson. Yet, the atmosphere was anything but relaxed. Heavy Xuan Yun Bo sat in the seat of honor, never having risen, and remained silent for a considerable time. Heavy Xuan Sheng did not reiterate his intention to rest, simply standing rooted to the spot.

The silence stretched on. Finally, Heavy Xuan Yun Bo broke the stillness.

“Ye Hen Shui, listed within the Political Affairs Hall, his position high and his power substantial. Looking across the entirety of Great Qi, such figures are few. His personal visit today, does it not signify great importance?”

Heavy Xuan Sheng offered no reply.

Heavy Xuan Yun Bo continued. “He has but one sister, married to Xing Yun Dao, the Prefect of Pingyuan Commandery. Though Xing Yun Dao is merely a Prefect, due to historical reasons, his family has operated in Pingyuan Commandery for many years, holding the title of ‘Pingyuan Prime Minister.’ Compared to Prefects transferred from other regions, he is considerably more influential. Surely you are aware of this?”

Heavy Xuan Sheng remained silent.

“Ye Hen Shui’s only sister and Xing Yun Dao have but one daughter, whom they dote upon endlessly. Xing Qing Xue’s beauty is renowned, one of the foremost in the western parts of the empire; her beauty is by no means insignificant.”

Heavy Xuan Sheng was still silent.

“I know you usually enjoy competing with Bao Zhong Qing. The marriage I have arranged for you is more than ten times superior to that of the Bao family’s second son.” Heavy Xuan Yun Bo’s aged voice was not loud, but the anger was palpable. “What temper are you throwing today, what kind of mess are you making!”

Heavy Xuan Sheng, who had been so eloquent and yet so silent today, finally spoke. “Fourteen, eh?”

“Fourteen?” Heavy Xuan Yun Bo furrowed his brow. “She is merely a dead warrior. The Heavy Xuan family possesses not one hundred, but eighty such dead warriors. What are you thinking!?”

Heavy Xuan Sheng met Heavy Xuan Yun Bo’s gaze, his stubbornness unyielding. “Fourteen, eh?”

“Impudent!” Heavy Xuan Yun Bo suddenly erupted in fury, slamming the armrest, shattering it. “Heavy Xuan Zun is the Champion Marquis who established his own household, what are you? If I cannot control Heavy Xuan Zun, can I still not control you?”

This old Marquis, a veteran of countless battles, though his body was riddled with old wounds and his cultivation had stagnated, possessed an extraordinary presence. A lifetime of military service had earned him immeasurable merit for the state. Countless fierce generals in the current Great Qi army had once been his subordinates. Even the military god Jiang Meng Xiong showed him respect. And even Court Discussing Doctor Ye Hen Shui treated him with the utmost courtesy. At this moment, his anger surged, truly like a tiger roaring in the mountains.

But Heavy Xuan Sheng merely stared directly at him, speaking with utmost seriousness. “Heavy Xuan Zun is the Champion Marquis who established his own household, and I am the one who forced him to establish his own household – Heavy Xuan Sheng. Grandfather, I do not wish to challenge your authority, nor do I wish to oppose you. What Ye Hen Shui, what Xing Qing Xue, I do not care. I only want to know… where is Fourteen?”

Heavy Xuan Yun Bo’s voice lowered. “Heavy Xuan Sheng, do you think your wings have hardened now? You may not inherit this Bo Wang Marquis title yet!”

“You can give it to whoever you want, what is so great about it!” Heavy Xuan Sheng finally could not suppress his unease. He impatiently waved his hand, demanding angrily, “What have you done to Fourteen?!”

Heavy Xuan Yun Bo had always known that Heavy Xuan Sheng was a courageous child. The things Heavy Xuan Sheng had accomplished, the difficulties he had overcome, he had always paid attention to. He had sighed again and again, felt comforted time and again. But today was the first time he had personally faced this courage. He truly felt that this grandson, who usually masked his emotions with smiles, this chubby child who always acted playfully and tumbled before him, had truly grown up. And thus, he felt his own aging even more keenly…

He did not believe that with Heavy Xuan Sheng’s shrewdness, he would not have considered the reasons for his actions today, would not have considered which was the better choice. Yet, ultimately, for a woman, a mere dead warrior, his mind had become so muddled. When he was young, who dared to speak to him like this? Even at a similar realm of cultivation, the him of back then could have slapped ten of the current Heavy Xuan Sheng flying with a single blow. After suffering irreversible injuries, giving up the hope of Divine Arrival, he was still able to firmly control the entire Heavy Xuan family, nurturing his children into talents, save for Ming Guang. After the incident with Ming Tu, he was still able to support the shaky power of the Heavy Xuan clan, allowing the clan to stand firm. His methods, how could they be ordinary?

Ultimately, he was old… Not only his body was old, not only his vital energy had decayed. His spirit, his will, even the fire in his heart… He sighed a long breath.

Finally, all expression vanished from his face. He said to Heavy Xuan Sheng with chilling calmness, “Have you considered how to support this family after inheriting the title? Have you stepped outside of your own personal feelings as Heavy Xuan Sheng and, in the identity of the Bo Wang Marquis, considered the future of this family? Do you know what is most important for a family to endure for a long time?” His face, etched with wrinkles, held the dignity accumulated over years. His not-so-stern eyes held the history and authority of the entire family.

But Heavy Xuan Sheng’s eyes were very small, small enough to hold only one person. And with this pair of eyes, he faced Heavy Xuan Yun Bo. “Do you know how important Fourteen is to me?”

This pair of grandfather and grandson, each knew the answer to the other’s question, but neither offered an answer.

Heavy Xuan Yun Bo lifted his hand, already spotted with age, and pointed outside. “Look at the spring jujube tree in the courtyard. If not pruned, it will be broken. Growing against the season is not the problem, wind and rain are nothing. But why can it not hold up? Lush branches, abundant fruit are certainly good, but the main trunk cannot be weak. If the main trunk cannot hold up, it will be pressed down by the overly lush side branches. Your hall uncle, Heavy Xuan Chu Liang, is a contemporary True Person, his military might unparalleled. Your hall brother, Heavy Xuan Zun, is of perfected Divine Arrival, not yet thirty years old, already conferred the title of Champion Marquis. They are the pride of the Heavy Xuan clan, making the entire Heavy Xuan family stronger, more respected, but… you, who are about to bear the responsibility of the family head? Your cultivation is a weakness; you have no maternal clan support behind you. With your current strength, you cannot support such a large family. I believe that given time, you can do very well, but where does this ‘long time’ come from? Chu Liang treats you as his own, and A Zun will not compete with you anymore. But in ten years? In a hundred years? Once an opportunity arises, even if A Zun himself does not wish to fight, what about the people around him? The people who have always followed him? Since they have already separated and established their own households, from now on they are a branch of the Heavy Xuan clan. Since ancient times, which long-lasting family has a weak main trunk and strong side branches? With your cleverness and wisdom, you should understand. Marrying Ye Hen Shui’s niece, cultivating yourself internally, and connecting with a strong marriage externally, you can firmly grasp the family, integrating the power of the entire Heavy Xuan clan. For you, for the Heavy Xuan clan, this is the best choice.”

Heavy Xuan Sheng quietly listened until he finished, then asked only, “What about Fourteen?”

Heavy Xuan Yun Bo finally sighed. “If you insist, Fourteen can be your concubine.”

The stone in Heavy Xuan Sheng’s heart lifted. The old master’s words at least indicated that Fourteen had not met with any misfortune. This was enough. He could protect Fourteen well; he would not be separated from Fourteen again. With his wisdom, coupled with the resources he could now command, he would not fear any challenge. What made him afraid and nervous was the unknown. He was uncertain if, during his time cultivating in the academy, Heavy Xuan Yun Bo would have resorted to harsh measures – the possibility was very low, but he was extremely fearful. He had always been a person who dared to stake everything, but when it came to Fourteen, he dared not gamble.

During the three months at Jixia Academy, he had certainly cultivated diligently every day, taken beatings every day, never idle for a moment. But the image of Fourteen was in his mind every single moment. For so many years, he had long been accustomed to having such a person always quietly by his side. Listening to his complaints, accompanying him on adventures. Providing him with endless tenderness beneath the cold armor.

Now, he was calm. He could finally think clearly. Regarding everything that had happened today, all the causes and effects were laid bare in his mind. He had made a decision without thinking. But after serious consideration, he still chose this path.

“I will not take a concubine.” This chubby man, who could discuss anything, looked at his respected grandfather and said with an unyielding stance, “I will only marry one wife, and that is Fourteen.”

How could the dignified Great Qi Bo Wang Marquis take a dead warrior as his principal wife?

Heavy Xuan Yun Bo looked at him with disappointment. “Even if you lose this Bo Wang Marquis title?”

From childhood until now, what had he been striving for? Seizing an opportunity, then resolutely staking everything, using all his wits to fight – what was he fighting for? He had fought so hard to reach this point, could he possibly stop at this final step?

Heavy Xuan Sheng had expected complex emotions at this moment. But in fact, his heart was tranquil. A first-class family of Great Qi, a hereditary Marquisate that even Cao Ji, who had exterminated the Xia country and proven himself a True Monarch, could not obtain, and Fourteen… Where was the comparability? Those things, how could they compare to Fourteen?

At this moment, Heavy Xuan Sheng felt only serenity. He said very calmly, “Besides Fourteen, I have no regrets.”

“Heavy Xuan Sheng!”

Heavy Xuan Yun Bo’s voice suddenly rose. He looked at Heavy Xuan Sheng with his already somewhat clouded eyes, as if using all his strength. “I am going to die!”

He, who had spent a lifetime in military service, had never appeared so weak before. Even when Heavy Xuan Ming Tu had gone to sea back then, he had not looked at him with such sorrow. Today, looking at his own grandson, he was so grief-stricken…

“I will not live past this year,” he said. He only wanted to arrange the family’s future well before his death. He only wanted his life’s sacrifices and struggles to have a reassuring conclusion.

On his aged face, such vulnerable emotions were revealed.

Heavy Xuan Sheng stood stunned. After a long time, he knelt down, his forehead striking the floor tiles, a heavy kowtow. He kowtowed until the floor tiles cracked, until blood stained his forehead. Then he rose and walked out without looking back.