Chapter 17: Entanglements

Su Yue’s breakthrough to the Golden Core stage drew the attention of the entire Yan Residence.

So young, and yet progressing so rapidly in just two years—what’s more, she was cultivating the Sea of Clouds Sword Manual, renowned as one of the most difficult techniques to master.

For a time, Su Yue became quite the celebrated figure within the Yan Residence.

When Su Yue returned to her post at the Snow Pavilion, she immediately noticed a change in the servants’ attitudes toward her.

The most notable shift came from Madam Jin; where previously she had been little more than a background figure, now, after breaking into the Golden Core, Su Yue found Madam Jin offering her more and more smiles.

“Pearl, going to deliver food to the dungeon again?” Madam Jin asked, her eyes crinkling with good humor as she looked at Su Yue.

Su Yue stiffened at the words, but quickly composed herself and put on a smile before facing Madam Jin.

“Yes,” Su Yue replied.

Madam Jin approached, watching Su Yue heft two large buckets of food without the slightest sign of exhaustion, moving with impressive speed.

“I made a garment for Sword Zither,” Madam Jin said. “He rarely comes out, so I never get to see him. Please, could you deliver this for me?”

Su Yue took the offered bundle, nodded, slung it onto her back, and picked up the buckets before heading to the dungeon.

Upon entering, she distributed the day’s meals, then made her way to the deepest cell, where Sword Zither was so engrossed in a book he didn’t notice her arrival.

“What are you reading, Sword Zither? I came in and you didn’t even react,” Su Yue greeted him, seating herself opposite and pouring herself a cup of water.

Sword Zither didn’t lift his eyes, though his hand paused on the page.

“An annotation on the Rejuvenation Technique. These are the insights Young Master recorded during his cultivation. Whenever I have time, I try to comprehend them,” he replied.

“Wait, so the Young Master cultivated both the Ten Thousand Woods Method and the Rejuvenation Technique at the same time? Isn’t that dangerous? Most people can only practice one core method, right?” Su Yue asked, puzzled.

Since Yan Qitang could wield the Azure Willow, he must have practiced the Ten Thousand Woods Method. But Sword Zither claimed he also cultivated the Rejuvenation Technique, which left Su Yue confused.

“The Rejuvenation Technique was originally refined from the body-tempering section of the Ten Thousand Woods Method, so there’s no harm in cultivating both simultaneously,” Sword Zither replied calmly.

Hearing this, Su Yue couldn’t help but marvel—Yan Qitang truly deserved his reputation as the Yan family’s greatest genius in a thousand years. Blessed with a celestial sword, practicing top-tier techniques, he was a sword cultivator with strength on par with a body cultivator. Was there anything he couldn’t do?

“Oh, right. Madam Jin asked me to bring this to you,” Su Yue remembered, hastily presenting the bundle.

Only now did Sword Zither look up. He took the package, unwrapped it, and saw clothing identical to what he wore. He quietly rewrapped it and put it away.

“If my mother asks you to bring me things again, tell her it’s against regulations and ask her not to do it anymore,” Sword Zither said, tucking the bundle into his storage pouch.

“She means well. You shouldn’t be so cold,” Su Yue protested, unable to understand why Sword Zither responded so indifferently to his own family’s concern.

Sword Zither gave Su Yue a long, searching look, then sighed. “You really are dense. Haven’t you noticed how often my mother’s been having you deliver things lately? These are all standard-issue supplies from the Yan Residence. Even if I don’t collect them, someone else brings them. At the very least, my brother Book Zither could deliver them. Why trouble you?”

“Then why does Madam Jin keep asking me?” Su Yue was even more perplexed.

“Obviously, she wants you to be her daughter-in-law,” Sword Zither said, exasperated.

Only then did Su Yue realize: after her breakthrough, Madam Jin had recognized her talent and was finding excuses to foster interaction between her and Sword Zither.

“Madam Jin truly never climbs the Hall of Three Treasures for nothing,” Su Yue sighed.

“My mother’s spent too long in the back courtyard; her mind is full of schemes and convoluted plots. When she’s in a good mood, she’ll treat you like her own child. When she’s not, she’d push you straight to hell. You’d best keep your distance,” Sword Zither warned, flipping through his book without the slightest discomfort at speaking thus of his own mother.

Su Yue propped her chin in her hand, studying Sword Zither with curiosity.

He remained unmoved, continuing as he pleased. Su Yue stared until her eyes ached, but he said no more.

“I’ll go see if there’s anything else I can do. It’s too idle here,” she said at last, leaving the dungeon.

Only after she’d gone did Sword Zither finally look up from his book, frowning slightly at her retreating back.

When Su Yue emerged, she found the Snow Pavilion in a flurry of activity as the servants prepared for the autumn chrysanthemum banquet—apparently, the young master would be entertaining friends.

Tianxiang, the overseer, was dashing about, directing this person and checking that. Yurun had also come to help, writing invitations and checking supplies for the banquet.

“Just you two? Where’s Red Sleeve?” Su Yue was barely through the door when Tianxiang pulled her in to help.

“Don’t mention her. She’s locked herself away, claiming she’s working on some creative performance! Quickly, go rehearse with the performers again,” Tianxiang said, giving Su Yue a push.

Su Yue had no choice but to help, but as she had little knowledge of music, all she could do was nod along while the performers rehearsed, before dragging Yurun over to guide them.

“Caught you! I ask for help and you pass it to Yurun,” Tianxiang said, swooping in.

“Why not give me a job that actually uses spiritual power or magic? Please don’t make me do this,” Su Yue pleaded.

“In this whole pavilion, you’re second to none when it comes to the zither. Maybe it’s just that these performers truly aren’t up to scratch. Can’t you bear to listen a little longer? Never mind, just go and coax those spirit flowers that refuse to bloom,” Tianxiang replied.

Su Yue felt wronged, but couldn’t explain—she couldn’t very well reveal that she’d faked her performance at the grand banquet. She didn’t care about losing face herself, but the young master might not be so forgiving.

Resigned, Su Yue went off to coax the spirit flowers. She took out her Threaded Zither and gently plucked the green strings. Not only did the reluctant buds begin to swell and bloom, but the flowers already in bloom became more lush and vibrant.

Nearby, two young maids who had just reached the fourth stage of Qi Refinement were assigned to help. When they witnessed the display, their eyes grew wide with awe.

Thus, Su Yue gained two little admirers.

“These flowers aren’t meant to bloom in this season. Why are you forcing them? Is this truly showing respect for the flower spirits?” a gentle voice questioned from behind.

Su Yue turned to see Wen Xueyi approaching, dressed in a pink gauze skirt over which she wore a wide-sleeved robe, her steps graceful and composed.