Mrs. Zhang hurriedly walked towards the steward’s residence on the distant large ship, seeking help from the Zhang Family members, needing to go through layers of the steward for communication, as the young master of the Zhang Family resided on Miss Jiang Nan’s large boat.
Mrs. Zhang arrived at the steward’s place, but was stopped by the guards at the door: "Halt, this is the steward’s residence, and passing merchants are not allowed to approach."
Mrs. Zhang quickly said, "I urgently need to see your steward, just say this matter concerns the Zhang Family’s direct lineage."
In this world, there’s only one family that can be referred to as the Zhang Family, and everyone who travels through the Martial World knows the renowned name of the Zhang Family.
When it involves the Zhang Family’s direct lineage, no one dares to be careless.
Yet the guard eyed Mrs. Zhang’s simple attire with a hint of hesitation, but considering she might be akin to a servant, he dared not obstruct indiscriminately, merely asking: "Does this truly concern the Zhang Family’s direct lineage? Don’t deceive me. If you are lying, I will be punished, and you will also be charged."
Upon hearing the guard’s words, Mrs. Zhang’s face turned anxious: "This naturally concerns the Zhang Family in Kyoto, stop chattering and call your steward out, don’t waste my time."
Seeing Mrs. Zhang’s firm attitude, the guard was somewhat convinced, thus he turned and quickly walked inside, not long after, the middle-aged steward hurriedly appeared, scrutinized Mrs. Zhang from top to bottom, although suspicious of her plain attire, but regarding matters related to the ’master’, he dared not be lax, and asked: "Are you saying there’s an urgent matter concerning the Zhang Family’s direct lineage, in haste to see me?"
"Yes, it is me! I want to see your young master! The situation is urgent now, do not delay, take me to see your master immediately." Mrs. Zhang’s voice was very strong; she knew that dealing with King Yan might be easier than dealing with small devils, at such a critical moment, only by showing greater strength could the matter proceed smoothly.
Now Zhang Chen had reached a critical moment, not a second should be delayed; if she were to discuss the context with the steward, explaining Zhang Chen’s background, it might be too late for Zhang Chen.
Sure enough, Mrs. Zhang’s strong stance made the steward’s expression serious: "You say this concerns the Zhang Family’s direct lineage, how do you prove it?"
"Just call out the young master of the Shen Family, I naturally will speak to him regarding this matter, which is confidential, how could it be something you might inquire?" Mrs. Zhang’s face showed displeasure, her voice filled with discontent:
"Moreover, who would dare joke about such matters?"
Mrs. Zhang wasn’t wrong; such matters concerning noble families, no one dared to joke. If Mrs. Zhang dared to make jokes and deceive, not only would she fail to see tomorrow’s sun, but her family would also be reduced to ashes under the nobility’s wrath.
The steward indeed did not ask further, fearing to hear any forbidden secret after seeing Mrs. Zhang’s attitude, he said to her: "Follow me!"
The party went out the door and encountered Zhang Tuowei and Zhang Fei, then saw the steward signal, and the fleet slowed down, with some launching a small boat, the party embarked on the small boat heading towards the large ship where the young master Shen lived.
On the large ship, all were elite warriors refined in Martial Dao, each donned iron armor, standing there like wooden stakes, the entire ship was on high alert without dead angles.
Inside the cabin
Miss Jiang Nan from Guangji was playing chess with a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old young man.
Entering this room was akin to entering a realm of dazzling treasures, an air of opulence overwhelmed.
On the ground lay an overseas tribute brocade rug, vividly colored, complexly patterned, soft and thick underfoot, every step sinking into clouds. In the hall center, stood an eight-immortals table of pear blossom wood, its surface exquisitely silky, rim embellished with fine jade, warm to the touch. On the table rested a set of blue-and-white porcelain tea set from official kilns, cups and pots lustrous white, adorned with lifelike floral bird patterns, casting a soft glow under candlelight.
Along the wall, displayed several carved camphor wooden cabinets, interconnected by hinges of pure gold, engraved with auspicious dragons, phoenixes, Qilins - lines fluid, shapes lively. Each filled with exotic treasures: jade Ruyi, agate ornaments, coral trees—gleaming with alluring light under lamps.
In the room’s four corners stood four glass lamps encrusted with gemstones, emitting dazzling colors to illuminate the whole room. The hanging lamp tassels, woven in golden threads, swayed gently, producing soft, pleasing sounds, exuding luxury and grandeur.
In the corner, a stunning maid was currently holding a kettle, seemingly brewing something.
"Snap~"
As the sound of the chess piece hitting the board echoed, the young man laughed heartily, "Cousin, you’ve lost!"
The young man wore a moon-white brocade robe, the dark, golden embroidered threads glimmering like a flowing galaxy under the sunlight. His posture was as upright as a pine tree, exuding nobility as he stood tall. His eyebrows slanted sharply into his temples, his deep eyes resembling dark pools, with an inherent pride visible in the depths. His nose was high and straight, lips thinly pressed, the lines of his face cold yet not without charm. His every move displayed elegance and poise, akin to a gentle breeze, fully embodying the distinguished air of a noble family’s young master.
Seated opposite the young man was a girl around the age of thirteen. She frowned slightly, dressed in gauzy robes that flowed like vibrant clouds. Her clear eyes sparkled like stars, her delicate nose was graceful, and her lips naturally red without the need for color. Her long black hair cascaded like a waterfall, with hairpins swaying gently, and her entire presence exuded liveliness and charm, radiant beyond compare.
Jiang Nan held a white chess piece in her hand, her brows furrowed as she hesitated, looking at the black-and-white chessboard, uncertain where to place her next move.
At the moment of her indecision, a guard outside announced, "Young master, Steward Li Zhong has an urgent matter to report."
"Li Zhong? What is it?" the young man gently stroked the white chess piece and addressed the steward outside, "Let him in."
Soon, the steward of the guest ship, Li Zhong, entered the room, bowed respectfully to the young man and the girl, and said courteously, "Young master, someone claiming to be from the direct line of the Zhang Family in Haojing has an urgent matter and requests to see you."
"The Zhang Family in Haojing?" The young man paused in his chess-playing, a trace of curiosity in his eyes, "How could someone from the Zhang Family be on that lower-class guest ship? There must be something unusual going on. However, the Shen Family and Zhang Family are old friends, and now that they’ve come to us, we cannot refuse to see them."
Turning to the girl, he said, "Since it’s an old family friend visiting today, cousin, it would be a good opportunity for you to recognize your relatives."
Then he instructed Li Zhong, "Bring them in."
Before long, Li Zhong brought the three members of the Zhang Family into the room. Li Zhong said to Mrs. Zhang, "This is our young master. He is in charge of all matters on this ship."
Mrs. Zhang, seeing the young man, quickly bowed, "So it’s the young master of the Shen Family. I offer my respects, sir."
Shen Qiu observed the woman’s awkward manners with a frown, a suspicious look on his face, "You say you’re from the Zhang Family in Shangjing?"
The Zhang Family in Shangjing is known for its strict etiquette, even the servants understand proper manners. Mrs. Zhang’s clumsy manners were entirely inappropriate, which naturally aroused Shen Qiu’s suspicions.
Mrs. Zhang was direct and articulate, recounting the course of events—from Zhang Chen’s father being taken away to Zhang Chen’s plan to seek refuge with the Jinling Shen Family, even to the troubles of being schemed against.
As Mrs. Zhang narrated her story, Jiang Nan listened intently, her curiosity piqued, while Shen Qiu clenched a chess piece in his hand, his expression shifting between skepticism and thoughtfulness.
After Mrs. Zhang finished speaking about seeking an elixir, Shen Qiu took a deep breath and looked up and down at the Zhang Family of three, realizing that this matter was very likely true, but...
"You claim you’re from the Zhang Family in Shangjing, but do you have any proof?" Shen Qiu asked, his tone sarcastic and skeptical.
"Both my children have awakened the Zhang Family’s bloodline and can control the power of spirits, which absolutely cannot be faked," Mrs. Zhang replied, having already prepared her speech.
Shen Qiu squinted his eyes and thought to himself, "The power of the bloodline can’t be faked; it’s more convincing than any proof. Could it be that unlucky one, Zhang Chen, is really my cheap brother-in-law? But this matter is tricky. Not to mention his criminal background, even the matters at home... the benefits left by my aunt, many have their eyes on them, some have even already divided and used up quite a bit. Now the debtor has come calling! Some of those benefits were also shared with me, so I definitely can’t give him the elixir. If my cheap brother-in-law were to die here, it would actually be for the best, as everything would be resolved. Otherwise, returning to Jinling might cause another storm."
Thinking this, Shen Qiu’s face darkened, "You, woman, are just using empty words to fool people. I asked you for proof, and you talk to me about bloodline power, which is simply the biggest joke in the world!"
"If you had proof, that would be something! But without proof, I must drive you out," Shen Qiu said coldly.
"Young master, although we don’t have proof, their bloodline can’t be faked. You just need to verify it," Mrs. Zhang quickly pointed to the two little ones and said.
"There are countless bloodlines in this world, with many strange and unusual ones. There are also countless bloodlines with the same abilities. Do you know how precious the Shen Family’s elixirs are? Direct line members only get one in their lifetime, and you want to take my life-saving elixir with your empty words—it’s simply wishful thinking. If you want elixirs, wait until you verify your identity with the Zhang Family in Kyoto before asking! But without verifying the bloodline first, I won’t drive you out nor will I blame you. I’ll arrange for you to be sent into the Zhang Family in Kyoto, and if you’re here with the intent to scam, don’t blame me for being ruthless after the bloodline verification." Shen Qiu stood up, his eyes filled with coldness.
He couldn’t take action against Mrs. Zhang, nor could he act to eject them, lest when the truth comes out, the Zhang Family holds him accountable. But delaying for time, that’s not illegal, right?