Bluestone Cave Mansion.
Tea smoke curled softly.
Zhu Guizhi sat cross-legged, her flowing purple skirt spreading like water over the cushion.
Their exchange had been ongoing for some time.
But Zhu Guizhi was in low spirits.
Her quiet visit to Ning Zhuo was primarily for intelligence gathering. However, after several rounds of conversation, she hadn’t gleaned any valuable information from Ning Zhuo’s mouth.
Zhu Guizhi had long planned her daughter Zhu Fenxiang’s marriage. She didn’t want Zhu Fenxiang and Ning Zhuo to end up together.
However, Ning Zhuo had demonstrated his innate talents, and his actions hinted at the powerful forces backing him.
Before coming, Zhu Guizhi had carefully studied Ning Zhuo’s small trial at the Xuan Armor Cave and his battle with Gu Qing.
She dared not be careless.
She worried that her actions might anger Ning Zhuo and damage relationships with a super force.
As a mature Righteous Cultivator, Zhu Guizhi certainly wouldn’t make such a foolish mistake.
But the initial negotiations left her without any assurance, as Ning Zhuo was remarkably tight-lipped. She was even slightly angry, almost suspecting that Ning Zhuo might be a reincarnated elder or possessed.
She shook her head inwardly, fully aware that Ning Zhuo was a young man.
The latter showed no signs of age; the clarity in his eyes alone manifested youthful beauty.
Zhu Guizhi raised her hand to pour tea, the Green Jade Bracelet on her wrist lightly tapping the porcelain cup, producing a clear sound.
She wouldn’t give up easily.
She quickly switched the topic, mentioning the previous battle and praising Ning Zhuo for his public tactics that cornered Gu Qing after the fight.
"Young Master Ning Zhuo’s mere words put Gu Qing in terrible trouble."
"Yet, I am somewhat puzzled."
"Wouldn’t befriending Gu Qing, as opposed to making an enemy, suit your intellect better?"
Ning Zhuo heard this, his lips curling slightly, but he remained silent. He simply leaned back, a minimal gesture that immediately created an extraordinary aura.
"Mrs. Zhu, do you not feel that Gu Qing’s proposal for sparring using avatars was too mild and dull?"
In an instant, Zhu Guizhi keenly noticed the sharp glint in Ning Zhuo’s eyes.
Like lightning suddenly illuminating the clouds, though fleeting, it made Zhu Guizhi’s heart skip.
"Young Master Ning is indeed no ordinary person." Zhu Guizhi smiled gently, though her hands in her sleeves unconsciously clenched.
She thought of her husband, He Yong—the eternally mild-mannered and courteous Righteous Cultivator, likely never to be so bold in his lifetime.
This boldness was indeed the spark of ambition.
Ning Zhuo showcased a trait that earned Zhu Guizhi’s admiration.
It was something her husband, He Yong, lacked.
From this perspective alone, her daughter’s judgement was better than her own. Yet Ning Zhuo’s display was not enough.
She hadn’t gathered the definitive result, always maintaining skepticism.
As a mature Righteous individual, she also needed to be accountable to her subordinates and forces, demand solid facts, upon which decisions and changes could be based.
"Young Master Ning Zhuo, would you care to look at this?"
Zhu Guizhi presented a gift list, informed Ning Zhuo about Zhu Family policies: Zhu Fenxiang’s Divine Summoning Technique instruction implied Ning Zhuo would become a son-in-law joining the Zhu Family. This had already circulated internally within the Zhu Family, and the treasures, Magic Artifacts, and Magic Treasures on the list were part of marriage resources, with more to come.
Ning Zhuo glanced but didn’t look at the list, immediately gesturing: he had already learned of it from Zhu Fenxiang. But it was a misunderstanding! He and Zhu Fenxiang shared no private affection, just an accidental opportunity where Zhu Fenxiang voluntarily taught him.
Zhu Guizhi wasn’t very surprised by this answer.
Excellent politicians have likely made guesses—or even found answers—before asking many questions.
Her question was mere groundwork.
She sighed gently, remembering: "When a young woman’s emotions blossom, they’re most easily clouded by fleeting feelings. I recall my first meeting with her father; it was much the same."
"Fenxiang is my flesh and blood; if she acted impulsively, affecting her lifetime, it’s indeed possible."
"Hearing the Young Master’s response now, I can breathe a sigh of relief."
Ning Zhuo pondered silently.
Zhu Guizhi’s worries differed from the image of Zhu Fenxiang in his mind.
Ning Zhuo had already gathered plenty of information about Zhu Fenxiang; he didn’t think she would ruin things over affection.
Zhu Fenxiang had received elite training from a young age, endured hard work, exercised patience, controlled emotions, and deeply understood humanity and divinity to serve Gods well, foster relationships, and achieve results in her Divine Summoning Technique.
That was exactly what Ning Zhuo appreciated about Zhu Fenxiang.
While Ning Zhuo dismissed it inwardly, he praised outwardly: Zhu Guizhi, as a mother, worried for her children. Her kindness was moving.
At this point, he showed tenderness, thinking of his own mother.
Ning Zhuo: "Since the misunderstanding is resolved, please take back this gift list, Mrs. Zhu."
"It’s merely a misunderstanding; best not to deepen it."
Zhu Guizhi sighed, lauding Ning Zhuo’s upright conduct and admired him. No wonder he passed The Three Questions of the Heart. He acts correctly and sits with integrity.
Her tone shifted slightly, "However, Zhu Family’s Divine Summoning Technique is no trifling matter. Fenxiang’s current situation..."
Ning Zhuo heard her out, frowning slightly.
He asked Zhu Guizhi how she intended to handle it.
Zhu Guizhi proposed a solution: first, using Divine Arts to erase some of Ning Zhuo’s memory. Then publicly announcing after the fact that he and Zhu Fenxiang are merely friends, not lovers.