Chapter 100: Zhang San's Joy

Since Tang Wei had spoken, Ancestor Xuanyuan and Ancestor Ouyang promptly notified the major families and the four great sects to come and discuss the matter. With Tang Wei present, the Shi family naturally could not be left out. Though the Shi family now existed in name only, with Tang Wei's support, it would not be long before a new Shi family rose from its ashes.

At first, they had used false names for safety. But now, Zi Xuan and Tang Wei had likewise revealed their true names to the others. Given the level of cultivation the two of them had reached, they could swagger unchecked across the entire earth; there was naturally no longer any fear that someone might harm their loved ones. As for whether the security department should be included in the count, that would be settled when the eight families met again. Zi Xuan and Tang Wei had no desire to take the lead in this matter. Regardless, when Long Wei had moved to destroy the Xuanyuan family back then, he had schemed against them as well. They had known it at the time, but in order for the play to continue, the two of them had gritted their teeth and endured. Now they had neither the inclination to cause trouble for Long Wei nor the inclination to fight for anything on his behalf. Though he insisted time and again that he acted for the nation, for the people, who could say how much personal ambition was hidden in his heart?

Once the matters at hand were settled, everyone returned to their own lodgings. After Tang Wei entered the room the Xuanyuan family had prepared for the girls, she saw Yaya still sleeping soundly, with none of the panic she had shown during the day. Relieved, Tang Wei lay down beside her. After this stretch of scheming and deception, peace had finally returned. Tang Wei's heart had never felt so settled; she fell asleep shortly after lying down and slept all the way until dawn.

Early the next morning, she opened the door and saw that the Xuanyuan household had recovered its usual bustle. People were coming and going, preparing to receive the arrival of the various sects and families. Her mood lifted accordingly. She stretched lazily and said with a smile, "What a beautiful day today."

"Chen—oh no! I should call you Sister Tang now! Sister! Why are you up so early!" The two Xuanyuan sisters spotted Tang Wei opening the door from afar, and Yun Qian came bounding toward her.

Before Tang Wei could reply, Xuanyuan Yunshuang called out from behind in reproach: "Yun Qian! Mind your manners! Have you forgotten what Father said? You should be calling her Senior!"

Yun Qian was most unwilling to be pushed to such a distance from Tang Wei. She pouted and protested, "'Senior' doesn't sound nice at all!"

Tang Wei understood her completely. She laughed warmly and said, "It's all right, it's all right! Yun Qian can call me whatever she likes. If your father wants to call me Senior, let him call me Senior! The two of you can each use your own terms." Hearing Tang Wei's indulgence, Yun Qian happily threw her arms around her neck and cooed affectionately, "Sister is the best! If I had to call you Senior, I'd feel like I couldn't even talk to you naturally anymore!"

Seeing that Tang Wei did not mind, Xuanyuan Yunshuang said no more. Yun Qian was mischievous, but she was also a sister whom Yunshuang had doted on since childhood—how could she bear to make things difficult for her?

"Who are you people? So noisy! Can't you let a person sleep?" Yaya came stumbling out with eyes half shut and hair all askew. She had been woken up by the exchange between Tang Wei and Yun Qian, and in her daze had wandered out to see who it was. Her voice carried the air of a little adult, and the sight of her was utterly adorable.

Yun Qian peered around Tang Wei and saw Yaya's fair, rosy little face, still clouded with lingering sleep. Though her hair was a tousled mess, she looked absolutely charming. Yun Qian felt she had discovered a brand-new plaything. She skipped over happily and said, "Little beauty, still not awake? The sun's already shining on your bum!" With that, she gave Yaya's cheek a playful pinch.

"Who are you?" Yaya rubbed her own face twice and asked crossly. She hated having her cheeks pinched more than anything. She decided then and there that she and this young lady were sworn enemies.

Yun Qian, blissfully unaware that she had just made herself the girl's greatest nemesis, continued smiling brightly. "Yaya, I'm your sister Yun Qian! Want me to take you out to play?"

Tang Wei watched from the side and shook her head. Yun Qian had no idea she had unknowingly offended the little girl—twice at that. Yaya had two pet peeves: first, being woken up from sleep, and second, having her cheeks pinched. Yun Qian had managed to rack up both. There was no telling what mischief that little girl would cook up for her later! But Tang Wei did not rush to point it out. With a meaningful smile, she said, "Yun Qian, if you want to be Yaya's sister, then from now on you'll have to call me Auntie Tang. Don't forget—Yaya is my daughter."

Yun Qian deliberated with a troubled expression, turning the matter over and over in her mind. Finally, she frowned and, with the air of one making a painful sacrifice, declared to Yaya, "Forget it, Yaya! You'd better just call me Auntie Yun Qian!"

Her expression sent everyone around them into peals of laughter. Even Xuanyuan Yunshuang, that ice-cold beauty, could not help but curve her lips in a faint smile.

Xuanyuan Che and Zi Xuan walked over together. Curious, Zi Xuan asked, "Hey! What are you all laughing about? Having so much fun?"

"None of your business, nosy parker!" Yun Qian was a little embarrassed. Shame could not be allowed to spread far, or it would become ammunition for someone's mockery later. So she deliberately answered in a loud voice and accompanied it with a dramatic roll of her eyes in Xuanyuan Zhe's direction.

"You—!" Xuanyuan Zhe wanted to argue further, but recalling his father's warning that morning, he swallowed his words and muttered, "A good man never fights with a woman. I am a man of stature; I won't stoop to argue with a mere girl."

"I won't stoop to argue with you either!" Yun Qian turned her head away and presented her back to him. Taking Tang Wei's hand, she said, "Sister, Yaya, let's go have breakfast!"

"You two go ahead. I'll bring Yaya to wash up first, then we'll come over." Tang Wei smiled and led Yaya by the hand back into the inner room to freshen up.

Yun Qian answered without hesitation, "Sister, then I'll wait for you." She shot a glance at Xuanyuan Zhe and added, "Why aren't you two leaving? What are you waiting here for? This is the girls' territory."

Zi Xuan shook his head with amusement. "Waiting for my wife—that's none of your business, is it?"

"Your wife? Who?" Yun Qian asked, baffled.

"Why, your Sister Tang!" Zi Xuan was in the mood to tease her. Since Weiwei would need a bit more time anyway, he might as well find something to pass the moments. The way this girl Yun Qian looked when she was angry—she was a spitting image of Yaya!

"Rubbish! When did my Sister Tang ever become your wife! Careful, or I'll go tell her! Then you'll be in for it." Yun Qian showed not the slightest fear. Want Sister Tang as a wife? Not a chance! She still remembered how this fellow had been all tangled up with beautiful women back on Changbai Mountain.

When Tang Wei came out with Yaya, they were still arguing over the question. She happened to overhear, and in a flash of embarrassment and indignation, she snapped, "Zi Xuan! Are you looking for death? Spouting nonsense out here—when did I ever become your wife?"

"But it's true anyway—!" As Zi Xuan saw the flames blazing in Tang Wei's eyes, his once-confident voice shrank into timidity until the last syllable was nearly inaudible. "Ah, I've gotten myself into trouble. Weiwei's bound to give me a beating. I should never have started bantering with Yun Qian in the first place." He regretted it silently.

Seeing that Tang Wei was displeased with the topic, Yun Qian hurried to rescue the situation. "Sister, you're all done now. Let's hurry on our way!" Then she looked toward Yaya. The little girl's messy hair had already been tidied into neat order—likely trimmed by Tang Wei a moment ago—with even bangs across the forehead and a clean student bob at the back. With her big eyes, she looked positively lovely. Yun Qian could not help running over and exclaiming, "Wow, little beauty! Let me carry you!"

Yaya dodged aside, puffing out her cheeks. "I don't want you to carry me!" She clung to Tang Wei's leg and pleaded, "Mommy, you carry me!"

Tang Wei had no choice but to squat down and gather her into her arms. Yun Qian felt a wave of deflation and stood there pouting—her expression was exactly the same as Yaya's when the little girl sulked. No wonder Zi Xuan enjoyed teasing her. Before long, however, she bounced right back and chased after Tang Wei, chattering away. "Oh, right! Sister, you still haven't told me why you did that yesterday afternoon! You scared me half to death, I thought, why would Sister—!"

Her words, interlaced with stammering, faded away as she turned the corner, and soon nothing more could be heard. Zi Xuan and the others exchanged glances and could only shake their heads with helpless smiles before following along behind.

After arranging breakfast for everyone, the Patriarch of the Xuanyuan family sat chatting with Tang Wei and Zi Xuan in the council hall. Yaya, in front of so many adults, did not act up; she sat quietly listening to their conversation. Only when the matter of Zhang San and Li Si came up did she prick up her ears with particular attention.

"Patriarch Xuanyuan, now that Yaya's business has been settled, why don't you let Zhang San and Li Si go free?" Such was Tang Wei's plan. Since Yaya did not want to punish Zhang San, Tang Wei had no intention of pursuing his wrongdoings further either. The sooner this matter was concluded, the sooner everyone could be at ease.

"Naturally. I'll have someone escort them down the mountain at once!" The Patriarch answered solemnly and immediately stood up to dispatch Nanfang to carry it out. Since it had been established that Dongfang was indeed a man of the Ouyang family, Nanfang had now been promoted to the head of the four guards.

"Wait!" Yaya, who had been silent all along, interrupted the Patriarch's arrangement. She said to Tang Wei and Zi Xuan, "Mommy! I want Zhang San to stay and play with me! I told you before!"

Tang Wei was a little curious. "Why? Just now you wouldn't let Yun Qian play with you, so why do you want Zhang San to stay and keep you company?"

"Because he's really good to me! He plays with me, and he never gets angry." Yaya stated it as a matter of course. Then she shot a glance at Yun Qian and pouted. "He doesn't pinch my face either!"

Tang Wei glanced at Zi Xuan with hesitation, not daring to make the decision herself. Her eyes asked plainly: "What do you think? Will this work?"

Zi Xuan studied Yaya carefully and asked in a serious tone, "Are you certain you want to keep him by your side?" His manner was entirely that of negotiating with an adult—utterly earnest.

"Of course I'm certain! You all have no time to play with me. Can't I find someone myself to keep me company? I mentioned it to Mommy before, but you all forgot!" She pouted at Tang Wei, as if to say, "You never take my words seriously, and I'm about to get angry."

Zi Xuan heard her out and smiled. "Fine! As long as this isn't a passing whim, having someone to keep you company is a good thing. When you go out in the future, there'll be someone to look after you, and your mother and I can rest easier. But from today onward, you'll have to start cultivating! If you want to go out and play, you'd better work hard!" Seeing Yaya nod very earnestly, Zi Xuan smiled and ruffled her hair in encouragement. Then he lifted his head to the Patriarch. "Xuanyuan, I'll trouble you to send someone to fetch Zhang San."

When Zhang San learned that Yaya wanted to keep him by her side, he knelt on the ground in joy and knocked his head several times on the floor. The grievances he had suffered during that period had all been worth it. He thought elatedly, "How wonderful! From now on, I'll be one of the Tang family. With two Golden Core cultivators backing me, I'm no longer that abandoned rogue cultivator Zhang San whom no one wanted. As long as I serve the young miss well, they certainly won't treat me badly."

Zi Xuan admonished him at length once more, then sent him out.