In times of chaos, as true dragon emperors emerge, phoenix daughters also appear.
Though among the true dragons there may be a mix of dragons and snakes, and among phoenixes, other birds may be present, anyone carrying even a hint of noble aura can greatly benefit their husband’s yang fortune.
Wang Yu listened to this great secret with an excited expression on his face.
“Hehe… Back in the day, our ancestor, Wang Zhong, was born with auspicious signs. The sky turned red, and clear qi rose, forming shapes like dragons and tigers, with five colors blending. Thus, the imperial court grew jealous! Though he passed the imperial examination at eighteen, he remained stagnant and only became a local governor in middle age! And even that was in Chufeng, where there was a threat from a water dragon!”
Wang Su, revealing a family secret, sneered coldly: “The officials in the imperial court were all scheming. They ordered my ancestor to suppress the water dragon, which cost him half of his original fortune. Then they sealed the white dragon. Each of these actions greatly drained his fortune. After several such incidents, my ancestor’s fortune was completely exhausted. From then on, his fate was uncertain, and he was at the mercy of others. A few years later, he died from internal injuries. What good was posthumous honor then?”
Fortunately, our ancestors had accumulated some residual virtue, earning the people’s reverence and receiving sacrifices. After a century of relentless effort, our family finally attained the status of the city god, and the Wang family rose to become a prestigious clan in the region—just as we were on the verge of flourishing… Yet, at this very moment, the imperial court dispatched Li Zhen to repeatedly suppress us…
At this point, his face darkened with a sinister look: “In the past, when the emperor ordered a minister to die, the minister had no choice but to obey. Thunder and rain were all blessings from heaven… But now the heavenly mandate has changed, and dragons are rising everywhere. Do they really think the Wang family is made of clay?”
“This Dragon Gate gathering will settle the karmic debt with the white dragon and seize the opportunity to rise, soaring into the sky!… Our family’s fortune is thin, so aspiring to be a regional lord is unrealistic, but becoming a military governor is still feasible…”
Wang Yu, listening below, was filled with excitement.
Chufeng had one commandery and eight counties, with hundreds of thousands of people. To declare independence would be a pipe dream, but becoming a military governor was more than possible.
Once the situation was established and a respectful memorial submitted, the imperial court would be powerless to object.
“In this time of chaos, dragons are rising in every province and commandery…”
Wang Yu’s heart brightened: “Even within this province alone, there are several military governors, who, though nominally under the imperial court’s command, are in fact independent states…”
Reflecting on his father’s words, he felt even more inspired: “In our generation, the best we can hope for is to become a military governor. But once we gain control of this commandery, we can diligently govern, organize the army, and take in the phoenix-daughter to absorb her fortune. Even the rank of duke or marquis is within reach… Perhaps even the true dragon emperor!”
At this thought, a flame roared in his heart.
…
On the west side of the commandery city stood a stone bridge called “Baxia.”
The bridge arched like a crescent moon. Under each railing were carvings of dragon-turtles bearing heavy loads, over three hundred in number, corresponding to the celestial numbers, each different, hence the name.
Willows lined both banks, and in early spring, this was a famous scenic spot in the city.
At this time, the bridge was crowded with pedestrians, vendors, and food stalls, creating a lively scene.
“Steamed buns… freshly baked steamed buns…”
“Donkey meat pies, fresh and hot…”
“Fortune-telling, fortune-telling, predicting good and bad luck…”
“Famous calligraphy and paintings…”
Though small, this scene rivaled the temple fairs of Yunping County. The bustling cityscape left Wu Tiehu somewhat mesmerized.
“Master! The oil cakes you asked for!”
Wu Tiehu, tall and strong, pushed through the crowd and soon returned with a smile.
“Okay!”
Wu Ming took the paper-wrapped cakes, smelled the fragrant scallions, took a bite, and slowly walked along the bridge, seemingly admiring the scenery.
“Wait a moment, young sir!”
At the eastern end of the bridge, a crisp female voice rang out.
Wu Ming was startled and soon saw a girl in a green dress approaching.
Though only sixteen or seventeen, her figure had already matured, with six or seven parts of beauty. More importantly, dressed as a maid, she carried a long sword and exuded a bold, heroic aura, which made her somewhat incongruous. Yet Wu Ming felt a chill, for from her steps, breathing, and wrist movements, he knew she truly knew swordsmanship, not just for show, which was quite remarkable.
“Are you Master Wu Ming?”
The sword-bearing maid scrutinized Wu Ming, smiling but maintaining a formal demeanor, strictly adhering to etiquette.
Her gaze seemed to look down on him as a spoiled nobleman.
“Proud and temperamental?!”
Wu Ming almost laughed but held back: “I am indeed Wu Ming. May I ask your name, young lady?”
“This is from my lady for you!”
After confirming his identity, the maid handed over a small bundle wrapped in a handkerchief in a businesslike manner: “My lady says, if things go awry, you may take this item to any business marked with the character ‘Wu’ in Nanfeng Commandery, and someone will arrange for your safety!”
She bowed and left with a cold expression.
“Am I being dismissed? Or is it because my reputation as a spoiled nobleman has spread too far?”
Wu Ming stood there, somewhat speechless: “Am I being dismissed by a maid? But this gesture is quite bold… Nanfeng Commandery, the Wu family?”
“Hey! Daring!”
Just as the maid was about to leave, Wu Tiehu’s towering figure blocked her path.
The master was not yet offended, but Wu Tiehu could no longer endure.
Now that he had been guided by Wu Ming, his martial arts had improved, and he had entered the realm of true qi through star connection. Standing casually, without Wu Ming’s simplicity, he exuded a fierce aura.
“Who are you?”
The girl involuntarily stepped back, her hand resting on the sword hilt, clearly ready to kill in the street.
However, she had gained some experience, and sweat appeared on her forehead, indicating that in a real fight, she would surely fall within ten moves.
But this would not be seeking help but making enemies, and also creating trouble for herself.
Wu Ming smiled: “Tiehu, step back! My servant’s rudeness startled the young lady, for which I apologize. But I would like to ask your name, if I may?”
Seeing Wu Ming’s command, the fierce Wu Tiehu obediently stepped back, surprising the maid: “I am my lady’s sword-bearing maid, named Jianqiu!”
Without lingering, she quickly left.
“Jianqiu? Haha… Hearing the maid’s name reveals the mistress. That young lady is probably no pushover either…”
Wu Ming smiled, thinking her behavior resembled Sun Shangxiang from the Three Kingdoms period, who scared Liu Bei with sword-bearing maids.
He wondered who would be so unlucky to become the Wu family’s favored son-in-law.
He opened the handkerchief and saw a golden bracelet inside. Though exquisitely crafted, its true value lay in the aura it emitted, surprising Wu Ming slightly.
Opening his spiritual eye, he saw a faint green qi rising from the bracelet, forming a phoenix shadow.
“This fortune surpasses even my elder sister’s…”
Wu Ming’s expression turned odd: “Even a princess or concubine might not have such an aura. Though the Wu family is prestigious in Nanfeng, even the head of the family might not possess such fortune. This girl’s destiny is truly noble, possibly becoming an empress in the future?”
However, this had nothing to do with him.
Though it might be Wu Qing’s careful planning for his future, Wu Ming was no longer the same as before, nor the naive youth he once was.
“Let’s go!”
He casually put the item away and ordered: “Get into the carriage and visit a few places…”
…
“Miss, I have delivered the item to that person as you instructed!”
Jianqiu walked down the bridge and stopped at a carriage parked by the riverside, respectfully reporting.
She seemed somewhat shaken: “That young master was fine, but the big man beside him was quite formidable. Pity he followed a spoiled nobleman.”
“You misunderstood…”
From the carriage, the curtain was slightly lifted, revealing a pair of eyes like stars, bright and heroic: “Even if a servant is a warrior, how can he serve a master who lacks capability? How can he earn true loyalty and be effectively commanded?”
“People say the Wu siblings are a phoenix and a rat, but in my opinion, this young man is already no less than his sister!”
“Miss…”
Jianqiu was surprised, never expecting her proud mistress, who regarded all men as insignificant, to hold such a high opinion of that young man.
“But you…”
The gaze shifted to Jianqiu: “Didn’t I warn you before? Why did you act with disdain due to mere rumors?”
Though the words were not harsh, Jianqiu immediately knelt: “I know my crime! Please punish me, Miss!”
She knew well that with her mistress’s strong will, any denial would only increase her hatred. Only by humbly pleading for mercy could she hope for a chance.
“Okay! You know the family rules. After returning, go to the punishment hall yourself!”
Hearing this, Jianqiu trembled, her face paling, clearly aware of the place’s reputation, but she could only bow: “Thank you for your mercy, Miss!”
The curtain fell, and the carriage slowly moved.
Inside the carriage, a girl of seventeen or eighteen, exquisitely beautiful and exuding a heroic aura, rubbed her temples: “This trip to Chufeng Commandery reveals hidden currents, with major changes at Dragon Gate! I must report to Father upon returning, preparing in advance!”
“Though there are military governors in Dingzhou, most control only one commandery or town. Our family has already sidelined the governor and taken full control of Nanfeng. If we strike decisively and seize two commanderies at once, we can establish a dominant position…”
“And also… Father and the eldest brother must be supported with personnel as soon as possible…”
The beauty’s eyes were deep and resolute, showing a decisive and ruthless demeanor.
Suddenly thinking of the youth she had seen today, she found him somewhat capable, which was surprising, but that was all. She dismissed the thought.
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