Chapter 39: Reunion with Family

Jiuniang sat by the railing, lightly waving a pale hand. A stream of true qi flowed gently into Liu Xiaolou's body, unsealing his own true qi. The force was soft, like spring rain soaking the earth. "Now talk. How did you end up in Dongting? How did you know I was here? And what was all that nonsense about being my nephew?" As she spoke, a faint smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, impossible to hide. Liu Xiaolou climbed up from the ground, sighing with a miserable expression. "I’m an idiot. I really mistook you for someone else. I thought the one in the carriage was my aunt, the one I’ve never met. Who would've guessed it was you, miss? What a coincidence." Then he added, "They say heaven’s net is wide, with holes but nothing escapes. Could it be that I failed to fulfill the promise I made to you that day, and now the heavens have brought me back to make it right? If there's anything you need from me, just say the word. Whatever it is, I won’t refuse." Jiuniang studied him for a moment.“Turn around," she suddenly said. "Face the other way.” Liu Xiaolou blinked. “Huh?” But he turned around anyway. “Too far. Turn back a bit. Face the brocade pond.” “Oh. Got it.” He stood there half-turned, glancing back at her now and then. What’s she doing? Jiuniang didn’t say a word. Her lashes flickered slightly, and it was hard to tell what she was thinking. After a long pause, she let out a deep sigh. “Are you really Seventh Sister’s nephew? I don’t remember her ever mentioning a cousin like you.” “You’re her younger sister?" Liu Xiaolou quickly replied. "Then calling you Aunt really isn’t wrong at all.” Jiuniang shook her head. “I’m not part of the Zhou family. I’m just visiting someone. And that someone happens to be your aunt. Assuming, of course, that Seventh Sister really is your aunt. So, go on…” Seventh Sister’s birth mother had been the official wife of the Zhou clan leader’s eldest legitimate son. Both parents had passed away years ago. The identity Lord Xingde had crafted for Liu Xiaolou was that of a relative from her mother’s side; so distant they were barely still within the bounds of familial obligation. Even if the Zhou clan leader found out, he wouldn’t have the interest to look into it. Once that connection was mentioned, Jiuniang gave a cold laugh. “So that’s it. Times got hard, so you came sniffing around for a handout?” Liu Xiaolou forced a smile. “It’s not like that. I’m all alone now. My aunt is the last family I have left, so I thought I’d come and see her… maybe just reconnect a little.” Jiuniang snorted. “I can ask for you. But don’t get any funny ideas. If you’re hoping to climb your way up by clinging to my Seventh Sister, think again. Maybe she wouldn’t lay a hand on you, but I can make you wish you’d never been born.” Liu Xiaolou nodded quickly. “Of course not. I’m just here to visit family. If my aunt does want to give me anything, I won’t take a single coin.” Jiuniang’s expression softened slightly. “Wait here.” Liu Xiaolou promptly held out the sachet. “This is a token. My aunt will recognize it right away. Uh… miss, can I turn around now?” “No need.” Jiuniang flicked a finger and dropped him to the ground again, then turned and walked straight out of the courtyard. Liu Xiaolou lay there in the pavilion for a while, until footsteps approached. A woman came running in, stopped in front of him, and stared for a few moments. Her eyes welled up. “Nephew… it’s really you!” Jiuniang was finally convinced. She released the seal on Liu Xiaolou’s meridians. When he got a proper look at the woman’s face, she really was beautiful, though clearly older than Jiuniang by quite a bit. That settled it. He quickly bowed his head and called out, “Aunt....” Jiuniang watched the two embrace, sobbing in each other’s arms. Moved by the moment, she quietly stepped outside the pavilion to give them some space, though she had no intention of going far. She was worried her Seventh Sister might be too soft-hearted to realize she was being taken advantage of. When it came to rogue cultivators from Mount Wulong, Jiuniang was always on guard, and held a certain quiet disdain. Her maid Xiaoqin brought in tea and set it down inside the pavilion. On her way back out, she gave Jiuniang a strange look and winked. Though Xiaoqin was a servant, the two were as close as sisters. Jiuniang followed her outside and asked, “What is it?” Xiaoqin lowered her voice. “Miss, did you notice? That distant relative of Seventh Lady… he kind of looks like Young Lord Jingzhao.” Jiuniang gave a dismissive snort. “Like him? Not even close.” Xiaoqin covered her mouth and laughed. “Not from the front, maybe. But from the side… just for a second, I swear it gave me a jolt.” Jiuniang cut her off. “Enough. Don’t say another word.” Xiaoqin hesitated. “It’s just… Miss, we haven’t heard anything about Young Lord Jingzhao in such a long time…” Jiuniang frowned. “I said drop it.” Xiaoqin stuck out her tongue. “Alright, alright. I’ll go check in with the Zhou family’s kitchen and see about getting some food and wine ready.” Jiuniang shook her head. “No need… Let’s see what Seventh Sister wants first. No rush.” Before long, Zhou Qiniang and Liu Xiaolou stepped out of the pavilion. Jiuniang came up. “Seventh Sister, this nephew of yours…” “Thank you, little sister," Zhou Qiniang said. "Xiaolou’s about to leave.” “He’s leaving?” “He still has things to take care of.” Jiuniang looked over at Liu Xiaolou, and he smiled. “There’s always time in the future. I just came by today to introduce myself. I’m sure I’ll be around more often.” “Jiuniang, I can’t leave the house. Could you see Xiaolou off for me?” Zhou Qiniang said. Jiuniang agreed without hesitation and walked Liu Xiaolou out of the estate. As soon as they reached the gates, her expression turned cold. “Seventh Sister lost her parents young. I won’t let anyone take advantage of her. You’d better keep that in mind.” She paused for a beat, then pulled out two silver ingots, twenty taels in all, and tossed them to Liu Xiaolou. “Take it. Consider it payment for your trouble. But this ends here. Got it?” Liu Xiaolou froze for a second, then handed the silver back. “You’ve misunderstood me. I may be poor, but I’ve earned my way through life on my own. I eat only what I’ve worked for. I don’t take charity.” He paused again and looked at her earnestly. “Besides, I’m a cultivator. Maybe in your eyes, my cultivation doesn’t count for much, but I follow the Dao with everything I have. Gold and silver don’t mean anything to me.” Jiuniang gave a cold laugh. “Good. Then keep your word. If I find out you’re pestering Seventh Sister, I won’t let you off easy.” With that, she turned and walked back into the estate. Liu Xiaolou rubbed his nose, clearly disappointed. He muttered under his breath, “Is this Jiuniang stupid or something? Can’t she tell what I’m hinting at? Or maybe she’s just stingy and won’t part with a single spirit stone?” Late that night, Liu Xiaolou was hiding in an old pine tree outside the manor. He was getting increasingly irritated by the endless chirping of insects and croaking frogs in the bushes when a figure gracefully vaulted over the wall and landed silently. It was none other than Zhou Qiniang. “Where is he?” she asked, her voice trembling. Liu Xiaolou waved her over. “This way.” Under cover of night, they headed northwest. After walking no more than five li, they entered a dense forest. Lord Xingde was already waiting there. When he and Zhou Qiniang took each other’s hands, they were both overcome with emotion, speechless and on the verge of tears. Liu Xiaolou slipped out of the woods and climbed a small nearby hill, keeping watch from above to guard the path and make sure no one followed. He hadn’t been standing watch for long when his eyelid suddenly twitched a few times. Something felt off behind him. He turned around. And he nearly jumped out of his skin. Who else could it be but Jiuniang? She stood just over ten feet away, dressed in black, her expression ice-cold. “I knew something was off.” Cold sweat broke out all over Liu Xiaolou. He forced a smile. “Miss… fancy running into you here. What a coincidence…” Jiuniang narrowed her eyes. “What are you sneaking around out here for in the middle of the night?” Liu Xiaolou swallowed hard. “Well… I just had a sudden insight, figured I’d seize the moment and do some cultivation. I was this close to breaking through an important bottleneck when you showed up.” Jiuniang stared him down. “Sweet talk won’t get you anywhere. I’m not here to play games. Where’s Seventh Sister? Where did you take her?”