Chapter 25: Taken as an Adopted Daughter

At the entrance of Drunken Fragrance Pavilion, city defense soldiers who had received Captain Zhou’s orders were already leading out two warhorses from the stable—the very ones Du Long and Du Cai-ni had ridden. Each family’s horses bore their clan’s crest, making them easy to identify.

Du Long swung himself onto his warhorse and flashed a brilliant smile at Xia Qinglian below, extending his hand. “Miss Qinglian, if you don’t mind, would you ride with me?”

Without the slightest hesitation, Xia Qinglian reached out her jade-like hand to him and let herself be easily pulled onto the horse. Feeling the warmth of the young man behind her, the beauty in the white veil once again blushed deeply.

“Let’s go!” Zhou Xu threw them an ambiguous glance before waving his arm and shouting the order.

The city defense soldiers surrounded the three riders and departed from Drunken Fragrance Pavilion in grand fashion. Though they seemed bound for the city defense headquarters, they took a turn midway and headed for the Du residence instead.

With the soft, boneless beauty in his arms, Du Long—after all, a young man full of vigor—couldn’t help but react physiologically. He sensed Xia Qinglian stiffen and instantly realized his blunder.

He hurriedly sought conversation with Zhou Xu, who was riding alongside. “Uncle, tomorrow’s New Year’s Eve. Why are you on duty at headquarters tonight? That’s not like you!”

Zhou Xu heaved a sigh. “Do you think I want to? It’s your grandfather—he insisted security is crucial around New Year’s, and said our Zhou family should set an example. He made me and your other uncles draw lots for shifts. As luck would have it, tonight was mine!”

His words made Du Cai-ni and Xia Qinglian both smile. The awkwardness between Du Long and Xia Qinglian eased, and Du Long, determined to avoid further embarrassment, kept up the small talk—a tactic that proved effective.

The three horses, escorted by city defense soldiers, chatted as they went and soon arrived at the Du family’s gates. Zhou Xu unceremoniously took the peculiar war blade Du Long had used from a subordinate. Its weight astonished him.

“Kid! This thing must weigh at least a hundred pounds! In just two months, you’ve gotten a lot stronger!” Zhou Xu stared at Du Long as if he were a freak, handing back the blade.

Du Long could only laugh. “You know what they say—three days apart and you see someone with new eyes!”

Zhou Xu shook his head, dismissed his soldiers, and accompanied the three into the Du residence.

Inside the eastern wing, the old master’s furious roar could be heard: “Have the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion people lost their minds? How dare they lay a hand on my precious grandson! Zhentian, mobilize the troops and flatten that place for me!”

Seeing Du Long and Xia Qinglian covered in blood, not only did the old master’s rage explode, but Du Zhentian and his wife Zhou Ruoxue were also incandescent with anger. No matter how powerful the pavilion’s backers, no one could touch the Du family’s heir with impunity.

If the Du and Zhou families joined forces, no one in the capital would dare look down on them.

“Grandfather, please calm down. It’s just a few minor scrapes. The pavilion suffered far worse—they lost scores of guards and the place was smashed to bits.” Du Long hurriedly waved off his grandfather’s anger; having already taken his fill of advantage, he thought it would be excessive to send troops to bully them further.

“Someone! Take the young master and Miss Qinglian to wash up!” Madam Zhou Ruoxue looked at her son with concern and didn’t have time to speak with Xia Qinglian just yet; there would be time once they’d changed and cleaned up.

When the two blood-soaked figures disappeared through the doors, Zhou Xu’s curiosity got the better of him. “Second sister, wasn’t Du Long unable to cultivate before? Did you know, when I led the city defense to the pavilion, he was wielding a war blade and fought from the second floor to the first all by himself? Dozens of Qi-channeling guards couldn’t stop him!”

“I know, the rascal’s become unreadable lately. He seems to have many secrets. When did he order such a blade? I’ve never seen it!” Zhou Ruoxue recalled the image of Du Long leaving the hall with his war blade. He couldn’t have put it away in his spatial ring in front of everyone.

Suppressing her doubts, Zhou Ruoxue explained how Du Long had restored his constitution with the help of the Return-to-Origin Pill. Du Cai-ni then recounted how Du Long met Princess Fire Phoenix and why he caused such havoc at Drunken Fragrance Pavilion. Zhou Xu finally understood what had happened to his only nephew.

Half an hour later, Du Long and Xia Qinglian, freshly bathed and dressed, emerged. Now at the Du residence, Xia Qinglian no longer needed the white veil, and her breathtaking beauty lit up the entire hall. Even the old master, Du Zhentian and his wife, as well as Du Cai-ni and Zhou Xu, couldn’t help but look on with envy.

Zhou Ruoxue, a little anxious, checked her son for injuries and found only a scratch on his arm. Du Long realized his wounds were healing much faster since his physique had changed; the previously split skin had nearly closed.

“Wow! Miss Qinglian, you’re so beautiful! No wonder that rascal Du Long smashed up the pavilion for you!” Du Cai-ni exclaimed, for few in the capital had ever seen Xia Qinglian’s true face.

Her outburst finally pulled Zhou Ruoxue’s attention from her son. Fixing her bright gaze on the delicate and lovely Xia Qinglian, she couldn’t help but take the girl’s jade hand and look her over.

Held thus by Zhou Ruoxue, Xia Qinglian’s face turned crimson again, her bashful demeanor positively endearing.

“Good, truly a beauty to cherish! No wonder my rascal son lost his head for you! Miss Qinglian, before I ransomed you, I promised Princess Fire Phoenix to take you as my adopted daughter. Living in the Du family from now on, no one will dare bully you. Will you accept?” Zhou Ruoxue found herself liking this gentle girl more the longer she looked.

Xia Qinglian, panic-stricken, lifted her eyes to the noblewoman before her, tears quickly welling as she stammered, “I was once a lowly performer at Drunken Fragrance Pavilion—how could I possibly deserve such kindness from you, Madam Du?”

“I’ve never been to the pavilion, but I’ve heard there was a girl named Qinglian there who sold her art but not her body, untainted by her surroundings. You were once a noblewoman; circumstances forced you into hardship against your will. Don’t belittle yourself, Miss Qinglian.” Zhou Ruoxue patted her arm gently, her voice soft and comforting.

“I... truly cannot aspire so high... I fear I might bring disgrace upon you, Madam Du. If that ever happened, I could never forgive myself.” Xia Qinglian was flustered, still unable to accept such kindness.

“Let me say a few words,” the old master finally interjected. “Your late grandfather and I were good friends, your father Xia Ye was a loyal minister who died for his convictions. As a daughter of the righteous, you bear no guilt. Though you spent years in that pavilion, you had no choice. Since Du Long’s mother wishes to adopt you, don’t refuse any longer—accept it.”

The old master’s words, given his authority in the Du family, were no joke—they represented the entire family’s stance in supporting Zhou Ruoxue’s wish to adopt Xia Qinglian. The girl, hesitating no longer, bowed deeply, tears falling like broken pearls.

“Xia Qinglian thanks the old master for his great kindness, thanks Madam Du for her love, and thanks the ninth young master for saving my life...”

“There, now, all is well! Qinglian, from now on, don’t call me Madam Du—just call me Mother!” Zhou Ruoxue’s beautiful eyes shone with tears, clearly moved by this pitiable girl.

“Mother!” Xia Qinglian called softly, obediently.

“Ah! That’s right! Remember, this is your home now. Don’t stand on ceremony. I’ll arrange attendants just for you; whatever you need, just tell them!” Zhou Ruoxue replied excitedly. Having only one son after so many years, she had always dreamed of a gentle, obedient, beautiful daughter.

“If you call my mother ‘Mother,’ then what should you call me?” Du Long scratched his head, muttering in dismay.

With a burst of laughter, Zhou Xu, Du Cai-ni, and the others watched Du Long with amusement. Zhou Ruoxue smiled, “Isn’t it simple? Call you ‘Brother.’”

“No, no! That would make Miss Qinglian sound old-fashioned! Just call me by my name!” Du Long waved his hands in protest.

“You rascal! It’s settled. Don’t argue with me!” Zhou Ruoxue pretended to be angry, and Du Long immediately wilted, mumbling under his breath.

“All right! Tomorrow’s New Year’s Eve, and we must enter the palace early for the celebration. Grandson, you and Cai-ni will attend too. It’s late—time to rest!” The old master rose and waved them off.

“Oh, right! We all have to go to the palace tomorrow—what about the house? Will the pavilion send people to snatch Sister Qinglian back?” Du Long voiced his sudden concern, making Xia Qinglian anxious as well.

“Hmph! Even if the pavilion had ten times the courage, they wouldn’t dare come here! If they tried, I’d flatten their place myself!” The old master waved dismissively, not bothering to say more as he returned to his own quarters.

“Du Long, Third Uncle, Aunt! I’m heading back to rest. Goodbye, Miss Qinglian! Come visit me in the north wing when you have time!” Du Cai-ni got up to leave, and Captain Zhou Xu prepared to go as well.

After the family saw them to the door, they all returned together.

“Qinglian, your room is next to Du Long’s. Xiao Cui will attend you from now on. Go with that rascal back to your rooms.” Zhou Ruoxue instructed.

“Yes. Goodnight, Father, Mother.” Xia Qinglian curtsied gracefully.

Watching his parents return to their quarters, Du Long took Xia Qinglian’s hand and led her towards his own wing. Xia Qinglian only made a token effort to pull away, then let him lead her on.

“My lord, do you know if His Majesty has pardoned my father’s crimes?” After holding back for long, Xia Qinglian finally voiced the question she’d wanted to ask.

Du Long hesitated, then stopped, turning to her with a grave expression. He briefly recounted how Princess Fire Phoenix had pleaded with the emperor for days, finally obtaining a pardon for Xia Qinglian alone.

“Qinglian, Princess Fire Phoenix nearly quarreled with her father on your behalf. Don’t blame her for not being able to help more. As for your parents, we’ll have to find another chance to save them in the future,” Du Long said, seeing Xia Qinglian’s crestfallen face.

Shaking her head softly, Xia Qinglian replied, “The princess and you have shown me such great kindness; I will remember it all my life, whatever my fate. I know Her Highness did her utmost—my only feeling is gratitude.”

Du Long nodded, sighed, and continued leading the pitiful woman toward their quarters.