Back at the City Lord's Manor, the three young women tactfully recounted the events to Madam Shui. When she heard what had happened, Madam Shui laughed in exasperation. "You caused such a ruckus just by attending one class!" She had only just started acting mature the past few months, and now she was slipping back into her old ways.
Seeing that Madam Shui was upset, Tang Yue quickly explained, "Mother, I didn't mean for things to turn out this way. I was planning to listen attentively in class. It was that Shen Jinbao who started the trouble—he struck first. If not for my defensive artifact, I'd already be seriously injured—or worse. You might never have seen me again."
Madam Shui couldn't bear hearing her daughter talk like that. "Nonsense! You had a defensive artifact; how could anything have happened to you? That Shen Jinbao is outrageous—attacking a young girl who just started guiding qi into her body!"
Yue Yanling, understanding that Madam Shui intended to shield Tang Yue from the fallout, stepped forward at just the right time. "Madam, Shen Jinbao claimed Yue is the City Lord's daughter, yet still dared to attack her. That's clearly showing disrespect to the City Lord."
Shang Fangling, hearing this, lowered her head in agreement. She didn't like stirring up conflict, but it was obvious this incident stemmed from factional disputes between the Zi Xiao Sect and Madam Shui's camp. Shen Jinbao had probably been instructed by his elders, and the incident with Tang Wan was just a convenient excuse.
Madam Shui grasped the deeper meaning. Shen Jinbao's master was the City Lord's senior martial brother. Disrespecting Tang Yue wasn't just an affront to the City Lord—it was a slight to herself, the City Lord's wife.
She first reassured Yue Yanling and Shang Fangling and told them to relay to their sects that this was merely a minor skirmish between junior disciples—not worth overthinking. With that reassurance, the two girls took their leave.
Now it was time to handle Tang Yue's case. After all, a core disciple of the Zi Xiao Sect had been severely injured because of her, and there was no doubt the sect would make a fuss. Tang Yue quickly shifted the topic to her senior brother Wei Hongyun, who was also in the reception hall. "Senior Brother Wei, are you here to discuss something important with Mother?"
Wei Hongyun was Madam Shui's personal disciple. Like her, he cultivated the internal alchemy path and served as a manager of Qionghua Hall, overseeing the city's finances. Dressed in purple robes, he stood tall and handsome in the hall. His phoenix eyes carried a hint of concern as he answered, "Junior Sister, I'm ashamed to say this, but Qionghua Hall's income can no longer cover our expenses. With it being time to distribute spirit stones and pills to the disciples again, I've come to discuss a solution with Master."
His expression grew awkward, piquing Tang Yue's curiosity—was there more to this financial shortfall?
Wei turned to Madam Shui. "Master, we can't keep relying on your personal fortune to cover Kunwu City's deficits. Those greedy noble disciples will drain your resources dry—it's their intention all along."
What? Tang Wenhua, the City Lord, was living off his wife's wealth? Tang Yue couldn't accept that. Her dismay wasn't only about Madam Shui's wealth affecting her own future—it also stemmed from genuine affection. Who'd want to see their own mother being taken advantage of?
"Mother, how can you let Father be known as someone who lives off his wife? That would be shameful for him! I'm sure he wouldn't want such a reputation."
Tang Yue was, of course, being strategic. Tang Wenhua had turned a blind eye to Madam Shui's constant subsidies many times, thinking it was only right for the City Lord's wife to share in the city's rise and fall. After all, that was why he'd married her. As long as the spending was discreet, no outsiders would ever know.
Madam Shui rolled her eyes at Tang Yue. "What nonsense! I only want to make the city better and attract more cultivators."
Wei Hongyun added, visibly troubled, "Master, the Zi Xiao Sect has already applied for extra resources three times this month. They even took most of the Kunwu Sword Stones, leaving our commercial shops without enough to trade. Worse still, some of their disciples are secretly selling them for profit. If this continues, the right to trade Sword Stones will effectively be handed over to them."
Tang Yue was furious. These people were blatantly stealing city resources for personal gain. And Zi Xiao Sect wasn't using the wealth to support the city. She no longer felt even the slightest guilt over injuring Shen Jinbao.
"Does Father know what the Zi Xiao Sect has been doing?" she asked.
Wei replied grimly, "I reported it to the City Lord two weeks ago. But he said not to damage the harmony with Zi Xiao Sect."
Publicly reselling resources and the City Lord was still trying to keep the peace? Was some of that profit going into his own pockets? That wasn't just betrayal—it was collusion.
Tang Yue turned urgently to Madam Shui. "No wonder they dared humiliate me in public! You've let them get away with too much. What next—will we be thrown into the streets to beg after they've drained everything from you?"
Madam Shui scolded, "Don't exaggerate! It's just a bit of money."
Tang Yue had always thought Madam Shui dressed plainly for modesty. But now she realized it was thrift. No wonder she'd been upset over just one set of clothes at the auction.
Today, Tang Yue resolved that she would not let Madam Shui continue being "virtuous" at her own expense. Virtue was fine—just not when it cost your own family everything.
"Mother, you've poured your heart and soul into this city, but who appreciates it? The Zi Xiao Sect sees your kindness as weakness. That Shen Jinbao dared to insult me because, in his eyes, the only 'true' City Lord's daughter is Tang Wan!"
"You've done all this work and sacrifice, only to let Tang Wan and Second Madam Zhuang steal the spotlight—while you and I live in frugality. One day, when you've nothing left to give, they'll kick us out like trash!"
Madam Shui's eyes flared. "They wouldn't dare! Do they think Wujishan has no one left?"
She still subconsciously saw Wujishan as her real home, proving that she never truly belonged in Kunwu City—just putting on a front as City Lord's wife.
So it was true: political marriage looked glamorous, but the inside was bitter and cold. Tang Yue had become her daughter—she couldn't let her mother suffer anymore.
Wei Hongyun added at just the right time: "The private sale of Kunwu Sword Stones isn't the only problem. Many noble children who aren't even eligible are claiming inner disciple resources."
Inner disciples were those accepted into official city institutions—like the City Lord's Manor, Zi Xiao Sect, Qionghua Hall, Taiping Mansion, Shennong Pavilion, and Baopu Pavilion. They were like civil servants. Meanwhile, places like Tiangong Forge and Duobao Pavilion were private enterprises.
"What? These people are just stealing for free?" Tang Yue was shocked. How could they be so shameless? Madam Shui didn't seem like someone easily duped.
In truth, Madam Shui was a skilled financial manager. She'd just been hoping to build a generous reputation and earn a foothold in the city. Now she began to doubt whether her past generosity had been worthwhile.
"The total amount the noble families take each year," Wei explained, "could sustain the cultivation of all our inner disciples for five years."
Tang Yue's voice trembled. "Mother, you've given so much—yet no one remembers your kindness. All anyone ever says is how gentle and virtuous Second Madam Zhuang is."
Madam Shui fell silent for a moment. Then, decisively: "If that's the case, then why bother? Better to be known as strict and impartial. I hope everyone will learn to save the city's resources. Every extra portion one person takes means someone else has less."
Her decision wasn't made out of momentary anger or Tang Yue's prodding. She'd long grown weary of subsidizing the city with no thanks. Her youthful dreams of love had already withered under the reality of Tang Wenhua's apathy and the greed of the city's old factions.
Tang Yue, on the other hand, was overjoyed. "Mother, you're truly wise and decisive!"
Looking at her daughter's bright smile, Madam Shui felt comforted. At least she had a loving child. But she still warned gently, "You're becoming quite the little miser. Don't underestimate your mother—I'm not going to go broke over a few spirit stones."
Tang Yue stuck out her tongue playfully. "Of course I know that, Mother. But as the saying goes: a person with no long-term plans will have immediate worries!"
Wei Hongyun was genuinely relieved. Not only had his mission been accomplished, the outcome was better than expected. He suggested, "Since we're tightening finances, let's cancel all special allowances. Zi Xiao Sect should receive the same as other institutions."
Tang Yue was stunned. "What? Zi Xiao Sect disciples get more than I do? But I've been following Father's orders—my allowance is the same as regular inner disciples!"
City Lord Tang Wenhua had insisted that the City Lord's disciples should set an example and share hardships with others. However, the Zi Xiao Sect was considered to have "exceptional talent," so their disciples received one grade higher in resources.
And to top it off, because Tang Wan and Chu Tianshu had "excellent grades," they also got extra allowances from Zi Xiao Sect on top of what they received.
Tang Wenhua wasn't deliberately neglecting Tang Yue—he just assumed she had Madam Shui's support and didn't need anything extra. That way, he could claim to love all his children "equally."
"From now on," Madam Shui said sternly, "the total resources will be distributed according to the rank of each institution—manor, pavilion, or hall. Each group can then divide their share among disciples. If anyone needs more, they must file a special request with Qionghua Hall and get approval from a managing cultivator. That should ease our workload."
Tang Yue was thrilled. Now that Tang Wan and Chu Tianshu were using up more than their share, the rest of the Zi Xiao Sect disciples would have to tighten their belts. It wasn't a huge numerical difference, but the principle of it would sting them deeply.
Wei Hongyun smiled—his original goal had been surpassed. "Shall we say Kunwu City is undergoing financial difficulties and promote thrift and efficiency?"
Madam Shui nodded. "That will work. But the old factions—especially Zi Xiao Sect—will surely object. If anything happens, come to me. Don't take it all on yourself."
Tang Yue thought of Shen Jinbao and smiled. If all the rich kids were as brainless as him, she could definitely help out. Her status as the City Lord's daughter would come in handy. "Mother, I think I can help you and Senior Brother with this."
Madam Shui didn't take her seriously. "Just stay put in the manor. Don't make more trouble for your Senior Brother. We haven't even finished dealing with Shen Jinbao's case."
Tang Yue lifted her chin. "Mother, I'm not afraid of them! If they really harm me, there's no way Father would turn a blind eye."
Madam Shui sighed. "Your father can't always play favorites."
In truth, both mother and daughter had little faith in Tang Wenhua. Tang Yue was just name-dropping.
Wei Hongyun saw that his business here was done and said his farewells. "Master, Junior Sister, I still have matters to attend to. I won't disturb your dinner."
Madam Shui knew he was always busy. "Go ahead. You've worked hard. We recently received some fine spirit fruit and wine from Huayue City—take some with you."
"Thank you for your kindness, Master," Wei replied sincerely. He'd grown up in Wujishan with no parents, and Madam Shui had always treated him like her own son.
"I'll walk Senior Brother out," Tang Yue said.
"Go on, then." Madam Shui was happy to see her daughter close with her disciple.
The path from Madam Shui's residence to the side gate was long and winding, with beautiful gardens and hidden formations.
As they walked, Tang Yue said sincerely, "Senior Brother, thank you for always thinking of my mother and working so hard in Qionghua Hall."
Wei smiled. "That's my duty. Besides, today it was thanks to you that Master made up her mind. You've become much more perceptive than before."
Tang Yue avoided talking about her changed personality. "Let's not get into that. I've been through a lot lately, and it's made me think differently." Let Wei imagine the rest.
And he did. Sensing her reluctance, he changed the subject. "Master treats me like a son, and I see both of you as my family. I'll never let you two end up on the streets."
Tang Yue smiled. Wei Hongyun was just as kind as in the original novel. After her downfall in the book, he had risked everything to protect her and Madam Shui, even later joining the male lead's greatest enemy to avenge them.
Oh right, that villain was Lu Lingyi—the former chief disciple of Xuanyuan Mountain, who had been forced to defect…
But in this life, she would never let Wei Hongyun walk the path of revenge.
"Senior Brother, I'll treat you well too."
Wei felt a bit awkward. As a man and an elder, he should protect his junior sister without expecting anything in return. After all, she'd never shown him much warmth before.
"I know, Junior Sister. I could tell from how you spoke up for me today."
Tang Yue responded, "I used to be immature and distant. But now I know who's truly close to me. From now on, I'll help you with your work!"
Wei certainly wouldn't refuse her. She had her own ideas now, and with him keeping an eye out, she wouldn't get into trouble.
"Then I'll leave it to you, Junior Sister."
Tang Yue gave him a mysterious smile. "Don't worry, Senior Brother—I won't let you down. Just be ready to help me earn more spirit stones later!"