The moment Wen Qingye arrived at Jishi Hall, the Attendant at the door rushed to greet him.
The Attendant asked respectfully, "What can I help you with, Young Master?"
Wen Qingye didn't beat around the bush. "I'm looking for Zuo Yu," he said directly. "I mean, your Master Zuo."
Hearing this, the Attendant glanced at Wen Qingye and said hesitantly, "Well, Master Zuo just went into the Alchemy Room. He might not be willing to see just anyone..."
Wen Qingye smiled. "My name is Wen Qingye. Go to the Alchemy Room and inform him that I have urgent business with him."
"But..."
The Attendant saw the serious look on Wen Qingye's face, gritted his teeth, and went inside.
After the Attendant left, Wen Qingye stood there, his eyes casually scanning the surroundings. He couldn't help but think, 'No matter where you are, strength reigns supreme. It seems improving my own power is the only true path.'
Before long, Zuo Yu came rushing out, shouting, "Master Wen! I didn't know you were here! Forgive my poor reception, please forgive me!"
The Attendant stood to the side, his mouth hanging slightly open as he stared at Wen Qingye in astonishment. He had never seen Zuo Yu lose his composure like this before.
Wen Qingye waved his hand. "I have a list here. I'll have to trouble you to prepare these medicinal ingredients for me. I don't have many Primordial Stones right now, but I'll repay you tenfold in the future!"
As he spoke, he took out a white list and handed it to Zuo Yu.
"Nonsense! It's my honor to be of service to Master Wen," Zuo Yu said, then quickly turned to the Attendant beside him. "You, go and prepare all of these ingredients for me."
The Attendant took the Pill Formula and hurried off to prepare it. Wen Qingye nodded, thought for a moment, and added, "Also, could you send some daily necessities like vegetables and meat to my courtyard?"
Wen Qingye said this without the slightest bit of embarrassment, his tone casual. Zuo Yu, on the other hand, was ecstatic. Helping Wen Qingye was like latching onto a powerful patron. Wen Qingye was already a Third-Grade Alchemist; who knew what he would become in the future?
"Of course, of course. I'll have Zuo Qiang deliver them to you later."
The Attendant quickly brought the ingredients. Wen Qingye took them, bid Zuo Yu farewell, and left.
Just as he was about to leave Jishi Hall, an old man approached him. Seeing Wen Qingye, the man was surprised. "Wen Qingye, what are you doing here?"
Seeing the old man, Wen Qingye replied, "Grand-uncle, I came to buy some ingredients to strengthen my body."
This man was Liu Ling's grandfather, Liu Tianli.
Hearing Wen Qingye's words, Liu Tianli's lips moved, and he sighed. "Ai, it's been hard on you and your mother. The annual assessment period is almost here. You're nineteen this year, so this is your last chance. It's good that you're trying."
The assessment Liu Tianli spoke of was an examination held by the three great academies of the Celestial Martial Country. Only those under the age of twenty were eligible. If they passed, they could accept an invitation from one of the three academies.
The three great academies were the Holy Lands of the Celestial Martial Country, especially Purple Sun Prefecture. Anyone who graduated from Purple Sun Prefecture was a top-tier master in the country. The great families of Phoenix City placed extreme importance on this assessment.
The old Wen Qingye had gone every year, and every year he had failed. On one hand, his aptitude was truly lackluster. On the other, the assessment was simply too difficult.
In all of Phoenix City, only a handful of people passed the assessment each year. With Wen Qingye's aptitude, how could he possibly pass?
Liu Tianli's words clearly showed he had little hope for Wen Qingye. Wen Qingye just smiled and said nothing. He had always believed in working quietly and letting his results speak for themselves, so he didn't feel the need to explain anything.
Liu Tianli said with a worried expression, "I'm here to buy some pills for the younger generation of our clan for this very assessment. I wonder if anyone from our Liu Family will be able to pass this time."
Wen Qingye smiled. "Grand-uncle, don't worry. The Liu Family is one of the four great families, after all. Some disciples are sure to be chosen. I have urgent business to attend to, so if there's nothing else, I'll be on my way."
"Yes, you should head back early too, lest the Zhang Family comes looking for trouble," Liu Tianli said with a nod. He was well aware of Wen Qingye's situation.
Wen Qingye left Jishi Hall, and carrying the Sword Box and the medicinal ingredients, he returned directly to the small courtyard behind the Zhang Mansion.
When Zhang Xiaoyun saw Wen Qingye return, she was very excited. "Husband, you're back!"
Seeing Zhang Xiaoyun's happy expression, Wen Qingye felt happy as well.
Zhang Xiaoyun took the Sword Box and ingredients from Wen Qingye's hands and said, "Husband, you go on and do what you need to. I'll help you with these."
"No need, I can handle it myself," Wen Qingye said, trying to take the Sword Box and ingredients back from Zhang Xiaoyun.
Zhang Xiaoyun dodged away, biting her lip. "Husband, you should go rest. I heard from Xiaocui just now that the assessment for the three great academies is about to begin. This is your last chance."
Wen Qingye gave a wry smile. "That's why I need to use these ingredients for a medicinal bath to increase my strength. If I go rest now, I'll definitely fail the assessment."
Hearing this, Zhang Xiaoyun's face flushed red, and she quickly handed the ingredients to Wen Qingye.
Wen Qingye smiled. "Yun'Er, go and heat some water for me."
Zhang Xiaoyun nodded quickly. "Okay, I'll go right now. Being able to do things for you is what makes me happiest."
Hearing Zhang Xiaoyun's words and looking at her frail, paper-thin frame, Wen Qingye's heart warmed.
'With a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for?'
「Around noon.」
Zhang Xiaoyun was boiling water while Wen Qingye sat in the courtyard. Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps came from outside the gate.
Zuo Qiang walked in, and upon seeing Wen Qingye, he said with a smile, "Master Wen, my father sent me to deliver some things to you."
Wen Qingye stood up and nodded. Zuo Qiang ordered the people with him to place the items inside Wen Qingye's home. Then, without disturbing Wen Qingye further, he took his men and left.
"Husband, I've boiled the water!" Zhang Xiaoyun ran out happily. Seeing all the new things in their home, she asked strangely, "What is all this?"
Wen Qingye smiled. "See for yourself."
"Rice, vegetables, meat... and there's even fabric!" Zhang Xiaoyun said in pleasant surprise. "Husband, how about I make you a set of clothes?"
Wen Qingye replied, "We're husband and wife. Of course, you'll make one for yourself and one for me."
Zhang Xiaoyun looked down at her own plain clothes and said with her head lowered, "Alright then. I haven't had new clothes in several years. If I keep wearing these, I'll bring you shame, Husband."
Wen Qingye walked over and hugged Zhang Xiaoyun, whispering softly, "As long as I have you, I'll never feel ashamed."
Held in Wen Qingye's arms, Zhang Xiaoyun was filled with a sweet, blissful feeling.
Zhang Xiaoyun continued to look through the things Zuo Qiang had brought. Suddenly, she uncovered a box of rouge.
When Zhang Xiaoyun uncovered the rouge, her face instantly turned deathly pale, and her body began to tremble uncontrollably.
"Yun'Er, what's wrong?" Wen Qingye asked quickly.
Wen Qingye knew Zhang Xiaoyun must have some trauma associated with it. He took the rouge from her hand and said, "Look how good your husband is to you. I even bought you rouge. Let's go inside, and I'll put some on for you. You'll look beautiful."
Hearing this, tears welled up in Zhang Xiaoyun's eyes. She turned to run away, but Wen Qingye quickly reached out and grabbed her. "Won't you listen to your husband?"
At his words, Zhang Xiaoyun's face grew even paler. "I wouldn't dare... I wouldn't dare... Yun'Er wouldn't dare."
For some reason, Wen Qingye's heart ached. He wiped the tears from the corner of Zhang Xiaoyun's eyes and said gently, "Yun'Er, your husband doesn't disdain you. Come, try the rouge your husband bought especially for you."
Zhang Xiaoyun glanced at Wen Qingye, then nodded. The two of them walked into the room.
Only then did Wen Qingye remember that they didn't own a mirror, and that Zhang Xiaoyun never looked in one.
"Turn your face to me. I'll apply the rouge for you," Wen Qingye said gently.
Hearing this, Zhang Xiaoyun's heart tightened. She turned her face toward Wen Qingye, feeling both nervous and a little scared.
Wen Qingye reached out and slowly stroked Zhang Xiaoyun's face. He could feel her body trembling slightly, and eventually, she even closed her eyes.
Wen Qingye feigned anger. "Am I that frightening? You won't even open your eyes?"
"No, no! You're not frightening, Husband. You're a handsome man," Zhang Xiaoyun said, quickly opening her eyes.
Looking at Zhang Xiaoyun, Wen Qingye realized that if not for the scar on her left cheek, she would be incredibly beautiful.
Looking at the fragile, nervous, and endearing Zhang Xiaoyun before him, Wen Qingye couldn't help but gently place a kiss on her scar.
Zhang Xiaoyun let out a small gasp. "Husband!"
Wen Qingye smiled. "Don't move, or you'll smudge your face."
Zhang Xiaoyun's face turned red, and she lowered her head. In that instant, she felt as if she were enveloped by an immense sense of happiness.
After he finished applying the rouge, Wen Qingye studied Zhang Xiaoyun carefully and said, "Truly beautiful!"
Hearing Wen Qingye say this, Zhang Xiaoyun's heart leaped with joy, and she threw herself into his arms.
...
「At that moment, the Zhang Family received a distinguished guest.」
Zhang Hua laughed heartily at the sight of Zuo Yu. "Master Zuo, your presence brings honor to our humble Zhang Mansion! Please, come in, quickly!"
Zuo Yu's expression was cold as he waved a hand dismissively. He directly produced a Pill Bottle and said, "I have two Rain Dew Pills here. They have an immeasurable effect on increasing one's cultivation."
Hearing this, a fiery light flashed in Zhang Hua's eyes, but he didn't understand Zuo Yu's intention. "Master Zuo, what you mean is..."
"Wen Qingye killed Zhang Jian. Let's drop the matter. How about it?" Zuo Yu said flatly.
"This..." Zhang Hua had been planning to settle the score with Wen Qingye. He never expected Zuo Yu to have come for this reason. 'Could the Liu Family have sent him to mediate? But the Liu Family doesn't seem to have that much influence.'
Zuo Yu frowned. "One word. Do you agree or not?"
"I agree, of course I agree," Zhang Hua said, his eyes greedily fixed on the Rain Dew Pills in Zuo Yu's hand.
'The Rain Dew Pill is a Third-Grade Pill. If I give it to a talented disciple in the family, it might allow them to advance a whole realm instantly. A minor figure like Zhang Jian is dead, and that's that. Besides, Wen Qingye is a live-in son-in-law and the son of Wen Xu; there's not much I can do to him anyway. Taking these Rain Dew Pills is far more practical.'
Zuo Yu put down the Rain Dew Pills, nodded, and left without another word.
After taking the Rain Dew Pills, Zhang Hua's eyes narrowed slightly. He wondered, 'Why would Zuo Yu go out of his way to deliver two Rain Dew Pills just to protect Wen Qingye? Could Wen Qingye possibly be more valuable than two Rain Dew Pills?'