Chapter 055: Choosing the Woman Over the Husband

After Su Yunhe handed over the only copy of the secret manual "Lan Yu Heart Sutra" and the score for "Long Night" to Qin Xuanxi, she felt that Qin Xuanxi would surely spare her and her daughter.

"Now, will you let my daughter go?" Su Yunhe said to Qin Xuanxi.

But Qin Xuanxi did not seem inclined to let them off so easily. She spoke, "I have one final question for you. Who is your daughter's father?"

Su Yunhe was silent for a moment, then replied, "Qingyu's father is—Prince Xiang of the State of Li, Li Bin."

Qin Xuanxi knew that every head of the Lone Jade Sect would deliberately choose to marry an ordinary mortal. After the wedding, if a daughter was born, she would take the child away and return to the sect, raising her alone so that the daughter could inherit her legacy. The reason for marrying a commoner was because mortals lacked the means to reach Ink Bamboo Mountain to contest custody, thereby avoiding many future complications.

For this very reason, when Qin Xuanxi disguised herself as Su Qingyu and considered marrying Song Ye, a mortal, it was in keeping with the Lone Jade Sect's traditions and would not raise suspicion from the Flute Immortal.

However, the man Su Yunhe chose was anything but an ordinary mortal. Li Bin, Prince Xiang, not only possessed some cultivation but was also a royal prince—hardly your average man. Yet Li Bin had been under house arrest in the capital of Li State for years, so he had never had the chance to climb Ink Bamboo Mountain in search of Su Yunhe, nor to lay eyes on his daughter.

Back then, almost no one knew of the relationship between Su Yunhe and Li Bin, and at first, Li Bin himself was unaware that Su Yunhe was the head of the Lone Jade Sect. Su Qingyu was born out of wedlock, and after her birth, Li Bin wished to petition the court to give Su Yunhe a proper status. Unexpectedly, Su Yunhe took advantage of his inattention and secretly took their daughter away. From the beginning, Su Yunhe had resolved to keep the child but not the father.

Not long after, Li Bin was placed under house arrest by the court and could not go anywhere. Thus, the world never knew that Li Bin, who had never married, actually had a daughter.

Of course, in recent days, Li Bin had been pardoned, and once Yan City was finally completed, he would be allowed to leave the capital. But this was news Qin Xuanxi did not yet know.

"Lord of the Abyssal Demons, surely now you can release my daughter," Su Yunhe pleaded once more.

"You need not worry. Within the body of the Supreme Demon of Tai Xuan is a small world of its own. Your daughter is quite safe there. As long as you do not defy me, I will not harm her in the slightest," Qin Xuanxi replied.

"But if you want me to release your daughter, you must do one last thing for me: instruct me in practicing the Lan Yu Heart Sutra and teach me to play 'Long Night' to perfection!"

Though she now possessed the secret manual and the score, to master both swiftly and without flaw, Qin Xuanxi needed Su Yunhe's personal guidance.

Su Yunhe assumed Qin Xuanxi wanted her to use the music of "Long Night" to lure out the Flute Immortal, so she agreed without hesitation. After all, her daughter's life was in the other's hands—how could she refuse?

"However, the Lan Yu Heart Sutra, though a qin method, is still a sutra of the Immortal Gate. You, Lord of the Abyssal Demons, possess a supreme demonic bloodline—how could you possibly master a sutra of the Immortal Gate?" Su Yunhe asked, puzzled. Unless this Demon Lord was both immortal and demon in one body?!

But Su Yunhe dared not voice this suspicion. She understood that the more of Qin Xuanxi's secrets she knew, the more dangerous it would be for her and her daughter. She even began to regret having said anything at all.

Sure enough, Qin Xuanxi's expression turned cold. "Do not question me. All you need do is obey my commands. Do you understand?"

"I understand," Su Yunhe said, suppressing her resentment.

...

Two months later, in Yan City—

Now, more and more people were flocking to Yan City. Especially the landlords and wealthy families from nearby counties were moving in with their entire households. Word had spread that Prince Xiang would soon be stationed in Yan City. Prince Xiang was highly respected and had many supporters in Li State. With him in Yan City, it was only a matter of time before the city became the most prosperous capital in the southern region.

Moreover, Yan City had established a Chief Commander's Office, was heavily guarded, and the most famous private academy from Luo City had opened a branch here. The best pharmacies had also opened several shops. Yan City was not only bustling but also provided excellent healthcare, education, and security. Even many wealthy families from Weng City and Xuan City were planning to relocate here. The number of people wishing to move to Yan City would only increase with time.

All four city gates were now guarded and patrolled by soldiers, and the market in the east of the city had opened, bustling with activity. The eastern market was separated from the newly built Yan City magistrate office by only a wall and was also very close to Song Ye's home.

Song Ye's tea stall had been dismantled a month earlier, and with nothing to do, he decided to take his sister Song Yan for a stroll in the eastern market. The siblings wandered the streets together.

The market was crowded, offering all kinds of goods. Song Yan was like a country lady entering a grand garden for the first time, her big eyes darting everywhere in wonder. Song Ye bought her a sugar-coated hawthorn, then some fried cakes and steamed treats, so that her mouth was as busy as her eyes.

At that moment, Song Ye ran into Zhao Zhigao.

After all, the magistrate office was right by the eastern market, and Zhao Zhigao had already started working at the new office, so it was not surprising for them to meet.

Zhao Zhigao smiled at Song Ye. "Brother Song, I was just about to look for you, and here you are!"

"Is there something you need from me?" Song Ye asked.

"I wanted to tell you—the magistrate office has started officially recruiting yamen runners for three shifts. I've already put your name down. In a month, you'll have to come for the physical examination," Zhao Zhigao said.

"Then thank you, Brother Zhao! I promise to pass the test and not let you down," Song Ye replied.

He noticed that Zhao Zhigao was carrying two bolts of cloth and a basket of eggs and asked, "Where are you off to with those?"

"They're for Matchmaker Zhang," Zhao Zhigao said, a little embarrassed. "You know, I've been promoted to constable now. My career is going well, and I'm not young anymore—it's time I settled down."

"So I'm asking Matchmaker Zhang to find me a good match."

Song Ye remembered that Zhao Zhigao was twenty-five this year. In Li State, if a man had no immortal fate and did not embark on the path of cultivation, he would usually marry around the age of twenty. So it was only natural that Zhao Zhigao, already twenty-five, was eager to take care of his own future.

"Then let me wish you good fortune in finding your match!" Song Ye clapped him on the shoulder.

Zhao Zhigao laughed. "I'll take your blessing!"