In Yunhai Pavilion, the maid Xiaoqin stepped into the Ninth Lady’s room and set a pouch on the table.

“Young Lady, this month’s allowance; five spirit stones. That’s one less than last year.”

Su Jiuniang gave a small nod, glanced at it, and said nothing. She knew very well why the monthly allowance had been shrinking. First, the Su family hadn’t had a powerful master sitting in charge for thirty years, and the various branches of Danxia sect had been looking down on them more and more. Naturally, the resources they could win were dwindling. Second, in the past two years the Yin clan had slashed their supply of sacred incense from Shenwu Mountain, the spirit beasts they raised had run into problems, and of course that cut into their profits.

Who knew if this trip to Xikou would make any difference? Would that damned Yin Centipede finally back off and stop clinging to them, so the incense supply could be restored?

Surely he wouldn’t be foolish enough to go and ask Jingzhao to verify the matter?

Whether it worked out or not, it all came down to this month.

Just then, Xiaoqin spoke again. “Young Lady, the Fifth Son-in-law has sent an invitation. He says he’s holding a birthday banquet tonight in Yiling Hall, and asks that you attend.”

“Oh? It’s his birthday today?”

“Susu said it was actually yesterday. He wanted to hold the banquet last night…”

“And now he’s blaming me?”

“That’s not what she meant. It’s just, Susu said since it’s the Fifth Son-in-law’s twentieth birthday, he’s been especially insistent that you come.”

Su Jiuniang thought for a moment. “You know I have no patience for these trifles… forget it, I’ll go. Since I already delayed his birthday banquet, I should make it up to him. Go fetch… do we have anything suitable as a gift?”

Xiaoqin laughed. “I asked Susu. That young master of theirs; he never stops talking about spirit stones. Give him one and he’ll be grinning ear to ear.”

Su Jiuniang shot her a look. “So you had this all prepared? Sounds to me like you’re the one who wants to go.”

Xiaoqin stuck out her tongue. “It’s just… I haven’t had a drink with Sister Susu in ages. A little get-together sounds nice.”

That night, the banquet was lively. But once Tigerhead Dragon showed up, the mood cooled. Liu Xiaolou rushed to smooth things over, apologizing to Su Jiuniang, saying he and Tigerhead Dragon had once been close friends, bound by life and death.

Tigerhead Dragon nodded furiously, swearing he had come only to celebrate his good brother Liu Xiaolou’s birthday. Running into Jiuniang here was just blah blah blah...

Su Jiuniang didn’t lash out then and there, though her face clearly soured. Only out of old childhood acquaintance with Tigerhead Dragon did she hold back. Even so, she didn’t linger long. After another short while, she humored him with a few words, sipped a couple cups of wine, then excused herself.

On the way out, Liu Xiaolou got a fierce glare from Xiaoqin that left him squirming with guilt. Still, the worst didn’t happen. Ninth Lady might have been displeased, but so what? Not only did he walk away with two spirit stones from Tigerhead Dragon, Su Jiuniang even tossed in one more. An unexpected windfall indeed.

Tigerhead Dragon was overjoyed. Even though Su Jiuniang hadn’t shown him much kindness, she hadn’t been cold either; she’d actually spoken to him. It was the first time in three years she had exchanged words with him. How could he not be drunk with joy?

Content as he was, Tigerhead Dragon drank himself under the table that night and stayed over in Yiling Hall. Liu Xiaolou's wife was still away in the back mountain, so keeping a guest for the night was nothing unusual, especially when that guest was an old family friend of the Su family.

The next morning, Tigerhead Dragon woke full of energy. He said his farewell to Liu Xiaolou: “Brother, I’ll be heading home now. Another day, when time allows, I hope you’ll come visit me at Lion Ridge. I’ll sweep the mats clean and wait for you; we’ll talk deep into the night, side by side.”

Liu Xiaolou laughed. “So just seeing her once is enough? Brother Tigerhead, you truly are a man of courage. This is what they call knowing when to pick up and when to put down.”

Tigerhead Dragon shook his head. “Put it down? How could I possibly put it down? It’s only that I know Jiuniang’s heart isn’t with me, so I don’t dare to force it. As long as she lives happily, that’s enough for me.”

“Then that counts as putting it down,” said Liu Xiaolou. “Why not find yourself a fine wife, settle down in peace, and live happily yourself?”

Tigerhead Dragon's gaze hardened. “I don’t intend to marry in this life. I only wish to watch over Jiuniang. Whoever makes her unhappy, whoever brings her sorrow, I’ll make sure that person tastes the same unhappiness, the same sorrow.”

He added a warning to Liu Xiaolou: “Brother, since you’re now a son-in-law of the Su family, you’re one of Su Jiuniang’s closest kin. If you ever learn of someone vile who dares mistreat her, you must tell me at once. I won’t let such a person go unpunished.”

Liu Xiaolou walked Tigerhead Dragon to the foot of the mountain, and the two parted reluctantly. Returning to Yiling Hall, he happily pulled out the spirit stones he had on him and counted them. Four in total.

Four spirit stones earned without lifting a finger. They had come so easily. For a moment his heart was both delighted and strangely heavy, the feelings hard to put into words.

Susu finished tidying the room, changed the bedding, scrubbed the floor with fresh water, and finally let out a breath of relief.

“That Young Master Jiao, what a mess he made after drinking. Master, you really shouldn’t let drunk guests stay the night again. Next time just send them back to the guest quarters. The smell…”

She was wearing a fitted short garment for cleaning, her curves on full display. Her arms and ankles were bare, the skin smooth and faintly luminous; the outward sign of a woman’s cultivation reaching a certain level.

The thought of practicing cultivation arts with her stirred in Liu Xiaolou again. He called out, “Come, Susu. Yesterday that unwelcome guest interrupted us out of nowhere, and a whole day went to waste. Let’s pick up where we left off.”

Susu pinched her nose. “I just finished cleaning. I’m all dirty like this. I can’t.”

Liu Xiaolou brushed it off. “Dirty? Where’s the dirt? This outfit is perfect…” As he spoke, he reached out and took Susu’s hand.

She pouted. “Young master, are you still unwilling to let it go?”

Liu Xiaolou yanked her closer. “Let what go? My late teacher always said, for those of us on the cultivation path, diligence in cultivation must be our life’s foremost duty…”

“Young master! Young master!” A voice called from outside. It was Xiaohuan. Footsteps followed, and since the door wasn’t closed, she came straight in.

Liu Xiaolou was exasperated. “Xiaohuan, did you plan this with Susu?”

Su Su instantly covered her mouth, laughing. Xiao Huan looked puzzled. “Plan what? Young Master, Madam has returned. She asks you to come meet her in the front hall.”

Liu Xiaolou was caught off guard. “She asks for me? What’s happened?”

Xiaohuan replied, “The Master sent word. An important guest has arrived. Madam and Master would like you to accompany them.”

This, after all, was the main reason Liu Xiaolou had married into the family; to make it known to the world that Su Fifth Lady was now wed, and put an end to any improper intentions from others. So accompanying guests was, in truth, his primary duty and greatest responsibility.

The two maids bustled around, freshening him up and dressing him properly, then sent him off to the front hall, where Su Fifth Lady had already been waiting for quite some time.

This was only Liu Xiaolou’s second time seeing his wife since their wedding. Knowing his place, he didn’t dare address her casually as “Madam” or “my wife” in private. Instead, he offered a respectful bow, as polite as a guest.

“Fifth Lady, you’ve returned? How went your cultivation this time? You must have made great progress.”

Su Fifth Lady gave a small nod. “Let’s go.”

They left the SunRain Hibiscus Garden and made their way toward Gualu Hall. At the hall entrance, Su Fifth Lady cautioned him, “Don’t speak carelessly in front of the guest.”

Liu Xiaolou nodded. “Understood.”

Inside Gualu Hall he saw his father-in-law, Su Zhi, along with Second Master Su Xun. The Su family’s eldest son, Su Long, was also present, serving in attendance. Three tables of guests were set out. They were all rather young, the eldest not yet forty.

But when Liu Xiaolou’s eyes fell on the last seat, a chill shot through him, and he nearly turned and fled on the spot.

That man was strikingly young, a crimson ribbon tied at his brow, his face as fair as peach blossom, eyes bright as stars. It was an image of a dashing young hero.

It was none other than Han Wuwang, the disciple from Dongyang Sect who had hounded him all the way after he had broken into Jinping Manor.