Chapter 22: The Thousand-Sun Jade Still Holds Its Warmth
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Xue Shiwei glanced at Lu Yun, who had left in anger. After hesitating for a moment, she did not follow.
She held the Thousand-Sun Jade in her hand, its warm, smooth sensation seeming to seep into her very soul.
It appeared that the jade had not merely been repaired. Its value had even increased.
“Thank you, Fourth Young Master, for repairing this jade for me. Even the finest craftsmen in Great Xia might find it difficult to match such skill.”
Xue Shiwei thanked Lu Xiao once again.
Afterward, she looked back in the direction Lu Yun had gone.
“As for Yun, I’ll speak with her. At the very least, she should address you as her elder brother. She shouldn’t have behaved so…”
“It’s fine. Since they don’t regard me as one of their own, I feel more at ease. Second Miss Xue, you needn’t thank me so much either. Your reminders may well have saved my life. It was only right that I offer something in return.”
Hearing this, Xue Shiwei could not help frowning.
“For you, Fourth Young Master, even knowing the Dragon Blood Body-Bathing Art will not truly resolve your predicament. For someone your age, you may need to reach the Qi Condensation Realm to have even a slight chance of passing the Martial Sect Academy’s examination.
“Even if you practice a technique like the Astral Energy Heart Formula to perfection, advancing to the Stone-Lifting Realm would be difficult, let alone reaching the Qi Condensation Realm.
“Moreover, there are competitions after the examination. You began studying martial arts rather late and still know very little about it. Even if you enter the Qi Condensation Realm, facing your opponents will be difficult…”
Xue Shiwei had mentioned the Stone-Lifting Realm to Lu Xiao before, but on that occasion, she had estimated his prospects rather optimistically.
She had felt that she should not dampen his enthusiasm.
Yet the more grateful she felt toward Lu Xiao, the more she could not help wanting to tell him the truth.
“Thank you for the reminder, Second Miss Xue. I know my own situation.”
Seeing how calm Lu Xiao remained, Xue Shiwei found herself at a loss for words.
Then, after a moment’s hesitation, she thought of what Lu Yun had said.
“Fourth Young Master, what exactly did Yun mean just now? The stigma of theft can have an enormous impact on a person. Once such a disgrace is attached to your name, even if you later offer up your spiritual bone, you may still be treated unjustly in many ways.”
Xue Shiwei asked because, if Lu Xiao truly fell into hardship in the future, she wondered whether she might be able to explain the matter publicly on his behalf.
As a descendant of the Duke of Xue, her words still carried some weight.
Besides, the accusation of theft against Lu Xiao sounded strange from the outset. A young master of a marquis’s household stealing from a servant was difficult to understand.
Hearing her question, Lu Xiao answered directly.
“This happened at the beginning of the year.
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“According to the rules established long ago, I could receive meals from the marquis’s estate after working there and contributing my labor.
“But that day, the servants in the kitchens said there had not been enough food and that none remained. I asked them to prepare more, but they refused.
“Since the mistake was theirs, they naturally ought to bear responsibility. So I took some of their belongings and pawned them in exchange for what I was owed.”
For a moment, Xue Shiwei could not recover from the shock.
“Fourth Young Master, your meals at the marquis’s estate were something you had to earn through labor…?”
Lu Xiao nodded.
After hearing this, Xue Shiwei seemed to understand him a little better.
With the estate treating him that way, how could Lu Xiao possibly be willing to devote himself to the Lu family?
And when she recalled Lu Yun accusing him of selfishness, his actions now seemed entirely justified.
“I understand. If anyone slanders you in the future, I will defend you.”
Lu Xiao cupped his hands in thanks.
Just before leaving, Xue Shiwei looked once more at the Thousand-Sun Jade in her hand.
The jade had been repaired to absolute perfection.
Not only did its appearance seem completely renewed, but even its inner properties had been enhanced.
Such a restoration must have involved a considerable element of luck.
But whether it was luck or not, Xue Shiwei felt that she ought to show Lu Xiao her gratitude properly.
“What you need most urgently now, Fourth Young Master, should be a suitable cultivation technique.
“Unfortunately, my Xue family’s techniques cannot be passed on to outsiders, and I would not be able to give you any of the heart formulas from the academy.
“The difficulties you face involve both the Lu Estate and the Duke of Meng’s household. Our Xue family truly cannot afford to become involved.
“I once happened upon this cultivation technique, but I have never been able to understand its profundity. In fact, I cannot even determine what it is meant to describe.
“I’ll give it to you now. Perhaps you may encounter some good fortune and find that it suits you perfectly.
“As for the matter of my giving you this book, please…”
Lu Xiao immediately cut in. “I happened upon this book myself. It was not given to me by anyone else.”
Xue Shiwei smiled and nodded, then left the small courtyard.
The Duke of Xue’s household had close ties with the military.
As a young member of that family, Xue Shiwei naturally possessed a touch more vigor and heroic spirit than other women.
When a woman like her smiled, she seemed to gain an added charm.
Besides, Xue Shiwei was exceptionally beautiful to begin with.
Lu Xiao maintained proper conduct. After only one glance, he withdrew his gaze.
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After Xue Shiwei left, the sky had already grown bright.
The servants from the First Madam’s residence came looking for Lu Xiao again and assigned him more tasks.
Lu Xiao had originally thought that giving him the Dragon Blood Body-Bathing Art meant they wanted him to cultivate seriously, only to destroy himself through the technique.
He had not expected that he would still be denied even a moment of peace.
“Please set your mind at ease, Fourth Young Master. The Old Madam said that performing these chores is highly beneficial to cultivation.
“As the saying goes, if one cannot even sweep a single room, how can one sweep the world? Cultivation must also begin with small matters.
“As long as you persist, Fourth Young Master, you will certainly see results.”
Hearing these words from the servant Liuwang, Lu Xiao could not help smiling.
“If the benefits are truly so numerous, then Elder Brother Lu Zhi and Lu Yun should come and try it as well. Why have I never seen either of them perform such chores and heavy labor?”
Lu Xiao’s retort did not trouble Liuwang. Clearly, he had already thought of how to respond.
“The Old Madam said before that everyone’s constitution is different. Fourth Young Master, your talent and comprehension are lacking, so you must begin with small matters.
“Setting your sights too high will only slow your progress in cultivation.
“The Old Madam also said that everyone in the household must make the contribution expected of them to the marquis’s estate.
“Given Fourth Young Master’s selfish nature, these are the only tasks that can be assigned to you.
“These are the Old Madam’s exact words. If I have offended you, please do not blame me, Fourth Young Master.”
Liuwang was very eloquent, presenting his argument with flawless reasoning.
It was not that Lu Xiao had nothing to say in reply. He had a hundred retorts ready on the tip of his tongue.
But while constrained by the Lu family’s marquisate, answering back would amount to nothing more than indulging in a battle of words.
Without entangling himself with them, Lu Xiao simply went to deal with the assigned tasks.
Once he had finished, he could return and continue cultivating.
Lu Xiao had confidence in his path of cultivation.
The Astral Energy Heart Formula had already been refined to the Third Stage.
His martial strength would certainly advance further.
The only thing he needed to worry about was time—whether he could improve enough before the Martial Sect Academy’s examination began.
…
Shangxuan Capital, the capital of Great Xia.
After leaving the Lu family’s marquisate, Wu Shanlong came here to report back.
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