Chapter 93: Chapter 93: Don’t Get Too Close
The study in the Admiral’s Mansion, Zhao Shouchang, wearing a scholar’s robe, was engrossed in reading by lamplight, so deeply focused that he didn’t respond when the steward approached quietly and reported, "Master, the young lady has returned."
He didn’t react, as if he hadn’t heard, his attention still on the book.
The old steward stood in place, waiting.
After a while, Zhao Shouchang finally finished reading the page, put the book down on the desk, and asked, "Where did she go today?"
His daughter had always been sensible and seldom returned ho so late. If she really had to be late, she would at least inform the steward in advance.
Today, however, there was no notice at all.
Very unusual.
The steward replied, "The young lady was with Chen Ming all this ti."
"Chen Ming?"
Upon hearing this na, Zhao Shouchang’s gaze sharpened, "Is he the young man who slew the treacherous Patrol Envoy?"
"Yes, Master."
It was him?
Zhao Shouchang’s eyebrows subtly furrowed.
Of course, he knew his daughter had been busy winning over the guards and servants in the mansion. In the past two years, she even started contacting people outside the mansion, all of which he had tacitly approved.
His daughter naturally couldn’t just be proficient in embroidery and accounting. If she didn’t know how to win people’s hearts, she could easily be bullied after marrying into another family.
Therefore, he had always encouraged her to take action freely.
However, this Chen Ming was not an ordinary person; he was connected to Shang Jianfei.
After Zhao Shouchang visited Shang Jianfei last ti, he had people keep an eye on Prince Zhenhai’s Mansion.
He then discovered a young man visiting Prince Zhenhai’s Mansion almost daily, staying for one or two hours each ti, clearly having an unusual relationship with Shang Jianfei.
So, he specifically sent soone to watch this Chen Ming.
Only recently, Zhao Xiyan hadn’t gone to find Chen Ming for a month. Zhao Shouchang wasn’t aware of any interaction between his daughter and this person.
The steward noticed Zhao Shouchang’s reaction, realizing instantly that the master not only rembered this person but also valued him.
The steward imdiately adjusted his perception, raising his estimation of this young man nad Chen Ming.
Zhao Shouchang asked, "Does Yan’Er value him highly?"
The steward said, "I just received news that this person has already broken through to the Sixth Grade."
Zhao Shouchang didn’t react much, rely stating, "Call Yan’Er over; I have sothing to say to her."
"Yes, Master."
The steward lowered his head and exited the room, feeling sowhat puzzled.
The Sixth Grade marks a watershed for martial artists.
Generally speaking, those who can break through to the Sixth Grade before the age of thirty are considered young talents with boundless prospects and future hopes of reaching the Third Grade.
This Chen Ming was rely twenty-three years old and from an ordinary family, his talent truly one in ten thousand. Yet, the master was unimpressed?
...
"Father, you called for ?"
Shortly after, Zhao Xiyan returned to her feminine attire and ca to the study to see her father, bowing respectfully.
Zhao Shouchang kindly said, "Yan’Er, no need for formalities."
Zhao Xiyan obediently confessed, "Daughter returned late and made Father worry."
"You always handle matters with good judgnt, never requiring my concern," Zhao Shouchang replied with a smile, "I called you here because your grandmother wrote urging
to find you a good match, as you’re not young anymore. Is there anyone you fancy, Yan’Er?"
Zhao Xiyan shook her head, saying, "Not really. Besides, I don’t want to marry so early."
"You’re almost eighteen—"
"I’ve already reached the Sixth Grade!"
Surprised, Zhao Shouchang’s eyes lit up with an awe-inspiring radiance, staring at his daughter for a while, astonished, "Yan’Er, when did you reach the Sixth Grade?"
"According to the ancestral teachings, Zhao family’s daughters reaching the Sixth Grade before eighteen can choose to marry at twenty-five. I want to focus on the Martial Dao, perhaps in a few more years you can worry about my marriage again, Father."
By invoking the ancestral teachings, Zhao Xiyan silenced Zhao Shouchang.
In a martial arts family, daughters with outstanding talent hold a high position. Generally, daughters with lesser talent are married off before eighteen to establish alliances.
If, like Zhao Xiyan, they reach the Sixth Grade before eighteen, this remarkable talent cannot be married off hastily. They should wait a few years, aiming for an alliance with equally talented family mbers from other families.
Regardless of the world, marriage requires a match of equal standing. Cultivation as well; it shouldn’t vary too much, or even producing offspring becos difficult, disadvantaging family lineage.
Thus, geniuses often unite with geniuses, increasing the likelihood of producing gifted descendants.
Most ancient families with long lineage have similar rules.
"Daughter won’t disturb Father’s rest anymore."
Zhao Xiyan was about to take her leave.
"Yan’Er," Zhao Shouchang called her back, thoughtfully advising, "Chen Ming has so entanglents; it’s best not to get too close to him."
"I understand, Father."
Zhao Xiyan bowed and withdrew.
After leaving the study, her brows furrowed. Her father specifically called her over mainly to deliver the last sentence, warning her about getting too close to Chen Ming.
Why was her father so concerned about him?
Her curiosity intensified, pondering what secrets Chen Ming carried.
...
anwhile, Chen Ming returned ho, greeted not only by his elder brother and sister-in-law but also by friends like Zhang Mingyu, Deng Ziyang, and Zhuang Xiaotian.
He asked, "Why are you all here?"
Zhang Mingyu, seeing him enter, dashed over excitedly, "Did you really reach the Sixth Grade?"
Looking at their excited and thrilled faces, Chen Ming knew they ca rushing upon hearing the rumors, feeling sowhat touched as he nodded, "Yes, I’m now at the Sixth Grade."
"Just as I thought!"
Despite his excitent, Zhang Mingyu’s expression beca quite complex.
The Sixth Grade!
His teacher had reached the Sixth Grade and held a pivotal position in Qingfeng City. His greatest desire was to emulate his teacher by breaking through to the Sixth Grade.
However, this was extrely difficult as his teacher didn’t leave any cultivation techniques for reaching the Sixth Grade, making it uncertain if he could ever achieve this.
Yet, Chen Ming had silently broken through to the Sixth Grade.
Zhang Mingyu couldn’t help but wonder where Chen Ming acquired the cultivation techniques. Could it be that the teacher truly passed the sect’s heritage on to him?
...
Deng Ziyang and Zhuang Xiaotian also appeared entirely incredulous, stunned by Chen Ming’s rapid breakthrough.
"You only reached the Seventh Grade half a year ago?"
"Breaking through two grades in a year!"
"Sixth Grade..."
Having already reached the Eighth Grade, Zhuang Xiaotian felt mostly joyful for Chen Ming, long accepting their disparity. With their close friendship, Chen Ming’s growing strength ant benefits for him as well.
Deng Ziyang’s feelings were far more mixed; he had hardly caught up with Chen Ming’s pace, only to be left behind once more.
And this leap was even more challenging than before.
The gap widened.
...
The happiest of all were Chen Rui and Mrs. Wei.
One babbled incoherently, unsure of what they were muttering. The other clasped hands with tears in their eyes, seemingly praying to the heavens.
Chen Ming reaching the Sixth Grade signified a further elevation of the Chen Family’s influence, claiming a spot at the table. Although it might be the children’s table for now, it was a genuine leap forward.
This brought tangible benefits, along with intangible influence, reputation, status...
The couple had anticipated this day would co eventually, yet didn’t expect it to arrive so swiftly, so suddenly.
And though the mansion staff didn’t comprehend the true significance of the second master’s breakthrough to the Sixth Grade, seeing their masters’ joy naturally led them to celebrate.
At the very least, they recognized this as a great occasion.
...
Watching his family’s and friends’ genuine happiness stirred feelings of fulfillnt within Chen Ming. Bringing pride and joy to them beca his honor.
So, he had his family’s treasured wine brought out to celebrate together.
That night, everyone drank heavily; even Chen Rui, who usually abstained from alcohol, beca thoroughly drunk, ultimately carried back to his room by a servant.
The ones remaining sober were Deng Ziyang, Zhang Mingyu, and Chen Ming himself.
Suddenly, Zhang Mingyu asked, "Brother Chen, what are your plans next?"
Deng Ziyang also looked towards him, evidently caring deeply about this question.
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