Why did Su Ziyu suddenly mention Lin Xiuyan to Zhuang Wujian?
The young madam of the Dragon Ruins had not forgotten the day she, as the young madam of the Dragon Ruins, deigned to visit Cui Linzhi's home, only to be humiliated by the haughty Madam Han Cheng.
But Su Ziyu had truly not expected—
When she tried to pique Zhuang Wujian's curiosity about Lin Xiuyan in the conventional way, it triggered an extremely strong reaction from Zhuang Wujian.
Su Ziyu's heart trembled from the ferocious gaze of Zhuang Wujian's eyes.
Instinctively, she thought that her grandmother in the passenger seat and her mother-in-law driving would immediately scold Zhuang Wujian.
But—
Li Wujiang merely glanced back.
Yang Xiao, however, frowned slightly and said gently to Su Ziyu, "Ziyu, you shouldn't have spoken to Madam Zhuang like that. She, and her ancestors before her, have shouldered the responsibility of guarding the water dragon and take pride in being the most pure-blooded descendants of Yan Huang."
Previously.
Yang Xiao had addressed Zhuang Wujian as "Xiao Jian."
Now, she solemnly addressed her as Madam Zhuang.
From this alone, one could see how much respect Yang Xiao had for Zhuang Wujian's identity as the guardian of the water dragon.
Su Ziyu was startled.
Only then did she realize what a grave mistake her cleverness had led to.
She quickly corrected her attitude, lowered her head, and apologized to Zhuang Wujian: "Madam Zhuang, I am sorry. It was my ignorance that led me to make such a junior mistake when I tried to use your hand to punish that Lin Xiuyan. I beg you to forgive me this once due to my ignorance. I will never make such a mistake again."
A mistake is a mistake.
One must never quibble or make excuses for one's junior errors, but sincerely apologize.
Su Ziyu had always been this kind of person.
Not only did she sincerely apologize to Zhuang Wujian, but she also explained the reason behind her actions.
"I accept your apology."
Seeing that Su Ziyu's words were indeed due to ignorance, and her immediate apology was sincere, Zhuang Wujian retracted the ferocity in her eyes.
She said in a faint tone, "Su Ziyu, remember this. Although I am not a good person, and I even disdain to do good deeds, even if I were to be dismembered, I would never forget who my ancestors were."
Su Ziyu lowered her head again: "Thank you for your teaching, Madam. I will remember."
Hmph.
Zhuang Wujian snorted lightly, "How did that Lin Xiuyan offend you?"
Li Wujiang spoke at this moment, "Yes, Ziyu. Quickly tell us, what scoundrelly thing did that female barbarian do?"
Although Yang Xiao did not speak, she looked at Su Ziyu with curious eyes.
She was very pleased in her heart: "She corrects her mistakes, admits them bravely, never quibbles, and is not pretentious. She is indeed worthy of being my Yang Xiao's eldest granddaughter-in-law, and the young madam of the Dragon Ruins whom I strongly support."
Understanding the meaning in her grandmother's eyes, Su Ziyu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
She secretly warned herself never to make such a junior mistake again.
"A week ago, after I arrived in Hancheng, I accepted Cui Linzhi's invitation to visit his home in search of Senior Lan's whereabouts."
Su Ziyu recounted the incident truthfully: how she shook hands with Lin Xiuyan, and how Lin Xiuyan discreetly wiped her hand with a handkerchief after the handshake and then discarded it.
Bang!
Li Wujiang raised her hand, slammed the steering wheel heavily, and cursed, "Damn bitch! She's simply ignorant."
Yang Xiao also said coldly, "Her behavior not only insults the Dragon Ruins but also insults the entire East Land. It would be too easy for such a woman to die. Ziyu, leave this matter to me. I will make sure that woman knows who the real clown is."
Zhuang Wujian suddenly said, "Leave that woman to me. I will tame that proud female barbarian into a dog. She will instinctively lift her tail whenever she sees an East Land man."
In terms of wickedness and depravity, the three generations of female masters of the Dragon Ruins combined could not compare to Zhuang Wujian.
Yang Xiao, however, said displeasedly, "This is a matter for the Dragon Ruins! Xiao Jian, you are an outsider, so stop meddling."
Madam Zhuang had become Xiao Jian again—
Li Wujiang nodded, indicating her unconditional support for Empress Dowager Xiao.
Heh heh.
Zhuang Wujian sneered, "Yang Xiao, if you can think and have ears, you should have seen that Su Ziyu not only wanted to use my hand to punish the female barbarian just now, but she also suggested that I develop in Hancheng. What? Are you supporting the young madam of the Dragon Ruins by going back on your word?"
Yang Xiao—
Could not help but complain to Su Ziyu, "Ziyu, you too. Why didn't you tell me about such an interesting matter earlier?"
Li Wujiang nodded again, "Exactly, exactly."
Su Ziyu felt a little awkward.
Zhuang Wujian announced on the spot, "I now declare that Hancheng will be the base camp of my War Demon Temple from now on! When I establish my residence, Yang Xiao, don't forget to send me congratulatory gifts."
The three generations of female masters of the Dragon Ruins—
"Don't worry, I have a way to deal with the female barbarian. After all, the people of Hancheng are very devoted to these various cults. And creating various cults is my specialty."
After Zhuang Wujian said this proudly, fearing that Yang Xiao would object, she quickly changed the subject, "Su Ziyu, you must make Li Qianfan chop off a hand and send it to me."
What?
You want Qianfan to chop off a hand?
Su Ziyu was stunned.
Li Wujiang was furious and slammed the steering wheel heavily, "Xiao Jian, what nonsense are you spouting?"
Although Yang Xiao did not speak, she subconsciously began to roll up her sleeves.
Zhuang Wujian showed no fear, rolling her eyes upwards, "A bunch of ignorant fools. Do you really think all Gu worms are bred by making them fight each other? The Gu worms you want need to alter Su Ziyu's cells, accept the male 209, and provide reciprocal nourishment."
These ignorant fools—
After looking at each other, Su Ziyu said, "Even so, you can't chop off Qianfan's hand."
"Just kidding."
Zhuang Wujian chuckled awkwardly and said, "But we must feed the 'lovesick' Gu worms with your and Li Qianfan's flesh and blood. If Hua Yin had captured him and brought him back to the War Demon Temple back then, I would have had to feed the Gu with my and his flesh and blood."
Her words were not a joke.
Yang Xiao frowned slightly, "How much flesh and blood is needed to raise the Gu?"
"The size of a wine cup is enough."
Zhuang Wujian looked at Su Ziyu and said, "Start thinking now about which part of your body you will cut off to feed the worms."
Before Su Ziyu could say anything, Li Wujiang quickly asked, "Must it be Ziyu and Qianfan's flesh and blood? And that much?"
Zhuang Wujian was too lazy to talk to this shrew who cursed at every turn, and merely nodded.
Su Ziyu immediately stated, "The size of a wine cup, no problem."
Yang Xiao also said, "I will take blood and flesh from Ziyu. Let it be from her arm. Don't worry, I won't leave you with a scar."
"Even if there are scars, it doesn't matter."
Li Wujiang said, "I suggest Ziyu takes from her right arm and Qianfan from his left. Their scars can be tattooed with a 'lovesick knot' pattern. It represents the romance of eternal love and steadfast affection."
Her suggestion was immediately strongly supported by Su Ziyu.
Many young couples deeply in love liked to tattoo each other's names on their bodies.
As for the embarrassment that might arise if love broke and they parted ways to find new partners, such things would never happen to Su Ziyu and Li Qianfan.
Thus.
Yang Xiao personally searched online for the most beautiful 'lovesick knots.'
But Zhuang Wujian said that 'lovesick knot' tattoos were far less attractive than 'flying birds.'
Both 'flying birds' and 'lovesick knot' here represented a type of Gu worm cultivated by Zhuang Wujian.
The difference was that Yang Xiao wanted this Gu worm to be named 'lovesick knot,' while Zhuang Wujian insisted that naming it 'flying birds' was best.
They engaged in intense discussion and debate over this.
They even reached the point of rolling up their sleeves and ordering Li Wujiang to stop the car so they could fight three hundred rounds!
"Is it worth it to fight over a name?"
Su Ziyu said with a wry smile, "I suggest we all four raise our hands. Come. Who agrees to 'flying birds'?"
Before she finished speaking, Zhuang Wujian raised her right hand.
Su Ziyu also raised her right hand while tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
Glancing at Empress Dowager Xiao from the corner of her eye, Li Wujiang raised her right hand, "This rearview mirror is a bit crooked."
Ha, ha.
Zhuang Wujian burst into laughter.
Yang Xiao's face darkened.
Who would have thought that her "most beloved" daughter-in-law and her "most admired" granddaughter-in-law had both betrayed her?
"Two ungrateful white-eyed wolves."
Yang Xiao muttered softly, reclined her seat, placed her feet on the dashboard, and crossed her arms, closing her eyes.
But soon.
The playful Empress Dowager Xiao joined the enthusiastic discussion of the three women (what size the 'flying birds' should be, what colors would be more beautiful, etc.).
The wheels rolled on.
All the way north—
At eight o'clock on the evening of the sixteenth day of the first lunar month.
Li Qianfan, holding some ointment and gauze, came from the front yard to the back courtyard living room.
In the living room, the four beauties of the Su family were playing cards.
"Gambling all day long!"
Li Qianfan frowned, looking at Su Nanyin, who was "heavily wounded but refusing to leave the battlefield," and said with wicked humor, "Quickly, take it off."