Central Capital, Li Family.

"Master, we've received news from below that Mrs. Zhao Qian was taken away by Zhao Tianyou, and there's been no news at all after a whole night." A middle-aged man dressed as a steward reported with a bowed head.

Not far in front of him, the patriarch of the Li Family, Li Xiaojie, was swiftly reviewing various accounts and requests from his subordinates.

Upon hearing this, he couldn't help but pause his actions and looked up at his confidant, "Have you figured out what happened?"

The middle-aged steward bowed his body and continued, "Reporting to the master, I arranged for personnel to check at the Qian Family and Chungui Tower. It was discovered that a group of outsiders had taken Mrs. Zhao Qian and Zhao Tianyou away."

"Moreover, those people also bought Zhao's ancestral home and hired more than twenty servants to clean that garden."

"Oh?" Li Xiaojie's face slightly darkened, "Have you identified which faction they belong to? How dare they blatantly interfere in Zhao's affairs? Have they grown tired of living?"

"Master, we haven't completely confirmed where those people are from, but some below reported that they seem to be bandits from Three Immortals Mountain, led by Handsome Yama," the steward quickly explained.

"Handsome Yama?" Li Xiaojie couldn't help but furrow his brow, "How could he suddenly come to Central Capital and meddle in Zhao's affairs?"

While others might not know the dealings between Three Immortals Mountain and Immortal Tower, he was well aware, and for many high-ranking members of the Celestial Patrol Department, Handsome Yama's identity wasn't a secret.

Now, with the pressure from the Lord of Youdu over the Northern Lands, and especially after taking control of Three Immortals Mountain, the Celestial Patrol Department had long sent a large number of spies to gather intelligence, always keeping an eye on any movements in Youdu.

The change of leadership behind Three Immortals Mountain couldn't be hidden from those in the know.

After a moment of contemplation, Li Xiaojie asked again, "Is there no news from Mrs. Zhao Qian's side?"

The steward replied, "There's been no news yet."

"Could it be that Youdu intends to start meddling in Central State?" Numerous thoughts flashed through Li Xiaojie's mind, feeling that this matter was somewhat troublesome.

Handsome Yama himself is a powerful individual who has mastered the True Intent of the Martial Path. More importantly, behind him is the towering presence of Youdu; his every move likely represents Youdu's will.

If not handled properly, it could very well lead to friction with Youdu, which is something many high-ranking members of the Celestial Patrol Department, including the Li Family, would rather avoid.

"Send more people to keep a close watch on all of Handsome Yama's group, report every move they make without any omissions,"

"Additionally, arrange for the Qian Family to publicly invite Mrs. Zhao Qian back, make it as big a fuss as possible."

"I want to see exactly what that bandit leader plans to do!"

With these words, the steward agreed and carefully withdrew to make the arrangements.

Yet, Li Xiaojie couldn't shake a sense of unease. Handsome Yama had suddenly appeared in Central Capital, and his first move was to interfere with the Zhao family, even taking Mrs. Zhao Qian away. It seemed ominous at first glance.

"Could it be aimed at my Li Family?" he mumbled, but was unable to fathom it fully, as the Li Family had no conflicts or disputes with either You State or Three Immortals Mountain.

"If it's truly aimed at the Li Family, then it might very well be the handiwork of Youdu."

"This matter must be quickly reported to my elder brother, otherwise, there might be significant trouble ahead!"

Li Xiaojie shook his head, knowing that despite being the patriarch of the Li Family, his influence within the entire family ranked only third.

Major decisions affecting the family's fate required the approval of his elder brother Li Xiaotian and the old master of the Li Family.

One is one of the nine Marshals of the Central State's Celestial Patrol Department, commanding elite troops, a figure of real power; the other is an Elder of the Celestial Patrol Department, part of the highest decision-making body in Central State.

These two are the true pillars of the Li Family today!

"Youdu, I wonder who is stronger, the Director or that King Xiang."

Now it's clear to all those with insight, once Youdu sweeps through the Northern Lands, their forces will inevitably turn towards Central State, and then sweep across the world.

As a prominent family in the Central Capital, the conflict between You State and Central State closely relates to the rise and fall of the Li Family's future, leaving him no choice but to care.

"The world is still unsettled... for the Li Family... Youdu must not be thoroughly antagonized after all!"

...

A night passed, and before dawn broke, the servants in one of the Su Family residences in Central Capital started bustling.

Especially in Su Wanqing's quarters, there were as many as seven or eight maids and matrons, carefully checking the things they needed to prepare, helping Su Wanqing dress up, apply makeup, and perform the customary blessings, along with some guidance and instructions.

The room was bustling, as if everyone was endlessly busy. Su Wanqing, however, resembled a puppet, passively allowing others to manipulate her. Her exquisite and flawless face bore no expression, and her beautiful eyes held nothing but a deathly calm of desolation greater than grief.

Since Lu Chengfeng sent Li Mo on a visit earlier that year, she had received no news about that man, only hearing that a bloody conflict had erupted in the Yuncang Sword Sect, involving clashes with three other sects, resulting in many deaths.

Su Wanqing sometimes wondered whether something had happened to that man during that turmoil...

She dared not think too much, yet couldn't help but think. Every day, she hoped to receive news from the north, hoping to wake up and find that man by her side.

Yet, day after day passed, and she received nothing.

No news, no more visits to the Su Family.

It was as if Yuncang, and that man, had completely forgotten her.

Su Wanqing sometimes felt lost, questioning the meaning of her past persistence. She even felt that splitting the jade hairpin from her mother into two and sending it through someone to Lu Chengfeng seemed utterly degrading.

"Look, you're rushing to be someone else's concubine, yet they don't even care!"

Her mind was in turmoil, feeling as if her heart was being torn apart, yet she couldn't help but think, "Maybe it's because the strength of the Su Family and Li Family is too overwhelming, he has no choice, or perhaps something really happened to him in that fierce battle."

Countless guesses, longing, and pain tormented her, leaving her in a wretched state, unable to even eat. In nearly a year's time, she had become emaciated as if a gust of wind could blow her down.

Despite the servants desperately applying heavy makeup on her face, it could hardly conceal her pallor and fatigue. This woman seemed to have her soul extracted, no longer having the lively appearance she once did.

The only reason she held on to life was the message that man once had someone bring to her, "I will definitely take you away, wait for me."

"But... I'm about to get married, become someone else's concubine, someone else's woman... But where are you?" Su Wanqing's heart was full of bitterness and confusion, "Am I supposed to keep waiting, become another man's wife, and keep waiting?"

"I'm... really so tired!"

If she weren't afraid of implicating her mother, she had many moments when she just wanted to end it all, unwilling to suffer such pain and torment, and even more unwilling to become the concubine and plaything of an old man.

In such a muddled state, she allowed the servants to dress her up, putting on the pink bridal attire designated for concubines.

According to the rules, concubines are not allowed to wear bright red wedding attire but only similar shades like peach or rose red.

Even though she came from the Su Family, since she was to become a concubine, it naturally couldn't be a grand affair. She was directly placed into a sedan chair and carried through a side door, as was customary for accepting a concubine.

Su Wanqing was no exception!

During the wedding of a main wife, there is a crying bridal tradition, but not for concubines. In fact, to prevent concubines from crying and ruining the atmosphere and the groom's mood, the parents of a concubine are not allowed to see their daughter on the wedding day.

Su Wanqing's mother could only wipe her tears in another room without any means to help, helplessly watching her daughter marry an old man half in the grave.

Unconsciously, time had reached evening. Su Wanqing hadn't eaten a bite or taken a sip of water all day, and no one cared, no one was concerned.

Except for her mother, everyone only wanted to ensure her smooth entry into the Li Family, and after that, whatever happened, whether she lived or died, was unimportant.

...

The Li Family Clan Elder Li Zhongshun, who was to marry Su Wanqing, did not live in the ancestral home. Apart from those of the direct lineage, others had already split the family and had their own houses. Only during ancestral worship, clan meetings, or major events would they gather together.

Li Zhongshun was already eighty-three years old this year, but having luckily developed the First Layer of Wind and Cloud True Intent, nurturing his inner strength, his body was still fairly robust. However, if he really had to fight, he might not be as good as those young men who had mastered Sword Qi.

Though his skin was loose and his face full of wrinkles, his hair hadn't turned white yet. Today, he deliberately donned a wedding robe, dressed as a groom, leaning on a cane, eagerly awaiting his beautiful bride.

Under Father Su's arrangement, he had met Su Wanqing once. Her beautiful face, graceful figure, especially those exceptionally long jade legs, just thinking about it made him tremble with excitement.

"Go and ask again, see where they are now."

Li Zhongshun impatiently ordered his servants to inquire again, eager to see his beautiful concubine as soon as possible. Just thinking about enjoying those jade legs tonight made it hard for him to sit still.

"Yes, old master." The servant responded and promptly went to arrange for someone to inquire.

After about another half hour, there was suddenly a commotion outside the door. The side door of the residence opened, and four bearers carried in a bridal sedan chair.

"Hahaha, finally arrived!" Li Zhongshun couldn't wait and rushed to the sedan chair, ready to welcome the bride down.

There weren't many ceremonies for accepting a concubine. As long as she entered the door, she was considered his. Once in the bridal chamber, removing the veil and drinking the nuptial wine would be sufficient.

Su Wanqing already had considerable prestige; most concubines didn't even have a bridal sedan, entering directly into the bridal chamber after being carried through the door.

Just as Li Zhongshun walked to the sedan chair, a loud bang suddenly came from the front yard, followed by many shouts and roars.

"Who dares to intrude on Li Zhongshun's residence? Are they looking for death?"

"Who are you? Leave immediately."

"Go call the Celestial Patrol Department, the sky is turning upside down!"

However, those shouts quickly subsided. Li Zhongshun frowned; today was supposed to be his joyous day for accepting a concubine, and he was just about to enjoy his beautiful concubine when this happened, instantly making him furious.

"Someone, go to the front yard to see what's happening. Get it sorted out immediately, don't make a fuss and disturb my enjoyment."

Before he finished speaking, he saw three or four figures near the third gate being knocked back, screaming and wailing, then slamming heavily onto the ground.

Immediately after, eight burly men wielding knives and swords escorted a young man in.

The young man, holding a folding fan, wore a red wedding robe, his face fair and handsome, appearing elegant, looking more like the groom than himself.

Li Zhongshun was both angry and hateful, striking the ground forcefully with his cane, "Who are you? How dare you cause trouble at my residence? Do you know what awaits you?"

Lu Chengfeng laughed heartily, "Since I'm here, do you think I'm afraid of your threats?"

"I've taken a liking to your concubine; from now on, she belongs to me."

As he spoke, he walked briskly towards the sedan chair.

Li Zhongshun was nearly driven mad by anger. As a clan elder of the Li Family, always respected everywhere, he had never been humiliated like this. His eyes turned red, and he roared in fury, "Someone, immediately call the Celestial Patrol Department!"

"I tell you, no matter who you are, what background you have, I'll make you wish you were dead."

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