Zhonglei
During the day...
Zhonglei was a no-show in school. He was in East College as a third-year student.
But as of last night, he dropped out by AWOL as what's the point of keeping on coming if he'll die soon if he didn't take action by asking his younger sister's help?
As children, he was under training since he was six years old. Sons have it pretty strict.
He was there when Beiyue was a known Spiritual Failure and got mocked by everybody when Princess Royal wasn't around.
It was at an early age that he learned that all men are not equal. That if you're weak, everyone will make you their toy. Siblinghood? Friendship? No such thing as he learned early on that he felt he couldn't trust anyone nor approach anyone who wasn't father. Given what his mother and sister really thinks, his hopes of having a decent siblinghood were shot as he can't even go near Beiyue, or face the evil things his blood family can cook up that he's powerless against.
That last night was the first time he approached Beiyue actually.
Beiyue was safe for two more years from horrible treatment, until Princess Royal died that bullying from servants began and their other siblings began...and it was then she changed a week after royal aunt's funeral and Emperor became her Guardian after mourning period. In fact, he came personally to take back the documents and badges as well as the Lam Cards of the fiefs.
His mother raged about that as that means the family has no control over those massive annual incomes for cultivation as her plan was that now that Princess Royal died, the princess needs a guardian and regent. However...they can have the money as compensation for even bothering to keep her around as being a wallet is all she's useful for!
She just didn't expect the Emperor putting a snag in her plans.
He felt that maybe karma attacks the wicked at where it hurts most. Not only that, Beiyue left the estate under strict tutelage making her safe from his mother and sister...and next thing he knew, she became a formidable businesswoman, governor who made her counties richer, and a powerful cultivator. Did she somehow manage to overcome what happened at age six and rose in secret?
At least she changed her fate. Karma really attacks where it hurts most as he saw the looks on his siblings' faces when its time for exams. Aptitude and Admissions Exams were on the same day after all. One thing these exams shared, is the Cultivational Base Exam.
People made fun of her in this exam...until she blew away all their sails. That she is now as strong as Crown Prince at age twelve!
Well, who's the family joke now? He's stronger than Yun now, but not even he can do a thing against this man mother hired with someone else's wallet to do the unthinkable!
Right now, he's in a warded guest room that may as well double as his cell. Given that he's his mother's son, taking precaution is understandable.
At least they left him lunch, and a bookcase so he won't get bored while the girls are gone, and he could take a bath. His sister stole his entire closet from his room in Bishui Pavilion after all...
But!
Whoever heard of a porcelain bathtub that's so long he can sit in it with legs stretched?! The bathtub was enchanted with two functions...by applying Ki on the water enchantment, water could come straight from the well or any nearby body of water closest to the tub and fill the tub till full! Then by applying Ki on the fire enchantment, he waits for the tub to be warm enough! And he can reheat the water till he's done!
This bathtub however, is EXPENSIVE, costing 40 million gold. And this was the cheapest. The more expensive one that came with a shower just for washing hair, was 90 million gold. Lastly, a heated swimming pool? 150 million gold. In coins, of course.
Wooden bathtubs that had to be done with manually, is obsolete. That having this revolutionary thing really shows off one's status now.
Beiyue sells bathtubs to Buji'er and when they sell her tubs for her, they get to charge 20% more from customers to break even as commission as well. But after three years, the enchantments wear off as it slowly erodes away the bathtub itself leading to it breaking apart upon the final month of that third year.
What's good for Enchanters and Pharmacists is that nobody knows who made what. Only Buji'er and other Trading Unions knows, to protect the producers' identities to avoid purchase bias, and so everyone can make income. For this reason, only the Buji'er knows who made what and they're not telling as this was a law put in around the time humans started cultivating out of necessity due to war, and when magical tools became for sale but due to disputes and rivalries when products were known back then enough to start slander to damage reputation, business was really bad!
That was in history books regarding Enchanting Profession according to her.
However, the enchanted porcelain bathtub isn't a universal product yet. Its an exclusive of Nanyi Country.
It sure is luxury...
Well, its a luxury he'll get to taste only once, before back to manual bathing he goes. Sigh.
xxx
Buji'er Mansion...
'Thank you for having time to see me on short notice.' said Beiyue as she sat on the chair in front of the man's desk.
'I wish to hear about your second brother before I make my decision.' said Sai Si. 'By reading your letter, I gleaned a lot about your family dynamics and it wasn't a pretty picture. What made you decide to help him?'
'I investigated him, and the fact that he gave me information that's worth a lot.' said Beiyue. 'I consider the latter excessive tradeoff for his request though I don't mind taking it considering circumstances beyond both our control...and while he never wronged me in his life, he couldn't show anyone that he'd do me right when I was known as useless or his treatment will change for the worst. He was understandably protecting himself, learning the cruel way what this world is like, while burdened with guilt over the years that he couldn't be a good brother to whom he felt, is his decent sibling in the family and he had no idea Aunt Fang was a good person he can come to because the other two concubines didn't exactly give him a good example.'
'With a black-bellied mother and sister, and a father who only cares when you're useful, he felt quite alone. He can't even associate with anyone given that karma comes when it bites most as his firm belief. But in one fell swoop, he more than made up for that by giving me valuable information and a clue to something far more sinister afoot.'
'I see...there's more to Concubine Xue and Xiao Yun.' Sai Si looked thoughtful. 'So Xiao Zhonglei fell far from the tree. If I am to protect him, what will I get in return?'
From Beiyue's Space Ring, she took out a large hunk of metal, enough for ten swords.
'This is Spirit Black Steel!' Sai Si's eyes popped. 'How the heck did you get this so easily? Moreover to get this much without getting lynched?!'
Spirit Black Steel. The only metal that can forge weapons enabling a Warrior to compete evenly against a Summoner's Shadow Weapons...weapons a Summoner gains that represent their Spirit Beast as it channels ki very well, enabling the weapon to stand against shadow weapons without ever breaking. However, mining them is not easy...for one, you climb a mountain range that borders the nations of Beiyao and Xirong. It is a very hostile territory hence. Very dangerous if you get caught.
Mining it makes you prone to getting caught and be mistaken for an enemy spy and tortured to death no matter how much you plead for your innocence.
Thus a weapon made from this metal, is only a Warrior's Dream. Hardly anyone gets to possess this rare treasure! Yet, how'd a twelve-year-old get some, enough for ten swords no less?!
'I have my ways~' Beiyue smiled. 'This is a good trade, no?'
'Indeed so!' Sai Si accepted the trade. 'Starting tomorrow, smuggle Xiao Zhonglei here after school. I will make arrangements for him. Any other concerns?'
'This.' Beiyue gave him a list. 'Starting tomorrow, he's no longer a nobleman. He has to learn those while gradually becoming useful to the Buji'er over time in return for his safety here.'
'Mm. Well, he abandoned being a nobleman in favor of his life...after all, not even our status can protect anyone from death, nevermind evil intentions.' said Sai Si, tucking the list in his clothing.
'Its a trade he's willing to make. He knows that as long as he's within the viper's nest, he has no future. His mother will make sure herself he has no future as to her, he's merely an ingredient for cultivation now. Him being her son is irrelevant now in her quest to make her little doll get better in quality.' said Beiyue darkly. 'I looked into the book and copied the procedure...who among the past Xiao came up with that brand of nasty, I don't want to know. So now Zhonglei will discard all he knew, in order to have a future.'
'A future as a commoner yet to live long, is it? Well, we all do like living long.' Sai Si chuckled wanly. 'What a thing for a child to be saddled with.'
'Children sadly cannot choose to whom they are born to. All they can do, is deal with it, and do their darndest to live and get what best thing they can get in their lives.' said Beiyue bitterly. 'Because crying and complaining won't get you anything. To live, is to fight and to fight is to live. That's all you get.'
xxx
After coming home from the meeting, Beiyue went to her office to call Concubine Fang over using a paper crane spell on her letter before going to the kitchen to get herself dinner. She has half an hour before talking with the two.
And so...
'You said you found an ideal husband for Ling'er?' Fang asked Beiyue as she and Ling are excited.
'Yes. He is two years older than eldest sister, soon to graduate Lingyang by end of this year.' said Beiyue. 'His name is Xing Jue, third son of Xing Junzhan.' she told them what she knows of Xing Jue that got them delighted. As well as do's and don'ts and what to expect from Xing Jue. 'Out of 60 suitors, he fits Aunt Fang's criteria and he is interested in meeting Eldest Sister after school tomorrow. He's in the Warrior Course now so be at his mansion an hour after sunset to give the guy some time so get ready for this much-needed meeting.'
'Got it.' Ling grinned. 'I'm definitely not gonna mess up tomorrow!' she was definitely motivated.
'Ling'er, your manners, OK? This is a crucial time!' Concubine Fang fretted anxiously, knowing her daughter's personality.
'I know!'
'By the way Bei'er, have you seen second young master?' Concubine Fang asked Beiyue who knew this question was coming. 'He didn't show up this morning's carriage nor did he return home. I know for a fact that Concubine Xue went here to ask around.'
'Second...master?' Beiyue feigned innocence just as she had instructed Dongling.
'Er mom, Beiyue must have forgotten the kid existed.' Ling pointed out. 'That smarmy slut hardly lets that kid out while she parades her little bitch around to get favors from father when she's not even worth a fart, she's hardly even into 1-star junior.' she snarked derisively. 'Can't blame her for forgetting him. The only time she saw that kid was when she was six and that's it.' probably didn't even notice him back at Winter and Spring Banquets this year!
Concubine Fang groaned, telling Beiyue she has a second brother, son to Concubine Xue and younger than Xiao Yun by a year. But he went missing so now everyone's discreetly looking for him.
'I see...though I'm not much help. How can I look for a boy whose face I don't even know?' Beiyue shook her head. 'That's impossible even for me. I need a face for knowing people. I'm pretty sure Dongling told that to everyone who asks.'
'Ahh...'
xxx
'Must be quite the scare, when everyone began searching for you.' Beiyue teased Zhonglei who was shaken and rattled at being nearly found. 'The wards hid you perfectly, otherwise you'll be back home by now.'
'P-Please don't say that...' Zhonglei stammered shakily. 'That was hell when father searched every room yet strangely didn't see me?'
'Your guest room is laced with illusion magic that works only on people I deem outsiders.' said Beiyue wryly. 'Anyway, get ready. I will smuggle you to the Buji'er Mansion tomorrow after school, so do all your laundry tonight and hang them dry. Sai Si's gonna plan arrangements tonight and tomorrow. And upon waking up tomorrow, retrieve your laundry first thing in the morning incase servants sneak around.'
'Right...this is gonna suck isn't it?'
'Afraid so because we're doing hide-and-seek here...the dangerous kind.' Beiyue purred dangerously with a dark smile. Using a feather off her summon, she can hear all that goes on in Bishui Pavilion and Yuancheng's Residence, and she had given Zhonglei a feather to hear everything during school time.
Yuancheng and Xue were frantic for two entirely-different reasons.
Yuancheng was genuinely worried for his son, while Xue was worried that without Zhonglei, how will Yun ascend?
Zhonglei told her how upset he was with his mother and sister. He cannot go to his father even if he was worried about him with many good reasons. His wives has his ear, and he's willing to make sacrifices to make the Xiao name better in people's eyes! He wasn't stupid.
'Well, you have a lot to do tonight. You know where the laundry area is, it's you who's racing against time here and not me.' Beiyue reminded him. 'I'll be in my office if you need me while Dongling's gone.'
xxx
Xing Jue's Mansion...
Xing Jue, upon coming home from school, read the books Beiyue gave him.
Both cookbooks have ingredient costs, for a meal for one person. This was what she taught her sister Ling to cook. But with cheap pharmacy herbs among the ingredient list, he did the Math and it's quite expensive per month. That means it's minimum of 300 gold coins per day for a family of six if he has Ling cook only from the Gold Cookbook. In a year, that's 109,500 on food alone. And he has a ten million-plus nest egg. Thank goodness in clothing and house maintenance, its not as costly.
He's no noble so he has no worries about Ling asking him for beautiful silks and jewelry.
As for the box Princess gave him?
It's a cultivational set for him and his children as Warriors, all the way to War God level. No wonder the box is huge! This must be a secret wedding dowry father-in-law clearly knows nothing about. What a good Concubing Fang! She must have had a really good relationship with princess that she secured Ling's and her grandchildren's future in secret!
Perhaps, it's a good thing no more yearly assessments to keep his future cultivation a secret? It's no secret that given how EVERYONE treats the Princess in their minds, she holds everyone in contempt bar a select few. She must have done a lot of investigating. Mayhaps to those who didn't fail her character test, they were rewarded?
Being a good person is rewarding while being contemptible makes you feel what you just lost in years to come. Goodness knows what he hears in East College alone...a lot of people are moaning.
A princess worth 444 million gold TAELS. Beautiful, Powerful AND Rich. And her feigning trash and weak was a thorough character check that almost disqualified every man who hopes that such a high-class bride be in their home now. Sadly, that won't happen any more.
With the EMPEROR as her Legal Guardian, like hell indeed. There would be few men in this city she believes, is worthy of her now. He has an inkling of what she wants for a husband as well if she was so jaded and cynical of humanity as she is.
Xing Jue knows full well. Being a sister-in-law alone granted him such benefits for his family if he marries Xiao Ling!
xxx
After School...
Zhonglei was ready. All packed up and ready to go!
And sneaking out, was made effortless by his sister and maid, all the way to Buji'er Bazaar.
'Alright Zhonglei, from here your destiny is your own.' said Beiyue upon arriving at Sai Si's Office before knocking politely.
'Enter.'
Beiyue came in with a nervous-looking Zhonglei. 'Ah Princess, Xiao Zhonglei...it is time for that identity to die, so that he may be reborn.' said Sai Si. 'In my Buji'er Clan, I'm taking in a boy named Nie Wuxian. That is his name from now on.' he said, showing a large piece of paper with how it is written. It's read as 'to whisper no envies'. 'And boy needs a haircut so that his mother and sister not recognize him in their travels.'
'And from here on, wear your hair short.' Beiyue told Zhonglei. Only nobles and royalty as well as wealthy commoners wear their hair long, as a status symbol that they're so wealthy they don't need to work. But to those who will do a lot of work, must wear their hair 'reasonably short'.
There were many things Zhonglei has to know to maintain his cover as Nie Wuxian.
After a short briefing, he would immediately travel with his subordinates to a Buji'er Branch in Huijing in Beiyao. There, he will receive education and training under Sai Si's trusted subordinates so he would become a useful member of the Buji'er.
He is now perfectly safe.