Connecting all the events, Zhu Changle once again affirmed, "Big brother is indeed the most capable."
"Changle deserves half the credit," Zhu Changwang said in a soft voice. "Many of the previous plans could only be implemented with difficulty, and I couldn't guarantee the results would be as I wished. It's because of what you did that I truly feel confident now."
"The Dragon-Breaking Sect?"
"Yes. Previously, I hadn't factored the martial arts world into my calculations. With their assistance, the chances of success have greatly increased."
Zhu Changle thought for a moment, "Big brother, you might not know that there are oaths in the martial arts world. Although many people have broken them now, what you're planning to do is certainly a great thing that benefits the country and the people. But since I'm the one who lured them here, I can't put them in a position where they'd be breaking their oaths."
"I've also learned about the bloodbath in the martial arts world. Don't worry, big brother won't put you in a difficult position. But regardless of which faction they belong to, they all need to eat, don't they?"
Zhu Changle blinked and nodded repeatedly with a suppressed smile. When it came to changing the subject, who could be better than big brother!
"Then let me tell you some more good news," Zhu Changle whispered like a smug informant. "I've persuaded Dingding to establish a branch of the Beggar's Sect in Yunbei. We'll have even more people to use then. And also, I'll definitely reopen the river that was cut off in Gu'an. Then I'll get Little Lid to set up a Canal Gang branch in Yunbei... Wait, no, Yunbei won't be big enough. I'll ask her if they have a branch in Gu'an. If not, we'll go to Gu'an and claim some territory, hehe."
Zhu Changwang laughed, "Using them like this, won't they be angry with you?"
"Why would they be angry? We're friends," Zhu Changle said matter-of-factly. "Wouldn't friends help each other in times of need? I put in a lot of effort when helping them claim territory too."
Only true friends could be so open, Zhu Changwang felt reassured. He clearly understood that utilizing these external forces could make things go more smoothly and increase the chances of success. But he had always thought about benefiting both parties, not exhausting Changle's network of relationships and putting her at a disadvantage.
Seeing that her big brother still didn't look well, Zhu Changle folded up the map and put it back. "Even chopping wood requires time to sharpen the axe. Let's get you healthy first. Time to sleep."
"Whatever Changle says is right."
"Of course." Zhu Changle helped her big brother lie down and even made a show of tucking him in. Neither of them paid any attention to the rules of propriety between men and women. When not within the same sphere, they weren't bound by those rules.
"Take good care of your friends. We owe them a lot this time," Zhu Changwang said softly to the person crouching by his bedside. "Father wanted to thank them personally, but I stopped him. I wanted to ask you first how best to do it, but now it seems that's not necessary?"
"Little Lid and Dingding don't need it. Aunt Feng is my person, so I'll take responsibility for anything concerning her. Ban Lian came with her own purpose. The only one I'm not sure about is Qiuli. I still can't figure out what relationship he has with our family. I'm sure I don't know him, and if he were someone my master knew, I would have heard about him in all these years. Qiuli said he was an old acquaintance of the family. I wonder if Father remembers anything. I'll find a chance to ask him."
"So he's the only one we need to formally thank?"
"Maybe we don't even need to. What if he's here to repay a debt of gratitude? In that case, we'd be even." As for the other possibility, Zhu Changle wouldn't dare mention it in front of her big brother.
Zhu Changwang flicked her forehead. "Human relationships are the hardest debts to repay. We need to clarify this."
"Let me worry about these things. I can handle it, big brother. You don't need to concern yourself."
"Alright, big brother won't interfere."
"Hehe, then you should sleep now. I'm going out." After taking a few steps, Zhu Changle turned back and said, "I'm staying next door. If you need anything, just call out and I'll come running."
Zhu Changwang agreed, his expression growing softer. He wasn't particularly surprised. Even in the capital, she rarely stayed in her own courtyard. She would either linger at grandmother's place or stay with Changmin or him. Chang Ning had chased her away citing the principle of propriety between men and women, so she never went there again.
Thinking of this, Zhu Changwang asked with a smile, "Is your second brother behaving better now?"
"He'd better behave!" Zhu Changle raised her fist and lifted her chin with a snort. She was clearly happy but trying hard to look proud.
Zhu Changwang held back his laughter. "If he doesn't behave, beat him again. Use grandmother's walking stick."
"Grandmother said I can take it whenever I need it." Zhu Changle grinned like a cat that had stolen a fish, waved goodbye, and ran off, not wanting to disturb her big brother's rest.
Zhu Changwang laughed to himself for a while. Wild punches can defeat even a master. Changle was the one throwing those wild punches, making it impossible to guard against her. Madam Xu probably never imagined that even with the Zhu family's eldest son in her care, she couldn't gain any advantage in this matter. Not only that, but she had even pushed her husband out.
If she could understand this after this incident, it would be good, Zhu Changwang thought as he drifted off to sleep.
As soon as Changle left her big brother's room, she saw Aunt Feng waiting outside. She beckoned her and led her back to her own room.
"Ban Lian is no longer in the city. We don't know which direction she went."
After pouring a cup of water for Aunt Feng and one for herself, which she sipped slowly, Zhu Changle pondered, "There must be a reason why Immortal Lady Wen kept her by her side for so many years, preferring to kill her rather than let her go."
"Do you want me to find her?"
Zhu Changle shook her head. "No need. Although I'd like to lure the Dragon-Breaking Sect over, I don't intend to deceive them. This is the situation in Yunbei. If Que Long has the courage to take a gamble, he'll come. If he's hesitant, this sect won't survive for long anyway. Whatever her reasons, Immortal Lady Wen will deal with him."
"If Que Long truly lacks that bit of courage, Yunbei will lose a great asset. You might need to stay here longer."
"Aunt Feng, are you deliberately poking at my sore spots?"
Aunt Feng smiled, "I wouldn't dare."
"Hmph." Zhu Changle lay on the table, unhappy. Of course, she wanted to roam freely across the world, going wherever she pleased. After all, she had many friends and could eat her way from south to north, east to west. Just thinking about it made her feel exhilarated. But the prerequisite for having all this was that her family was safe. She couldn't be out there having the time of her life while their home base was being overrun.
"We need to prepare for both possibilities," Zhu Changle sat up, resting her chin on one hand while tracing the patterns on the table with the other. "I think I understand big brother's plan now. If it's really like that, the Canal Gang will play a big role. If Que Long ultimately decides to stay put and confront Immortal Lady Wen head-on, I'll have Little Lid come to Yunbei to establish a branch. I was planning to do this anyway, just moving it from Gu'an to Yunbei."
Aunt Feng nodded, "That's a good plan."
"But I still think Que Long will come. He's probably been inquiring about my Zhu family during this time. Once he learns about my father's glorious history and factors me in, if he still doesn't dare to take this gamble, I'll really lose respect for him."
"Indeed."
"You don't need to keep an eye on Ban Lian. Let her be. Go help me watch Doctor Tang instead."
Aunt Feng looked up, "Is there a problem with him?"
"I'm not sure yet. I need to observe more."
"Understood."
