Chapter Thirty-Seven: Bearing the Weight of Two Households
Name: Su Yang (Prospective Immortal)
Incense Value: 272
Realm: Eighth Rank - Tempered Skin
Techniques: [Incense Division][Aura Observation][Mind Control Worm]
Manuals: [Wild Ox Long Fist]
Records: [Sacred Medical Tome]
Lifespan: 81+
Family Offspring: 1
Family Progress 1: The family is thriving. To ensure the smooth growth of children and better care, assign a maid to every pregnant woman. Each assignment grants 20 incense!
Family Progress 2: The family is thriving. To ensure the smooth growth of children, you must begin forming your own power. Recruit three ninth-rank warriors for the family's service to earn 100 incense and the technique [Root Testing Art].
Family Progress 3: The family is thriving. Command the third wife to conceive and receive 30 incense!
Daily Reminder: You need 400 more incense to reach Seventh Rank. The stronger a birth mother's innate talent and fortune, the greater the chance her offspring will rise to prominence, earning more incense.
...
The panel had changed, the most significant being the sudden appearance of three family progress tasks at once. Besides this, the daily reminder now showed the amount of incense needed to ascend to Seventh Rank. If he completed family progress tasks two and three, the incense awarded would suffice for a breakthrough—finally a clear goal to strive toward.
Further, the system hints revealed another secret: the stronger the mother's fortune and innate bone talent, the higher the chance their children would possess extraordinary fortune and talent.
Fortune—he could see it clearly with the Aura Observation technique!
Innate bone talent, however, likely required the [Root Testing Art], which was only awarded for completing family progress task two. Unfortunately, he had not yet obtained it.
In [Aura Observation], commoners’ fortune appeared white. The better their lives, the denser the white fortune. If clever folk started businesses and became gentry, their fortune would gradually turn blue—or for scholars who passed exams and became officials.
The higher the official rank and richer the household, the deeper the blue fortune. When it became dense enough, officials soared through the ranks, their fortune turning red.
If they rebelled and seized the throne, becoming kings or nobles, their fortune would turn gold!
The stronger the fortune, the brighter the children’s future. It was indeed so: for example, the wife of a top official would have red fortune overhead, and her children’s prospects would surely be excellent.
But a wife’s fortune depended on her husband’s achievements.
Take himself—though only a live-in son-in-law, he was still master of a gentry house. Among the women in his home, Peach Blossom and Plum Blossom’s fortune, though mostly dense white, also carried a hint of blue.
Besides fortune, bone talent also affected descendants.
The better the bone talent, the smarter the child, or the greater their martial potential—the choice of concubine couldn’t be judged by fortune alone, but depended on their bone talent.
Thus, he needed to complete family progress task two quickly. Once he obtained [Root Testing Art], he could freely choose partners in the marriage market.
He glanced at the wet nurse behind him. Through [Aura Observation], he could see clearly: Shui Nanny's fortune overhead was thin white, tangled with a few strands of black misfortune. Yet as time passed, the white fortune was thickening, and the black misfortune slowly dispersing—a sign that Shui Nanny’s luck was changing.
This change surely stemmed from being bought by him and brought home as a wet nurse.
“Ah, isn’t that Scholar Su?” came a mocking voice from afar.
A bald man, muscles bulging, emanating a fierce aura. His eyes were filled with malice, bronze skin scarred, and behind him followed a group of Black Wolf Gang lackeys.
Ninth-rank strength!
Scar Wolf had been dealt with; this must be the new lieutenant assigned to oversee this area.
“And you are?”
“Copper Wolf of the Black Wolf Gang!”
“Oh, so it’s Brother Copper Wolf. What can I do for you?”
“Who is that behind you?” Copper Wolf’s gaze glinted with greed, staring hungrily at Shui Nanny behind Su Yang, as if he wished to strip and devour her.
Feeling the hostile stares, Shui Nanny, clutching her luggage, jumped in fright and hurried to hide behind Su Yang, trembling—never had she witnessed such a scene, her frail body quivering.
“She is my wet nurse.”
“Let your brother borrow her for two days; I’ll return her after.” Copper Wolf spoke, reaching for Shui Nanny with undisguised delight.
As the saying goes, a turtle and a green bean—when eyes meet, it matters.
Copper Wolf had always had a peculiar obsession with mature women, especially those exuding the scent of milk—his passion ran to the bone. The moment he saw Shui Nanny, his blood stirred uncontrollably. If he could take her home for a few days, his realm might advance rapidly, his spirits soaring.
“Ah…!”
Shui Nanny, startled, ducked her head and clung to Su Yang’s arm, her trembling, delicate hand grasping his sleeve, her face pale and pitiful.
“Slap…!”
Su Yang’s hand gripped Copper Wolf’s paw like an iron vice, his voice stern: “I refuse.”
If Copper Wolf demanded money or grain, he could accept—provided it wasn’t excessive.
If the authorities called for men to defend against invaders, he could accept, as long as everyone was treated equally.
But if they forcibly took his wet nurse and he yielded—
Tomorrow they would come for the maids, the next day for the concubines, and soon, even the wives…
Greed grows bit by bit, as does invasion, always testing boundaries. Copper Wolf was merely ninth-rank; Su Yang had revealed himself as ninth-rank, so he had no fear.
As for the gang’s backing—if Copper Wolf summoned an eighth-rank warrior, Su Yang could simply reveal his own eighth-rank power and stall for time. Soon, he would break through to seventh-rank.
When that time came, he could eliminate Copper Wolf and the eighth-rank warrior.
Besides, an eighth-rank warrior in the Black Wolf Gang was already a hall master and unlikely to intervene over a subordinate’s crime against women.
There was another reason, selfish but true: Shui Nanny had recently miscarried. If this brute took her home, she would surely die.
“Scholar Su, though you are a ninth-rank warrior, I, Copper Wolf, have the Black Wolf Gang behind me.”
Copper Wolf withdrew his hand, glaring viciously at Su Yang.
“Copper Wolf, the Black Wolf Gang will not stand up for you to kidnap women—especially since I, Scholar Su, have the support of all scholars under heaven.”
“Besides, the county instructor is my mentor, and Chief Constable Shen is my sworn brother. With just my ninth-rank strength, I could slaughter your entire family—don’t push me too far.”
His eyes narrowed, killing intent spreading, the air growing tense. Su Yang continued, “Shui Nanny is a respectable woman and cannot amuse Brother Copper Wolf. Tonight, let me treat you at Emerald Green House—I hope you enjoy yourself.”
Su Yang pressed some silver into Copper Wolf’s hand—a stick followed by a sweet date, not pushing too hard.
“Hmph, you know your place.”
“The girls at Emerald Green House are far fresher than this old woman. Brothers, let’s go—tonight we’ll enjoy ourselves properly.”
Given an easy out, Copper Wolf took it, leading his men toward Emerald Green House, but threw Su Yang a venomous glance.
This matter was not over.
Ninth-rank meant little. Though he couldn’t kill Su Yang himself, it didn’t mean Su Yang couldn’t be killed.
These days, the hall master was increasingly anxious, fearing the rebels would not spare the Black Wolf Gang after entering the city, seeking retribution.
Tonight, he would visit the hall master and mention the Wang family’s secret recipe for braised pork—surely the hall master would be tempted.
Though the recipe had been auctioned off, the Wang family must still know it, having made braised pork before. He had already investigated the Wang family’s members: a widow, a pockmarked woman, and a lovely second daughter.
The recipe was likely with Madam Liu, the widow, or the eldest daughter—not the second daughter, and certainly not the son-in-law. If the rebels entered the city, escaping with gold and jewels would be nearly impossible.
But the recipe was different—just a piece of paper, easily taken to a peaceful place like the capital.
That recipe would be a treasure trove; the hall master would surely be tempted. Not only could Copper Wolf follow him and benefit, but he could also abduct the young lady and enjoy her at leisure.
At this moment, thinking of Shui Nanny’s graceful figure and charm, Copper Wolf was intoxicated.
Indeed, even without Shui Nanny, Copper Wolf would likely have acted against him; she merely accelerated the inevitable.
“Master, thank you.” Shui Nanny, trembling and pale, stood by clutching her luggage, looking pitiful.
“From now on, you are the family’s wet nurse. I will protect you. Whenever you face trouble, big or small, come to me. Let’s go.”
Su Yang patted his chest, full of confidence. Shui Nanny’s expression grew dazed, her eyes reddening—never had anyone promised her such care.
For a moment, warmth filled her heart.
She had chosen the right master; from now on, she would serve the family diligently, never delaying their needs.
Back home, Su Yang arranged a room for Shui Nanny, tasking her with caring for the concubines and maids, especially during pregnancy.
...
“Shui Nanny, this is chicken soup, specially ordered by the young master.”
A sturdy kitchen maid set a bowl of chicken soup before Shui Nanny, who had just finished unpacking.
“Ah… chicken soup?”
Shui Nanny stared blankly at the bowl, her clear apricot eyes full of confusion. “Is there a mistake? Why would the master send me chicken soup?”
“No mistake—master ordered it himself, saying you are too weak and need nourishment. But the other girls in the courtyard will benefit too; everyone gets a bowl.”
“Drink up, then return the bowl to the kitchen. I’ll be off.”
With that, the kitchen maid Autumn Chrysanthemum left, leaving Shui Nanny alone, staring at the soup.
Not just chicken soup.
She hadn’t seen meat in ages.
Even during pregnancy, her best nutrition had been two eggs before delivery—she’d even crushed the shells to drink them.
Never would she have imagined the master cared so much for a mere servant—more than her parents-in-law or husband ever had.
Her eyes reddened once again.
...
Because of the family progress tasks, Su Yang sought out Liu Wenxiang, hoping she would agree to assign a maid each to Peach Blossom and Plum Blossom, earning him 20 incense points.
Moreover, this seemed to be a long-term task: as long as a lady was pregnant, assigning a maid would earn 20 incense—uncertain how long it might last.
In the quiet room, the mature woman’s scent was seductive.
Upon entering, Liu Wenxiang’s brows knitted, her legs stretched out, exhaling an orchid-like breath, lost in the comfort of a massage.
Seeing Su Yang arrive, she beckoned him to sit. Her personal maid, Xi Liu, left to fetch tea.
Liu Wenxiang lay languidly on the couch, her shapely jade feet half-hidden by a dark green skirt, delicate as spring onions, unaware of her own allure.
Her mature figure was like a blooming begonia, her lips fragrant as orchids. “What brings you to me during the day?”
“Mother-in-law, if I don’t come by day, should I come at night?”
“At night, who could stop you?”
“Enough jokes—what is your business?”
Liu Wenxiang asked.
“Mother-in-law, Peach Blossom and Plum Blossom are both pregnant now. Though only concubines, it’s inconvenient without maids. May I have your approval?”
Su Yang voiced his request.
Liu Wenxiang reclined gracefully, her beautiful eyes scrutinizing Su Yang before speaking slowly, “Originally, I planned to discuss this later.”
“But today is a good time, so let’s settle it now.”
“When we chose you as son-in-law, we wanted to avoid the extinction of the main branch. Never expected you’d be so capable—handling family affairs with foresight and skill. At first, I doubted how you earned your scholar title.”
“But since then, you’ve won my respect time and again. Ninth-rank martial artist, scholar degree—with your intelligence, passing the provincial exam and becoming a jinshi is easily within reach.”
“In martial arts, you could achieve much as well.”
“Our Wang family knows its place; as your mother-in-law, I don’t wish to create conflict. With your growing achievements, you won’t want to be bound to the Wang family forever.”
“So, I propose you shoulder both families—one for the Wang family, one for the Su family. Though I’ve never heard of a son-in-law managing both, there’s always a first, and it harms no one.”
“In future, your children in the Su house will bear the Su surname, those in the Wang house the Wang surname. But I have one condition: you must spend one night a week at Spring Dawn. Do you agree?”
Both families?
As Liu Wenxiang finished, Su Yang stared at his mother-in-law in shock, unable to calm his mind for a long while.
Eventually, he recovered.
“Are you willing?” Liu Wenxiang asked again.