Chapter 46: Even the Astute and Cunning Waver

Old Madam Lu’s understanding of Lu Xiao was actually quite meager.

In her elderly eyes, there was only the rigid impression she had held for years.

Some time ago, Lu Xiao had struck down Wei Zhuo, which somewhat proved himself. But in Old Madam Lu’s view, that merely indicated Lu Xiao’s innate talent and comprehension were not completely abyssal. Having a sliver of talent still placed him at a very ordinary level.

As for Lu Xiao possessing artisan skills, Old Madam Lu even found it somewhat bizarre.

"Lu Xiao often repairs things around the estate. Doing it so much, it’s probably just practice making perfect, allowing him to pick up some techniques."

Seated to the side, the First Madam offered her own conjecture.

This conjecture had a certain degree of credibility. For so many years, Lu Xiao had always done miscellaneous chores in the Marquis’s Estate. And since Lu Xiao could not leave Yonglin City, being trapped within this Marquis’s Estate and investing more effort into such craft was not particularly strange.

"Shouldn't the Duke Xue Estate have quite a few artisans of exceptional skill? For the child Lu Xiao to possess a bit of craft—surely he cannot surpass those experienced artisans."

From Old Madam Lu’s words, one could sense that she still wanted to refuse. Letting Lu Xiao leave the Marquis’s Estate involved far too many variables.

The Lu family likely had some coordinated discussions with Jiang Yuerou. If Lu Xiao were to go missing, the Lu family’s Marquis’s Estate could hardly afford the consequences.

"The jade pendant the Fourth Young Master helped repair for Shiyan last time yielded truly remarkable results. The Fourth Young Master is focused and earnest, and the skill he displayed last time is something our household artisans truly cannot match."

Just as Xue Shiyan finished speaking, seeing that Old Madam Lu was about to refuse once more, she hastily continued.

Born into a prestigious and influential family, she had learned the methods of handling affairs from her elders since childhood. Xue Shiyan knew very well that to persuade someone, one must first grasp their core interests. What did it matter to the other party how wonderful she herself claimed to be?

If she wanted Old Madam Lu to grant her request for guidance, she needed to speak of matters aligned with the old lady's interests.

Although Xue Shiyan was a direct descendant of the Xue family, she had no authority to sway family decisions. The chips in her hands naturally could not directly involve the Xue family name.

"To ask the Fourth Young Master for help in repairing jade artifacts, my family has instructed Shiyan to bring a modest gift, which I ask the Old Madam to kindly accept. If the Old Madam has concerns, you may also arrange for a servant to accompany him. Once the jade artifact is repaired, the Fourth Young Master shall return to the Marquis’s Estate immediately."

Xue Shiyan outlined her thoughts, conveying to the old lady that Lu Xiao would not be lost.

Yet upon hearing this, Old Madam Lu’s brows remained tightly furrowed.

"If the Second Miss Xue truly wishes to ask Lu Xiao for help, she can simply bring the jade artifact here. He has nothing to do all day and idles about. Just let him perform the work right here in the Marquis’s Estate, and spare him the trouble of running back and forth."

The excuses Old Madam Lu found were actually all within Xue Shiyan’s anticipation.

"I ask the Old Madam for your understanding. Some of the jade artifacts in Shiyan’s family simply cannot be moved. Even for repairs, the work must be done on-site. If the Old Madam is worried that Shiyan might cause trouble, Shiyan is willing to leave this Thousand-Sun Jade here as a guarantee."

As she spoke, Xue Shiyan had already produced the piece of Thousand-Sun Jade and placed it on the wooden table before her.

Rare jades like the Thousand-Sun Jade were immensely beneficial to those who practiced martial arts. The benefits to one's state of mind were even more pronounced. Almost all top-tier martial artists carried a piece of Thousand-Sun Jade to calm their minds, settle their spirits, and dispel worries.

The piece of Thousand-Sun Jade Xue Shiyan produced was of superior quality and looked brand new. Even from a slight distance, one could seemingly sense a gentle warmth radiating from it. Among numerous jade artifacts, the Thousand-Sun Jade was already a supreme treasure.

For Xue Shiyan to produce the Thousand-Sun Jade as a guarantee was tantamount to giving a firm promise—a pledge that Lu Xiao would certainly return.

Seeing Xue Shiyan’s action, Lu Yun’s expression turned somewhat unpleasant.

"Sister Shiyan, this isn't appropriate. Why are you offering guarantees for him? That person..."

Before Lu Yun could finish, Xue Shiyan cast several glances in her direction, signaling her not to worry.

Meanwhile, Old Madam Lu picked up the Thousand-Sun Jade, intending to push it back into Xue Shiyan’s hands. Seeing this, Xue Shiyan repeatedly stood up and dodged.

"I beseech the Old Madam to grant Shiyan’s request. On this trip to the capital, I shall also help the Fourth Young Master promote his artisan craft. The Fourth Young Master lacks achievements in his cultivation path, but this artisan skill can allow him to live out the latter half of his life in peace and security."

Having said this, Xue Shiyan made no move to linger.

"I ask the Old Madam to grant this convenience. Shiyan returns to the capital tomorrow, and tonight I shall impose upon the estate, awaiting the Old Madam’s consent."

With those words, Xue Shiyan politely bowed in farewell and departed the table first. Her actions tonight were somewhat forceful, yet she accorded the Lu family ample face without a trace of arrogance.

Her slight proactivity was merely to let Old Madam Lu and the others know that she, Xue Shiyan, cared quite a bit about this matter.

Watching Xue Shiyan leave, and prompted by a gesture from her mother, Lu Yun hurried out after her.

Only Old Madam Lu, the First Madam, and the Second Madam remained in the guest hall. The attending servants had already been sent outside before the discussion began.

Old Madam Lu’s brows remained tightly furrowed, still unrelaxed. Deep down, she consistently maintained her opposition to letting Lu Xiao leave Yonglin City. If Lu Xiao went missing, the Lu family would truly encounter trouble.

On the table, the Thousand-Sun Jade still rested there, serving as Xue Shiyan’s collateral to guarantee Lu Xiao’s return. Yet how could the Lu family easily accept something belonging to Xue Shiyan?

Old Madam Lu’s gaze swept over the madras of the First and Second Houses.

"What do you two think of this? This old body does not believe the Second Miss of the Xue family intends to help Lu Xiao escape. It's just that letting Lu Xiao leave Yonglin City will indeed bring about many variables."

Old Madam Lu spoke, effectively pointing out her own inclination.

The Second Madam, He Qing, who usually spoke very little, took the initiative to share her thoughts this time.

"Old Madam, your daughter-in-law believes this matter might actually be a blessing in disguise."

He Qing’s opening remark instantly captured Old Madam Lu’s interest.

"The root cause of all these current troubles is precisely Lu Xiao’s resistance. In truth, Lu Xiao also knows he possesses little martial talent. The probability of him passing the assessment of the Martial Ancestor Academy is exceedingly low. Even so, he still insists on striving to try. Among other reasons, his selfishness and unwillingness to sacrifice for the Marquis’s Estate is a primary factor.

Aside from this, Lu Xiao harbors profound anxiety regarding his future circumstances. Once his spiritual bones are extracted, his daily life will require care from others. Although there are promises from the elders, he remains an unprofitable junior of the Marquis’s Estate, and he inevitably worries. The latter half of life is so long that mishaps are bound to occur.

However, if his artisan craft can earn him a reputation and secure his own food and clothing, free from anxiety about the second half of his life, he will undoubtedly be able to surrender his spiritual bones with far greater equanimity."

Second Madam He Qing’s explanation genuinely moved Old Madam Lu.

Although there was a wager with Lu Xiao stipulating that the Martial Ancestor Academy's assessment would determine whether the spiritual bones needed to be surrendered, Old Madam Lu had always harbored secret anxieties. She feared that when the time came, Lu Xiao would throw a tantrum and refuse to cooperate even if he had to endure severe punishment.