Chapter 47: Do Not Say the Road Ahead is Full of Bumps and Bends

Although his legs were disabled, his hands remained healthy and nimble.

Mastering a craftsman's trade, he could surely earn a decent living of gold and silver in the future by relying on these hands.

In truth, the status of ordinary craftsmen in the Great Xia Dynasty was not particularly high.

Unless they were craftsmen capable of forging magical artifacts used by practitioners.

Such craftsmen were known by another title in Great Xia: Rune Masters.

Rune Masters possessed formidable cultivation prowess of their own.

Only by having a profound understanding of cultivation could one comprehend how to construct the operational pathways within a magical artifact.

In comparison, most of what ordinary craftsmen could do was adjust the external appearance.

Making items look aesthetically pleasing, or restoring antiques.

If the materials used possessed effects that aided cultivation, then the items crafted by the craftsman would inherit those effects.

The craftsman merely adjusted the external form; they could not fundamentally alter the inherent nature of the material as a Rune Masters could.

It was ordinary work, but it was certainly sufficient to earn some money and sustain oneself.

Old Madam Lu pondered this for quite a while in her heart.

What Second Madam He Qing said did indeed make sense.

Only by setting Lu Xiao's mind at ease would he be more willing to cooperate.

After the Martial Ancestor Academy examination, they would use both carrot and stick to comfort him.

First playing the villain, scolding and pressuring Lu Xiao to honor his wager with Old Madam Lu.

Then playing the hero, telling Lu Xiao that even if he offered up his spiritual bone, he need not worry about his future.

Jiang Yuerou would arrange for maidservants to wait upon him, and he had his craftsman's skills to fall back on.

Hearing this, First Madam Chen Fangyu, who stood nearby, offered a different perspective.

"Old Madam, what my sister speaks of are matters for further down the road.

If Lu Xiao were to vanish along the way, leaving no trace behind, how should we resolve this?

Could it be that we are truly to keep this Thousand Sun Jade?"

Upon hearing the First Madam's question, Second Madam He Qing was quick to respond today.

"Old Madam, if Lu Xiao truly goes missing because of this matter,

then Xue Shiwei will indeed owe us an explanation, and we shall magnanimously return her Thousand Sun Jade.

We ask for nothing else, save for making Xue Shiwei owe us a favor.

Though it might be difficult to give an account to the Marquis of Meng's estate, by then we could ask Lord Xue to put in a good word for us.

If Lu Xiao does not go missing, then the Marquis's Estate will seize this opportunity not only to mend relations with the Marquis of Meng's estate but also to forge a friendly alliance with Lord Xue."

The Second Madam also hailed from a prominent and prestigious family, and her insight was truly of a certain caliber.

Of course, the primary reason she was speaking so favorably of this arrangement was to secure some credit for her own daughter.

Being able to strike up a friendship with the Duke Xue's estate and initiate interactions between the upper echelons of both families would undoubtedly count as Lu Yun's achievement.

In the reception hall, as Old Madam Lu deliberated, she seemed to reach a decision.

"Tomorrow morning, invite the Second Miss Xue over so I can speak with her personally.

What He Qing said is also right; this matter might bring us some trouble.

However, upon careful reflection, the benefits and drawbacks are evenly matched, so it is worth a try."

With that, Old Madam Lu stood up and departed directly.

The entire affair proceeded precisely as Xue Shiwei had anticipated.

During the evening banquet, every word Xue Shiwei uttered had in fact been a form of guidance.

The final outcome turned out just as she had steered it, with her request being granted.

Lu Xiao would accompany her back to the capital.

Throughout this process, there was vast room for maneuver.

Without the surveillance of the Lu family members, Lu Xiao would encounter no obstacles in traveling abroad.

Early the next morning, Xue Shiwei was invited to share breakfast with Old Madam Lu.

At the wooden table, Xue Shiwei received Old Madam Lu's consent.

Xue Shiwei stated her arrangements: they would depart for the capital that very afternoon.

Within a month, she would return Lu Xiao.

Upon returning to Lu Yun's small courtyard, Lu Yun broached an idea of her own.

She wished to accompany Xue Shiwei back to the capital and spend a few days touring the Duke's estate.

Hearing this, Xue Shiwei's expression shifted slightly, and she hurriedly fabricated an excuse to refuse.

"When your Fourth Brother is restoring the jade artifacts, I am certain to have a multitude of affairs demanding my attention.

The jade artifacts to be restored this time are of paramount importance; it is truly inappropriate for you to come along, Yun'er..."

Faced with Xue Shiwei's refusal, Lu Yun pouted her lips slightly in displeasure.

"I only said I wanted to help Sister Shiwei keep an eye on him.

Lu Xiao is someone who thinks solely of his own interests.

During this period in the capital, he might hatch all sorts of malicious schemes.

If he ends up disappearing halfway, it could cause Sister Shiwei quite a bit of trouble."

In her heart, Xue Shiwei wished to defend Lu Xiao, but after a moment of hesitation, she held her tongue.

It was virtually impossible to persuade someone with just a few words.

If she argued with Lu Yun, it would only complicate matters further.

While the two women were conversing, Lu Xiao likewise received the news.

Upon learning that he was permitted to leave Yonglin City, Lu Xiao was deeply surprised.

He felt a surge of gratitude toward Xue Shiwei in his heart.

At the same time, he became increasingly aware of her extraordinary background.

Taking him to the capital to restore artifacts—if anyone else had offered such a reason, the chances of it being accepted would have been slim indeed.

Before leaving, Lu Xiao gave some instructions to Erniu.

Under the present circumstances, Erniu would not encounter any trouble.

The servants of the Marquis's Estate would likely not dare to act rashly before he surrendered his spiritual bone.

No matter how displeased they were with him, they would surely bottle up their anger inside.

They would wait until his spiritual bone was extracted before seeking their revenge.

Time was pressing; he was to leave with Xue Shiwei that very afternoon.

As the two spoke, they also had to pack their belongings.

Once Lu Xiao finished relaying what needed to be said, Erniu cautiously drew some scraps of silver from his bosom.

"Fourth Young Master, take these with you. You will need money for many things while traveling outside.

In places like the capital, goods are even more exorbitant..."

Seeing Erniu trying to force the money upon him, Lu Xiao reached out, grasped his wrist, and pushed the silver back.

"You saved these up with great difficulty, keep them for yourself.

In a couple of years, you will need to take a wife and buy some farmland; which of those does not require money?"

Regarding these scraps of silver that Erniu produced, he had already mentioned them to Lu Xiao previously.

They were his own personal savings.

When he had spoken of these silver pieces to Lu Xiao before, it was also to keep Lu Xiao from worrying about money.

If he truly lacked food or clothing, he could use those silver pieces to make purchases.

Lu Xiao appreciated Erniu's kind intentions, but he truly could not accept this money.

"Much of the money Eldest Brother gave me in the past has been saved.

Erniu, keep these silver coins for yourself."

Lu Xiao pushed Erniu's money pouch back, but Erniu wore a solemn expression and pulled the pouch out once more.

"Fourth Young Master, listen to me. You will need silver for many things on this trip.

Opportunities like this are once in a lifetime; if you fail to seize this chance, you will never be able to leave the Marquis's Estate before the examination.

You must flee, Fourth Young Master, you must find an opportunity to escape."

Erniu spoke in a very low voice, his expression dead serious.

In saying these things, he was genuinely looking out for Lu Xiao's best interests.

In Erniu's eyes, the Martial Ancestor Academy examination was simply too difficult, overwhelmingly difficult.

And his Fourth Young Master was already twenty years old; there was virtually no possibility of passing.

Flee—flee far away from the Marquis's Estate.

The earnestness on Erniu's face left Lu Xiao at a loss for words.

The kindness that Erniu and his eldest brother had shown him was something he could never truly repay.

Hesitating for a moment, Lu Xiao temporarily accepted the money pouch.

He would simply place it back in Erniu's room before he left.

As for escaping, Lu Xiao had no such plan whatsoever.

Being able to leave Yonglin City this time was thanks to Xue Shiwei's help.

If he were to run away, it would be akin to throwing her onto the burning coals, plunging Xue Shiwei into unrighteousness.

If the Marquis's Estate discovered he had fled, Erniu, as the attendant trailing by his side, would undoubtedly suffer severe punishment as well.