Chen Ping'an found it hard to refuse Mu Wanjun's invitation. After all, she only mentioned tea tasting, and he couldn't very well refuse to give her Face.
Seeing Chen Ping'an agree, Mu Wanjun looked very happy.
"Ping'an, then tomorrow at noon, let's meet at the Cui Liuya Pavilion."
Cui Liuya Pavilion is not in Nancheng District, but in Weishui Inner City, a very elegant place.
It seemed his guess was correct; it was likely about the Mu Family's marriage alliance.
However, despite this, Chen Ping'an didn't take it too seriously. It was just a meeting, and he could always find an excuse to refuse afterward.
......
The next day at noon, Chen Ping'an arrived at the Cui Liuya Pavilion in Weishui Inner City as agreed. The Cui Liuya Pavilion was surrounded by a crescent-shaped lake, looking exquisitely beautiful.
Led by a maid, Chen Ping'an walked into a private room on the second floor. Inside, two women were already quietly waiting.
One was naturally Mu Wanjun, whom Chen Ping'an knew intimately, and the other, dressed in a red skirt, had willow-like eyebrows, apricot-shaped eyes, and fair skin, looking exceedingly pretty.
It had to be said, she was indeed a beauty.
With Mu Wanjun's introduction, the two quickly became acquainted.
Mu Zhixuan, a concubine's daughter of the Mu Family. But her father was a powerful manager in the Mu Family, and her grandfather was an elder of the Mu Family. Although she was a concubine's daughter, she had the standing of a legitimate daughter.
It must be said that Mu Wanjun showed great sincerity by finding such a woman for Chen Ping'an.
It's just that...
This Mu Zhixuan seemed to have other ideas. While her communication with Chen Ping'an was smooth, there was a subtle arrogance of a Family daughter. She often scrutinized Chen Ping'an's words and actions.
Rather than a mutual acquaintance, it was more like a one-sided screening.
Chen Ping'an smiled without speaking, maintaining his composure.
After communicating for more than half an hour, Chen Ping'an excused himself and left, leaving Mu Wanjun and Mu Zhixuan behind.
"Zhi Xuan, what do you think?"
Mu Wanjun asked with a smile.
As the legitimate daughter of the Mu Family, Mu Zhixuan naturally dared not put on airs in front of her.
"Sister, Young Master Chen's demeanor is proper, and he is a gentleman; he should be a good husband. It's just that this time it's not a marriage into the Family, but rather..."
Mu Zhixuan didn't finish her sentence, but Mu Wanjun roughly understood her meaning.
After all, according to the previous discussion, Mu Zhixuan was to be married out. Since she was marrying out, her requirements for her husband's Family would be higher. And Chen Ping'an's weakest point was his Family background.
Leaving aside other things, his Family wealth was far inferior.
She didn't want to live a hard life after marrying.
However, fortunately, as a Total Affairs Office Candidate, Chen Ping'an, if he put his mind to it, had various ways of making money.
Overall, the exchange barely met her expectations.
After their conversation, Mu Wanjun also clarified the situation; Mu Zhixuan had passed this hurdle.
Next, she would inquire about Chen Ping'an's considerations. If it could be done, they would formalize the relationship as soon as possible, thereby allowing the Family to increase its investment in Chen Ping'an.
Given time, it might even lead to the rise of a young Prodigy!
......
Mu Wanjun acted quickly. Early the next morning, she summoned Chen Ping'an to understand the situation from yesterday's meeting.
"Young Miss Zhi Xuan is indeed excellent. However, my martial Dao is not yet complete, and I truly have no plans to start a Family at the moment."
Chen Ping'an expressed his thoughts.
In fact, he truly had no feelings for Mu Zhixuan.
"Ping'an, as the saying goes, 'establish a Family and a career.' Starting a Family does not conflict with the martial Dao."
Mu Wanjun advised.
Chen Ping'an responded with a faint smile.
No matter how Mu Wanjun tried to persuade him, he politely refused.
Mu Wanjun felt quite helpless about this.
She had thought that with the Family's agreement, the marriage alliance would proceed smoothly. She never expected to be rebuffed by Chen Ping'an.
She also somewhat admired Chen Ping'an. If it were anyone else, hearing that a noble Family was willing to marry off a beautiful daughter, they would probably rush to accept. Marrying into a noble Family could save many years of struggle.
"He is indeed a young talent with great ambition, and his spirit is extraordinary!"
Mu Wanjun looked at Chen Ping'an, secretly praising him in her heart.
From her perspective, this matter would ultimately benefit Chen Ping'an and do him no harm. If it succeeded, it would be a help to his future. She was determined to make it happen. However, seeing the current situation, she couldn't rush it, lest she provoke Chen Ping'an's rebellious spirit.
For now, this matter would be left as is, to be pursued slowly later.
......
In the following days, Chen Ping'an changed his appearance and specifically went to the Ruyi Treasure Pavilion, buying two high-grade Cultivation Techniques.
Flying Star Swordplay! Great Vajra Palm!
He chose to go at night. Using his Golden Finger panel, he disguised himself as an Inner Qi Realm practitioner passing through Weishui County. After several changes, he quietly returned to his residence.
With two more high-grade Cultivation Techniques, Chen Ping'an was naturally overjoyed.
Now, he only waited for his Swift Wind Saber Technique to reach Perfection, to break through his cultivation to the Inner Qi Third Level, Tianlin Descends Peak. At that time, it would be like a fish leaping in the vast sea, and a bird soaring in the high sky!
With the martial Dao cultivation of the Inner Qi Third Level, combined with his many Cultivation Techniques and combat experience enhanced by the Golden Finger panel, there would likely be few people in this vast Weishui Outer City who could make him wary.
As his status rose, his understanding of this world was also constantly updated and kept pace with the times.
Although there were many forces in Weishui Outer City, their strongest Foundation was at most the Inner Qi Third Level. Even the Commander, the highest cultivated individual in the Outer Town Envoyship, was only at the Perfection Realm of Tianlin Descends Peak.
Forces that truly had entered Realms above Inner Qi had long since moved into Weishui Inner City, entering higher levels of vested interests and power struggles.
Chen Ping'an had also gained some understanding of the Realms above Inner Qi after being promoted to Total Affairs Office Candidate.
Above Inner Qi, there is the Profound Light Realm!
After Tianlin Descends Peak, one condenses the Profound Light Seed to gather the spiritual consciousness.
According to Chen Ping'an's understanding from his previous life, if the Inner Qi Realm was still hovering in the low-martial aspect, then entering the Profound Light Realm subtly began to shift towards the mid-martial aspect.
In the Profound Light Realm, the power unleashed in every move and stance possessed a profound meaning. If the spiritual consciousness was perfected, one would have the ability of Triple Light Penetration. With spiritual consciousness, one could interfere with reality, producing various supernatural phenomena.
"Profound Light Realm!"
A hint of yearning flashed in Chen Ping'an's eyes.
If he could enter the Profound Light Realm, he could truly stir up trouble in this Weishui County.
The Profound Light Realm was also the true Foundation upon which those noble Families in the Inner City established themselves.
"No rush, take it slow!"
Chen Ping'an calmed his mind and began practicing the Swift Wind Saber Technique in the small courtyard.
One eats a meal one bite at a time, and walks a path one step at a time!
At his current pace, in another seven or eight days, he should be able to smoothly enter the Realm of Tianlin Descends Peak.
......
Before Chen Ping'an could smoothly enter the Realm of Tianlin Descends Peak, a special prisoner arrived at Nancheng Prison that day.
The reason he was special was because of the grand spectacle surrounding his imprisonment.
Besides the Zhenfu Division Yamen Runners escorting him to Nancheng Prison, there were also dozens of his Family's servants and guards. These people had solemn Faces and grim eyes, staring intently at the Zhenfu Division Yamen Runners.
The Zhenfu Division Yamen Runners, whom the common people feared like tigers, appeared flustered and uneasy under the gaze of these guards.
These servants and guards came from the Inner City; they were from the Fang Family, one of the four great Families of Wei River!
The reason they were there was because the person being escorted into Nancheng Prison today was Fang Rui, the legitimate son of their Fang Family!
These guards were here to make a show of force!
Fang Rui had committed a crime: he rode his horse recklessly through the streets, publicly whipping more than a dozen commoners, three of whom died from their injuries. Afterward, he was arrested on the spot by the Outer Town Envoyship and, for some unknown reason, transferred to Nancheng Prison.