Peach Blossom Dual Cultivation

The middle-aged woman, Gu Xiuzhi, was Zhao Cang’s wife. She came from a humble background. Although she was the mistress of the Zhao family, because Zhao Cang was quite dominant, she mostly kept to herself, focusing on praying and staying out of family matters. She was rarely involved in the household’s affairs.

“Old Zhao, what’s going on here?”

Gu Xiuzhi asked, displeased upon hearing her daughter’s words.

A mother knows her daughter best. She understood why Zhao Xiaorou had run away from home. Now that her daughter had finally returned, Zhao Cang’s actions would only drive her away again. Normally a gentle person, this time Gu Xiuzhi was genuinely angry.

“Xiaorou refuses to marry Shangguan Yu because of this man. If we sever her ties with him, everything will be easy to handle,” Zhao Cang explained.

“This man is just an ordinary college student. How could he possibly be worthy of our precious daughter?”

“Who she chooses to love is her decision. Why do you keep forcing her?” Gu Xiuzhi sighed.

“You don’t understand the bigger picture. It’s late, why don’t you go rest instead of meddling? Shangguan Yu has taken a liking to Xiaorou, and Shangguan Long personally approached me with a marriage proposal. If I refuse, the Zhao family will face immense pressure from the Shangguan family, both in politics and business. As the head of the Zhao family, the burden I carry is not small. You and Xiaorou only think about yourselves, but I have to consider the entire family. I don’t want to be criticized as an incompetent leader behind my back!”

Zhao Cang snorted, adopting the posture of a strict family patriarch.

“This is my daughter’s life. How can it be considered a trivial matter? The fact that the Shangguan family is using this to coerce us shows they’re not good people. You’re willing to send your daughter into a den of wolves? You’re a man in your fifties, and a provincial governor no less—how can you make such a foolish decision? The Shangguan family may have deep roots, but our Zhao family isn’t a pushover either. If they pressure us, why can’t we fight back? As a man, don’t you have any backbone? You say we women are short-sighted, but I think you’re even worse than a woman!”

Gu Xiuzhi retorted.

Zhao Cang was utterly stunned by Gu Xiuzhi’s words. She had always been gentle and had never spoken to him like this before.

“Dear, you don’t fully understand how dangerous the Shangguan family is,” Zhao Cang finally replied after a long pause.

“Do you think they’re easy to deal with? They are a cultivation family with an ancient, reclusive elder. That elder was known as a ruthless killer in his day, with no regard for reason. He’s rumored to have killed hundreds of people. If we provoke the Shangguan family, and Shangguan Long or Shangguan Yu bring out that elder, the Zhao family could be wiped out.”

“This is a society governed by law! So what if they’re cultivators? They can’t defy the law and openly oppose the government, can they?”

Gu Xiuzhi hesitated, realizing she hadn’t known about this aspect.

“The methods of cultivators are beyond the comprehension of ordinary people. They can kill without leaving a trace, and the police would never find any evidence,” Zhao Cang explained.

“I have no choice but to marry Xiaorou off to Shangguan Yu. Regardless of whether Xiaorou marries him, she absolutely cannot be with Zhou Lang.”

“Why not? Zhou Lang seems like a fine young man. If Xiaorou has chosen him and his character is good, we shouldn’t oppose it. Old Zhao, this isn’t like the old days when arranged marriages were the norm,” Gu Xiuzhi said. “Besides, I’ve met Shangguan Yu. He may seem polite on the surface, but he’s a snake in the grass.”

“This man is just full of hot air. His character is questionable,” Zhao Cang scoffed.

“Father, you don’t know Zhou Lang’s abilities, so don’t jump to conclusions. He’s not boasting—his martial skills far surpass Shangguan Yu’s,” Zhao Xiaorou interjected.

“Shangguan Yu is a peak-level martial artist, only a step away from becoming a grandmaster. This man looks like he can’t even fight a chicken. How could he possibly compete with Shangguan Yu? Xiaorou, stop trying to glorify him!”

Zhao Cang sneered. In his eyes, Shangguan Yu was the top martial artist among the younger generation in Dianxi Province. Comparing an ordinary college student like Zhou Lang to Shangguan Yu was absurd.

Earlier, when Elder Zhao had failed to catch Zhou Lang twice, Zhao Cang assumed it was because Elder Zhao hadn’t been serious.

“Uncle, Aunt, Elder Zhao, what a lovely evening for a stroll and chat. Oh, Xiaorou, you’re back too? Seems I’ve arrived at just the right time,” a voice suddenly called out from the villa entrance. A tall, elegant young man, about 27 or 28 years old, with a jade-like complexion and graceful demeanor, strode in.

The man was none other than Shangguan Yu, the heir to the Shangguan family. Less than half an hour after Zhao Xiaorou returned, he had shown up, clearly having someone keep an eye on the Zhao family—or perhaps he had a spy within the household. Otherwise, he couldn’t have gotten the news this quickly.

For most visitors, entering the Zhao residence required prior approval. But with his status, the guards didn’t dare stop him. He could come and go as he pleased.

“Nephew, what brings you here so late?”

Zhao Cang’s face lit up with a smile as he addressed Shangguan Yu.

“I came to discuss the wedding date for Xiaorou and me,” Shangguan Yu replied. He appeared courteous and well-mannered, but Zhao Xiaorou knew better. Shangguan Yu was a scoundrel who abused his power to take advantage of others, regularly indulging in debauchery. He wasn’t content with just one woman, often demanding three or four at a time. His private life was a mess.

“Shangguan Yu, I never agreed to marry you. This is my boyfriend, Zhou Lang. I came back to discuss wedding plans with my parents,” Zhao Xiaorou said coldly, taking Zhou Lang’s arm as she glared at Shangguan Yu. She was a strong-willed woman, and since her relationship with Shangguan Yu had already soured, she no longer cared about offending him.

“Zhou Lang? So you’re Zhou Lang? I heard from Wang Fan and Wang Zhong that you’ve been pursuing Xiaorou. Tell me, what qualifications do you have to compete with me? My marriage to Xiaorou was personally agreed upon by Uncle Zhao,” Shangguan Yu said, his eyes locked onto Zhou Lang with a superior, contemptuous gaze. He hadn’t immediately lost his temper, showing that he was calculating and patient—an opponent to be wary of.

“Xiaorou hasn’t agreed, and it doesn’t matter who else does. If we’re comparing abilities, whether in skill or strength, you’re no match for me. It’s you who aren’t qualified to compete,” Zhou Lang said with a smile.

“Very well, I’ll play a few rounds with you,” Shangguan Yu sneered, a flash of murderous intent crossing his face. He was well aware of Zhou Lang and Zhao Xiaorou’s relationship. He had been planning to cause trouble for Zhou Lang in Feiyun City, but fate had brought Zhou Lang to him in the provincial capital. Naturally, he wouldn’t miss the chance to teach him a lesson.

“Looks like we’re going to duel. If I lose, I’ll immediately leave Xiaorou. But if you lose, you must stop bothering Xiaorou and never cause trouble for the Zhao family again. We’re both men, so if you have the guts, accept the challenge. If you’re too scared, then get lost!”

Zhou Lang said calmly, but his words were sharply provocative.

“Fine, but fists and kicks have no eyes. If I accidentally cripple you, don’t blame me,” Shangguan Yu said sinisterly, clearly hoping for such an outcome.

“Only if you have the skill,” Zhou Lang replied coolly, the tension between them palpable.