Chapter 82

* * *

“What on earth is going on here?”

Dan Muxianyao sighed. He was not lashing out because his daughter, Dan Muxing, had played a significant role in resolving the incident.

“What’s going on? Everything has been resolved perfectly.”

“Father! Can this just be brushed aside? What will people think? They’ll say that I couldn’t even properly manage a branch family, leading to this mess in the disciple selection.”

Dan Muxianyao spoke sharply. His tone conveyed deep frustration, and Dan Muxianqian clicked his tongue.

“If Jilin had not been able to stay in the family due to this incident, it would have been different.”

Being late for the final test was already a point of deduction, and if he had not realized that his condition was due to someone else's trickery, that would have been another point of deduction.

‘Fortunately, Lian helped, which was a blessing.’

At that moment, Dan Muxianqian realized something. The way Lian gently caught Xue Jilin’s wrist was exactly his own technique, the "Qin Na Shou" (a technique for grabbing and controlling).

The last time he had checked Lian’s wrist to assess her condition, she had only seen it once, but she had replicated it perfectly.

At that moment, Dan Muxianqian almost jumped up to clap, not realizing the seriousness of the situation. It was only his rationality as the Grand Patriarch that held him back.

“Sigh, that’s true. How could a child be so ruthless? I was really shocked. Still, it would have been better if the final test had ended and it was quietly resolved without anyone knowing...”

Dan Muxianyao murmured regretfully. Although his daughter had burst in and shouted, he did not feel like scolding her, despite his deep disappointment.

“It’s because Xing has a strong and principled character. She has a noble disposition, so don’t blame her.”

“Yes, I know. I understand her best. Our Xing is so upright! That’s why...”

Dan Muxianyao carefully concealed his slight regret and continued.

“Lian helped in various ways, and right there, she was immediately praised. Normally, that wouldn’t happen.”

Thanks to her, Xing had shouted and made Dan Muju kneel, but the most impressive part was Lian’s role.

‘Well, it was impressive, but how did she know to send someone over?’

How did she know that Xue Jilin’s food poisoning was due to someone’s trickery as soon as she saw his condition?

How did she know that Dan Muju was the one who did it?

‘Did she just have a feeling?’

In fact, Dan Muxianyao rarely had good impressions of people, so he rarely immediately recognized whether someone was good or bad.

Because of this, his first meeting with Shibo An had almost gone poorly.

But Dan Muxiancheng was different. When he glanced at someone and said, “That person is not good,” they inevitably caused trouble. When he said, “They seem decent despite appearances,” they always kept their word.

Given that Lian was the daughter of Dan Muxiancheng, did she also have that kind of intuition?

“Anyway, that person should be expelled from our family! How could a child think of stealing meat and then feeding it to someone, causing harm?”

“Let’s handle it according to family law. So, do you have any objections to the list of children who will stay this time?”

Dan Muxianyao just nodded, and Dan Muxianwu smiled contentedly. Finally, Dan Muxiansong scanned the list and replied.

“Yes, it seems fine to announce it as is.”

“Shouldn’t we show it to Lian?”

Dan Muxianyao, who had been silent, asked in a slightly sharp tone.

His daughter couldn’t even set foot on the dais in the training ground because she was young, and he wasn’t pleased that Lian had been an examiner.

“Lian has already seen it.”

“What? When?”

“You all knew about it, so why are you asking now? When she saw it, it doesn’t matter.”

“I thought she hadn’t seen it yet!”

Dan Muxianyao exclaimed indignantly.

“So, do you have any complaints about this list? Do you want to add or remove anyone? There must be a valid reason, right?”

“No, no. I don’t have any complaints. I was just asking.”

Dan Muxianyao said this and then closed his mouth. Dan Muxianqian shook his head and stood up, waving his hand.

This was a signal to leave. Once everyone had gone, Dan Muxianqian asked Jiang Li, who was standing beside him.

“Lian?”

“She is still boiling medicine in the pharmacy.”

“With so many people sick, it’s no wonder she’s worried.”

“Yes. But thanks to the quick prescription and good herbs, everyone is much better. Especially Xue Jilin, who has already recovered.”

“That boy, Lian specially...”

Recalling his granddaughter’s pale face as she ran to the ailing Xue Jilin, Dan Muxianqian sighed.

He had immediately recognized Xue Jilin’s talent when he saw him face Dan Muxianwu’s sword.

Despite his condition, he had shown remarkable perseverance. Xue Jilin was the kind of disciple who could become a pillar of the family.

However, if Xue Jilin’s condition had been more serious, making it impossible for him to take the final test, and if no one had considered keeping him...

Lian would have likely said, “Didn’t you say I could choose one disciple?” and kept him in the family.

“Yes, so he’s already bowing to Young Master and causing a commotion.”

“Haha.”

From Xue Jilin’s perspective, Lian had used some means to help him take the test at the last moment, so he must be very grateful.

Dan Muxianqian smiled inwardly but then noticed Jiang Li’s gaze and corrected his expression.

“Hmm. With so many talented children, thanks to the heavens, I have high hopes.”

“The outer hall master and the pharmacy master are preparing to teach them properly.”

“Yes, yes. But you...”

As Dan Muxianqian was about to visit the pharmacy to see Lian, he suddenly asked.

“How did you know that the breakfast at the reception hall that day was chicken congee?”

Jiang Li’s face stiffened for a moment. He cleared his throat and answered in a low voice.

“Ms. Zhan... has excellent cooking skills.”

“I know.”

“She said that adding a cup of water could make two more bowls, so she suggested...”

“Did she suggest it, or did you ask for it?”

Jiang Li cleared his throat again and spoke honestly.

“Actually, that morning, there was a shortage of meat, so I brought a few more pieces...”

“So, was the congee good?”

“Yes. The chicken was tender and the rice was half-mashed, half-whole, making it both smooth and chewy. The broth made it especially flavorful...”

“Haha. It was good, then.”

“Ah, ahem. I showed a lack of propriety. Please forgive me...”

“Tell Ms. Zhan that she is responsible for managing the food supplies and should prepare appropriate meals until all the patients recover. Once they are all better, she should return to Yueming Hall.”

“Yes, I understand!”

* * *

When the list of successful candidates was announced, half sighed and teared up in disappointment, while the other half could not hide their joy.

Some had already formed friendships and were holding hands, jumping around.

“Done! Done!”

“Yay! I made it!”

“I made it, I did!”

“Oh, what to do...”

“Don’t cry, young master...”

Among the mixed emotions, those who did not make it had no special reason to stay in the main house, so they prepared to leave, trying to hold back their tears.

Meanwhile, Lian was visiting each of them, handing over a small letter.

“Young Master? What... what is this?”

Dan Muxin, a girl with red-rimmed eyes, had been packing her clothes when she heard Lian was there. She ran out and stared at the letter in her hand.

“I watched you wield your sword during the final test and thought this might help you improve...”

Lian said this, feeling a bit embarrassed and scratching her cheek.

There is a right time to learn martial arts. Starting too late can make the bones and muscles rigid, limiting future achievements.

The children called this time were already at a critical age. Dan Muxianqian had said that if they worked hard, they could be brought back, but it would be very difficult.

Knowing this was their last chance, they were so disappointed.

“Whether you practice martial arts in Hangzhou or elsewhere, as long as your heart is right, the principles are the same.”

She deliberately added a profound statement, hoping it would encourage them to read the letter carefully.

“Yes, I will work hard and definitely come back to see you, Young Master!”

Among the nine who were leaving, about four were deeply moved by Lian’s care and teared up, three were extremely curious about the letter, and two showed a very indifferent expression.