I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times

Chapter 27: Grace

In the depths of Zhao Estate, in a small building, the Seventh Young Master stood behind heavy curtains, lowering his head, not looking at the Madam on the couch, standing a full yard away from her.

No one spoke.

The maid beside the couch barely breathed, and the young girls who had been playing soft tunes in the corner had already quietly left.

The only sound came from the wind moving the curtain, causing the jade rings hanging from it to clink with a soft, rhythmic sound. Other than that, there was no noise.

Finally, the Madam broke the silence.

"Fan'er, how long has it been since you last visited me?"

The Seventh Young Master remained silent, not speaking or lifting his head.

"Why is it so distant between us, mother and son? You stand so far away, not even willing to look at your mother once?"

The Seventh Young Master lifted his head, his gaze falling on the Madam's face, yet his eyes held no emotion.

Though they were mother and son, their faces appeared to be of the same generation.

The Madam, by appearance, seemed to be a woman in her early twenties, her hair lazily tied into a bun, a few strands of hair falling on her lips that were curled slightly, giving her a languid, carefree demeanor, as if unaffected by anything.

"You called me here for what reason?" the Seventh Young Master asked.

"I heard that you are very pleased with these two study attendants this time? You even kept them around?" the Madam replied.

"What does it matter to you?"

"You are my child, and I am your mother. Everything about you, I keep in my heart," the Madam continued, her expression still gentle, as though accustomed to her son's rudeness.

The Seventh Young Master snorted softly.

"I’m happy for you. You’ve always been solitary and distant, never close to anyone. It’s a great fortune for them that they’ve caught your eye, and it has also relieved me of one worry," the Madam said.

"Thank you for your concern, mother," the Seventh Young Master said, almost unable to suppress the sarcasm in his voice.

"I know you don’t believe me," the Madam said, her gaze still tender. "But after all, you are my child. I would wish that every blade of grass, every tree around you was planted by my own hands. I want to control and select everyone around you so you won't be deceived."

"So?"

"So, I want to ask you, why do you value these two?"

"They’re just a good fit," the Seventh Young Master explained briefly.

"Is that so? A common boy raised on a farm, and the son of a steward, just suddenly caught your eye? Fan'er, your taste isn’t that low," the Madam said.

The Seventh Young Master paused, then reluctantly spoke: "Gao Yuan is diligent and honest, and he has some education. It’s good to keep him around for odd jobs, and he’ll be helpful in managing the family in the future."

"As for Zheng Fa, he has great talent in talismans. If I work with him on talisman skills, I’ll progress faster in that area."

The Madam nodded, seeming to agree with his explanation, but then suddenly shook her head. "Zheng Fa’s talent is indeed good, but keeping Gao Yuan, that wasn’t your decision, was it?"

"…"

"Why would a young master like you listen to a study attendant like Zheng Fa?"

The Seventh Young Master's fist suddenly clenched, and his gaze towards the Madam held a hint of anger.

"Yes, Zheng Fa reminded you of yourself," the Madam said, as though not surprised. "You still hold a grudge because I didn’t let you join the Qingmu Sect but allowed your sister to go."

"Both my sister and I have dual spiritual roots, and according to the rules of Qingmu Sect, our Zhao family should have two spots for dual spiritual roots…"

The Seventh Young Master’s voice became low.

"But back then, there was only one, just like the dilemma with you and Zheng Fa."

"And the other one, was it… taken by your great-grandfather?"

"Fan'er! You have grievances, but I am your mother and I can tolerate you!" The Madam stood up from the couch. "But your great-grandfather was a Golden Core cultivator. How dare you offend him?"

"I wouldn’t dare," the Seventh Young Master lowered his head.

The Madam’s tone softened a little. "I am the least favored granddaughter of your great-grandfather, and in his eyes, I don’t have much standing. Fan'er, you must never speak such things outside."

"Understood, Mother… Why did he have to take the Zhao family’s apprenticeship spots?" The Seventh Young Master’s tone softened, but the resentment remained unchanged.

"I only know the general idea of this matter," the Madam said, her expression showing the first hint of bitterness. "According to your great-grandfather, the spiritual energy in the Xuanyi Realm has been slowly decreasing over the past ten thousand years. The senior figures in the Immortal Sect predict that the spiritual energy will continue to thin, making it impossible to support more cultivators."

"Ten thousand years ago, someone with dual spiritual roots like you would definitely have entered Qingmu Sect, and would even be considered one of the best talents in the sect," the Madam said, looking at the Seventh Young Master with some sympathy. "But now, even dual spiritual roots must rely on available spots. Only those with single spiritual roots or better qualifications are regarded as geniuses who must be accepted."

"So, the number of Zhao family members entering Qingmu Sect has decreased every generation?"

"Exactly. Your great-grandfather, as a Golden Core cultivator, cannot grant every descendant their wish."

"Then I’m being sacrificed?" The Seventh Young Master said angrily.

The Madam fell silent and simply watched him.

The Seventh Young Master took a deep breath twice and finally suppressed his emotions. "Mother, you cannot keep two apprenticeship spots, but I want to keep these two."

"Alright."

"Mother?"

"After that incident, what haven’t I agreed to? You’ve been unruly, and I still tolerated you? Even if you don’t make progress, the Zhao family will still be yours in the future…"

The Seventh Young Master lowered his eyes. "It’s just… I’m not willing."

The Madam stood up, reached out as if to touch her son’s head, who was now almost taller than her. But the Seventh Young Master stepped back, and her hand hovered in mid-air. After a moment, she said, "Both of them can stay by your side, but Zheng Fa…"

"What’s wrong with Zheng Fa?"

"I know you like his temperament. Since he has talent, some of his temperament is forgivable," the Madam said, her tone calm yet tinged with a hint of coldness. "But having temperament isn’t enough. We need to see if he truly has the mind for it."

"Mother!" The Seventh Young Master said, feeling anxious.

"Don’t worry, I won’t harm him. Since spiritual energy has dwindled, all forms of cultivation have become more important. Why do you think I let you study talismans? If you truly make progress, you might even enter Qingmu Sect. Since Zheng Fa has this talent, it will benefit the Zhao family as well. I’ll give him more favors."

"Bring out the Ling He Shen and give it to Instructor Xu. He knows what to do," the Madam instructed a maidservant beside her.

"Ling He Shen? Should we really teach this to Zheng Fa?" the Seventh Young Master asked, surprised.

"His mother and sister are still in the estate?" The Madam did not answer directly, but after a moment said, "In the next few days, find a time to bring them here and settle them in the estate."

The Seventh Young Master was speechless.

This was indeed a great favor.

"Fan'er, remember, for a true genius, binding them with favor is the best way to control them."

"What if… he’s not someone who understands gratitude?"

"That’s why I’ve prepared the final favor for him. Your sister has already successfully entered the inner sect, and after the new year, she’ll be back for a visit."

"Sister?"

"Your sister has become an inner disciple, and she can bring two attendants to Qingmu Sect. If Zheng Fa truly has the talent to become a talisman master and can cultivate the Ling He Shen, I’ll give him one of those spots."

"Mother, he’s mine!" The Seventh Young Master objected.

"So, will he understand this?" The Madam smiled lightly.

"… No one would give up the chance to enter the Immortal Sect, right?"

"Then, you’ll have grown up by then…"

She touched the Seventh Young Master’s head. This time, her usually distant son did not pull away.

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