books44 Chapter 583 Cooperation
Chapter 583 Cooperation
Zhen Yao knew that her grandfather always prioritized the family and held absolute power. Anyone in the Zhen family could be a tool in his hands, and she was no exception. His seemingly weak words just now were actually a test of her, a strategic retreat.
She was just a little curious as to why her grandfather would suddenly do this. Before Zhen Yao could figure it out, she was summoned by a servant sent by her father.
"Father, Mother..." Apart from Zhen Ming's father, Zhen Yao's older brother and sister were all in the room.
"Yao'er, the alchemist you invited this time is really good! Your grandfather looks much better..." Zhen Ming praised with a smile.
“Father, Pei Yun is my friend. I invited her to my wedding. I didn’t expect her to heal Grandfather’s injury. This is an unexpected joy.”
"Little sister, Pei Yun is so powerful, we should keep her in the Zhen family for a long time and let her treat grandfather's injuries. In this way, grandfather will definitely favor our eldest branch more!"
Zhen Yao's brother, Zhen Ang, excitedly suggested this, and her two older sisters chimed in.
“Your eldest brother is right. Didn’t you see the group from the second branch of the family just now? When they heard your grandfather praising you and your friend, their faces were stiff, but they didn’t dare to show it. They were so frustrated. It’s funny to think about!”
“Father, Mother, those people from the second and third branches of the family usually rely on Grandfather's backing and don't take my eldest branch seriously. Grandfather also deliberately divided the resources into three parts. We, the eldest branch, are clearly the future leaders, but we only got 30% of the resources. How can we control them in the future…”
"...Why not take this opportunity to reclaim some of the resources..."
Seeing the triumphant expressions on the faces of her relatives, who were chatting amongst themselves, Zhen Yao realized that their words didn't seem to express joy at her grandfather's improving condition, but rather a sense of smugness at having outshone the second and third branches of the family. A slight, mocking smile appeared on her lips, but it vanished in an instant.
"Father, Fellow Daoist Pei is my friend. I am already extremely grateful that she was able to treat Grandfather. How can we ask her to stay in the Zhen family for Grandfather's sake!" Zhen Yao interrupted their wishful thinking without any politeness.
"What's so difficult about that? He's just an alchemist. Just offer him a generous reward!"
“That’s right. When you brought her to pay your respects before, didn’t you say that she was from Beiqizhou? My Zhen family is a major family under the Xianlan Sect of Dongcangzhou. It’s already an honor to have her as an elder of my Zhen family!” Zhen Yao’s mother said in a condescending tone.
Zhen Yao's face instantly darkened: "Mother, she is my friend. It is a favor that she helped Grandfather with his treatment. Besides, apart from Father, which of you has a higher cultivation level than her? She is not only an alchemist but also a cultivation genius. Why should she stay in the Zhen family!"
"Third sister, what are you saying? My Zhen family is also a prestigious family..." Zhen Ang was also unhappy.
"...Fellow Daoist Pei is not even two hundred years old, yet she has already reached the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm. She is also a fourth-grade alchemist, an elite disciple of the Pill God Palace, and I heard that she is highly regarded by the Palace Master of the Pill God Palace. Not only that, she is also a disciple of the Main God Palace. Back then, she bravely ventured into the Demon Cave and was specially rewarded by the Main God Palace. A few days ago, when I went to participate in the Sword Debate Tournament, she still had a token bestowed by Venerable Qin Gu. Even Venerable Qin Gu wanted to take her Daoist partner as a disciple. Do you think my Zhen family has the ability to keep such a peerless genius in our mansion?"
With each word Zhen Yao spoke, the expressions on everyone's faces grew increasingly grim. In the end, all that remained in their hearts was astonishment and embarrassment. They never expected this young girl to be so capable!
With his cultivation at the late Nascent Soul stage, no one in the entire Zhen family could rival Pei Yun. Moreover, he was a fourth-grade alchemist. Even without witnessing Pei Yun's strength, one could tell from Zhen Yao's few words that this woman was a genius who cultivated both alchemy and alchemy.
"This, this..." Everyone was speechless with astonishment.
Zhen Ming was also momentarily dazed: "I thought she was already at the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm, but I didn't expect her to be less than two hundred years old..."
Zhen Ming was at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, but he was already over a thousand years old. He thought that Pei Yun looked young, but was actually an old guy like him. He didn't expect that she was much younger than his daughter.
“Father, Mother, please don’t mention what you just said again. Although Fellow Daoist Pei is gentle and kind, he is not someone to be trifled with. Even if you disregard my feelings, you should think about the consequences of offending such a genius…”
Upon hearing this, everyone else present looked somewhat embarrassed and remained silent about the suggestion.
Zhen Ming then took out two treasure boxes from his storage ring: "These are generous gifts that my father asked me to prepare. Take them to your friend, and also for tomorrow's wedding. We'll need her cooperation, you understand..."
He originally intended to go by himself. Before Zhen Yao spoke, Zhen Ming thought that Pei Yun would naturally help the Zhen family after taking the treasure. However, after hearing Zhen Yao's words, Zhen Ming understood that most talented young masters like Pei Yun did not lack treasures, and that benefits might not be enough to move them. Therefore, he could only let Zhen Yao use their personal relationships as leverage.
Zhen Yao remained silent for a while, then accepted the treasure box and agreed.
After leaving the room, she returned directly to her courtyard without hesitation. Yin Yanyue, along with Junior Sister Wang and Pei Yun, were chatting in the courtyard when they saw Zhen Yao return. The three of them stood up and greeted her with smiles.
After chatting for a while, the group went back to their respective rooms, and Zhen Yao followed Pei Yun to her guest room.
"What brings you here, Fellow Daoist Zhen?" Pei Yun asked curiously.
Zhen Yao took out two treasure boxes and handed them to her: "...This is a gift of gratitude from the Zhen family. Thank you, Fellow Daoist Pei." As she spoke, she stood up and solemnly bowed to Pei Yun.
Pei Yun helped her up, saying, "Fellow Daoist Zhen, you're too kind. It was nothing. Besides, although Senior Zhen's injuries have stopped worsening, I don't have the ability to completely heal him. I suggest that your family invite a better physician or alchemist, such as Elder Zheng. The pills he refined for your grandfather were excellent..."
"Thank you for your guidance, Fellow Daoist Pei. I will speak with my grandfather."
Zhen Yao spoke with a hint of embarrassment, "...Fellow Daoist Pei, you are aware of the current situation of my Zhen family. Since my grandfather was injured, the other aristocratic families in Zilang City have begun to ostracize my family. However, apart from my grandfather, no one else in the Zhen family, including my father, can uphold the family's reputation. Therefore, my grandfather will attend the wedding tomorrow in full regalia, and various families will use this opportunity to test each other. Moreover, the tampering with the medicine was probably done by certain families in collusion with the city's physicians. So I hope you can..."
“I understand, I will cooperate.” Pei Yun nodded understandingly.
Zhen Yao stared blankly at Pei Yun, a warm feeling flowing through her heart.
Actually, she and Pei Yun had only met a few times. She only got to know her because of Fu Lingchen. She had even secretly been jealous of Pei Yun. At the time, she thought that Fu Lingchen didn't return to the sect for Pei Yun's sake and preferred to join a small sect in Beiqi Continent. Of course, she later realized that Fu Lingchen did this to avoid her.
She couldn't help but lean in and hug him: "...Thank you, Pei Yun."
Pei Yun was taken aback. Although she had only met Zhen Yao a few times, she could tell that Zhen Yao was cold on the outside but warm on the inside. It was rare to see her show her emotions. She smiled and patted her shoulder, and then heard the other party quietly transmit her voice: "...Pei Yun, don't believe my grandfather's words too much."
Pei Yun was taken aback, only to see the other party casually release her and smile, "The wedding will be busy tomorrow, you should get some rest. You've worked hard these past few days, Fellow Daoist Pei..."
"You should get some rest too. Tomorrow you'll be the main character." Pei Yun had already realized what was going on. She smiled, and the two looked at each other, tacitly avoiding mentioning the telepathic communication from earlier, but they understood each other perfectly.