Chapter 13: Marriage Advice

Madam Chunhan sensed Chu Yin’s reluctance, but he still agreed.

This contradiction in his attitude left her feeling helpless.

This child truly only wanted to devote his passion to her, showing complete disinterest in other young women of marriageable age…

“Chu Yin, you’re no longer young. It’s time to think about starting a family. I’m not forcing you to pair up with Miss Zhang Wei. If it doesn’t work out, then so be it. I just want you to give it a try—what if fate is on your side?”

Chu Yin continued to massage Madam’s fragrant shoulders, not daring to let his gaze wander down even an inch, staring straight out the window.

Madam’s skin was like icy jade, dazzlingly white, and the curve beneath her collarbone was the epitome of feminine fullness and grace.

Though her strapless dress covered most of the swell, a deep valley still adorned the space between.

The candlelight, while slightly muting the whiteness of her skin, created a translucent, pearly luster like that of mutton fat jade.

Chu Yin controlled his eyes carefully to avoid distraction, replying:

“I understand. When Miss Zhang Wei returns, I will try to get closer to her…”

Madam Chunhan no longer regarded Chu Yin as an outsider.

Since marriage had been brought up tonight, she naturally needed to be more transparent with him.

He had the right to know the burdens involved.

“I’ll be honest with you, this matter is indeed weighed with the greater interests of Luoshui City. The position of City Lord must eventually have a successor. I trust and am very pleased with you, so I want you to become the new City Lord.”

“If you truly take my place, I can step back into the background and work with the city elders to help you secure your footing. You are still young and strong enough to lead Luoshui City in hiding its strength and biding its time, turning the tide!”

Luoshui City had declined to a second-tier power, but it wasn’t because its strength was far inferior to others—it was a generational gap.

The next generation lacked outstanding talents, and this was the biggest difference from other factions.

But there was full hope for reversal.

“So, as the one who governs Luoshui City, I hope you and Miss Zhang Wei can develop well—that’s the official consideration. On a personal level, I would be delighted if you truly become family to me, ensuring a good future for both your children!”

This was Madam Chunhan’s heartfelt truth, laid bare.

She didn’t just repeat the old line, “This is for your own good,” but revealed all the practical concerns.

Chu Yin nodded.

As he lowered his head, his eyes caught a flash of white.

Quickly, he looked away and said:

“If Madam says so, I will definitely work hard to get close to Miss Zhang Wei and win her favor!”

Madam Chunhan felt something off about his words and teased with mock annoyance:

“Don’t make it sound like marriage is some kind of task I assigned you! It’s better if it works out, but if not, then so be it!”

She knew Chu Yin listened to her and placed her status very high, but this was the thing she feared most.

She was genuinely worried that Chu Yin would treat interacting with Zhang Wei like a mission, which would make her look like a backstage mastermind controlling her future son-in-law.

“I know, Madam, don’t worry~ There’s one question I want to gossip about, is that okay?” Chu Yin asked cautiously.

“Go ahead, what are you curious about?” Madam Chunhan pulled him back onto the chair, not wanting him to be too tired.

“Why did those senior brothers rebel? I remember Jin Dashi Xiong was the City Lord’s direct disciple, so he was the legitimate heir, right?”

Madam Chunhan sighed at the thought, saying:

“There were several reasons. If I had to pinpoint the trigger, it was probably the progress of Er Shixiong, which made Dashi Xiong feel threatened. And I never clearly announced who the successor was.”

Hearing this, Chu Yin understood.

Because Madam never clearly declared the successor, uncertainty arose.

Faced with uncertainty, Dashi Xiong suddenly found his position unstable and decided to take a gamble, forcing Madam to hand over the City Lord position.

Because of that same uncertainty, Er Shixiong saw hope.

Ambitious individuals on both sides collided, making the situation complicated.

When Luoshui City fell into turmoil, it was impossible to distinguish who was right or wrong; they all ended up opposing Madam Chunhan.

“Madam, if the chaos hadn’t broken out, who do you think would be suitable to succeed as City Lord?”

The intelligent and graceful beauty pondered, then shook her head with disappointment:

“None of them are really suitable. The City Lord is not a title to show off, but a responsibility to bear. It concerns the welfare of Luoshui City’s people, handling external relations, training disciples…”

Those two disciples cared too much about the glory and honor, and after years of observation, both lacked certain abilities in some areas.

Madam Chunhan had deliberately assigned tasks to them, trying to help them improve and fill those gaps, but to no avail.

For many years, she had locked herself in the study nearly every night.

How she wished someone would take over this burden!

The key was—there was no one!

Chu Yin wanted to ask why she thought he was suitable to be City Lord.

Was it because she saw his knack for “consulting a divination when uncertain”?

But more than this question, Chu Yin was curious about another:

“Madam… why do you work so hard to govern Luoshui City? You could delegate more to the elders and not do everything yourself. Is it to help the City Lord and Miss Zhang Wei protect their family legacy better?”

Others cultivate their foundation to roam the martial world.

Madam Chunhan’s cultivation served as “overtime” at work.

She gave a bitter smile and said:

“Not entirely. More than that… it’s because of my feelings for Luoshui City. This is where I grew up. Since I was a child, I heard from my elders how they fought together to turn Luoshui City from a small broken town into what it is today. Our family grew alongside the city, developing ever since.”

“Luoshui City belongs to many predecessors; it cannot collapse on my watch. Not a single link can fail!”

Chu Yin’s long-standing confusion was finally resolved.

He never understood Madam’s motivation for working herself so hard.

Was it because she had deep feelings for the City Lord? But their wedding hadn’t even been completed yet, so how could there be such a deep bond?

Now he knew.

She was focused on Luoshui City, treating it as an ancestral heritage to shoulder.

This also explained why she looked down on those core disciples—they truly only saw the City Lord’s seat as a symbol of status and ignored the responsibility.

The sound of The Drumbeat echoed through the city.

Choushi ended, Yinshi arrived, and the night grew deeper.

Chu Yin stopped the topic and gently helped the breathtaking Madam Chunhan to her feet, preparing to rest together.

He said softly:

“All right, Madam, you should put down your work and rest now. Make sure you get a good night’s sleep tonight~”

Madam Chunhan felt a surge of emotion.

She never dared imagine Yinshi would be the time she finally rested, but this past month it had almost become a habit.

She nodded lightly and stroked the thoughtful young man’s head with her jade hand, saying:

“All right, Chu Yin, you must rest well too. If I catch you secretly training, I won’t go easy on you~”

“And, Miss Zhang Wei will be back in a few days. When that happens, do well and show four-tenths of your current consideration!”

Chu Yin feigned deep thought and said seriously:

“Understood. Four-tenths of my consideration goes to Miss Zhang Wei, and six-tenths stays with Madam!”

“You little rascal, always so slick.”

The beauty scolded playfully, flicking his forehead, her autumn-water bright eyes curved into a beautiful crescent moon, leaving no trace of the iron-faced female City Lord.