Courtyard House: A System Connecting Two Worlds, Resources for the Nation

Originally, Duan Yu did not intend to eavesdrop on what Zhou Feng and Li Qingluo were talking about; he only followed them because of Li Qingluo's appearance.

But I never expected to hear such shocking news!

The moment Duan Zhengchun's name was uttered, Duan Yu's mind froze, his thoughts going completely blank.

If what Zhou Feng said is true, then the fairy sister is his sister.

The woman who looks exactly like the fairy sister is his stepmother.

Although Miss Zhao, the acting leader of the Xiaoyao Sect, has already married Zhou Feng, she might still have a chance if Zhou Feng and Miss Zhao have any disputes or disagreements in the future.

But this stepmother and half-sister have absolutely no chance!

Seeing Li Qingluo about to approach, Zhou Feng stepped aside to block Duan Yu's path, and with his back to Li Qingluo, whispered, "Why did you come here?"

Duan Yu looked up and opened his mouth, his words muffled. Zhou Feng couldn't understand what he was saying either, so he quickly grabbed Duan Yu's arm, lifted him up from the ground, and turned to smile at Li Qingluo: "Senior Sister, please wait a moment. My friend here has probably taken the wrong path. I'll take him to rest over there."

Li Qingluo frowned and glanced at Duan Yu. This guy was good-looking, but he was a bit too flimsy.

He was covered in sweat, his face was ashen, and he was trembling as if he had overexerted himself.

At that moment, all she could think about was Duan Zhengchun; she had absolutely no interest in this pretty boy.

"Why do you need to personally escort him back to his room? I still have questions for you; just send a maid!"

"Never mind, I'll do it!"

Zhou Feng put his arm around Duan Yu's and half-dragged, half-carried him away from the courtyard, out of Li Qingluo's sight.

At this moment, Zhou Feng did not want things to get too tense with Li Qingluo, as she had not yet agreed to his request, so it was best to properly settle Duan Yu.

What if someone hears that his surname is Duan? Wouldn't that cause unnecessary trouble?

The two turned into a long corridor. Zhou Feng pressed Duan Yu down onto a stone bench next to a pillar. The latter was limp and weak, as if his bones had been removed, with his hands supporting him on the edge of the bench and his head drooping.

After a short while, Duan Yu suddenly looked up at Zhou Feng: "Brother Zhou, what you were just talking about... the Prince of Zhennan of Dali..."

Seeing the hopeful look in his eyes, Zhou Feng shrugged helplessly: "You heard right, Madam Wang and your father did have a relationship, and Miss Wang from Mantuo Manor is indeed your sister."

Zhou Feng was also somewhat helpless. Putting aside everything else, in the entire history of Jin Yong's martial arts novels, there are two people whose reputations are universally acknowledged by the entire martial arts world.

First, there is Ke Zhen'e, the Flying Bat. Second, there is Duan Zhengchun, the Prince of Zhennan of Dali.

The former was a man of his word, and his name was known far and wide.

The latter were all wealthy, and their wealth was scattered throughout the land.

Upon hearing Zhou Feng's confirmation, Duan Yu painfully closed his eyes, lurching forward and nearly hitting his forehead on a pillar beside the stone bench. Zhou Feng quickly caught him, steadying him before whispering a warning: "Brother Duan, my senior sister has complicated feelings for your father, and you know about some of his actions. So, at Mantuo Manor, never mention your surname Duan, or the garden soil will probably need another batch of fertilizer."

Duan Yu's lips trembled several times before he finally nodded gently: "Okay...okay, I understand."

Patting him on the shoulder, Zhou Feng then prepared to go back to find Li Qingluo.

It was a good thing to inform Duan Yu about this in advance. At least he didn't learn of this terrible news when he had been entangled with Wang Yuyan for so long and was at the height of his infatuation. It was a fortunate thing.

Back in the reception room, Li Qingluo had already brewed another pot of tea and was sitting at the table, waiting for him. Her expression was much calmer than before.

Zhou Feng sat down opposite him, picked up his tea and took a sip, looking relaxed.

Before Duan Zhengchun was mentioned, the initiative was in Li Qingluo's hands. But after Duan Zhengchun was brought up, how to proceed with the discussion depended on Zhou Feng.

It has to be said that the Prince of Dali really knows how to deal with women; even after all these years, he still turns pale at the mere mention of their names.

"Did you come to Mantuo Manor just to talk to me about Duan Zhengchun?"

After finishing her cup of tea, Li Qingluo was the first to give in and asked a question.

"What's wrong with talking about Prince Duan? Does Senior Sister not want to see him?"

Upon hearing Zhou Feng's words, Li Qingluo's hand stiffened slightly, and the rim of the cup made a soft sound as it touched the side of the cup.

She stared at Zhou Feng for more than ten seconds, then suddenly pursed her lips.

But this reaction was within Zhou Feng's expectations, after all, the original novel mentioned that she planted so many camellias in her back garden, and later she even wanted to monopolize Duan Zhengchun.

Although the current timeline is earlier than that time, her feelings for Duan Zhengchun should not be much different.

"Do you have a way to get him here?"

Li Qingluo spoke again, her voice much lower than before, and even her tone trembled slightly.

"Of course there is a way. I can not only get him to come, but I can even get him to stay with my senior sister. But you have to promise me one thing."

Li Qingluo was silent for a few moments before saying, "Speak."

"I want something precious from my senior sister!"

Silence fell in the room once again.

Li Qingluo stared at Zhou Feng for a long time, then suddenly sighed, "Let me think about it."

"Senior sister, you don't believe I can handle Duan Zhengchun?"

Zhou Feng suddenly smiled, pointed his finger, and a burst of internal energy shot out from his fingertip, piercing through the candle not far away.

Li Qingluo's expression changed, and she stood up abruptly, her lips trembling slightly: "This...is the One-Finger Divine Skill of the Dali Duan family?"

"What One-Finger Divine Skill? This is the Six Meridian Divine Sword! With this connection, Senior Sister, don't you believe I can handle Duan Zhengchun?"

A hint of smugness played on Zhou Feng's lips. At present, he could only use this one lineage of the Six Meridians Divine Sword, and its power was barely enough to light a candle.

Unlike Duan Yu, who was born with a protagonist's halo and had an unfair advantage, he learned these skills step by step.

Although its power may not be as quick to obtain as the evil cultivation methods of Duan Yu, it is superior in that it is moderate, peaceful and stable.

A martial art that works only occasionally is worse than having none at all, because if it fails at a crucial moment, it can really kill you!

Upon seeing the Six Meridian Divine Sword, Li Qingluo finally believed Zhou Feng's earlier words. Unable to contain her excitement, she hurriedly took two steps forward and grabbed Zhou Feng's hand: "Where did you learn the Six Meridian Divine Sword? This is a secret technique passed down only by the Duan family of Dali. Are you surnamed Duan?"

"Senior sister, I told you, my surname is Zhou!"

Feeling somewhat speechless as he touched Li Qingluo's warm and soft hand, Zhou Feng replied irritably.

Since arriving in this world, people have either treated him as the successor of the Starry Sky Immortal or changed his surname!

Why can't these martial arts practitioners just listen to reason?

Of course, being angry is one thing, but not taking advantage of a good deal is foolish.

I don't know how my senior sister maintains her youthful appearance. Not only does she still have a charming figure in her thirties, but her skin is also as smooth as a young girl's, fragrant and tender.

Regardless of Zhou Feng's surname, Li Qingluo was practically bursting with excitement.

The Six Meridian Divine Sword is the highest martial art of the Dali Duan family. With the Northern Darkness Divine Art and the Six Meridian Divine Sword, Zhou Feng's strength is far superior to Duan Zhengchun's, making it easy to capture him.

Li Qingluo has been in Mantuo Manor for more than ten years. Although she has always thought about Duan Zhengchun, she knows that the chance of rekindling her relationship with Duan Zhengchun is almost zero.

But now, Zhou Feng standing in front of her gave her a glimmer of hope!

However, this junior brother wasn't a good person either, as he openly asked her for Yu Yan!

This bastard already has so many wives, how come he's still not satisfied?

With a flicker of her eyes, Li Qingluo was caught in a dilemma.

Two little people were fighting frantically in my head.

A small figure roared, "Yu Yan is your daughter! How can you bear to give her away to this womanizing bastard Duan Zhengchun for his sake?"

Another small figure, however, was filled with deep sorrow: "Think about how happy you were with Duan Lang, and how empty and lonely you've been all these years? This junior brother has so many wives, which means he takes meticulous care of them. Letting Yu Yan follow him might not be a bad thing. It's better than Murong Fu, who's obsessed with the illusory restoration of his kingdom every day, isn't it?"

A few minutes later, Li Qingluo gritted her teeth and glared fiercely at Zhou Feng: "I need to talk to Yu Yan about this first, and I need to get her consent."

???

Zhou Feng tilted his head and looked at Li Qingluo with a puzzled expression on his face.

"Senior sister, when did you become such a democratic person? Do you really need to ask Miss Wang about this? As her elder, can't you make the decision yourself?"

He really couldn't understand. Wang Yuyan didn't practice martial arts, so what did the Little Formless Skill have to do with her?

If you agree, why not just take out the Lesser Formless Skill?

Could it be that Li Qingluo is looking for an excuse to get something for free from him?

"I...you shouldn't say anymore, we need to discuss this with Yu Yan first!"

Li Qingluo nodded vigorously, having made up her mind. Then she realized her hand was still clasped with Zhou Feng's, and her pretty face flushed slightly: "What are you doing?"

"Huh...huh? What did I do?"

Zhou Feng was taken aback by her question. He looked down and realized that he was instinctively rubbing the back of Li Qingluo's hand with his thumb.

"Sorry, senior sister, I'm just used to being with Pan'er and the others..."

Scratching his head, Zhou Feng apologized to Li Qingluo and quickly let go of her hand, still savoring the moment.

This woman was clearly over 30 years old, but her skin was even smoother and more delicate than Zhao Pan'er's.

Among his five wives, none seem to be comparable to Li Qingluo.

Because of their backgrounds, Zhao Pan'er and Sun San Niang became merchants, and their hands were indeed a little rough.

Bai Ling and the other two came from the early days of the founding of the Dragon Kingdom, where even survival was a problem, so how could they care about skin care?

After the two parted ways in the reception room, Li Qingluo had just arrived in the backyard when Wang Yuyan came to greet her.

"Mother, who is that woman? Why does she look so much like us?"

To be honest, Wang Yuyan is also a bit of a looks-obsessed person.

Whether it was Murong Fu, whom she was obsessed with in the early stages, or Duan Yu, whom she reluctantly chose later, they both perfectly matched in terms of appearance and temperament. In any case, Zhou Feng couldn't possibly imitate them.

So, even though there were so many people at the dock, and it was obvious that Zhou Feng was the main visitor, her gaze only swept across Zhou Feng's face before ignoring him and only remembering Zhao Pan'er, who looked extremely similar to her.

"Women? Those are all my junior brother's wives. They shouldn't have anything to do with our Mantuo Manor. It's just a coincidence, isn't it?"

Li Qingluo was also somewhat uncertain. It's not that there aren't people in the world who look alike, but they usually have generic faces.

She wasn't boasting, but she was clear about her own appearance.

Such a situation where two people look exactly alike is extremely rare, almost impossible!

"Oh, I thought I had gained another older sister! But I noticed that many of my uncle's wives look quite friendly. Can I hang out with them sometimes?"

In front of her mother, Wang Yuyan also became a little silly.

Li Qingluo glanced at her daughter with a complicated expression, then nodded.

If Yu Yan marries into the Zhou family in the future, it would be good to establish good relationships with these women beforehand.

"By the way, Yu Yan, you just saw my junior brother too. What are your thoughts on him?"

After hesitating for a few seconds, Li Qingluo finally spoke, preparing to test her daughter.

Wang Yuyan scratched her head, looking somewhat embarrassed: "This... I only saw his wives just now and didn't notice my martial uncle."

Li Qingluo knew perfectly well that her daughter was obsessed with good looks, so she could only sigh and pat her shoulder: "You can talk to my junior brother when you're free. He travels around and inevitably encounters some rumors and anecdotes about the martial arts world. You can ask him to tell you about them."

Although Li Qingluo hasn't made a decision yet, her subconscious has already made up her mind: to marry Wang Yuyan to Zhou Feng in exchange for his help in keeping Duan Zhengchun at Mantuo Manor.

Her current patience with Wang Yuyan is also due to a slight sense of guilt in her heart.

After exchanging a few words with Wang Yuyan, the latter giggled and left the room, saying, "Mother, I'm going to chat with my martial uncle's wives!"

She's a young woman after all; her lively spirit can't be hidden.

Inside the Mantuo Manor, the young maids dared not joke with Wang Yuyan; those who dared to joke with her were all elderly women of grandmother age.

This resulted in Wang Yuyan's daily life being somewhat oppressive; otherwise, she wouldn't have had such a good relationship with A Zhu and A Bi.

Wang Yuyan was naturally overjoyed to have so many guests of similar age visiting her home.

Watching her daughter's departing figure, Li Qingluo sighed softly and got up to walk towards Zhou Feng's guest room.

Since you've already made up your mind, why hesitate?

The sooner we get things done, the better!