Chapter 251 - 109: It’s Alright, He Could Tell She Wasn’t a Frivolous Woman

The man’s name was Qi Qingxuan. Though he was the Third Master of the Qi Family, he was not well-regarded, as his mother had only been a concubine.

Years ago, his mother had been a beautiful palace maid and caught the eye of his father.

However, after marrying his father, an old affliction of his mother’s resurfaced. It was said that she had committed some offense in the palace and been punished for it, damaging her Spirit Sea. Not long after, her looks faded and she aged prematurely.

She raised Qi Qingxuan until he was just over ten, then passed away, overcome with sorrow.

Thus, even though Qi Qingxuan was the son of the Qi Family Patriarch, his status was quite low.

While he wasn’t treated like a servant, he was far worse off than the other young masters, who were surrounded by maids and guards and had lived in luxury since birth.

Not long ago, the Qi Family’s eldest young master and his friends had made a trip to Jiyun Temple. He had ordered his maids to dress in Hua Yunxia, wear loose Daoist Robes and Lotus Crowns, and adorn themselves with elaborate makeup. The affair caused a massive stir throughout all of Yangchun City.

In stark contrast, Qi Qingxuan—also a young master of the Qi Family—lived in abject poverty. He didn’t even have a single servant in his courtyard.

But after all these years, Qi Qingxuan had grown accustomed to it.

His monthly allowance was just enough to buy some common Scripture Scrolls and Daoist Scriptures, but embarking on the path of cultivation was another matter entirely.

His aptitude was average, and he had no backing from his mother’s lineage. If he wanted to cultivate, the monthly cost of Spirit Stones alone would be a huge expense. That didn’t even include the costs of tempering his constitution, purchasing Magical Artifacts, or acquiring Cultivation Techniques.

The Qi Family Patriarch had more than a dozen concubines and beauties, and no shortage of children. He wouldn’t waste his attention on a thoroughly ordinary son like him.

The family, in turn, was hardly going to waste resources on a member who was clearly destined for a future of mediocrity.

’For an ordinary family, it’s almost impossible to start cultivating. The Cultivation Techniques and resources are all controlled by the major Immortal Sects and Noble Families.’

’In Yangchun City alone, nearly all the other families, large and small, live at the mercy of the three great families. They have to do as they’re told. Without the permission of the three great families, no one can practice any advanced Cultivation Techniques...’

’In the long run, it creates a vicious cycle. Talented cultivators with good potential must pledge their lives to the three great families and the major Immortal Sects just to obtain resources.’

’But these powers don’t take such outsiders seriously. They just treat them like hired muscle. They would certainly never bestow any profound Cultivation Techniques, which means these cultivators can never break through to a higher realm and are forever stuck.’

’It’s just so incredibly hard to get ahead...’

Qi Qingxuan sighed internally. After all these years, he had come to accept the fate shared by all the poor and downtrodden, people just like him.

’If I had the power to change all this,’ he thought, ’I would force every Noble Family and Immortal Sect to surrender their Cultivation Techniques.’

’Then I would establish true academies, providing resources and Cultivation Techniques to students free of charge. As long as someone had the talent and potential, they could rise up, serve the Court, and be ennobled as dukes or marquises.’

But alas... he had the ambition, but none of the power to make it happen.

’While she lived, Mother was a concubine. After she died, she wasn’t even qualified to have her spirit tablet placed in the ancestral hall.’

’She made me study this Society and Country Scripture until I knew it by heart, but even though I can recite it backward and forward, what good has it done me?’

’Matters of state are the Emperor’s concern. I’m just a poor commoner. What can I possibly do, even if I’ve memorized all this?’

Qi Qingxuan put down the Scripture Scroll in his hand.

The courtyard wasn’t large, but it was quiet, and no one ever came to disturb him. This had allowed him to spend the past years peacefully reading the many Scriptures and books his mother had insisted upon.

Thus, despite having no cultivation whatsoever, he carried a scholarly, refined air about him. It was as the saying goes: true learning adorns the spirit. He exuded an aura of lean, unadorned distinction.

"Duke Wei, what is the point of all these Scriptures?" Qi Qingxuan asked, looking at a short figure standing to one side of the courtyard.

Had he not spoken, it’s doubtful anyone entering the courtyard would have even noticed the figure’s presence.

The figure belonged to an old man with a smooth, beardless face, the white hair of a crane, and a surprisingly ruddy complexion.

He was dressed in a simple, greyish-white robe, his eyes perpetually half-closed.

He seemed to blend into the very fabric of the courtyard, making him incredibly difficult to perceive.

"Studying these Scriptures is, of course, useful."

"There is no need to trouble yourself, Third Master. The time to use them has simply not yet arrived."

The old man seemed to chuckle at the words. His voice, however, was hoarse and effeminate—not at all the voice one would expect from a man his age.

Qi Qingxuan was not surprised by this in the least; in fact, he was quite used to it.

The old man was named Duke Wei. He had once been a eunuch in the palace and was an old acquaintance of his mother.

During their time in the palace, his mother had once helped Duke Wei.

Many years ago, Duke Wei had retired from the palace. He came to Yangchun City seeking Qi Qingxuan’s mother, hoping to repay a kindness she had shown him. Upon learning that she had already passed away from her illness, he decided to stay by Qi Qingxuan’s side and watch over him.

Duke Wei was no ordinary man. He was a cultivator, and by his own account, had reached the Fourth Realm: the Illuminating Nether Realm.

It was only because Duke Wei had been by his side protecting him all these years that Qi Qingxuan had avoided being bullied.

Whenever he ran out of Scriptures and Ancient Texts to read, Duke Wei would go and find more for him. Yet, he never taught Qi Qingxuan anything about cultivation itself. Instead, he focused solely on having him cultivate his mind and character, so that he might understand the principles of governing a nation and bringing peace to the world.

Qi Qingxuan had been confused at first, but he gradually grew used to it and stopped asking questions.

"It’s almost 7:00 AM. I should get going to my appointment."

Qi Qingxuan glanced up at the sky, then rose and tidied up, gathering the many books from the table before him.