The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife
Chapter 349: Together, Even in Death

Chapter 349: Together, Even in Death

Master Zhao, with his profound internal strength, overheard Chu Yang’s words. His eyes lit up with hope, and he eagerly said, "Yes, yes! Our Flame Sect’s library contains hundreds, if not a thousand, ancient books, all rare and unique. If the Ninth Princess is willing to treat my daughter, I’ll open our library’s doors to both the Ninth Princess and Fourth Young Master for their study."

The ancient manuscripts collected by the Flame Sect were coveted by many in the martial world. Gaining access to them and learning advanced martial arts would be a dream come true for many.

Moreover, having the Flame Sect under Nanli’s command would undoubtedly be a significant advantage for her.

Master Zhao was confident that no one could refuse such an offer.

But Nanli replied, "Fourth Brother, the mansion already has many books. If you want to read them, you can take them anytime."

Chu Yang understood Nanli’s intent and didn’t push further.

At the same time, he felt a twinge of pity, his eyes showing a hint of compassion for Zhao Lingfu.

Master Zhao’s heart sank as he sensed things weren’t going well. "Ninth Princess, whatever you need, our Flame Sect will do it, even if it means going through fire and water. Just please have mercy and save my daughter."

Nanli gently shook her head. "If we were destined, I’d treat her without asking for anything. But we aren’t meant to be, Master Zhao. I’m truly powerless."

Master Zhao, trembling and near tears, argued, "How can that be? Ninth Princess, you saved her in the capital before, doesn’t that mean you’re fated to help her?"

Nanli’s tone grew firm. "The bond between us is too weak. Besides, her lifespan is nearly over. Even if I prescribe medicine, she’ll still pass away from something else when her time is up. A person’s lifespan is determined by fate. Trying to defy it only brings misfortune and harm."

Master Zhao was dazed. He understood Nanli’s point, but looking at his daughter’s frail face, he chose to ignore it.

Choking up, he said, "Ninth Princess, even if it brings misfortune and harm, I still..."

"Father!" Zhao Lingfu cried out, her face growing paler with agitation. "I know I’m seriously ill. Living this long has already been a blessing. If anything happens to you because of me, I won’t rest in peace even after death."

Master Zhao closed his eyes, tears streaming down. He had faced disappointment time and again over the years. Visiting the Ninth Princess today had ended no differently.

"Ninth Princess, I apologize for disturbing you." Master Zhao, being a sect leader, quickly regained his composure and prepared to leave.

The journey from the Flame Sect to the capital was only two days, but Zhao Lingfu’s frail body couldn’t handle such strain. After thinking for a moment, Nanli decided to prepare two medicinal pills to make Zhao Lingfu more comfortable on the way back.

Master Zhao thanked her profusely again.

The maid brought the ginseng soup, and Chu Yang encouraged Zhao Lingfu to drink more, offering to get more if needed.

"Thank you," Zhao Lingfu said weakly, bowing her head.

Her ears were still red by the time she returned to the Flame Sect’s capital branch.

As soon as they arrived, Young Master Zhao hurried up to them, eagerly asking, "How did it go? Did the Ninth Princess agree to help?"

Their reason for seeking the Ninth Princess was due to the remarkable efficacy of the Man-Up Pill, which even their sect’s doctors had praised.

Master Zhao shook his head and sighed, "The Ninth Princess said she couldn’t do anything."

Young Master Zhao gritted his teeth and said, "How can that be? I heard that after the Emperor was poisoned by Qi Nation spies and fell ill, the Ninth Princess prepared a prescription and refined a pill that greatly improved his health. Is it because she sees our Flame Sect as merely a martial sect and thinks we’re of no use to her, so she refuses to help?"

He was implying that Nanli was only helping based on self-interest.

Master Zhao’s face darkened. "Enough! The Ninth Princess isn’t like that!"

The Ninth Princess had even specially prepared medicine for them and refused any monetary compensation no matter how much he offered.

Zhao Lingfu also said, "Brother, it’s my fate. A Daoist once told me that I was born weak and ill-fated, and wouldn’t live past sixteen."

"Don’t say that. I’ll find another way to make you live a long life," Young Master Zhao said hastily.

He only had one sister, whom he cherished dearly.

Zhao Lingfu smiled weakly, "I trust you, brother."

She was well aware of her condition and held no hope for recovery.

Fortunately, with the Ninth Princess’s pills, her journey back to the Flame Sect was much more comfortable.

However, Zhao Lingfu’s body was too depleted for the pills to replenish her energy. After returning to the Flame Sect, she became listless, spending ten of the twelve hours in a day asleep.

Master Zhao consulted numerous doctors, all of whom said the same thing: they should prepare for Zhao Lingfu’s funeral.

Heartbroken, Master Zhao grew more gaunt, losing a lot of weight.

Despite his grief, he still mustered the strength to select the best coffin and burial clothes for his daughter, and even had several feng shui masters examine the layout of her final resting place. His Fu’er had suffered enough in life; he wanted her to have a peaceful passing.

Meanwhile, Young Master Zhao had other plans.

In a room, a Daoist nun dressed in a red and black robe stood, her high cheekbones, arched eyebrows, and sharp gaze giving her an imposing presence.

Behind her stood three young Daoists, each carrying a spiritual bag, an eight-trigram mirror, or a peachwood sword, looking formidable.

"Daoist Changying, how are these men’s horoscopes? Can they marry my sister?" Young Master Zhao asked.

Changying put down the papers she was holding and said, "Your sister’s Tian Tong and Tai Yin stars are in the Zi palace, and Tai Yin is afflicted. These men’s horoscopes are either too weak or too conflicting. Marrying your sister would harm her future fortune in the afterlife."

Young Master Zhao’s face darkened. "But these are the only men we could find."

His sister was near death, and these men had agreed to marry her only because of the Flame Sect’s influence and wealth.

Despite this, he couldn’t allow his sister to marry poorly.

Changying shook her head gently. "Young Master, you misunderstood my meaning. Your sister’s three souls and seven spirits are weak, which is why she was born frail and has been ill her whole life. After death, she may not even be able to walk the path of the Yellow Springs in the underworld."

"That’s why I previously suggested she marry someone with strong spirits. With a marriage vow, he could support her soul as she walks the Yellow Springs path, sparing her the hardship of wandering aimlessly and protecting her from other spirits, ensuring she crosses the Naihe Bridge peacefully."

Realizing her meaning, Young Master Zhao was shocked. "The groom has to die too?!"

He had only intended for his sister to have a husband to offer incense and prayers after her death, not to have the groom accompany her to the grave!