Chapter 89: Old Lu, do you want a wife?
by xennovel“Fellow Daoist Lu, are the top-tier talismans at your Talisman Shop sold out?”
As Lu Changsheng reached his doorstep, the courtyard to his left opened.
A middle-aged man, in his forties with thick eyebrows and a square face, steady in demeanor, came out and asked when he saw Lu Changsheng.
“Fellow Daoist Xia, the three top-tier talismans for this month are sold out at my shop.”
“Are you going to hunt some spirit beasts again, needing top-tier talismans?”
Lu Changsheng asked with some surprise.
This middle-aged man was named Xia Long, a new neighbor who moved in a few months ago.
Like the previous neighbor who moved away, he claimed to hunt spirit beasts for money.
As for the truth, Lu Changsheng was unsure.
This neighbor often went out and knew Lu Changsheng was a Talisman Master, the owner of the Lu Family Talisman Shop. He occasionally sought to purchase talismans from Lu Changsheng.
“I’ve arranged with a few fellow daoists to explore an ancient Cave Dwelling. I wanted to buy some talismans for protection.”
Xia Long explained.
“My shop only stocks three top-tier talismans each month, and they’re always pre-ordered.”
“If you’re interested, Fellow Daoist Xia, I can reserve one for you once we restock.”
“If you need them urgently, I have a few high-grade talismans. Would those suffice for you, Fellow Daoist Xia?”
Lu Changsheng offered.
Though he had personally crafted top-tier talismans, they weren’t good for sale.
After all, only three are sold per month in the shop.
Selling an extra one might attract attention.
But high-grade talismans were less of a concern.
He had plenty and didn’t mind selling more.
“What high-grade talismans do you have, Fellow Daoist Lu?”
Xia Long inquired.
Lu Changsheng listed some high-grade specialty talismans.
Xia Long then bought a Thunder Summoning Talisman and a Hundred Mile Escape Talisman.
Each talisman sold for fifty Spirit Stones, but Lu Changsheng gave a discount, taking ninety Spirit Stones.
His buyer was straightforward and didn’t bargain.
“Thanks, Fellow Daoist Lu.”
Xia Long put away the talismans, slightly bowing.
“You’re welcome, Fellow Daoist Xia.”
With ninety Spirit Stones earned, Lu Changsheng felt pleased.
After all, this was personal income.
Creating these talismans cost only four or five Spirit Stones each.
A twenty-fold profit—truly lucrative!
Xia Long then bade farewell.
“Exploring ruins is something I’ve never experienced.”
“However, it’s not necessary, as the rewards are high but so is the risk. A single mistake could cost my life.”
Lu Changsheng watched Xia Long’s departing figure, shook his head slightly, and entered his house.
He was curious about exploring ancient Cave Dwellings and secret realms, but had no desire to try.
With the system by his side, there’s no need to take risks like Xia Long.
All that’s needed is to live quietly, avoid fights, marry, take concubines, and have children to achieve the path to immortality.
Trying too hard or being overly ambitious would be less favorable.
Half a month later.
Xiaoqing gave birth.
This child also had no Spirit Root.
Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but sigh.
Earlier, Qu Zhenzhen and Lu Miaoyun’s firstborns had Sprit Roots.
He had great expectations for children born of his wives and concubines with Spirit Roots.
But now.
Three children from wives and concubines with Spirit Roots, all without Spirit Roots.
He couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed.
“Never mind, take it slow. It will come.”
“After all, this matter is only a ten to twenty percent chance.”
Lu Changsheng exhaled, comforting himself.
As two newborns arrived, Lu Changsheng contemplated another matter.
Child-rearing.
In Jiulong Market, raising children was manageable.
But as the children multiply, it becomes inconvenient.
For one, the courtyard is small, and space is limited.
There’s no place for kids to play as they grow.
When they get older, educational needs arise.
After some thought, Lu Changsheng planned to send the kids to Qingzhu Mountain when the Second Elder returns.
Qingzhu Mountain offers a great environment and lots of space, allowing siblings to grow and bond together.
Plus, in Jiulong Market, children above six incur a residing fee. It’s ridiculous.
“Perhaps cultivators dislike having many children due to the stress?”
“For cultivators, ages twenty to fifty are prime, robust years.”
“Having children during this time can be burdensome.”
“It’s not just raising them, but future decisions consider the children too.”
A thought struck Lu Changsheng.
If he didn’t have Qingzhu Mountain as a fallback.
Looking after so many wives and children in a cultivation market would be a massive burden.
He’d likely have to settle down in the mundane world.
At this moment, Lu Changsheng understood more about the ‘land’ in wealth, companions, cultivation, and land.
To build a family and a cultivation clan, one must own land.
Whether few houses in a place like Jiulong Market.
Or a spiritual haven like the Lu Family’s Qingzhu Mountain.
Time passed, more than a month went by.
Lu Changsheng’s routine remained unchanged.
Daily cultivation, talisman crafting, working, and occasionally shopping with his wives and maids.
As they were all pregnant, the outings benefit their wellbeing.
During this month, Lu Miaoyun and Qu Zhenzhen als conceived their second and third children.
These are under Lu Changsheng’s control.
Time’s enough for physical recovery post-birth for both women.
The only downside is that childbearing halted their cultivation progress.
Lu Changsheng intends to make up for this later.
One day.
Lu Changsheng went shopping with his wives and maids.
“Husband, I want to eat this.”
“Husband, this outfit suits Little Yun’r.”
“Sister Zhenzhen, does this dress look good on me?”
His wives chatted happily.
Time heals everything.
Now, Shao Yuyao had completely shed her lifelessness and was much more cheerful.
Xiao Yueru also improved over the months.
Seeing her slightly bulging belly, she would occasionally touch it, revealing a maternal smile.
“Sure, sure, buy, buy, buy.”
Lu Changsheng responded cheerfully to his wives and maids’ requests.
Avoid extravagant spending on tools or servants, and the monthly Spirit Stones saved are quite significant.
Xiao Yueru, standing beside, saw Lu Changsheng’s gentle smile and felt a mysterious allure.
In this world, the status of concubines and maids is extremely low.
For such maids from White Jade Tower, their fate often is to be used as tools for bearing children or tools for pleasure.
Yet, Lu Changsheng, while not treating them as equals, was very good to them.
Her life here was even better than in her previous family.
No worries about living; each meal included Spirit Rice and spirit cuisine, plus treats.
People cared for her, even simple words of concern moved her deeply.
After shopping, Lu Changsheng and the women went home.
On entering, they crossed paths with Yu Maocheng returning with his wife Yu Ningrong and a sixteen to seventeen-year-old pretty girl.
Yu Maocheng noticed Lu Changsheng being closely followed by Lu Miaoyun and Qu Zhenzhen.
Also surrounded by four maids, he was at a loss for words.
He couldn’t fathom how one could live like Lu Changsheng.
Both were sons-in-law of cultivation families.
Why was the difference so vast?
Lu Changsheng was a Talisman Master, and he was also a spirit chef.
He admitted envy!
Yet, Yu Maocheng smiled, greeting Lu Changsheng.
“Husband, how about marrying Qianqian to Lu Changsheng?”
As soon as they entered, Yu Maocheng heard a voice.
It was his wife Yu Ningrong speaking.
“You want to marry Qianqian to Lu Changsheng?”
Yu Maocheng was slightly puzzled and transmitted the question back.
Yun Qianqian was his wife’s best friend’s daughter.
Recently, both of the girl’s parents passed away, leaving her alone and entrusted to his wife’s care.
Only today had they brought Yun Qianqian to Jiulong Market to help at the shop.
Unexpectedly, his wife wished to marry Yun Qianqian to Lu Changsheng.
Considering Lu Changsheng’s many wives and maids, his wife’s intention to marry Yun Qianqian to him left Yu Maocheng speechless.
“Damn, you’re so envious!”
Yu Maocheng couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy.
“Indeed, Qianqian’s mild nature makes independence difficult. Working at our shop isn’t a permanent solution. She’ll eventually need a good match.”
“Though Lu Changsheng has many wives, from what I’ve gathered, he treats them well. Even as a second wife, it’s decent.”
Yu Ningrong suggested.
“You’re right. Having known Lu Changsheng so long, apart from his love for women and children, he’s exceptional otherwise.”
“A middle-grade Talisman Master, striking in appearance and character. Marrying Qianqian to him provides a good home.”
“With us knowing him, rest assured Qianqian will be well cared for.”
Yu Maocheng pondered this.
His own envy aside, he found Lu Changsheng trustworthy.
Yu Ningrong nodded in agreement.
Then she looked at the girl nearby and spoke: “Qianqian, what do you think of Master Lu?”
“Master Lu, across the street?”
“He looks exceptional—sharp and talented, yet a bit of a flirt.”
Yun Qianqian spoke while biting her lip.
“True, he’s flirtatious and sentimental.”
“Besides these wives and maids, his household has more wives and about ten maids.”
Yu Ningrong plainly said.
“Though indulgent, he is kind to his wives.”
“Your mother entrusted you to me, but you need a good match. If you wish, Aunt Ning will arrange this match with Master Lu.”
Yu Ningrong continued.
Yun Qianqian was momentarily taken aback.
Thinking of Lu Changsheng’s elegant demeanor and status as a Talisman Master made her shy and her cheeks flushed.
She lightly said, “Aunt Ning, you decide.”
Yu Ningrong smiled.
Saying that Master Lu is truly handsome, capturing her niece’s heart at once.
She patted Yun Qianqian’s hair and said, “Good, then it’s settled. I’ll talk to him later.”
The next day.
Lu Changsheng was at work at the Talisman Shop when he heard Zhang Shan say Yu Maocheng was looking for him.
He came downstairs curiously.
“Lu, do you want a wife?”
Yu Maocheng said directly upon seeing him.
“Hmm?”
Lu Changsheng was puzzled.
What?
I already have many wives, why ask if I want more?
Do I look like someone lacking wives?
Yu Maocheng explained Yun Qianqian’s situation.
“Haha, alright, bring her over.”
Lu Changsheng chuckled.
Taking wives and concubines now was no longer as simple.
He had criteria.
First, she must have a Spirit Root.
Next, her cultivation shouldn’t be too high.
Her character must be good.
No deep family backgrounds.
No entanglements with others.
Appearance, figure, obedience, and loneliness were bonuses.
Yu Maocheng’s introduction of Yun Qianqian perfectly matched his criteria.
She had an Eighth-Tier Spirit Root, second-level Qi Refining stage, gentle and wise.
No family background, orphan status.
Her closest person was Yu Ningrong.
Lu Changsheng saw Yun Qianqian yesterday.
Though not examined closely, her looks were acceptable.
Such a woman could be a concubine.
“You agreed so readily?”
Yu Maocheng was surprised at Lu Changsheng’s quick response.
“Why not?”
Lu Changsheng replied.
“Don’t you need to inform your wife?”
Yu Maocheng was perplexed.
“Yun’r understands and supports these decisions.”
Lu Changsheng assured.
“Damn, you’re enviable! It’s aggravating!”
Yu Maocheng left.
Saying he’d bring Yun Qianqian over later.
“Making friends certainly helps.”
After Yu Maocheng left, Lu Changsheng thought.
At dusk.
Lu Changsheng returned home.
Before he could bring up Yun Qianqian, Lu Miaoyun approached him.
Not only Yu Maocheng but Yu Ningrong also mentioned it to Lu Miaoyun.
Lu Miaoyun accepted Lu Changshng’s desire for more wives.
“Yun’r, marrying you is my greatest blessing!”
Lu Changsheng said.
As they prepared for dinner, Baihe informed him of Yu Maocheng and Yu Ningrong’s visit.
Lu Changsheng guessed it was about Yun Qianqian.
He went to greet them.
“Brother Yu, Sister Ning.”
He greeted them.
A girl stood behind them.
It was Yun Qianqian.
She seemed to have dressed up.
Her black hair styled elegantly, adorned with a butterfly hairpin.
Wearing a lake-blue dress.
Her figure wasn’t perfect but promising.
Clear almond eyes, slightly shy.
Sweet oval face, attractive and pleasing.
“Brother Yu, Sister Ning, haven’t eaten yet? Join us.”
Lu Miaoyun invited them.
She looked at the shy Yun Qianqian warmly, “This must be Qianqian?”
“Sister Lu.”
Yun Qianqian greeted.
She addressed Yu Maocheng and Yu Ningrong as uncle and aunt, but Lu Miaoyun deserved a differen title.
Since yesterday, everything was made clear and confirmed.
“Come in and have something to eat.”
Lu Miaoyun invited Yun Qianqia warmly.
Yu Maocheng felt surreal.
In the dining hall, Lu Changsheng was surrounded by many women, some pregnant.
They had heard about his many wives and maids.
But seeing them gathered, pregnant, was stunning.
Yet seeing them all happy and eating quality food was reassuring.
Yu Maocheng and Yu Ningrong joined them for a meal, finalizing Yun Qianqian’s becoming a concubine.
The process was simple.
They’d host a small banquet at Yushan Pavilion, inviting a few friends and neighbors.
Lu Miaoyun handled everything.
It was Lu Miaoyun’s suggestion to brig in a concubine.
Three days later, Yun Qianqian entered the household.
Her soft whimper marked her acceptance as a concubine.
That year, Lu Changsheng was twenty-four.
With five wives, nine concubines, two cherished courtesans, and fifteen maids.