Elder Jin San was displeased with Jin Yi's insults towards Madam Jin. "Regardless, she is the matriarch of the Jin family, and your sister-in-law. You should show her respect."
"It's truly the Jin family's misfortune to have such a matriarch!" Jin Yi scoffed, patting Xiao Man's shoulder. "Lan Xiao, now that you've joined the Jin family, stay by Third Uncle's side. Don't wander around aimlessly. The Jin family has a man-eating tigress."
"Jin Yi!"
Jin Yi ignored Elder Jin San's reprimand. "If I hadn't been stuck at the third rank and unable to advance, I wouldn't have sent you to learn by his side. Since you're here, learn well."
"Thank you, Senior."
"Third Uncle, the person is yours now. Please keep a close eye on him." After speaking, Jin Yi turned and went into the house, not emerging again.
Elder Jin San sighed. He had come personally this time intending to bring Jin Yi back, but seeing Jin Yi's attitude, he understood that Jin Yi likely would not return to the Jin family.
"Let's go."
Xiao Man followed obediently, asking nothing about the Jin family's affairs.
Seeing that Xiao Man asked nothing, Elder Jin San worried that the Jin family's messy affairs might make her want to leave. At such a young age, she was already a fourth-rank alchemist. If nurtured properly, she would undoubtedly have a boundless future.
"There's no need to worry. Jin Yi has some disagreements with the family. Family members don't hold grudges overnight. When his anger subsides, he'll naturally return," Elder Jin San said slowly. "After you're by my side, don't worry too much. Just focus on your own tasks."
"Yes, Third Elder."
"Also, there are two people in the Jin family whom you should try not to offend," Elder Jin San advised Xiao Man. "The current Madam of the Jin family, and the Second Young Master."
"Second Young Master?" Xiao Man asked with some confusion. "How many young masters does the Jin family have?"
"The Jin family has many young masters, but only two direct descendants. However, only one remains now, and that is the Second Young Master."
"I have noted it, Junior."
"You are much more compliant than Jin Yi. That boy is too blunt and dislikes the Madam's methods, which is why he left home," Elder Jin San said, afraid Xiao Man would have a bad impression of the Jin family and be unwilling to serve them. "Rest assured, you can stay by my side, and I will teach you diligently."
"Yes, Third Elder."
Seeing Xiao Man's obedience, the Third Elder breathed a sigh of relief and stopped speaking. The carriage drove into the Jin manor, and the guards quickly came forward to lead the horses.
"Master, you're back! Did you manage to invite Fourth Master back?"
Elder Jin San sighed, "That scoundrel refused to come back."
The young attendant sighed upon hearing this. "It seems Fourth Master is truly enraged... Master, and this is...?"
"She is an alchemist recommended by Jin Yi, to assist me. Her name is Lan Xiao."
"Lan Xiao, is it?" The young attendant circled Xiao Man. "What rank are you?"
"Fourth-rank."
"Fourth-rank!" The young attendant looked at Elder Jin San in disbelief. "Master, she's a fourth-rank alchemist?"
"Yes, don't you see the alchemist badge on her arm?" Elder Jin San said languidly. "She's yours now. Arrange living quarters for her, and take her around to familiarize her with the surroundings – where she can go and where she cannot. Tomorrow, she will formally begin her studies in the Alchemy Hall."
"Yes, Master."
Elder Jin San headed towards the main house. The young attendant immediately turned his curiosity to Xiao Man. "My name is Jin Xu. You're Lan Xiao, right? I joined before you, so you have to call me Senior Brother."
"Senior Brother."
Jin Xu was slightly taken aback. He was young, only fourteen. He had only intended to tease Xiao Man, but Xiao Man, so obediently, called him Senior Brother. A moment later, he beamed with joy.
"I have a junior brother! I finally have a junior brother!" Jin Xu exclaimed happily. "Junior Brother, come, I'll show you to your room. Senior Brother will help you pick a good one."
"Thank you, Senior Brother."
"After you see your room, I'll take you around." Jin Xu was full of enthusiasm, completely won over by Xiao Man calling him Senior Brother, and was more than willing to serve her.
Jin Xu was indeed enthusiastic. He helped Xiao Man pick an excellent room and then took her around for a stroll.
"That's the main courtyard, where the Patriarch and Madam live. Normally, unless the Patriarch summons you, do not enter the main courtyard," Jin Xu whispered. "The Madam is not someone to be trifled with. Fortunately, you are a man. If you were a woman, and beautiful at that, entering the main courtyard would surely lead to a terrible end."
Xiao Man raised an eyebrow. "Is the Patriarch afraid of his wife?"
"Hush." Jin Xu quickly stopped Xiao Man. "Our current Madam's background is not simple. It's not surprising the Patriarch gives her some leeway."
"What is the Madam's background?" Xiao Man asked curiously.
"Our Madam comes from the Heavenly Sword Sect. She is the junior sister of the Heavenly Sword Sect Master."
Xiao Man understood. No wonder she was so overbearing. It turned out she had the backing of that Nascent Soul stage expert from the Heavenly Sword Sect. The road to returning to the peak would likely be more arduous than imagined.
"To the west is the Second Young Master's courtyard. Try to avoid that area," Jin Xu pointed out Jin Yao's courtyard to Xiao Man. "Our Second Young Master here has a very bad temper. Furthermore, he was recently punished by the Patriarch and confined to his courtyard to reflect. Even his attendants have suffered."
Just then, a middle-aged governess entered Jin Yao's courtyard with four very attractive women.
Jin Xu spat. "Lecher. He's far inferior to the Eldest... far inferior to someone."
"These are..."
"The Madam dotes on the Second Young Master the most. He was punished and then forbidden to leave his courtyard. The Madam is afraid he would be lonely recovering alone, so she chose maids to serve him."
Xiao Man immediately understood. This Madam Jin truly spoiled her son. However, Jin Yao shouldn't be very old, and his mother was sending four maids at once. She wasn't afraid of exhausting her son's vitality.
"What a pity, what a pity."
"Why a pity?"
Jin Xu cast a deep glance at Jin Yao's courtyard, then pulled Xiao Man away. "Junior Brother, this is the Martial Arts Hall. Family disciples spar here regularly."
"Senior Brother, you still haven't told me why it's a pity."
"It's better if you don't ask about the sordid affairs within. I'll take you to see other places. You just need to remember not to approach those two courtyards."
"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother."
"Next to the Martial Arts Hall is the Forge. Our Jin family has specialized blacksmiths who forge all sorts of weapons for us. The Jin family's wealth comes from the income generated by weapons." Jin Xu led Xiao Man into the Forge. As they reached the entrance, a wave of heat washed over them. Dozens of furnaces were burning inside, and countless blacksmiths were furiously forging weapons.
"These blacksmiths are all masters we've recruited from various places," Jin Xu said proudly. "The most formidable among them is Elder Tie. The weapons he crafts are both exquisite and powerful, highly sought after by outsiders."