Great Dao Lord through Deducing Myriad Arts

Chapter 201: Chapter 178: The Zhu Family Funeral

Step 1: Contextual Analysis

Literary genre: This appears to be a Chinese fantasy/cultivation web novel (xianxia/wuxia genre)

Language style: Conversational with formal narrative elements

Tone: Mix of lighthearted dialogue, serious moments, and some humor

Plot keywords: family inheritance, power dynamics, death scene, business relationships, character relationships

Characters:

- Wu Liangchen (male) - Main character, seems to hold significant power

- Yang Lian’Er (female) - Someone who is afraid of Wu Liangchen, described as beautiful

- Erya (female) - A young girl who is very obedient and trusting of Wu Liangchen

- Wu Mengchan (female) - Wu Liangchen’s sister

- Xie San (male) - A business associate, referred to as "Third Brother"

- Zhu Wan’Er (female) - A wealthy family’s daughter who has some business relationship with the main characters

- Zhu Zeyuan (male) - Zhu Wan’Er’s father who is dying

- Uncle Zhong (male) - Longtime servant of Zhu Zeyuan, also called Xiaozhongzi

- Yan Feng (male) - Appears to work for Xie San

Setting: Seems to be in Dinghai City, with locations like Flower Fragrance Courtyard, Flower Square, and Jufu Pavilion

Step 2: Integrated Translation and Polishing

Now I’ll translate the text while applying the polishing rules:

The Chapter shows Wu Liangchen interacting with Yang Lian’Er and Erya, followed by a meal with Xie San where they discuss the Zhu family’s situation. The scene then shifts to Zhu Wan’Er at her dying father’s bedside, with her father giving her final advice, including suggesting she seek help from Wu Liangchen if needed.

Let me begin the translation:

Looking at Yang Lian’Er’s roguish demeanor, Wu Liangchen couldn’t help but feel both amused and irritated. He suddenly reached out and pinched her cheek.

"What did you say? Want to repeat that?"

Yang Lian’Er’s cheek was pinched into the shape of a gold ingot, her mouth slightly open with drool nearly spilling out.

"Nothing, nothing! I was just complimenting Miss Erya on her good looks, that’s all." Because her mouth was distorted, Yang Lian’Er’s voice was somewhat muffled, but the ingratiating smile on her face was unmistakable.

"That’s better. Have you been practicing your techniques while I was away these past few days?" Wu Liangchen asked as he released her.

"Yes, of course I’ve been practicing!" Yang Lian’Er quickly backed away, rubbing her sore cheeks as she spoke.

"Good. Then get ready. I’ll be checking your progress later. If you haven’t made any improvement... well, you know what happens." Wu Liangchen smiled.

But that smile, in Yang Lian’Er’s eyes, couldn’t have been more terrifying.

"Oh my! I just remembered I have so many things to do. I need to go take care of them right away."

After saying this, Yang Lian’Er fled in panic.

Seeing this, Erya was somewhat surprised and quietly asked Wu Liangchen, "Brother Xiaowu, is Sister Lian that afraid of you?"

"Afraid?" Wu Liangchen shook his head with a smile. "She’s just feeling guilty!"

"Why would she feel guilty?" Erya didn’t understand.

"Because... well, you wouldn’t understand even if I told you. In short, no matter what she says, just treat her like a crazy woman and you’ll be fine." Wu Liangchen explained.

Though she didn’t understand why Wu Liangchen would call Yang Lian’Er a crazy woman, out of unconditional trust in Brother Xiaowu, Erya nodded in agreement.

"Mm-hmm!"

Looking at Erya’s obedient demeanor, Wu Liangchen couldn’t help but feel a bit of a headache.

This girl was simply too honest; she could easily be taken advantage of.

But this wasn’t something that could be changed overnight. Wu Liangchen ruffled Erya’s hair.

"Are you hungry? What would you like to eat?"

It was already late at night. They had been traveling all day and had rushed to enter the city, so they hadn’t eaten dinner at all.

"Anything is fine!"

Erya didn’t seem to mind; her attention had been completely captivated by all the sights she’d seen since entering the city.

Especially Yang Lian’Er—even though they were both women, Erya had felt dazzled upon seeing her.

No wonder she had been famous throughout Dinghai City in the past—she really was incredibly beautiful.

"Brother, why don’t I make some hot noodle soup?" Wu Mengchan suddenly asked.

"No need to go to all that trouble. I’ll just have the Flower Fragrance Courtyard send some food over."

Just as Wu Liangchen was about to leave, Xie San arrived with his people, bringing a table full of fine dishes.

As soon as he entered, Xie San smiled and said, "I guessed you hadn’t eaten yet, so I specially ordered a table full of dishes from the master chef at Jufu Pavilion. Consider it a welcome feast for Miss Erya and Old Master Bai."

This detail alone showed how considerate Xie San was.

Wu Liangchen smiled too. "Perfect timing, Third Brother. Sit down and have a few drinks with us?"

"See what this is?" Xie San pointed at the two wine jars Yan Feng was carrying.

"This is fine wine from Miss Zhu’s family collection. She gave me two jars before, and I’ve been saving them. Today, let’s open them and have a taste."

Miss Zhu referred to Zhu Wan’Er, who had plenty of wine stored at home because she ran a restaurant business.

In fact, throughout the Huangpu Guard, the Zhu family was quite famous for their wine collection.

Wu Liangchen was surprised when he heard this and then noticed something odd.

He realized he hadn’t seen Zhu Wan’Er at all today.

Previously, Zhu Wan’Er would frequently visit Flower Square, practically taking up residence at Jufu Pavilion.

But today, with such a major event happening at Flower Square, this Zhu Wan’Er hadn’t shown up at all. What was going on?

However, he soon dismissed this question from his mind.

Whether she came or not was her business, and Wu Liangchen couldn’t be bothered to worry about such trivial matters.

By now, the feast had been laid out, and everyone took their seats.

When they opened the wine jars, a rich aroma of alcohol permeated the air.

After pouring it into cups, they could see the wine had a slight yellow tint and a thick, almost syrupy consistency.

Taking a sip, the flavor lingered delightfully in the mouth, but once it went down, it felt like a burning coal in the stomach—clearly a potent brew.

"Excellent wine!" Wu Liangchen couldn’t help but praise it.

Xie San smiled contentedly. "Not bad, right? I’ll have Miss Zhu send you two jars later. But not now—her family is going through some trouble."

"What kind of trouble?" Wu Liangchen put down his cup and casually asked.

"That old Master Zhu who’s been ill in bed for so long has suddenly taken a turn for the worse. He’s on his deathbed, probably only has a day or two left," Xie San said.

So that’s why!

Wu Liangchen finally understood why he hadn’t seen Zhu Wan’Er today.

"I’ve already sent people to pay respects and told Miss Zhu that if she needs any help, our Flower Square will step in."

For a large family like the Zhu clan, the succession of power would certainly not be peaceful, especially since Zhu Wan’Er was a woman, which inherently made a smooth transition more difficult.

Wu Liangchen nodded. "You did the right thing, Third Brother. After all, she’s a shareholder in Jufu Pavilion. We should offer help when needed."

"But next time, Third Brother, you can just speak directly. No need to be so roundabout."

From the moment Xie San had brought up the two jars of wine from Zhu Wan’Er and deliberately mentioned her, Wu Liangchen knew something was up. His suspicion was later confirmed, which is why he said this.

Xie San laughed when he heard this. "Indeed, nothing gets past you, Xiaowu! I was just afraid you might be displeased!"

"Displeased? Why would I be displeased?" Wu Liangchen was surprised. freewebnovёl.ƈom

"Don’t you really dislike this Zhu Wan’Er? That’s why when you weren’t in Huangpu Guard, I took it upon myself to decide to back her up. Now that you’re back, I naturally had to tell you."

Wu Liangchen couldn’t help but laugh. "Who says I really dislike Zhu Wan’Er?"

"Everyone in Flower Square knows it! Don’t believe me? Ask Mengchan and Lian’Er!"

Both Wu Mengchan and Yang Lian’Er nodded.

Especially Yang Lian’Er, who said, "That Zhu Wan’Er doesn’t even dare sit down when she sees you, and you say you don’t dislike her?"

"I just don’t like getting too close to these wealthy family daughters, that’s all. As for disliking her... I really don’t."

Wu Liangchen indeed didn’t like Zhu Wan’Er, but he didn’t dislike her either.

After all, for the sake of her family’s development and her own position, she had been open and frank with him about wanting to use his influence. Just this honesty alone put her above most people.

"That’s good! Come, let’s drink!" Xie San raised his cup with a smile.

While they were drinking and making merry in the small courtyard, Zhu Wan’Er was sitting in her father’s bedroom, looking at the old Master Zhu on the bed. He had become so emaciated that, if not for the slight rise and fall of his chest, he would be indistinguishable from a corpse. Her expression was somewhat dazed.

Actually, a long time ago, she had mentally prepared herself, knowing this day would eventually come.

But now that the day had actually arrived, Zhu Wan’Er suddenly found that all her previous mental preparation was completely useless.

Panic and fear grew like wild grass in her heart, making her entire body tremble constantly.

There were many others in the room, including the various concubines this old Master Zhu had taken, who were now all present with their children.

Outside, those uncles and cousins from branch families were whispering among themselves.

These sounds buzzed in Zhu Wan’Er’s ears, making her extremely irritated.

She wanted to drive everyone away and stay alone with her father for a while.

But in the end, she restrained herself.

Suddenly.

Zhu Zeyuan, who was on his deathbed, unexpectedly opened his eyes. His previously colorless face suddenly became flushed.

"Wan’Er!" he called out softly.

There was a commotion in the room. Zhu Wan’Er immediately came to the bedside, then knelt down, holding her father’s bony hand as she said softly:

"Father, I’m here!"

At this moment, Zhu Zeyuan was already extremely weak, but he still managed to lift his hand with difficulty and gently stroked Zhu Wan’Er’s cheek, then sighed.

"Father has failed you. From now on, you’ll have to walk this path alone."

Although she had repeatedly told herself not to cry, after hearing her father’s apologetic words, she finally broke down. Tears burst forth, wetting his skeletal hand.

"Don’t worry, Father, I’ll take good care of myself," Zhu Wan’Er said softly.

"Good, I know you’ll manage! But now Father suddenly feels that if it becomes too much for you, you could also just withdraw from this struggle. You could marry a good man, support him and raise children, live an ordinary life. That wouldn’t be bad either."

"It’s all right, Father. I’m not tired. I can’t let your life’s work go to waste," Zhu Wan’Er said, choking back sobs.

"Silly child, what life’s work? At this point, none of that matters anymore. Father just wants you to be happy."

As he spoke, Zhu Zeyuan painfully turned his head toward Uncle Zhong, who was also kneeling by the bed with tears streaming down his face.

"Xiaozhongzi, take good care of Wan’Er in the future. Don’t let her life be too hard."

This Uncle Zhong, who had served Zhu Zeyuan for most of his life, could hardly speak, and could only nod vigorously to show he understood.

"Wan’Er, come closer," Zhu Zeyuan said again.

Zhu Wan’Er leaned forward, and Zhu Zeyuan whispered in her ear, his voice barely audible:

"If things become impossible, you can seek help from Wu Liangchen. Though this man cannot be moved by ordinary means, as long as you sincerely ask for help and offer a sufficient price, he will be more reliable than most people in this world."

Zhu Wan’Er nodded through her tears. "I understand, Father. Please rest now."

Zhu Zeyuan smiled, then looked up at the ceiling, using his last strength to proclaim loudly: "What a pity that I, Zhu Zeyuan, have lived a heroic life, only to be defeated by fate in the end!"

With these words, his eyes remained wide open as he passed away.

"Father!"

Zhu Wan’Er collapsed in tears. The concubines in the room hurriedly led their children to kneel and pay respects, some wailing with genuine or feigned grief.