"We, as an old couple, scrimp and save, splitting each Spirit Stone in half. We just hope you can make a name for yourself and bring glory to the family. We pulled a lot of strings to get you the leisurely assignment of a Street-Stationed Disciple, which requires no hard guard duty and poses no danger... How can you be so unappreciative and not put more heart into your cultivation?"
Li Qiuyun lowered her head, voice choking: "Father, Mother, your daughter understands... Qiuyun is unfilial."
But she was equally reluctant to spend the Spirit Stones...
Back then, for the competition, she could barely bear to buy that First Tier Middle Grade Magic Sword from Chen Ye to add to her battle power.
At this moment, she suddenly missed the days beside Chen Ye, at least there, she didn’t face so much pressure and criticism...
Li Yanfeng’s anger eased slightly but he furrowed his brows, scrutinizing his daughter:
"I’ve heard that Steward Chen is an old man? You must be careful not to be taken advantage of by him! Otherwise, it will affect your future prospects. You should at least marry an Inner Sect Disciple in the future... I think Zhao Qing is not bad."
Zhao Qing happens to be one of the outstanding disciples in this Outer Sect competition, that effeminate man.
Li Qiuyun felt her cheeks flush with the mention of Chen Ye and her previous thoughts, hurriedly explaining: "Father, don’t misjudge! Steward Chen... Steward Chen has two young daughters under him. He treats me as if I were a niece, with no ulterior motives."
"Oh?"
Li Yanfeng then nodded.
His daughter’s vague explanation made him think Chen Ye was already settled with a family, and the two daughters were Chen Ye’s own.
Madam Li, seeing her husband’s face improving, quickly stepped forward and clasped her daughter’s hand:
"Hurry home... You, child, have never been away for half a year. In a few days, I’ll take you back to our old home by Moon Rhinoceros Lake to see the elders."
...
As night fell, Luoli Courtyard was serene and peaceful.
The shadows of several pear trees speckled under the moonlight, the pond’s surface like a mirror, reflecting a bright full moon, occasionally rippled by a gentle breeze.
Under the pear trees, beside the stone table.
The small figures of two girls huddled together, playing chess in the moonlight.
The girls’ light laughter or frustrated mutters added a touch of liveliness to the night.
In the kitchen, some exquisite pastries were already prepared.
Chen Ye took off his apron, watching his two apprentices in the courtyard, secretly contemplating:
"Living so peacefully like this doesn’t seem bad either?"
He quietly watched the two girls and suddenly sighed.
Yet, this Cultivation Realm is destined not to be tranquil.
At the moment, it’s merely the calm after the storm.
Not mentioning the dark era five hundred years hence,
Even within these five hundred years, the Cultivation Realm will gradually become chaotic.
For instance, Lingyin Sect,
With the Demon Sect of the Qi Kingdom eyeing covetously from afar, and the Ten Thousand Puppet Sect confronting Lingyin Sect closely.
After watching for a while, Chen Ye finally carried the tray of pastries, placing each exquisite piece onto the stone table, softly saying: "Alright, you little girls, come over and try your master’s new pastries once you’ve had enough fun. In the days ahead, your master will be busy, won’t have much time to play with you."
Qing Jun was already unable to hold back upon smelling the fragrance.
She sniffed her small nose, her bright eyes darting among the various pastries, curiously asking: "Master, where’s sister Qiuyun? Haven’t seen her all day, isn’t she coming for pastries?"
"Sister Qiuyun... She’s gone home for some matters." Chen Ye replied casually.
Just as he finished speaking, there was a gentle knock at the courtyard door.
"Uncle Chen, are you there?" It was Li Qiuyun’s voice.
Chen Ye was a bit surprised, getting up to open the door.
He saw Li Qiuyun standing prettily at the door, her expression carrying a hint of melancholy, yet she still tried to muster a smile upon seeing Chen Ye: "I... I told my parents I was going out to cultivate."
She paused momentarily, then added,
"Within Lingyin Sect, there’s a cultivation room specifically with a Spirit Gathering Array, but... it requires Contribution Points."
Seeing her slightly nervous demeanor, Chen Ye understood.
To ease her tension, he deliberately teased: "Oh, dear niece, are you missing Qing Jun and Zhiwei so much?"
"Uncle Chen! No niece nonsense..."
Li Qiuyun, teased to the point her pretty face blushed slightly, lightly stomped her foot, biting her lip in face, her manner losing some of the usual bravery, and gaining a bit of girlish charm.
The two little girls were very happy to see Li Qiuyun arrive and quickly pulled her to join them in seating.
After all, they were still young and loved lively gatherings.
Even Zhiwei was no exception.
Despite Zhiwei’s usually calm and cool demeanor, if Chen Ye ignored her for an entire day, the big girl would still find ways to casually talk to him.
"Uncle Chen... I’m not here to eat, just to check on the two girls... hmm?"
Li Qiuyun hadn’t even finished her excuse when the enticing aroma of the snacks immediately awakened her appetite.
"Sister Qiuyun, try some! Master is an excellent cook!"
Qing Jun was the most enthusiastic. She had long noticed the fatigue between Li Qiuyun’s brows, and now she grabbed the largest, prettiest lotus-shaped Spirit Fruit Cake and placed it into Li Qiuyun’s slightly cool hand with a proud smile on her small face.
The little girl seemed to feel an honor in doing so.
The warm touch transmitted from her fingertips, combined with the increasingly rich and sweet aroma, made Li Qiuyun’s perceived fullness from previous irritation instantly replaced by intense hunger.
She looked into Qing Jun’s bright, expectant phoenix eyes and also glanced at Zhiwei, who was silently observing her, along with the smiling and silent Chen Ye, making her cheeks heat up slightly.
"Well... then I’ll just try a small piece." Li Qiuyun said quietly, feeling a bit embarrassed, but unable to resist the temptation of the food, or perhaps unwilling to reject the children’s kindness.
She took a small bite of the Spirit Fruit Cake, finding that the pastry melted in her mouth, the filling sweet but not cloying, and the refreshing fragrance of the spirit fruit burst on her taste buds, bringing an indescribable satisfaction.
The worries from being scolded by her parents during the day dissipated somewhat in the sweetness!
"Mmm... It’s delicious!"
The previously dim eyes of Li Qiuyun suddenly lit up, and she couldn’t help but take a big bite, savoring it carefully,
"Is this... Uncle Chen’s cooking?"
The young female cultivator, known for her elegance, was devouring the food with abandon, unlike any fairy-like demeanor at this moment.
She actually resembled Qing Jun in her way of eating.
Seeing this, Qing Jun was even happier and handed her another piece of osmanthus cake: "Sister Qiuyun, this is also good! Master said it’s called ’Moonlit Osmanthus Shadow,’ isn’t that a lovely name?"
"Mm!" Li Qiuyun hadn’t even finished her last bite and continued being fed by Qing Jun.
A mere ordinary spirit fruit could taste this good.
Li Qiuyun didn’t dare to imagine how delicious the food would be if Chen Ye used higher-grade ingredients!
After finishing the snacks, the night grew deeper.
The surroundings were so quiet that only the chirping of insects and the rustling of leaves in the wind could be heard.
Chen Ye looked at the three girls’ expressions of wanting more and cleared his throat, lowering his voice: "The moon is perfect tonight; why not... let Master tell you some stories?"
"Master can tell stories too? Master... you’re amazing, you can make games and tell stories!" Qing Jun exclaimed, her eyes instantly lighting up.
Chen Ye quickly clarified: "Ahem, these... these are all things Master picked up from his hometown."
Li Qiuyun listened, her eyes softening with a smile: "Uncle Chen, don’t be so modest. Your hometown is in Yunxi District... I’ve been in Yunxi District for many years and haven’t seen anything so novel."
Since Kong Hongxuan was killed and Ping Zhuo died, she had investigated Chen Ye with the sect steward. His hometown was indeed in Chengping County next to Yunxi District.
Chen Ye paused; this was hard to explain and not worth clarifying further.
Forget it,
there were so many predecessors copying texts; adding him wouldn’t make much difference.
Chen Ye cleared his throat and started narrating leisurely: "There was a scholar named Ning Caichen, who stayed overnight at Lanruo Temple while on his way to take exams..."
Listening quietly,
the little girl became wary: "Master... this story sounds scary!"
But before she finished speaking, the big girl gently tugged at her: "Shh, don’t disturb Master."
"Mmm..."
Qing Jun nervously glanced at the shadows cast by the pear trees in the moonlight, fearing that a ghostly figure might suddenly emerge from behind.
Unlike the scared little girl, Zhiwei and Li Qiuyun were listening intently and with great interest.
This kind of tale about ghosts, demons, and love unexpectedly suited their tastes!
The night wind blew, and the shadows of the pear trees danced.
The night at Luoli Courtyard passed quietly with the man’s deep voice.