"Is... is it Sister Zhiwei?!"
Zhiwei froze, staring at the lively stranger before her, puzzled as to why this girl knew her.
The girl, however, immediately put down her bamboo basket, took Zhiwei’s hand, and smiled brightly:
"It’s really you! Sister Zhiwei, I am Xiaoli! Last time, when I was with Miss at Yunxi District, I saw you with your master. How did you end up here alone? This place is quite secluded; come with me, Miss will be so glad to see you!"
Xiaoli?
Aunt Mao’s maid?
Zhiwei remembered that back in Yunxi District, there were indeed a few maids behind Aunt Mao.
And since Divine Mist Valley is quite small, bumping into Aunt Mao’s maid here makes sense.
"Well... Sister Xiaoli, I just went out for a walk and unconsciously wandered here," Zhiwei whispered.
"Oh dear, the mist in this valley can lead you astray. Come, come, follow me."
Xiaoli, without giving her a chance to refuse, grabbed Zhiwei’s hand and led her back while chatting away,
"Miss has been in seclusion lately, with no one to talk to; it’s been driving me crazy. You’re here just in time, you can keep her company..."
This was precisely what Zhiwei wanted.
She followed Xiaoli to a lush bamboo grove deep in the valley.
Hidden beneath the bamboo canopy, a delicate wooden cottage quietly stood.
"Looks like Aunt Mao is supposedly confined, but the Mao Family hasn’t really made things hard for her... yet surely hasn’t told her news from outside."
Zhiwei understood, after all, they are family.
"Miss! Miss, guess who’s here!" Xiaoli excitedly shouted before entering the house.
A woman, graceful and stunning, emerges from the house dressed in green.
Upon seeing Zhiwei, her expression immediately froze.
Zhiwei?
Zhiwei, how could she appear in Divine Mist Valley?
"Zhiwei!"
After long absence, Mao Qingzhu rushed forward, pulling Zhiwei into a warm embrace,
"It’s truly you! How has Lisong Valley been these six months? How is Qing Jun? And... your master?"
Zhiwei was held so tight she could hardly breathe.
Uh...
Aunt Mao is too strong, almost suffocating her!
Feeling a bit uncomfortable, Zhiwei softly replied, "Aunt, we’re all doing well. Master... Master is here too. Qing Jun is currently cultivating in Heart Slaughter Cave."
Mao Qingzhu released her, placing her hands on Zhiwei’s shoulders to inspect her closely.
After a while, she sighed softly, "Your master was forced into Songyang Cave Heaven back then, is he well now?"
"Master is well; he has established his foundation and is now a Guardian of the Lingyin Sect," Zhiwei truthfully answered.
"Foundation established..."
Mao Qingzhu murmured, repeating, not expecting that the once downcast loose cultivator would now be a revered Foundation Establishment Cultivator!
"Wonderful... I always knew he was no ordinary!"
Xiaoli had already charmingly led them to sit under the eaves on bamboo chairs and prepared hot tea.
Mao Qingzhu held Zhiwei’s hand, pouring her a cup of fragrant flower tea, naturally and affectionately, as if treating her own daughter.
"Drink some hot tea to warm up; the valley is quite damp."
She handed the teacup to Zhiwei and couldn’t resist tidying the moisture-dampened strands of Zhiwei’s hair away from her forehead.
Holding the warm teacup, Zhiwei’s emotions were stirred.
Aunt Mao is really so kind to her.
Just like a mother to her daughter...
This thought made her feel uncomfortable throughout.
The dark-haired little girl, holding the cup, took an awkward sip:
"Qing Jun was taken to the Inner Valley by the family elders to prepare for Heart Slaughter Cave’s trial. She... is doing well, just misses Aunt a bit."
Of course, that was nonsense.
Qing Jun hardly misses Mao Qingzhu.
It’s not because her relationship with Mao Qingzhu is bad, but because the only person Qing Jun might truly miss is probably their master.
Even Zhiwei, her senior sister, fell short slightly.
"This little girl..."
Mao Qingzhu’s eyes softened even more, gently holding Zhiwei’s hand,
"Zhiwei, Aunt misses you too. Here... although tranquil, is quite solitary."
Zhiwei looked at her slightly pale complexion, unable to refrain from asking, "Aunt, are you... doing well here? The Family Head, he..."
Mao Qingzhu shook her head, forcing a smile, "I’m fine, just meditating here. Father... it’s also for my own good."
She didn’t wish to discuss her own situation, rather more concerned about Zhiwei, "But you, so young, traveling with your master, you must have suffered a lot. Here, let Aunt take a good look."
She inspected Zhiwei closely, her gaze tender enough to melt.
Asking questions, concerned about her cultivation, her daily life, her meticulous care made Zhiwei increasingly uneasy.
Why... be so gentle?
She didn’t resent Mao Qingzhu’s care, but thinking of her master, she felt as if everything turned different.