When Chen Ye finished nurturing the Flying Sword, the mist outside had already taken on the colors of dusk.
He opened his eyes, gently sliding his fingertips across the spine of the Jade Treasure Sword, growing increasingly satisfied.
"Zhiwei hasn’t returned yet?"
Soon, his thoughts returned to reality, surprised to discover that Zhiwei had not returned home.
This was unlike her.
Even if she was completing a master’s task, Zhiwei would not act impulsively for merit; she was always a calm child.
Unless...
Found Sister Qingzhu?
"Master—"
Chen Ye waited another two-hour period before finally seeing Zhiwei return from outside.
Her ink-black hair was dampened by the mist, and she held a bulging oil paper package in her arms, but her eyes were erratic.
This girl has something on her mind?
Chen Ye took the oil paper package from her arms, then gently smoothed Zhiwei’s slightly damp bangs, softly asked, "You’ve returned? Look at you, your hair is all wet. Did you see Aunt Mao?"
Zhiwei lowered her head, staring at her toes as she nodded softly, saying in a small voice, "I saw her. Aunt Mao... kept Zhiwei to talk for quite a while."
"Oh? What did you talk about?"
Chen Ye asked casually, opening the oil paper package to reveal a few pieces of exquisite pastries, still steaming.
"Nothing much..."
Zhiwei’s voice grew even softer, her small hands unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes,
"Just asking about Master and Qing Jun... and, this is Aunt Mao’s specially made snack for Master."
She quickly glanced at Chen Ye, gauging her master’s expression. Seeing him smile, her delicate nose wrinkled slightly.
Chen Ye picked up a piece of pastry and tasted it; it was indeed quite good.
He observed his disciple’s earnest reporting, tinged with a bit of awkwardness, finding it both endearing and amusing.
How could Master not know the little thoughts of his disciple?
He placed the pastry back and chuckled, "Hmm, the taste is quite good. Zhiwei took it along the way, using Spiritual Power to keep it warm, fearing it would get cold; she put in effort."
Zhiwei should have been happy to be praised by her master, but somehow, the awkwardness she felt became more apparent.
Being praised by Master was something that made her very happy.
But, Master praised her because of someone else...
She pursed her lips slightly, her head drooping down, mumbling in a muffled voice:
"Aunt Mao is really good to Master."
Her voice was very light, as if casually remarked, but her lowered eyes and the slightly pouting lips did not appear to be said casually.
She knew that as long as Master is fond of it, it’s good... yet... yet her heart still felt a hint of blockage.
The mischievous Master couldn’t help teasing his disciple: "Why? Does Zhiwei feel Aunt Mao is too kind to Master, making you uncomfortable?"
"Certainly not!"
Zhiwei, like a kitten whose tail had been stepped on, suddenly lifted her head to rebut, her face flushing red,
"Disciple... Disciple just feels that Aunt Mao is alone in the bamboo forest cultivating, still thinking of Master, very... very difficult."
She hastily found an excuse, but her gaze dared not meet Chen Ye’s, her head lowering again with guilt.
"Alright, alright, Master knows Zhiwei is the most sensible."
Seeing the moment was right, Chen Ye withdrew his teasing, reaching out to ruffle her soft hair,
"Since you met Aunt Mao, did she say anything? Like... how is her situation?"
Bringing up serious matters, Zhiwei’s expression became more earnest.
She raised her head, a hint of worry flashing in her dark eyes:
"Aunt Mao seems fine, but Sister Xiaoli said that although the Family Head does not treat Aunt Mao harshly, there’s a restriction forbidding her from freely leaving the bamboo grove. Aunt Mao... seems unaware that Master has returned to the sect, and even more unaware of Master’s Foundation Establishment."
So this is it...
Chen Ye deduced that during his entry into the Grotto Heaven, in order to prevent Mao Qingzhu from continuing to help Lisong Valley, Mao Cheng forbade anyone from passing messages to her.
However, theoretically, after he and Qing Jun entered the valley, Mao Cheng should have closely monitored Sister Qingzhu’s maid to prevent them from contact, why did Zhiwei happen to meet her?
Chen Ye suspected Mao Cheng has intentionally loosened the restrictions, allowing mother and daughter to meet, simply lacking the face to admit it.
Otherwise, how could someone in charge of a family and a Foundation Establishment Cultivator make such a rudimentary mistake?
After estimating Mao Cheng’s attitude, Chen Ye felt relieved, inwardly noting:
"Hmm hmm, Qing Jun really should meet Mao Qingzhu to enhance their connection. But before that, Master should first check on things to understand the situation. Hmm... as a Master, for the sake of the disciple’s future, sometimes one should humbly accept Sister Qingzhu’s guidance."
With this thought, he handed the pastries to Zhiwei:
"So she’s restricted... yet she still thinks of us. Zhiwei worked hard; quickly rest inside, the mist outside is thick, be careful not to catch a cold. Later, taste your Aunt Mao’s craftsmanship."
"Hmm..."
At this moment, where did she have the mind to eat Aunt Mao’s pastries?
The girl with ink-black hair received it dejectedly, her gaze suddenly shifting.
Ah... this is...
The pastry Master just took a bite of...
Master even specifically used First-Layer Spiritual Power to isolate it from touching the rest, lest it affect his own appetite.
But left there, regardless of touch or not, just seeing it would greatly affect her appetite!
...
The next day.
Chen Ye found a pretext to hand Zhiwei a jade pendant inscribed with simple runes:
"Take this. If you meet Aunt Mao again, pass it to her for me. Consider it... a token."
He didn’t explicitly state the jade pendant’s purpose, but Zhiwei, smart as she was, naturally understood it was for Master to secretly communicate with Aunt Mao.
Moreover,
Before coming to Divine Mist Valley, Master specially asked Mao Cheng for the authority to communicate within the Grand Array, giving Master leverage to maneuver.