Fortunately.
Chen Ye was an expert on little girls, and besides, little girls were the easiest creatures in the world to coax.
He pinched his disciple’s nose and said softly:
"Qing Jun, listen carefully to your master. In this world, it’s easy to add flowers to brocade, but hard to send charcoal in the snow."
"Aunt Mao is indeed rich and can give us lots of things. But in your master’s heart, all those dead objects added together aren’t worth even one of your fingers."
Qing Jun looked suspiciously at her master.
How could she believe that!
In the past, her master would accompany her all day long, but now this master could only spare time once in a very, very long while.
Didn’t that mean those wicked women had "bought" her master’s time with Spirit Stones!
Chen Ye recalled the old days and smiled:
"Back when we were in Yunxi District, when your master had fallen on hard times, only you and Zhiwei stayed by my side. Your master still remembers how Qing Jun tried every day to make tasty food for me."
Qing Jun pouted.
Looks like her master still had a conscience after all! He still remembered how she took care of him!
But, a man’s mouth is full of lies...
Qing Jun still felt a bit uneasy and muttered in a small voice:
"Then... then if another even richer bad woman comes along later, and gives Master a whole mountain of gold, will Master sell Qing Jun?"
"Sell you? Who could afford that?"
Chen Ye couldn’t help laughing. He pinched her soft, fair cheek, his tone serious,
"Our Qing Jun is the one and only Little Dragon Girl in this world, the flesh of your master’s heart. Forget a mountain of gold—even if they offered the entire Lingxu Realm in exchange, your master wouldn’t trade you away."
"Really?"
Qing Jun’s eyes lit up, and even her little tail seemed like it was about to curl up in delight.
Sure enough, in her master’s heart, the most important one was still herself!
"Really." Chen Ye nodded with certainty.
"Then..."
The little girl sniffled, her eyes rolling round and round as they spun with ideas,
"Since Master likes Qing Jun the most and won’t be snatched away by bad women... then for Aunt Mao to come to our Baopu Peak as an Instructor, she must have to rely on Master, right? After all, Master is the old Instructor!"
Chen Ye raised an eyebrow, looking at this little girl whose expression changed in an instant, laughing silently in his heart.
This girl—once she’s sure her position is secure, her brain turns faster than anyone’s.
"More or less." Chen Ye followed along with her words.
"Humph!"
Qing Jun immediately puffed out her little chest and analyzed confidently,
"Then doesn’t she have to fawn over Master and also, while she’s at it, fawn a bit over Master’s most beloved disciple?"
"She’s new here, and I’m the local tyrant of Baopu Peak! If she wants to get along here, she’ll definitely have to pay tribute to this veteran! That’s called... called that..."
She scratched her head, finally recalling a term she’d seen in mortal storybooks before:
"Paying respects to the mountain boss! Yes, paying respects to the mountain boss!"
Chen Ye: "..."
Good grief.
Little girl, do you have any idea who Mao Qingzhu actually is?
She’s your mother!
Chen Ye sighed and cooperated with a nod:
"There’s some logic in that. But she’s still a senior after all. Since we’ll be eating her food and drinking her tea, we should at least sweeten our tongues a bit. Don’t forget Aunt Mao’s status..."
"I know, I know!"
Qing Jun hopped off Chen Ye’s lap and walked over to the stone table with the strut of someone who recognized no kin.
She reached out her little hand and grabbed the duck that had been neglected for quite some time.
Though it was already a bit cold, Qing Jun wasn’t the least bit picky.
"Humph! Since it’s a tribute, this Guardian will reluctantly accept it!"
With that said—
She tore off a big duck leg and took a ferocious bite.
"Mm! So fragrant!"
With her mouth full of grease, the little girl looked nothing like the staunch, unyielding figure from just moments before.
Chen Ye watched this scene and shook his head helplessly.
This girl—as long as she confirms her place in her master’s heart hasn’t changed, things like dignity... are clearly external objects she can discard at any time.
"Master, Master!"
Qing Jun gnawed on the duck leg while raising her other little oil-slicked hand, shoving the remaining half duck toward Chen Ye,
"This is for Master! Let’s splurge together!"
"Aunt Mao’s so rich—from now on we’ll just eat her stuff, and save Master’s Spirit Stones for Qing Jun’s dowry!"
"? You girl, thinking that far ahead at such a young age?"
"Qing Jun calls this planning ahead!"
Qing Jun glanced at her master and said proudly,
"Only what you’ve got firmly in your own hands really belongs to you. Otherwise it’s way too out of your control! Master, don’t you think what Qing Jun said makes a lot of sense?"
There it was.
No matter what he said, Qing Jun always felt she was the one making the most sense.
Chen Ye could only go along with her: "Yes, yes, yes..."
...
Deep in the still of night.
Chen Ye slipped quietly out of the courtyard.
He walked slowly along the small path of Baopu Peak by moonlight.
Baopu Peak was quite large.
Aside from the main peak, there were many slightly lower side peaks around it, with all kinds of courtyards and Cave Mansions built upon them.
"Moon-Gazing Pavilion? Sister Qingzhu does seem to have a special liking for bamboo..."
Chen Ye had received Mao Qingzhu’s message and understood.
This courtyard wasn’t far from Cangli Courtyard,
the surroundings tranquil, the area planted full of Spirit Bamboo—indeed, it suited Mao Qingzhu’s temperament very well.
"That girl Zhiwei really did help pick a good place."
The corners of Chen Ye’s mouth lifted slightly, and his steps quickened a bit.
Before long.
An elegant bamboo building appeared before his eyes.
The courtyard within was brightly lit.
Mao Qingzhu was standing in the courtyard, directing several Warrior Puppets as they moved things around.
Her long hair was casually pinned up, making her look especially gentle and graceful in the lamplight.
"Put that pot of calming orchid by the window; it’s good for talisman drawing..."
"Move that bookshelf a bit further to the left..."
She directed the Warrior Puppets; though a bit tired, her spirits were high.
Joy shone in her brows and eyes.
This was her new home on Baopu Peak. It was also the place closest to him.