"Junior Sister Zhao, you jest. Qing Jun is one of the most outstanding disciples of Baopu Peak, and also the future of our Lingyin Sect. As an Instructor, it is my duty to show care and attention."
Mao Qingzhu smiled slightly, then stood up and politely returned the courtesy. She glanced at the jade box in Zhao Yushuang’s hand and said softly,
"As the Guardian of Danxia Peak, you must be busy, yet you personally came to deliver the medicine. I, on Brother Ye’s behalf, thank you for this thoughtful gesture."
"..."
Zhao Yushuang was momentarily silent.
She believed she bore no hostility toward Mao Qingzhu.
It was simply unbearable for her to see a Dao alchemy prodigy like Chen Ye suffer from the whims of women.
With his talent, he should accompany the Pill Furnace, not be misled by beauty.
More importantly,
Brother Chen is currently... Bai Susu’s exclusive.
With the Bai Family’s powerful influence, the Mao Family certainly couldn’t protect Brother Chen!
"Let’s fight! Let’s fight!"
The little girl thought to herself, as she sat properly by the stone table, enthusiastically eating while watching.
Qing Jun felt that today was the most comfortable day since she was born.
At her hungriest, she could enjoy the best spirit food and watch her favorite performance!
You know,
these two are both coveting Master! She wished they’d fight to the death and forget about vying for the master!
However,
the women’s fight Qing Jun was expecting did not happen.
Zhao Yushuang nodded, placed the jade box she was holding on the stone table, and said calmly,
"Senior Sister, you are too kind. When I practiced at Baopu Peak years ago, I had heard of your great reputation and always held respect. Now that you have come to Baopu Peak, it is indeed Brother Chen’s fortune."
Saying this, she extended her slender jade hand and uncovered one of the jade boxes.
Instantly, an exotic fragrance mixed with a scorching sensation filled the small courtyard.
"However..."
Zhao Yushuang glanced at Qing Jun’s small face and hinted,
"Qing Jun has a unique physique, a natural talent for divine power. Although Senior Sister Mao’s purple ginseng chicken soup is nourishing and suitable for ordinary body conditioning, for Qing Jun, who urgently needs to reshape her tendons and bones, it might be somewhat... mild."
"This is a blood-nourishing soup I specially made using the spine of a Second Tier Red Flame Tiger, cooked with nine types of burning sun herbs."
"Although the medicine’s properties are a bit aggressive, it’s just the right strong medicine for Qing Jun."
Though Zhao Yushuang’s words were not heated, they were indeed a technical suppression.
After all, Zhao Yushuang is a master of the alchemy Dao.
Though she did not know Qing Jun’s identity, from the descriptions by her clan junior Zhao Yuanyuan, she realized Qing Jun’s condition was likely the legendary awakening or body revival.
Mao Qingzhu nodded thoughtfully, sincerely stating,
"I see. I am indeed not as well-versed in alchemy and pharmacology as Junior Sister Zhao. I was only considering nourishment, forgetting that Qing Jun’s physique differs from ordinary people. Thanks to Junior Sister Zhao’s meticulousness, otherwise, my chicken soup could only have been a treat for her palate."
She thought to herself,
Though,
Brother Ye has just tasted the marrow, and if not careful, may be distracted from cultivation by beauty.
However, since Qing Jun is born from her, Zhao Yushuang’s care for Qing Jun is care for her!
Seeing Mao Qingzhu’s straightforward attitude,
Zhao Yushuang’s expression also softened slightly:
"Senior Sister, you overpraise. Chicken soup moistens dryness, tiger soup strengthens bones, the two do not conflict."
For a moment.
There was no need for Chen Ye to intervene; Cangli Courtyard was already harmonious.
"Indeed, not everyone is Bai Susu or my apprentice."
Chen Ye breathed a slight sigh of relief.
Sister Qingzhu is gentle by nature, rarely clashing with outsiders.
As for Zhao Yushuang... his relationship with her was just average, and Chen Ye wasn’t sure where the earlier tension came from.
Even so.
Zhao Yushuang’s unexpected visit with medicinal cuisine had surprised Chen Ye.
Previously,
when he was doing alchemy at Danxia Peak, this woman only visited him the first day, and thereafter had Zhao Tong tend to him...
As no commotion occurred.
Chen Ye was naturally happy to enjoy his leisure.
As for the biggest winner,
undoubtedly Qing Jun.
Although Qing Jun didn’t witness the show, she enjoyed the spiritual meals of the two aunts.
A mouthful of nourishing chicken soup on the left, a savage tiger broth on the right.
Originally these two medicinal powers, one nurturing the qi and blood, the other strengthening tendons and bones, would have overwhelmed an ordinary Qi Refining cultivator, leaving them with a nosebleed.
But who is Qing Jun?
The little belly seemed like a bottomless pit, managing to consume these medicated foods enough to fill even a Foundation Establishment cultivator to the brim.
"I’m full!"
The little girl lay satisfied on the stone bench, patting her round and bulging little belly.
But despite her large appetite, this little girl never gained weight, remaining slender.
Just her round belly made the master itch to pinch it.
Unfortunately, there were others present...
Soon, heavy eyelids began to droop over Qing Jun as a deep sleepiness overwhelmed her.
Having evolved for three days and devoured plenty of medicated food, her body now needed rest to recover and digest.
Seeing this, Zhao Yushuang did not linger.
"Since Qing Jun is fine now, I should return to Danxia Peak. The furnace still needs tending."
She was brisk, nodding slightly to Chen Ye before glancing at Mao Qingzhu, uttering mildly,
"Senior Sister Mao, I take my leave."
"Safe travels, Junior Sister Zhao." Mao Qingzhu stood up to see her off.
After the flowing red dress transformed into an escape light disappearing into the horizon.
Mao Qingzhu didn’t linger longer either.
Although she wanted to stay with Chen Ye, she wasn’t just his lover but also an Instructor at Baopu Peak.
Moreover, in front of Chen Ye’s disciple, she had to keep up appearances—after all, his disciple seemed uninterested in having a mistress.
"Brother Ye."
While Qing Jun was sleepily dozing off, Mao Qingzhu approached Chen Ye, straightened his collar, speaking softly,
"I’m heading back too. I’ve missed quite a bit of coursework recently and need to catch the new disciples up. You... take good care of Qing Jun and yourself."
Chen Ye squeezed her hand and smiled,
"Thank you for your hard work, Sister Qingzhu. Tonight... I’ll look for you."
Mao Qingzhu’s cheeks blushed lightly, and with a gentle "Mm," she gracefully left, borne on spiritual light.
...
After both left.
Chen Ye picked up the little girl sleeping like a piglet; he looked at his apprentice’s sweet sleeping face, shaking his head helplessly.
"This girl, so carefree... even sprouted a tail and horns without concern."
"Master, have the two aunts left?"
As the courtyard quieted down,
the adjoining room door was gently pushed open a crack.
Behind the door, a black-haired girl quietly gazed at him, with Jin’er looking down at her toes behind her.
Not until now did Chen Ye realize his two apprentices had hidden inside the house.
He asked, puzzled: "Guardian Zhao and Aunt Mao were outside, why didn’t you talk to them?"
"It used to be different."
Zhiwei lowered her eyelids, gently pulling the somewhat timid Jin’er from behind, speaking calmly,
"Their visit was for Qing Jun. If we suddenly appeared, it would only cause unnecessary pleasantries. Better to avoid it."
So it was to avoid adding trouble.
Chen Ye understood, and whatever doubts he had melted away, chuckling he said:
"You always overthink."
Even so.
Chen Ye remained slightly vigilant, secretly observing Zhiwei’s expression. Seeing her face calm, he carried Qing Jun, turning into the house.
The little girl, the moment she hit the pillow sprawled into a comfortable position.
Muttering dreamily about "chicken leg," "tiger meat," and "master’s meat" in her sleep.
Hold on...
What on earth is "master’s meat"?
Chen Ye’s face darkened, carefully inspecting her body.
Reassured that it’s merely overwhelming energy causing her body to enter deep sleep for digestion and absorption, he carefully tucked her in.
"Sleep well."
Chen Ye gently patted her little head,
"When you wake, you might give your master another surprise... or perhaps a fright."