Chapter 13

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It was getting late, the setting sun dyeing the sky a mellow orange.

Currently, Xian'er was helping in the kitchen. Usually, she'd be by Xu Zhenyan's side, but given his absence, she thought she may as well make herself useful.

She was sitting in the pantry for some privacy, in the process of plucking a duck. However, her mind wasn't on the task at all. Instead, she was obsessing over Xu Zhenyan's request.

At that time, she was caught off-guard, so she didn't refuse. Yet, now that she had time to think, she regretted it.

'How am I going to tell young master Xu?'

Her feelings toward Murong Yuanba were genuine. The two of them were childhood friends, having grown up together. For that reason, something like sleeping in the same bed with Xu Zhenyan was simply impossible.

While she mulled over her problems, the pantry door opened suddenly, causing her to drop the bird. Now angry, she hurriedly picked it up before looking over her shoulder.

"Here you are."

Standing in the doorway was Feng Lingxi, staring at her daughter with a strange smile.

"Is that young master Xu's dinner? Do you need my help?"

Not waiting for a reply, she let herself in, walking over to Xian'er's side.

However, when she reached for the duck, the girl moved it out of reach.

"I don't need your help, Mom. It would be better if you didn't bother me—the meat was almost ruined because of you."

Despite her words, Xian'er tone wasn't hostile. To outsiders, it seemed like the two of them were always fighting, but it was just their way of interacting. Truthfully, they got along rather well.

Lingxi didn't force it either, if Xian'er didn't want her help, then so be it. Instead, she pulled out a three-legged stool from underneath a table before taking a seat.

"You know, I was in love with another man when I married your father."

Out of the blue, Lingxi dropped such a statement, her tone empty of emotion.

Startled, Xian'er looked up from her task.

"What are you talking about…?"

She couldn't understand why her mother would suddenly say something like that.

Lingxi stared at Xian'er for a moment before shaking her head with a smile.

"At that time, I didn't want to marry your father. I thought he was ugly and crude, but your grandparents forced me."

Her eyes glazed over, remembering the past.

A short distance away, Xian'er's expression turned uncomfortable, not being too happy about the sudden revelation.

Fortunately, she was saved from having to reply because Lingxi soon returned to the present.

"But, after all these years, I'm glad I did. If I was still with that man, what would my life be like? A lot worse, for certain."

Listening to her words, Xian'er's displeasure increased. She could tell she was being lectured.

Seeing her daughter's reaction, Lingxi huffed.

"Tell me, what do you think of young master Xu? Did you speak with him today?"

Given Xu Zhenyan was in a coma for six months, many people were curious about him. Before vanishing into the forest, he'd spoken precious little, and it was only half a day after his awakening.

The question prompted memories of earlier today, and Xian'er had to fight to keep embarrassment off her face.

"He was very polite."

Of course, she'd never speak ill of young master Xu, certainly not in his own house. However, the statement wasn't entirely dishonest. While he was a bit forceful, he didn't treat her badly.

"He keeps calling me 'miss'."

She sounded embarrassed.

Lingxi put a hand in front of her mouth, hiding a smile.

"Oh? He must think well of you then."

However, Xian'er shook her head.

"I don't know. He called Hua'er 'miss Hua' as well."

The moment she spoke those words, images rose to the forefront of her mind, of young master Xu's naked body and everything that happened in the bathroom.

Feng Lingxi watched her changing expressions with a knowing look.

"Yes, I heard you two helped the young master with his bath. But, it shouldn't be a problem for you, since you've already done it for half a year."

Despite her words, her tone was teasing. Apparently, she caught on to the fact that things weren't so simple.

Feeling her face heating up, Xian'er bowed her head, staring fixedly at the duck in her hands.

"When he's awake, well… I don't know. It's different from what I expected."

Toward the end, her voice turned quiet, and Lingxi had to strain her ears to hear.

The woman pursed her lips, not quite understanding her daughter's meaning.

"What did you expect, then?"

She asked the question, genuinely curious.

Xian'er pursed her lips, her brows furrowing. Consternation was clear on her face.

"He's… not like other boys."

She answered hesitantly, but then realizing the statement wasn't very meaningful, she continued.

"I don't know. He's seems very smart and… confident, even though he's younger than me."

Staring thoughtfully at her daughter, Lingxi nodded once.

"He doesn't act his age you, mean?"

From her tone, it was clear the question was rhetorical.

Xian'er didn't bother answering either. Instead, her own question lay heavy on the tip of her tongue. She both wanted to ask it, yet didn't.

Lingxi didn't miss her daughter's apprehensiveness.

"Since I'm here, you may as well say it."

She looked at Xian'er, her eyes twinkling. Her intuition told her this was going to be interesting.

Glancing at her mother, Xian'er sighed.

"Forget it, it's nothing."

Her tone was sullen. She didn't believe it was possible to get an honest answer out of Lingxi, given the woman's impure motives.

"If I guess right, will to tell me?"

Tapping a finger against her lips, the mother considered her daughter, her expression mischievous.

Xian'er shook her head firmly before standing up. She'd finished with the duck and was going to hand it to the cook.

"No!"

A look of mock-disappointment flashed across Lingxi's face.

"Come on sweety, you can trust your mom, can't you?"

Though the words sounded sincere, Xian'er knew they weren't.

Ignoring the question, she stood and walked out of the pantry. Lingxi went after her, not content to let the matter rest.

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Xu Zhenyan breathed out slowly, exhaling a lungful of turbid ki.

'To think it was that bad.'

Concentrating on his dantian, he realized his Soul Force decreased by up to thirty percent. However, it was necessary—though his body processed it while asleep, much of the energy he accumulated was simply too unruly to cultivate. If he let it remain, his foundation would undoubtedly become unstable.

Having concluded the process of refining, the corner of his mouth quirked upwards.

"It's unnerving, being stared at like that. What if I underwent deviation from being unable to focus?"

His voice rang out inside the garden, addressing his hidden visitor.

Before his last word could dissipate, Lee Shin suddenly emerged atop the roof of a nearby pagoda.

"Forgive me young master, but that was exactly my concern."

After dropping down, he casually made his way over to Xu Zhenyan.

"May I?"

He asked the question while looking at the boy's wrist.

Xu Zhenyan nodded in permission. Lee Shin certainly checked up on him while asleep, so he already knew the state of his body. There was no point in trying to hide his cultivation.

He extended his wrist, which the bodyguard took, pinching it between thumb and forefinger.

A small current of ki penetrated Xu Zhenyan's meridians, something he immediately noticed, given his increased sensitivity.

After a dozen-or-so seconds, Lee Shen withdrew, his expression satisfied.

"The flow of your Soul Force has calmed greatly. However, I advise you to continue your meditations. When you start at the academy next year, you will have more than enough opportunity for cultivation."

Xu Zhenyan nodded. It was disappointing, but he reached the same conclusion after analyzing his own condition.

'Look at me, complaining about cultivating too fast. It's a problem others would kill to have.'

Shaking his head inwardly, he thought about how there was no such thing as a free lunch. He had a massive advantage over his peers, but that came with its own problems. Of course, it was still better than the alternative.

"You best not speak a word about what happened to anyone, young master. If the wrong people found out about your gains, they'd look to wring the method out of you. Naturally, you and I know it was only an accident, but in the face of such inconceivable advancement, people might lose all sense and reason."

Leaning in close, he whispered the words next to Xu Zhenyan's ear.

The boy quietly hummed in affirmation.

Satisfied, Lee Shin straightened before speaking again.

"Also, I'm aware it isn't my business, but I advise you not to get too involved with the maids. Your engagement with the young lady of the Qin family is all but guaranteed."

After giving Xu Zhenyan a long look, he turned walked away, disappearing down a courtyard hallway.

The youth smiled ruefully. It wasn't that he forgot. Rather, given his future knowledge, he knew that Qin Xiyue would rather be disowned by her family than marry him.

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