Soon, Lvxin arranged for someone to send lunch over and there were fruits, fish, congee as well as a wide variety of food.
Tianci's eyes lit up when he saw the impressive spread laid out in front of him. He had been fed dog food or worse over the past four days.
He looked up at Hua Qiyue, as though waiting for permission.
Hua Qiyue stroked his head tenderly and said, "Go ahead, son. But you mustn't be too anxious… if you eat too quickly, you’ll make yourself sick, understand?"
Tianci was delighted. He had not known Hua Qiyue for a long time but the tenderness in her eyes made him feel safe. Then, he started to gulp the food down.
Hua Qiyue's heart ached when she looked at him, and Lvxin and Youshui couldn't help but wipe at their eyes.
The most important thing right now was for Tianci's throat to be healed, and Tianpi of the Mysterious World was undoubtedly the best person to do that.
Hua Qiyue quietly stared at Tianci's face, covered in cuts and bruises, and felt the hatred in her heart grew stronger. It was as though darkness had sunk deep into her heart, so thick that it could not be erased.
It only took Tianci the afternoon to get acquainted with Hua Qiyue. He ate until he was full then good-naturedly rubbed his face against her arm. She found this comforting, as it was what he used to do, before everything went horribly wrong.
Hua Qiyue looked into her son's clear eyes. "Tianci, go play with Sister Lvxin. I'd like some time to rest, is that alright?"
Tianci nodded and there was a flicker of confusion and trepidation in his eyes.
Not long later, he was enjoying himself playing hide-and-seek with Lvxin outside.
Hua Qiyue lay in bed, clutching her green jade gourd, and entered the desolate world inside.
Tianpi sat idly on the ground, his back resting against a large rock. He looked at her, a faint smile dancing across his lips.
"I see my disciple is truly clever. She really taught those wretched people a good lesson. Tsk tsk!"
Hua Qiyue smiled and said, "Thanks for the compliment. I've come today to ask a favor…"
"This is regarding your adopted son, right? Tsk. I just can't understand it. You're the eldest daughter of the family at the height of your prime, so why would you spend so much effort to rescue that invalid?"
"Master, please be more respectful! He is not an outsider. This boy is my son," Hua Qiyue interjected coldly.
Tianpi was stunned. He didn't think that she would dare to contradict him.
Hua Qiyue bent down to plant the Long Red seed into the ground and watched as the seed sprouted, and quickly grew before her eyes.
This world was truly magical and it took less than an hour for the seed to blossom into a flower.
"Master, this might be the only favor I'll ever ask for you. If you could make Tianci speak again, I'll pay whatever price it takes."
Hua Qiyue said softly and the red glow of the arid place splashed across her face, tinting her black eyes a faint red. Her gaze was soft and her brows were like willows. Tianpi could not hold back a frown when he noticed the gentle curve of her bowed head.
"Tsk, what if I ask for you to give yourself to me?" Tianpi said with a cynical laugh.
"Sure." Her reply was flat and resolute.
The corners of his mouth twitched and he put his hand over his forehead in resignation.
"Alright, alright. I give up! I'll help you, since you're my disciple. I'm not a doctor, so I can’t simply cure your son. However… I can give you the seeds for some herbs. And I hope you appreciate it — I've been collecting these for more than a thousand years! Humph."
Hua Qiyue was a little dejected at his words. "Master, won't you be able to treat his throat?"
"As I said, I'm not a doctor, and there is no cauldron for brewing potions here. You must realize that my strengths are in Qi Art and summoning the dead. Powerful as I am, I’m rather lacking in medical skills," Tianpi said exasperatedly as he passed the bag of seeds to her.
Hua Qiyue accepted the bag of seeds. "Thanks, Master."
She did not waste any more time speaking but sat on the floor to cultivate her Qi Art earnestly in accordance with how Tianpi had shown her a few nights earlier.
Tianpi studied her silently from where he sat.
He had lived in this jade gourd for at least 500 years. He was so old that ever he was not sure of his actual age.
When Hua Qiyue wore this jade gourd, he tried his best to get her to sense him but the original Hua Qiyue had been a coward, and thus useless to him.
Thus, he was surprised to see her sitting quietly, cultivating her Qi Art. He could not help but clap when a circle of light blue Qi appeared from the top of her head and did not dissipate.
"Hua Qiyue, it took me three months to attain Grand Completion Assimilation Stage. You've managed to achieve the same feat in a few nights. I think I've found myself a genius disciple!" Tianpi laughed happily, which accentuated his gorgeous features.
Hua Qiyue looked at her lousy teacher curiously. Why was a man as strikingly handsome as him trapped in such a place?
Tianpi recovered from his laughing fit and could not hold back a smile when he saw Hua Qiyue staring at him. "Why, am I so strikingly handsome that I've taken your breath away?""Taken my breath away?"Hua Qiyue laughed softly and said, "Master, I think you should be a trumpeter.""Why?""Because this is how the phrase, 'Blowing one's trumpet' came about!" Hua Qiyue shot back, and Tianpi was enraged."You wicked girl…""You may choose to beat me or kill me, I don't mind, either way." Hua Qiyue sat down once more and continued to cultivate.Tianpi was left speechless.It was around midnight by the time Hua Qiyue left the jade gourd, and she was surprised to see Tianci sitting quietly on the pallet, looking at her.Hua Qiyue quickly sat up. "Tianci, what are you doing here?"Lvxin said awkwardly, "Miss, young master didn't want to leave with us. I wanted to
Along the way to Prince Nan’s residence, Hua Qiyue heard many people discussing the same topic."I heard that Princess Huizhen has been seen in public together with Zhou Zhicheng. Tsk. I can't believe that haughty princess has fallen for someone as poor as him.""Exactly. The Zhou family are mere commoners. Tsk, it's a miracle that the princess could fall for someone like him.""Ha, Zhou Zhicheng is rather handsome, but it has only been a few days since his wife passed away. This is really indecorous of Princess Huizhen.""Princess Huizhen has always been rude and bratty. Why would she care about what the world thinks of her?""Shh, stop it. Walls have ears."Hua Qiyue held Tianci's hand and her eyes flashed coldly.How dare that cheating couple head out in public together so soon?The child beside her fretted anxiously. He was probably afraid when he heard others mention Princess
Prince Nan looked at her and saw that her eyes were lowered. She looked earnest and sincere and it did not seem like she was putting on an act.Huangfu Xuan's eyes widened in disbelief.This rude girl wasn't here to see him? He couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy at the thought of that."Humph! Hua Qiyue, you must have heard that Prince Nan and I are good friends and that we often meet at his residence to play chess and drink! Was this why you deliberately adopted that—""Your Excellency, I sincerely hope that you would grant my request!" Hua Qiyue repeated, interrupting Huanfu Xuan.Prince Nan's eyes narrowed slightly. He had heard about Hua Qiyue and was surprised to see that she seemed so different from the quiet, insecure woman that the rumors made out her to be.Yun Shimo remained unmoved and said coldly, "Sorry, I'm not going to treat him."Hua Qiyue held up the silk box that con
"You think that just because I have no interest in you, you can throw yourself at Brother Yun?"Huangfu Xuan shouted angrily.The two pharmacy apprentices were shocked. It was improper for men and women to touch each other's hand in passing objects. Yet, this maiden had just flung herself upon their master. They had no idea what to do.Hua Qiyue's body clung to Yun Shimo's. Her perfume drilled into his nose and her hanging hair tickled Yun Shimo's face.He raised his gaze to her face, only to see Hua Qiyue's surprised eyes, as clear as a crystal spring without any lust.Hua Qiyue took a head-on look at Yun Shimo's luminous eyes and jumped up with fear, saying, "I am so sorry. I did not expect... I did not expect... "Huangfu Xuan rushed over and pulled up Yun Shimo, hovering over him like a hen protecting its chicken. "Hua Qiyue, how dare you!"Hua Qiyue was embarrassed — she’d never meant for
Hua Qiyue took Tianci and left, meeting Lvxin and Youshui outside. Their hearts dropped at Hua Qiyue’s dazed look.On the carriage ride home, people pointed and murmured."That’s the daughter of Hua's Mansion. I’ve heard she’s ugly and useless, but… she doesn’t look ugly or useless.""Yes, she’s quite the beauty.""Look at how she holds herself! She’s obviously rich."Hua Qiyue quietly watched Tianci twist his shirt between his fingers.Hua Qiyue knew that there must be many shadows inside Tianci's heart. She’d need to talk to him when they got home."We need a medicine that only the Medicine Saint has. According to Prince Nan, it will likely be very difficult to get. We may need to start getting information about the Ji family," said Hua Qiyue gloomily.It occurred to her that Tianpi might have that kind of medicine. She’d have to ask him about it later.Lvxin grimac
The Second Concubine was livid, but much more calculating than the Third Concubine. Her daughter, Hua Mengshi smiled in an attempt to please Madam Hua, "Grandma, sister Qiyue is so filial. You are very lucky."Madam Cheng agreed with a smile. "My Madam, Mengshi is right. Qiyue is finally sensible now. It indeed benefits our family, especially you. We apologize for our misunderstanding of Qiyue."The Old Madam appeared to be calmed by their words and asked Hua Qiyue and Tianci to sit beside her, ignoring Madam Cheng's complaints about Qiyue's hiding of rare medicinal herbs.Lvxin and Youshui looked at each other, confused. Was what happened to the Third Concubine and Hua Xiaoyi the show Hua Qiyue had told them to expect?The Old Madam sat on the white jade couch carved with a dragon and phoenix. It was no surprise she picked the coolest couch during the mugginess of June.Tianci timidly sat beside the Old Madame. At the
The Second Concubine was filled with resentment. She hadn't expected Butler Wang to personally remind Old Madame to attend the charity event. If he had informed her privately, she could have thought of a way to borrow some silver."Now, Butler Wang. What did you say?" The Old Madame was furious and only calmed down slightly after Hua Qiyue softly muttered words of comfort. She glared at Butler Wang, who knelt on the floor.Butler Wang trembled as he kowtowed, cold sweat dripping all over his forehead as he pleaded, "Madame Hua… your servant… your servant has made a mistake. I shouldn't have kept this from you. It is because… the Second Concubine always sends me to purchase her elixirs!"The Second Concubine looked sharply at Butler Wang.She knew he must have taken the initiative to confess in order to obtain the Old Madame's forgiveness first. But the way he brazenly came to the main hall to remind her of the charity implied he’d
The Third Concubine's face turned pale. "Blacky! No! Come back! "A smile played across Hua Mengshi's lips.With the Long Red destroyed by the Third Concubine’s dog, Madam Hua and Hua Qiyue would blame her and Hua Xiaoyi. Plus, it would remove Qiyue’s leverage over the family’s income. Meanwhile, any ire Hua Mengshi had been receiving from Madam Hua would be lessened while her attention was on those who had destroyed the Long Reds.Quick as a wink, the black dog stepped into the red clay. But, just as it was about to trample one of the divine herbs, all of the Long Reds in the yard disappeared!The black dog slammed into the wall and fell to the ground, dazed.Frightened, the Third Concubine quickly gave order for Blacky to be taken away. She glanced suspiciously at the Second Concubine and Hua Mengshi.Where did they go?The Second Concubine, Cheng, was so surprised, that she didn’t even noti