Chapter 398 - 0250 (Happy New Year!) Girls are naturally prone to jealousy (Two-in-one)_2

Which is her current personality ultimately?

Li Zhibai is also unsure.

However, regardless of how she changes, her ability to charm women has remained unchanged.

Li Zhibai looked at the largest ink characters in the hall, the strokes were graceful, fully revealing the delicacy of a daughter’s style, the brush seemed to fade like clouds, undoubtedly written by Zhu Pingniang.

It read "Qinling" as the two characters.

She must have already gone to the brothel when she wrote this.

Li Zhibai gently rubbed his brow with one hand.

Saying the falling flowers have intentions while the flowing water is heartless doesn’t quite fit, but Li Zhibai thinks that if she sees Tong Jun next time, she must have a good talk with her.

Since there’s no intention of being with Qinling, why give her such a calligraphy piece?

Isn’t this teasing someone without taking responsibility?

"...Not really." Li Zhibai shook his head, thinking that people are not grass or trees, how could one be emotionless... Qinling was after all a girl Tong Jun watched grow up, how could she really abandon her?

So, in the end, Qinling is just being unclear.

But liking someone shouldn’t be wrong, should it?

Li Zhibai blinked and picked up the tea cup in front of her to take a sip, tasting the bitterness at her lips, reflecting that this touched upon her blind spot in knowledge.

She suddenly remembered... the "married life" of Yun Qian and Xu Chang’an she saw in Beiyuan Li...

"Tsk."

She manages alchemy and fighting alright, but matters of emotion... better not to touch.

Totally blank.

The closest relationship to her is related to Xu Chang’an’s student-teacher bond, what could she understand.

Therefore, even as an elder, she has no right to comment on Qinling’s feelings.

Draining the last bit of bitter tea from her cup, Li Zhibai shifted her gaze to the newly written sheets of calligraphy before her.

Among them, two stood out prominently, matched as pairs, like they were affixed together as couplets.

The shorter painting had eight characters inscribed on it.

"Clouds roll and clouds ease, come and go without intent."

"Cloud... Sister?"

Upon seeing these eight characters, the first image that flashed in Li Zhibai’s mind was Yun Qian’s face.

These words were perfectly suitable for describing that sister Yun, who was either widely experienced or innately indifferent.

And upon seeing the calligraphy beside them, Li Zhibai was further confirmed that this was indeed depicting Yun Qian.

—

"To life extreme bliss and peace, enjoy the emerald tides born from the sea."

Li Zhibai had seen this phrase with Xu Chang’an, and Qinling’s replication of these characters heavily suggested she was imitating Xu Chang’an’s handwriting.

This Qin girl as well.

How did she manage to "hang" the couple on the wall?

Yet she made a couplet of them, showing some thought.

While musing on it, Li Zhibai suddenly felt the shackled sensation within her dissipate, though she didn’t pay it much mind.

Li Zhibai’s gaze softened somewhat, clearly Qinling had a good relationship with Yun Qian and Xu Chang’an.

Hence, she felt more justified in extending goodwill to this girl.

After all, her status doesn’t conveniently allow her to always stand behind her student, so having Qinling look after them provides more reassurance.

"What a pity."

Qinling’s imitation of Xu Chang’an’s handwriting was quite apt: the casual strokes, the genteel nature of the writer were replicated well, but lacking one thing.

Restraint and moderation.

Missing these, it also lacks soul.

Thus, hanging this calligraphy near "Yun Qian" wasn’t quite suitable, after all, it’s a forgery.

But then again, neither this piece was by Xu Chang’an nor the one inscribed with "Clouds roll and clouds ease, come and go without intent" was by Yun Qian.

Two counterfeits, let them hang together.

While pondering, Li Zhibai amused herself.

Just two paintings, yet she let her thoughts wander broadly—could it be she is being influenced by Sister Yun?

—

Outside the door, holding a tray with fresh tea and fruits, Qinling stared at Li Zhibai’s lifted corner of the mouth, stunned for a while.

"The Miss... laughed?"

Is this her nature?

No, it couldn’t be.

Qinling, being Zhu Pingniang’s direct lineage, had some understanding of Li Zhibai’s abilities unknown to others.

Pausing her steps, Qinling entered the room, placed the refreshment down, and respectfully refilled Li Zhibai’s tea, saying courteously, "Miss Li, sorry to keep you waiting."

"Hmm." Li Zhibai nodded, looking at this woman with phoenix eyes and thin lips, thinking the child had grown up.

She’s accustomed to the designation "Miss Li."

After all, Zhu Pingniang raised Qinling, yet she never heard her call her mother, instead always a "Miss Zhu."

Xu Chang’an also addresses Yun Qian as "Miss Yun."

Qinling hesitated for a moment before saying, "The wine Miss has sent over."

That Jade Dew, she liked it very much.

Li Zhibai shook her head, "The wine was sent by Chang’an, not by me."

"Xu Neizhi? Naturally." Qinling would comply with Li Zhibai’s words.

"Xu Neizhi? Is that how you usually call him?" Li Zhibai asked.

"..." Qinling thought she usually called him "kid" or "Xiaochang’an," but now in front of Li Zhibai, she had to utter it properly.

"We’re all one family, why are you being nervous." Li Zhibai took a sip from her tea cup.

Qinling was evidently an adorable child when she was younger.

"The Miss is correct." Qinling blinked.

"Alright, I came to find you for no big matters." Li Zhibai decided not to make it difficult for her, addressing some points directly to Qinling.

There wasn’t much really.

Some involved Xu Chang’an, some Yun Qian, mostly official business.

"Nowadays Celestial Bright Peak is in such a state, indeed it’d be better if Miss Yun doesn’t remain there long..." Qinling was surprised by Li Zhibai’s concern for Yun Qian, but still said, "Early relocation to Muyu Peak would be good, but regarding this matter, I don’t have a say."

Not even considering Muyu Peak, she doesn’t even hold much power at Celestial Bright Peak, her alliances were thoroughly divided.

The most she could do was assist Xu Chang’an with his procedures down the mountain.

Pushing someone toward Muyu Peak?

She didn’t have such significant clout.

Zhu Pingniang counts on the mountain, but her support isn’t here.

"Take this." Li Zhibai placed a Jade Pendant on the table, pushing it towards Qinling.

Qinling paused, taking the Jade Pendant, seeing clouds within, faintly emitting Spiritual Qi.

The flowing Spiritual Power emitted an immensely fragrant aroma, even just a sniff made her clear-headed as if even her bottleneck relaxed a bit.

"Miss, this is..." Qinling saw the mark inside, shaking her head, "No, I cannot take it."

Taking Li Zhibai’s personal Jade Pendant representing her status, she couldn’t bring herself to do such a thing.

"What’s wrong with taking it?" Li Zhibai’s long-sleeved Daoist robe swayed, "I don’t use it often, it’s just idle... Besides, having it with you, things will be more convenient."

Li Zhibai, as a hermit, wasn’t very clear about her Identity Token’s utility.

But presumably, the power given by the Sect Leader wouldn’t be small.

Tong Jun coaxing her onto Chaoyun also promised her a fair share of benefits.

It’s perfect for Qinling to use for caring a bit for Sister Yun.

Caring for Sister Yun compared to the Jade Pendant, surely the former is more important, Qinling should be able to do well.

—

Yet Qinling returned the Jade Pendant.

She was actually quite delighted.

Because this sister of Zhu Pingniang’s had a more favorable impression of her than she imagined.

But asking for her Jade Pendant...

"I can’t accept it." Qinling’s demeanor was serious.

Li Zhibai frowned, "The reason."

"If I were to take the Miss’s Jade Pendant... when Ms. Zhu finds out, who knows how she’ll rage."

Qinling seemed to foresee Zhu Pingniang’s scenes of anger due to jealousy, smiling wryly, "Given her current temperament, the Miss might not be aware... But I understand. This Jade Pendant, please take it back."

Li Zhibai: "..."

"Miss?" Seeing Li Zhibai in a daze, Qinling called softly.

"Oh." Li Zhibai regained her focus, inquiring puzzledly, "The Jade Dew Wine is one thing, I give you my own item, why would Tong Jun be upset, what would she be bothered by?"

Qinling: "..."