Chapter 955 - 528: Sisters (Double-Length)

After Xu Chang’an went to prepare tea, Yun Qian’s interest visibly waned, and she yawned in boredom.

She had no interest in the performances of the girls at Flower Moon Building—she only watched them because Xu Chang’an found them amusing.

So, when Xu Chang’an left, Yun Qian’s vague thoughts nearly succumbed to fatigue.

Fortunately, the sudden conversation between Miss Lu and Wen Li pulled her attention away from the fatigue, sparking her interest.

In Yun Qian’s eyes, whether it was Miss Lu or Wen Li, they could be part of Xu Chang’an’s past romantic entanglements or present connections, so she paid attention to them.

"I want to ask about Ms. Qin," Miss Lu inquired.

"..." Wen Li smiled.

She was accustomed to the way Junior Sisters spoke, but hearing someone refer to themselves as ’I’ suddenly surprised her.

"Ms. Qin." Wen Li had a guess but still asked, "Which Ms. Qin are you referring to?"

"Should be... Qinling." Miss Lu hesitated for a moment, then glanced at Yun Qian, who was listening, eyes glistening, and lowered her voice.

She didn’t want Yun Qian to know too much about her family matters.

It’s not that she could avoid Yun Qian, but this past rupture with her daughter was not particularly flattering for Zhu Pingniang. Since Yun Qian wouldn’t be interested in anyone but the Young Master anyway, she kept things discreet for Zhu Pingniang’s sake.

Moreover, Qinling was her eldest sister, and she didn’t want Yun Qian to leave a deep impression of her inquiring behind the scenes.

"Senior Sister Wen..." Miss Lu used the title Wen Li instructed, whispering, "Do you know her?"

Wen Li thought for a moment.

Qinling?

Actually, she didn’t know Qinling very well, as the latter wasn’t a girl from Muyu Peak. Even though her relationship with Zhu Pingniang was excellent, Zhu Pingniang herself seldom stayed on the mountain, let alone someone ’semi-exiled’ to Celestial Bright Peak.

However, she did know something.

Back when she was studying cultivation at Li Zhibai’s academy, she often saw Qinling running errands for Zhu Pingniang there and had a few conversations, so Wen Li knew something about Qinling.

Additionally, Qinling was an Outer Sect Steward, like Xu Chang’an, often seen working together, so she was quite familiar.

Of course, the main reason Qinling left a lasting impression on the usually busy Wen Li wasn’t her relationship with Zhu Pingniang nor her appearance, but... Qinling had a tinge of Li Zhibai’s aura.

This refers to aspects of her temperament.

Wen Li remembered that when she first met Qinling ages ago, she wasn’t in her current stern outfit with a brown long robe but rather... a lively and youthful girl.

Their appearances suggested Qinling’s rank was higher, but truly... they should consider each other real sisters.

After all, in terms of status, she was Li Zhibai’s student, and Qinling was Zhu Pingniang’s daughter.

Yet upon subsequent meetings, she found Qinling increasingly resembling Li Zhibai.

Perhaps this was a deliberate ’imitation’ that made Wen Li remember her.

Thinking this far, Wen Li nodded.

"Just some understandings."

"Some is enough," Miss Lu replied eagerly.

Clearly, she was excited about Wen Li knowing things about Qinling, after all... she could finally learn something about her sister.

Whether it was because the other was indeed her sister or possibly a future rival...

Out of curiosity or to know oneself better.

Only Miss Lu herself knew her innermost thoughts.

Maybe she simply wanted a sister, a family member beyond Zhu Pingniang.

——

Wen Li’s easygoing nature eased the atmosphere significantly. Miss Lu quietly asked about Qinling, and Wen Li selectively shared her confirmed knowledge with her.

Wen Li typically wasn’t one to gossip behind someone’s back, but if Miss Lu asked, she saw no reason to refuse.

After all, compared to Qinling’s connection with Miss Lu, she was the outsider.

Moreover, what she knew was mostly common knowledge, and thus there was nothing she couldn’t share.

What surprised Wen Li was...

Yun Qian had seemed quite sleepy, but upon hearing the conversation between herself and Miss Lu, she really regained her energy?

This was quite a peculiar matter.

She had merely raised her voice so that Yun Qian wouldn’t literally nod off in the middle of a yawn, and unexpectedly... it really dispelled Yun Qian’s fatigue.

Was it because of...

Qinling?

Indeed.

Wen Li recalled Yun Qian’s residence, which was located on Celestial Bright Peak... within Qinling’s direct jurisdiction?

While responding to Miss Lu’s inquiries regarding common facts about Qinling, like her height and age, Wen Li also pondered something.

Junior Sister Yun’s relationship with Steward Qin... seemed unexpectedly favorable?

She hadn’t noticed it before, but Yun Qian’s attitude now revealed clues... clearly, Qinling held something that mattered to Yun Qian, and their relationship might unexpectedly be quite good.

That Ms. Qin could actually manage to establish a good relationship with Yun Qian.

Wen Li was genuinely surprised.

Even she, upon first engaging dialogue with Yun Qian, had been stumped into silence numerous times.