After Zhu Pingniang completed the task of extracting breath, she did not choose to return to see Li Zhibai immediately.
Her current state was too poor, with a pale face, so she needed to pause and rest for a while.
Zhu Pingniang leaned on the chair, her gaze falling towards Celestial Bright Peak.
Indeed, there is truth in the saying that troubles can be diverted eastward.
Zhu Pingniang hesitated to call her two daughters her troubles, but clearly, Qinling in her mind was an extremely troublesome woman, one that even the fearless Zhu Tongjun avoided.
Moreover, Qinling may seem rigid, but once she privately sheds the mask mimicking Li Zhibai, at her core she is a woman brimming with Spiritual Qiâ
It must be noted, Xu Changâan was quite surprised when he first saw Qinling holding MaoâEr, throwing him a bag of Spirit Stones just to chat with him further.
Especially when Qinling treated him as an emotional garbage bin to vent her bitterness, those words left Xu Changâan with considerable helplessness. Still, considering the Spirit Stones offered by Qinling, he readily accepted the negative emotions from Miss Qinâearning a living, after all, is not chilling.
However, after that time, Xu Changâan realized something was off with Junior Master Qin, but it had nothing to do with him as a junior. As for whether Qinling, being a woman, was attractive or not, Xu Changâan truly never cared.
Yet, at least Qinling could definitely not be considered troublesome.
But in Zhu Pingniangâs heart, that Ni Zi is indeed troubleâ
Yes, even in the eyes of the Heavenly Dao.
Of course, Zhu Pingniang understands Qinling better than Xu Changâan.
First of all, Qinlingâs willingness to spend time alone with him was already showing her stance... not disliking him, but rather having a good impression.
But this so-called good impression is just ordinary goodwill, far from achieving the âtroubles diverted eastwardâ effect Zhu Pingniang desires.
In reality, as a mother, if she doesnât have someone she likes, whatever those girls do would be fine with her.
Yet the problem is, her emotional line is a tangled mess, sheâs never been able to clarify matters regarding Li Zhibai; Zhu Pingniang sometimes feels her understanding of emotions is far less than Wen Liâs. So... how could she find time to provide feedback on the emotions of those girls?
The ever-increasing troubles of Zhu Pingniang naturally make her wish that the girls in her household wouldnât add to her issues; for them to avoid making her situation worse is already the best outcome.
But then the question arises.
All mothers know that even if their daughters are obedient, expecting them to bring no worries... how is that possible?
Even when she was Zhu Tongjun, she never spared Ms. Gu or Li Zhibai from worry, and even now she causes the Sect Leader of the Hehuan Sect, Ah Zi, constant concern, so she canât cheeks to say such things.
Thus, Zhu Pingniang believes there is only one thing that can free her from the entanglement with these girls, without hurting their feelings, and that is...
Transfer of affection?
Not for her to transfer her affection, but to have Qinling transfer hers.
It isnât that she wants to send the girls away, but since Qinling is a girl groomed by Zhu Pingniang herself, she always feels... the girlâs liking of her is not pure appreciation, rather it mixes attachment, trust, and admiration.
This makes it impossible for her to, and unresponsive to, reciprocate. Thus... helping her find the person she should like is the best solution...
Hence the problem arises.
Qinling reluctant to accompany her to Muyu Peak means Qinling didnât value the women there, as for the men... among her peers are a batch of emotionless logs, not one could win Qinlingâs affection?
Qinling, as she learned from childhood to be a Zither Girl by her side, accompanied her through splendid landscapes, even visiting the Celestial Hearing Zither Pavilion many times, and must have met numerous outstanding young talents... yet from beginning to end, Qinling never seemed moved...
So until Qinling used seductive medicine on her and stated her terms, Zhu Pingniangâs âtroubles diverted eastwardâ notion had been failing.
It is near impossible to meet a man who could move Qinlingâs heart.
And a woman?
Equally difficult.
It isnât Zhu Pingniang bragging, if a girl truly liked the former Zhu Tongjun... wanting her to transfer affection was nearly impossible.
It is hard to find anyone in this world more charming than the former Zhu Tongjun, even Wen Li doesnât compare.
"..."
Zhu Pingniang held a copper mirror, looking at her own heavily made-up face in the reflection, chuckling wryly.
Back then, she insisted on leaving the Chaoyun Sect, was it to refine her heart, wanting to perform feats that would make Li Zhibai look at her in a new light... or was she trying to tarnish herself, distancing herself from the slowly encroaching Qinling?
Itâs truly hard to say.
Yet she was a failed mother, unable to tarnish her image in Qinlingâs heart, nor find particularly good people to distract the girls...
So, she could only choose to escape.
She even longed, wishing to return to see how Qinling was doing currently, but needed Li Zhibai to persuade her, provide a solid reason before she could go back.
How could there be such an undependable mother?
Zhu Pingniang couldnât help but sigh.
"So, itâs not my fault that Qinling doesnât find anyone she likes," she mumbled.
"Itâs all Changâanâs fault for not being a woman."
If Xu Changâan were a woman, she would definitely be able to share the burden of firepower, surely draw away Qinlingâs attention, guiding her misplaced feelings onto the correct path.
But who let him be a man and already have a wife.