Maybe itâs an illusion, but Li Zhibai could even sense an emotion called "indulgence" from Yun Qian, because she indulged Zhu Pingniang, so she casually answered whatever she asked.
At that time, Li Zhibai almost wanted to blush.
What does it mean to be a mature, graceful and elegant lady?
In front of such a Yun Qian, Zhu Pingniang completely looked like a little girl who hasnât grown up... so even Li Zhibai couldnât help but feel for a momentâ"Could it be that the growth after getting married and having a husband is this significant?"
From the conversation, it was impossible to tell that Zhu Pingniang was older than Yun Qian, rather Yun Qian seemed like the sister indulging a younger one.
So when Zhu Pingniang wanted to ask some more questions, Li Zhibai stopped her.
"Iâm just curious." Zhu Pingniang clicked her tongue.
She already calls herself Changâanâs sister, and plans to stand by his side no matter what happens... with such a close relationship, whatâs wrong with being curious about his private matters?
Even if Changâan knew, considering her past absurd behavior, Changâan wouldnât call her shameless, at most he would just smile helplessly.
Thatâs why there are some things others find inconvenient to ask, but she can do so without any restraint.
Whoâs to say she isnât shameless.
Probably having seen through Zhu Pingniangâs thoughts, Li Zhibai breathed steadily for a moment, then suddenly said, "Tong Jun, I plan not to stay here with you anymore, after thinking carefully, Iâd better return to Sword Hall."
"...?"
Zhu Pingniang was dumbfounded, and several question marks appeared above her head.
Li Zhibaiâs topic change... was effective beyond measure.
Zhu Pingniang suddenly stood up, staring at Li Zhibai fiercely: "Ah Bai, what did you say? You still want to return to the mountain?"
"Yes." Li Zhibai nodded, it was after earlier discussions with Xu Changâan that she decided, compared to some mysteries she couldnât understand now, it was more important to have Changâanâs thoughts clear and unobstructed.
Since Xu Changâan doesnât want her to stay at the brothel, since Changâan wants to protect her reputation, Li Zhibai would listen to him.
"...You!"
Looking at Li Zhibaiâs calm attitude, Zhu Pingniang was stuck.
Is she kidding?
Earlier, she blocked Li Zhibai like that, it was Li Zhibai who repeatedly convinced her to let her stay... then she finally agreed after much persuasion, even planned places to visit later... now Li Zhibai says she wants to leave?
Beside, Miss Lu was also dumbfounded.
"...?"
This Miss Li from the Immortal Sect actually considered staying here?
She gazed at Li Zhibai blankly, and then exhaled a breath that she hadnât realized she was holding.
Thankfully... thankfully Miss Li gave up staying.
Otherwise, Miss Lu could roughly imagine the situation after. Surely, if Miss Zhu hung onto Zhu Pingniang twelve hours a day... it wouldnât be dignified.
Besides, if Li Zhibai stayed, then... the time Miss Zhu would look at herself would visibly decrease, wouldnât it?
So, at that moment, Miss Lu admitted, she breathed a sigh of relief.
But at the same time, she felt ashamed of her thought of not blessing Miss Zhuâs ârelationshipâ, thus she lowered her head, saying nothing.
"Ah Bai, youâre teasing me." Zhu Pingniangâs eye twitched, did Li Zhibai even know the pressure she faced in deciding to keep the Pill Master with her?
Li Zhibai didnât speak, but Zhu Pingniang understood her intent.
Ah Bai would never tease her, let alone in such a manner.
"The reason, I want to hear the reason." Zhu Pingniang took a deep breath, she didnât care, she clearly said before, how could she go back on her word?
"Changâan thinks itâs inappropriate." Li Zhibai replied.
"...Ah?" Upon hearing this, Zhu Pingniang was stunned.
She stared blankly at Li Zhibai for a moment, her jet-black eyes trembling in their sockets.
After a good while, Zhu Pingniang asked in disbelief: "Ah Bai, what did you say... I didnât hear clearly just now."
Li Zhibai sighed helplessly, yet still said, "I discussed this with him, Changâan felt it was inappropriate, so let this matter pass."
"...Oh." Zhu Pingniang didnât speak.
She looked at Li Zhibai, her gaze growing increasingly strange, even the anger from being stood up by Li Zhibai dissipated entirely.
Ah Bai changed.
At this moment, this thought filled Zhu Pingniangâs mind.
She never imagined... Li Zhibai would actually abandon her original decision because of someone elseâs words.
This, in the past, was absolutely impossible.
But now... thinking of what Li Zhibai had said earlier, "Changâan thinks itâs inappropriate," as calm as it was, made Zhu Pingniang momentarily speechless.
Can a student, or rather a disciple, really cause such a big change in her Ah Bai?
At this moment, Li Zhibaiâs calm words felt unfamiliar to Zhu Pingniang.
Zhu Pingniangâs mind was chaotic, her heart a complex mix of emotions.
Yet... maybe itâs a good thing.
So she thought.
Zhu Pingniang lowered her head, the frivolous, absurdity, and flirtatiousness in her eyes faded away, and in her snow-like clear eyes shone unknown ripples.
What was the former Li Zhibai like?
Daoist Temple, bamboo forest, watching rain, listening to the wind.
She had experienced years that were second only to Shi Qingjun, yet compared to the Sect Leader who wholeheartedly pursued the Heavenly Dao, Li Zhibai was actually more... leisurely, or rather closer to nature.
Knowing White and Guarding Black is the way of the Heavenly Dao.
Zhu Tongjun was worried.
Because such a person void of desires and demands, even if one day she really vanishes on the pursuit of Heavenly Dao, she wouldnât be surprised, so she would seize an opportunity when she still held a bit of position in Li Zhibaiâs heart, stubbornly dragging her to Muyu Peak, the place most abundant in desires, attempting to use the ladies of Muyu Peak to distract Li Zhibaiâs thoughts.
But facts prove, it actually didnât have much effect.
Thus, Zhu Tongjunâs worries never subsided, because in her perspective, Li Zhibaiâs attachment had always been only to her, what would happen if one day, Li Zhibai grew tired of her...?
She didnât know.
But Zhu Tongjun worried for that dayâs arrival, so she would come to the brothel, trying to understand the simplest and most straightforward human desires, so she would care about the Beauty Fruit, all of which was to understand the importance of desire.
But now.
Perhaps she could be at ease.
Because even if Ah Bai grows tired of her existence, thereâs still Changâan, who could be her new attachment.
Isnât this a good thing?
Just didnât expect that apart from herself... the second person to walk into Ah Baiâs heart would actually be a man.
Zhu Pingniang lifted her head, a helpless smile on her face: "Since itâs following Changâanâs words, then as an elder sister, I have no reason to be angry... but Ah Bai, I originally thought if there was ever a man who could make you listen, he must be your Dao partner, yet surprisingly... a student conquered you."
"You flatter." Li Zhibai shot her a glance, then said: "As a teacher, itâs indeed necessary to consider his thoughts."
"Yes, yes, whatever you say is right." Zhu Pingniang pouted, and can only say if Xu Changâan was the one taking Li Zhibai away from her side, then she has no way to be angry, wouldnât even feel regret, just find it naturally reasonable.
"Donât know if your mindset is of a teacher... or like a mother." Zhu Pingniang hit the nail on the head.
Li Zhibai paused, then glanced at Yun Qian, saying nothing.
"Alright alright, all my fault." Being âtakenâ by Xu Changâan, Zhu Pingniang had no choice but to accept the silent loss.
Yun Qian: "..."
Miss Yun exchanged a look with Li Zhibai, then glanced at Zhu Pingniangâs expression that seemed like she was jealous, blinking an eye.
Thatâs why she thought of Li Zhibai as an impressive person, would be a main wife.
Originally â girls like them should listen to him.
But mother...
Yun Qian wasnât eager to be a husbandâs mother.
Since Li Zhibai was willing... then sheâd let her handle it.