Zhu Pingniang spoke, and she herself started laughing.
Apprenticing to the most renowned Hidden Immortal of Qing Province, a woman most sect leaders would address as âelder,â and not asking for a magical treasure, spirit stone, or territory, but just wanting a hand-made wood carving... who would believe such a thing?
Ah Bai, is truly inexpensive.
"Mm... something made with his own hands..." Yun Qian understood and said softly, "Indeed, the requirement is quite high."
Her husband was right.
Listening to Yun Qianâs matter-of-fact statement, Zhu Pingniang was taken aback.
Wait.
Did she hear wrong?
High?
High requirement?
Is this requirement really high?
"???" Zhu Pingniangâs head was filled with question marks, looking helpless: "Ms. Yun, is this really high? If Ah Bai becomes any cheaper, I wonât be able to sleep."
"...?"
Like Zhu Pingniang, Yun Qian also had a small question mark on her head.
Strange.
Is it her problem?
Is requesting a wood carving hand-made by her husband, something thatâs top-tier in her treasure vault as a âsupreme treasure,â really not a high requirement?
That is, after all, something made by Xu Changâan himself.
In Yun Qianâs mind, what Zhu Pingniang said about the apprenticeship gift outweighs all requests for longevity, ascension, transcendence combined by countless times.
If even this requirement isnât considered high, Yun Qian doesnât know what could be.
For a moment, the two women just stared at each other, and the scene seemed inexplicably funny.
Of course, the funny one was Zhu Pingniang staring at Yun Qian; Miss Yun looked innocently adorable, not funny.
"Ms. Yun, isnât Ah Bai worth at least a wood carving or a plant?" Zhu Pingniangâs mouth twitched.
"Valuable." Yun Qian nodded.
Of course, itâs valuable.
She only said the requirement is high, not that she wouldnât give it.
No matter what Li Zhibai is, sheâs her husbandâs former âmain wife,â now his âmother,â so of course sheâs worth more than a wood carving. If Li Zhibai werenât alive, sheâd be the most precious item in Yun Qianâs treasure vault.
Wen Li: "..."
Looking at the farcical scene, Wen Li gently lifted the strands of her hair by her ear, her lowered gaze filled with helplessness.
She... could actually understand Yun Qian.
Wen Li, understanding Yun Qian, has seen Yun Qianâs home collection: those writings by her junior brother, sachets sewn, crafts made by him, carvings, each is Yun Qianâs most treasured possession...
Wen Li understood that in Yun Qianâs heart, a wood carving made by her junior is more important than any treasure, cultivation, or anything else...
So, she could understand.
Itâs precisely because she understands Yun Qianâs feelings for Xu Changâan that Wen Li doubts whether her feelings are âaffection.â
In the face of such marital emotions, even Miss Wen would feel confused.
But itâs normal for Zhu Pingniang to not understand...
Miss Lu keenly sensed some clues and said helplessly: "Alright Miss Zhu, perhaps your thoughts and Miss Yunâs donât align."
Zhu Pingniang cooled down, contemplating: "Maybe like how I find Enlightenment Tea precious, but Ah Bai drinks it like ordinary tea...?"
"What are you saying? I donât understand." Miss Lu shrugged.
Zhu Pingniang frowned, can Changâanâs wood carving really hold such significant value in Yunâs mind?
Perhaps in their everyday lives, something special concerning wood carvings happened between them?
"Forget it." Zhu Pingniang pouted, then stood up, walking briskly to Yun Qianâs side. In Yun Qianâs somewhat confused gaze, she gently held Yunâs hand: "Anyway, Iâm just a worthless woman. Ms. Yun, Iâm not saying Changâanâs wood carving isnât valuable, nor do I belittle him. Please donât misunderstand, sister."
She truly worried that her previous attitude would make Yun Qian dislike her.
"No misunderstanding." Yun Qian spoke honestly.
She knew very well how much Zhu Pingniang liked Xu Changâan. As Li Zhibai said, as long as Xu Changâan doesnât let her down, even if he causes heavenly trouble, Zhu Pingniang would let everything go to stand behind him.
Such emotions would make even Li Zhibai feel ashamed.
Yun Qian could never misunderstand such a thing.
"No misunderstanding, then..." Zhu Pingniang held Yun Qianâs slightly cold hand, covering it with her other palm: "I donât quite understand the specifics, but since you can manage, the reasons... I wonât ask."
The moment she held Yun Qianâs hand, Zhu Pingniang was suddenly purified.
âMs. Yunâs hand is indeed likable... wait, what was I supposed to say... my brain isnât working.â
What fun.
What Changâan.
What Ah Bai.
All irrelevant, whatever gift for apprenticeship, give what you want, whatâs it matter to her?
All she had on her mind were the cool hands, the smooth fingers, the shiny glimmers on the nails...
Perfect.
Irresistibly charming.
If only time could pause for eternity.
Wen Li: "..."
Miss Lu: "..."
At this moment, although Zhu Pingniang appeared apologetic, her actions were excessively aggressive, seeming not to explain to Yun Qian but to take advantage.
Especially Miss Lu, wanting nothing more than to find a hole and disappear.
What is her sister doing?
She could see Zhu Pingniang kneeling beside her, hands gently caressing Yun Qianâs fingers, using finger joints to touch hers while blushing and dazed.
Occasionally sucking her lips, swallowing.
In front of such a Zhu Pingniang, Yun Qian seemed like a clean, innocent little flower touched by a delinquent, evoking sympathy.
Miss Zhu, what kind of rascal have you become?
Miss Lu swore she never felt âsleazyâ on a womanâs body before.
But now she felt it.
And on her favorite Miss Zhu.
Miss Lu watched Yun Qianâs blinking rate increase and Wen Liâs odd gaze stuck on Zhu Pingniang, her face burning crimson.
Face.
All her dignity tossed aside by Miss Zhuâs actions.
Miss Yun wouldnât think being raised by such a sleazy woman would render me similarly, right?
Honestly, sheâs just fond of beauty, nothing like this woman.
Miss Luâs face flushed, urgently wanting to drag Zhu Pingniang away, but she couldnât; any close attempt would make her seem Zhuâs accomplice to Yun.
"I... saw nothing." Miss Lu took a deep breath, gaze wandering.
She avoided reality.
"..."
Though the atmosphere became odd, Yun Qian herself didnât mind, holding hands with Zhu Pingniang was just holding hands.
Besides, Yun Qian could see Zhu Pingniang thinking about a guqin, one best suited for her fingers.
A gift for herself?
Yun Qian considered these irrelevant, then turned to Wen Li intending to resume talking about the apprenticeship gift and wood carving.
Fetching a carving from her treasure vault was impossible, so Xu Changâan would need to create another.
But just as Yun Qian glanced, the stood gently took Zhu Pingniangâs wrist, pulling her away from Yun Qian with an undeniable gentleness.
"Master Zhu."
Fetching a carving from her treasure vault was impossible, so Xu Changâan would need to create another.
But just as Yun Qian glanced, the stood gently took Zhu Pingniangâs wrist, pulling her away from Yun Qian with an undeniable gentleness.
"Master Zhu."