"Is it useful for me? Definitely not." Zhu Pingniang shook her hand without thinking, "Essentially, itâs about stimulating acupuncture points, promoting circulation and energy flow... Itâs useless for me, and anyone who has experienced the Qi Cultivation baptism wonât find it useful."
Wen Li nodded.
Thatâs just how it is.
"Itâs useless, yet you run to do it every day, mingling with those girls and lying down." Miss Lu squinted her eyes, "Sister, if you have that time, you might as well settle accounts more."
"You might as well kill me." Zhu Pingniang glanced at her lazily, stretched comfortably, and then pointed her slender fingers towards Wen Li, "Not every woman is like you and Ah Li, able to work eleven hours out of twelve a day. Whatâs wrong with me occasionally going to relax?"
"Isnât it useless?" Miss Lu snorted lightly.
"But itâs quite comfortable." Zhu Pingniang blinked and said, "Watching those girls cautiously applying silver needles, afraid of hurting me, doesnât it seem quite interesting?"
Zhu Pingniang excitedly opened her eyes and clapped her hands, "Itâs as though all I have done for them is finally paying off... Moreover, those girls really like me. When applying needles on me, many girls compete for the chance, some even dare not look at me, blushing and canât open their eyes â itâs very amusing... and..."
"Cough." Miss Lu coughed twice, interrupting Zhu Pingniangâs mania.
Seeing Wen Liâs surprised look, Miss Lu was blushing furiously.
Her sister truly isnât afraid of losing face.
"Well," Zhu Pingniang shook her head and said, "anyway, the experience isnât bad. The special-made mugwort at Flower Moon Building has a gentle and harmonious aroma that I donât dislike. Placing the warming moxibustion stones on my stomach and... chatting with the girls lying beside me... itâs a great way to relax, and I really enjoy it."
"...Thatâs so." Miss Lu could understand Zhu Pingniangâs later reasoning.
She also loved that cozy feeling,
only Wen Li was lost in thought.
That is to say, the same moxibustion, Miss Yun enjoys because of her child, and Master Zhu because itâs comfortable...
What about herself?
Just as Wen Li was thinking this, Zhu Pingniang clapped her hands and looked at Yun Qian with eyes shining brightly with excitement, "Since Ms. Yun said she wants to go, letâs wait for Ah Bai to return, and weâll all go for some silver needle moxibustion."
Moxibustion, huh.
She really liked Yun Qianâs fair hands.
And also, Ah Bai...
With moxibustion, maybe she could play a prank on Ah Bai, or take advantage a little...
Very exciting.
"Okay." Miss Lu naturally had no objections and followed with a faint excitement and a flushed face.
With Yun Qian together, that would be with Yun Qian together.
During moxibustion, clothes have to be... removed, even briefly, which is... quite thrilling.
Miss Lu felt her heartbeat almost jumping out, she took a deep breath and said, "Iâll go arrange a few girls from the medical family."
"Mm... Ah Li, you join us too." Zhu Pingniang casually included Wen Li.
Wen Li wouldnât refuse, as she was also intrigued.
But...
Will Master Li be there?
Wen Li closed her eyes.
She wouldnât lie to herself, but her heart did indeed speed up, seemingly stoic she was moved.
Not because of Yun Qian, but because of Li Zhibai.
Being candid with Master Li, honestly speaking... Wen Li wasnât ready, felt an unspeakable nervousness.
Three women, all on a heartbeat journey because of a moxibustion.
With a candidate for Yun Qianâs maid, a student for Li Zhibai, and two who just wanted to take a curious look.
Only Miss Yun was purest, without the slightest change.
She simply wanted a child.
ââ
ââ
On the banquet steps, Li Zhibai and Xu Changâan were still talking.
Out of respect and admiration for the Sect Leader, Li Zhibai was very interested in analyzing Miss Aqingâs character.
At this time, Xu Changâan had understood most of what Li Zhibai wanted to say.
In simple terms, the gentleman felt Miss Aqing wasnât quite right... somewhat counterintuitive.
Her mind shouldnât be so simple, easily swayed by trivial matters, nor should her heart beat like crazy, unable to stand just by meeting them briefly.
For since mind and will are crucial in cultivation, Miss Aqing being noticed by Shi Qingjun, would definitely not be superficial.
And despite not mentioning Shi Qingjun, speaking of Miss Aqing herself.
"Half-demon." Li Zhibai frowned, "Sheâs a half-demon, one... able to live securely till now, and still preserving a womanâs purity."
Miss Aqingâs beauty was well acknowledged, still a half-demon.
In such circumstances, what kind of good-natured girl could Aqing be? Would she be as pure as she looks, just weak in the knees in front of a man?
Seeing Xu Changâan ponder, Li Zhibai continued saying, "Furthermore, even if she werenât a half-demon, her sword dance, youâve seen it right? Such an ancient sword dance, cultivated to her extent, able to use light and shadow, wrapped with Spiritual Qi in the Great Success Realm, demands how much dedication... Changâan, youâre learning swordsmanship, you must understand."
"Mm." Xu Changâan said truthfully, "Sir, in terms of the sword, Iâm far inferior to Miss Aqing."
Regarding Xu Changâan humbling himself to elevate Miss Aqing, Li Zhibai held no opinion.
Because it might not even be considered humbling.
Miss Aqing managing such a sword dance at the Open Source Realm, behind that, how much hard work, endurance through countless nights, and what kind of resolve... Li Zhibai knew clearly.
"So itâs whatâs perplexing." Li Zhibai watched Xu Changâan, her tone smacking of oddity.
The Sect Leaderâs insight as well.
The half-demonâs experiences too.
The cultivation of sword dance as well.
All on presenting, Miss Aqingâs mind should not waver easily, yet her prior tension and blushing were undeniable...
What does this indicate?
"Sir, couldnât it be that even if Miss Aqing is odd, it doesnât matter?" Xu Changâan hesitated but expressed his thoughts, "Sheâs Ms. Zhuâs daughter, also valued by the seniors of the sect as a student... with ties as such..."
No need to be wary.
Xu Changâan was very accurate at reading people; Miss Aqing absolutely bore no malice, coupled with these connections... sheâs trustworthy, even if odd, it doesnât matter.
"Of course I know, I donât suspect her." Li Zhibai waved her hand.
That was Tong Junâs daughter, might end up calling her aunt in the future... so wariness and suspecting arenât there.
She was just purely curious, curious why Miss Aqing was valued by Shi Qingjun.
Besides...
Watching Xu Changâanâs calm look, Li Zhibai sighed gently.
"Changâan, to put it simply... Aqingâs resolve as well, her mind too, are extremely mature." Li Zhibai met Xu Changâanâs gaze, "But her earlier panic wasnât faked... What does this mean, can you grasp it?"
Xu Changâan: "..."
Xu Changâan was momentarily silent.
Li Zhibai kept watching him, saying nothing further.
What does this mean?
This means Xu Changâan was incredibly special to Miss Aqing.
Miss Aqingâs feelings for Xu Changâan far surpassed the hardships endured as a half-demon, much greater than those endless practices with the sword endured... only such could explain her being so flustered.
This means Xu Changâan had already far surpassed these past events and the sword in Aqingâs heart.
This signifies...
Miss Aqing liked him very much.
Isnât it obvious?
Slow on the uptake and less versed in feelings, Li Zhibai simply because of Aqingâs fluster before Xu Changâan deduced this.
Xu Changâan is how bright a person, wouldnât he understand?
Thus, she and Xu Changâan were aware Aqing wasnât hiding her affection for Xu Changâan.
"Changâan."
"Mm?"
"Your attitude has always been rather clear, hasnât it?" Li Zhibai asked.
Clearly rejecting.
Clearly faithful.
"Mm." Xu Changâan responded.
Very clear.
Heâs not a flirt, so many things he need not repeat, for he already wore ârefusalâ on his face.
Hence, he hadnât neglected to reject Aqing, he was always rejecting.