Chapter 266: The Approaching Wedding
First Elder glanced sideways, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly: “But I suppose these mundane gifts won’t catch your eye. If you don’t need them, just store them away for emergencies. If we cultivators don’t follow the customs of mortals and give some small gifts, it would seem too shabby.”
“However—”
Before Lin Tianlu could speak, she suddenly changed the subject, a mysterious smile appearing on her face: “I also have a true gift to give you, personally.”
“A gift?”
Lin Tianlu frowned slightly: “I won’t accept anything too valuable. After all, I invited you elders to celebrate with me, not to ask for gifts. If Ruoyu and the others find out, they’ll feel bad.”
“Don’t worry. This is a personal gift from me.”
First Elder’s beautiful eyes flickered, her delicate fingertips gently sliding down to her abdomen. Strange lines suddenly appeared, intertwining and transforming into a mysterious and ancient array seal.
Then, a hairpin carved with intricate patterns slowly materialized.
She bit her lip lightly and flicked her finger with a playful look: “Catch.”
Lin Tianlu instinctively caught the flying hairpin and looked closely. It was a jade hairpin flowing with a faint spiritual light, warm to the touch, as if it were alive!
“This is—”
“This is a hairpin refined from my soul, you can borrow my soul power with it. In the future, if you encounter any dangerous situations where you can’t personally intervene, take out this jade hairpin. It can help protect those you want to protect.”
First Elder teased: “If you want to give it to Ruoyu or the others, I wouldn’t mind.”
Lin Tianlu was silent for a moment, then solemnly put the jade hairpin away: “This is very valuable, I will keep it close to me.”
“Hey! You brat, you’re actually quite thoughtful and reliable at times.”
First Elder couldn’t help but chuckle and patted his chest casually: “Remember to say these sweet words to your two wives more often, they’ll love to hear them.”
“Alright! Now go and choose a bedroom for Jingyun and me. After traveling all this way, I really need a good rest.”
She quickly changed the subject, taking the lead with a chuckle, and with a flick of her finger, the black robe on the long chair transformed into an elegant gauze dress, floating over and dressing her.
The waistband tightened, the sleeves fluttered, and in the blink of an eye, she had become a beautiful woman like a celestial being, exuding an elegant and dignified aura. Completely different from her alluring and seductive appearance just now, as if she had completely changed into another person.
Lin Tianlu’s eyes flickered, and he followed her curiously: “Now that I look closely, I realize that you look very similar to how you were before?”
“I broke through to the Savage Realm by chance and underwent a complete transformation. Although I was soundly defeated by you, my foundation has changed significantly. I’m completely different from ordinary demons and ghosts now.”
As she spoke, her skirt fluttered, and a long, sharp tail like a fang emerged from the hem, swaying like a nimble finger.
“I’m using some Yin techniques to maintain this appearance you see. Otherwise, I would have a pair of horns on my head.”
First Elder suddenly stopped and turned her head slightly, smiling mischievously: “Or do you think my previous monstrous form was more beautiful?”
Lin Tianlu rubbed his chin and said thoughtfully: “I think that to better display a woman’s charm, one should wear more clothes. If it’s too revealing, it will be vulgar and detract from the woman’s inherent temperament and essence.
At least First Elder now looks like a mature woman, more memorable.”
“You… have become quite the smooth talker.”
First Elder chided him, her eyes flashing, a faint blush appearing on her smiling face.
“Ah!”
A scream suddenly rang out.
They both turned to the sound and saw Xueshan, who had just finished washing up, standing at the corner of the corridor with a shocked expression.
After noticing their gazes, he seemed to react quickly, covering his mouth and bowing repeatedly with a panicked expression: “P-Please forgive me, I was too surprised just now…”
“This is Ruoyu’s relative who has come from afar.” Lin Tianlu introduced with a smile.
“Ah… Hello!”
Xueshan bowed hurriedly, anxiously not knowing what to say.
He hadn’t reacted in time just now and had thought that some Madam had come to visit privately, wanting to…
“What a well-behaved child.”
First Elder smiled gently and patted his head: “You must grow taller and stronger quickly. If you want to eat anything, take this small amount of money and buy something to try.”
Saying this, she took out an exquisite money pouch from her sleeve and placed it in his hand.
Xueshan was stunned and hurriedly tried to refuse, but First Elder showed a playful smile, raising her hand and tapping his forehead: “Don’t forget to come to the wedding in a few days.”
“You—”
Xueshan’s eyes widened slightly, feeling a strange sensation flowing from his forehead.
Then, his cheeks flushed red, as if smoke was rising from his head. Blushing profusely, he bowed again, clutching the money pouch and running away in a panic, as if fleeing in embarrassment.
Lin Tianlu watched him leave, slightly bewildered: “Is this child really that shy?”
“Hehe~ A child’s thoughts can sometimes be even more imaginative than us older folks.”
First Elder chuckled, crossing her arms and glancing sideways: “But how do you plan to treat this child in the future?”
“As a friend, of course.”
Lin Tianlu shrugged: “Although he’s still young, children eventually grow up. In a few years, we should be able to interact as equals.”
“Oh~ You scholar are truly impartial.”
First Elder showed a meaningful and ambiguous smile, not saying anything more. She quickly swayed her slender waist and hips, her long purple hair, almost reaching her ankles, flowing as she gracefully walked away: “Take me to choose a room first. Later, when Jingyun and the others return, we’ll help you prepare for the wedding banquet.
As your elders, we can’t just let you keep everything simple. At least the inside and outside of the courtyard must be properly decorated.”
…
Crack!
As the illusion dissipated, Cheng Yishi quickly came back to her senses.
“Yishi, your talent is truly amazing, such progress is truly remarkable.”
“Martial Aunt!” The young woman quickly looked sideways and saw Wu Jingyun looking at her gently. She couldn’t help but lower her head and clasp her hands, murmuring: “What I just experienced in that bamboo pavilion—”
“Although it was an illusion, it was also a direct communication between you and me.”
Wu Jingyun sighed and gently embraced her: “I heard about it from Ruoyu before, but I didn’t fully understand. But now, after listening carefully, I can finally understand the pain and unease you’ve endured all these years. You’ve truly suffered, child.”
“Ah…”
Cheng Yishi’s body stiffened slightly, as if she didn’t know what to do.
But feeling this closeness and care, her heart warmed, and she gradually let go of her resistance, sighing inwardly: As expected of Mao Ruoyu’s adoptive mother, not only were their figures similar, but even their caring and nurturing nature was the same. She truly didn’t know how to refuse this sincere and gentle comfort.
“It seems Master and Miss Cheng are getting along quite well?”
A faint chuckle sounded from the side.
Cheng Yishi suddenly opened her eyes and hurriedly broke free from the embrace. She saw Mao Ruoyu standing beside her with a smile.
“Miss Cheng’s peaceful and serene expression just now was truly beautiful and outstanding.”
Cheng Yishi’s face flushed red, feeling a bit ashamed.
How could she have been caught at that exact moment?
“Your relationship is better than I imagined.”
Wu Jingyun’s eyes were filled with tenderness as she took both of their hands and clasped them together: “But you should argue less in the future and support and help each other more.”
Mao Ruoyu: “…”
Cheng Yishi: “…”
They looked at each other, not knowing how to react under the elder’s warm gaze. They could only force a strange, half-smiling, half-crying expression and hugged each other.
