Chapter 369: Hidden Feelings, Finding Peace p2
Sensing Mao Ruoyu and Cheng Yishi’s teasing gazes, Hua Shuya blushed, feeling quite shy as she offered them the tea: “T-Two Elder Sisters, please have some tea.”
Seeing the young woman’s shy and adorable demeanor, Mao Ruoyu’s heart softened, and she quickly took the teacup and placed it aside, standing up and gently supporting Hua Shuya: “Alright, although there’s the tea ceremony, the wedding is already over, there’s no need to be so formal. Since you’re not feeling well, just sit down and rest for a bit.”
Hua Shuya blushed and murmured: “Thank you, Madam… Elder Sister.”
“My two wives, would you like some tea?” Lin Tianlu offered them the teacups.
Cheng Yishi brushed her hair and said playfully: “You should be more gentle with Shuya in the future, husband.”
Although they had only been married for a short time, they had been… quite active every night, and they had gained some experience. They could naturally tell that Shuya must have been “ravaged” last night and was feeling sore.
Lin Tianlu chuckled awkwardly.
But Hua Shuya quickly whispered shyly: “Master was… very gentle last night, it’s just that I’m… not very… resilient.”
“There’s nothing to be ashamed of.” Mao Ruoyu said gently and reassuringly: “It’s normal to feel sore after the first time, you’ll gradually get used to it.”
Lin Tianlu said awkwardly: “Let Shuya sit down and rest, I’ll go and offer tea to Yue’er and Mother Tan.”
“Mm.”
The two of them helped Hua Shuya sit down, whispering and murmuring to each other, her face flushed, incredibly alluring.
Lin Tianlu walked over to Yun Yue with a teacup.
“Yue’er—”
“It’s good that the wedding went smoothly.”
Yun Yue stood up with a gentle smile, taking the teacup: “After a night of… hard work, if you’re feeling tired, Tianlu, have a good rest this afternoon.”
Lin Tianlu’s gaze softened: “Thank you for your consideration, Yue’er.”
But just as he was about to speak, Yun Yue whispered: “Go and offer tea to Mother Tan first, she’s not feeling well today, remember to show some concern. I don’t know what happened between you two last night, but you should at least take some responsibility.”
“…I understand.”
Lin Tianlu was slightly stunned, but he quickly calmed down.
Yue’er was perceptive and experienced, she must have noticed something.
Lost in thought, he slowly walked over to Mother Tan.
“…”
Mother Tan sat quietly, forcing a gentle smile: “Tianlu, why don’t you take your wives and stroll around the villa? It would be good for Shuya to relax.”
“I will.” Lin Tianlu handed her the warm tea and whispered softly: “But please take care of yourself, Mother Tan. If you have any worries or concerns, please tell me.”
Her eyes widened slightly:
“…Tianlu, could it be that you’ve already…”
“I wouldn’t lie to you, Mother Tan. Whatever I think, I’ll tell you honestly.” Lin Tianlu’s gaze was calm and focused, and he said seriously: “Although we haven’t known each other for long, I hope you can trust me more, Mother Tan, I will definitely help you.”
Mother Tan was momentarily speechless, as if in a daze.
But after a moment of silence, the gloomy and conflicted look in her eyes dissipated slightly, as if a heavy burden had been lifted, and she smiled faintly: “Your kindness and sense of responsibility truly put me at ease, Tianlu.”
Lin Tianlu frowned slightly: “But, Mother Tan, you—”
“There’s no need to say anything more.”
Mother Tan raised her wrist slightly and smiled faintly: “I’m much older than you, after all, practically an elder, I’ll take care of these trivial matters myself. There’s no need for you to worry with me, Tianlu.”
Seeing his serious and concerned expression, Mother Tan’s eyelashes trembled slightly, a faint blush appearing on her face, and she lowered her head, murmuring shyly: “Please… give me some face, Tianlu… if Shuya and the others find out, I’ll truly want to hide.”
“Have you… come to terms with it, Mother Tan?”
“…L-Let me think about it.”
Mother Tan suddenly became shy and averted her gaze, her lips moving slightly as she transmitted a message secretly, her voice incredibly soft and gentle, unlike her usual tone: “Alright, go back now, Tianlu, I’ll… I’ll always remember this, and I don’t regret last night.”
Hearing this, Lin Tianlu took a step back, a gentle smile appearing on his face, and he bowed: “Remember to rest early, Mother Tan. If you need anything, I’ll definitely come and help, please don’t keep everything bottled up inside, it will only hurt you, and make me feel guilty.”
“I understand… in my heart.”
Mother Tan pursed her lips tightly and quickly regained her dignified composure, nodding slightly.
…
After the morning tea ceremony, Lin Tianlu left the main hall with Mao Ruoyu and the others.
Only Mother Tan remained, dismissing the maids, even Lan’er.
“…”
The worried beauty leaned sideways, her head resting on her hand, sighing softly.
Mother Tan touched her chest, feeling her pounding heart, her mind filled with chaotic thoughts.
She had thought that a morning would be enough for her to calm down, but after interacting with Lin Tianlu face to face, she still…
…couldn’t forget those enchanting fantasies.
The various thoughts and desires she had harbored for nearly ten years began to dissipate, replaced by the memories of their interactions these past few days.
And last night’s unforgettable intimacy.
The love and tenderness that had been surging in her heart, as if ignited by a spark, had transformed into a raging fire.
And now, this fire hadn’t been extinguished, but rather, a precious ember remained, flickering and burning continuously, its warmth filling her body and soul, like a sun in the dark night.
“What should I—”
“It seems that Youluo’s intervention, although it healed the damage to your soul and opened the door to cultivation for you, didn’t soothe your emotions.”
A seductive voice echoed softly in the quiet hall.
Mother Tan’s expression changed, and she quickly looked up to see Chi Lingyuan sitting beside her.
“Y-You, how…”
“Tianlu asked me to stay here with you for a while. Logically, I should keep an eye on you, in case you do something foolish.”
Chi Lingyuan took a sip of tea, glanced at her, and smiled gently: “Madam Tan, do you need me to help you calm down?”
Mother Tan’s eyes flickered, and she quickly said: “I’m fine, you must be mistaken, Miss Chi.”
“Shuya and the others aren’t here, and there are no outsiders, there’s no need to pretend, Madam Tan.”
Chi Lingyuan chuckled mischievously: “Your body is trembling so much, Ruoyu and the others might not notice, but Miss Yun and I can see it clearly.”
Mother Tan was speechless.
“Madam Tan, do you know how long I’ve lived?”
“I… I don’t know.”
“Tens of thousands of years.”
Chi Lingyuan smiled faintly and tapped her forehead: “Perhaps I’ve spent some time sleeping or living in seclusion in the mountains, but I’ve experienced far more than you can imagine, Madam Tan. I can see through your worries and troubles with just a glance.”
Mother Tan’s expression changed several times, and she mused: “What do you mean by that, Miss Chi?”
“Simply put—”
Chi Lingyuan smiled and spread her hands: “Just follow your heart.”
Mother Tan was stunned: “What… what do you mean?”
“If you were just a mortal, following the customs and rules of the mortal world would be understandable. You and Tianlu established a close relationship and then… spent the night together, it’s indeed a bit inappropriate.”
Chi Lingyuan pointed at her chest: “But you’re no longer an ordinary mortal now.”
“…”
Mother Tan’s eyes widened slightly as she clutched her chest, stunned and bewildered.
“I’m not trying to deceive you with sophistry, it’s the truth.” Chi Lingyuan’s expression turned slightly serious, and she explained in a deep voice: “Leaving aside Tianlu, you’ve received a part of Youluo’s power and have also started cultivating, as long as you practice diligently, your lifespan will be no less than a thousand years. As an imperial princess, you should understand what a thousand years means in the mortal world.”
Mother Tan murmured in a daze: “Dynasties change, customs and traditions change, ordinary rules no longer apply.”
“Exactly.”
Chi Lingyuan nodded slightly: “That’s also why you, as an imperial princess, didn’t know about the existence of demons and ghosts before. No matter how high your status, you’re still just a ‘mortal,’ a flesh and blood being. In just a few hundred years, you will turn to dust and be buried in the imperial mausoleum.”
“So, what meaning do those worldly rules and customs have for you?”
She smiled gently and said softly: “As long as you don’t harm others or cause chaos in the world, cultivation is about pursuing longevity, freedom, and transcendence. If you hold onto regrets and hesitate, how can you achieve true enlightenment and self-actualization?”
Mother Tan was deeply moved, feeling that Miss Chi’s words made perfect sense.
—Perhaps she truly had been overthinking things.
After a moment of silence, she couldn’t help but nod in agreement:
“Your words have truly eased my mind and calmed my heart, Miss Chi. I… I was truly lost and confused before.”
“It’s good that you’re feeling better.” Chi Lingyuan leaned against the table, resting her chin on her hand, her eyes blinking playfully, and she chuckled: “If you still have any worries or troubles, tell me.
Just like Tianlu said, keeping those things bottled up inside will only hurt you. Since you’re too shy to talk to Tianlu, just chat with me for a few days, just treat me like a friend of the same age… although I’m too old to be called that.”
Seeing Chi Lingyuan’s gentle smile and playful tone, Mother Tan’s heart warmed with gratitude.
Then, she smiled faintly, lowering her eyes: “You look so beautiful and vibrant, Miss Chi, much younger than me.”
“Youth is a good thing.” Chi Lingyuan chuckled: “But your dignified and noble aura is even more captivating, Madam Tan.”
“Is that so…”
Mother Tan frowned slightly and nodded thoughtfully.
Chi Lingyuan suddenly teased: “Tianlu probably also prefers your mature and cold demeanor from before, Mother Tan. Always sighing and lamenting makes you seem more… endearing.”
Mother Tan’s cheeks flushed slightly, her eyes flickering, and she sighed softly.
But perhaps because she was in a better mood, she raised her beautiful eyes, similar to Chi Lingyuan’s, the corners of her lips curving into a faint smile, and she said half-jokingly: “Compared to this middle-aged woman, Miss Chi, you’re clearly more favored by Tianlu. Perhaps, in a while, I’ll be able to attend another wedding in Changling County. A phoenix returning to its nest, a double celebration.”
“Cough, cough, cough!”
Chi Lingyuan almost choked on her tea.
Her face flushed slightly, and she hurriedly brushed her hair, murmuring with a playful glare: “Your mood has barely improved, Mother Tan, and you’re already thinking about finding another wife for your Tianlu?”
Mother Tan’s expression calmed down, she picked up her teacup, and smiled faintly: “Since Tianlu has no family, I naturally have to take care of him. And as for the relationship between us…”
She paused slightly, her eyes flickering, and then she smiled serenely:
“I just want him to be happy.”
“Tianlu will surely be relieved to hear that.”
Chi Lingyuan leaned closer with interest, her golden eyes blinking, and she smiled seductively: “Since you’re feeling better now, Mother Tan, why don’t you tell me what happened last night when Youluo possessed you and what you did with Tianlu in the room? What positions did you use… I’m very curious!”
“…”
Mother Tan’s eye twitched, almost crushing the teacup in her hand.
Although this Miss Chi was gentle and considerate, her personality…
…was perhaps even more unpredictable.
