Chapter 18: Jealousy Part 2

“Better to replace it. Master doesn’t like these two trees either. I’ve just rarely stayed here these years. Tomorrow, I’ll have other disciples come dig them up. We’ll leave the spot empty for now and plant something else in spring. Tell me first what tree you want to plant, so I can make arrangements.”

Wei Lingci’s expression was very calm, the earlier sharpness just a fleeting moment. Xun Changqing didn’t care about that—perhaps she didn’t like the plum trees either. A faint peach blossom fragrance lingered at her nose. Without thinking, she said, “Peach blossoms. Peach blossoms smell nice, and in summer, there’ll be peaches too. Best of both worlds.”

Her eyes sparkled. Wei Lingci released her hand, leaned down slightly, tapped the tip of her nose, and smiled. “You’ve only been with Zhao Yang for half an hour, and you’re already talking about eating. If you spend more time with him, will you end up like him?”

Like him and get fat? Xun Changqing hurriedly shook her head. “No, that wouldn’t be good.”

“How wouldn’t it be good?”

“You won’t be able to marry a wife. People will despise you.”

What Xun Changqing had in mind was Zhao Yang grown up, and the words slipped out. But she didn’t know what Zhao Yang looked like when he grew up in her previous life. Zhao Yang was only ten; in three more years, he would go down the mountain to go home. Children of official families came up the mountain just to train in martial arts—they didn’t aspire to make a name in the jianghu.

Wei Lingci looked at her small, serious figure and couldn’t help but laugh. She was clearly a girl pretending to be a boy—that was one thing—but she kept talking about marrying a wife every day. She smiled. “If you can’t marry, you can always get married off yourself. But if you don’t go inside soon, the dumplings will get cold.”

As usual, Xun Changqing’s jade-like cheeks flushed slightly pink. “Getting married off” from Wei Lingci’s mouth meant a man entering the family as a son-in-law. She wasn’t happy about it and was just about to speak when the person behind her beat her to it. “Who’s talking about marrying a wife? Who’s talking about getting married off?”

Another uninvited guest had arrived. Xun Changqing half-hid behind Wei Lingci, turning her head away. Second Martial Uncle Mu Chen had come. He was unrestrained and loved teasing newly met children the most.

Mu Chen wore a purple robe—vivid yet not demonic. His brows and eyes were resolute, but his every gesture was like that of a child. He had only one disciple under him. She remembered that in her previous life, Wang Pingjun had asked him to take a disciple, but he refused to the death. He enjoyed his freedom; taking on someone else’s child meant responsibility and too much trouble. Better to wander the world alone, so carefree.

Xun Changqing not hiding was one thing, but hiding only piqued Mu Chen’s curiosity more. Seeing it was a boyish appearance, he reached out to grab her. Unexpectedly, halfway there, Wei Lingci swatted his hand away. He failed to grab her and even took a hit, rubbing his heaving chest in dissatisfaction. “Once you take a disciple, you treasure them like this? Let me see. Don’t be stingy, A’ci. You used to be very generous—this Purple Ying Pavilion was half mine.”

Wei Lingci still protected the food box with one hand, her expression unchanged as she said coolly, “Senior Brother, if you’re here as a mouthpiece, please go back.”

The sun set in the west, and the daylight gradually dimmed. The adults didn’t feel anything amiss standing under the tree, but Xun Changqing tightened her clothes, feeling cold. She tugged at Wei Lingci’s clothes and whispered, “Master, it’s getting windy outside.”

Mu Chen watched with his own eyes as Xun Changqing’s small hand grabbed Wei Lingci’s slender wrist. His eyes blinked—he hadn’t seen wrong. Wei Lingci actually held that tender, bun-like little hand, her gaze deep and focused. He immediately shouted, “Xun Changqing, men and women should keep their distance! Let go of your master’s hand. Don’t ruin your master’s pure reputation.”

This truly startled Xun Changqing. She looked at him in terror with his fiery gaze. With an outsider present, it did seem a bit improper. She wanted to pull her hand back, but Wei Lingci gripped it tightly and led her toward the house. “This is your Second Martial Uncle, Mu Chen.”

The two entered the house, leaving Mu Chen alone under the plum tree in the whistling cold wind to “enjoy the cool.”

By the time he entered, Wei Lingci and Xun Changqing were already sitting at the table eating dumplings, with a clean set of bowl and chopsticks placed beside them. He gathered his robes and sat across from Wei Lingci, picked up a piece of lamb and put it in his mouth before saying, “Grand Martial Brother sent me to persuade you to marry him. He says marrying early or late is the same, and besides, Master supports him. Don’t let the fat water flow to outsiders.”