That evening, the Martial Arts Alliance held a banquet.

There were two themes: celebrating the emergence of the Old Ancestor from seclusion and thanking Silver Constable Xu for his righteous assistance.

In the hall, Xu Qi’an, Chu Yuanzhen, the Heaven Sect’s Dragon and Phoenix duo, Master Heng Yuan, Mu Nanchi, and Miao Youfang sat in one row.

Cao Qingyang and other Martial Arts Alliance officials, along with nine heads of affiliated sects and gangs, sat in another row.

In the central position sat Kou Yangzhou, the old fellow with frost-white hair.

Due to the collapse of the main peak and the need for reconstruction, the banquet wasn’t extravagant. No singing girls or dancing girls were invited for entertainment, and the food and wine were rather simple.

However, this didn’t mean the banquet was dull – quite the contrary, the atmosphere was extremely lively.

The Martial Arts Alliance had no shortage of people from all walks of life, and those who lived in the jianghu world all possessed some talents.

There was storytelling and opera singing, and the women of Ten Thousand Flowers Tower showcased their talents with songs and dances, providing continuous entertainment.

Even Tower Master Xiao Yue’nu herself performed, playing the zither and singing a portion of Xu Qi’an’s “A Promise Worth a Thousand Gold.” Her voice was like heavenly music.

The audience repeatedly called out in appreciation.

Impressive, her zither skills are no worse than Fuxiang’s… Xu Qi’an applauded with a smile, not sparing his praise as he joined the crowd’s acclaim.

Fu Jingmen, drinking wine without eating, was already slightly tipsy. He slapped the table and said:

“This is Silver Constable Xu’s lyrics! Since Tower Master Xiao admires Silver Constable Xu so much, why not have the Old Ancestor act as matchmaker and betroth her to him?”

The room suddenly fell silent.

Xiao Yue’nu was the pearl of Jianzhou, with countless admirers, yet at this moment, no one stood up to oppose Fu Jingmen.

Any other man would have been deemed unworthy.

Only for Xu Qi’an would people think Xiao Yue’nu was marrying above her station.

Kou Yangzhou sat in the main seat, looked at the naturally beautiful Xiao Yue’nu, and nodded:

“The young lass has good looks.”

If Xu Qi’an was interested in Xiao Yue’nu, he would facilitate the match.

Suddenly, everyone’s attention focused on Xu Qi’an.

Xiao Yue’nu smiled demurely, casting a gentle glance his way.

If I refuse, it would embarrass the young lady, but if I don’t refuse, Nanchi will get angry and turn against me… As Xu Qi’an was hesitating, he heard Mu Nanchi beside him say coolly:

“Tower Master Xiao is naturally beautiful and lovable, indeed worthy of Xu Ningyan.

“If she doesn’t mind, she could be a concubine.”

Her tone and manner were like those of a primary wife from a noble house considering taking a concubine for her husband.

Xiao Yue’nu raised an eyebrow and smiled: “This auntie is…?”

Auntie?!

Mu Nanchi’s eyebrows shot up, her left hand instinctively squeezing the bodhi bead bracelet on her right wrist.

She was about to assert her authority and put this jianghu woman in her place when she caught Li Meizhen watching her from the corner of her eye.

She suddenly remembered how earlier that day, she had sworn up and down, practically swearing to heaven, that she had no connection with Xu Qi’an.

This little witch from the Heaven Sect is just waiting to laugh at me… Taking a deep breath, Mu Nanchi said with a smile:

“I am Ningyan’s mother.”

She looked at Xu Qi’an with maternal affection: “My dear son, Tower Master Xiao entering our Xu family as a concubine would be excellent. Don’t you agree with mother?”

Everyone present was shocked.

They hadn’t expected Silver Constable Xu to travel with his mother!

They didn’t immediately doubt it because this woman’s age did seem appropriate.

…Xu Qi’an’s mouth twitched violently.

Chu Yuanzhen and Li Lingsu struggled to hold back their laughter.

Xiao Yue’nu kept her gaze straight ahead, her tone cold:

“Silver Constable Xu grew up with his uncle and aunt.”

Hearing this, everyone suddenly remembered the intelligence of Xu Qi’an – orphaned young, raised by his uncle and aunt!

So this woman claiming to be his “mother”…

Fu Jingmen and others looked from Mu Nanchi to Xu Qi’an, somewhat confused.

“Wet nurse!”

Li Lingsu couldn’t hold back anymore and laughed: “This madam is Silver Constable Xu’s wet nurse. He’s been inseparable from her since childhood, so when he left the capital to travel the jianghu, he brought his wet nurse along.”

Chu Yuanzhen quickly lowered his head to drink.

Li Meizhen burst out laughing.

Mu Nanchi’s cheeks flushed red as she glared fiercely at Li Lingsu.

After this series of interruptions, no one mentioned marriage again.

However, when Fu Jingmen, Qiao Weng, and other crude martial artists occasionally glanced at Mu Nanchi and Xu Qi’an, their eyes seemed to hold some inexplicable deeper meaning.

Particularly, they felt that although this wet nurse was plain in appearance, there was something quite alluring in her bearing and movements – she was a woman of considerable charm.

Silver Constable Xu, orphaned young, lacking maternal love…

Fu Jingmen dispersed the bold thoughts from his mind and raised his wine cup: “Everyone’s saying Silver Constable Xu is the reincarnation of the Founding Emperor. Let’s drink to the Founding Emperor’s reincarnation!”

Heroes don’t question personal matters – though Xu Qi’an traveled with his wet nurse, he was still everyone’s beloved Silver Constable.

…

After eating and drinking their fill, Xu Qi’an’s group took their leave.

On the way back to their temporary residence, Li Lingsu brought up a topic:

“I have something to attend to, please go ahead without me.”

Li Meizhen frowned: “Where are you going?!”

As his junior sister, it was natural and reasonable for her to intervene in and care about her senior brother’s private affairs.

“I’ll explain later.”

Li Lingsu casually brushed her off. A flying sword shot out from his sleeve, and he gracefully stood on its spine, whooshing away.

Watching Li Lingsu’s disappearing figure, Li Meizhen humphed:

“So secretive, he’s very strange. He was unusually quiet at the banquet, and didn’t even flirt with Xiao Yue’nu or the Ten Thousand Flowers Tower girls.”

Xu Qi’an stroked his chin and said:

“Come to think of it, we still don’t know who Li Lingsu’s old flame at the Martial Arts Alliance is. Meizhen, do you know?

“I remember Li Lingsu saying that Dog Rong Mountain isn’t far from Heaven Sect’s Holy Mountain, and after you came down the mountain, you first traveled through Jianzhou.”

The Flying Swallow Swordswoman first nodded affirmatively, then said:

“Li Lingsu doesn’t seem to have any lovers in Jianzhou, at least none that I know of. However, whenever we traveled together, I knew all the lovers he made along the way. He wouldn’t hide them from me.”

Xu Qi’an and Li Meizhen exchanged glances and said in unison: “Very suspicious!”

Chu Yuanzhen asked:

“Perhaps he doesn’t have any?”

Xu Qi’an and Li Meizhen synchronously scoffed, and the former turned to his nominal attendant:

“Miao Youfang, remember before we came to Jianzhou, when you asked if he had a lover at Ten Thousand Flowers Tower, how did Li Lingsu respond?”

Miao Youfang imitated Xu Qi’an stroking his chin and said:

“He hemmed and hawed then, seeming to have some difficulty speaking about it.”

Hearing this, Chu Yuanzhen also became interested and analyzed:

“Given how his other two lovers behave, if they saw their beloved appear at the Martial Arts Alliance, wouldn’t they have revealed themselves by now? It’s impossible they would have stayed hidden until now.”

Heng Yuan also chimed in: “Unless she has some concerns?”

Everyone silently looked at Master Heng Yuan.

“Amitabha!”

Heng Yuan pressed his palms together, repenting for his gossip.

At this point, Mu Nanchi, holding Bai Ji, suddenly said:

“Li Lingsu must have gone to see his lover. Your mirror can monitor from thousands of miles away, can’t it? Why not use it to watch him?”

She was getting revenge for Li Lingsu’s teasing at the banquet.

Everyone’s eyes lit up.

Xu Qi’an said quietly: “Let’s go back first…”

The group returned to their courtyard residence, tacitly entered the room, lit candles, and then sat around the table, all facing Xu Qi’an.

Pouring out the Earth Book fragment and taking out the Universal Mirror, Xu Qi’an lowered his voice, speaking with a mysterious tone:

“Mirror, mirror, tell me, can you locate Li Lingsu?”

The Universal Mirror protested:

“I am a divine mirror, and besides, why do you always like to spy on men? I’ve marked several beauties for you, yet you’ve never peeped on them bathing.”

Are you praising me for being a gentleman in a roundabout way… Xu Qi’an urged:

“Stop talking nonsense, tell me quickly.”

“Of course, I can, his primordial spirit was once contained within me, I’ve marked him.”

After speaking, the Universal Mirror transformed its bronze surface into transparent glass. The surface rippled like water, then settled.

An image appeared.

Everyone saw Li Lingsu’s figure flying on his sword.

He was heading toward the mountain range west of Dog Rong Mountain.

Is he going to see an old flame? But why fly so far just to meet an old flame?

Could she be a married woman?

Various guesses flashed through everyone’s minds as their interest grew.

Especially Mu Nanchi and Li Meizhen, whose eyes shone brightly.

Soon, Li Lingsu lowered his flying sword and landed on a mountaintop.

He looked around, and seeing no one nearby, hurriedly took out a wooden comb from his bosom, deliberately messing up his neat hair bun slightly, letting two strands of hair fall across his forehead, creating an unrestrained, romantic air.

Then, Li Lingsu took out the Earth Book fragment and retrieved a black robe embroidered with gold and silver threads.

Thus, his unrestrained romantic air gained an additional noble young master’s charm.

He sheathed his flying sword, held it in his arms, and leaned against a tree trunk, hiding his whole person in the shadows, slightly lowering his head, motionless.

You’re so flirtatious, why are you wearing Pin Ru’s clothes… Xu Qi’an watched Li Lingsu’s performance, almost unable to control blurting out these words.

This Heaven Sect disgrace… Li Meizhen silently covered her face.

After a long while, a figure came stepping across treetops, moving with exceptional lightness skills.

It was a woman wearing a plain white dress, with her hair up in a bun and a voluptuous figure.

She flitted across the branches, graceful as a startled swan, elegant as a swimming dragon.

The woman in the plain dress stood still on the mountaintop, her flying skirts settling down. Her eyes swept around the surroundings.

“You came!”

A deep voice sounded from the shadows under the tree. She looked toward the sound, seeing an unrestrained man leaning against the tree trunk, holding a sword in his arms, head slightly lowered.

Half his face was hidden in shadow, half exposed.

The contours of his face were still so handsome, his black robe elegant, his bearing unchanged.

“It’s her?!”

When they saw the woman, everyone in the room exclaimed.

Xu Qi’an was stunned, never expecting Li Lingsu’s lover to be Rong’er’s master.

He had thought it was Ten Thousand Flowers Tower Master Xiao Yue’nu…

Chai Xing’er was one thing, after all, the Prime Minister had countless followers, but Rong’er’s master was old enough to be the Holy Son’s mother, it was simply, simply… Xu Qi’an glanced at Mu Nanchi beside him… Well, the Holy Son wasn’t wrong, his love was passionate and open.

Li Meizhen and Chu Yuanzhen were dumbfounded.

Even Master Heng Yuan was slightly dazed, somewhat bewildered.

In the image, the two seemed to be arguing. Li Meizhen said regretfully:

“Too bad we can’t hear the sound.”

Chu Yuanzhen immediately said: “I can read lips.”

…

“I told you, what we had was just a fleeting romance, it could never work out, let alone be made public. Why do you keep seeking me out?”

The woman in the plain dress was indeed Rong’er’s master, the voluptuous and beautiful matron.

She kept her face cold, turning her head slightly, refusing to look at Li Lingsu.

“But when I sent a message asking to meet you here, you still came, didn’t you?”

Li Lingsu sighed softly: “Mei’er, age shouldn’t be a barrier to our love. If you fear rumors and what your fellow disciples and students might think, I can take you away.”

The beautiful matron was slightly moved, but still hardened her heart and said coolly:

“Daoist Li, I’m old enough to be your mother. In ten or twenty years, I’ll be old and withered, while you’ll still be in your prime.

“Between us, we’re just passing travelers in each other’s lives. Let’s be clear about this today and make a clean break, with no further entanglements.”

Li Lingsu grinned and clung to her, one arm around her waist, one hand holding her delicate hand:

“I grew up without parents, raised by my master. I too want to know what it feels like to be loved by a mother. If you won’t be my lover, then I’ll be your son.”

The beautiful matron was both embarrassed and angry, her fine brows furrowed as if about to rage.

Li Lingsu suddenly grabbed her hand and pressed it to his chest, his expression and tone sincere and eternal:

“Mei’er, can you feel it? My hot blood boils for you alone…”

The beautiful matron stared at him dazedly, tears seeming to glisten in her eyes.

Li Lingsu struck while the iron was hot, cupping her face and lowering his head to capture her red lips.

They leaned against the tree, sharing a passionate kiss, their movements becoming bolder, the scene becoming more intimate…

Slap!

Xu Qi’an flipped the Universal Mirror face down and spread his hands:

“The following content requires payment, five hundred taels of silver per person.”

“Pah!” Li Meizhen spat at him.

Mu Nanchi slapped Bai Ji’s little head, and Bai Ji understood: “Pah pah pah…”

…

The night was cool as water.

The light-sleeping Rong’er’s ears twitched, hearing the faint sound of flying clothes.

Someone had used lightness skills to land in the courtyard outside.

She instinctively gripped the short sword at her bedside, then recognized her master’s light footsteps.

“Master, you’re back from practicing?”

As she asked, she saw her master enter through the door. In the hazy moonlight, she couldn’t make out her features clearly, but from the overall silhouette, she seemed somewhat disheveled.

Rong’er sat up, about to light a lamp, but the beautiful matron hurriedly stopped her:

“Don’t light the lamp!”

The beautiful matron gracefully navigated around the obstacles in the room, retrieved a wooden tub from behind the screen, and turned to leave.

After half a quarter hour, Rong’er heard the rustling of clothes being removed and slight splashing sounds, knowing she had begun bathing.

Really, what’s there to be shy about… Rong’er thought to herself.

She had been raised by her master, and even into her maiden years, they had occasionally shared the large bathtub.

Suddenly, she sniffed and said softly:

“What’s that smell?”

Martial artists had keen senses of smell.

The water sounds paused, and the beautiful matron’s slightly guilty voice responded:

“Smell? Hmm, perhaps your master got some filth on her while practicing in the forest…”

The innocent maiden didn’t recognize the scent and didn’t suspect anything, merely responding with an “Oh.”

“Master, how can I make Silver Constable Xu fall in love with me?” Rong’er asked with a worried expression.

The beautiful matron snorted coldly: “Forget it. Focus on your cultivation and look at the young men around you. Silver Constable Xu is beyond your reach.”

Rong’er pouted: “But I like him! If you like someone, you should pursue them. I’d even be willing to be a concubine just to see him every day.”

If you like someone, you should pursue them… The beautiful matron leaned against the bathtub, murmuring to herself.

…

Li Lingsu returned through the night, his face glowing, wearing a smile, perfectly embodying the saying “joy makes the spirit soar.”

Although she still couldn’t face their relationship openly, fearing its consequences if made public, she was no longer adamantly trying to draw a clear line between them.

Li Lingsu could understand Ji Jinmei’s concerns because he harbored similar fears.

A couple with nearly twenty years of age difference – below the Transcendent realm, such a pairing would draw strange looks whether in the Heaven Sect or the secular world.

It might even invite contempt.

He landed his flying sword and, approaching their residence, descended early to carefully adjust his clothing.

After confirming there were no telltale signs, he returned to the courtyard.

“Creak…”

The courtyard gate wasn’t locked – its residents didn’t care about locks.

The moment he pushed open the door, the scene in the courtyard made Li Lingsu freeze.

Around the stone table sat Xu Qi’an, Li Meizhen, Miao Youfang, Chu Yuanzhen, and Master Heng Yuan.

They were all drinking wine, holding cups, and looking at him with strange smiles.

“Such a pleasant gathering…”

Li Lingsu maintained his composure, unhurried.

Li Meizhen asked: “Where did you go?”

“Just wandering around.”

Li Lingsu replied.

The Flying Swallow Swordswoman sniffed: “The scent of a woman’s powder.”

The Holy Son remained unperturbed, smiling lightly:

“My cursed charm… Senior Brother’s greatest trouble is being too popular with women.”

Li Meizhen nodded slowly, suddenly taking on a deeply emotional manner, starting to perform:

“Mei’er, age shouldn’t be a barrier to our love.”

Xu Qi’an silently stood up, looking at Li Meizhen with deep feeling, saying:

“If you fear rumors and what your fellow disciples and students might think, I can take you away.”

…Li Lingsu’s pupils dilated slightly, dumbfounded.

Chu Yuanzhen shook his head, taking a drink:

“Daoist Li, you might not know, but I too grew up without parents, not knowing what it’s like to be loved by a mother.”

Miao Youfang hurriedly said:

“Don’t be sad, Great Hero Chu. If you won’t let me be your brother, then I’ll be your son.”

As the words fell, a small white fox darted out from the room, its voice clear as silver bells, saying coquettishly:

“Can you feel it? My hot blood boils for you alone~”

At this moment, Li Lingsu felt abandoned by the whole world.

“You… you all…”

The Holy Son’s face turned bright red, feeling flames rising within him, illusory black smoke spewing from his head.

The Tiandiuhui members went to bed satisfied, leaving Li Lingsu standing dumbly alone in the courtyard.

“Oh right, orphaned at a young age, weren’t you? I’ll have a chat with your two elders later,” Li Meizhen added with a smile, twisting the knife.

Li Lingsu did have parents and was indeed from the Heaven Sect.

What’s the point of living anymore… the Holy Son asked himself.

…

Qingzhou City, Provincial Administration Office.

Inside the hall, the gaunt-faced Purple Yang Hermit Yang Gong, with his goatee, gravely reviewed intelligence from Cloud Province brought by spies.

“Now we understand why refugees are swarming to Cloud Province.”

Yang Gong, serving as Qingzhou’s Provincial Administrator, looked gravely at the officials below, saying:

“Reports say Cloud Province authorities have posted notices, opening granaries and recruiting refugees into the army.”

Cloud Province is about to rebel… The officials’ expressions darkened, showing neither surprise nor anger, only acceptance and solemnity.

Two months ago, shortly after the former emperor was slain by Xu Qi’an in the capital, the court had sent over a dozen edicts to Qingzhou, ordering it to prepare for war – storing grain, stockpiling weapons, and repairing city walls.

Cloud Province bordered the sea to the south and shared most of its northern border with Qingzhou.

If the previous dynasty’s remnants wanted to use Cloud Province as a base to march north against the capital, they would have to take Qingzhou first to gain sufficient strategic depth.

If they couldn’t take Qingzhou, the rebels would be confined to their corner of Cloud Province.

The Judicial Commissioner pondered:

“We must increase disaster relief efforts to curb the trend of refugees fleeing south.”

Compared to other regions, the south was undoubtedly warmer with more abundant food, making the refugee situation in Qingzhou extremely dire.

The consequences would be unthinkable if all these refugees went to Cloud Province.

The Qingzhou Prefect shook his head repeatedly:

“Although the court has given us sufficient provisions, those are meant for a protracted war. With disasters ravaging everywhere now and the court lacking grain, wasting it on refugees means we might collapse internally from lack of supplies before the enemy even attacks.”

In wartime, military needs always came first.

Another official said:

“The disaster is severe, with far more refugees than imagined. Cloud Province dares to open its granaries, but their supplies can’t be endless. Aren’t they afraid of exhausting themselves?”

Yang Gong said gravely:

“For the past twenty years, Cloud Province rebels have been stockpiling money, grain, and military supplies for this moment. Their accumulated resources and foundation exceed our imagination.”

“Administrator Yang, what should we do?”

The officials wore worried expressions.

Refugees would follow whoever fed them, fighting for whoever provided food.

Yang Gong pondered briefly, then said:

“Seal the border roads to Cloud Province, stop refugees from heading south. Spread word that Cloud Province’s grain distribution is just a rumor, and execute without exception anyone who spreads news of Cloud Province’s relief efforts.”

The Qingzhou Prefect frowned deeply:

“Administrator, this could cause the refugees to riot.”

Yang Gong smiled: “I only said to seal the roads to Cloud Province. If refugees want to cross mountains and rivers, or detour through neighboring provinces to head south, that’s not our concern.”

All present were experienced officials and immediately understood the cleverness of Administrator Yang’s plan.

In the freezing weather with difficult mountain paths, not everyone could manage to cross mountains and rivers to head south.

This would greatly reduce the number of southbound refugees.

Taking detours through neighboring provinces would have the same effect.

And because there was still some hope, the refugees wouldn’t fight to the death.

The Qingzhou Military Commander sighed:

“Fortunately, our Qingzhou is still relatively prosperous with full granaries. If this had happened two years ago, chaos would have already erupted.”

Under Yang Gong’s governance for over a year, Qingzhou’s administration was clean, every household had surplus grain, and the official granaries were well-stocked.

Looking back now, the court had shown foresight in making early preparations.

…

After two days and nights of travel, Ji Xuan piloted the Wind-Riding Boat, first arriving in Qingzhou.

To avoid encountering the Observatory Master outside Cloud Province, they switched to land routes, making an exhausting trek to successfully enter Cloud Province.

Then they resumed using the Wind-Riding Boat, reaching Dragon’s Lair City.

Above the sea of clouds, Ji Xuan stood at the ship’s rail, looking down at the magnificent city built into the mountains, his eyes slightly distant.

Two months away felt like two years. When he left Dragon’s Lair City, he had six powerful experts assisting him; now returning, he only had Xu Yuanshuang and Xu Yuanhuai.

Liu Hongmian and the others’ whereabouts were unknown, and Daoist Jiao Ye had died in Yongzhou City.

This jianghu journey had left an indelible, vivid mark on his life.

“Finally back.”

The Wind-Riding Boat hovered above Dragon’s Lair City as Xu Yuanhuai, carrying his sister, jumped down from a low altitude.

Ji Xuan took the opportunity to rise into the air, taking out his small cauldron to store the scattered dragon qi and the Wind-Riding Boat.

Walking up the cobblestone slope toward the mountaintop, the three encountered civilians and soldiers who all enthusiastically stopped to greet Ji Xuan.

Ji Xuan responded with gentle smiles to each greeting. As they went higher, common civilians became fewer until there were none.

Passing through the low city walls, they entered the royal clan’s living area.

Ji Xuan headed south toward the City Lord’s mansion.

The Xu siblings went west, toward Heaven’s Mechanics Tower.

Passing through several checkpoints, Ji Xuan entered the City Lord’s mansion and met his father in the study.

A middle-aged man in magnificent purple robes, with regular features and a dignified bearing, stood before a large desk, hands on the surface, head lowered examining a map of the Central Plains.

“I’ve discussed with the Imperial Advisor and various generals. To march north, we must take Qingzhou.”

The purple-robed middle-aged man didn’t look up, speaking while looking at the map:

“But Qingzhou is now like an iron bucket, well-governed by Yang Gong. I must say, these Confucian scholars have quite a way of governing and military affairs.

“Taking Qingzhou won’t be difficult. But taking it quickly with minimal casualties – that’s the challenge!

“What do you think?”

Ji Xuan walked to the desk, glancing down:

“We must take Qingzhou, but there’s no need for a frontal assault. We can borrow passage through the Southern Borderlands, pass through Yu Province, and directly enter Qingzhou’s heartland. Or take the sea route, passing through the Witch God Cult’s territory.”

The purple-robed middle-aged man nodded with satisfaction, then asked:

“How was your journey through the jianghu?”

Ji Xuan’s expression darkened: “Your son is ashamed. Xu Qi’an was too terrifying, too powerful. I only managed to collect some scattered dragon qi.”

“The scattering of dragon qi has worsened the Central Plains’ situation, which is the best outcome for us. As for dragon qi, collecting it is good, but don’t force it if you can’t.”

The purple-robed middle-aged man smiled.

Ji Xuan’s expression relaxed slightly. “On the way back, I saw many refugees entering Cloud Province. Father, are you planning to rise?”

“In three days, I will declare myself emperor in Cloud Province. You should prepare…”

The purple-robed middle-aged man said meaningfully.

Ji Xuan’s hand trembled slightly as he struggled to contain his excitement, bowing:

“Yes, Father Emperor!”

…

To the west, entering the mansion affiliated with the Heaven’s Mechanics Tower, Xu Yuanshuang and Xu Yuanhuai went directly to their mother’s small courtyard without changing clothes.

Quiet and secluded, apart from a few serving attendants, almost no one came to visit.

In the quiet hall burning sandalwood incense, a woman wearing a deep blue jacket and pleated long skirt, her hair in a proper matron’s style, sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion.

Eyes closed in meditation.

Xu Yuanshuang pushed open the hall door, saying softly:

“Mother, we’re back.”

Xu Yuanhuai didn’t speak but smiled.

The elegant, beautiful woman opened her eyes, seeming relieved, and smiled:

“It’s good you’re back. You’ve both lost weight, and there’s something new in your eyes. You must have experienced quite a lot.”

She hesitated, then asked:

“Did you meet him?”