No one knew how many people lost sleep that night, or how many people throughout the sect were waiting to watch tomorrow’s drama. In any case, Zanxing herself slept very soundly. The next day, when Mimi trampled on her to wake her up, it was already morning.

Zanxing got up to wash and dress. After changing her clothes, she pushed open the door. As soon as she opened it, she heard a crisp shout from the courtyard: “Young Miss!” The next moment, a red figure came flying over and threw herself directly into her arms.

Zanxing was knocked back a step by the impact. Looking down at the person in her arms, Hong Su was hugging Zanxing tightly, saying joyfully, “Young Miss, we haven’t seen each other for so long, Hong Su has missed you to death!”

She pulled the little girl out of her embrace. Hong Su had grown a bit taller since their first meeting—at her age, she was just at the stage of growing. However, during these days in Pingyang Town, the little girl had probably eaten and dressed well, becoming a bit more rounded than before. Standing in the courtyard in a coral-colored little dress that matched perfectly with the pink throughout the room, she had a cute, round face that looked very endearing.

Zanxing touched her head: “From now on, you’ll live here with me. You won’t need to go down the mountain anymore.”

“This servant knows!” Hong Su nodded her head like a pecking chicken, “They said it was Young Miss who specially arranged for Hong Su to live in the sect. Young Miss thought of Hong Su—Hong Su is so moved!” The little girl looked around the courtyard again, delighted: “Young Miss’s courtyard is so beautiful. A great sect is different. This is even more spacious than the Wang family’s mansion in our Yue City!”

“It’s alright.” Zanxing said, “If you’re missing anything, just tell me and we’ll add it later.”

Hong Su nodded, looking at Zanxing. Suddenly, her eyes reddened as she grasped Zanxing’s hand: “Young Miss has finally made it through the hard times. When the Young City Lord said he wanted to break off the engagement, this servant was thinking that when we returned to Yue City, who knows how many people would mock us behind our backs. Now it’s good—Young Miss has become a direct disciple in the sect. In the future, no one will dare bully us anymore.”

Zanxing felt that Hong Su’s manner looked quite like a loving mother whose daughter had been accepted to a prestigious university. She smiled: “I understand, so you should stay here properly from now on. With me here, I won’t let you suffer any losses.”

Hong Su rubbed her eyes and obediently agreed.

For most of the rest of the day, Zanxing took Hong Su to tour various parts of the Taiyan Sect. Hong Su had a lively personality and was at the age of loving play and novelty. This being her first time entering a sect, she was incredibly curious. Zanxing took her around half the sect and also introduced her to Xuan Lingzi. Xuan Lingzi, being older, especially liked innocent and naive little girls like Hong Su, stuffing her pockets full of pastries and sweets he had bought from down the mountain.

By evening, after Zanxing finished her cultivation and returned to Mingxiu Courtyard, Hong Su had already warmed the bedding with a hot water bottle, heated the tea, and arranged pastries and fruits on the table. The little girl was sitting on the doorstep holding Mimi, playing with a tumbler toy. This scene of peaceful years immediately gave Zanxing a sense of satisfaction—life was like this, what more could one ask for?

“Young Miss, the people in this sect don’t seem afraid of the cold.” Hong Su stood up and rubbed her hands: “They wear thin clothes and cover themselves with thin quilts. I… I was afraid Young Miss would be cold, so I warmed the bed first. It’ll be comfortable to sleep in!”

Zanxing had already instructed her not to refer to herself as “this servant” anymore; otherwise, constantly saying “this servant” would make people feel uncomfortable.

“That’s wonderful.” Zanxing sat down at the table. “I feel cold, too.” Sometimes she also wondered if the disciples in the sect secretly cast warming spells in their beds at night.

She had just eaten two bites of pastry to fill her stomach when there was a knock at the door. Zanxing got up to open it, and as soon as the door opened, she saw a girl as beautiful as flowers and jade standing at the entrance, looking at her anxiously. It was Liu Yunxin.

“Miss Liu?” Zanxing was somewhat surprised.

Seeing it was Liu Yunxin, Hong Su immediately ran over with quick steps, standing beside Zanxing with a protective stance.

“I… came to the sect today with Big Brother Mu, and from now on I’ll live in the sect together with Miss Yang.” Liu Yunxin was somewhat uneasy. “I heard from Big Brother Mu that Miss Yang used her own Xianyu Lingzhi to exchange for the Tianji Magical Robe. Xianyu Lingzhi is very precious…  I made a pair of cotton shoes. If Miss Yang doesn’t mind, please accept them.” Having said this, she stuffed the bundle in her hands into Zanxing’s arms, seeming quite embarrassed.

“A pair of shoes isn’t worth much money,” Hong Su’s eyes nearly rolled to the sky: “Who are you trying to fool?”

Zanxing covered Hong Su’s mouth and looked at Liu Yunxin with a smile: “Miss Liu is thoughtful. Thank you, it’s been cold these past few days, and I was just needing a pair of shoes.”

Liu Yunxin then showed a grateful smile, saying: “Then I won’t disturb you anymore. Miss Yang should also rest early.” Having said this, she lifted her skirt and left.

“Young Miss!” Hong Su struggled free from Zanxing’s hand, watching Liu Yunxin’s figure disappear outside the courtyard, angrily saying: “Look at her, she came to show off. If it were in the past, Young Miss would never have swallowed such humiliation!”

Zanxing walked into the room carrying the bundle, saying as she walked: “What showing off?” She sat down at the table and opened the bundle—inside was indeed a pair of cotton shoes. The soles were thick but extremely soft, and when touched, they felt warm. The shoe uppers were simple black, but plum blossom shapes were carved into the soles. If one wore these shoes walking in the snow, it would be like little dog paws, leaving a plum blossom print with each step.

Looking at the stitching, it was fine and neat—much thought had been put into it.

Hong Su closed the door and walked to the table in a few steps, looking at Zanxing with a pained expression: “Young Miss, don’t keep it hidden in your heart. Everyone knows you’re infatuated with Young Master Mu, which is why you gave away the Xianyu Lingzhi. But Young Master Mu gave the Xianyu Lingzhi to Liu Yunxin and brought her to the Taiyan Sect. Isn’t this a slap in your face?”

Zanxing: “……” This gossip spread quite quickly.

She asked: “Who said I was infatuated with Mu Cengxiao?”

“Everyone is saying it.” Hong Su replied. “Young Master Mu wasn’t particularly notable before, but now he’s also a direct disciple in the sect, with high cultivation and a spirited appearance. If Young Miss wanted him as Hong Su’s master’s husband, that would be acceptable too.” There was another sentence Hong Su didn’t dare say—after all, Zanxing’s facial injury hadn’t healed yet, while Liu Yunxin was naturally beautiful. Men all loved pretty women, and Liu Yunxin had grown up with Mu Cengxiao since childhood. If Zanxing and Liu Yunxin faced off, Mu Cengxiao would favor Liu Yunxin.

“Little girl, all you know is to talk about husbands all day long.” Zanxing found it amusing. “Look at our sect—how many talented young men there are. Although Senior Brother Mu is not bad, I don’t fancy him.” Mu Cengxiao married eight wives in total; she had no interest in being the ninth.

“What talented young men are there?” Hong Su got to the bottom of it: “Let Hong Su help Young Miss take a look first.”