Chapter 54: From Now On, Get to the Point First

Chapter 54: Chapter 54: From Now On, Get to the Point First

"You don’t need to bring us dinner tonight."

In the bamboo forest, Liu Chen and his two junior sisters were gathering Bamboo Shoots when the voice reached their ears. Liu Chen subconsciously glanced at his two junior sisters.

Ji Suyao looked up, equally bewildered. She recognized it as their master’s voice, but she had no idea why he and their mistress wouldn’t be eating dinner.

Ye Linglong was also confused at first, but she quickly recalled her master’s instructions from long ago, and her expression turned a bit awkward.

Liu Chen took in his junior sisters’ reactions. After a brief moment of confusion himself, he averted his gaze. ’Junior Sister Suyao has no idea what’s going on, but Junior Sister Linglong definitely does.’

According to what Junior Sister Linglong had let slip, their master had gone to "mooch" a meal from their mistress on the very first day she became his disciple. She was most likely experienced with this sort of thing.

"We have enough Bamboo Shoots. Let’s head back and cook."

Liu Chen changed the subject. He knew what was happening too, but it wasn’t something that could be said out loud. It wasn’t just about him being embarrassed; if he made his junior sisters uncomfortable, the atmosphere at dinner probably wouldn’t be very pleasant.

"Senior Brother, why aren’t Master and Mistress eating?"

Liu Chen had only taken a few steps before Ji Suyao trotted over to catch up. He gave her a stunned look, unsure how to answer her question.

"Master naturally has his reasons."

Ye Linglong, who had also heard Ji Suyao’s question, quickly walked over and pulled her aside. Liu Chen could only shake his head helplessly at this. ’To think someone like Junior Sister Suyao could come from the Great Xia Royal Family. No wonder Master brought her back.’

"Aren’t you going to explain what’s going on?"

Early in the morning, Bai Qiulan sat in the same spot as yesterday, stroking the Dark Moon Bracelet on her wrist as she scrutinized the lazily lounging Mo Xuan. Whatever was meant to happen between dao companions had already happened. What she was curious about was the Mo Family.

"It’s just as you see. I’m destined to be the future Patriarch of the Mo Family, and as my dao companion, you are naturally the Lady of the House. I just didn’t expect the old man to have Yu’Er bring the bracelet so early. Normally, it’s only brought out during the succession ceremony."

Mo Xuan spoke lazily. He once thought his family, especially the old man, would never accept Bai Qiulan. But after secretly following Yu’Er a few times, he discovered that the Mo Family’s attitude was not what he’d expected.

Therefore, he had allowed Yu’Er to visit Purple Bamboo Peak every so often. He just never imagined the old man would trust Yu’Er to bring such a priceless treasure. If their enemies were to learn of this, they would likely stop at nothing to take action.

"Alright. As you said, if Father doesn’t care about my background, why are you unwilling to return to the Mo Family?"

Bai Qiulan asked casually. This was the same question Yu’Er asked every time she visited, and it had been going on for decades. Bai Qiulan had originally thought Mo Xuan was worried about her background.

She used to worry about it too, but judging by this Jade Bracelet, her background didn’t seem to be the issue. Otherwise, such a crucial item would never have been placed on her hand. Besides, they had tested it last night—not even Mo Xuan could control it.

Having asked the question, Bai Qiulan prepared herself for a story. After all, the reason Mo Xuan hadn’t mentioned this for nearly a hundred years had to be complicated, perhaps even related to his never-before-mentioned mother.

"Actually, I did go back once. I was still a long way from the Mo Family estate when Father came out to greet me. But when he saw I was alone, he just gave me a look and turned right around and left."

Recalling the incident, Mo Xuan felt a bit speechless. He had gone back to share the good news with his father, but for some reason, his father already knew. After turning to leave, he even left behind a single sentence: "Why come back alone?"

"So, you had a falling out with your father?"

Bai Qiulan was confused. ’If that’s the case, isn’t that a bit ridiculous?’ A hundred years was a long time, not just a day or two. Even for cultivators of their level, a century was a significant period.

"Not at all. What Father meant was: If I don’t bring you back with me, I shouldn’t bother coming back myself."

Mo Xuan shook his head and looked at Bai Qiulan. Hearing his words, Bai Qiulan was deeply moved, and tears seemed to well up in her eyes. But her expression quickly turned to confusion. How had she become the root of this whole problem?

She had been an orphan since she was young. She met Mo Xuan during her very first trial after arriving at Purple Cloud Valley. After that, Mo Xuan became her whole world; she would naturally follow wherever he went.

Even when Yu’Er asked her to persuade him, she had always procrastinated, respecting Mo Xuan’s own choice.

"Are you saying you haven’t gone back all this time because of me?"

Bai Qiulan stared intently at Mo Xuan. She found it absurd. The crucial point was, in nearly a hundred years, Mo Xuan had never once mentioned returning to the Mo Family to her!

"The day after we took our vows as dao companions, I asked you, ’Do you want to go home for a visit?’ And you told me, ’Purple Bamboo Peak is my home.’"

Mo Xuan picked up his teacup, a wide smile on his face. And so, he had accepted the position of Elder of Purple Bamboo Peak, and now he was even the acting Peak Master.

While Mo Xuan was lost in reminiscence, Bai Qiulan’s eyes narrowed. The bracelet on her wrist flew off and smacked him squarely on the back of the head.

The teacup in Mo Xuan’s hand crashed to the floor. His head was spinning when he heard Bai Qiulan’s somewhat icy voice.

"Get to the point next time."

Mo Xuan shook his head. When he looked at Bai Qiulan again, he saw she was smiling through tears. Seeing this, Mo Xuan pulled her into his embrace.

"Lady Mo, shall we go home?"

Once Bai Qiulan’s emotions had stabilized, Mo Xuan couldn’t resist asking again, only to be immediately pushed away.

"Take a good look over there, then try phrasing that again."

Bai Qiulan shot him a glare. She was raising their three disciples as if they were her own son and daughters. Was it really appropriate to just up and leave like that?

"You’re right. We’ll wait a few more years, then. The old man is still in good health anyway."

Mo Xuan thought about it and agreed it wasn’t the right time. He knew about Liu Chen’s Talent; this would serve as part of the disciple’s training. As for his other two adorable disciples, they were his insurance for a comfortable retirement.

"And your father...?"

Bai Qiulan asked with some concern. After all, now that the misunderstanding was cleared up, she felt a bit like she had unfairly villainized him in her mind.

"His lifespan is longer than ours, at least for now."

Mo Xuan shook his head. He understood what his wife was worried about, but there was no need. To the old man, a hundred years was like a single year to them.

"What about your mother?"

Bai Qiulan couldn’t help but ask. Yu’Er had never mentioned his mother.

"If I’ve calculated correctly, she should be coming out of seclusion in another ten years or so."

Bai Qiulan glanced at Mo Xuan but ultimately said nothing. ’He’s the one I chose,’ she thought. ’I’ll just have to live with it.’