“Alright, you can come out now.” Qin Qingyue sat cross-armed on the purple sandalwood chair beside the wooden tub, her voice calm and steady.
Tang Zhaoxue heard the voice and slowly rose from the special spiritual liquid.
The viscous fluid slid down her smooth, delicate skin without leaving the slightest trace of impurity.
After this soaking, not only were her old wounds completely healed, but her skin had also turned fair and translucent.
Like the finest Lingyu, it emitted a faint, lustrous glow. Even her temperament had deepened into a gentler, more refined aura, truly achieving the effect of cleansing her muscles and bones, a complete rebirth.
She closed her eyes, carefully looking inward, and was delighted to find that not only were all hidden injuries gone, but a pure and strange Innate Qi seemed to flow through her meridians, causing her long-stagnant cultivation to naturally advance to the next level.
What shocked her most was that the Golden Core in her dantian had its Dao markings automatically completed, perfectly flawless, reaching the legendary realm of the Nine-turn Golden Core.
Truly a blessing in disguise, a great Catastrophe of fate.
“What are you still standing there for? Are you addicted to soaking?” Qin Qingyue’s slightly teasing voice interrupted her shock.
The Main Wife was sitting with her legs crossed, the tip of one exquisite black and red high heel lazily swinging, carrying an air of looking down from above.
“Clean yourself up.” Her red lips parted lightly, the command concise and direct.
Tang Zhaoxue’s beautiful face flushed instantly with two rosy clouds; she naturally understood what was meant.
She forced herself to calm down, delicately forming the Jingshenjue with her slender fingers.
Releasing a faint spiritual force, the layer of crystal-clear viscous liquid clinging to her body instantly vaporized, transforming into the purest spiritual energy which she absorbed into her body without a trace of waste.
In an instant, she was refreshed and clean, her skin radiating a soft glow, like a freshly bloomed lotus.
“Also, keeping it there won’t cure your illness.” Qin Qingyue’s eyelids didn’t even flicker, her tone growing stern.
Tang Zhaoxue hadn’t expected to be discovered and felt an indescribable shame. She slowly squatted down, her hands and forefingers slightly parted.
Under the watchful eyes of Qin Qingyue and Jiang Huai, the small hidden secret was handed over.
Just as Qin Qingyue had said, she had indeed planned to hide it, hoping to nurture that barren area, but now it was found. Qin Qingyue nodded with satisfaction.
Then, lazily leaning on the armrest, she lightly tapped the ground with her fingertip, her voice calm but tinged with amusement:
“Kneel, perform the maid’s courtesy.”
Tang Zhaoxue was stunned, instinctively glancing at Jiang Huai with shock and a faint, almost imperceptible resistance and humiliation in her eyes.
Though a maid, she was once the Sect Master of an entire realm, her pride still intact.
To kneel on command was still a psychological barrier difficult to overcome.
Jiang Huai immediately stepped forward, skillfully blocking Qin Qingyue’s gaze aimed at Tang Zhaoxue, and spoke gently:
“Qingyue, our family doesn’t have this custom. No need to kneel.”
Upon hearing this, Qin Qingyue’s slender brows lifted slightly.
Her gaze turned to Jiang Huai, the corner of her mouth curling into a faint, ambiguous smile: “Oh? I haven’t even done anything yet, and you’re already so eager to protect your little maid? Showing favoritism this quickly?”
Her tone was unreadable, but carried a trace of teasing.
Jiang Huai’s expression remained unchanged, still gentle as always: “It’s not favoritism, I just think it’s unnecessary.” She paused and waved her hand, “Fine, suit yourself. Since she’s given to you, you handle her well.” With that, she stood up, gave both of them a meaningful glance, and then gracefully left.
The vast hall was suddenly left with only Jiang Huai and Tang Zhaoxue, freshly bathed and unsettled.
The air still carried the peculiar fragrance of that special spiritual liquid.
Tang Zhaoxue looked at Jiang Huai, her heart full of mixed emotions.
Once upon a time, at the Xuanxian Immortal Sect, she sat proudly in the master’s seat, controlling this man’s fate, even life and death, able to tease him at will while he could only passively endure.
How long had it been? The world had turned upside down; offense and defense switched places.
She had become a mere maid under his protection, even needing him to fight for whether she should kneel.
The sorrow of a sect master reduced to a servant.
A complex, indescribable emotion spread through her heart—gratitude, relief, loss, and a surreal feeling as if from another world.
“Why won’t you let me kneel?” Her voice was a little hoarse as she couldn’t help but ask, her gaze fixed on Jiang Huai’s calm face.
“Anyway, I haven’t exactly been gentle with you before.” She was referring to the ambiguous, somewhat coercive healing in the past, her tone tinged with self-mockery.
Jiang Huai turned around, looking at her seriously, shaking his head: “That was different, Sect Master Tang. You should never kneel.”
“Not then, nor now.”
“You are someone who once protected a realm and resisted the Xie Tide. How could you be forced to bow down just because of cultivation or power?” He naturally would not allow Tang Zhaoxue to kneel like a common maid.
“Focus on your cultivation here; the Dao will be promising in the future.” He continued.
“The Immortal Sword is still gifted to you for protection. Here are cultivation methods suitable for your current level and some daily spiritual attire. If you advance to the Merging Stage later, I will prepare all the required immortal materials for you.”
Though nominally a maid, within the entire Nine Heavens Palace system, the treatment and resources Jiang Huai gave her far exceeded those of ordinary Guest Elders.
Her status was exalted.
Only when entering the Longyin Hall and facing Qin Qingyue and a few others did she need to temporarily restrain her former sharpness and abide by the duties of a maid.
Listening to his gentle words and looking at the priceless cultivation method and spiritual attire in his hands, Tang Zhaoxue’s eyes inexplicably welled up, a sharp sting rising at her nose, causing her to quickly lower her head.
“As for the healing…” She took a deep breath, suppressing the emotions swirling inside, still unable to help but quietly ask.
That unspeakable hidden ailment was always a burden on her heart.
Jiang Huai’s expression dimmed somewhat upon hearing this, his tone growing distant:
“That… we’ll talk about it later.”
He stepped forward, gently placing the clothing and jade slip into her hands, their fingertips briefly touching.
Before she could say more, Jiang Huai turned away, his voice casual: “Familiarize yourself with the environment first. Focus on cultivation.”
Before the words finished, his figure quietly disappeared behind the beaded curtain leading to the inner hall, leaving her standing alone.
“Wait! You…” Tang Zhaoxue instinctively took a half step forward, but her words caught in her throat.
She stared at the faintly swaying beaded curtain and ultimately just clutched tightly the slightly cool jade slip and soft spiritual attire in her hands.
A complicated feeling of loss and grievance surged in her heart. Was he no longer going to take care of her? What did this mean?
He gave her status and dignity, cultivation resources, but refused to heal her?
Longyin Hall, Blazing Residence.
Qin Qingyue wore a slightly embarrassed expression as she shrugged helplessly at Zhuxin, whose face was clouded with complicated emotions:
“Siming’s situation is roughly as such.”
“Right now, this is the only safe way. How to finally decide depends on your opinion.” Qin Qingyue added, “No matter what, I will cooperate fully.”
Zhuxin’s breathtakingly beautiful face was filled with struggle and inner conflict. Her slender hands unconsciously clenched the edge of her clothes, her voice trembling slightly:
“Main Wife, does it really have to be this way? After all, she is… my daughter… There’s no such justice in the world. How can a mother and daughter…”
Qin Qingyue sighed, her tone tinged with helplessness and embarrassment:
“White Dew’s diagnosis and plan are exactly so.”
“It concerns Siming’s foundation and future; I have no better solution either.”
Zhuxin was silent for a long time, as if all her strength had been drained. She slowly bowed her head, her voice soft as a mosquito’s whisper:
“I understand. Thank you, Main Wife, for your careful arrangement.”
Suddenly inspired, she thought to seek out Su Yingman.
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