The old mister was still busy preparing the betrothal gifts, but Xu Ping’an had no idea about it.
Returning to the East Warm Pavilion, his wife nestled against his chest. With her innate charm, whenever they were alone, she would eagerly cling to him.
Even just sensing the faint medicinal scent on Xu Ping’an was enough to satisfy her.
Sitting in his chair, Xu Ping’an held the delicate woman in his arms, his gaze somewhat vacant.
“Husband, what are you thinking about?”
Pei Qingxuan looked at Xu Ping’an with curiosity. Her eyes were as clear as when they first met, no longer shy but filled with complete reliance and affection.
Now that she had regained her memories, she was the revered Sect Leader Pei in front of others.
But before Xu Ping’an, she had already let go of everything, revealing the true nature of a young girl.
“Hmm. I don’t really know.”
Xu Ping’an snapped out of his daze and lowered his head to gently kiss her forehead, then lifted his eyes to the distance, sinking back into his absent-minded state.
“Don’t know?”
Pei Qingxuan touched her forehead, her bright eyes filled with a hint of confusion.
How to put it?
This state now — it must be Sage Mode, right?
It should be.
“It’s just that I can’t help but recall those past years… Suddenly, I realize that to have come this far, armed with medical arts, with no worries about food or drink, and with a delicate beauty as my wife, maybe my life… can end here.”
“Husband! Don’t say such nonsense~”
At Xu Ping’an’s words, Pei Qingxuan hurriedly raised her hand to cover her mouth, her Danfeng Eyes tinged with a touch of grievance.
“You make it sound like you’re about to ascend to immortality. I won’t let you leave~”
“Uh. Fine, I won’t.”
Isn’t this a moment every man has? The Sage moment?
Of course, it wasn’t from overwork today, but rather, right after returning home, he suddenly slipped into this state.
His wife clung tightly to his slender arms. Xu Ping’an gently comforted her, his gaze slowly returning to normal.
It wasn’t that he wanted to zone out; it just felt nice to blank his mind like this.
After a little more closeness, Xu Ping’an suddenly remembered something.
The Emperor’s condition was now relatively stable. Though the poisoning was severe, most of the toxins had been extracted. The remaining residue wouldn’t last long even without medicine, considering the Emperor of Great Qi’s lifestyle. Soon, he would return to normal.
The necessary tasks had been done, the important people found.
Now it was time to think about what to do next.
Return to the small courtyard?
Not for now. For one thing, consider Pei Qingxuan’s current status — the respectable Sect Leader of the Liuyun Sect. How could she just abandon the sect and run away?
If rumors got out… it wouldn’t sound good.
“What? Haven’t seen you for a few days? I heard the Liuyun Sect Master ran off with some pretty boy?”
Just picturing that scene made Xu Ping’an feel a wave of exasperation.
If that gossip spread, he, the “pretty boy,” might not be affected much, but Pei Qingxuan’s face and reputation would be utterly ruined.
“Wife, when will you go to the Liuyun Sect?”
She trembled slightly, her head resting against his chest. Her expression was hidden, but clearly, his words instantly sent her mood plummeting.
“Husband… do you want to go see them?”
“I’m not in a hurry, but you’re a Sect Leader. Staying out here all the time isn’t exactly good.”
She snuggled closer, her legs hooked over the armrest, almost shrinking into his chest.
“But… once I go back, I won’t be able to be this close to you anymore~”
“Is that so? That does sound inconvenient.” Hearing this, Xu Ping’an was immediately displeased!
Seriously, was he the kind of man who would put beauty before everything else?
Was he the kind to stop her career just because they couldn’t be lovey-dovey?
He… actually was!
Though he hated to admit it, Xu Ping’an was an honest good boy. He knew himself well.
“Then… in a few days. Nothing should happen by then, right?”
“No, they know I’m here.”
“Good.”
But it couldn’t always be like this. Though he didn’t want to let go of Pei Qingxuan, she still had her own responsibilities.
“Alright then… three days. After that, we’ll go to the Liuyun Sect. By then, husband, you’ll have to back me up. I don’t know a single bit of Immortal Arts, so if I get beaten up, you’ll have to clean up the mess for me.”
“Husband, you’re talking nonsense again~”
She rolled her eyes at Xu Ping’an, her gaze half-mocking, half-flirtatious.
Enchanting and charming, every smile and frown sent a wave of temptation that nearly drove men mad.
Luckily, she was his wife; if it were someone else, they probably wouldn’t be able to resist running wild by now.
He restrained the impulse and savored this rare moment of peace.
“Wife…”
“Hmm?”
“I remember you once told me something.”
“What?”
Pei Qingxuan lifted her head, her clear eyes full of puzzlement.
“You said something about making the Sect Leader who once rejected me… receive some kind of punishment?”
Xu Ping’an couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at his lips as he spoke.
The woman in his arms seemed to recall something as well and suddenly lowered her head, her cheeks blossoming red like the evening glow.
“Hmm? Why aren’t you saying anything?”
She shyly raised a tiny fist and lightly tapped Xu Ping’an’s chest. But it was less a hit and more a caress.
Her coy, hesitant manner only stirred Xu Ping’an’s appetite further.
“Looks like you won’t learn without Family Law.”
He tightened his hold, sweeping her up horizontally into his arms.
“Today! Your husband will fulfill the promise made that day! Little Sect Leader! Do you know your crime?”
“I-I’m innocent!”
She stiffened her neck bravely, eyes full of defiance mixed with challenge.
Xu Ping’an feigned an angry laugh.
“Alright, alright, looks like you won’t learn until you see the coffin, won’t give up until you reach the Yellow River, want to explore a thousand miles further than those with destiny?”
Pei Qingxuan was completely baffled, and before she could react, Xu Ping’an swept her small foot to pull back the bed curtains!
“Husband?”
“Cut the nonsense! Watch my Eighteen Drops of Clothes!”
“Ah~ Husband, I—”
“Still not yielding? Then take my Springwater Yang Finger!”
“Mm~ Husband, spare me~”
“Begging only now? Too late!”
A drop of icy crystal fell, followed by a spear-like strike like a dragon!
Of course, Pei Qingxuan was no pushover.
After all, she was a Sect Leader, with real skill that earned her that high position.
She immediately gathered her aura at her dantian, moving with grace like willows swaying in the wind, her moves unpredictable.
The fierce battle was evenly matched.
In the end, it was Xu Ping’an’s strong willpower that subdued this “clam demon.”
Even so, after this intense fight, Xu Ping’an was severely drained, breathless and weak.
He had poured much of his essence and yang qi into taming this demon.
“Husband~”
“Hmm?”
“Meeting you… is truly wonderful.”
At her words, Xu Ping’an rolled his eyes.
Of course it was wonderful. Who else could endure such torment from an innately charming woman?
After resting for a while, his energy gradually returned.
He rose and looked at his wife, now dozing on the bed, and bent down to kiss her forehead.
“Sleep well. I’m stepping out for a bit.”
“Husband?”
“It’s nothing. I’ll be back soon.”
With a smile, Xu Ping’an carefully covered her with the blanket.
But after all this, Xu Ping’an left the room, a puzzling question spinning in his mind.
Do cultivators need blankets? Do they catch colds?
“Wujin, you’re leaving?”
A figure slipped out from behind the eaves and appeared before Xu Ping’an.
“Master Xu is so fortunate. It’s Wujin who is troublesome.”
There was no resentment in the words. Han Wujin was always like this — blunt and unafraid to show what he thought.
He simply felt that with such a “backer,” as a mere Jianghu Swordsman, how could he compare?
Even now, though he tried his best to conceal his aura, he was certain that Sect Leader Pei had already discovered his presence.
Not for any other reason, but just a swordsman’s instinct.
“You’re still so bad at speaking.”
Xu Ping’an twitched at Han Wujin and shook his head.
“Alright, I won’t say more. I’m glad you came. It’s been a long time. Too bad you’re leaving, or I’d treat you to a drink.”
Han Wujin seemed prepared for this and took a bamboo cylinder from his waist.
“Here you go.”
“Oh? Did you brew this yourself?”
“Just something I did out of boredom.”
His “boredom” was truly having nothing else to do.
Though Han Wujin sought only one sword in life, he oddly possessed a special talent for brewing wine.
It was a pity he didn’t like sharing, so only Xu Ping’an and a few others had tasted it.
“Then I’ll have a cup.”
Xu Ping’an glanced around and noticed a nearby pavilion, gesturing to invite Han Wujin.
Han Wujin went over, twisting the bottom of the bamboo flask.
Two bamboo cups dropped down onto the table.
Sometimes, Xu Ping’an couldn’t help but admire ancient ingenuity. Though just a simple piece of bamboo, it was cleverly crafted into a full wine set.
The bamboo flask had a small switch at its base.
Turn it, and the tiny cups stored inside would fall out, and could be placed back when not in use.
This made for a portable wine set.
Pale green wine flowed from the spout, blending with the peaceful scene before the evening glow — a unique flavor.
Han Wujin took the two cups and rotated his inner energy, causing the wine inside to vibrate intensely.
Within moments, both cups warmed to about thirty degrees — just the right temperature to drink.
“Please, Master Xu.”
“To you.”