Perhaps it was due to the tonics from yesterday’s luxurious feast, but after falling asleep early, Ye Ping’an awoke the next morning without the mental exhaustion he’d felt the day before.
On the contrary, he felt refreshed and energized. Even if he were to help his junior sister with her physical conditioning right now, it would be no problem at all.
Of course, Ye Ping’an wasn’t one to overdo it. They had agreed on a one-week timeframe, and one week it would be—no more, or else his body wouldn’t be able to take it.
Now that his junior sister’s cultivation had officially begun, it was time for Ye Ping’an to recruit another helping hand.
As the maid who had accompanied him for the past two years, Ye Ping’an trusted Ye Ningyue completely.
He also believed that although Ningyue had joined later, she now treated the Xuanxing Sect as her home.
He figured that as long as he explained the junior sister’s importance clearly, Ningyue wouldn’t stay hostile toward her.
After all, though Ningyue was young, she was very sensible—far more mature than most children her age. She just had a few moments of quirkiness now and then.
Admittedly, it wasn’t entirely fair to put Ningyue in this position, but Ye Ping’an was determined to make it up to her.
If she wanted anything, he’d find a way to get it for her—no matter what it was.
With that thought in mind, Ye Ping’an packed his things and headed to Ye Ningyue’s residence.
Though Ningyue held the official status of a maid, Ye Ping’an had never truly treated her as such. Her living quarters were sized just like a disciple’s and were located not far from his own.
Arriving at her door, he knocked gently. “Ningyue, are you there?”
Just as he spoke, the sound of clattering erupted from inside—objects crashing, even a vase shattering.
Then came a loud bang! as the door swung open, and Ningyue appeared, her expression flustered and anxious.
Ye Ping’an froze at the sight of her: clothes disheveled, breath hurried, dark circles under her eyes like a panda’s, and bloodshot pupils—clear signs of a sleepless night.
Uneasy, he asked, “Ningyue, what… what happened to you?”
“I…” Realizing her appearance was a mess, Ye Ningyue hastily straightened herself out. Then, with a slight pout, she looked at Ye Ping’an and said, half-reproachfully, “Young Master, why are you only arriving this early now?”
Even after fixing her clothes, she still looked somewhat worn down.
“Ah, I was…” Ye Ping’an wasn’t about to tease her. He was just about to explain why he came, but her wording caught him off guard: “This early… only now?”
“Ah! No, I mean—Young Master, why are you here so early?” Ningyue quickly corrected herself, realizing her slip-up.
She forced herself to perk up, determined not to let her inner thoughts slip out again.
Ye Ping’an figured she must’ve been sleep-deprived and talking nonsense, so he didn’t press it further.
Instead, he looked at her seriously and said, “Ningyue, I’m here today because I have something important to tell you.”
“S-Something important?”
“Yes. Very important. It concerns our future.”
“O… Our future?” Ningyue froze. As if something clicked in her mind, her cheeks suddenly flushed bright red, steam practically rising from her head.
Could it be? Has the Young Master finally realized that I’m the best choice for his wife? Is he talking about marrying me?!
Yes! All those tonic-rich dishes I made yesterday weren’t in vain! Ningyue, you really are amazing!
Even without relying on your looks, you’ve finally won the Young Master’s heart. That fox-girl can’t compete with this!
In an instant, her fatigue vanished. Her back straightened, and her eyes lit up with enthusiasm.
She eagerly grabbed Ye Ping’an’s hand and pulled him into her room, thoughtfully closing the door behind them.
After all, if they were going to solidify their relationship… and the Young Master asked for her help—regardless of which “mouth” he wanted her to use—being seen would be utterly humiliating for the rest of her life!
Ye Ping’an felt warmed by her enthusiasm.
Watching the excited girl, he naturally assumed she was just deeply invested in the future of the Xuanxing Sect.
Still, he couldn’t quite understand—why had she pulled him toward the bed, instead of to the desk?
“What exactly is this important thing, Young Master?”
After dragging him to the bed, Ningyue asked with anticipation, a trace of nervousness on her face. Deep down, she was already debating how best to say yes—should she agree right away?
Or pretend to hesitate before reluctantly accepting?
As she sank into that blissful fantasy, Ye Ping’an’s next words shattered it completely.
“Ningyue, Mengyao has been at the sect for a few days now. What do you think of her?”
Rather than get straight to the point, he decided to first ask her opinion of his junior sister.
Ningyue’s already-stiff expression went completely cold the moment she heard that little fox’s name. Her lips puffed into a pout, sulking. “Why are you bringing her up, Young Master?”
“Because whether or not we have a future depends on Mengyao,” Ye Ping’an replied earnestly.
“If she doesn’t grow stronger, the Xuanxing Sect may not have a future at all.”
Ningyue froze. From her perspective, what Ye Ping’an meant was that their future was no longer a matter of just the two of them—but the three of them.
She couldn’t help but feel disheartened.
But she quickly talked herself out of it. After all, the Young Master had given his “first time” to that little fox.
If he were to abandon her and choose Ningyue instead, what guarantee was there he wouldn’t do the same to Ningyue someday, picking someone “better”?
The fact that he came to discuss this with her at all meant she still had a place in his heart—possibly even a more important one than that fox.
No… I need to clarify my position now. Though she couldn’t stand that little fox, she couldn’t let the Young Master think she was petty or jealous.
So, gathering her resolve, Ningyue looked at Ye Ping’an with a serious expression and said, with a nervous heart: “I don’t really dislike Mengyao… But, Young Master, I… I want to be the main one.”
Because of her nerves, her voice grew softer and softer, until the last words were barely audible.
Hearing her say she didn’t dislike Mengyao made Ye Ping’an let out a breath of relief. Since it was just the two of them, she had no reason to lie to him.
That meant their conflict probably wasn’t too deep.
Excitedly, he clapped his hands. “Great! Then we can move forward with the next part of the plan!”
Then, recalling her last whispered sentence, he asked, “Oh right, Ningyue—what was that last thing you just said? I didn’t quite catch it.”
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