Chapter 136: Do You Like Me?

The hour of Zi had passed; Jingcheng.

Constable Xiao Wang and others, with shallow cultivation, had suffered severe hypothermia; after the convoy entered the inner city, they were sent to the Imperial Pharmacy Monastery for treatment, with Yang Dabiao and Liu Qingzhi following behind.

Xie Jinhuan should have been sent to the Imperial Pharmacy Monastery to recuperate as well, but holding the Wu Sect's big-breasted cat, he dared not seek help in an official domain; thus, upon reaching Zheng'an Street, he claimed he needed to report to the Princess and returned to Wang Fu.

Princess Changning spent every day in DanYang throwing parties, utterly unable to sit still; seeing Xie Jinhuan leave at noon, she found staying home boring and, in the afternoon, took her attendants to her cousin's home for another party.

Prince Zhao De, needless to say, vanished after following the Crown Prince for money; rumors said several Wu Zu had searched major entertainment venues but found no trace of him—no one knew where he'd gone.

With neither Prince nor Princess present, the vast Wang Fu felt strangely empty.

Xie Jinhuan carried Wan Yi back to his room and ordered the maid to bring hot water and Mao Jin.

As they returned to safety, Linghu Qingmo's expression shifted from post-trauma trembling to exhaustion from depleted Qi Sea; she carefully examined Lin Wanyi's condition.

Lin Wanyi lay on the bed, her cloak removed, revealing her face of peerless beauty; her gold-threaded spectacles rested beside the pillow.

Though shielded by trees from the ice spikes, Lin Wanyi lacked fire arts or true qi to resist the biting cold; she took the full brunt directly—she wasn't instantly frozen into an ice statue only because the exposure was brief.

The extreme cold pierced straight to her internal organs; her face turned blue at first, but Xie Jinhuan warmed her all the way, restoring her color—though she remained unconscious.

Xie Jinhuan unfastened his black cloak, pulled back his own bedding, and wrapped Wan Yi tightly within.

Linghu Qingmo wrung out the hot Mao Jin and handed it to Xie Jinhuan, her heart filled with doubt:

"Why did Physician Lin go to Tieji Ling? And what was that flute sound just now?"

"Probably came looking for me after hearing I went to the county. Wan Yi's family is wealthy—she owns several protective artifacts."

"Oh…"

Linghu Qingmo knew Physician Lin was especially clingy; she couldn't help wondering—since they were so inseparable, why was Lin still sleeping alone?

Realizing her thoughts had wandered, Linghu Qingmo quickly refocused, turning her gaze to the two magical swords on the table, intending to ask whether they were imitations.

But Xie Jinhuan acted with integrity and had always slain demons and monsters; even if they were genuine, his silence must have good reason—better not to pry.

Still, this sword truly resembled the Zhenglun Sword—if there was some unspoken reason, what could it be…

Could Xie Jinhuan's master be the Qixia Ancestor?

Impossible, impossible—if so, wouldn't Xie Jinhuan become his senior?

A senior kissing his junior? That'd get him beaten senseless by the master…

Linghu Qingmo wandered in thought for a moment, then felt her body growing weak; she prepared to sit on the bed and meditate, but after glancing around, she sensed something missing:

"Hey? Meiqiu?!"

When Xie Jinhuan left Tieji Gang, he noticed Meiqiu hadn't come down; he replied:

"She's clever—probably spotted a stalker and followed them; she knows she'll come back."

"Oh…"

Linghu Qingmo was genuinely worried; she glanced toward the door before sitting cross-legged on the bed.

Though Xie Jinhuan had lost some primordial Qi, his Qi Sea hadn't been drained as severely as Meiqiu's; seeing Meiqiu's pale, weak complexion, clearly overexerted, he patted himself and pulled out the 'Baqi Ce Lou Pill.'

Wan Yi said this pill could 'supplement blood and invigorate Qi,' leaving one brimming with vigor—its effects were phenomenal!

Xie Jinhuan had planned to save it for himself, but pills could always be bought from Zi Su the Immortal; his girlfriend needed care more, so he rose, stepped forward, and handed it to Meiqiu:

"Eat this—it'll replenish your Qi Sea."

Linghu Qingmo naturally trusted anything Xie Jinhuan gave her; without question, she took the pill and swallowed it.

And indeed—the effect was immediate!

As the pill entered her belly, a powerful warmth surged through her lungs and organs.

The warmth spread rapidly through her body, easing her physical exhaustion, calming her still-turbulent emotions, and making her mind sharp, clear, and wise.

The small ripples long buried in her heart-lake now swelled rapidly, growing more insistent, transforming into an irresistible urge to speak:

Xie Jinhuan returned to the bedside and gently wiped Wan Yi's cheeks with the hot Mao Jin; faintly, he caught her intoxicating, soul-stealing fragrance—like a steaming white bun rich with milk—but now he felt no lust, only pity in his eyes.

He had been tending to Wan Yi, assuming Meiqiu was meditating after taking the pill, and paid her no mind—until halfway through, he sensed Meiqiu watching him.

He turned; Qingmo, clad in a snow-white gown, sat upright on the bed, her waist and back straight, her autumn-river eyes no longer shy or hesitant as before—but piercing, steady as a rock, glowing with wisdom!

?!

Seeing this sharp, radiant gaze, Xie Jinhuan thought perhaps Meiqiu was jealous he'd been tending to Wan Yi; he sat up straighter, embarrassed:

"Uh… I thought you were meditating, so I didn't disturb you…"

"It's fine."

Her voice was cool and calm!

Linghu Qingmo didn't know why, but her mind felt extraordinarily clear, yet her spirit buzzed with excitement—like being pleasantly tipsy and unable to hold back words, her confidence soaring…

As if the Ancestor had possessed her—fearless, everything under control…

Noticing Xie Jinhuan's awkward unease, Linghu Qingmo rose, stepped to the bedside, crossed her arms:

"Xie Jinhuan, do you like me?"

"?"

Xie Jinhuan truly hadn't expected those words to come from Meiqiu's mouth.

Is this really the Meiqiu who blushed for days after I kissed her?

He studied her commanding posture and icy, elegant aura—wondering if the ghost bride hadn't finished playing tricks on him.

But Ye Hongshang had long finished her work; now she appeared, seated sideways beneath the plaque reading "Upright Gentleman," cheek propped on her hand, watching the scene.

Seeing this, Xie Jinhuan was truly puzzled; he looked up at Meiqiu, whose presence radiated overwhelming pressure:

"Meiqiu, you…"

"I asked—do you like me?"

Her intensity made Xie Jinhuan feel almost weak:

"Of course I like you—otherwise, why would I kiss you?"

"I like you too," Linghu Qingmo said earnestly.

"?"

Xie Jinhuan looked at the silly Seeing Mo Mo, couldn't help but laugh at such a serious confession, stood up, and wanted to give a peck to celebrate.

But Linghu Qingmo raised a hand to block him, her eyes very serious:

"Master said that to uphold the righteous path must be full of thorns; very few can walk to the end.

"I know your ambitions are high, that you would sacrifice yourself for the righteous path. I will take you as my example and walk with you. If you fall halfway, I will spare nothing to fulfill your lifelong wish.

"And if I fall halfway one day, do not grieve or regret for me; you must continue walking the righteous path.

"Even if I am imprisoned in a purgatory and suffer tribulations for ten thousand generations, my heart will still hold you, with not a shred of regret..."

These words were by no means false; Linghu Qingmo had always thought this way, but dared not say it in ordinary times. Now, "medicine emboldens the coward," she poured it all out like beans from a bamboo tube.

Xie Jinhuan felt the "depth of affection and weight of intent." Although he didn't understand why Seeing Mo Mo suddenly became so brave, he still held Seeing Mo Mo in his arms, patting her back:

"Hey, hey, don't say such unlucky things about falling halfway. Hmm... don't you know my skills? If I like you, I will definitely marry you. In the future, if the sky falls, I will carry it. If you frown even once, it will count as my poor mastery of the arts."

Linghu Qingmo rested her chin on his shoulder and whispered into his ear:

"I am not Physician Lin; she will only accompany you to sleep. I am different; if the sky falls, I will carry it with you!"

"Uh..."

Xie Jinhuan thought Seeing Mo Mo was a bit too brave; if Wan Yi heard this, she would surely get up to argue and pull hair...

"Wan Yi doesn't just sleep; she has some skills, her medical arts are very good..."

Linghu Qingmo had witnessed Physician Lin Wanyi's skills—meeting assassins and sleeping in Xie Jinhuan's house; caring for the severely injured Xie Jinhuan and sleeping on the sickbed; coming to Jingcheng and dragging Xie Jinhuan to the boudoir to sleep; coming to rescue today and pulling off a move of falling asleep immediately...

What else could she be but a vase sister who only sleeps?

However, Physician Lin had finally come to help; no matter how small her strength, one could not be disdainful.

Linghu Qingmo glanced at the sleeping Lin Wanyi, then curiously asked:

"She is your red-dress confidante, and I am also your red-dress confidante. Who do you like more?"

Hiss...

Xie Jinhuan suddenly faced this life-threatening question, feeling somewhat helpless. He glanced at the Ghost Wife out of the corner of his eye, hoping the wife could help see what went wrong with Seeing Mo Mo.

But Ye Hongshang was watching with great interest; where would she have the time to reply?

Facing Seeing Mo Mo's waiting, Xie Jinhuan thought for a moment:

"Hmm... each has their own merits. Wan Yi is virtuous..."

Linghu Qingmo frowned, leaned back, and looked at Xie Jinhuan's cheek:

"Do you mean I am not virtuous?"

"Hey, hey, hey, no!"

Xie Jinhuan didn't expect Seeing Mo Mo's reaction speed to be so terrifying; if this were a palace struggle, she would surely become king and dominate. He broke out in a cold sweat and said:

"Your character is upright and straightforward, you hate evil as if it were your enemy, and you have a strong career drive. You are a kindred spirit who understands my heart. We can uphold the righteous path together and go to the Jade Terrace.

"But since we spend our days licking blood from our blades, after exhaustion, we also need a harbor and a support.

"I am your support, giving you gentle care; while Wan Yi is the harbor after my body and mind are utterly exhausted, giving me gentle care. Hmm... that is roughly the meaning."

Ye Hongshang leaned sideways on the soft couch, propping her cheek with her hand, and nodded slightly:

"Oh yo~ Sure enough, when people are pushed to the brink, they can think of anything."

Linghu Qingmo couldn't hear the ghost's words. After thinking for a moment, she placed her chin back on his shoulder and tilted her head slightly:

"I can not only accompany you to uphold the righteous path, but also give you gentle care~"

Good grief, she still wasn't convinced and was getting jealous...

And she even carried a touch of playfulness, full of girlfriend vibes...

Xie Jinhuan thought it was a good thing Wan Yi had fainted; if she were awake, they would surely fight. He raised his hand to support his back:

"I know you can, but do you want to slay demons and monsters with me, or manage the household and raise children at home?"

"..."

Linghu Qingmo blinked her eyes, feeling this reasoning made a lot of sense.

In the future, after Xie Jinhuan establishes a family, if she and Xie Jinhuan slay demons and monsters outside, surely someone must stay home to nurse the babies, right?

Physician Lin doing this would be too suitable, as long as she doesn't fall asleep while nursing the babies...

"That's true. Then in the future, I will manage the outside, she will manage the inside. She must listen to me, correct?"

Oh my god...

Xie Jinhuan glanced at the still-sleeping Wan Yi out of the corner of his eye, then turned to the very serious Seeing Mo Mo:

"Hmm... I am wholeheartedly slaying demons and monsters; I really haven't thought about these things..."

"Then I will talk to her."

Linghu Qingmo released her embrace, sat by the bed, put her hand into the quilt to take the pulse, found only that the cold qi was slightly heavy and the pulse was very stable, then shook his shoulder:

"Wan Yi? Physician Lin?"

Xie Jinhuan felt he was about to die right there and quickly stopped Seeing Mo Mo:

"Her soul and spirit were injured and she fainted; let her rest for a while..."

"Huff~"

Before the words were finished, the plump big-nosed cat wrapped like a caterpillar furrowed her brows slightly, let out a low moan, and opened her eyes...

Xie Jinhuan froze in place!

Ye Hongshang, meanwhile, was full of energy. She raised a hand slightly, and peanuts, melon seeds, and small wine bottles appeared on the small couch. Leaning against the small table, she cracked melon seeds while watching intently, and teased:

"Oh yo~ Whoever wins the argument today, sister will let them be the second wife. You are not allowed to take sides."

———

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The backlog is completely gone. I wrote from 8 a. m. yesterday morning until 2 a. m. this morning, yet produced only a few words. There may be some typos; Aguan will get up and revise them or2

(End of chapter)