Chapter 137: Could It Be That I, Your Auntie, Am Useless?

Her mind was foggy and muddled; she had no idea how long she had been asleep.

From time to time, noisy chatter drifted from beside her—impossible to make out what was being said, yet it left a faint, bone-deep unease…

Lin Wanyi could not tell whether she was dreaming or awake; only after being jostled twice did her consciousness drift back into her head.

Groggily, she pried open eyelids that weighed a thousand catties. The light gradually sharpened, and the finely crafted canopy of the canopied bed was the first thing to meet her eyes.

Then a cold, fair-as-jade cheek appeared above her. The gaze was sharp and commanding, like the chief wife looking down from on high, making one instinctively shrink back and dodge…

?!

Miss Linghu?

Why is she looking so fierce…

It's over—everything's exposed…

Lin Wanyi, thinking the Wu Sect's cover had been blown, snapped awake in an instant. Her eyes brimmed with panic as she glanced left and right, trying to see whether she was in a prison cell.

Fortunately, the room looked perfectly normal. Not far away hung a plaque inscribed "A Gentleman of Integrity"—this must be Xie Jinhuan's room, and the man was sitting right in front of her…

Wait—no!

After a quick once-over, Lin Wanyi noticed that the Xie Jinhuan sitting before her had eyes bulging like Meiqiu's, his expression a muddle of panic, helplessness, and words stuck on the tip of his tongue…

What's going on?

Did I talk in my sleep or something…

Lin Wanyi was completely baffled. She wanted to sit up but didn't dare; she could only let her gaze dart back and forth, trying to figure out what on earth was happening.

Linghu Qingmo leaned in for a closer look, saw that Lin Wanyi was awake, and asked first:

"Wanyi, you're not feeling unwell, are you?"

Lin Wanyi felt the address carried the air of an elder sister looking after a younger one, and carefully sat up:

"Uh… I'm fine. How long did I sleep?"

"Just a little over two hours."

Linghu Qingmo helped prop Lin Wanyi up against the headboard and asked seriously:

"Wanyi, you like Xie Jinhuan too, don't you?"

?

Lin Wanyi's eyes went wide with shock. After a brief daze, she replied, a touch awkwardly:

"Miss Linghu, don't joke around…"

"Meaning you don't like him?"

"Uh…"

Lin Wanyi felt Linghu Qingmo was pressing too hard, leaving no room for coyness. After a moment's thought, she turned to look at the man:

"Xie Jinhuan, did you give her some kind of drug?"

Xie Jinhuan had long since noticed Seeing Mo Mo was being a bit too bold, and spread his hands slightly:

"It's that 'Overbearing Aura Leakage Pill' of yours—truly overbearing aura leaking out…"

Lin Wanyi suddenly understood. She hurriedly fished an antidote from her bosom and held it out to Linghu Qingmo:

"Miss Linghu, you took the wrong pill…"

Linghu Qingmo took the pill but did not swallow it. Instead, she said with earnest gravity:

"This pill of yours does indeed have the effect of replenishing Qi, but it has nothing to do with what we're discussing now. My mind is perfectly clear—everything I'm saying right now is the sincere truth from the bottom of my heart. Even if I take the antidote and take it back, what I've said now still stands!"

Saying so, she turned to look at Xie Jinhuan:

"That includes what I said to you!"

"Uh…"

Lin Wanyi felt that if Linghu Qingmo were sober, she'd probably die of social embarrassment on the spot and never dare show her face again:

"You're not sober right now—hurry up and take the antidote…"

"I'll finish what I have to say first, then take it."

Linghu Qingmo sat in front of her and spoke methodically:

"I'm not here to fight you over a man—let's just talk facts. Give me one answer right now: do you have feelings for Xie Jinhuan or not?"

"…"

Lin Wanyi simply didn't have the bold, overbearing personality—how could she possibly handle this kind of pressure? But if she dared say no, the man would probably end up belonging to the other woman. She could only brace herself and reply:

"I like him, I like him—now hurry up and take the antidote…"

Linghu Qingmo hadn't gotten the answer that matched her expectations—how could she possibly comply? She gazed earnestly at Sister Lin:

"Since we both like him, let me be blunt. As the saying goes, 'a country has its laws, a family has its rules.' From now on, when Xie Jinhuan is busy with official matters, you can't just drag him off to your place to sleep whenever you feel like it—that would hold up his demon-slaying and monster-exorcising.

"Second, you're always messing things up when you take care of people. When he's free and goes to find you, I can't control that. But from now on, for anything important, I must be the one by his side…"

???

Lin Wanyi only had to hear a few sentences to understand the meaning—the chief wife was laying down the rules for the junior!

You're going way too far!

Though Lin Wanyi was a little bashful, the other woman was riding right in her face with her demands, and a nameless fury rose in her heart. She sat up a bit straighter:

"Miss Linghu, even if you've taken the wrong pill, watch how you speak. You and I aren't related in any way—on what grounds do you set rules for me? If anyone's setting rules, it should be Xie Jinhuan!"

Linghu Qingmo blinked, thought that made sense, and turned to look at Xie Jinhuan:

"Then you set some rules for her."

"…"

Xie Jinhuan didn't dare play favorites rashly. After a moment's thought, he said:

"I just got into a fight and injured my vital essence—I want to rest for a while. How about we talk about this tomorrow?"

Linghu Qingmo nodded slightly, took Lin Wanyi's arm, and stood up:

"Very well. I will take Miss Lin to rest in the next room; I will come back to look after you later."

?

Being driven out, how could Lin Wanyi bear it? She sat on the bed and refused to move:

"I am the Physician; what would it look like if I went out? I will look after him; you go rest!"

Seeing the Physician Lin refuse to leave and sit back down, Linghu Qingmo said:

"Don't you know his nature? Given any chance, he will run out to slay demons and eliminate monsters! Last time at the Academy, I didn't even scold you, yet today you come again; what if he runs out again later?"

Facing this scolding tone, Lin Wanyi's eye twitched; she gritted her teeth and said:

"Last time it was him who insisted on running..."

"He insisted on running, so you let him run? I was there at the time; could he have run?"

"I didn't want him to run, but... I fell asleep..."

"You even know you fell asleep?"

Linghu Qingmo wanted to raise her hand and poke Lin Wanyi's forehead, but out of politeness, she held back:

"Now I ask you to guard him, and what if you fall asleep again?"

"..."

Lin Wanyi was momentarily speechless; her peripheral glance toward Xie Jinhuan conveyed the meaning: "You caused this mess, why don't you say something? Do you want to see me bullied?"

Xie Jinhuan quickly interjected: "Last time was my fault; this time I will just lie here properly..."

"You will do anything to slay demons and eliminate monsters; I won't be fooled again."

After scolding the man once, Linghu Qingmo turned her gaze to Lin Wanyi again:

"You go rest first; I will watch him. Once he has rested well, then I will let you accompany him."

Lin Wanyi's past 'sleeping history' was vivid before her eyes; even though her heart was full of grievance, she could not argue with the straightforward Linghu Qingmo, but if she obediently went out, her life would probably be like this forever...

Lin Wanyi took a few deep breaths and struck back covertly:

"Fine, let's take care of him together; you aren't a Physician anyway, how can you help treat his wounds? Look at how these bandages are tied, like a dog chewed them..."

?

A few sharp glints appeared in Linghu Qingmo's eyes; she nodded slightly, took the wound medicine and bandages, and said:

"Very well, you do it."

"Hmph..."

Lin Wanyi let out a very soft hum, barely audible, leaned close, and began treating Xie Jinhuan's injuries.

Seeing the two not fight, Xie Jinhuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief and smiled foolishly.

Seeing this, Lin Wanyi raised her eyes to look at Xie Jinhuan, her gaze slightly fierce, the meaning roughly being—She scolded me like a vase! And you still have the mind to laugh?

Smack—

Just as she glared at the man, the supervising Linghu Qingmo raised her hand and slapped his big buttocks, her eyes darkening slightly:

"Why are you glaring at him? Did he offend you?"

Feeling the stinging heat on her buttocks, Lin Wanyi shuddered all over; she looked at the woman in white by the bed in disbelief, her face turning green!

You dare hit me?!

I was glaring at my man; what does it have to do with you?

Zisu was just about to point at my forehead and scold me, and now you point at my forehead and scold me too; do you take me for a big maid who doesn't fight back or talk back?

Lin Wanyi's chest was about to explode with anger; she rolled up her sleeves and wanted to fight, but Xie Jinhuan stopped her, so she could only say coldly:

"Get out! I will treat his wounds first; later I still have to serve him. Do you stand here because you want to watch a live spring palace?"

Linghu Qingmo was stunned; she frowned and said:

"He is still a virgin; what are you serving? Accompany him to sleep? What if he gets too pent up?"

"Ah?" Xie Jinhuan was stunned.

Lin Wanyi was also baffled, but in her anger she threw caution to the wind; she turned her head and kissed her man on the cheek with a "pop":

"I ran all this way to save him; he carried me back; I was so heartbroken; I want to give my body to him; what business is it of yours?"

Linghu Qingmo said solemnly:

"He is a gentleman; since he is not yet married, he certainly will not agree."

"Uh..." Xie Jinhuan wanted to speak but held back.

"If he doesn't agree, does that mean a woman won't give herself?"

Lin Wanyi leaned in front of Xie Jinhuan, head high, chest out, and spoke with righteous indignation:

"Xie Jinhuan is upright by nature; how could he actively ask for it?

"Let him go out and struggle with the outside world; if at home a man still has to take the initiative, are you here to act as a female ancestor?

"I have treated more Ladies than you have ever seen; if you don't understand these things, don't waste time here!"

Linghu Qingmo felt that what Lin Wanyi said seemed reasonable, but slinking out the door felt wrong, so she countered:

"You only accompany him to sleep?"

Lin Wanyi was no longer shy; she nodded:

"Yes~ Jinhuan is a grown man; what would it look like if there was no woman by his side while he sleeps? Or should you come sleep too? If you have the courage... then let's sleep together; I will teach you how to serve people, so you little Seeing Bing Tuozi won't know anything and hurt my Jinhuan, right, Jinhuan~?"

Oh my goodness...

Xie Jinhuan was flattered but dared not speak.

Seeing Lin Wanyi's sarcastic manner, Linghu Qingmo truly wanted to steel her heart and see who would teach whom; she had read "Yangchun Yan" and "Jin Lan Zhuan"...

But she was after all a member of the Dao Sect; how could she be so bold as to serve people together like this...

Seeing that the Vase Sister had no rebuttal, she began steering the conversation toward matters of the bed; she fell silent for an instant, then nodded:

"You little hussy, let's see if you have the guts today."

Lin Wanyi's willow brows shot up, but after sending Linghu Qingmo away, she refrained from adding unnecessary details, merely casting a cold glance as she watched her leave.

(→_→)!

Linghu Qingmo stood up, saw that look, her expression darkened slightly, thought for a moment, turned back, leaned down, and pecked Xie Jinhuan on the lips:

"Make sure she serves you well; if she disobeys, tell me."

"You!"

Lin Wanyi was stunned into silence!

Once she recovered, she lunged out like a mad she-cat, wanting to grab that stinky nun and beat her up:

"You damned woman..."

Seeing a real fight break out, Xie Jinhuan hurriedly embraced Wanyi:

"Hey, hey, hey, don't be impulsive..."

"Let go of me! She hit me, I can't hit her back? I'll fight her to the death!"

"No, no..."

Linghu Qingmo, seeing Vase Sister's impotent rage, felt thoroughly satisfied; right before their eyes, she pecked Xie Jinhuan on the face several more times, even pinched his pectoral muscles, her gaze clearly saying, "Eh~ your man is so smooth," then turned and left the room; halfway out, she bent down to dodge a thrown embroidered shoe, and popped the antidote into her mouth.

Lin Wanyi, so furious she had lost her mind, was still held by Xie Jinhuan around the waist, yet continued throwing pillows, and beneath the pillows, the Golden Orchid Transmission and the Bright Spring Elegance:

"Stinky nun, come back here! I'm not done with you today..."

"Don't be angry, don't be angry..."

Xie Jinhuan, trembling with fear, while soothing Wanyi with a gentle demeanor, retrieved the treasured books to hide them, lest he suffer a double beating.

But before the two could even struggle a couple of times, they noticed the door they had just closed was shoved open!

Crash—

Caught off guard, Lin Wanyi shivered in fright, her anger dampened somewhat; she hid behind the man, her eyes widening slightly:

"You dare come back?! I..."

She turned to find something to throw.

Linghu Qingmo stood at the doorway, her face flushed purple, lips moving slightly, then glared angrily at Xie Jinhuan:

"You lecher, what the hell did you make me eat?"

Seeing Mo Mo return to normal, Xie Jinhuan felt a weight lift from his heart and hurriedly stood up:

"My fault, my fault, I didn't know what that medicine was..."

After Linghu Qingmo stepped out, her mind cleared; thinking back on her words and actions just now, she was so shocked she nearly flew away, feeling her persona as the 'Ice Beauty with an Unshakable Dao Heart' had completely collapsed!

Although what she said just now were her true feelings, and she still felt that way now, true feelings shouldn't be spoken aloud!

Offending people like this, what if Physician Lin died of anger?

"You didn't know what medicine it was, yet you made me eat it?!"

Xie Jinhuan, forcing himself to speak, said:

"This indeed replenishes Qi, it just has a tiny side effect. Taking medicine is like drunken talk; it can't be taken seriously. My fault, my fault..."

You call that a tiny?

Linghu Qingmo wanted nothing more than to pin that stinky brother down and beat him; noticing Lin Wanyi behind him, staring at her with those little eyes, almost crying from anger, she thought it over and said:

"Miss Lin, sorry, I just took the wrong medicine, my mind wasn't clear..."

You are clearer than anyone!

If you had even a hint of confusion, you wouldn't have made me this angry!

Lin Wanyi's head throbbed from anger, but since they had the excuse of taking the wrong medicine, pulling her hair would make her seem unreasonable; therefore, for the man's sake, she took a deep breath, putting on an air of gentleness and magnanimity:

"It's fine, I don't hold it against you."

Linghu Qingmo felt Lin Wanyi was overthinking it, but since the words were already spoken, spilled water cannot be gathered back; she merely offered an apologetic smile, then stepped on Xie Jinhuan's shoe, and in a flash, fled in fear of punishment.

Xie Jinhuan secretly sucked in a cool breath; after watching Mo Mo flee with her hand over her face, he sat by the bed, his expression quite awkward:

"Uh... what medicine did you give? That power was way too overwhelming..."

"A broken medicine mixed with perilla, simply..."

Lin Wanyi was thoroughly angered, but since Xie Jinhuan was scared into silence, she didn't dare badmouth Linghu Qingmo behind his back; after thinking it over, she said:

【166】 "I'm not used to sleeping here; how about you send me back? We can practice together, avoiding the awkwardness of people coming and going."

"I'm not used to sleeping here. How about you send me back? We can practice together on the way, avoiding the awkwardness of people coming and going."

Xie Jinhuan, truly afraid the two would meet and fight again, said nothing more, sheathed his weapons, stood up, and helped Wanyi to her feet.

Originally, he wanted to say goodbye to Mo Mo, but found she had run straight to the Princess's room to hide; she wasn't even next door, so he had to let it go...

(End of Chapter)