105,1 - Little Peasant Wife

**The Fated Petite Farm Wife GL - Chapter 73: Advancement (1)** For Jing Ao Xue, it was her first time venturing so deep into the mountains. Previously, she had only ever crossed a single peak, but now, under the guidance of the Bai Ma Ji Si, she and Shen Lu Man had traversed more than ten. Initially filled with joy and excitement, Jing Ao Xue now felt weary and drained. Wiping the sweat from her brow, she noted the season was late summer, early autumn, and the heat persisted. Being in the forest, the heat rising from the plants created a sensation akin to being in a steamer. Her clothes had become saturated with sweat and moisture. Standing on a hillside, Jing Ao Xue looked helplessly at the two seemingly unaffected yao beings ahead. "How much longer do we have to go? I know these mountains boast at least hundreds if not thousands of peaks. Can't you give us a precise answer? Hopefully, we don't have to cross five hundred more to reach our destination." Shen Lu Man turned, offering her hand with a gentle smile. "How about I carry you?" Jing Ao Xue blushed, slightly peeved. She took Shen Lu Man's hand, tracing her fingers along her palm. "No need, I'm not that weak. But wandering aimlessly like this, when will it end?" Hearing this, Shen Lu Man cast a cold glance at the Bai Ma Ji Si. "Don't try any tricks, or else..." The Bai Ma Ji Si was on the verge of tears; it was just an ordinary horse now. It hadn't said anything, afraid to upset the fearsome deity with awakened bloodlines. This couple! Showcasing their affection all the way was one thing, but now they were venting on it too. Feeling quite aggrieved and sorrowful, there was no one to understand its plight. Its horse mouth opened and closed a few times before saying, "We're almost there. This Duo Bao Village is rich in spiritual energy because it's the closest to Qing Mu Zhen Jun's abode." Jing Ao Xue hummed in acknowledgment, holding Shen Lu Man's hand, "My dear, you've worked hard before." Shen Lu Man was momentarily stunned before understanding her reference. Back when the original Jing Ao Xue had yet to die, when Shen Lu Man first arrived in the Mortal Realm, she faced cold treatment and was even pregnant and unwell. The original Jing Ao Xue had been a scoundrel, never sparing a thought for her or their child, often dragging them down. After Liu Er's birth, to survive, Shen Lu Man had to hunt in the mountains. Those mountains were where she spent the most time, becoming intimately familiar with the flora and fauna. However, she never dared venture deep into the mountains. Even though she sensed the extraordinary concentration of spiritual energy, many wild beasts, including wolf packs, roamed the area. Despite her level three cultivation in the Qi Refining stage, even many ants can bite a giant to death. She wouldn't risk her life without guarantees. Reflecting, if something had happened to her, how would her infant Liu Er have survived? Back then, she had no one to rely on. Her daughter was too young, and her spouse was unreliable. She could only depend on herself. Indeed, it was a struggle, but she had become accustomed to it. But now was different. Looking down at the hand she held, Jing Ao Xue, perhaps sensing their destination was near, perked up and sang a lively song. Her voice was clear and pleasant, with the song's melodious tune echoing through the hills. Warmth spread in Shen Lu Man's heart, and she couldn't help but kiss Jing Ao Xue. Jing Ao Xue, eager and full of emotion, sang even more spiritedly at Shen Lu Man's encouragement. However, Shen Lu Man reminded that cultivating the Gu poison inside required restraint. Frustrated, Jing Ao Xue kissed Shen Lu Man's cheek instead. They nestled together like affectionate kittens. Bai Ma Ji Si, off to the side, was left speechless."..." Why did it suddenly feel a pang of loneliness and sadness? Was this public affection considered animal cruelty? Feeling desolate, Bai Ma Ji Si decided to distance itself from this radiant couple. Jing Ao Xue gently touched Shen Lu Man's cheek, drawing close to her ear with a deep inhale, savoring the fragrant aroma. She whispered, "I sense the spiritual energy around us getting denser. Seems like the Bai Ma Ji Si wasn't bluffing." Shen Lu Man paused, responding, "It wouldn't dare. After all, I left an avatar inside it. A mere flick of my finger could kill it if it harbors any deceit." Jing Ao Xue pecked her cheek. "You're wise, my dear." Hand in hand, they continued uphill. "Speaking of this Qing Mu Zhen Jun, I heard of him in the original's memories. Apparently, he's the first sixth-grade alchemist in the cultivation world in millennia, highly acclaimed thousands of years ago." "But shortly after gaining fame, he vanished. Rumors say it was due to a vendetta. My love, do you know the inside story?" Shen Lu Man hesitated briefly before confirming, "A little. Qing Mu Zhen Jun, whose original name was Fan Qi Luo, grew up in the Shen Mu Sect, becoming an alchemist in line with her parents' wishes." "She wasn't known initially, but after a chance encounter in a secret realm, she quickly reached Nascent Soul stage, crafting seventh-grade pills, and was recognized by the Alchemist Guild as a sixth-grade alchemist." Here, we must mention the Alchemist Guild in the cultivation world. The Guild is the only organization capable of rivaling the Shen Mu Sect, analogous to the Toolsmith and Talisman Guilds, independent of various major sects and families. While Shen Mu Sect is the premier alchemist sect, not all alchemists hail from there. Various sects also have legal studies alongside alchemy. Shen Lu Man, for instance, dabbles in forging, talismans, and alchemy. Should her crafted pills be presented to the Alchemist Guild and pass exams, she'd receive a grade certification. Previously having crafted second-grade pills, she's approximately a first-grade alchemist in the Guild. Many cultivators certified by the Guild are of fourth-grade or below, as an alchemist's grade correlates with cultivation. Higher cultivation means more spiritual energy, wealth to buy high-tier spirit herbs, making advancement synergistic. First and second-grade pills typically require Qi Refining stage cultivation. Third and fourth-grade pills require Foundation Establishment or higher. Fifth-grade needs Golden Core stage or above, and pills produced are one grade lower than the alchemist's grade. Throughout the years, fifth-grade alchemists are exceedingly rare in the cultivation world. As for sixth-grade, none have emerged in tens of thousands of years except Qing Mu Zhen Jun. It's claimed above sixth-grade exists only in ancient legends, not in Hongze Continent. She relayed this to Jing Ao Xue, who puzzled further, "Logically, no one would have issues with an alchemist. Everyone needs pills occasionally, and such a sixth-grade alchemist should be cherished. Who'd be fool enough to offend them...?" Shen Lu Man chuckled, "Well, there's the yao realm's demon king who did offend Qing Mu Zhen Jun. The reason she vanished is that shortly after gaining fame, the demon king forcibly took her to the yao realm to craft a lost seventh-grade pill, leading to..." Jing Ao Xue facepalmed. "My love, are all your kind this naive?" Shen Lu Man shook her head. "The former demon king had divine beast lineage, born with Nascent Soul power. Given the yao realm's power and bloodline status, the demon king was always domineering, taking whatever desired." Jing Ao Xue covered her face, suddenly recalling Bai Ma Ji Si's prophecy, "We're fortunate the demon king is now missing. If Liu Er were with someone like that, she'd be overwhelmed." Shen Lu Man frowned, "Enough. Most Bai Ma Ji Si prophecies are inaccurate. This one shouldn't be taken seriously." Bai Ma Ji Si: "..." Mistaken, it shouldn't have awaited these two at the peak, now airing the demon king's secrets. Annoyed, it approached. "The demon king was wise and mighty. If not for Qing Mu Zhen Jun's trickery, conspiring with human cultivators to poison the king, the outcome would've been different..." Shen Lu Man exchanged a look with Jing Ao Xue. "Do you know what happened next?" Bai Ma Ji Si paused, quickly shaking its head, "I know nothing, absolutely nothing." Shen Lu Man, now convinced, urged, "You definitely know. Spill it!" Bai Ma Ji Si, feeling wronged, lamented, "You're one of the yao kind. How can you slander our demon king? She was betrayed by Qing Mu Zhen Jun, immobilized with poison. Later, ambushed by Nascent Soul experts, to protect the realm, she had to perish alongside..." "After her death, she was reborn, reverting to her initial form as a phoenix egg. However, the despicable Qing Mu Zhen Jun stealthily stole the egg from its sacred resting place overnight, disappearing with the unborn demon king. This upheaval ignited a civil war within the demon realm, allowing mortal cultivators to gain prominence over thousands of years." Jing Ao Xue clicked her tongue. "So you're saying Qing Mu Zhen Jun is essentially a thief who abducted the demon king? No wonder I found it odd that someone of Nascent Soul level would leave the grand cultivation world to hide in the mortal realm with depleted spiritual energy. It seems she was avoiding the yao clan's pursuit." Shen Lu Man nodded in agreement. "That's right. Qing Mu Zhen Jun was incredibly skilled, the highest-ranking alchemist of her time, welcomed as a guest of honor wherever she went. She should've made her mark on the world, yet she vanished, becoming the greatest mystery in the cultivation world for a millennium. Now it seems it was to hide after abducting the demon king." The Bai Ma Ji Si sighed deeply, casting a shadowed look upon hearing these words. Jing Ao Xue chuckled and crossed her arms. "Isn't it foolish of the demon king? We all know the adage, 'beware of those who aren't of your ilk.' Even a child understands this, yet she..." The Bai Ma Ji Si's expression darkened and it walked away without another word. Shen Lu Man mused, "I've heard the demon king was extremely confident in her prowess. With divine beast bloodline, at her peak, she could singlehandedly take on several Nascent Soul cultivators. Back then, combined, cultivators might not have stood a chance against her." The two women shook their heads. Such events were thousands of years old, with Nascent Soul cultivators' lifespans only reaching two thousand years. Anyone privy to the facts had long since died, rendering the matter elusive and speculative. Still, Jing Ao Xue sensed there was more beneath the surface. Initially, she simply resented the demon king's connection to her daughter, Liu Er—albeit a prophecy—but pondering further, a demon king of this rank wouldn't be easily subdued. Setting aside their formidable phoenix bloodline, could she really be poisoned so easily? And why would Qing Mu Zhen Jun take the phoenix egg? Ostensibly, she should loathe the phoenix; yet, instead of killing it, she secluded it in the mortal world. If there wasn't more to this, she wouldn't believe it, even under duress. Ultimately, speculating on this was fruitless. It was more practical to contemplate tangible matters. Such as, how long it would take to finally reach Qing Mu Zhen Jun’s abode! Jing Ao Xue hooked her arm around Shen Lu Man’s shoulder, taking advantage of the opportunity to add some fun to their dull journey. When the Bai Ma Ji Si finally halted, it was nearing dusk. Jing Ao Xue squinted, releasing Shen Lu Man and stepping forward to gaze at a lush, eerie mountain range. "So this is the place?" The Bai Ma Ji Si, still irate from their earlier conversation, huffed dismissively. Jing Ao Xue simply grinned at it and dismissed any negativity. She closed her eyes, channeling her wood-based abilities. The dense wood elements around her surged like a river, cascading into her body. She could feel an influx of spiritual energy, enjoying the rejuvenating sensation as her body was cleansed by the energy. She opened her eyes. "Yes, this is the place." Shen Lu Man joined her side. As a yao, she didn’t require abundant spiritual energy, but thriving in such conditions was undeniably pleasant. "Should we take a few more steps forward?" she suggested. The Bai Ma Ji Si quickly interjected, "No!" Jing Ao Xue turned, amused, and Shen Lu Man squinted critically. The Bai Ma Ji Si, sensing their displeasure, retorted, "This is Qing Mu Zhen Jun's abode, under the protection of array formations and restrictions. Do you think any random person or creature can just waltz in? Here, even an ordinary cultivator below Foundation Establishment would be fodder. They wouldn't survive the outer protective array, let alone the inner traps." Jing Ao Xue frowned slightly. "You haven't entered, so how are you so certain?" The Bai Ma Ji Si scraped a hoof and explained, "I can communicate with the local creatures, enlisting them to venture inside. Generations of this mountain's inhabitants have been infused with the energies and arrays Qing Mu Zhen Jun left, allowing them deeper access. Outsiders, however, cannot even pass the entry threshold." Jing Ao Xue, intrigued by its words, swiftly captured a white rabbit from another hill and hurled it towards the mountain. The rabbit struck an invisible barrier, violently repelled by an unseen force, charred and lifeless by the time it landed some distance away. Jing Ao Xue retrieved the rabbit solemnly. Shen Lu Man, concerned, advised, "Ao Xue, given these circumstances, we should train outside for now and attempt entering after reaching Foundation Establishment." Jing Ao Xue nodded, presenting the rabbit to Shen Lu Man. "Grilled rabbit, want some? I'm feeling quite hungry." Shen Lu Man sighed, speechless, while the Bai Ma Ji Si watched, incredulous. Jing Ao Xue had already begun to peel off a rabbit leg. She was genuinely famished after their long trek. Smiling wryly, Shen Lu Man stepped closer. "You're something, eating this without seasoning." Jing Ao Xue pouted, settling next to Shen Lu Man on the ground. "Given our limited resources, filling up is a win. This array's handy—it simplifies meal prep." Shen Lu Man rolled her eyes, extracting a few white porcelain bottles from her storage bag and taking the charred rabbit from Jing Ao Xue. She peeled away the burnt skin, sprinkling seasoning from the bottles. She too took a rabbit leg to eat. The Bai Ma Ji Si: "..." The Bai Ma Ji Si, exasperated, exclaimed, "Hey, I helped lead you here! Can't you save some for me?" Jing Ao Xue casually glanced at it. "It's just a small rabbit. If you want some, catch a chicken and toss it in. Oh, grab a few more while you're at it, just in case." Rolling its eyes, the Bai Ma Ji Si went off to catch chickens. The protective array: "...Feeling disrespected—what on earth are these two and this horse doing here?" Having sated themselves with grilled rabbit and chicken, Jing Ao Xue wiped her mouth before saying, "Sweetheart, since the spiritual energy here is so dense, let's not waste time. We should begin training today." Shen Lu Man had already cleared a tidy area, laying out soft cushions adorned with small flowers. "Alright, come sit and start your meditation. I'll set up a Spirit Gathering Array for you." Jing Ao Xue found a comfortable spot, sighed contentedly, then closed her eyes to immerse in cultivation. Shen Lu Man completed the array and quietly observed from a short distance away. The Bai Ma Ji Si approached her. "Aren't you going to cultivate too?" Transforming her legs into vines, Shen Lu Man replied, "It's not safe here. The ordinary beasts in these mountains, with spiritual energy, might evolve into beasts. It's been thousands of years; hidden dangers are inevitable. I need to guard Jing Ao Xue until she wakes." The Bai Ma Ji Si understood and sighed. "Alright, I have something to tell you." Shen Lu Man raised an eyebrow, curious. The Bai Ma Ji Si confided, "I'm leaving. I can't remain in this state. Prophecies are unreliable, but there's truth within them. Since neither you nor Jing Ao Xue died, destiny is shifting. I sense growing fortune surrounding you two, suggesting Liu Er's fate might be entwined with yours. You must..." Shen Lu Man interrupted, "I don't care. Humanity's fate means nothing to me. I died once; I'm no longer burdened by responsibilities or destinies. Do you know why you're a Priest while I'm only an Apprentice? Because I dared to seek experience in the mortal world, something you don't." The Bai Ma Ji Si was taken aback, Shen Lu Man’s words sparking a profound realization. Due to its lineage, it had been destined to become the next Priest, succeeding its mentor posthumously. The current state of the demon realm wasn't ideal. The plant clan's peaceful nature kept them out of conflicts, preserving their tranquility. But the beast clan's incessant wars had turned the realm into their battlefield, leaving even the Priest without a place. Frustrated, it left, enduring countless hardships to peer into fate, ultimately arriving in the mortal realm. But in the end... The prophecies remained unfulfilled. Perhaps the so-called fate was just that—so-called. As the Bai Ma Ji Si pondered these thoughts, a sudden clarity filled its mind. Lowering its long, dense eyelashes, it sincerely expressed, "Thank you! I will remember your words today. Once I overcome the curse of the Heavenly Dao, I will return for Liu Er. She will be one of only two masters I shall serve." Watching the Bai Ma Ji Si's retreating back, Shen Lu Man shook her head, recognizing that even though it had gained new understanding, inherent habits and nature were hard to abandon. Some things aren't easily left behind, after all. Take Liu Er, for instance. Her youthful ignorance allowed the awakening of her yao bloodline to drastically change her. In contrast, Shen Lu Man's mature mind had long discarded any inherited ideologies; she viewed all traditions as mere tools for her own use. Closing her eyes, Shen Lu Man transformed into blood-red vines, wrapping protectively around Jing Ao Xue. Guarding against potential threats, she simultaneously absorbed the wood-element abilities from Jing Ao Xue to cultivate. In the mountains, time flowed unnoticed. For cultivators deep in meditation, years could pass like days. As spiritual energy coursed through her dantian, Jing Ao Xue suddenly heard a 'boom.' The spiritual energy within her doubled, flooding her previously stiff meridians and elevating her abilities to a new level. She opened her eyes and exclaimed, "Fourth layer of Qi Refining..." Jing Ao Xue had reached the fourth layer of Qi Refining, delighting in her progress and eager to share the news with Shen Lu Man. But she was also aware of the subtle stench from her body—a byproduct of the human body's impurities being expelled through cultivation. Quickly, she cast a cleansing spell. As she finished, a blood-red vine snaked toward her, entwining her left leg and winding around her neck in a gesture of affection. Jing Ao Xue gazed at it affectionately. "My dear, return to your human form. I think I've trained enough for today. Let's go home and eat, and check on Liu Er." The vine nodded, transforming back into human form—fully clothed, to Jing Ao Xue's disappointed pout, as she had been hoping for a little more 'benefit' from the transformation. Shen Lu Man playfully glared at Jing Ao Xue, wrapping her arms around her neck and placing a gentle kiss on her eye. "Let's go home; you've been meditating for five days." Jing Ao Xue rubbed her stomach. "No wonder I'm so hungry. Although spiritual energy can fill the belly, I don't want to forgo the pleasures of food. What's the point of living if you can't enjoy good food?" Laughing, Shen Lu Man couldn't resist her amusement. Jing Ao Xue was the most food-loving cultivator she had ever met. Nodding, she accompanied Jing Ao Xue as they made their way home. This time, they quickened their pace and reached home by noon. The house, empty for days, was covered in a light layer of dust. While Shen Lu Man considered fetching water and a cloth for cleaning, Jing Ao Xue thought it too tedious and simply cast another cleansing spell, refreshing the entire room. Kissing Shen Lu Man, she said, "You cook, and I'll prepare the herbal seedlings to deliver to Wu Zhi Yong tomorrow." Shen Lu Man agreed and went off to the kitchen. Jing Ao Xue headed to the medicinal room, gathering some herbs leftover from the Hundred Herb Hall. She prepared the culture solution, placed the herb seeds inside, and after finishing, waited patiently. With the meal ready, she washed her hands and joined Shen Lu Man for lunch. Rejuvenated and brimming with energy, she found staying home boring, so she hitched a carriage to the horse, planning to take Shen Lu Man to town for a stroll. Shen Lu Man hesitated, "What about Liu Er?" Jing Ao Xue said naturally, "Of course, we'll pick Liu Er up from Qin Yi Shu’s house first. The three of us will go to town together. Learning within closed doors might furnish knowledge, but could result in bookishness. As parents, it's our duty to take her out now and then." She winked mischievously. "Besides, that’s something Qin Yi Shu can't do!" Jing Ao Xue's jealousy over Qin Yi Shu and Liu Er's relationship still lingered. Amused, Shen Lu Man gave her a knowing look. Once the carriage was ready, they were on their way to Qin Yi Shu’s house. Liu Er was in the study practicing calligraphy when she was informed of her mothers' arrival. She glanced up at Qin Yi Shu, who was reading a military book. Noticing the emotion in her eyes, Qin Yi Shu gently remarked, "You see, they didn't abandon you." Liu Er lowered her eyes, a blush coloring her cheeks. Originally, she just wanted to give her mothers some space. That night, she overheard odd noises and, though initially unaware of their nature, the Bai Ma Ji Si later explained. She realized then, in her innocent thoughts, perhaps she'd have a little sister soon. Her heart filled with joy, though Bai Ma had warned her that childbirth for non-humans was arduous, often requiring many attempts. Deciding her presence might make her mothers uncomfortable, she voluntarily stayed with her adoptive mother. Unexpectedly, five days passed without a word from them. They weren't home at all. Even for pregnancy, they shouldn't have left the house, and with the Bai Ma gone too, the house was empty—a sight that left her feeling abandoned. Servants took her back to her adoptive mother's house. Her wise and insightful adoptive mother, discerning her unease, explained human physiology and parenthood to her. Afterward, she reassured Liu Er, emphasizing the lengths to which her mothers had gone to save her, ensuring they would never desert her. Liu Er believed her, but couldn't quell her doubts until her mothers' return, when she visibly relaxed. Qin Yi Shu’s eyes flickered with faint emotion as she told the servant, "Invite them in. Liu Er, finish your writing; I’ll greet your mothers." Biting her lip, Liu Er then released it, remembering her adoptive mother's advice to project a composed exterior. Moreover, both mothers were here—time to study in peace. Nodding, she murmured an acknowledgment and continued her calligraphy. When Qin Yi Shu was wheeled into the main room, Jing Ao Xue was there, wearing a complicated expression. "You're finally here." Qin Yi Shu smiled faintly. Jing Ao Xue blinked. "Honestly, I've been meditating deep in the mountains, and just now woke from my session. We..." "Hold a moment!" Qin Yi Shu’s expression was mild. "Since Liu Er considers me her adoptive mother, allow me some leeway to speak. Did you inform Liu Er of your plans? Or do you know why she’s staying with me?" Jing Ao Xue became flustered. "We…" Shen Lu Man frowned, "We were planning to explain it today. Liu Er's stay with you was for her education." But she bit her lip nervously. Qin Yi Shu chuckled slightly. "Oh, I see. I guessed not." She sighed. "Liu Er is a good child. Her choice to stay here was sudden. I understand your excitement post-revival is hard to rein in, but..." Jing Ao Xue blushed furiously, like a ripe apple, and Shen Lu Man wasn’t faring any better. They thought they had kept quiet enough, and with Liu Er being such a sound sleeper, they hadn't considered the situation thoroughly. Realizing the cause of her stay, they found themselves awkwardly wishing for the ground to swallow them whole. Seeing their reactions, Qin Yi Shu’s smile deepened. "Liu Er said she wanted a little sister from one of you, hence her stay to give you space. But she didn’t expect you to vanish without a word, putting great trust in me." Jing Ao Xue, feeling guilty, admitted honestly, "I... I'm sorry." She was always sincere in her mistakes, unfamiliar with parenting herself. Having grown up without parents, she didn’t know the best way to raise Liu Er, often exhaustively attempting to cater to her desires. Liu Er rarely asked for anything. Reflecting, she realized she was a clumsy, failing mother, her heart aching at the thought. Seeing this, Shen Lu Man frowned deeply. "General Qin, we know you have much life experience, but matters involving children shouldn't be conjectured by adult standards alone. I birthed Liu Er with every intention of giving her the best, yet I feel inadequate. I..." Jing Ao Xue hastily interjected. "Thank you for the reminder. I’ll be more mindful." Qin Yi Shu, not one to meddle, had only done so because Jing Ao Xue and Shen Lu Man had gone too far. She believed that having previously risked entering a dragon's den like the Liu household to save Liu Er, both women deeply cared about and cherished her. However, being first-time mothers with likely abnormal upbringings themselves, they might lack some skills in raising children. Qin Yi Shu truly felt for Liu Er, but at least Liu Er was fortunate. At least she... Her gaze grew distant before smiling and saying, "It's okay. Liu Er is your child. Explain things to her. She's smart and will understand." Jing Ao Xue quickly thanked her, "I'd like to take Liu Er to town for a change of scenery, if that's alright..." She initially wanted to flaunt her ability to take Liu Er out, but now she felt nothing but frustration. Yet she recognized her mistake and was determined to correct it. Qin Yi Shu was momentarily surprised. "Sure, tomorrow is the Qiqiao Festival. It would be good for your family to be together." "Huh?" Jing Ao Xue was puzzled, "Qiqiao Festival?" She glanced at Shen Lu Man, unsure of what the festival was, as her days were often muddled and uneventful. Shen Lu Man furrowed her brow, calculating time. The Qiqiao Festival wasn’t commonly celebrated in the cultivation world, so she wasn't very familiar with it. She usually didn't mingle with the villagers and was unaware of the festival's significance. Exchanging a confused look, both women smiled awkwardly. Seeing this, Qin Yi Shu chuckled softly. "The Qiqiao Festival, also known as Qi Xi or the Seventh Night Festival, is..." Jing Ao Xue suddenly realized. "Oh, Qi Xi! Now that's familiar. It's based on the legend of the Cowherd and Weaver Girl. It’s like Valentine's Day." The name Qiqiao was foreign to her, but Xi Xi she knew well. Even in the post-apocalyptic world, couples celebrated a form of Valentine's Day. She cast a glance at Shen Lu Man. "Got it." Qin Yi Shu saw her expression and knew Jing Ao Xue misunderstood. "No, the Qiqiao Festival is a girls' festival, meant for Liu Er—not for you." Jing Ao Xue blushed once more, flustered. She nodded sheepishly, listening to Qin Yi Shu’s formal explanation of the festival's origins and how to celebrate it. "Thank you. Today I'll take Liu Er to stay in town, and tomorrow we'll enjoy the lantern show for the Qiqiao Festival." Qin Yi Shu agreed but felt a bit weary; Liu Er was so astute, but how were her mothers like this? With a sigh, she summoned a servant to call Liu Er. Liu Er emerged from the study, lighting up at the sight of her mothers. Yet, recalling her recent teachings, she approached slowly, curtseying, "Greetings, Mother, Mama." Her demeanor and manners were perfectly refined, embodying a noble grace utterly different from before. Jing Ao Xue, however, felt uneasy with this version of Liu Er. Shifting awkwardly and dreading more reproach from Qin Yi Shu, she quickly picked Liu Er up and said a hasty goodbye, leaving Qin's house. On the carriage, she sighed in relief, gently patting Liu Er’s chubby cheeks. "No need for such formal manners in front of us—it’s strange, and I don't like it." Liu Er nestled into her mother’s embrace, savoring her scent. She also loved her mama's comforting fragrance. Relieved to know they still cared for her, she murmured an affirmative. Jing Ao Xue eagerly explained their recent absence, including details about the cultivation world. She touched on cultivation levels, bodily changes after advancement, different paths based on spiritual energies, and the types of sects one might join. While she had mentioned some of this before, this time she added more specifics to ensure Liu Er understood. Finishing, she looked at Liu Er expectantly. "You can ask if there's anything unclear." Her expression akin to an eager puppy awaiting praise. Touched, Liu Er nodded. "Mother, I understand you're both focused on cultivation, but..." "But what?" Shen Lu Man, driving the carriage, asked with curiosity. "But when will you have a baby? Will it be in ten months?" Shen Lu Man froze, and Jing Ao Xue nearly choked on her spit. She awkwardly scratched her cheek, initially wanting to deflect the topic. Yet, realizing Liu Er was old enough, she said, "It’s not urgent. We’ll discuss it when you're older." Liu Er pondered briefly. "How much older?" Blushing, Jing Ao Xue had no idea and glanced at Shen Lu Man for help. 沈綠曼沉