Jin Xiu seemed not to have noticed their exchange. “You returned yesterday. What did the Northern Realm King say?”
Lu Yao replied, “Since A-Jiu is safe, I chose to conceal the truth where I could. But Father has already caught wind of some rumors. He doesn’t mind, but he worries that my mother might be upset. Now that A-Jiu’s injuries are no longer serious, and given his temperament—you know him well—if he stays here, he’s bound to cause trouble and be a bother to you. So once he wakes up tomorrow, I plan to move him out of the palace and settle him elsewhere to rest and recover in peace.”
Jin Xiu did not object and merely mused, “Hu Yue has wreaked havoc in the mortal realm for quite some time.”
Lu Yao quickly replied, “I heard Uncle has already forcibly taken her back.” Then, she furrowed her brows. “She refuses to let go of her tribulation of love and is determined to find that mortal named Qi. If this continues, she will inevitably face divine punishment in the future. Uncle and Aunt are both extremely anxious.”
Jin Xiu paced a few steps. “Even if your father is willing to grant her the Spirit Spring, forcibly stripping her of her immortal status will not be easy—it could bring disaster to the Northern Realm.”
Lu Yao sighed softly. “That is exactly what’s holding him back. Otherwise, how could he not help his own family? Back then, you insisted on severing that girl’s celestial ties, and nothing happened. I was worried about that for a long time.”
Jin Xiu’s tone remained indifferent. “What does your father intend to do now?”
Lu Yao huffed. “Naturally, he refused. My cousin is too willful—she only knows how to throw tantrums. She even threatened to completely destroy her cultivation and sever her spiritual root if we don’t give in to her demands. My father has simply decided to ignore her. But since she and I are still sisters, I came to ask if you have any ideas.”
Jin Xiu fell silent.
Such stubborn words—he had heard them before.
* * *
There was none of the commotion she had imagined.
This estate was not in the city, nor was it close to any villages. More accurately, it was a secluded retreat nestled deep in the mountains. Beyond its gates, the surroundings were nothing but endless wooded hills, thick with lush greenery.
That day, she had collapsed outside the eastern woods and had been brought back here.
Of course, her earlier speculations hadn’t been entirely wrong. The estate was still under construction—though not yet completed, its grand scale was already evident. The laborers were essentially reshaping the landscape, building hills from piled earth and lakes from diverted water. The sheer magnitude of the project, the immense manpower and wealth required, was something no ordinary household could afford. In truth, the master's fortune could be discerned from a far simpler detail—the luxurious quality of the servants’ attire and daily necessities.
The estate was vast. Recently, the craftsmen had been working in the western area, leaving the eastern side—where most of the gardens had already been completed—particularly quiet.
Since recovering from her illness, Hong Ning often took strolls outside.
A narrow path, flanked by several stalks of emerald-green bamboo, led to a small pavilion.
She had wandered in without thinking—then froze at the sight before her.
A sharp breath escaped her lips as she instinctively took two steps back.
Her mind blurred for a moment.
This place… She had been here before.
“Miss.”
A voice called from behind.
Hong Ning snapped out of her daze, quickly masking her surprise before turning around.
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