Chapter 005

Ji Xueshou stayed with Zhaoxue until very late before leaving.

Before he left, he left Taxue in Zhaoxue’s room.

“I’ll come get him tomorrow,” Ji Xueshou said, “He hasn’t returned yet, so he can keep you company for a while.”

“He” referred to the family head, who was currently rushing back to the clan for matters related to the Immortal Seeking Conference.

In just a few days, several major sects’ immortals would test the younger generation’s spiritual root talent to decide on early internal quotas. The selected clan prodigies could bypass the sect’s test, directly join the sect, and even choose their masters ahead of others.

Zhaoxue gently stroked Taxue’s back. The kitten had already fallen asleep, lying on her lap with its belly peacefully rising and falling.

In the original story, Ji Xueshou would soon join the neighboring Spiritual Sword Sect and quickly rise to prominence within a few years, becoming a rising star able to rival the sect’s top sword immortal.

As for her, she would stay trapped in the mansion, unable to leave until she died.

It seemed that to accomplish her mission, she had to take a different path from her past life.

This time, she would go demon hunting with her eldest sister.

“I’m leaving now.”

Ji Xueshou leapt onto the windowsill like a nimble cat. Seeing Zhaoxue lost in thought, he tilted his head and asked, “What are you thinking about?”

“…”

Zhaoxue looked up and glanced at him, “I’m thinking, you probably didn’t give the gift to eldest sister again.”

“I forgot,” Ji Xueshou said calmly.

But it was obvious he just didn’t dare to give it.

Zhaoxue angrily turned her head, lay down, pulled the covers over herself, and waved at him, “Go away quickly, I’m going to sleep!”

After the lights in the room went out, a gentle clicking sound came from the window latch.

—

Early the next morning, the family head hurried back. A servant called Zhaoxue to the family head’s study.

This was the first time Zhaoxue had left her room since falling into the water. Along the long corridor, servants occasionally cast strange looks at her. They were quietly whispering about how she fell into the water and the whole situation surrounding it.

Even if she couldn’t hear exactly what they were saying, Zhaoxue could guess.

Although she had tried to get used to it for a long time, she couldn’t completely ignore those glances.

She clenched her sleeve tightly and lowered her head, quickening her pace.

Soon, she reached the study door.

With a creak, the door opened, and Zhaoxue nervously walked inside.

Inside the study filled with curling incense smoke, a clivia plant stood elegantly. When the door opened, the beaded curtain swayed gently in the breeze.

Seeing the woman sitting on the rosewood chair, Zhaoxue couldn’t help but tense up. The woman was dressed richly and gracefully, sitting quietly there, while the family head stood beside her, trimming an orchid by the window.

A breeze blew through the window, carrying the scent of orchids.

What kind of person was the lady?

Zhaoxue couldn’t help but recall a long time ago, when she was still often bullied by that group.

“Why are you all dirty again?”

That winter, the thin woman stood with her back to Zhaoxue by the window, trimming a plum branch.

The plum scent was refreshing. But Zhaoxue sniffed lightly, lowered her head, and kept her hands behind her back without saying a word.

The servant carried the adorable Zhaolan, Zhaoxue’s little daughter, and as soon as she was placed on the ground, the little girl beamed with a bright smile. She waddled toward Zhaoxue on her short legs, arms outstretched, wanting a hug.

“Sis, sis!”

The little girl’s speech was still unclear.

Zhaoxue lifted her arm slightly, noticed the dirt on her clothes, then looked away and stepped back.

The lady spoke, “Zhaolan, come here.”

The little snowball had no choice but to walk over awkwardly.

The woman turned around and picked up Zhaolan. But somehow, Zhaoxue couldn’t clearly see her facial features.

“No matter what happens, you have to speak up. You are part of the Shen family,”

the woman said, “Zhaoxue, don’t bring shame to the family’s reputation.”

The family head was often away from home, traveling for the family’s business, so the lady managed everything at home.

Her authority in the household was unquestioned. She valued the family’s reputation above all and was very strict with the children, never showing Zhaoxue any kindness.

Their relationship was less like mother and daughter and more like strangers living under the same roof.

Zhaoxue was snapped back by the woman’s voice:

“We’ve heard about what happened the day before yesterday. Zhaoxue, how is your health now?”

“Thank you for your concern, mother. I’m much better now.”

“That’s good.”

Shen Qing went straight to the point: “Regarding the punishment for those involved that day, since we didn’t know the full details before, we’ve decided to expel those disciples from the Shen family. They will not enjoy any benefits as Shen family disciples for five years.”

Zhaoxue lowered her eyes and listened quietly.

This outcome was beyond what she had expected.

What surprised her even more was that the lady and the family head were actually willing to handle the matter.

But then the woman paused and continued, “Soon after, Zhaoyang learned about it and rushed over to tell us the whole story. After discussing it with your father, we decided to expel those disciples from the Shen family. They will no longer belong to the clan forever.”

…What?

Zhaoxue raised her head and looked at the lady.

It was as if, for the first time, she truly saw Shen Qing’s face clearly. She realized that the woman wasn’t as stern or intimidating as she had imagined.

The woman’s brows were sharp, and there were noticeable fine lines under her eyes. While these added to her dignity, it was also easy to see traces of weariness. This made her seem more like a mortal with warmth and feelings.

“Do you have any objections to this decision?”

“No,” Zhaoxue said.

She just didn’t expect her elder sister to specifically clarify this matter with them.

And they actually changed their original decision.

But…

A punishment ten years late, no matter the final outcome, no longer stirred much emotion in her heart.

Because Zhaoxue clearly knew the real reason she had been bullied all along.

Countless times, when she closed her eyes and covered her ears, she still couldn’t escape the voice in her mind saying, “Why did my child die, but this child can still live, and even bears my child’s name!? I don’t want to see her, I don’t want her to call me ‘mother.’“

No matter how many years passed, Zhaoxue could never forget that cold tone she overheard behind the door. So later, she chose to remain silent, knowing those words were true.

“If there’s nothing else, your daughter will take her leave now.”

Zhaoxue said.

She bowed slightly and had just turned around when she heard a soft sigh.

Whose was it?

Was it her father’s? Maybe he was starting to regret taking her in back then—having an extra burden was one thing, but now she was a joke to the family.

But Zhaoxue didn’t ask and didn’t look back. She lifted the curtain and walked out.

Pushing open the door, the tense atmosphere that had been clinging to her vanished, and sunlight poured gently into the courtyard. Zhaoxue walked back along the corridor, and not far off, a small figure nimbly leapt out to greet her.

Zhaoxue crouched down, letting the little cat gently jump into her arms. It stretched lazily in her embrace. Most of the wounds on its body had mostly healed, with only a few bare patches left, where new fur would grow back in just a few days.

Such a strong and lively vitality.

Holding Taxue, she avoided the glaring sunlight and headed back to the room. The sound of striking drew her attention, and she looked toward where it came from.

On the vast training ground, Zhaolan was practicing swordsmanship under her elder sister’s guidance.

The young girl’s posture, freely sweating under the sunlight, was so graceful and full of life, the sword’s gleam sharp and crisp—each strike filled with the beauty of power.

Zhaoxue couldn’t help but watch for a long time, only snapping out of it when Taxue licked her arm.

Something shimmered before her eyes.

It was the boy’s longevity lock, gleaming silver beautifully in the sunlight. He climbed down from the eaves and, tiptoeing like a cat, came to Zhaoxue’s side.

He glanced in the direction of the girl’s gaze.

“Do you like it?”

“Hm?” Zhaoxue responded faintly, not hearing clearly. “What?”

“The sword dance.”

Ji Xueshou said, “You’re watching it with great focus.”

Zhaoxue slowly withdrew her gaze. “Yes, I really like it.”

She said, “It’s very cool.”

“Oh.”

Ji Xueshou walked slowly behind her as they headed back. “I can do it too.”

He noticed the girl’s pace faltered, then continued, “I can dance with a sword, even better than her. Want to see?”

Zhaoxue stopped walking, and her voice came from ahead, “Ji Xueshou, you seem to be talking a bit too much today.”

As she spoke, she turned around and pushed Taxue into his arms. “Weren’t you here to take him away? Here you go. Go back. I want to be alone for a while.”

Ji Xueshou was stunned for a moment, then felt a weight in his palm. Taxue let out a soft “meow” in his arms, and only then did he realize. The girl’s eyes were slightly red, her brows furrowed, lips trembling, when she glared at him, her eyes were moist.

Ji Xueshou’s heart couldn’t help but tighten gently.

“What are you looking at!” Zhaoxue quickly wiped her cheek with the back of her hand and looked away.

“Your eyes are a little red.”

“I’m allergic to cat fur!”

“Are you upset?” Ji Xueshou asked.

“I told you, I’m allergic to cat fur!” Zhaoxue turned away and rubbed her nose, sneezing several times. Already feeling down, and now irritated by Taxue’s shedding fur, she just wanted to run back to her room and hide alone.

She had just covered her nose and taken a few steps when her hand was grabbed.

The boy’s hand was cool and smooth like jade, gently pulling at her fingertips—careful, yet boldly for the first time.

“Don’t go, Zhaoxue.”

He said.

Her pinky seemed to brush against her palm, and maybe because it tickled, she felt a little itchy and flinched slightly.

Ji Xueshou was as sensitive as a cat. He noticed Zhaoxue’s flinch, pressed his lips together, gently lowered his eyelashes, moved his knuckles, and slowly withdrew his hand.

However, just as he was pulling his hand back, the girl grabbed it tightly.

Even more firmly.

Ji Xueshou opened his eyes wide and couldn’t help but look at her.

The girl turned around, backlit by the sunlight, sniffled, her nose tip and eyes red, her beautiful eyes were misty and moist as she looked brightly at him:

“What exactly do you want to say? Stop beating around the bush.”

Ji Xueshou unconsciously curled his fingers.

The girl’s cool fingers had been hooking his pinky since childhood, her delicate and soft fingertips lightly brushing his finger pad, causing a faint tickle.

He heard his own voice and heartbeat mingling in noisy confusion, but by then he had forgotten what he was going to say.

“…Nothing. If there’s nothing else, I’ll go now.”

Zhaoxue let go of his hand.

The moment the warmth disappeared, Ji Xueshou’s heart felt empty again.

He clenched his palm, blinked, and for a brief moment, his clear and beautiful eyes showed a hint of sadness.

Even though he was long used to this kind of push and pull.

On the other side, Zhaoxue walked toward the training ground while rubbing her eyes and nose hard, trying to make herself look like a pitiful little red-eyed rabbit.

As soon as Zhaolan saw her, her eyes lit up instantly. She called out “Sister—”, dropped her sword, and ran toward her.

Zhaolan’s body was covered in sweat, radiating vibrant energy and warmth. When she hugged Zhaoxue’s arm, Zhaoxue felt as if she were standing close to a blazing bonfire, her whole body stirred and restless.

Since the incident where Zhaoxue fell into the water, it seemed Zhaolan had grown much closer to her.

Zhāoyáng walked over and said, “As soon as you arrived, Zhaolan was so happy—she knows she can slack off again.”

“Big sister, you’re exposing my faults again!”

Zhaoxue smiled but lowered her lashes slightly, looking a bit lonely.

Zhāoyáng quickly noticed her red eyes. “Zhaoxue, what’s wrong?”

Zhaolan leaned in, alarmed: “Sister? Who bullied you? Was it that brat Ji Xueshou? Let me go beat him up until he’s missing teeth!”

Zhaoxue pulled her back and turned her face slightly. “Zhaolan, it’s not him.”

Zhāoyáng soon realized something. She raised her chin, signaling Zhaolan to let go, then pulled Zhaoxue in front of her, wiped the corner of her eye, and softened her voice: “Zhaoxue, whatever happens, you can tell your big sister. If you’re not satisfied with how Mother and Father dealt with those people, I will personally handle it.”

“It’s not that, big sister.”

Zhaoxue raised her head, her eyes shimmered like a lake scattered with broken snowflakes. “I just want to ask you something.”

“Big sister, do your words still count? You said you would compensate me.”

Zhāoyáng glanced at the innocent-looking Zhaolan, then withdrew her gaze and nodded. “Go ahead.”

“I…”

Zhaoxue bit her lip tightly, lowered her head, and her voice grew heavy:

“I know I’ve never had the talents you and Zhaolan have since childhood. I can neither practice martial arts nor cultivate qi. Whenever I see you two training with swords and studying together, I feel completely out of place. But even so, I don’t believe I’m completely useless. I don’t want to believe that I can only be bullied and never fight back.”

“Big sister, you said you would agree to any request I have, right?”

Zhaoxue raised her eyes, glistening with tears, her lashes lightly trembling with the moisture.

“Well, big sister, I want to leave the family and go hunt demons with you. Is that okay?”