Chapter 287: Making Things Worse (2^nd Update)

Content Warning: This chapter contains homophobic themes.

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Madam Yu didn’t speak, but her eyes showed a bit of disdain. She clearly hated that someone would use this way to win another’s heart.

“Madam, did you misunderstand something?” Ye Wenxin was perplexed, thinking that her actions had only made things worse.

“Then let me ask you, with so many Spring Pills prepared, which family’s girl are you planning to harm?” Madam Yu retorted. Ye Wenxin had no such intentions at all, and could only look at Madam Yu, pleading for her own innocence.

However, Madam Yu completely misunderstood the meaning behind Ye Wenxin’s expression. Her face turned cold, and she treated Ye Wenxin even more harshly.

Ye Wenxin felt frustrated, but there were too many people present to clarify things. Having no other choice, she continued mingling with the merchants. Their conversation topics grew broader, showing great interest in the many strange pills Ye Wenxin knew about.

But if Long Qing’er hadn’t given her the Alchemy book she had bought at a high price , Ye Wenxin could only make basic pills. Unfortunately, the biggest benefactor who allowed Ye Wenxin to flourish, was currently sulking at the Azure Wings Sect.

The dignified princess of the Golden Age Dynasty, Long Qing’er, lost to an obscure ‘mercenary’. Even though the mercenary’s true identity was Fairy Fengya, whom Long Qing’er admired, Ye Wenxin couldn’t say anything. If she did, it would lead to endless questions.

Now, with her connection to Fairy Fengya severed, Ye Wenxin had no plans to run away for the time being. If she ran now, Jin Xiaoqin would be furious, and Liu Churan would definitely discover her link to the Demon Lord.

Ye Wenxin sighed at this thought, and then felt a hand covering her own.

“Don’t be afraid; even if you fail, Auntie will help you.” Ye Wenxin, taken aback, looked at the owner of that hand, only to find that it was Madam Yu. Her anger seemed to have subsided, and she comforted Ye Wenxin upon noticing her sigh.

However, Madam Yu suddenly acting like an aunt made Ye Wenxin very uncomfortable. After all, she was actually one generation older than Madam Yu.

“Madam, even if you treat me so gently, I still won’t accept Ni Ni.” Ye Wenxin racked her brain and concluded that Madam Yu’s sudden kindness was for the sake of her precious daughter.

Hearing this, Madam Yu’s expression grew colder, and she withdrew her hand from Ye Wenxin’s, moving away to avoid further contact.

The merchants across from them chuckled at this scene, with some naturally gossiping about why a shrewd businesswoman like Madam Yu would collaborate with a young girl like Ye Wenxin.

“Speaking of which, why is Madam collaborating with Miss Wenxin? Could the recent rumors be true?” inquired a gossipy merchant.

Madam Yu’s expression remained unchanged, maintaining her composure and grace in front of others. But when facing Ye Wenxin, she always had a look of frustration, giving Ye Wenxin the illusion of being in the presence of an elder.

“Oh, rumors?” Madam Yu continued to remain expressionless, as if she truly had no idea about the rumors involving her and Ye Wenxin. However, if there were no rumors, Liu Churan’s disciple wouldn’t have come to trouble her.

So, she asked the merchant what the rumor was. The merchant then recounted the widely spread gossip in town.

“They say your daughter has fallen madly in love with a cultivator. Is this true?” The merchant’s expression was playful, but because of their business relationship, he couldn’t be too disrespectful to Madam Yu.

Even though she was a stunning beauty, Green Isle Manor was an indispensable presence. So, he spoke very tactfully, but the words were still unpleasant to Madam Yu.

“Indeed, she likes someone, but she is definitely not madly in love,” Madam Yu replied calmly. The expressions of the merchants became even more peculiar as they looked at Ye Wenxin, as if trying to match her with the rumored cultivator.

Ye Wenxin, at a loss for words, was just about to explain, when a female merchant couldn’t hold back and spoke up.

“Isn’t it very strange for a woman to love another woman?” Her expression was full of undisguised disgust, as if she couldn’t understand why Qiao Ni would fall for Ye Wenxin. How could such a dignified mother like Madam Yu, have a daughter who loved women like Qiao Ni?

Ye Wenxin and Madam Yu’s faces hardened, both sensing the woman’s prejudice.

Gender didn’t matter much among cultivators, but for ordinary people, continuing the bloodline was fundamental, since not everyone could produce a child through same-sex dual cultivation like some cultivators.

Therefore, men held a predominant position in this regard. The female merchant, who had a few male consorts at home, couldn’t understand what could be good about women being together.

“This is Qiao Ni’s choice. No matter who she loves, I will support her decision.” Although Madam Yu was displeased, she expressed herself very tactfully.

The female merchant was even more perplexed. “Could it be that Qiao Ni’s lack of a father’s love since childhood led to such an inclination?” Her words became more unrestrained, as if she were exposing all of Madam Yu’s deeply buried secrets and things she least wanted others to mention.

Ye Wenxin knew that Madam Yu was incensed, but her expression remained gentle, and her tone was placid as she continued, “If you had to choose between happiness and childbirth, which would you choose?”

The female merchant thought for a moment. With her wealth and power, she wouldn’t need offspring to care for her, even if she lived to be seventy or eighty. So she answered, “Of course, happiness.”

“Ni Ni also chose happiness; it’s just that her choice is different from most people’s.”

Madam Yu’s reply made Ye Wenxin look at her anew. She had previously thought Madam Yu was fiercely protective, but now it seemed Madam Yu was simply overly concerned about Qiao Ni’s happiness.

Even if she didn’t personally like it, she would respect Qiao Ni’s choice and do her best to fulfill Qiao Ni’s wishes.

Perhaps it was also because Madam Yu was nearing the end of her life that she wanted to leave no regrets. Even so, Ye Wenxin had no intention of sacrificing herself.

“Love is love, and no one can stop it. Men can have multiple wives, and women can have many male consorts. Why is loving the same sex criticized, simply because they cannot have children? Green Isle Manor may be small, but it can still support two girls.”

Madam Yu reminded Ye Wenxin of those modern mothers on Earth who would support their children when they came out.