Chapter 23: Unspoken Affection

Qingming understood his eldest disciple’s feelings. If it weren’t for the death tribulation, he would be happy to see the two disciples together. After all, Qingyu had a good temperament, was handsome, and knew how to take care of Qingli. However, with this death tribulation, it would be difficult for them to be together.

Qingli would definitely have to give birth to the child, and since she hadn’t killed that man, the potential for future entanglements was uncertain.

If she had taken his advice and killed the man, perhaps there would have been a chance for Qingli and Qingyu to be together.

But he also understood that Qingyu’s feelings were one-sided; Qingli viewed him as family, not with romantic affection.

This matter concerning his two disciples was quite a headache for Qingming.

He decided to leave it be and entered his own room, letting them sort it out themselves.

Qingyu looked at his junior sister, who seemed carefree and oblivious, feeling a mix of frustration and helplessness.

“Little junior sister, you know I…”

The words “I like you” hung on the tip of his tongue, but facing Qingli’s innocent and confused expression, he couldn’t bring himself to say it. He thought she was still too young and that he would wait until she grew up to express his feelings slowly.

But now, with this unexpected situation, he felt blindsided.

“What is it? Eldest Brother, what do you want to say?”

Qingli looked at him curiously.

Qingyu stared into her eyes, but the words still wouldn’t come out.

His gaze dimmed as he sighed, “It’s nothing. Let’s go inside; I’ll check your pulse.”

Qingli sensed something was off about her Eldest Brother today but couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

As they walked together, she asked with concern, “Eldest Brother, what’s wrong? You seem a bit down. If something happened, just tell me. I’ll help you.”

Qingyu remained silent as he led her into the house and had her sit down.

He began to check her pulse, and Qingli continued, “Did you encounter something at the foot of the mountain? Did someone bully you? Just tell me; I’ll get revenge for you.”

As he focused on her pulse, he listened to her words and glanced at her worried expression. He couldn’t help but show a faint smile.

“It’s nothing. I just feel like you’re still a child, and suddenly, you’re pregnant. I’m having a hard time accepting it.”

Hearing this, Qingli felt relieved and laughed, “Eldest Brother, I’m not a child anymore! I’m eighteen now. In the town, girls as young as sixteen are getting married and having children. I don’t want to get married, but I do like children.”

Qingyu looked at her cheerful smile, and his earlier gloom lifted.

“Well, as long as you’re happy.”

“Your health is good, and the child is healthy. I’ll adjust your diet; you need to avoid spicy foods for now.”

Qingli pouted, a bit reluctant. “But I really like spicy food! If I can’t eat spicy, what’s the point of living?”

Looking at her childlike expression, Qingyu sighed, “Just bear with it for now.”

Qingli was merely complaining; for the sake of the child, she was willing to endure.

Soon, she would have another close family member—her child.

Thinking about it was quite wonderful; in both her past and this life, she had never had children before!

No one knew that Qingli had actually lived two lives; in both lives, she had been an orphan.

In her previous life, she lived in the twenty-first century as a discarded child, labeled by everyone as a cursed star that would kill her relatives. After being abandoned for twenty years, she was eventually found, but rather than receiving care, those people intended to take her life.

Her so-called parents and brothers had mercilessly handed her over to a Taoist priest to be sacrificed.

“Rest for a bit. I’ll make you something to eat; you must be hungry,” Qingyu’s voice interrupted Qingli’s thoughts.

Qingli snapped back to reality from her thoughts and smiled at her Eldest Brother. “Alright, thank you, Eldest Brother.”

In this lifetime, compared to her past life, she felt much happier. With such caring Master and Eldest Brother by her side, she felt content.

Qingli happily lay down on her bed, the familiar scent making her feel at peace after such a long absence.

As she lay there, she soon fell asleep.

Outside, Qingyu was busy in the kitchen. Through the window, Qingming watched the two and, seeing that his eldest disciple had returned to his usual self and was no longer troubled, he finally felt relieved.

After Qingyu finished preparing the meal, he went to call Qingli but found she had already fallen asleep. He shook his head helplessly, gently closed the door, and turned to leave, placing the dishes back in the kitchen, planning to heat them up again when Qingli woke.

Qingli’s nap was restful, and she didn’t wake until it was dark outside.

As the enticing aroma wafted from the kitchen, Qingli quickly put on her shoes and rushed out.

“Eldest Brother, what delicious food are you making? The smell woke me up!”

As she approached the kitchen, seeing the chicken soup bubbling away, she smiled and said, “Eldest Brother, did you kill the last old hen? That hen has been raised for several years! Even Master would be reluctant. No wonder it smells so good.”

Qingyu laughed, “Master said to give you a nourishing meal. The old hen we raised for several years has the best nutrition.”

Qingming also emerged from the room, “After raising so many chickens and ducks, you’ve eaten most of them. This is the last old hen. Tomorrow, I’ll have your Eldest Brother go down the mountain to buy more from the farmers to raise. You’ll need good nutrition after giving birth.”

“By the way, we also need to find you a servant to take care of you. Five years ago, I saved a little girl. She should be around seventeen or eighteen now, about your age. I sent her to a medical clinic to learn medicine and also arranged for someone to teach her martial arts. Tomorrow, your Eldest Brother will go down the mountain to bring her back to the Seven Mystic Sect as your personal servant to care for you and the child.”

Qingli looked at her Master in surprise. “A servant? Master, I don’t need one. I can take care of myself. Please don’t bring anyone back; let her live her life well down the mountain!”

Qingming replied, “Without you, she wouldn’t exist. Qingli, I saved her for you. I cultivated her so that she could be useful to you. If you don’t want her, then she has no purpose in living.”

Qingli stared at her Master, unable to believe he would say such a heartless thing. In her mind, her Master had always been compassionate and caring towards others. That was how he had taught her.

Feeling uncomfortable under her disciple’s gaze, Qingming averted his eyes and weakly explained, “Then you should accept her. That girl was destined to die young, but because of my intervention, she lives. And I intervened because of you. So, ultimately, you are her benefactor, the one who changed her fate. By taking her in, she will have a chance to repay her debt of gratitude by taking care of you.”

Qingli felt helpless but eventually agreed, “Fine, since you’ve already arranged everything, what’s the point of arguing with me?”

Qingyu brought the chicken soup to the dining table along with several plates of light yet nutritious dishes.

“It’s time to eat.”

Qingyu set out the bowls and chopsticks for the two of them.

Looking at the delicious food, Qingli momentarily put aside her thoughts and focused on enjoying her meal.

Qingyu served her a chicken leg and ladled some chicken soup into her bowl, reminding her, “Drink the soup first, then eat the meat.”

Qingli obediently complied.

Qingming watched his eldest disciple with a sense of admiration. He thought, “What a devoted person.”

Qingyu did not change his attitude toward her just because Qingli was pregnant, which Qingming found satisfying.

Although both were his disciples, the younger disciple was exceptionally talented and was the only one who could inherit his teachings, plus she was considerate and thoughtful. Naturally, he favored her a bit more.

If the two of them had a chance to be together in the future, he would be glad to see that happen.