Just then, the spiritual pet let out a timely “meow,” startling Cong Yue. She put down the jade bracelet and ran, the carved wooden door creaking loudly as she bumped into it.

Si Fanqing, ashamed and embarrassed, buried his face deep in the hot water, not daring to move for a long time, fearing the culprit’s return.

Cong Yue buried her face in the bedding, her cheeks burning, beads of sweat on her forehead. It felt as if she, not Little Junior Uncle, had been in the hot water. Otherwise, why was she so hot?

Little Junior Uncle’s shocked expression reappeared in her mind. Cong Yue was shocked, a strong curiosity growing in her heart. Little Junior Uncle, abandoning his usual aloofness, had been flustered and helpless, vulnerable.

An unfamiliar emotion surged through her, growing from her fingertips to her heart. It felt as if Little Junior Uncle’s slap hadn’t landed on her forehead, but on her heart.

Cong Yue had a sleepless night.

At dawn, she sleepily opened the door, feeling lightheaded but strangely clear-headed. She had tossed and turned all night, replaying the scene of Little Junior Uncle bathing in her mind.  Perhaps realizing something, Cong Yue blushed with shame.

“Cong Yue.” It was Ji Yunqing’s voice.

She immediately snapped back to reality, her face lighting up with joy. “Master, you’re back!” Like a chick seeking comfort, Cong Yue quickly ran forward and stood before Ji Yunqing.

“I heard about Third Senior Brother from your Little Junior Uncle.”

“Master, the demons… what’s going on?”  Concerning the demons, Cong Yue asked cautiously.  Master had gone to Qingyun Sect to discuss countermeasures, perhaps he knew something about the internal affairs of the demons.

As a child, Cong Yue’s feelings towards the demons were complex; neither hatred nor closeness… Ten years had passed, and even the most heart-wrenching experiences had faded with time, leaving only occasional fragments of memory.

“There’s internal strife among the demons.  Old Demon Lord Ling Xingze has disappeared.  A month later, his eldest daughter, Ling An, will ascend to the throne, making the previous alliance with the major sects void.”

So that’s it.

Hearing this, Cong Yue understood. The new Demon Lord she encountered the other day was Ling Xingze’s eldest daughter. As a child, no one had ever mentioned the Demon Lord’s family matters in front of her. Her mother had protected her extremely well, never mentioning anything about the internal affairs of the demons.

She had rarely had the opportunity to see the Demon Lord herself.

After a moment of silence, Cong Yue whispered, “I didn’t know he had a daughter.”

Ji Yunqing had also just learned this news.  Perhaps thinking of some old matter, a hint of melancholy appeared on his face. He carefully chose his words, “Your mother… protected you very well.”

This was the first time Ji Yunqing had voluntarily mentioned Cong Wei in front of Cong Yue. Once the box containing the past was opened, her thoughts became chaotic, and her heart was filled with mixed emotions.

Cong Wei’s bright face was already blurry, yet he had kept her in his heart for many years.

“Master,” Cong Yue suddenly called out, “When we fought the Demon Lord last time, it seemed like she intentionally let us go. There must be something fishy going on.”

It was common knowledge that the demons kidnapped cultivators for their cultivation.  Third Senior Brother and Little Junior Uncle were both trapped in the demon territory; why didn’t the Demon Lord take advantage of the situation and easily let them go?  Perhaps she had discovered her identity.

“Cong Yue, don’t worry too much,” Ji Yunqing comforted, “After this discussion, the major sects have a plan, and the demons shouldn’t dare to act rashly for now. Go, your Little Junior Uncle is waiting for you.”

Hearing Master mention Little Junior Uncle, Cong Yue’s ears inexplicably warmed. Certain images, vivid and fresh, flooded her mind, making her head feel dizzy and her voice hoarse. The ground beneath her feet felt soft and light as cotton.

“Little Junior Uncle!” Cong Yue coughed lightly, squinting and smiling, trying to act as casual as usual. Although she had done something wrong, she couldn’t let him get the upper hand. She couldn’t let Little Junior Uncle see that she was acting strangely, that she had a guilty conscience.

“Mm.” Si Fanqing glanced at her, his expression normal, gesturing for her to sit down.

Cong Yue secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Little Junior Uncle didn’t seem to be acting strangely. Although his expression was colder than usual, it was normal for him. Cong Yue was used to it.

Still preoccupied, and having stayed up all night, Cong Yue, after sitting down for a moment, became extremely tired and absent-minded.

Si Fanqing looked up and saw her squinting, her gaze falling on him.  He didn’t know why, but his heart trembled.

“Cong Yue!” He called her, his voice slightly heavier. Cong Yue, startled, abruptly stood up, momentarily confused. “Little Junior Uncle, what did you call me for?”

The room fell silent.

Sixth Senior Sister, sitting beside her, gently tugged at her sleeve, whispering, “You’re spacing out.”

Si Fanqing withdrew his gaze, lightly scolding, “Not paying attention.”

Realizing her mistake, Cong Yue smiled sheepishly, shyly lowering her head and sitting down. She must have been staring at Little Junior Uncle for a long time, her gaze too intense, that’s why he noticed.

Cong Yue was extremely annoyed. She hadn’t been sleeping well these days, her mind was hazy, and she couldn’t control her wandering eyes. Little Junior Uncle might scold her again; his eyes, dark and round, were particularly frightening when he stared at someone.

She pinched her thigh hard, forcing herself to wake up.  She pinched too hard, making her gasp in pain.

Si Fanqing was not far away, seeing Cong Yue’s actions. When Cong Yue looked up, he calmly averted his gaze, pretending nothing happened.

For the rest of the class, Cong Yue at least didn’t daydream or do anything that would startle Si Fanqing.

“Cong Yue…”

When the lecture ended, Cong Yue got up and ran quickly.  As soon as she stepped out of the door, Si Fanqing called her back.  Stiffening, Cong Yue turned to look at him, “Little Junior Uncle, what is it?”

Although her expression was calm, she was actually very nervous, remembering Little Junior Uncle’s scolding about disrespecting her elders, Cong Yue feared his reckoning.

Seeing the juniors leave and disappear from sight, Si Fanqing asked her, “Do you remember things from your childhood?”

The other day in the demon territory, Cong Yue was very familiar with the surrounding area, which was suspicious; facing Little Junior Uncle’s subtle questioning, she had made up an excuse to try to deceive him.

Now that Little Junior Uncle was asking, Cong Yue felt guilty, suspecting that Little Junior Uncle might have discovered something.

In fact, Si Fanqing’s intention was not that.  He had once felt pity and asked about Cong Yue’s family out of guilt. Cong Yue had casually replied, “I don’t remember,” and the matter was dropped.

A few days ago, Cong Yue mentioned being captured by the demons as a child and failing to escape…  The two accounts contradicted each other.

“I don’t remember.” After hesitating for a moment, Cong Yue chose to continue hiding the secrets related to her identity.

The person in front of her gradually merged with the face in her memory, even the tone of voice and the answer hadn’t changed. Si Fanqing paused slightly, then turned and walked out, not intending to pursue the matter further.

“Little Junior Uncle, what are you suspecting?” Feeling guilty, Cong Yue chased after him and blocked his path, hesitating for a moment before asking, “Don’t you believe me?”

Si Fanqing looked down at her, his long eyelashes fluttering slightly, appearing vulnerable again. Yet, his words were enough to chill Cong Yue to the bone.

“A person with a guilty conscience suspects others of not trusting them.”  Si Fanqing averted his gaze, emphasizing, “Besides, does it matter whether I believe you or not?”

Cong Yue’s heart trembled, the softest part of her heart seemed to be pierced by something cold and sharp. She opened her mouth, but couldn’t speak.

Before she could respond, Si Fanqing had already walked away.  Looking at the tall and straight figure in white, Cong Yue’s heart remained restless for a long time.

She had displeased Little Junior Uncle again, even more seriously than before.

The other day, she had impulsively touched Little Junior Uncle’s fair and delicate shoulders and back, and Cong Yue had been lost in thought.

Seeing Little Junior Uncle again, he seemed fine, and Cong Yue secretly breathed a sigh of relief, pretending nothing had happened.  She never expected the story to unfold this way.

Senior Sister had told her that if she didn’t explain clearly, the misunderstanding would only deepen.  A thought urged her to chase after him and confess.

Thinking of this, Cong Yue hurriedly chased after him, following Little Junior Uncle silently, keeping pace with him.

Si Fanqing ignored her, but Cong Yue was thick-skinned. Little Junior Uncle ignored her, but she didn’t care.

Having someone follow him silently made him uneasy. He stopped, turned to look at Cong Yue, and said impatiently, “What are you following me for?”

Cong Yue clasped her hands behind her back, looking up at him, squinting slightly, smiling slyly. “Little Junior Uncle, I’m going to your room to see the kitten.”

After careful consideration, Cong Yue decided to continue playing dumb, not intending to reveal the mystery of her identity to Little Junior Uncle, making up another excuse to try and get away with it.

Master hadn’t mentioned it, meaning there was no need to reveal it.

Besides, the other day in Little Junior Uncle’s room, she had almost done something “wrong,” but the kitten’s meow had brought her back to her senses, causing her to flee. She hadn’t seen the kitten since, and she missed it.

Their eyes met. Si Fanqing was startled, his heart inexplicably trembling. Those eyes, as deep as a pool, seemed to be able to beguile people, making him willingly jump in.

Si Fanqing originally thought that Cong Yue had remembered the incident from her childhood and had come to explain.  He didn’t know that she was just playful, thinking of his spiritual pet, and had no intention of revealing the truth.