"Little Junior Sister, you're back already? You're as efficient as ever."The moment the three of them stepped into the territory of the Main Peak, Pei Qingji—Yun Miao's second senior brother—approached with his familiar, carefree voice.Following that, a figure leisurely swaying a folding fan drifted into the view of Yun Miao and the other two.Seeing him approach, Yun Miao smiled and called out, "Second Senior Brother."Usually, Shen Qingliu and Pei Qingji loved to bicker, and this time was no exception.Shen Qingliu reached out and patted Pei Qingji's shoulder, deliberately drawing his attention."Junior Brother Pei, why are you only greeting our junior sister and not showing any concern for your senior brother?""Hah," Pei Qingji abruptly closed his folding fan and used it to brush off Shen Qingliu's hand from his shoulder. He let out a mocking snort, then said with a sarcastic, insincere smile, "If it weren't for your lack of skill getting you captured by that demon, would our little junior sister have needed to make this trip? Why should I care about someone as useless as you?"With that, he turned his head away as if he couldn't be bothered to deal with Shen Qingliu any longer."Pei Qingji, you…"Shen Qingliu seemed about to say something more but was quickly interrupted by Pei Qingji."And who is this?"Pei Qingji's gaze fell on the unfamiliar young man standing on Yun Miao's other side, discreetly sizing him up. His face still wore a smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. He tilted his head, his gaze sweeping past Yun Miao to land on Shen Qingliu's face, as if silently assuming this was trouble Shen Qingliu had brought back.Shen Qingliu, meeting Pei Qingji's suspicious look, was baffled."Why are you looking at me?""It couldn't possibly be trouble our little junior sister brought back, could it? Besides her, there's only you left.""Second Senior Brother."Seeing this, Yun Miao quickly stepped forward to create some distance between the two, feeling a bit embarrassed to admit that this time, the trouble was indeed brought by her."Little Junior Sister, don't shield him."Pei Qingji nudged Yun Miao's arm with his folding fan, signaling her to move aside."Second Senior Brother, his name is Xie Jue." Yun Miao didn't move away and instead looked at Pei Qingji, continuing, "He is my betrothed husband."Pei Qingji froze mid-action, taking a moment to process what Yun Miao had just said. The smile on his face stiffened. "Little Junior Sister, you must be joking with your senior brother."However, when he saw Yun Miao's calm expression, he knew this was no joke. He once again looked over the young man beside Yun Miao, and Xie Jue calmly met his gaze, allowing himself to be scrutinized.After a long while, Pei Qingji lightly furrowed his brow and turned back to Yun Miao. "What exactly is going on here?"Pei Qingji naturally didn't believe that his little junior sister, who was wholly devoted to the Way of the Sword, could have suddenly developed romantic feelings during her mere three to five days away from the mountain and returned with a betrothed husband.There had to be more to the story.Thus, Yun Miao had no choice but to briefly recount how Li Zhongzhou had drugged her and how Xie Jue had saved her."Li Zhongzhou?"After listening, Pei Qingji thoughtfully repeated the name Yun Miao had just mentioned.Shen Qingliu, standing nearby, assumed he also couldn’t recall the person and kindly reminded him, "He’s the disciple of Elder Song who lost to Junior Sister in a sparring match just two months after she joined the sect. I reckon that guy felt utterly humiliated back then, so he’s been holding a grudge against our Junior Sister ever since. But then again, it’s his own bad luck to have run into Junior Sister—her talent is something us ordinary folks can’t compare to."As he spoke, Shen Qingliu shook his head."Do I really need you to remind me of this?" Pei Qingji shot a sidelong glance at Shen Qingliu and continued irritably, "I suspect Li Zhongzhou’s grudge isn’t just about that one incident."Upon hearing this, both Yun Miao and Shen Qingliu were taken aback.The implication behind his words suggested that Yun Miao and Li Zhongzhou had other encounters."Second Senior Brother, what other conflicts have I had with him?"Yun Miao looked at Pei Qingji with confusion, wanting to know what else she might have forgotten."Don’t you two remember that scoundrel who got drunk and caused a scene in the herb garden during last year’s Mid-Autumn Festival, even trying to harass Junior Sister Su?"Following Pei Qingji’s reminder, Yun Miao and Shen Qingliu recalled something."So it was him."Yun Miao hadn’t expected this. If that were the case, it seemed she had indeed made quite an enemy.Pei Qingji unfolded his folding fan again and fanned himself leisurely a few times. "Remember now? You taught him a lesson that day and threw him to the front peak, where many disciples were admiring the moon, along with quite a few elders from various peaks. He was utterly humiliated. Later, he was confined by Elder Song of the Xun Peak—his own master—for over half a year. By my estimate, he’s only just been released recently, and now he’s probably eager to seek revenge on you."Yun Miao remembered the incident. The other party seemed to be a disciple sent by a noble family, and the reason he was only confined instead of expelled was likely due to that connection.However, in the darkness of that night, she hadn’t paid attention to his appearance. She truly hadn’t expected that the scoundrel who tried to harass Senior Sister Su was the same person.Had she known earlier, she would have taught him a harsher lesson that day, ensuring he would never dare to commit such despicable acts again.Yun Miao couldn’t help but feel some regret, though it didn’t seem too late now. The debt for him drugging her still had to be settled."Senior Brother, could I trouble you to check if he’s returned later?"Yun Miao looked at Shen Qingliu beside her. Since Li Zhongzhou was from his Xun Peak, it made sense for him to inquire."Being in the same sect as such a despicable person is truly unlucky," Shen Qingliu said disdainfully, patting Yun Miao’s shoulder. "Don’t worry, Junior Sister, leave this matter to me.""Then I’ll thank you in advance, Senior Brother.""It’s just a small matter. No need to be so polite, Junior Sister."Shen Qingliu waved his hand dismissively.Beside Yun Miao, the youth who had remained exceptionally quiet from start to finish—so quiet that he was nearly forgotten—now had his gaze fixed intently on Shen Qingliu’s hand, which was lightly patting Yun Miao’s shoulder.Xie Jue narrowed his eyes and couldn’t help but sneer inwardly.What kind of help did this person before him think he could offer?Li Zhongzhou was currently locked in the water dungeon of his Cold Crow Palace. Even if he wanted to come out, he likely wouldn’t have the chance to keep his life.Moreover, even if we were to take a step back and say that help was truly needed, it wouldn't be the place of an outsider like him to offer it. Regardless of how important he might be to my sister, the one who will soon undergo the Soul Binding with her is me, not him—isn't that right?"Alright, you should head back to Xun Peak now," Pei Qingji stepped forward, positioning himself between Shen Qingliu and Yun Miao. "Little Junior Sister, we should also return to the Main Peak soon. As for this fiancé of yours… I imagine it will take quite a while to explain everything to Master."Recalling the overly stern expression of the sect leader, Shen Qingliu cast a sympathetic glance toward Yun Miao."That's true. I'll head back first then. I'll notify you as soon as there's any news. You should return to the Main Peak early as well. Explaining things to the sect leader probably won't be easy either."Yun Miao nodded. "Alright."She was well aware that her master likely held high expectations for her. Yet, after just a short trip down the mountain—lasting only a few days—she had returned with a man, declaring her intention to undergo the Soul Binding. It was understandable that her master would find this difficult to accept.She had already considered these matters beforehand, but this situation had arisen because of her own actions, and Xie Jue had been dragged into it because of her.Since he was willing, she naturally had to take responsibility.Yun Miao turned to look at Xie Jue behind her. Seeing him with his eyes lowered, she assumed he was still adjusting to the unfamiliar surroundings and softened her tone."Xie Jue, let's go."While listening to the conversation among the three, Xie Jue had quietly withdrawn his gaze from Shen Qingliu's hand. When he looked up again, his expression was as calm and familiar as Yun Miao had always known. He curved his lips slightly and replied, "Alright."Hearing this, Pei Qingji glanced over at Xie Jue once more. For some reason, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was something odd about this person.Yet, if asked exactly what was strange, he couldn't pinpoint it at the moment.The three of them headed together toward the main hall. Yun Miao glanced at Xie Jue beside her and, after hesitating, spoke up to Pei Qingji."Second Senior Brother, there's actually something I wanted to ask of you."Turning his head and seeing Yun Miao's hesitant expression, Pei Qingji slowed his pace. When Yun Miao stopped walking, he halted as well."What is it exactly? You seem so hesitant."Yun Miao pursed her lips and looked up. "Second Senior Brother, if anything comes up later with Master, I hope you can help mediate on my behalf.""I thought it was something serious."But just as Pei Qingji had let out half a sigh of relief, Yun Miao's voice sounded again, delivering an answer he had never anticipated.Yun Miao spoke truthfully, "Xie Jue, he is a Half-demon."Upon hearing this, the half-sigh Pei Qingji had just released was abruptly sucked back in. He looked at Yun Miao, then past her at the young man beside her.Now, he finally understood where that strange feeling he had earlier came from.His gaze shifted back and forth between Yun Miao and Xie Jue several times before he sighed with a mix of frustration and disappointment. "A Half-demon… Little Junior Sister, what kind of foolishness have you gotten yourself into?"Yun Miao remained silent, her eyes still fixed on Pei Qingji.Pei Qingji still found the situation utterly absurd and, disregarding Xie Jue's presence, asked bluntly, "Is it truly impossible to choose anyone else? Things haven't reached Master yet—there's still room to change course. You know as well as I…"However, before Pei Qingji could finish speaking, Yun Miao gave her answer."Yes, it must be him."In truth, Yun Miao's response at this moment wasn't entirely sincere, but only by saying this would her senior brother truly make every effort to help her handle this matter.But Xie Jue, standing nearby, had not anticipated Yun Miao's answer of "it must be him." He turned his head toward her in surprise, as if trying to verify the truth of her words.The girl's resolute expression reflected in his eyes, and the answer he sought seemed self-evident.A wave of overwhelming joy surged through him, threatening to drown him. At this moment, his eyes could hold only her, and nothing else.Pei Qingji watched the "deeply affectionate" pair before him. Though even he found their situation absurd, he could do nothing about his junior sister."Isn't it you whom Master dotes on the most? But you also know how much expectation he places on you. At most, I can only try to hold him back a little when he decides to punish you."Hearing Pei Qingji's words, Yun Miao knew he had agreed. "Thank you, Second Senior Brother."However, Pei Qingji did not respond to Yun Miao. Instead, he looked at Xie Jue beside her."I really don't know what my junior sister sees in you."As soon as his teasing words were spoken, Pei Qingji shed all pretense of frivolity. "Treat her well.""Without fail."Xie Jue also raised his eyes to meet Pei Qingji's gaze, equally solemn.Pei Qingji sighed, as if accepting the reality before him."Let's go."
Chapter 15
Mistakenly Believing I Was Given the Substitute Lover Script