"……"
The wind and snow outside were fierce. When Qu Yaoyao opened the door, she heard the howling of the wind.
A cold gust swept falling snow toward her with a rustling sound, but someone promptly shielded her with an umbrella. Qu Yaoyao looked up and realized that not only was Qu Yushu standing outside the door, but also his attendant, Ning Lu, beside him.
"Brother, what's with this attire?" Qu Yaoyao noticed Qu Yushu's clothing.
As the Young Sect Master of Xingyang Sect, Qu Yushu had always worn wide-sleeved, elegant robes within the sect, presenting the refined appearance of a scholar. Tonight, however, he was dressed in a neat, close-fitting outfit with narrow sleeves, a wide belt cinching his waist, his long hair tied high, with only a few wispy, slightly curled strands hanging on either side of his forehead.
Qu Yushu held the umbrella protectively around Qu Yaoyao, coughed twice, and explained to her, "Snow Beasts are running rampant outside. I've received orders from Zongzong to descend to the Lower Realm to quell the chaos, and I must leave tonight."
If Qu Yaoyao hadn't encountered trouble in Xingyang Sect, Qu Yushu would still be in the town eliminating Snow Beasts and wouldn't have returned at all. Now, seeing Qu Yaoyao recovering day by day, and with Zongzong sending people to urge him, he had no reason not to go back.
Qu Yaoyao was taken aback upon hearing this. "You're leaving now?"
Qu Yushu nodded lightly. "I'll leave after saying a few words to you."
The reason he had come late at night was precisely to bid farewell to his sister. Taking out a sachet from his robe, he placed it in Qu Yaoyao's hand. "Keep this. With me not by your side, you must protect yourself."
Qu Yaoyao was still somewhat dazed. Opening the sachet in her hand, she found dozens of neatly folded Talisman Papers inside, which she could activate with just a trace of spiritual power.
"These talismans were all personally drawn by the Young Sect Master. For your sake, he didn't rest all night." Seeing Qu Yaoyao holding the sachet without much reaction, Ning Lu couldn't help but complain.
Qu Yushu frowned and softly reprimanded her.
Perhaps afraid that Qu Yaoyao might overthink it, he pretended not to care. "Just a few talismans. I finished drawing them quickly."
Qu Yaoyao still showed little reaction, only lowering her head to stare at the sachet without saying a word.
The snow seemed to be falling heavier, the cold wind raging and whipping their clothes violently. Qu Yushu deliberately shifted to the right, blocking the cold wind blowing toward Qu Yaoyao. Seeing his sister remain silent, Qu Yushu's eyes dimmed, his face pale, and the smile at the corner of his lips turned self-mocking.
"I'm leaving now." Qu Yushu was long accustomed to Qu Yaoyao's indifference.
Just as he was about to turn away, a pair of arms suddenly wrapped around his waist. Qu Yaoyao quickly threw herself at Qu Yushu, tightly embracing his waist with both arms, burying her face in his chest as she choked back sobs, whispering softly, "I'm sorry."
She truly was sorry.
She had been terrified by Qingxi Immortal Venerable. Having fallen once, Little Snow Lotus dared not risk a second fall, so after narrowly escaping death, she dared not trust anyone again, fearing she might encounter a second 'Qingxi Immortal Venerable.'
But Qu Yushu was not Qingxi Immortal Venerable. He was a living, independent person, Qu Yaoyao's blood relative. While she was suspiciously wondering whether this brother might harm her, her brother had been staying up all night drawing Life-Protecting Talismans for her.
While she hid in her room hesitating whether to come out and see him, her brother stood guard outside her door against the cold wind, just to bid her farewell.
"I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry." One apology was for the immature original owner, the other for Little Snow Lotus, who now lived on in her place.
Qu Yushu was very uncomfortable, his whole body stiff as Qu Yaoyao held him. It took him a moment to react before he gently returned the embrace, patting her back to comfort her. "Yaoyao, what's wrong?"
She had never been so affectionate with him before, nor had she ever apologized to him.
Qu Yaoyao sobbed in his arms, unable to share her inner turmoil with him. She could only say, "I was too willful before. I feel so sorry for you, Brother."
Qu Yushu chuckled softly, looking down at his sister. "Yaoyao, I am your brother."
Why apologize to your own brother?
The siblings held each other, one crying and the other comforting, leaving Ning Lu and Yun Zhi, who had hurried over, stunned.
As a lotus, Little Snow Lotus had never felt warmth from anyone other than Qingxi Immortal Venerable. When she received the sachet Qu Yushu had prepared for her, she felt something stir in her heart.
Without caring whether she might be hurt or deceived again, Little Snow Lotus simply wanted to cling to this fleeting warmth. Her heart was too soft, easily moved by even the slightest kindness from others.
Clutching tightly to Qu Yushu's lapel, Qu Yaoyao couldn't bear to let him go. Tilting her little face upward, she said, "Brother, come back soon."
Qu Yushu wiped the tears from her face with his thumb, his eyes gentle and smiling as he promised, "Once the Snow Beasts are eradicated, I will return immediately to be with you, Yaoyao."
Ning Lu tactfully reminded him, "Young Sect Master, it's getting late."
It was time for them to leave; many disciples were waiting outside.
Upon hearing this, Qu Yaoyao reluctantly released Qu Yushu from her embrace. Though she was reluctant, she had to let him go.
Noticing that Qu Yushu was dressed lightly, she quickly added, "Wait, Brother."
She ran back to her room, retrieved a thick Purple-Gold Fur Robe from the wardrobe, and rushed out to drape it over Qu Yushu.
"This is…" Qu Yushu bent down to accommodate his sister's height and noticed that the robe Qu Yaoyao had draped over him was a man's garment—thick, spacious, exquisitely crafted, with golden embroidery shimmering faintly on the hem. It was clearly valuable.
Why would there be a man's robe in Qu Yaoyao's room?
Before Qu Yushu could ask, Yun Zhi hurried to Qu Yaoyao's side.
She tugged at Qu Yaoyao's sleeve anxiously, glanced at Qu Yushu, and whispered, "Isn't this the birthday gift you specially sought for Qingxi Immortal Venerable? If you give it to the Young Sect Master, what about Qingxi Immortal Venerable…"
So this was a birthday gift prepared for Qingxi Immortal Venerable.
Qu Yaoyao paused briefly but quickly regained her composure. "His birthday hasn't arrived yet. I'll just find another gift to give him."
In the past, Qu Yaoyao might have regretted her impulsive actions. But now, fully aware of Qingxi Immortal Venerable's dangerous nature, she wanted nothing more than to avoid him. Why would she rush to give him a gift?
"What matters most now is Brother," Qu Yaoyao said, smiling at Qu Yushu.
Yun Zhi didn't know what to say. She thought her young mistress had probably forgotten, so she hesitantly reminded her, "Qingxi Immortal Venerable's birthday is… tomorrow."
Qu Yaoyao: "…"
She truly hadn't known.
Qu Yushu overheard their conversation. From Yun Zhi's expression, he deduced that this Purple-Gold Fur Robe was likely difficult to obtain and had been prepared for a long time. He immediately tried to remove it, but Qu Yaoyao wouldn't allow him to, repeatedly urging him to take care of himself. Her concern seemed genuine and unwavering.
Very well, then he would accept this generous gift.
Qu Yushu said, "Immortal Venerable Qingxi dislikes crowds. Although the Zongzong holds a birthday celebration for him every year, the Immortal Venerable rarely attends. Tomorrow, the Zongzong will surely invite various sects and factions. With your brother away and Mother still in seclusion, Yaoyao, when you go…"
Qu Yaoyao interrupted him, "Can I not go?"
She lowered her head, her voice muffled, "I haven't fully recovered yet and don't really feel like going out."
In truth, she was afraid of running into Immortal Venerable Qingxi.
Qu Yushu likely didn't expect her to refuse. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something but held back, finally saying, "If you don't want to go, then don't. I'll send someone to deliver the birthday gift."
With frequent snowstorms, Snow Beasts causing chaos in the Lower Realm, and the precious snow lotus missing from the Celestial Ruins Cold Pool, it was indeed a turbulent time.
Qu Yushu felt that the Zongzong's urgency in summoning him away was somewhat unusual. Though he had his doubts, orders from the Zongzong came from the Xianxu, and he couldn't simply refuse.
"With your brother away, be careful and stay safe. Don't cause any trouble."
Qu Yushu patted Qu Yaoyao's head. "I'm leaving now."
This time, he truly left.
Qu Yaoyao saw him off outside the door, watching as his figure transformed into a flying sword and vanished into the sky. Yun Zhi stood beside her, gazing up at the night sky and sighing, "Young Lady, you should quickly think about what birthday gift to send Immortal Venerable Qingxi tomorrow."
Qu Yaoyao didn't want to hear Immortal Venerable Qingxi's name. She pouted and replied dismissively, "Didn't Brother say he'd send someone to prepare it?"
"The Young Sect Master's gift represents our Xingyang Sect, not you personally. In previous years, you always sent a separate gift."
Qu Yaoyao yawned, feeling sleepy. "Then let's not send one this year."
"Not send one?!" Yun Zhi exclaimed in surprise.
Before she could say more, she was met with the sound of the door closing. Qu Yaoyao's voice came muffled through the door, "Yun Zhi, you should go rest. I'm exhausted and will probably sleep all day tomorrow."
Yun Zhi stood there dumbfounded.
Perhaps it was her imagination, but she felt that her young lady seemed…
not as fond of Immortal Venerable Qingxi as before.
.
Qu Yaoyao wasn't joking. She said she would sleep all day, and the next day, she truly stayed behind closed doors.
Not preparing a separate birthday gift for Immortal Venerable Qingxi wasn't an empty promise either. Even when the immortal attendants delivered the Xingyang Sect's lavish gift to the Zongzong, Qu Yaoyao made no move.
By nightfall, the Zongzong was brightly lit, filled with music and dance as hundreds of sects gathered to celebrate Immortal Venerable Qingxi's birthday, each presenting extravagant gifts. Yet, in the grand hall, the main seat on the high platform remained empty—the very person whose birthday it was did not appear.
Fortunately, they were all accustomed to this.
Late into the night, Gu Tianci walked through the Wangxu holding two ledgers. He approached Immortal Venerable Qingxi's chamber, knocked softly, and said in a low voice, "Master, the banquet has ended."
Upon receiving permission, Gu Tianci pushed the door open and walked to Xie Qingxun, presenting the ledgers with both hands. "This is the list of sects that came to offer birthday congratulations, and the other is the gifts they sent."
"Leave them," Xie Qingxun said, glancing at the list. He stood by the window, gazing into the night, his eyes fixed on the towering, solitary Mirror Moon Tower in the distance.
"Is the Immortal Venerable thinking of Saint Venerable Wanfa?" Gu Tianci asked, noticing his gaze.
Xie Qingxun gave a faint smile but did not respond.
Having shed the opulent robes of the day, he now wore only a simple white garment, his dark hair cascading down his shoulders, his profile serene and detached, appearing gentler than he had during the day.
Not intending to look at those two lists, Xie Qingxun asked with little interest, "What did Yaowang Sect send?"
"Knowing that the Immortal Venerable lost the Frozen Pond Snow Lotus, Yaowang Sect specially sent ten rare Red Lotuses." Far inferior to the birthday gifts sent in previous years.
Xie Qingxun's brows and eyes were gentle, lowering his gaze to fiddle with his slender fingers. He calmly pointed out the truth, "That old thing dares to show defiance against me."
Gu Tianci was displeased, "Should I give him some punishment?"
"No need." Xie Qingxun did not plan to bother with it. He asked again, "What about Xingyang Sect?"
"Qu Yingsi is still in seclusion, and Qu Yushu has already been dispatched by us to the Lower Realm, so they only sent an immortal attendant, delivering a set of high-quality Black Profound Soft Brushes." More valuable than what was sent in previous years.
Xie Qingxun listened casually. If he remembered correctly, Qu Yaoyao would send him a separate birthday gift every year, each one painstakingly crafted and extremely precious. In previous years, he never cared what she sent, but this year he was somewhat curious.
Gu Tianci's face slightly changed, stammering without speaking.
Xie Qingxun noticed his unease and turned to look at him, "What's wrong?"
Gu Tianci confirmed repeatedly on the list, forcing himself to say, "She… she not only didn't appear at the birthday banquet this year, but also… didn't send anything."
Avoiding him as if fearing contamination.
After hearing this, Xie Qingxun's emotions were unclear, the palace filled with oppressive silence.
After a long while, he spoke, "How is the investigation of Hua Song progressing?"
Gu Tianci breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly said, "As Master predicted, on the night Hua Song had the incident, Qu Yaoyao was not at Xingyang Sect, but lingered near Xianxu, seemingly conspiring with Hua Song."
Lingering near Xianxu…
Xie Qingxun slightly narrowed his eyes, "Did she enter Xianxu?"
"She did not."
Gu Tianci couldn't gauge his master's attitude, "Since Hua Song's death involves Qu Yaoyao, then should we…"
Capture her or not?
Xie Qingxun did not hesitate.
Casually playing with the Spell Ring on his finger, he leisurely said, "Since a suspect has been found, naturally she must be interrogated."
"Tianci, convey my order, dispatch several hundred Zongzong disciples to Xingyang Sect."