Chen Miaomiao’s exaggerated display was so obvious that even a fool could see she was displeased and deliberately tormenting them.
The crowd: “…”
They were left speechless, unable to voice their grievances. Again and again, they knelt before Chen Miaomiao, rose to their feet, only to kneel once more, rising and kneeling in an endless cycle.
Their hearts burned with hatred, for their pride and self-respect had been ground into dust beneath Chen Miaomiao’s feet.
But what could they do? She was a Yuanying Laozu!
Had they not seen Li Cun lying half-dead on the ground?!
They despised Chen Miaomiao’s ruthlessness yet feared her power.
With sheer strength, Chen Miaomiao had flung reality in their faces, teaching them that there would always be someone greater, a mountain beyond the mountain. Mortals were like ants to them, yet they, too, were nothing but ants in the eyes of the truly powerful.
“Enough.” After more than a dozen repetitions, the Yuanying Laozu seemed to have grown weary of this tedious punishment and waved a hand dismissively. “Since you have acknowledged your mistakes, Benzun will let bygones be bygones. I came here to relax and have no desire to see bloodshed. Rise.”
Supporting one another, the crowd struggled to their feet, enduring the pain.
“Thank you, Senior.”
“Thank you, Senior.”
…
“Hmm.” Chen Miaomiao turned her gaze to the Tiejia Shou and said, “As for this Tiejia Shou…”
How could Chen Chuqing dare claim it now? She hurriedly replied, “Naturally, it belongs to you, Senior. How could we presume to take what is rightfully yours?”
“No need.” Chen Miaomiao smiled like a Maitreya Buddha, exuding an air of benevolence. “You said it was a gift for someone. Take it.”
Chen Chuqing’s face paled.
“Senior, I couldn’t possibly.”
“If Benzun says take it, then take it. No more arguments.”
The displeasure in Chen Miaomiao’s voice was unmistakable, and Chen Chuqing dared not refuse further. “Yes… Then this junior humbly accepts. Thank you, Senior.”
Chen Chuqing was no fool. She could not simply take the Tiejia Shou without clarification, lest it bring unforeseen disaster upon her family in the future.
Yet refusing to take it would be disrespectful to this Laozu…
After careful consideration, Chen Chuqing steeled herself and said, “Senior, I am deeply grateful for your generosity. This is a small token of my appreciation. Please accept it.”
She retrieved a cloth pouch from her robes and presented it to Chen Miaomiao with both hands, her posture reverent.
The pouch appeared ordinary—neither too large nor too small, utterly unremarkable, not even comparable to the embroidered items Chen Miaomiao had seen in ancient towns in her previous life. Yet the moment others laid eyes on it, they collectively gasped in astonishment.
Chen Miaomiao was puzzled. It was just a money pouch—was there any need for such a dramatic reaction?
Still, using silver to buy a Tiejia Shou seemed rather beneath the dignity of a Xiuzhen practitioner.
Though inwardly scoffing, Chen Miaomiao maintained an impassive expression. “What is this? Put it away. Benzun has no need for such trifles. It would be laughable if word got out.”
The others felt a mix of emotions upon hearing this. Indeed, this was a Yuanying Laozu. How could she be as narrow-minded as they were, marveling at a mere Qiankun Dai—even if it was a Qiankun Dai from the Chen family?
After all, as a Laozu, what rare treasures could she lack? A mere Qiankun Dai was nothing more than a triviality to her.
Seeing Chen Miaomiao unmoved and even a bit displeased, Chen Chuqing anxiously explained, “Senior, you’ve misunderstood. This item is not mine, but something prepared by our Yunluo Chenjia specifically to gift to the benefactor of our family. Not only did you deal with the Tiejia Shou for us, but you also overlooked my offense. Such great kindness and virtue, I will never forget. This is a small token of our Chen family’s gratitude. Please accept it.”
Chen Chuqing wasn’t lying—the Qiankun Dai was indeed prepared by Yunluo Chenjia to win over a “guest elder.”
However, the guest elder they had in mind was only at the Jindan level. But now, with a Yuanying Laozu right before them, what was a mere Jindan Xiushi?!
If she could invite this Laozu to become the Chen family’s guest elder, then her father, mother, the main branch members, and the clan leader would surely look at her in a new light. Her status within the Chen family would naturally rise, and she might even be able to compete with the main family’s Chen Ziyi.
Moreover, if the Yuanying Laozu was pleased and took her as a disciple, wouldn’t she soar to great heights, like a bird flying freely in the vast sky?
The more Chen Chuqing thought about it, the more excited she became, almost wanting to shove the Qiankun Dai into Chen Miaomiao’s hands.
Chen Miaomiao immediately grasped the key point and narrowed her eyes. “The Chen family? Are you referring to the Fancheng Chen family?”
Chen Chuqing secretly rejoiced. Had the Laozu heard of the Chen family? Then her hopes were even greater. “Yes, exactly, the Fancheng Chen family.”
Chen Miaomiao had been thinking about how to return to the Chen family, and now, just as she was drowsy, someone had brought her a pillow. Perfect. “What’s your name?”
“Reporting to Senior, this junior is Chen Chuqing of the Yunluo Zhen Chen family.”
Chen Chuqing?
Chen Chuqing…
Chen Miaomiao silently repeated the name in her mind, and the vague images gradually became clear.
It turned out that this Chen Chuqing was none other than the young lady of the Yunluo Zhen Chen family. When the original host was “banished” to Yunluo Zhen, she had suffered no small amount of humiliation at Chen Chuqing’s hands.
Chen Chuqing had withheld the original host’s meals, taken all her belongings, and forced her to kneel and beg. If she didn’t beg, she would go hungry—for three days and nights. The original host had almost crawled to grab Chen Chuqing’s pant leg, pleading, but Chen Chuqing remained unmoved. On the contrary, she took pleasure in it.
But that wasn’t all. She had also allowed servants to beat the original host.
At first, the servants, fearing surveillance from the main family, only dared to strike areas covered by clothing. Seeing that the main family never sent anyone to check on the original host and that Yunluo Chenjia turned a blind eye, they gradually grew bolder.
The worst time, they nearly beat the original host to death.
But the original host was tough and managed to survive…
The original host had lived in this remote town for five years, and there was hardly a patch of skin on her body that remained unscathed.
In the end, the original host’s life had concluded with her being caught for adultery out of unbearable loneliness.
The Chen Chuqing before her was clearly not the same as in the original host’s memories. She had grown taller, her figure had become more graceful, and her features had softened considerably, as if she had matured overnight. That was why Chen Miaomiao hadn’t recognized her.
Of course, it wasn’t just Chen Chuqing who had changed—this body of hers had changed too, because Chen Chuqing hadn’t recognized “Chen Miaomiao” either.
Though doubts surged wildly in Chen Miaomiao’s heart, she revealed a very familiar smile and said, “Since it’s the Chen family, then Benzun will accept this token of gratitude.”
Seeing Chen Miaomiao tuck the Qiankun Dai into her sleeve, Chen Chuqing was overjoyed.
The senior had accepted the Qiankun Dai—her path to success was now within reach!
“Benzun has heard that the Chen family has another legitimate daughter recuperating in Yunluo Zhen, named… Chen Miaomiao? Is she still there?”
“Her?” Hearing the senior inquire about Chen Miaomiao’s whereabouts, Chen Chuqing didn’t think much of it, as people had been asking about Chen Miaomiao’s location every now and then over the years. Her eyes filled with disdain as she said, “That one? She lacks virtue, is fickle and promiscuous. Despite having a fiancé, she still carried on an affair with another man. When the scandal was exposed and she was caught red-handed, she felt ashamed to face the Chen family and too embarrassed to show her face, so she fled overnight.”
“How long has she been gone?”
“It’s been three years already. Without the Chen family’s protection, she’s probably already lying dead in the wilderness somewhere.”