Misty Rain of the Old Times

Seven years have passed, and Gao Jingyu remains as charming as ever, almost unchanged from back then. The saying that time never defeats a beauty is fully embodied in her, considering that she is now in her thirties and approaching forty.

When she returned home to visit her family, Chen Xuan was only at the Acquired Realm level and couldn't tell her cultivation level. Now, when they meet again, her cultivation level is somewhat inferior to that of Ye Hong from Maple Leaf Manor, whom he had met in the desert. It would be a stretch to say that she is only at the middle level of the Innate Realm.

With just one glance, Chen Xuan's judgment, given her current level, would not be wrong. Perhaps she has made some progress in the past seven years, but definitely not much.

The martial arts prodigy who reached the Innate Realm at the age of seventeen is now struggling to even reach the middle level of the Innate Realm, which is quite regrettable. Normally, she should be at the high level of the Innate Realm by now.

However, Chen Xuan was not surprised by her situation. After all, she got married at the age of eighteen and gave birth to several children in succession, which depleted her health. In addition, the Prince's Mansion was a place full of intrigue and deceit. It was already rare that her cultivation had not regressed but had even improved.

Without any extraordinary encounters, her martial arts cultivation in this lifetime would probably only reach the peak of the Innate Realm, making it almost impossible for her to reach the level of Guo Jinglong or Liu Zhenwei.

Based on her martial arts talent, she was originally expected to become a grandmaster and witness the scenery at the summit in her lifetime. However, she married early, which ruined her future in martial arts.

When she married Prince Qing, Chen Xuan hadn't even been born yet. Naturally, he didn't know if it was because of love, because she was young and easily captivated by a few words, or because she was someone who was unwilling to roam the martial world and seized the opportunity to embark on a completely different path in life.

Now, when they meet again, she has lost three-tenths of her humanity and gained even more ruthlessness and ambition. No matter how well she hides it, she cannot escape Chen Xuan's eyes now.

This is a restless soul. Chen Xuan saw it back then, so why is she secretly going home now? Chen Xuan probably guessed her purpose.

Who cares? Chen Xuan has never wronged her in the slightest. Just keep your distance.

Facing Gao Jingyu as she approached, he said politely, "Years have passed, but Miss Gao's elegance remains unchanged; how could I not remember?"

If it weren't for the favor shown to the Gao family, Chen Xuan wouldn't have addressed the eldest daughter as "Miss," but rather as "Princess."

“It’s hard to believe how much Ah Xuan has grown up. You were almost as tall as me back then, but now you’re quite the handsome young man, and you’ve become quite the charmer. You must be very good at winning over girls, right?” Gao Jingyu said with a smile, gesturing to show his height.

She spoke casually and acted as if Chen Xuan were an outsider, making it easy for people to like her. Chen Xuan could only say that this woman was becoming increasingly dangerous. If he hadn't already known what kind of person she was, he was afraid that anyone else would have been easily manipulated by her.

Chen Xuan smiled and said, "Please don't tease me, Miss," then turned to Su Roujia and said, "Roujia, this is Miss, please pay your respects."

"Greetings, Miss," Su Roujia said obediently, glancing at Gao Jingyu but not daring to look at her any longer. As a maid, she was of low status and could only say "Greetings." If Chen Xuan introduced her as a princess, she would have to use "Respectfully greet."

Gao Jingyu's amiable smile remained unchanged, but she was inwardly speechless. This Chen Xuan was a bit unpredictable. He didn't seem like an eighteen-year-old boy, and he was overly polite to her. Logically speaking, someone who grew up at home shouldn't be so distant. Could it be because they weren't familiar with each other? She should have shown him more care all these years.

Then she realized that Chen Xuan was able to become a master of the innate realm at the age of eighteen, so his temperament could not be judged by ordinary standards.

I misjudged him back then. Chen Xuan's cultivation was shallow at that time. I never expected that he would achieve the Innate Realm in just seven years. Is this a manifestation of his accumulated talent?
She didn't think Chen Xuan had been hiding his talents back then, after all, Chen Xuan was only eleven years old at the time.

Distracted by Chen Xuan, she looked at Su Roujia and smiled kindly, "Your name is Roujia, right? I heard my mother mention you before. What a pretty young lady! Xuan is so lucky. Since you call me Miss, let me give you this hairpin as a gift since we're meeting for the first time. No need to be so polite, we're family."

As she spoke, she casually took a jade hairpin off her head and placed it in Su Roujia's hand.

Upon seeing this, Chen Xuan thought to herself, "I knew this would happen. Women from wealthy families wear so much jewelry on their heads, isn't it all so they can show off at any time?"
At this moment, the little girl looked at Chen Xuan somewhat at a loss, unsure whether she should accept the gift or not.

"Since it's a gift from Miss, please accept the soft armor and thank Miss," Chen Xuan nodded.

Su Roujia was immediately flattered and said, "Thank you, Miss."

Upon hearing this, Gao Jingyu's eyes flashed as he glanced at Chen Xuan, then patted Su Roujia's head and said, "You're welcome."

Chen Xuan made Su Roujia accept the gift, arguing that it was a reward from the young lady. The emphasis was on the word "reward," which, to put it bluntly, was charity. There was little human touch involved, and she could accept it without feeling guilty. When Gao Jingyu gave the gift, she said that they were family and there was no need to be polite. With Chen Xuan saying that, it was as if Su Roujia was getting something for nothing, and she didn't have to feel any sense of obligation or favor involved.

Is he still too young to understand social etiquette, or is he deliberately distancing himself from me?

Not wanting to linger with this scheming woman, Chen Xuan smiled and said, "Miss, is Madam in? I just returned today and came to say hello and also to report back to Madam on the matter she entrusted to me."

He treats his mother with the same warmth and familiarity as family, but only shows her the most basic courtesy when it comes to me. It seems I have truly neglected her all these years. But it doesn't matter, there will be plenty of opportunities to make up for it.

With a thought flashing through his mind, Gao Jingyu smiled and said, "Mother is entertaining guests; she should be finished by now. Please come with me."

Chen Xuan followed, feeling helpless. He thought to himself that returning to the Gao family was just like going home, but because Gao Jingyu was there, there was an extra layer of formality.

You've been married for many years, why are you coming back to steal the spotlight?

When the group arrived at the central courtyard, they found that Madam Gao had just seen a group of guests off at the door. They were likely officials of high status. Since Mr. Gao was serving as an official elsewhere, he couldn't refuse them, so Madam Gao, as the hostess, had to personally greet them.

Chen Xuan didn't recognize the guests who had left, so he didn't pay them any mind. After they left, he immediately stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Madam. How have you been these past few days?"

"Ah Xuan's back! You silly child, why didn't you give me a heads-up? If I'd known you were coming, I would have turned down the previous guests," Madam Gao said with a smile, then patted Chen Xuan's shoulder and looked him over, saying, "Hmm, you haven't lost weight. Looks like you had a good journey."

"Thank you for your concern, Madam. I have accomplished my mission. I successfully escorted the young master to the capital and only returned after he passed the imperial examination with top honors. He endured hardships and slept on the road for so long. Now that he's back, he's come to freeload a meal. I want some good food; I'm starving!" Chen Xuan said matter-of-factly. Madam Gao was delighted and said, "Good, good, good. Thank you for your hard work, Xuan. I'll tell the kitchen to prepare a feast to reward you. Yu'er is here too; let's all sit down and chat as a family."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony. I've been thinking about all the delicious food at your house ever since I left. Sometimes I even drool in my dreams," Chen Xuan said eagerly.

"Do we need your chopsticks? Come over anytime you want to eat. Sit down and tell me what you've been through on your journey. I've been worried about you at home," Madam Gao said, gesturing for Chen Xuan to sit down.

"The journey was quite smooth. Actually, I just went along on one trip. That day, when I went to meet up with the young master, Madam, guess who I ran into? Sister Qinghe..."

While waiting for the food to be served, Chen Xuan talked about the happy things, but there was no need to mention the dangers along the way, even though there were no dangers at all, since he wasn't there to take credit.

Watching them chatting and laughing happily, Gao Jingyu thought to himself, "This is clearly my home, so why do I feel like an outsider?"

In fact, Gao Jingyu and Madam Gao knew everything that happened when Chen Xuan and Gao Jingming went to the capital. They knew even more about things that Chen Xuan didn't know, such as the specifics of the Wu family. But there was no need to mention those things when the family was together, otherwise it would seem like they were strangers.

To be honest, Gao Jingyu had to admit that she really owed a lot to Chen Xuan this time; otherwise, it was uncertain whether her brother could have successfully entered the capital, let alone become the top scholar.

Amidst laughter and conversation, a meal was prepared. The group moved to the table, and Chen Xuan, now a grown man, invited Gao Jingning, the young master of the manor, to join them in order to avoid suspicion.

Since it wasn't his own home, Chen Xuan didn't want the little girl to sit at the table with him, but he didn't make her feel uncomfortable. He gave her a plate, put some food on it, and sent her to eat on the side.

To be honest, thanks to the beauty pills Chen Xuan gave Madam Gao last time, she looks more than ten years younger, and she looks like a sister to Gao Jingyu when they sit together.

Madam Gao treated Chen Xuan almost like her own child, constantly urging him to eat slowly and more, and even personally serving him food if he wasn't full.

During the meal, Chen Xuan presented the gift he had brought, saying with a smile, "Madam, this is a local specialty I brought back from the capital, called the Cleansing Spirit Pill. Dissolve one in the bathwater; it can detoxify and beautify the skin. Don't say I didn't bring a gift!"

Since no one actually saw Chen Xuan refine it, he claimed it was a local specialty brought from the capital.

"You're so thoughtful, child. The beauty pills you gave me last time were great. Many of my old friends have been asking me about them, but I haven't given them a single word. So this time I won't be polite," Madam Gao said happily. Women love beauty, especially as they get older.

While they were talking, Gao Jingyu looked at Chen Xuan casually and said, "As the saying goes, a scholar should be looked at with new eyes after three days of separation. I never thought that Ah Xuan would have such a talent for martial arts. He is already a master of the innate realm. He is no worse than I was back then. I heard from my mother that you don't have any business to make a living right now. What are your plans for the future?"

She certainly knew about Chen Xuan's departure from the Gao family, so there was no need to bring it up. Saying it this way would make it seem like the whole family was concerned about Chen Xuan's future.

A master of innate level? That's an old story. It seems Xiao Gao hasn't sent back the news of his Grandmaster cultivation level yet, and I doubt he'll reveal it intentionally. That kid knows what he's doing.

Hearing this, Chen Xuan smiled and said, "I don't have any plans for the time being. Life is getting by, so let's just live like this for now."

“Ah Xuan, you can’t think like that. A man’s ambition lies in all directions. You will have to get married and have children in the future. To put it bluntly, you can’t let your wife and children live like this in the future. How about this, if you don’t have any goals for the time being, Ah Xuan, why don’t you go to the south? I’ll ask the Prince to arrange a job for you.” Gao Jingyu said casually but actually with a plan.

Upon hearing this, Chen Xuan thought to himself with amusement, realizing that Gao Jingyu had ulterior motives. He seemed to be thinking about his future, but in reality, he was trying to recruit him.

That being said, as a dignified 'innate master,' with such a readily available connection to the Gao family, it would be strange if she didn't have some ideas.

Isn't this considered stealing her husband's wife from her own family?

Then Chen Xuan thought that, aside from his own 'innate cultivation', Gao Jingyu probably knew about his relationship with the little princess. During that time, he often traveled around with the little princess, which was obvious to anyone who wasn't blind. How could she not have received the news? As an ambitious woman, she would be tempted by such a windfall. In that case, she probably rushed over to recruit him as soon as she learned that he had returned from the capital.

Otherwise, how could there be such a coincidence that she appeared right after I returned?
Gao Jingyu's temperament and methods are absolutely outstanding, but she misunderstood two things. First, Chen Xuan's attitude of giving up, and second, from her perspective, she thought that because of her relationship with the Gao family, she took herself too seriously and thought that she would be used as his tool without hesitation.

You're overthinking it. If it weren't for the Gao family connection, even though you're a princess, it would be an honor for you to even speak to me!

Chen Xuan politely declined, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Miss, but perhaps you don't know, I'm a lazy person by nature, lacking ambition, and not very bright. I've followed the young master for many years, and while he's already a top scholar, I'm still only a junior. It's embarrassing to say that out loud, so I won't cause any trouble for the prince."

"Ah Xuan, don't underestimate yourself. Here's what we'll do: if you change your mind, just let me know and I'll make arrangements for you," Gao Jingyu said seemingly casually, but in reality, he thought to himself that it would take some effort to recruit Chen Xuan.

With such a well-known and skilled expert to pick her up, she certainly wouldn't give up. As for what to do if Chen Xuan was poached from the Gao family, there's still Leng Bing. Yang County is more than enough for her.

Madam Gao laughed and said, "Alright, alright, let's eat. Why talk about this? Ah Xuan is capable. It's not hard for him to stand out. Come, tell me about the glory of my son becoming the top scholar. It's a pity I didn't get to see it with my own eyes."

Of course she knew what her daughter was thinking. What could a mother do? Her daughter had come to the family for help. Both daughters were her flesh and blood, so she could only try her best to help.

Anyway, the opportunity has already been given. Whether her daughter can win over Chen Xuan is up to her. Madam Gao can't just make the decision for Chen Xuan directly, or even mention it at all. Otherwise, their years-long relationship might be over.

Chen Xuan understood Madam Gao's predicament. As long as she didn't help persuade him, Chen Xuan wouldn't take it to heart, and his relationship with the Gao family would remain unchanged.

As for Gao Jingyu, dealing with him is not difficult. Considering the Gao family's relationship, if I can't afford to offend him, I can at least avoid him.

Human relationships are so damn annoying, so it's better to be a bad guy, but I can never be a truly bad guy... Sigh... (End of Chapter)