Zhu Xian: They've all been reborn

As dawn broke, the sound of footsteps echoed through the bamboo house, approaching and stopping outside Jiang Xiaochuan and Lu Xueqi's room. Then came cautious, rustling movements, and a shadow seemed to be moving under the door.

Jiang Xiaochuan was a light sleeper and woke up first. He listened to the sounds, then looked at Lu Xueqi, who was still lying in his arms with her eyes closed, smiled silently, and quietly tried to get up.

The moment he moved, Lu Xueqi opened her eyes, her cool gaze reflecting him in the morning light.

"Awake?" she said.

"Hmm, it looks like there are two little mice at the door." Jiang Xiaochuan lowered his voice and pointed to the door.

Lu Xueqi also heard the commotion outside. Her eyebrows twitched slightly, but she didn't say anything. Instead, she snuggled closer to him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and closed her eyes again, as if to say, "I'm not awake, don't call me."

Jiang Xiaochuan chuckled and had no choice but to lie still.

After a while, the door was gently pushed open a crack, and two fluffy little heads peeked in, one above the other.

It was Yunzhou and Yueyao. The two little ones were wearing their nightgowns, barefoot, and were clinging to the door frame, peering into the room with their big, dark eyes.

Seeing her parents "asleep" on the bed, Yunzhou put a little finger to her lips and made a "shh" gesture to Yueyao. Yueyao immediately covered her mouth with her little hand, her eyes curving into crescents.

The two watched for a while longer, and seeing that their parents were "not awake," they tiptoed in, climbed onto the bed with a clear objective, and squeezed themselves into the gap between Jiang Xiaochuan and Lu Xueqi, one on each side. Then they lay down comfortably, each holding one of their parents' arms, and sighed contentedly.

Jiang Xiaochuan and Lu Xueqi both closed their eyes and pretended to be asleep, but they could feel the two little ones' warm, soft bodies and the faint scent of milk on them.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door again. This time it was Biyao's, her voice a mix of languor from just waking up and eagerness: "Xiaochuan! Time to get up! You promised to come with me to the town at the foot of the mountain today!"

She slammed the door open and immediately saw the four adults and one child sprawled on the bed. She froze, then her eyebrows shot up: "Well, well! You two little rascals! Sneaking in again! And you too!"

She pointed at Jiang Xiaochuan, "Pretending to be asleep!"

Seeing that he couldn't keep up the act any longer, Jiang Xiaochuan had no choice but to open his eyes and cough awkwardly. Lu Xueqi also opened her eyes, her expression calm, though her ears were slightly red.

Yunzhou and Yueyao, instead of being frightened by Biyao's shout, giggled and jumped up, throwing themselves at Biyao: "Good morning, Biyao-mother!"

Biyao was hugged by the two little ones, and her anger could not be vented. She could only bend down and pick them up, one in each arm, and scolded them, "What are you making so much noise so early in the morning? Look what you've done to your parents."

"We didn't make a fuss, we were very good!" Yueyao said in a childish voice, hugging Biyao's neck.

"That's right, we're here to wake up Daddy and Mommy!" Yunzhou said matter-of-factly.

"You guys always have so many excuses!" Biyao pinched Yunzhou's nose, then looked at Jiang Xiaochuan with an urging look in her eyes.

Jiang Xiaochuan quickly sat up, and Lu Xueqi slowly began to put on her outer garment.

"There's a market down the mountain today. I heard it's very lively, with lots of novelties and even caravans from foreign lands."

Holding the child, Biyao said to Jiang Xiaochuan, "You promised to come with me, so don't go back on your word. Yunzhou and Yueyao are going too. Ling'er and Ping'er said they want to buy some fabric and thread, and Linglong also wants to see if there are any rare medicinal herb seeds. As for that fox spirit Xiaobai... go or don't go, it's up to her."

As soon as she finished speaking, Xiaobai's voice drifted in from outside the door, carrying her usual lazy smile: "Who said I could go or not? It's so lively, of course I have to go and see."

As she spoke, she walked in, dressed in a scarlet dress, her silver hair loosely tied up. Her eyes sparkled as she glanced at Jiang Xiaochuan, then looked at the child in Biyao's arms and said with a smile, "Oh, these two little lazybones, they got up early today."

"Little White Mother!" the two children called out to her excitedly again.

Xiao Bai walked over and naturally took Yue Yao from Bi Yao's hands. He held her in his arms and weighed her in his hands: "Yue Yao seems to have gotten a little heavier. It seems that Ping'er's cooking skills are quite good. She has raised our little princess to be plump and healthy."

"Yueyao isn't fat!" Yueyao protested, pouting, but her little hands clung tightly to Xiaobai's neck.

"Okay, okay, not fat at all, our Yueyao is sturdy."

Xiao Bai smiled and coaxed her, then said to Jiang Xiaochuan, "Xiaochuan, hurry up and get ready, don't dawdle. If you're late, all the good stuff will be gone."

At breakfast, the table was a bit livelier than usual, with everyone discussing the market.

Tian Ling'er excitedly counted on her fingers: "I want to buy that kind of water-cloud satin, the moon-white kind, to make a new dress for Sister Xueqi. I'll also buy some Suzhou embroidery thread to embroider a sword sheath for Yunzhou. Oh, and I also need to see if there are any new patterns of buttons..."

Jin Ping'er whispered, "I want to buy some spices; we've run out of some on the mountain. And... I'll see if there are any suitable embroidery patterns. I want to embroider a new purse for my senior brother." As she spoke, she secretly glanced at Jiang Xiaochuan, her face slightly flushed.

Linglong said gently, "I'll just browse around. It would be best if there were any rare herb seeds or seedlings. Nianchuan."

She looked at Long Nianchuan, who was eating quietly, and said, "Why don't you come along too? See if there's anything you like."

Nianchuan looked up, swallowed the food in his mouth, and nodded: "Okay. Buy candy for my younger brother and sister."

"All you ever think about is candy!" Biyao laughed and scolded, "Be careful you don't get a toothache!"

Xiao Bai teased him, "Nian Chuan, why don't you go with Aunt Xiao Bai to the cosmetics shop? You can learn how to please girls!"

Nianchuan looked at her blankly, clearly not understanding, but still nodded obediently: "Okay."

Everyone laughed. Lu Xueqi served Jiang Xiaochuan a bowl of porridge and gave Yueyao a small steamed bun before saying, "There are so many people, keep an eye on the children, don't let them get separated. Yunzhou, Yueyao, hold onto Daddy or Mommy's hand, okay?"

"We know!" the two children said in unison.

"I will also keep an eye on my younger siblings," Nianchuan added, his expression becoming serious.

Looking at the family, Jiang Xiaochuan felt a warm glow in his heart and said with a smile, "Okay, everyone go, everyone go. Let's have a good time shopping today and buy whatever we want."

Heyang City is indeed bustling today.

Shops lined both sides of the street, vendors gathered, and the sounds of hawking and bargaining filled the air.

The air was filled with the aromas of various foods, spices, leather, and fabrics, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.

Qi Yunfeng and his group were quite eye-catching walking together. With handsome men and beautiful women, two adorable children, and a tall, dashing young man, it was impossible for them not to stand out.

However, Qingyun Sect held a very high reputation in Heyang City, and many people recognized Lu Xueqi and Jiang Xiaochuan's identities. No one dared to approach them to disturb them, but instead cast curious or envious glances from afar.

As soon as Biyao entered the city, she was like a bird released from its cage, pulling Jiang Xiaochuan along to look around.

She took a liking to a gemstone stall from the Western Regions. The gemstones were brightly colored and roughly cut, yet they possessed a unique wild beauty.

"Xiao Chuan, look at this, doesn't it look like my Heartbreak Flower?" She picked up a bright green gemstone that sparkled in the sunlight.

"Yes, the colors are very similar." Jiang Xiaochuan nodded.

"Buy it!" Biyao said decisively, picking up another bright red one. "This one is for the little fox; it will definitely look good with her red dress."

Xiao Bai, who was standing nearby, raised an eyebrow upon hearing this: "Wow, has the sun risen in the west? Sister Biyao actually bought me something?"

"Who bought it for you? I just liked it!" Biyao retorted stubbornly, but she had already stuffed the gem into Xiaobai's hand.

Xiao Bai looked at the fiery red stone in her palm, smiled, and stopped arguing. Instead, she took out a small silver ornament from her sleeve and handed it to Bi Yao: "Here, I just saw it. I think it would look good on you."

It was a silver butterfly-shaped ornament, its wings as thin as cicada wings, exquisitely crafted. Biyao took it, looked at it, snorted, but didn't refuse, casually pinning it to her lapel.

As expected, Tian Ling'er and Jin Ping'er plunged headlong into the fabric and thread shop, commenting on the various patterns and textures, chattering incessantly. Linglong, on the other hand, led Nianchuan, slowly browsing the herb stall, occasionally picking up a herb to examine it closely, explaining it to Nianchuan in a low voice.

Lu Xueqi held Yunzhou's hand in one hand and Yueyao's hand in the other, walking slowly. The two children's eyes couldn't take it all in; everything was new and exciting. They pointed at the sugar figurines and dough figurines and shouted excitedly, and when they saw acrobatic performances, they clapped their hands excitedly.

"Mom, that monkey can do somersaults!" Yunzhou pointed to a monkey show stall not far away.

"Mother, Yueyao wants those flowers!" Yueyao had her eye on an old woman selling silk flowers.

Lu Xueqi looked down at her daughter's longing eyes, then at her son's bright eyes, and said to Jiang Xiaochuan, "You take Yunzhou to see the monkey show, and I'll take Yueyao to buy flowers."

"Okay," Jiang Xiaochuan agreed, picking up Yunzhou. "Come on, son, let's go see the monkeys!"

"Let's go see the monkeys!" Yunzhou cheered, hugging her father's neck.

Lu Xueqi then led Yueyao to the old woman's stall, squatted down, and let Yueyao choose for herself.

Yueyao picked out a pink silk flower and then a pale purple one, holding them up to Lu Xueqi: "Mother, these are for you to wear, they look pretty!"

Looking at her daughter's earnest little face, Lu Xueqi's heart softened, and she took the pale purple silk flower. Yueyao tiptoed, clumsily trying to put it on her mother. Lu Xueqi cooperated by lowering her head, letting her pin the flower in her hair.

"Is it pretty?" Lu Xueqi asked softly.

"Beautiful! Mother looks the most beautiful!" Yueyao clapped her hands and handed her pink flower to Lu Xueqi, "Mother, this is for Yueyao to wear."

Lu Xueqi gently put the flower on her daughter's head as well, and the mother and daughter smiled at each other. The sunlight shone on them, one with an aloof and elegant air, the other with a charming and adorable demeanor, making them a unique sight in the market.

Jiang Xiaochuan returned from watching the monkey show with Yunzhou in his arms, and this was the scene he witnessed. He stopped and watched quietly.

Yunzhou quieted down, resting on her father's shoulder, looking at her mother and younger sister.

Biyao and Xiaobai had also wandered over at some point and were standing not far away. Biyao looked at Lu Xueqi's tender, almost tear-like eyes as she put the flower on Yueyao, and pouted, muttering, "She certainly knows how to coax a child."

Xiao Bai chuckled, "You're quite good at flattering people, aren't you? That silver butterfly you were wearing just now, wasn't it quite beautiful?"

Biyao touched the butterfly on her clothes, without refuting it, but her gaze fell back on Jiang Xiaochuan. Seeing him holding his son and looking at his wife and daughter with focus, her eyes softened.

Tian Ling'er and Jin Ping'er came over carrying large and small bags of fabric and thread. Seeing this scene, they both slowed their pace and smiled. Linglong and Nianchuan also returned, with Nianchuan holding two strings of bright red candied hawthorns.

"For your younger siblings." Nianchuan handed the candied hawthorn to Jiang Xiaochuan.

"Thank you, Brother Nianchuan!" Yunzhou and Yueyao were immediately drawn to the candied hawthorns.

The family reunited, chatting and laughing, and continued their stroll. Jiang Xiaochuan carried Yueyao in one arm and held Yunzhou's hand with the other.

Lu Xueqi walked beside him, with Biyao and Xiaobai on either side, Tian Ling'er and Jin Ping'er holding hands, and Linglong and Nianchuan bringing up the rear. The sunlight cast long, intertwined shadows of them.

"Xiao Chuan," Lu Xueqi suddenly spoke, her voice not loud, but very clear in the noisy market.

"Hmm?" Jiang Xiaochuan turned his head to look at her.

Lu Xueqi looked at him, then at Yueyao licking a candied hawthorn in her arms, and Yunzhou bouncing around her. She then looked at the women around her, some charming, some alluring, some gentle, and some quiet. Her cool eyes shimmered with a soft, warm light.

"The weather is lovely today," she said.

Jiang Xiaochuan was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and squeezed her hand.

"Yes, very good."

Biyao leaned over and interjected, "What's the use of just having nice weather? I'm hungry! There's a restaurant up ahead; I heard their signature dishes are good. Let's go try it!"

"Okay, okay! Let's eat!" Yueyao responded immediately.

"I'm hungry too," Yunzhou said, rubbing his stomach.

Xiao Bai laughed and said, "Then let's go and see if the chefs in Heyang City can match our Ping'er's skills."

Jin Ping'er blushed and whispered, "I... how could I compare to the chefs of such a grand restaurant..."

"Sister Ping'er's cooking is the best!" Tian Ling'er immediately defended her.

A group of people chatted and laughed as they walked towards the restaurant. The streets were still bustling and crowded, but this group of people was like a warm and unmissable scene, slowly blending into the everyday life of the city.