Who is spreading rumors that my filial piety towards them has changed?

Mingkong took her for a walk today and even brought up the topic of their wedding night...

In fact, for Xiao Yunhan, the red candle ceremony was somewhat of a ritual; the key was the emotional and state of mind changes she had recently sensed from Chu Mingkong.

It was an intense reluctance, especially after what happened with Yuehe. He cherished those around him even more and didn't want any more separations.

This made Xiao Yunhan very hesitant about returning to her sect.

After pondering for a long time, she sent her words into the jade slip:

Master, were you already in seclusion? Mingkong said he wanted to hold a wedding banquet with me, so I've decided to postpone my return to the sect.

Chapter Sixteen: Shen Xuejun: End of Seclusion!

Wenqing Pavilion.

On the shore of a lake where fine snow was falling, the half-frozen lake water reflected the graceful figure of a beautiful woman with snow-white hair.

The occasional falling snowflakes disturb the lake's surface, shattering her reflection, but the snowflakes will melt, the lake will calm, and her beautiful image will remain unchanged.

Shen Xuejun hasn't gone into seclusion yet, but she's almost back to normal.

Each time, he would only appear every few days, listen to his disciples talk about the general situation in the outside world, and then go into seclusion for a few more days.

Having lived in Xiling for almost half a year, Shen Xuejun was still somewhat unaccustomed to it—meaning she was not quite used to it after returning.

This is quite a funny thing. Wenqing Pavilion is where Shen Xuejun has cultivated alone for many years, but she feels a bit deserted when she returns these days.

At this time of year, Gu Jun Gui or Madam Zhen and the other women would usually be strolling around Qingxin Mansion, walking their cats around by the paws.

If Chu Mingkong wasn't spending his time in the Abyss, he should be hanging around the girls, and sometimes he would come to her for help when he encountered problems.

There are very few quiet days.

Now, upon returning to the sect, the babbling of children, the laughter of girls, and the chatter of women—the "noise" that had filled the air for half a year—vanished.

I always feel like something's missing.

"...The above is what has happened inside and outside the sect recently, Sect Master Shen, uh, Sect Master Shen?"

The sect disciples gently called her name twice, and the beautiful woman with her aloof and otherworldly appearance finally came back to her senses.

"Yes, I was thinking about Yunhan just now. I heard everything you said," she said calmly.

"Should I instruct someone to search for Senior Sister Xiao?" the female disciple asked respectfully.

"No need. Yunhan said a few days ago that she would come back a little later. She will know what she's doing. I should probably go into seclusion now."

Shen Xuejun looked up at the sky.

It's not uncommon for sect leaders to go into seclusion, and the atmosphere of the Wenqing Pavilion sect is generally more focused on quiet cultivation.

After bowing, the female disciple took her leave and retreated to the area where the sect leader was in seclusion, where she stood still.

Some disciples who were passing by saw this and knew that the sect leader was preparing to go into seclusion. They also stopped and faced the place where the sect leader was going into seclusion, which was almost like paying their respects.

The barrier rose from the small house by the lake...

Shen Xuejun suddenly noticed that the sect's jade slip was responding; it was a message from Yunhan.

"The jade slip's reaction fluctuations are very weak; is it really that far away...?"

Xiao Yunhan's voice came from the sect's jade slip:

Master, were you already in seclusion? Mingkong said he wanted to hold a wedding banquet with me, so I've decided to postpone my return to the sect.

The sound was faint, yet in the quiet secluded retreat, it seemed to resonate powerfully.

"..."

Shen Xuejun's hair moved on its own even without wind, drifting in a somewhat messy manner.

I wonder if she felt the same way.

Outside, the disciples who had just finished paying their respects were about to leave when they were surprised to see the barrier lifted and the sect leader flying out from it!

The female disciple who had been following earlier wanted to ask Sect Master Shen if he had encountered any urgent matters and if he needed any assistance.

But as a disciple, she simply couldn't keep up with the sect leader's speed.

The disciples were puzzled, but after confirming that nothing was wrong, they all left.

------------

"What--?!"

Jin Yu's exclamation was drawn out several times, with a slight ups and downs.

She looked at her mother with some difficulty in accepting it.

"Mother, is what you just said true? Yongzhen is pregnant with Bao'er?" Jinyu addressed Pei Mi normally for once, which was rare for her.

Pei Mi knew the girl was upset, but considering her relatively good attitude, she didn't say anything to make matters worse, and simply nodded.

"Yes, Madam Zhen just told me. I thought you young ladies already knew. Go over and say congratulations."

Jin Yu felt a sense of bewilderment as she looked around with her sword drawn. After the initial confusion, a wave of despair washed over her.

She had just met her lover and they had sweetly agreed that she would carry his baby, so she wouldn't bother with all that nonsense with Mi'er anymore.

As a result, Yongzhen, who took advantage of the situation... how could she get pregnant without saying a word?

I'm clearly shorter, so I should be the one who's more likely to win the lottery, right?

If you consider pregnancy as winning the lottery, then the process of "cultivation" is like a series of lottery draws.

Jin Yu is definitely a pro at winning lotteries, whether it was when she was fighting with Pei Mi in the past, or later when she was fighting with Yong Zhen.

She had been participating in lotteries with Chu Mingkong since the time in the East China Sea.

How did Yongzhen manage to win first place?!

"Mother, can you analyze this for me? Is it possible that this is a trick Yongzhen is playing, the kind that's deceiving people?"

Jin Yu looked at Pei Mi with grief and indignation, her expression solemn.

What's the point of this trick? A cultivator's pregnancy isn't so easy to fake. Besides, what's the point of pretending? Yongzhen doesn't need to compete for favor or anything like that.

Pei Mi suppressed her urge to complain and said:

"Then why don't you just go and ask? Once you've found out, remember to congratulate me. Be polite."

The main thing is to avoid causing trouble and affecting her relationship with Madam Zhen.

When Madam Zhen heard that her daughter was pregnant with Bao'er, she was overjoyed.

"I don't believe it, I'll go ask!"

Jin Yu put on her shoes and ran off to find Yong Zhen.

......

In Yongzhen and Madam Zhen's room.

When the news spread that the new baby was about to arrive, many female relatives came to offer their congratulations.

When Jinyu arrived, almost everyone had left, leaving only Aunt Gu and Chu Mingkong to share some experience on pregnancy care.

Yongzhen sat on the edge of the bed, holding the fair-skinned and adorable little girl Gugu, looking at her with her eyes, but imagining her future baby in her mind.

Jin Yu arrived filled with resentment and anger, wishing she could question Yong Zhen—

How could you steal my child and put it inside your belly!

But with Aunt Gu and Xiao Gugu present, Jin Yu managed to control her tone and asked calmly:

"Yongzhen, are you really pregnant?"

Yongzhen didn't really dislike Jinyu that much. They had a very good relationship back in the capital, but when Jinyu made a scene, she was happy to play along.

Seeing Jin Yu's aggrieved and angry expression, the princess found it amusing and said:

"if not?"

Jin Yu took a deep breath and chose to humbly ask for advice, not ashamed to inquire of those less knowledgeable:

"How did you do that?"

Yongzhen wanted to say something malicious like "completely wrapped up, fully cared for," but Jinyu surprisingly didn't jump, so Yongzhen didn't make things difficult for her:

“I came with Mingkong in my puppet form.”

It means you get to participate in the lottery twice.

Gu Jungui could see Jin Yu's resentment, and she herself was actually quite disheartened.

Back then, Gu Jun Gui was hoping some younger woman would step in and get pregnant to shield her from the fire. It turns out that young women have always been very proactive.

It's just bad luck that I was pregnant...

Gu Jun Gui hugged Jin Yu tightly and comforted her:

"It's nothing, Jinyu, don't feel wronged. Just leave it to fate. If it happens, be happy; if not, be patient. Just treat Xiaogugu like your own daughter for now."

Gu Jungui misunderstood Jinyu's dilemma.

She was upset because she lost to Yongzhen, not because she wasn't the first to get pregnant...

Yongzhen couldn't help but be sarcastic: "Little Gugu is almost grown up, so she can come and take care of my baby."

Jin Yu frowned in anger and gritted her teeth, saying, "Hmph! I'll raise your baby so badly that he won't recognize you as his mother!"

Chapter Seventeen: Inquiring of the Goddess

Jin Yu's restrained yet eager-to-make-a-fuss demeanor was quite amusing; even the most impulsive cat eventually learns to behave.

Chu Mingkong smiled and said:

"Jinyu, stop baring your teeth! You'll scare Gugu. The little kid can't understand what you're saying, but he can see!"

Jin Yu really cares about the babies, especially since Aunt Gu's baby was born not long ago, so she pays even more attention to him.

She didn't want to leave any bad or fierce impression on the babies.