d at her in terror, she was serious, not joking!"Long Xiaoguo remained silent, eating noodles with his head bowed as if he hadn't heard a word.This... this... it's so awkward.This unassuming dragon, w...Shen Qingrui must have heard quite a bit, otherwise her face wouldn't be so dark.

My brother was holding back a smile, raising an eyebrow and saying seriously: "Shen Qingrui, the head of the family is chatting with guests, you barged in like this, it's really rude."

"What are you talking about You're actually badmouthing me behind my back and you still have the nerve—"

"What's going on behind the scenes I said it to your face, you're still young! If you want to hear it, I could talk for three days, but I'm afraid you'll get upset and do something stupid! Do you think I need to gossip about you behind your back It's just to save face, understand" My brother immediately retorted.

If you meet my brother, everyone has to eat a dumb loss.

"Hmph!" Shen Qingrui didn't dare to argue with my brother, so she vented her anger on Xia Gongzi.

"Summer, don't be so self-righteous and misunderstand anything. This lady has no intention of getting married, you should go back where you came from." Shen Qingrui's words were particularly harsh.

"Good heavens, I've never seen a woman like you! Do you even know what manners are What did your parents teach you I've been putting up with you for three points, and now you're getting even bolder! You have the nerve to act this way towards someone who doesn't even care about you! Besides, he's a guest of the Shen family now, and you're kicking him out Do you really have the audacity" My brother couldn't help but speak his mind from a man's perspective.

Shen Qingrui had learned her lesson. She didn't argue with my brother anymore, just snorted and turned away, refusing to cooperate.

With that attitude, which man would dare to approach her It really takes a heart that loves being abused.

Xia Gongzi awkwardly tried to smooth things over: "Well, Daoist Shen has a great reputation in the circle. Young, handsome, and from a prominent family, it's understandable that he might be proud. I wouldn't dare to ask for too much. But making friends, going out together always means an extra helping hand, don't you think"

He was so polite, Shen Qingrui's temper softened a bit, she said: "Help is not necessary, your Xia family is in the Central Plains, our Shen family is in the south. My hands are not that long, you can rest assured!"

"My goodness, I wonder who was scooped up by Xiao Qiao at the border or in a neighboring province. They almost ended up being someone's concubine there." My brother scoffed.

Shen Qingrui's face flushed red, but being caught by me twice was a fact, and she couldn't refute it. She could only glare at me fiercely and say: "I didn't intend to go on a blind date! Don't make things up."

"I just invited people to chat. Aren't you overreacting You jumped out to refuse before I even got to the point." I said with a smile.

"Just don't introduce me to some random, unsuitable dating prospects! I'm not interested!" She slammed the words and stormed off.

I told Xia Gongzi, "I'm sorry about that. She's always been a bit arrogant and doesn't think much of others when she speaks or acts. Don't mind her, just think of it as her being naive."

"What do you mean by 'just pretend' She's just being unreasonable." My brother snorted coldly.

"Xia Gongzi smiled politely and said, "I understand. Ten years ago, when I was just a kid, I had already heard of Shen Qingrui's name from the Shen family. Even before she was an adult, she was quite famous in the circle. It is said that she was ruthless and had a fiery temper. Although she was born on the side branch of the Shen family, she was deeply favored by Old Madam Shen and often accompanied her, even visiting Huangdao Village many times."

Well, Shen Qingrui was indeed the child of an unremarkable couple from the sidelines of the Shen family. But her status was different, she was no ordinary person, and still received heavy use by Old Madam Shen. This is why when Old Madam Shen wasn't around, those members of the Shen clan didn't look favorably upon her - born ordinary, her parents had little status and power.

"Young Master Xia, I originally wanted to play matchmaker for you two, but it seems Shen Qingrui is not cooperative at all. I can only leave it to fate." I said frankly.

Xia Wen Sheng smiled and bowed, "Advisor Mu is truly quite the patriarch. You worry about these things Thank you for your kindness, but this really requires a bit of fate... It would be nice to get to know Daoist Shen, perhaps. If our paths cross in the future, I hope she'll show some mercy, hahaha."

Let me know if you'd like to translate anything else!

It is again the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, and I stand in Guanshan Pavilion, watching the endless stream of devout believers, lay practitioners at home, fellow practitioners, and influential figures from various circles ascend the mountain. I can't help but feel a sense of emotion.

Two years ago, I was still such an inconspicuous rookie, shrinking back and hiding behind the crowd as we went up the mountain.

Now I'm feeling much better, no need to be lost or scared.

Because the man standing behind me taught me a lot.

Magic, principles, and the seven emotions and six desires.

I turned my head and saw Jiang Qiyun standing beside me with a leisurely hand gesture, calmly gazing down at the bustling crowd below.

"Your Majesty, it's your birthday today, are you happy" I teased with a smile.

He gave me a sly glance and said, "Since that birthday two years ago, I haven't felt much about this day anymore."

"Uh Why"

“I still remember, last time at the Qingyu Taoist Temple, I spent a lot of mana stabilizing the formation and was meditating to recover. You barged into my room and started making a fuss… It really ruined the mood.” He lightly lifted his chin, clasped his hands, and gave me a faint smile as he brought up past grievances.

Please... that day's result was I couldn't even stand straight, okay

I rolled my eyes. There was no point arguing with him, and I couldn't overpower him anyway. I might as well pretend I didn't hear him.

He's much warmer than he was when we first met. Back then, he wouldn't have given me such a gentle smile and look.

Just growled menacingly —

"Mu Xiaqiao, you're so stupid."

"Eh I looked up at him, and he lowered his head slightly and whispered, “Rituals and banquets, such laborious and thankless affairs, why take them on yourself Just let the old geezer Ling Xuzi of Qingyu Dao Guan continue to handle it.”

"....Lingxuzi, the Daoist priest, was unwell, and his Taoist temple hadn't been fully repaired after the damage."

"So what You're carrying a child. Don't think that just because your belly isn't showing, you can run around and jump about like this, tiring yourself out so much. Are you afraid it won't be lively at Nanshan, so you want to stir up some excitement" He asked with a slight frown.

"No, no. It wasn't just natural for the Shen family to take over your birthday celebration After all, under your protection, they had a whole crowd chanting your scriptures... it was so noisy that you couldn't even sit still peacefully, hehe..."

Jiang Qiyun tapped my forehead with his finger: "Looking for trouble."

"Yes, yes. I was even thinking of finding a good husband for Shen Qingru. Only if she lives well will she be able to let go and stop daydreaming." I snorted and watched Shen Qingru practicing her martial arts in the distance.

She also watched me from afar, unfortunately she could only see me alone and not Jiang Qiyun beside me.

"Some things, she also needs to comprehend. She has a connection with the immortals, so she should cherish it. Having attained a human form, she should focus on cultivating herself diligently. Everything depends on her personal understanding and opportunities." Jiang Qiyun sighed softly.

I saw from afar that Xia Gongzi walked to Shen Qingrui's side and bowed to her, probably trying to strike up a conversation.

Jiang Qiyun narrowed her eyes slightly and said softly, "People from the Xia family"

"Do you know them What happened to the Xia family" I was a little surprised.

“I've seen it. Their elders were once invited by Lin Yanhuan to come out of the mountains and participate in breaking the formation of the Netherworld Daoist Temple. When I went to check, I caught a glimpse of them.”en... how could such hidden and private things possibly be given to others!She actually came up with such an idea, what a crazy thought!"Mu Xia Qiao!" she called my name.I stopped in my tracks, but I...