Chapter 44: Chapter 44: The Joy of Youth

The Ghostly Trace Divine Hand’s expression changed sharply upon hearing this, “What else did he say?”

“He has passed away, and the clues have broken off. However, the man I encountered in Old Mrs. Xu’s room the night before bore a cold aura, with eyes full of dead silence, which was extremely unsettling.”

The Ghostly Trace Divine Hand remained silent for a long while before finally saying, “I will send your second and third senior brothers to investigate. They should also venture out of the valley for some training. If there’s any news, they will inform you.”

“Yes, Master, I shall take my leave.”

“You child, you come and then want to leave immediately, really makes one uncomfortable.” The Ghostly Trace Divine Hand appeared slightly displeased.

“Master, after handling Old Mrs. Xu’s matters, I will surely return to the valley and accompany you for a few days.”

“Your promise, is it just empty words?”

Recalling her promise to stay briefly at the Xu Mansion, she broke into a sweat and replied with a dry laugh, “How could I dare go back on my word?”

“Very well! I still have three Condensing Spirit Pills here, take them with you.”

“Master, I have recently refined a few bottles of Little Spirit Pill, which are quite effective for general detoxification and strengthening the foundation.

Blood Ganoderma has become extinct, so I can no longer refine it. Keep these for any emergencies.”

“Your senior brothers and sisters have always been my pride and never let me worry even a bit.

Only you always make me uneasy; I am always concerned that something might happen to you, so take these! Medicine Spirit Valley doesn’t need them, so keep them for emergencies.”

Shen Ruoxi pondered for a moment, thinking that since her master was so concerned about her, she should take them! They might save her life on the battlefield.

“Okay, Master.”

She carefully stored the Condensing Spirit Pills, and the Ghostly Trace Divine Hand looked at her with eyes full of affection.

In fact, he wasn’t uneasy about her but rather had a special fondness for her. Among his many disciples, who else could stir his emotions so deeply?

“Remember your promise to Master?”

“Remembered, I’ll stay in the valley for a few days, Master, I’m leaving!”

Shen Ruoxi left the Pill-Refining Hall, with her senior brothers and sisters all craning their necks to look at her, showing expressions of reluctance upon seeing her about to leave.

“Little Junior Sister, why are you leaving so soon after arriving!”

“Yeah, I was thinking of making chicken soup for you!”

“Senior Brothers, Senior Sisters, I will come again; I have some urgent matters today, I’ll take my leave for now.”

After speaking, Shen Ruoxi, fearing her senior brothers and sisters would cling to her, hurriedly led her horse out, heading to Moon Valley.

…

Meanwhile, Xu Ji and Pei Xuan had already set up the tents, and Lan Jue was building the stove.

His gaze frequently drifted to the road ahead, his expression somewhat forlorn.

“Uncle Ji, Brother Xuan, look at the flowers I picked.” Xiang’er ran over joyfully, placing the flowers on their heads.

“Xiang’er, why do you call me Uncle and him Brother?” Pei Xuan was somewhat dissatisfied, feeling demoted for no reason.

“Mother said all unmarried ones should be called brother, but Uncle Ji is Father’s cousin, so I can’t call him brother.” Xiang’er explained.

“I haven’t complained yet! Although I am a generation above you, I sound younger, seems like I’m still at a loss.” Xu Ji muttered.

“Do you want to seem young? Calling me Uncle makes you look younger!” Pei Xuan teased.

“Stop taking advantage of me!” Xu Ji pretended to be angry.

Mrs. Zou smiled lightly and said softly, “Sister-in-law, youth is wonderful!”

Yang Family looked at her rarely-seen smile and felt a surge of emotion, gently responding, “You’re young too.”

Mrs. Zou’s smile faded; although only twenty-two, she felt as if she had experienced the world’s hardships.

To break the somewhat heavy atmosphere, Mrs. Zou changed the subject, “Sister-in-law, look over there.”

Yang Family raised her head, seeing Xu Ji and Pei Xuan with flowers in their hair, she couldn’t help but burst into laughter, finding the sight of these two grown men rather humorous.

Xiang’er clapped her hands, happily shouting, “Beautiful!” amusing the two grown men as they laughed and cried.

Yang Family gently told Xiang’er, “Xiang’er, stop bothering the uncles, come over here.”

Xiang’er obediently agreed, running to Yang Family and Mrs. Zou.

Lan Jue was still building the stove, Xu Ji came over and surprisedly found one side high and the other side low, couldn’t help but curiously ask, “Cousin, is this stove built by you?”

Lan Jue returned to reality, realizing he had indeed not assembled it properly, and paused.

Xu Ji laughed loudly, “Cousin, what’s wrong, lost in thought? Won’t the pot topple over? Seems only Pei Xuan and I could mess this up.”

Pei Xuan nudged him, “Don’t drag me into this, I wouldn’t do it. Cousin Jue, what were you thinking just now?”

Lan Jue glanced at them nonchalantly and said coldly, “Just need to move another stone here, stop making a fuss.”

The two looked at each other, watching him calmly go find a stone.

“The stove took half a day to build, yet one side is high one side low. Has someone taken over Cousin’s spirit?” Xu Ji exclaimed in confusion.

“Right, our tents are set up, but he’s just building a stove and it’s only half done? Doesn’t seem like something Prince Lan would do?”

Xu Ji lowered his voice, “I know, Cousin has a woman in his heart, just like you, doors mismatched and worlds apart, thus feeling troubled.”

“Just like who?” Pei Xuan lightly jabbed at him.

But soon he asked, “Who does he fancy?”

“He doesn’t say, so I don’t know either.”

Pei Xuan thought for a moment and joked, “If the doors aren’t matched, then just take a concubine first!”

Xu Ji nudged him and said, “Would you let Ruoxi’s senior sister be your concubine?”

Pei Xuan thought for a moment, realizing it wouldn’t be appropriate, “That’s true! But, the princely heir was cheerful earlier, all your fault…”

“Think of it this way: you and Cousin Jue are both troubled by love, but you’re not as excellent as him. Feel any better now?”

Pei Xuan thought for a moment and smiled, “You’re good, honestly, now my heart does feel more balanced.”

Finished speaking, they both laughed together.

At this moment, the stove was completed, and the pot was placed on it.

Xu Ji proposed, “Should we go hunting now?”

Lan Jue said, “You two go, I’ll wait for Ruoxi.”

Xu Ji smiled, “Then we’ll wait together.”

Lan Jue slightly furrowed his brows, just about to shoo them away, when suddenly, the sound of horse hooves came from afar.

Xu Ji and Pei Xuan looked into the distance, not seeing Lan Jue beside them, their eyes suddenly lit up, their tightly pressed lips curving upwards.

The three children ran over happily, “Aunt.”

Shen Ruoxi jumped off the horse and tied it securely.

She first lifted Xiang’er, seeing the disappointment in Yun’er’s eyes, she extended her other hand to lift her too.

The two children, embraced by their aunt, hugged her neck and laughed brightly.

Pei Xuan smiled and said, “I thought you wouldn’t come so soon, after all, you haven’t seen your master for a while.”

Shen Ruoxi approached holding the children, “I said I had matters, mainly to spend time with the children, so my master let me go.”

Lan Jue’s eyes seemed to soften with warmth, Yang Family and Mrs. Zou felt gratified to see such a comforting scene.

Yang Family softly told Xiang’er and Yun’er, “Stop clinging to your aunt, come over.”

The two children obediently came down from Shen Ruoxi’s arms and ran over to Yang Family and Mrs. Zou.

Xu Ji said, “Cousin, we were waiting for you to go hunting together.”

Pei Xuan suggested, “Want to see who hunts the most?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep