Chapter 172

Chapter 172: Surprise or Not?

When Wei Yun Qing heard the news, her face darkened. The Feng Family’s clan head valued Wei Yun Xi highly. This time, her good little sister would be able to show off again.

Wei Yun Qing touched the scarlet bracelet on her wrist, and her mood improved. She murmured softly, “Other people’s strength is still other people’s strength. Only your own strength is real. I don’t believe they can stay by Yun Xi’s side forever.”

Then she flicked her sleeves and returned to the Wei Family. But after entering the Wei Family, she was stopped outside Zhuo Hua Courtyard.

Wei Yun Qing frowned. She remembered her mother had someone send her a message saying she had already moved into Zhuo Hua Courtyard, so why was there still an array set up outside?

Just then, Liu Xu, a maid at Du Ruo Lan’s side, hurried over to Yun Qing. She dipped into a respectful curtsy and said, “Eldest Miss, Madam sent this servant to bring you to Begonia Courtyard.”

Liu Xu wore a married woman’s bun now, clearly already wed, and was now respectfully addressed as Aunt Liu Xu.

Seeing a familiar face, Wei Yun Qing asked coldly, “What’s going on? Why am I being stopped here?”

Liu Xu immediately lowered her voice. “Eldest Miss, please follow this servant to see Madam first. Madam will explain it to you.”

Wei Yun Qing had a bad feeling. She frowned, nodded, and went to Begonia Courtyard.

When Du Ruo Lan heard the servants report that her daughter had returned, she was overjoyed. Then she remembered Wei Yun Xi was living in Zhuo Hua Courtyard now, so she sent Liu Xu to bring her daughter over.

When mother and daughter met, there was naturally a burst of joy. Du Ruo Lan even cried from happiness. Looking at her daughter, as radiant and charming as herself, she felt deeply comforted, and the worry she had carried these days finally eased.

“Yun Xi, what is your cultivation now?” Du Ruo Lan asked with concern.

“Mid Foundation Establishment. I broke through not long ago. When I left the sect, I was only early Foundation Establishment. This time I gained some opportunities in the Bao Hua Mountain range, so I was able to break through in one go.”

Wei Yun Qing spoke with pride.

After learning her daughter’s cultivation, Du Ruo Lan sighed. Her own daughter was still a step behind after all.

Wei Yun Qing saw that her mother was not happy for her and was sighing instead. Unhappy, she said, “Mother, what do you mean by that? Do you look down on my cultivation?”

“Qing’er, you misunderstand. At your young age, you’re already mid Foundation Establishment. I’m happy beyond words. How could I look down on you?”

“Then why are you sighing?”

“Ah! Wei Yun Xi has already formed a golden core.”

Wei Yun Qing’s beautiful eyes widened, her face full of disbelief. “What? That’s impossible. When she left the sect, she was clearly only mid Foundation Establishment!”

Du Ruo Lan did not want to admit it either, but facts were facts. She could only continue, “Wei Yun Xi came back two days earlier than you. Today she went with the clan head to congratulate the Feng Family. In a while, you should be able to see her.”

A streak of venom flashed across Wei Yun Qing’s pretty face. “Just because she formed a golden core, she kicked you out of Zhuo Hua Courtyard?”

Du Ruo Lan said helplessly, “Your father ordered me to vacate the courtyard because of the healing pills she brought back.

“She didn’t even give your father any face!”

“Where is Father?”

“He went into seclusion to heal.”

“Father is injured?”

“Yes. Last year, he failed his attempt to break into the Golden Core realm and was badly injured. He has been seeking high-grade healing pills ever since. Yun Xi just happened to have what he needed, so he had to compromise.

“This time, Wei Yun Xi not only returned to the clan as a Golden Core cultivator, she also brought back a batch of cultivation resources for the Wei Family. She has gained the elders’ approval. You can’t treat Yun Xi the same way you used to.”

Du Ruo Lan feared her daughter would clash with Yun Xi and end up losing out, so she urged her earnestly.

Wei Yun Qing gritted her teeth and could only nod. This was not the sect. If Wei Yun Xi really wanted to do something, no one could stop her.

Du Ruo Lan saw that she had persuaded her daughter and finally relaxed. Then she also told her about the matter of giving Wei Yun Xi the Rong Ling Pill.

Not only did Wei Yun Qing not blame Du Ruo Lan, she was moved and hugged her instead. “Mother, you really are the best to me. You started planning for me early. If you had succeeded back then, it would have been perfect.”

Du Ruo Lan also sighed at how one wrong step led to wrong steps after. Not only did she fail to clear obstacles for her daughter, she had added a powerful enemy instead.

“Qing’er, it’s enough that you understand my intentions. But right now she’s stronger than you, so you can only lie low for the time being. I believe my daughter will surpass her one day and step on her underfoot!”

Wei Yun Qing released Du Ruo Lan and promised with a firm gaze, “Mother, don’t worry. I will never let her step on my head.”

At that moment, a butterfly resting on a begonia blossom in the distance lightly fanned its wings. It inserted its proboscis into the flower’s core to drink nectar, drawing no one’s attention.

Elsewhere, Yun Xi heard the shameless mother and daughter’s conversation through the Feixia Butterfly. A sharp light flashed in her eyes.

The Wei Family’s clan head sensed a flicker of killing intent that vanished in an instant. He turned to look at Yun Xi and asked, “Yun Xi, will you stay at the Feng Family for a few days?”

Yun Xi smiled slightly. “In two days I’ll come again to consult Old Ancestor Feng on alchemy. For now, I’ll go back with the clan head first. It seems there’s a surprise waiting for me at home.”

The Wei Family’s clan head did not understand what she meant, but he did not ask. He stood up and took his leave of the Feng Family’s clan head, and the two were politely escorted out of the Feng Family.

When they returned to the Wei Family, Wei Ling Tao finally understood what Yun Xi meant by “surprise.” Wei Yun Qing had returned too. He rubbed his forehead and decided not to interfere in his eldest brother’s household matters. Hadn’t his eldest brother himself hidden away in seclusion as an excuse?

As soon as Yun Xi stepped back into Zhuo Hua Courtyard, Wei Yun Qing arrived right after her. She still did not quite believe Yun Xi had formed a golden core and wanted to confirm it with her own eyes.

Du Ruo Lan did not feel at ease either, so she came along to Zhuo Hua Courtyard.

Yun Xi flicked her sleeve and opened the array, letting the shameless mother and daughter into the courtyard.

She sat by the jade table beneath the pear blossom tree, leisurely sipping spiritual tea. Seeing Wei Yun Qing’s slightly twisted expression, she smiled, dimples appearing, and said, “Wei Yun Qing, you’re back? Well? Surprised? Was it unexpected? I’ve already formed a golden core.”

Wei Yun Qing felt like smoke was about to come out of her head, but she still forced down her anger and said through clenched teeth, “Congratulations, little sister, on advancing to Golden Core.”

“We’re not that close. You should call me Master Wei. That sounds better to me.”

“True. Person. Wei!”

Wei Yun Qing truly spoke each word slowly, one by one.

Yun Xi was very pleased with her reaction and said bluntly, “Now you’ve confirmed I’m a Golden Core cultivator. If there’s nothing else, take your mother and leave Zhuo Hua Courtyard.”

Wei Yun Qing was unwilling, but she could only turn and leave. At that moment, Du Ruo Lan spoke.

“Master Wei, I came today to explain something. There were misunderstandings between us before. The one you should resent isn’t me.”

Yun Xi nodded. “You’re right. I shouldn’t resent you. The root of everything lies with Father. But the matter of giving me the Rong Ling Pill was something you did yourself. Father didn’t force you.”

Wei Yun Qing’s heart lurched. She did not understand why her mother would bring this up in this setting.