Chapter 087
Chapter 87: This Too Is Love by Association
When Jiang Wan Sheng arrived with her father, they saw Ye He Qi standing on the steps, smiling in a way that gave people chills. Shi Zi Chu had her back to them, her expression unseen, but it was clear the conversation between the two wasn’t exactly pleasant.
Seeing the Jiang father and daughter approaching, Ye He Qi’s eerie smile instantly changed into something gentle and scholarly.
Shi Zi Chu turned around and immediately greeted politely, raising her hands in respect: “Clan Chief Jiang.”
Jiang Xian’s face was filled with kindness as he waved a hand and said, “Little friend Shi, there’s no need to be so formal.”
Noticing they had something to discuss, Ye He Qi smiled lightly and excused himself: “Then, I won’t disturb you all.”
Shi Zi Chu watched Ye He Qi leave, her eyes filled with worry. [He wouldn’t go and kill someone after leaving, would he?]
Ye He Qi knew exactly what Shi Zi Chu was thinking. He smiled again, as gentle as a spring breeze. “Rest assured, Daoist Shi.”
Shi Zi Chu only grew more anxious.
She watched Ye He Qi leave, eyes filled with even greater worry than before. Once he finally disappeared from sight, her expression softened into warmth and kindness as she looked at Jiang Wan Sheng and her father.
It wasn’t surprising that Jiang Wan Sheng had come to find her, but for Clan Chief Jiang himself to appear was rather unexpected. [Could it be he came here to warn me off due to Jiang Wan Sheng?]
Shi Zi Chu’s face remained gentle, yet internally she quietly grew cautious.
“When my wife learned you had come, she wanted to visit immediately, but she’s pregnant and shouldn’t be traveling,” Jiang Xian explained. As he spoke of his wife, the affection in his eyes deepened sweetly.
Shi Zi Chu paused, surprised, and then joyfully asked, “Aunt Lin is expecting?”
Jiang Xian nodded, his smile broadening. “After Ah Sheng brought home the spirit essence stone, everyone—from our ancestor down to the elders—wanted to meet you. My wife mentioned it multiple times, but her pregnancy is delicate. I was too worried about her condition and convinced her to stay home.”
If not for his insistence, Madam Jiang probably would have rushed straight to Jade Void Sect and fought Venerable Xing Lan for Shi Zi Chu herself.
Shi Zi Chu’s smile became genuinely warm. “Aunt Lin is really something—nothing should matter more than her safety. And how could an elder come find a junior like me first? It should be me paying respects instead.”
Saying this, Shi Zi Chu gave Jiang Wan Sheng a pointed glance, “And you! How could you hide such important news from me?”
It was one thing not to mention the Jiang Clan, but how could he keep Aunt Lin’s pregnancy a secret?
Jiang Wan Sheng awkwardly touched the tip of his nose, murmuring quietly, “Mother’s only been pregnant a little over two months. Besides, Qing Qing, you never asked.”
Jiang Xian gently slapped the back of her daughter’s head, lightly admonishing, “Just listen to whatever Little Friend Shi says, no arguing back!”
[With that attitude of hers, how could she win Madam Shi’s favor without showing sincerity?]
Jiang Wan Sheng stared pitifully at her own father.
Jiang Xian shot her another look and continued, “Little Friend Shi is gentle and good-tempered. You’d better not bully her.”
Turning to Shi Zi Chu with a kindly smile, Jiang Xian continued, “This child has always had a bad temper. Little Friend Shi, if she ever upsets you, just tell me, and I’ll help you punish her.”
The corners of Jiang Wan Sheng’s mouth twitched slightly. [Who’s bullying whom exactly? Besides, how could I possibly dare to bully Qing Qing?]
It was already one thing for her mother to show favoritism, but now even her father was taking Shi Zi Chu’s side. It felt entirely unfair—but deep down, Jiang Wan Sheng couldn’t suppress her pride and happiness.
Her Qing Qing was just that lovable!
Shi Zi Chu had never encountered such a friendly—almost overly enthusiastic—clan chief before.
“You’re exaggerating, Clan Chief Jiang. Young Master Jiang is actually very nice,” Shi Zi Chu replied earnestly.
Jiang Xian felt this little young lady Shi truly had a way with words. How could he not know his own child’s personality? Still, he decided not to embarrass Jiang Wan Sheng further.
“This is a token I prepared for Little Friend Shi. Come visit the Jiang Clan whenever you have time,” Jiang Xian said, handing over a beautiful jade token.
Shi Zi Chu received it with both hands. “Thank you very much, Clan Chief Jiang.”
Jiang Xian smiled, then left after presenting his gift.
After Jiang Xian was gone, Shi Zi Chu looked back at Jiang Wan Sheng.
“I was wrong,” Jiang Wan Sheng lowered her head like a scolded puppy, confessing pitifully. “I should have told Qing Qing immediately when mother became pregnant.”
Seeing her look so much like a wounded puppy, Shi Zi Chu smiled gently. “But what’s gotten into Clan Chief Jiang?”
There were no relationships without reason, especially with someone like the Jiang Clan Chief himself.
Jiang Wan Sheng glanced up and saw Shi Zi Chu thoughtfully weighing the storage ring in her hand.
“Mother frequently talks about you with father. So do I,” Jiang Wan Sheng explained. “Father was always curious about you, and had a good impression.”
Shi Zi Chu blinked in confusion. [Is that right? Shouldn’t Clan Chief Jiang be thinking I’m some cunning seductress and warning me away from Jiang Wan Sheng?]
“My father isn’t old-fashioned, and he always listens to mother,” Jiang Wan Sheng said, pulling Shi Zi Chu down to sit beside her on the stairs. “It’s love by association, I suppose.”
Hearing this, Shi Zi Chu felt relieved enough to safely put away the storage ring.
“Although father didn’t say it outright, he actually thinks very highly of you,” Jiang Wan Sheng said, leaning closer, her head nearly resting against Shi Zi Chu’s cheek.
Shi Zi Chu just smiled sweetly at her.
Finally, Jiang Wan Sheng pulled back with reddened cheeks, turning aside and resting her head on Shi Zi Chu’s shoulder instead.
Shi Zi Chu patted her lap. “Don’t lean on my shoulder.”
Obediently, Jiang Wan Sheng shifted slightly and lay her head comfortably on Shi Zi Chu’s lap instead, gazing up at her warmly. “If you weren’t Venerable Xing Lan’s direct disciple, father would probably have already tried to steal you away from Jade Void Sect.”
Shi Zi Chu realized that Clan Chief Jiang’s good opinion of her wasn’t just mild—it was practically boundless.
“Jiu Jiu.”
A cold, deep voice suddenly came from behind.
Shi Zi Chu instantly turned around, spotting Xing Lan at the top of the steps, standing silently, his aura cool and distant. She had no idea how long he had been there, or how much he’d seen.
Shi Zi Chu carefully raised Jiang Wan Sheng’s head from her lap, then stood gracefully, lifting her skirt as she moved toward her master. Her careful, gentle movements made Xing Lan’s already cold gaze become even colder.
He’d underestimated this situation from the beginning.
Jiang Wan Sheng lifted her gaze to meet Xing Lan’s, boldly showing her affection for Shi Zi Chu despite the venerable’s darkening expression. The young lord’s bravery was clear.
Xing Lan was clearly displeased—and Jiang Wan Sheng felt equally unhappy.
Shi Zi Chu reached Xing Lan’s side, standing calmly, with no hint of guilt or panic from being caught. She offered him a sweet smile. “Master.”
Xing Lan glanced at Shi Zi Chu briefly, then returned his gaze pointedly to Jiang Wan Sheng, clearly asking for an introduction.
“Jiang Wan Sheng, Young Lord of the Jiang Family,” Shi Zi Chu introduced lightly, gesturing toward Jiang Wan Sheng. “Also, my childhood friend.”
[Childhood friend?]
Shi Zi Chu rarely spoke about her past, and Xing Lan knew very little. Now someone suddenly appeared who knew everything about Shi Zi Chu’s childhood.
It truly made him uncomfortable.
In fairness, Shi Zi Chu introduced Xing Lan back, smiling at Jiang Wan Sheng. “This is Venerable Xing Lan, my master.”
Xing Lan suddenly grasped Shi Zi Chu’s chin, turning her face back toward him. The next instant, both vanished from the spot.
Jiang Wan Sheng’s eyes darkened fiercely. [That scheming old man!]
In the bamboo hut behind the mountain, Shi Zi Chu stared at Xing Lan, blinking twice before recovering her senses. He might not be angry exactly, but he was clearly unhappy.
Not a big issue—she’d just coax him a little.
“Master?” Her soft, gentle voice carried confusion. She tugged gently at Xing Lan’s sleeve, easily freeing her chin from his grip.
Xing Lan gazed at Shi Zi Chu quietly. His deep eyes appeared calm, like an ocean, but beneath the surface, waves raged wildly.
He had so many questions on his mind, yet, in that moment, he didn’t know where to start.