Yin Qinghe was so angry she almost ground her teeth to dust.
This was clearly something she had never anticipated.
One night, two nights…
She could still barely understand it, but if this went on every single night, how was she ever supposed to get any rest?!
She couldn't possibly move out herself, right?
No way!
Absolutely impossible!
Hmph!
That infuriating brat, is this how he repays his own master's wife?!
Gave him her insights, gave him spirit stones… She thought he was either poring over those notes or secretly cultivating, but it turns out he's still obsessed with that…thing, never tiring of it!
Everything she taught him had been thrown clear out of his mind.
Very well!
Just you wait!
But right now, all she could do was silently endure the ongoing bombardment of sounds.
The courtyard where they lived actually had soundproofing.
If you were outside, you absolutely couldn't hear a single thing from within.
But the soundproofing inside the yard wasn't as good. Maybe ordinary cultivators couldn't pick up on it, but—unfortunately—both Yin Qinghe and Zhao Mengli had awakened Spiritual Power, and both were already at the beginner level, easily perceiving things ordinary people couldn't.
So even now, even though Zhao Mengli was covering her own ears and hiding in Yin Qinghe's arms, she could still hear everything.
It had only been a short while, but she already seemed somewhat drunk—her pretty cheeks flushed a rosy pink, her eyes slightly open and glimmering, just like the surface of a lake under the moonlight.
Or perhaps wanting to escape, she kept burrowing herself deeper into Yin Qinghe's arms, which just made the already uncomfortable Yin Qinghe even less comfortable.
Since both of them had planned to rest, they were wearing rather thin clothes.
The girl's hot breaths kept puffing through the thin fabric, right onto Xiao Xigua…
This just made Yin Qinghe all the more uneasy.
It felt like a feather tickling her, throwing her heart into disarray, a sensation she couldn't quite put into words, making even her breathing unsteady.
"Li'er, let go."
After a while, Zhao Mengli finally lifted her head from her embrace. Maybe because she'd been stifled for so long, she was a little short of breath, her small mouth working open and closed, her face as vibrant and dewy as blooming peach blossoms.
Clearly, this was the girl's first time encountering something like this, she had no idea what to do, her soft voice drifted out, "Mom, it seems like… it's coming from little brother's side!"
Yin Qinghe bit down on her lip.
The sounds tonight seemed clearer than before—probably because the window in Qin Yu's room wasn't shut tight.
She really felt like going and closing that window.
But in the end, she forced herself to hold back.
If she went, wouldn't that be admitting she heard it?!
As the master's wife, she was actually listening to her disciple's…
Just thinking about it, Yin Qinghe's toes curled with embarrassment.
Then, as if something suddenly hit her, Zhao Mengli's gaze grew soft and watery. She scooted over, warm breath wafting as she asked, "Mom, does this mean Li'er will be like this too in the future?"
???
Yin Qinghe really almost lost it.
She hadn't even agreed to it yet!
Just now she'd thought that match was pretty good, since Zhao Mengli herself was willing.
But right now it felt all wrong!
Did she now have to listen to that traitor make off with her precious cabbage?!
No way.
Absolutely not!
That's just too outrageous.
If she wanted to avoid something like that, would she, as the master's wife, need to move out alone?!
Wait a minute.
Isn't she already the only outsider in this courtyard?!
"No way!"
"Not happening!"
Yin Qinghe abruptly balled her fists.
"Mom, what's wrong?" Zhao Mengli asked, puzzled.
Yin Qinghe snapped back, realizing her emotions were off. She calmed herself a bit and said, "What I mean is… your junior is married now, it's not really appropriate…"
"But Li'er doesn't mind!"
Zhao Mengli tilted her little head, explaining, "Li'er wants to support little brother in the future, to progress together in the Alchemy Dao…"
Yin Qinghe was stunned for a moment, her emotions instantly cooling down.
That's right.
A true Dao companion is united in heart and goal.
Qin Yu and Zhao Mengli were just like that.
In this moment, she knew—she couldn't stop her daughter, unless Qin Yu…
If that ungrateful brat dared refuse!
Yin Qinghe decided she had to find a time to discreetly sound Qin Yu out.
If he truly only had eyes for Lin Qianqian, it would save her daughter from sinking any deeper.
The night was deep.
But the two in the main house still couldn't sleep.
How on earth were they supposed to live like this from now on?!
The next morning.
Qin Yu deliberately got up early.
When he got to the Alchemy Room, he discovered that his master's wife and senior sister were already there.
"Master's wife!"
"Senior sister!"
"Morning!"
He greeted them as usual.
Of course it was early!
The two of them had barely slept a wink, so they'd both just come straight to the Alchemy Room!
After his greeting, Qin Yu noticed that the master's wife, who had been gentle and told him to rest well just yesterday, was now cold and even shot him a look.
The chill in those peach blossom eyes…
made him nervous!
Something was off.
Also, it seemed that last night, the master's wife hadn't contributed any Emotion Points.
He was thoroughly puzzled. And when he looked at Zhao Mengli, senior sister actually lowered her head shyly.
This…
The whole Alchemy Room felt weird.
"Master's wife!…"
Fortunately, Xu An the shopkeeper's voice sounded from outside. Yin Qinghe frowned, but still went out.
It wasn't until midday that she returned to the Alchemy Room, her face even colder and more severe.
Through either intimidation or promises, people like Cheng Yi had nearly poached all of Danxin Herb Hall's staff.
Now, there were fewer than ten alchemists left who could refine medicinal liquid!
And those who stayed, were they all really loyal to Danxin Herb Hall?
Unlikely.
Master Zhao had met with trouble, but his insights and notes were still in their hands.
Some of these people were already scheming for those notes, even using it to threaten, saying they'd quit Danxin Herb Hall.
Heh!
Yin Qinghe, of course, wasn't fazed.
Let them take a look at themselves—were they even worthy? Even if they got the notes, how much could they really comprehend?!
If they had true talent, they'd have been snatched up by other herb halls long ago.
Yin Qinghe simply let them go.
Which meant there were even fewer alchemists left in the herb hall capable of refining medicinal liquid. At this rate…
She knew perfectly well she could never keep an entire herb hall afloat alone!
After all, she couldn't practice alchemy.
Yin Qinghe's gaze fell on Qin Yu, who was cultivating, then landed on Zhao Mengli.
She could only grit her teeth and carry on, clearing the way for these two!
By the time Qin Yu finished refining a spirit stone, night had fallen. He'd thought his master's wife and senior sister had gone home to rest, but when he opened his eyes, she was still across the room purifying medicinal liquid.
Her enchanting face was visibly fatigued, but she still pushed herself to continue.
Qin Yu didn't want to bother her, and was about to quietly leave the Alchemy Room, but had only taken a few steps when…
"Boom!"
The alchemy furnace in front of Yin Qinghe suddenly let out a loud bang.
It exploded?!
Qin Yu was still stunned when he saw his master's wife collapse limply to the ground.
"Master's wife, master's wife, what's wrong with you…"