Chapter 163: Madam’s Eloquence, A Reunion of Master and Disciple
“You, you dare—”
Bai Xin glared at Mao Ruoyu, her eyes burning with fury.
But Mao Ruoyu met her gaze without flinching, her expression serious. “Don’t be ridiculous!”
“…”
After a moment of silence, Bai Xin clicked her tongue, her face filled with a conflicted expression.
She looked away, clearly outmatched in their silent confrontation, realizing that her actions…
…had been rash and dangerous.
But then her face flushed red, and she punched the man holding her in the back. “You scoundrel! How long are you going to hold me like this?!”
“Until you calm down, Miss.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled. “We can have a proper conversation once you’re no longer trying to attack us.”
“I’m calm now! Let go!”
As Lin Tianlu released her, Bai Xin quickly steadied herself, taking a few steps back.
She rubbed her sore backside, her heart filled with embarrassment and anger. The position she had been held in was incredibly humiliating.
But seeing Mao Ruoyu’s serious expression, she swallowed her anger and grumbled, “Why did you bring them here?”
“Madam Mao has been away for many years. She’s feeling nostalgic, and she still carries the Moon Shadow Breath within her. That’s why we’re here to visit.”
Lin Tianlu bowed slightly and smiled. “And we heard that you were in a hurry to return to the Lunar Valley, Miss Bai Xin. We thought something might have happened, so we came to see if we could help.”
“What does it matter to you if something happened to the Lunar Valley?!”
Bai Xin crossed her arms, her voice cold. “Even if there’s chaos here, it’s our business. And this woman has already been expelled from the Lunar Valley. Even if she still carries the Moon Shadow Breath, it won’t harm her. There’s no need for you to interfere.”
She glared at Mao Ruoyu. “You brought outsiders here! That’s an even greater offense! If it weren’t for our past relationship, I would have already taught you a lesson!”
“The Lunar Valley has rules forbidding disciples from bringing outsiders into the estate.”
The stern look on Mao Ruoyu’s face softened. “But I’m no longer a disciple, so I don’t have to follow those rules. Or have you reinstated me, Junior Sister Bai Xin?”
“You—”
Bai Xin was speechless, unable to find a retort.
Mao Ruoyu smiled gently and said softly, “Junior Sister Bai Xin, there’s no need for us to be so hostile. We came here with good intentions. We won’t cause any trouble for the Lunar Valley.”
“…It’s not up to me. It depends on whether the elders are angry with you.”
Bai Xin gathered her hair and looked away, her voice softening slightly. “If there’s a conflict, I won’t interfere.”
“I’ll pay my respects to the elders, Junior Sister. Don’t worry.”
Mao Ruoyu stepped forward and gently took Bai Xin’s hands.
Bai Xin flinched instinctively, but her eyes flickered, and she didn’t say anything more.
Seeing her soften, Mao Ruoyu smiled warmly. “If we’re truly unwelcome, we’ll leave immediately.”
“…Do as you please.”
Bai Xin coughed lightly. “But I advise you to stay away from the main hall. There are many troubles in the estate right now. You might encounter the elders. It’s fine to visit your old room, though.”
“Thank you for your understanding, Junior Sister.”
The tense atmosphere dissipated quickly.
Mao Ruoyu turned to Lin Tianlu and Hua Shuya, winking playfully.
They exchanged glances, impressed.
Madam Mao was unexpectedly eloquent. She had completely outmaneuvered Bai Xin.
“—I never thought that outsiders would set foot in the Lunar Valley after all these years of seclusion.”
A deep voice suddenly echoed through the silent estate.
Bai Xin’s face paled, and she quickly turned around. A figure emerged from the mist, standing on a white jade staircase in the distance.
“Ninth Elder!”
A tall and graceful woman walked towards them, her robes elegant and luxurious, her eyes sharp, her beauty captivating.
She descended the stairs, her robe swaying gently, revealing glimpses of her fair skin, her figure alluring and graceful.
But her expression was stern, and she said coldly, “So it’s you, Mao Ruoyu, the disloyal disciple who betrayed us years ago.”
A faint but oppressive aura filled the air.
Mao Ruoyu was stunned.
Hua Shuya’s eyes narrowed, and she instinctively placed her hand on her sword hilt, drawing it slightly.
This “Ninth Elder”…
Her aura was unfathomable!
Just as she was about to step forward to protect Mao Ruoyu, a hand rested on her shoulder. She looked over to see Lin Tianlu shaking his head.
“Senior?”
“Let’s observe for now.”
Meanwhile, Bai Xin quickly knelt down and said urgently, “Please forgive me, Ninth Elder! I invited Sister Ruoyu here! They didn’t come to cause trouble. They just wanted to visit old friends—”
“Bai Xin, that’s enough. I’ll decide what to do.”
The Ninth Elder slammed her staff on the ground, creating a ripple of energy that sent Bai Xin stumbling back, her heart trembling.
The situation… didn’t look good!
Seeing that Mao Ruoyu was still standing there, frozen in place, Bai Xin’s face paled, and she quickly spoke again. “Ninth Elder, please don’t hurt Sister Ruoyu! I’ll take her place—”
But at that moment, the Ninth Elder, who had been frowning, suddenly smiled.
“It’s been a while, Ruoyu. You’ve grown more mature than I imagined.”
Her eyes softened, as if she was watching her own child grow up, her expression filled with pride.
“Master…”
Mao Ruoyu snapped out of her daze, her hand covering her mouth in disbelief. “You… you still recognize me…”
The Ninth Elder put away her staff and said gently, “I’ve been thinking about you all these years. How could I not recognize you?”
Tears welled up in Mao Ruoyu’s eyes, and she rushed forward, embracing the Ninth Elder. “After all these years, we finally… meet again.”
“My dear child.”
The two women embraced, their voices soft as they whispered to each other, the atmosphere warm and harmonious.
“…”
Bai Xin stared at them, speechless, her mind blank.
Lin Tianlu walked over to her and whispered, “It seems Madam Mao has a good relationship with this elder.”
“H-how could I have known they were so close?!”
Bai Xin mumbled in astonishment.
She wasn’t Mao Ruoyu’s peer, so she wasn’t familiar with her relationships within the Lunar Valley. She only knew that Mao Ruoyu had trained under the Ninth Elder.
But logically speaking, the Ninth Elder should have been the most furious about Mao Ruoyu’s betrayal.
She had even been prepared to grab Mao Ruoyu and flee the Lunar Valley, her heart pounding with anxiety.
“So you were worrying for nothing?”
“I…”
Bai Xin blushed and glared at him. “You should be more concerned about yourselves!”
Hua Shuya frowned, but she didn’t say anything, silently sheathing her sword.
At least for now, this Lunar Valley elder seemed quite reasonable.
…
The Ninth Elder released Mao Ruoyu from her embrace and chuckled, wiping away her tears. “Look at you, Ruoyu! You’ve become so beautiful and alluring. You’re a true beauty, captivating and charming!”
“You look younger than ever, Master.”
“Such sweet words.”
The Ninth Elder smiled, her eyes filled with joy as she examined Mao Ruoyu from head to toe.
But then her gaze shifted to Lin Tianlu and Hua Shuya. “Ruoyu, who are they?”
“This is my friend, and this is my…”
Mao Ruoyu hesitated, not knowing how to introduce Lin Tianlu.
Seeing her hesitation, Lin Tianlu chuckled and stepped forward, bowing slightly. “My name is Lin Tianlu. I’m a scholar from Changling County. Ruoyu and I are in love and have pledged to spend our lives together. We came here to pay our respects to the elders of the Lunar Valley.”
The Ninth Elder was stunned.
Mao Ruoyu blushed and lowered her head shyly, fidgeting with her fingers.
She was worried that this sudden visit might have upset the Ninth Elder.
But…
“You’ve finally grown up, Ruoyu.”
The Ninth Elder sighed softly.
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