Chapter 169: Bad Woman
A square table.
Five people seated around it.
Nan Xiaoxiang gracefully sipped her tea, her demeanor elegant and refined.
Qingying, however, gulped down her tea in one go and poured herself another cup.
Luo Luo sat quietly, her head lowered, her tail swishing back and forth, occasionally stealing glances at the others.
Xiang’er sat motionless, a polite smile on her face.
Chen Yin sipped his tea silently.
…The atmosphere was strange.
Weren’t they just supposed to greet each other and then go their separate ways?
“I’ve heard of your kindness and skill, Miss Nan. Your reputation precedes you in Yanxia Province. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” Xiang’er said with a sweet smile.
“You flatter me, Fairy.”
Nan Xiaoxiang smiled warmly. “I’m just a humble mortal, doing what I can. I’m a little nervous, this being my first time visiting an immortal’s abode.”
They exchanged pleasantries, their conversation filled with seemingly meaningless small talk.
But Chen Yin sensed something was off.
He couldn’t quite put his finger on it.
“By the way,” after three cups of tea, Xiang’er said casually, “with your beauty and kindness, Miss Nan, I’m sure you have countless admirers.”
“Do you… have someone special in your heart?”
Nan Xiaoxiang’s hand paused slightly as she reached for her teacup. A flicker of something unreadable crossed her eyes, then her expression returned to normal.
“I’m just a plain-looking woman. No one would be interested in me. I can’t compare to a fairy’s beauty.”
“Besides, a mortal’s life is short, and the path of medicine is long and arduous. I don’t have time for romance.”
“I disagree.” Xiang’er seemed to be defending her. “It would be a waste for a beauty like you to never marry.”
Nan Xiaoxiang put down her teacup and looked at Yu Xiang intently.
…She was getting annoyed.
Nan Xiaoxiang was perceptive. She had sensed the underlying tension in Xiang’er’s words from the very beginning.
She knew Xiang’er was testing her. After all, she was one of the women Chen Yin had brought back.
But she felt a little wronged. She wasn’t romantically involved with Chen Yin.
Why should she have to endure this because of him?
Was it because Luo Luo seemed too innocent and harmless, and Qingying too cold and aloof?
Were they picking on her because she seemed like the easiest target?
Xiang’er’s veiled barbs only fueled her defiance. She lowered her eyes and said calmly,
“Beauty is just skin deep. Without the Dao, even the most beautiful flower will eventually wither.”
“It’s better to be a young fairy, embarking on the path of immortality, with Immortal Yu Ling as your Master. You must be highly sought after in the cultivation world.”
“Do you have any admirers, Fairy?”
“Or perhaps…” she glanced at Chen Yin, “your beloved is right here before your eyes?”
Xiang’er’s breath hitched, her face flushing as her secret was exposed. She lowered her head in embarrassment.
“I-I’m not…”
“Isn’t Young Master Chen your beloved?” Nan Xiaoxiang feigned surprise. “I’ve always heard that he’s deeply devoted to his Junior Sister. I thought you two were already betrothed… I apologize for my presumption.”
“But even if you have someone else in your heart, I’m sure Young Master Chen isn’t so petty as to forbid his Junior Sister from pursuing her own happiness, right?”
She continued to sip her tea calmly.
Xiang’er’s face turned crimson. She wanted to explain, but she couldn’t find the words, afraid that Chen Yin would misunderstand. She looked at him with pleading eyes.
Chen Yin sighed inwardly.
…Why bother? He knew his innocent and naive Junior Sister was no match for the cunning Nan Xiaoxiang.
Although Xiang’er’s cultivation was high, she had been pampered and sheltered both on Mount Yu and in the demonic path.
She was no match for Nan Xiaoxiang, who had honed her skills in the mortal world, dealing with all sorts of people.
Xiang’er had met her match.
…And Nan Xiaoxiang’s words weren’t just aimed at Xiang’er, but at him as well.
Which annoyed him. He hadn’t even said anything!
“It’s… not like that…”
Luo Luo couldn’t help but speak up. “Sister Xiang’er has always liked Young Master! And Young Master always talks about Sister Xiang’er!”
“I’ve been with Young Master all this time, I can testify!”
Xiang’er looked at her gratefully, her heart warming at Luo Luo’s defense. She couldn’t bring herself to dislike this sweet and adorable little fox.
Nan Xiaoxiang didn’t press further, just said with a faint smirk, “You’re quite the charmer, Young Master Chen, to have both Luo Luo and Miss Xiang’er so devoted to you.”
Chen Yin, deciding to play along, said shamelessly, “Are you jealous?”
“If you are, you can consider moving to Mount Yu. Dowry negotiable.”
Nan Xiaoxiang glared at him angrily.
Qingying, who had almost finished her tea, thought to herself, System, what’s so special about this Chen Yin that all these women are so infatuated with him?
The System couldn’t help but retort, Why don’t you try getting charmed by him and find out?
“In your dreams! I’d rather rob his grave than be charmed by him!”
Qingying snorted and glanced at Chen Yin discreetly.
The atmosphere grew tense. Xiang’er lowered her head, sulking at her defeat.
Nan Xiaoxiang sipped her tea calmly, as if the tension in the room didn’t concern her.
Luo Luo, caught in the middle, looked at them awkwardly and tugged at Chen Yin’s sleeve.
“Young Master, what should we do? This is so awkward…”
Chen Yin usually didn’t interfere in women’s squabbles. But seeing the awkward silence stretching on, he decided to intervene.
“Ahem, it’s getting late. Let’s rest early. We have a long journey to the Wu Xuan Cave tomorrow.”
Xiang’er looked up at him. “You’re leaving?”
“A friend of mine might be in trouble at the Wu Xuan Cave.”
Chen Yin gently stroked Xiang’er’s hair. “I’ll be back before Master’s deadline. I’m just traveling to seek opportunities for a breakthrough.”
“But you just got back…”
Xiang’er bit her lip and swallowed the rest of her sentence, her eyes filled with a quiet sadness.
Chen Yin’s heart softened, and he whispered, “Be a good girl.”
“Focus on your cultivation and reach the Grand Clarity Realm soon.”
“After you complete Master’s task, I’ll take you with me wherever I go.”
Xiang’er nodded, her eyes red-rimmed.
“Okay.”
“Th-then tonight, Senior Brother, you have to… make up for lost time.”
She sent him that last message through voice transmission.
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