Chapter 101: Lingering Feelings, A Coincidental Encounter
The next morning.
Mao Ruoyu, dressed as a mature woman, walked alone through the bustling market, patiently selecting fresh ingredients.
She hadn’t gone out for the past few days, and their food supplies were almost depleted. She needed to buy more today, just in case something unexpected happened again.
But…
As she browsed the stalls, her mind couldn’t help but wander.
Thinking about the couple spending the entire night together, Mao Ruoyu’s face flushed, and she felt a pang of jealousy in her heart.
Although she hadn’t shown any displeasure or resistance, she couldn’t help but feel a little frustrated.
If she had been more proactive, would things have been different?
But after spending the past few days with them, she was convinced that Cheng Yishi, despite her cold exterior and sharp tongue, had a kind heart. Moreover, she came from a wealthy family and had an extraordinary aura, making her a good match for Sir.
Compared to her, she was just…
“Madam Mao, have you found someone special?”
The old woman in the herbal shop smiled kindly. “You seemed lost in thought just now. Are you thinking about some young master, or perhaps Master Lin?”
“N-no.” Mao Ruoyu quickly shook her head, dismissing those distracting thoughts.
“Madam Fang, could you please weigh these for me?”
“Oh?” The old woman glanced at the items, her eyes twinkling with amusement. She knew exactly what was going on.
These herbs were expensive, all of them known for their nourishing and invigorating properties. When made into medicinal dishes or soups, they were excellent for strengthening a man’s body and enhancing his performance in bed.
After paying, Mao Ruoyu hurriedly left, her face flushed red, carrying the herbs.
She could sense the old woman’s knowing gaze. Buying these herbs for no apparent reason would naturally lead to misunderstandings.
But she had only taken a few steps when she suddenly stopped.
A graceful figure was standing by the street not far away, her posture elegant and composed.
Their eyes met, and Cheng Yishi gathered her flowing hair, smiling faintly. “Good morning, Madam Mao.”
“Why—”
“It seems that Madam Mao is truly gentle and considerate, taking such good care of Sir’s health.”
Cheng Yishi walked up to her, looking at the various ingredients and herbs she was carrying. She chuckled softly. “I should thank you.”
“You!”
Before Mao Ruoyu could retort angrily, Cheng Yishi’s expression softened, and she stepped forward to take the heavy bags from her. “Your fingers are red from carrying these. Let me carry them for you, Madam.”
Mao Ruoyu pursed her lips, her expression complex. “Why are you at the market so early in the morning?”
“I don’t like those clingy displays of affection, so I excused myself and left.” Cheng Yishi blushed slightly and looked away.
Mao Ruoyu’s eyes flickered. “You get shy too, Miss Cheng?”
“I-I just didn’t want to bother Sir.”
Cheng Yishi coughed lightly.
After a moment of silence, she said with a complicated tone, “Besides, you’re so generous and forgiving, Madam, I couldn’t bear it. So I thought I’d spend more time with you…”
The girl suddenly averted her gaze, her face flushed with embarrassment. “Please forget what I just said, Madam. I was just speaking out of turn, don’t take it to heart!”
Seeing her flustered and blushing, Mao Ruoyu was quite surprised, but she quickly smiled gently. “Miss Cheng, you’re also quite considerate.”
“A-alright! There’s no need to tease me, Madam. I mustered all my courage to come and find you.”
Mao Ruoyu’s eyes twinkled with amusement, but she didn’t tease her any further. She quickly noticed that Cheng Yishi was dressed differently today, especially her ruqun, which was adorned with black gauze.
“Did you change your clothes, Miss Cheng?”
“It’s quite similar to Miss Hua’s dress made of Yin energy.”
Cheng Yishi touched her flushed cheeks, trying to regain her composure. “Although I’m not sure how I obtained this ability, it must be related to Sir.”
“Perhaps it was the Yin energy stimulated by your intimate encounter with Sir?”
Mao Ruoyu, knowing some Yin techniques, made a guess.
But after pondering for a moment, she suddenly said, “There’s something I want to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“This morning, I found a note by my bedside. It seems that my junior sister left it before she left.”
Her voice turned serious. “The note says that there will be a special ritual in Jianggai County in a few days. If I’m not interested in getting involved with demons and ghosts, I should stay away. But if I want to make a breakthrough, I can go to Jianggai County and try my luck.”
“Your junior sister?”
Cheng Yishi frowned slightly. “Are you sure it was a note from your junior sister?”
“I recognize her handwriting. I used to tutor her in reading and writing.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that Madam Mao has the potential to be a teacher.”
Mao Ruoyu playfully punched her shoulder. “You girl… Anyway, back to business. That special ritual is called ‘Path of the Underworld.’ It’s jointly organized by various forces to give ghost practitioners a chance to advance their cultivation. It’s also an opportunity for many demons and ghosts to gain benefits.”
Cheng Yishi pondered. “Do you want to participate in this ‘Path of the Underworld’?”
“Of course not. Ever since I severed ties with the Lunar Valley, I haven’t thought about gaining any powerful strength.” Mao Ruoyu sighed. “I’m just hesitating whether to tell Sir about this.”
“You can tell him if you want. He’ll make his own decision.”
Cheng Yishi’s voice softened. “Moreover, Jianggai County is quite close to Changling County. If they’re really holding a Path of the Underworld ritual, our area might be affected as well. We can’t just ignore it.”
“But—” she changed the subject. “Is this Path of the Underworld dangerous?”
“I don’t know much about this ritual, I just have some vague memories.”
Mao Ruoyu pondered. “But the participants shouldn’t be too strong, as it’s mainly for ghost practitioners.”
“Alright.”
Cheng Yishi nodded slightly. “If Sir is interested, it wouldn’t hurt to go and observe. Madam Mao can also go with him.”
Mao Ruoyu was stunned. “Miss Cheng, you—”
“I’ll naturally stay in Changling and continue managing the Cheng family business.” Cheng Yishi glanced at her with a playful smile. “Or do you want me to go with you?”
Mao Ruoyu coughed lightly, speechless for a moment.
“Hmph, you seductive woman, you’re hiding your desires!”
“How dare you say that!”
“Because I’m not hiding my desires and love, while you’re being all coy.”
“You’re shameless!”
The two started bickering again, attracting strange looks from passersby.
When had Madam Mao and Miss Cheng become so close?
But as they were arguing, Cheng Yishi suddenly stumbled.
Mao Ruoyu quickly reached out to support her. “What’s wrong?”
Cheng Yishi’s face flushed red, and she stammered, unable to speak. She could only pretend to be calm as she straightened up and waved her hand. “I’m fine, I just accidentally stepped on a pebble.”
Mao Ruoyu blinked her beautiful eyes a few times, looking at her awkward gait. She said thoughtfully, “Should I… also make some nourishing soup for you, Miss Cheng?”
“No need!” Cheng Yishi quickly refused.
But after a moment of silence, the girl still blushed, not knowing what to say.
She didn’t know how to tell her “rival” that she was completely helpless in bed, crying and screaming. It was too embarrassing. If Mao Ruoyu found out, she wouldn’t be able to hold her head up for days.
…
At noon.
Lin Tianlu was studying a chess manual when he suddenly heard Mao Ruoyu’s words. He was surprised.
“These ghosts and ghost practitioners have gatherings like this?”
Although there were no cultivation sects in this world, they were acting like cultivators.
“Are you interested, Sir?” Mao Ruoyu brought over some fruits and said softly, “The gathering is in Jianggai County, only a few dozen miles away. We can get there by carriage in half a day, and the round trip would only take a day. It’s not too far.”
Lin Tianlu stroked his chin and smiled. “Since it’s your suggestion, Madam Mao, I naturally agree. Besides, I’m also quite interested in this ‘Path of the Underworld.’”
It was a rare opportunity to learn more about the dark side of this world, and he wouldn’t miss it.
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