Lin Qingyao and Yue'er Reach Qi Refining Second Layer

Lin Weiyuan looked at his own hands and became happier and happier, until he remembered something after a while.

He looked up, his face beaming with joy.

"Jingchuan, eat here with Dad. Bring Qingyao and the others over, let's have a good family gathering."

"Dad's in a good mood today, let's celebrate."

Seeing his father-in-law in such high spirits, Shen Jingchuan was not about to dampen his enthusiasm.

"Okay, I'll go back first and bring them over for dinner."

Lin Weiyuan and escorted him to the courtyard gate.

As soon as Shen Jingchuan left, he turned around and got busy.

He called his wives back and instructed them to prepare more dishes for dinner.

"Don't just sit there, everyone show us what you can do."

The wives had just received a tremendous benefit and were worried about how to repay it, so of course they agreed.

They rolled up their sleeves and went into the kitchen themselves, frying, stir-frying, and cooking, each showing off their culinary skills.

The courtyard was instantly filled with fragrant aromas and bustling with activity.

Shen Jingchuan, with his hands behind his back, slowly returned to his courtyard.

As soon as I entered the courtyard, I sensed something was wrong.

The courtyard was quiet, except for Qinghe and Ju'er, who sat around the stone table, whispering to each other.

Shen Jingchuan stopped, looked around, and muttered to himself.

Is this his house? Why is it so quiet?

Qinghe and Ju'er heard the noise, looked up, saw it was him, and quickly got up.

The two men quickly stepped forward and curtsied.

"The son-in-law is back."

They flanked Shen Jingchuan, one on each side, and led him to sit down at the stone table before busying themselves to make tea.

Shen Jingchuan picked up his teacup and casually asked a question.

"Where are the ladies? Where is Xiaoyue? Why is the courtyard so quiet?"

Qinghe brewed the tea and responded softly.

"Both ladies are practicing their martial arts and have instructed that they not be disturbed."

Ju'er chimed in.

"Yue'er is also inside, cultivating."

Shen Jingchuan nodded.

"Okay, then let's not disturb them for now."

The tea was ready, Ju'er went behind him and gently massaged his shoulders.

Qinghe knelt down in front of him and began to massage his legs.

These two maids were both personal attendants of the two ladies.

According to the customs of wealthy families, she would most likely become the son-in-law's concubine.

Shen Jingchuan didn't stand on ceremony, leaning back in his chair and enjoying the moment.

The two maids served her with utmost care and attention, neither too light nor too heavy.

About half an hour later, the door to the west wing opened gently.

The Yue'er peeked out and spotted Shen Jingchuan by the stone table.

Her eyes lit up, but she didn't dare to say anything.

The two ladies were still practicing their exercises; if she made a fuss, she would be scolded again later.

She tiptoed over, like a bird released from its cage.

Qinghe was squatting on the ground when she saw this, and quickly moved aside.

Yue'er got close, her body went limp, and she straddled Shen Jingchuan's lap.

She put her hands on his shoulders and buried her head in his chest.

"Young Master, you're finally back."

Shen Jingchuan chuckled when she bumped into him and steadied her waist.

He glanced up and looked at them, raising an eyebrow slightly.

"Wow, you've Qi Refining Second Layer?"

The Yue'er tilted its head back, nodded smugly, and its eyes were full of laughter.

Shen Jingchuan reached out his finger and gently stroked the bridge of her nose.

"Well done, you've got guts."

As he spoke, he reached into his Storage Ring and took out five jade bottles, placing them on the stone table.

"Here are fifty High-Grade Qi Nourishing Pills."

Consider this a reward. Keep up your training and don't slack off.

Looking at the five jade bottles, Yue'er beamed and reached out to take them.

She and Shen Jingchuan were never polite to each other.

She had long considered this man as her man.

She dared not dream of being married in a proper ceremony, but she would accept being a concubine or a maidservant.

Why refuse something given by your own man?

From now on, she will repay that debt with her life.

She put the jade bottle away, beaming with joy.

Beside the stone table, Qinghe and Ju'er watched this scene with envy in their eyes.

They also wanted to join in and sweetly call him "Young Master."

But they lack Spirit Roots, so they will never be able to enter the path of cultivation in this lifetime.

The pills given by their son-in-law, his doting affection—they couldn't even dream of such things.

The two of them lowered their heads, and their movements unconsciously slowed down.

Just then, the door to the main room opened.

Lin Qingyao came out of the house and immediately saw Yue'er riding on Shen Jingchuan's lap.

She frowned and began to scold him.

"Yue'er, have you no manners at all?"

Upon hearing this, Yue'er quickly slid off Shen Jingchuan's lap.

She ran up to Lin Qingyao, not afraid at all, but smiling broadly.

"Miss, you've finished your practice? I... I haven't seen the young master for quite a while."

Lin Qingyao reached out and pulled her over, giving her two quick slaps on her pert bottom.

"How many times has this happened? You have absolutely no manners."

The Yue'er pouts and rubs its bottom.

"Miss, please stop hitting me, it hurts."

"Yue'er won't do it again next time."

Lin Qingyao ignored her and walked straight up to Shen Jingchuan.

"Just keep spoiling her."

"She's so unruly; what kind of image would it project if outsiders saw her like that?"

"Even if you take her as your concubine in the future, let alone the fact that she's just a maid right now, you still can't treat her like this."

Upon hearing this, Yue'er, who was following behind, immediately brightened up.

She hid behind Lin Qingyao, her cheeks slightly flushed, but she was overjoyed inside.

She no longer cared about being shy or anything like that.

She was single-mindedly focused on following the young master and becoming his woman.

Shen Jingchuan chuckled and waved his hand.

"Hey, he's still just a kid. It's too early to talk about taking possession of the house."

As he spoke, his gaze swept over Lin Qingyao before he changed the subject.

"Qingyao, you've also broken through to the Qi Refining Second Layer?"

Lin Qingyao rolled her eyes at him, annoyed.

"If I don't break through soon, they'll all fall behind."

She stopped dwelling on Yue'er's matter and sat down at the stone table.

"You've been gone so long, how's business going?"

Shen Jingchuan picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"Everything's fine, don't worry."

"Oh, by the way, your dad found out I was back tonight and invited everyone in the compound over for dinner."

"The old man is in a good mood today, we should make it a lively occasion."

Lin Qingyao was taken aback.

"My dad? What's there for him to be happy about?"

Shen Jingchuan put down his teacup and winked at her.

"With such an excellent son-in-law, he's come all this way back; how could his father not be happy?"

Lin Qingyao was amused by him and patted his arm.

"Keep being sarcastic."

Just then, the door to the east wing opened.

Bai Ruoli had just finished practicing when she clearly heard Shen Jingchuan's voice in the courtyard.

She was overjoyed and quickly took out a small makeup mirror, tidied her hair, and straightened her clothes.

After tidying herself up, she walked out quietly.

She was naturally gentle, and now her eyes were brimming with undisguised joy.

Those eyes, as if they could speak, walked to Shen Jingchuan's side and gazed at him with watery eyes.