A Bolt from the Blue

When Wei Yunxi learned the news at the Cultivation Hall, she too joined the other Wei Family children in letting out awed, envious cries of "Wow!"

Wei Yunxi rubbed her chubby little chin and grumbled inwardly:

As expected of the female lead—she really does have both luck and ability. Then I need to lie even lower!

That afternoon, after returning to Zhuohua Courtyard, Wei Yunxi pretended to work hard. She meditated for an extra half-hour compared with usual, then promptly tilted over and fell asleep, wasting another night.

When Zhenzhu saw this from outside the door, she had no intention whatsoever of urging her young lady to cultivate. She even stopped Chunyu and the others from approaching, using the ready-made excuse that Miss was sensing spiritual qi and should not be disturbed.

The four maids, Chunyu and the others, were now extremely wary of Zhenzhu. Ever since Xiamo had fallen asleep in the middle of the night, Chunyu, Qiutao, and Dongmei had all gone through the same thing. There was no need to guess who had been behind it.

Even though they knew, there was nothing they could do. They were no match for Zhenzhu and could only follow their young lady's instructions: avoid clashing with her whenever possible and take the best care of Miss's daily needs.

The day after Wei Yunqing successfully completed Qi Introduction, the two sisters met again at the entrance to the Cultivation Hall. At this time, Wei Yunqing's features had become even more exquisite. One could vaguely see Du Ruolan's shadow in her face, while only her eyes strongly resembled Wei Lingyue's. She had inherited the best of both parents, so it was no wonder Wei Lingyue favored her somewhat.

Wei Yunxi stepped forward with a beaming smile and greeted her, "Congratulations on successfully completing Qi Introduction, Sister. Your little sister can never seem to get the hang of it. Could Sister teach me?"

Wei Yunqing had heard far too many flattering words these past two days and was already immune to Yunxi's praise. Besides, she had no desire at all to guide her younger sister. She did not want to be surpassed, so she answered perfunctorily, "What trick could I possibly have? I simply cultivated as Sixth Elder instructed. The most important thing is to calm your heart and focus your mind, casting aside distracting thoughts. Have you managed that?"

Wei Yunxi awkwardly poked her fingers together, then said with a blush, "My legs go numb if I meditate for too long."

There was no need to say the rest. The other children understood, because they had all suffered the same ordeal.

Wei Yunqing spread her hands in feigned helplessness. "Then there's nothing I can do. You can't even sit still through meditation. No matter how much I say, it'll be useless!"

Seeing the dejected look on the other girl's face improved Wei Yunqing's mood. Patting Wei Yunxi's shoulder, she said, "Little Sister, don't worry. I've already asked Father and Mother. When I go to cultivate at the Haoran Sect, I'll bring you with me."

At those words, Wei Yunxi's heart gave a thud. She knew something was about to go wrong, but she replaced the dejection on her face with delight. Grabbing Wei Yunqing's hand in return, she asked to confirm, "Sister, is that true? I can really go to the Haoran Sect with you? But I only have a Three Spiritual Root, and I haven't even succeeded at Qi Introduction yet!"

The other children in the Cultivation Hall all pricked up their ears to listen to the sisters' conversation. Several of the older children had already realized something, and their gazes toward Wei Yunxi and Wei Yunqing carried traces of displeasure.

Wei Yunqing felt smug inside, though she soothed her outwardly. "Mm, it's true. I already asked Father. I told him I didn't want to be separated from you. Even if you fail to complete Qi Introduction, you can still join the Haoran Sect with me."

Wei Yunxi's heart continued sinking, but she still pretended to be thrilled. Clasping Wei Yunqing's hand tightly, she said happily, "Thank you, Sister. I-I'll work hard at cultivation and strive to complete Qi Introduction before the Haoran Sect takes disciples."

Without waiting for Wei Yunqing to respond, she released the other girl's wrist and marched into the Cultivation Hall on her short little legs. Picking a spot, she immediately closed her eyes and meditated, looking as though she were cultivating diligently.

With her eyes closed in meditation, Wei Yunxi cursed wildly inside. This damned heavens really would not let her off the hook. She had worked so hard to twist the plot off course, yet the damned heavens still wanted to shove her back onto the original track and make her the female lead's Fortune-Bringing Child.

Her original plan's first step had been to separate from the female lead, leaving her no chance to fleece resources from her. She firmly believed that as long as she stayed far away from the female lead, she could carve out a broad, smooth road with her own luck.

But now, the female lead was clearly determined to cling to her and suck her dry, so she had to think of another strategy. If they both entered the Haoran Sect, she would face even more problems. Still, it would also make it easier for her to keep track of every movement the female lead made from nearby. She just did not know how much her uncle could help her this time.

After returning to Zhuohua Courtyard that day, Wei Yunxi put on the appearance of someone pumped full of chicken blood and stubbornly meditated for another half-hour beyond her usual time. This brought her even closer to the motes of spiritual qi. As long as she invited them, she believed they could enter her body—but she had to endure.

Seeing Yunxi fall asleep again, Zhenzhu silently left Zhuohua Courtyard and made her way through the darkness to Haitang Courtyard to see Du Ruolan.

After hearing Zhenzhu's report, Du Ruolan's brows drew tightly together. She questioned her repeatedly, "You searched all of Zhuohua Courtyard?"

"This servant searched everywhere, even checking the quarters of all four maids one by one. Nothing was found."

"Did you try to draw information from those four maids?"

"In reply to Madam, those four usually do not interact with this servant much. However, I once heard Chunyu chatting about how Miss Yunxi stayed with the Feng Family for a time. The things her mother left behind should have been placed with the Feng Family."

Du Ruolan's face darkened at those words. She had not expected the Feng Family to be so shameless as to do such a thing. No wonder Zhenzhu had found nothing.

She waved Zhenzhu away, then went to find Wei Lingyue.

Wei Lingyue had already finished cultivating. His cultivation had entered a bottleneck recently, and he always fell just short of breaking through to peak late Foundation Establishment.

Thus, he took out the Storage Pouch Feng Jiayun had left behind, intending to find a suitable medicinal pill to use for his breakthrough.

Just then, Du Ruolan came to see him and told Wei Lingyue what her maid had "overheard by chance."

Wei Lingyue felt somewhat displeased. In his view, those things all belonged to the Wei Family. However, he could not say that openly—otherwise, it would make them look far too greedy.

Du Ruolan's beautiful eyes shifted as she brought up their daughter's trip to the Haoran Sect. "Lingyue, I heard from Yunqing that Yunxi still has not succeeded at Qi Introduction. Wouldn't it be somewhat inappropriate to send someone with such aptitude to the Haoran Sect?"

Wei Lingyue glanced at Du Ruolan. "Wasn't it you who said Yunqing wanted Yunxi to accompany her, so you asked me to send both sisters to the Haoran Sect together?"

Du Ruolan smiled faintly and spoke frankly. "Lingyue, I didn't know the Feng Family would do something like this before. I thought Yunxi had the medicinal pills her mother left behind, so even if she relied on pills to cultivate, she would not fall too far behind Yunqing. That way, the two sisters could support one another and would not disgrace the Wei Family.

"But she is young and believed the Feng Family's words, leaving all the good things with them. How will she cultivate after entering the sect? We cannot possibly have Yunqing share her own cultivation resources with her, can we?"

Wei Lingyue replied with a calm expression, "Our Wei Family does not covet the Feng Family's things. Yunxi is still young. Once she begins cultivating, she will understand the importance of cultivation resources."

"Then what about Yunxi going to the Haoran Sect?"

"I'll think it over some more."

Dear ones, Feng Ling wishes everyone a happy New Year! May the Year of the Snake bring you great fortune, a harmonious family reunion, and success in all your wishes! May you welcome the beauty of the new year in your very best state!