In late spring, warm sunlight spilled into the courtyard of the Mo Residence. A breeze swept through, sending peach blossoms drifting down like pink snowflakes.
Yet this tranquil beauty did nothing to dispel the worry between Mo Yuzhu's brows.
She had just returned from Fifth Madam's quarters, her steps heavy, her thoughts a tangled skein that could neither be cut nor unraveled.
Fifth Madam had told her that her father, Mo Juren, had sent someone with two brocade boxes containing precious cultivation arts for breaking through to the next realm.
Her mother, Jin, had already entered seclusion, swearing not to emerge until she had broken through.
Thinking of her mother, Mo Yuzhu felt both worry and resentment.
She bit her lip, vexed and anxious.
Her mother, Jin, was strong-willed and never dragged her feet, but this time she had gone into seclusion without leaving Mo Yuzhu so much as a word of advice.
If the breakthrough failed... she dared not follow that thought any further.
"What good is being a cultivator? You still hide things even from your closest family..." she murmured, tightening her fingers slightly until the corner of the brocade box dug painfully into her palm.
As the only two cultivators in the Mo Residence, Jin and Mo Yuzhu bore the family's lofty hopes for its cultivation lineage.
Mo Yuzhu sank into thought, recalling how she had been stuck at Qi Refining, First Layer for two whole years.
For those two years, without a cultivation art for the stages that followed, her cultivation had seemed locked fast, unable to advance even an inch.
She had experienced the wondrous changes cultivation brought firsthand. Not only had her body grown stronger, but her senses had become far keener.
At night, she could clearly hear leaves rustling a hundred paces away;
By day, she could discern the slightest movements of a bird's beating wings.
Those wondrous experiences blazed like a fire in her heart, filling her with longing for greater cultivation and an urgent desire to break free of this stagnation.
"And Father is no better." Mo Yuzhu lightly bit her lower lip, a trace of displeasure flashing in her eyes.
"He hasn't come home in nearly ten years. If he can send someone with cultivation arts, can't he spare the time to come back and see us?"
Longing and resentment intertwined in her heart. Her father's face had gradually blurred in her memory, and however hard she tried to recall it, she could only sketch a rough outline.
As she lost herself in her thoughts, a burst of clear laughter broke the silence.
Mo Caihuan and Mo Feng Wu entered the courtyard arm in arm, skipping along like two cheerful little birds. Sharp-eyed Mo Caihuan immediately spotted Mo Yuzhu sitting absentmindedly on a stone stool and pulled Mo Feng Wu over at a run.
"Big Sister!" Mo Caihuan called sweetly. "What are you thinking about out here all alone? Are you pondering cultivation again?"
Mo Yuzhu looked up at lively Mo Caihuan and quiet Mo Feng Wu, forcing a faint smile. "Nothing. Just letting my mind wander."
Mo Caihuan blinked her mischievous eyes and leaned close to Mo Yuzhu, half teasing. "Ever since you became a cultivator, Big Sister, you've been so mysterious. You hardly pay any attention to us anymore.
"Do you look down on us mere mortals now that you're cultivating?"
Though her tone was teasing, a barely perceptible flicker of loneliness passed through her eyes.
Mo Yuzhu feigned anger and raised a hand as if to strike her. "You little brat! How dare you tease your big sister? Just watch how I deal with you!"
With that, she rose and chased Mo Caihuan. Laughing, Mo Caihuan nimbly dodged left and right, crying all the while, "Help! Big Sister's going to hit me!"
Mo Feng Wu stood to one side, watching their antics with a gentle smile and occasionally reminding Mo Caihuan, "Be careful. Don't fall."
After they had played around for a while, Mo Yuzhu stopped, panting. Mo Caihuan was tired too and leaned against a peach tree, gulping down breaths.
Mo Feng Wu stepped forward and offered a handkerchief, saying softly, "Big Sister, Caihuan's just a little glutton. Don't take it to heart."
Mo Yuzhu accepted the handkerchief and wiped the beads of sweat from her forehead. "How could I take it seriously?" she said with a smile. "As if I don't know what Caihuan's like."
Hearing this, Mo Caihuan immediately sprang away from the tree and said with a grin, "Exactly, exactly! Big Sister's the best.
"Oh, right, Big Sister, have you made any new progress in your cultivation lately?
"Are you close to breaking through?"
Mo Yuzhu's smile froze, and a trace of dejection flashed in her eyes. "Same as ever. Still stuck at the First Qi Refining Layer, without any progress."
Mo Caihuan and Mo Feng Wu exchanged a look, sympathy showing on their faces. Mo Caihuan comforted her. "Don't lose heart, Big Sister. Maybe you'll break through in a little while.
"You're the pride of our Mo Residence!"
Mo Yuzhu shook her head with a bitter smile. "Easier said than done. Without a suitable cultivation art, breaking through is harder than climbing to heaven."
She then told them about the brocade boxes their father had sent and her mother's seclusion.
Mo Caihuan covered her mouth in surprise. "So that's why! No wonder we haven't seen First Madam these past two days.
"Going into seclusion to break through is so dangerous. I hope everything goes smoothly for her."
Mo Feng Wu frowned as well and said worriedly, "Yes, the path of cultivation is already full of obstacles. Now that First Madam has entered seclusion, who knows how long she'll be there?
"Big Sister, what are you planning to do?"
Mo Yuzhu pondered for a moment, determination flashing in her eyes. "I've decided to try the cultivation art Father sent and break through the First Qi Refining Layer as soon as possible.
"If Mother can resolutely enter seclusion to achieve a breakthrough, how can I shrink back?"
Mo Caihuan said anxiously, "Big Sister, didn't First Madam say breakthroughs are risky? You must think this through carefully."
Mo Yuzhu patted Mo Caihuan's shoulder and said confidently, "I know. But cultivation means contending with heaven for your very life. What does a little risk matter?
"Besides, Mother has already entered seclusion. I can't fall behind."
Mo Feng Wu nodded slightly and encouraged her. "Big Sister, we believe in you. If you need anything, just ask."
Looking at her two younger sisters, Mo Yuzhu felt warmth well up in her heart. "With you two here, I feel much more confident.
"But don't tell anyone else about this yet. I want to try it on my own first."
Mo Caihuan and Mo Feng Wu nodded at once, promising to keep her secret.
Just then, Fifth Madam approached with light, graceful steps, her expression more solemn than usual.
Her gaze swept over the three young women as she said quietly, "Enough playing around. Come with me to meet our honored guest. Remember, you must attend to him well. If you can catch his eye, our Mo Residence will have someone to rely on in the future."
At this, Mo Yuzhu's brows drew together slightly, and inwardly she remained unconvinced.
Her beauty was renowned far and wide, and now she was a cultivator as well. In her eyes, worldly dignitaries were no more than passing clouds.
Still, Fifth Madam held considerable standing in the household, and Mo Yuzhu could hardly deny her that respect. She could only offer a cool acknowledgment.
Mo Caihuan's eyes, however, lit up. Excitedly tugging Mo Feng Wu's sleeve, she whispered, "Second Sister, who do you think this honored guest is? Could he be a handsome, dashing young gentleman?"
Mo Feng Wu smiled with pursed lips and gently shook her head, signaling her not to speak out of turn.
Though she was an adopted daughter, Fifth Madam treated her exceptionally well and had privately warned her that today's matter concerned the Mo Residence's future. She must not take it lightly.
Jing Wen sat in a small pavilion on the hill behind the Mo Residence, a cup of clear tea in his hand, his gaze leisurely roaming over the estate's scenery.
Mo Juren was still regulating his breathing to recover. With nothing else to do that day, Jing Wen was simply taking a little rest.
Naturally, he had also seen the Mo Residence's three beauties playing in the courtyard earlier, but he had paid them no particular attention, merely casting a casual glance their way.
Before long, Fifth Madam arrived with the three young women and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, honored guest."
Jing Wen raised his eyes, sweeping his gaze over the four of them.
Fifth Madam truly lived up to her reputation as a peerless beauty in Jia Yuan City. Though she was already twenty-five, her allure surpassed that of a young maiden, every frown and smile brimming with charm.
Mo Yuzhu wore an indifferent expression, a faint impatience lurking between her brows, but her exquisitely beautiful face certainly justified her reputation.
Mo Caihuan studied him curiously with bright, lively eyes, making no effort to conceal her interest.
Mo Feng Wu was the quietest, her gaze lowered and her bearing composed. One glance marked her as a young lady of impeccable upbringing.
Though Jing Wen paid little heed to feminine beauty, he had heard of the Mo Residence's three beauties. Seeing them today, he found them pleasing to the eye.
He gave a slight nod. "There's no need for such ceremony."
Fifth Madam said respectfully, "I hear you'll be staying at the residence for a few days. Why not let these three attend you? If you need anything at all, simply give the word."
She then added softly, "I live in the Purple Cloud Pavilion. If you have any important business, you may summon me at any time as well."
She raised a hand and pointed to an elegant little building nearby.
Jing Wen nodded. "Sorry for the trouble."
Fifth Madam curtsied, then gave the three young women another meaningful look before turning to leave.
Before she left, she quietly instructed them, "Attend him well. Do not neglect him."
Before you continue