Weren't you the one rushing to clear things up just now?

Shen Ji led his junior brothers and sisters away after the servant guiding them.

Zhu Lianqing thought she might as well take the chance to soak in a hot bath, so she followed the maid toward the guest rooms too.

But she had only taken a few steps when Xie Lingchuan caught up.

Zhu Lianqing heard him tell the maid guiding them in an even tone, "Sorry for the trouble, but please put her and me in adjoining rooms. Thank you."

The maid was young, at an age when her appetite for gossip was strong. Hearing this, she immediately said, "So you two Dao Lords are Dao companions? I understand. I'll be sure to give you adjoining rooms."

That's what you get for talking too much. Now she's misunderstood, Zhu Lianqing thought.

But instead of the flustered explanation she had been waiting for, all she got from Xie Lingchuan was silence.

Zhu Lianqing glanced sideways at him and had no choice but to explain herself. "No, we're not Dao companions!"

It was all just because he wanted to keep watch over her!

Once they had been shown to their rooms and the maid had left, Zhu Lianqing turned around and began scolding Xie Lingchuan.

"Why didn't you explain just now?"

Xie Lingchuan remained unruffled, his expression indifferent.

"What if we are, and what if we aren't? I don't care about these things. What she says or thinks is her business."

Zhu Lianqing nearly jumped up and flicked his forehead.

"Young Hero Xie, you're as unassuming as a chrysanthemum, all right, but have you considered me? The things you say are always so easy to misunderstand."

"Does it bother you that much?" Xie Lingchuan lowered his eyes to look at Zhu Lianqing.

Zhu Lianqing froze.

There really was no reason to care about people making up stories.

After all, what was false was false. Why waste energy caring about it?

But this was different. They were pairing her up with her disciple!

A person couldn't-at the very least, mustn't-get together with their disciple!

But she couldn't explain that to her disciple.

So Zhu Lianqing made up an excuse. "Yes, it bothers me. I still want to find a Dao companion someday. The fewer rumors, the better."

"Is that so?"

Xie Lingchuan spoke those words slowly. Just then, a bead of water gathered in the damp hair over his forehead and fell onto his lashes, making the long, fine lashes tremble.

He turned toward his room as he said, "I understand."

Zhu Lianqing thought of that falling droplet. She hadn't said anything harsh, yet it made Xie Lingchuan seem rather pitiful.

He had been the one to cause the misunderstanding, yet Zhu Lianqing rubbed her nose guiltily. "Good, as long as you understand."

Once she was soaking in hot water, Zhu Lianqing sighed in comfort.

Her first attempt to run away had failed.

But that didn't mean she couldn't try again.

She absolutely couldn't go back to the sect with her little disciple and little martial nephews and nieces.

But given that her plan had just crashed and burned, Xie Lingchuan was watching her closely. Zhu Lianqing knew she wouldn't have any opportunities in the near future.

She would travel with her disciple and martial nephews and nieces a while longer, then see.

After finishing her comfortable bath, Zhu Lianqing came out to find Xie Lingchuan waiting for her, leaning against a pillar beneath the eaves.

When he saw her, he said, "They've already gone to the main hall. Hurry."

Zhu Lianqing raised her brows. "If you're in such a hurry, go ahead."

Xie Lingchuan looked at her silently, his meaning clear-I have to keep an eye on you.

Zhu Lianqing smiled. "If you're watching me this closely, why stay next door? You might as well move into my room and stand at the head of my bed at night, with your eyes taking turns on sentry duty."

That single joke made Xie Lingchuan's expression darken. "Now you're not afraid of rumors? Weren't you the one rushing to clear things up just now?"

Zhu Lianqing pressed both hands downward, signaling for Xie Lingchuan not to get angry. "Young Hero Xie, it's just the two of us here. As long as you don't take it seriously, it's fine."

Xie Lingchuan huffed, turned, and went down the steps.

"Hurry. They've been waiting in the front hall for quite some time."

Zhu Lianqing hurried after him.

During the meal, Master Liu's family was so enthusiastic that even Shen Ji could barely cope.

Had Shen Ji not cited the sect rule forbidding anyone under eighteen from drinking, they would have drunk him under the table that day.

Zhu Lianqing, on the other hand, was delighted to have people toast her.

Although Xie Lingchuan was old enough to drink, once Master Liu learned that he disliked alcohol, he stopped urging him.

Halfway through the meal, a girl of about fifteen came to the front hall to see her mother.

She had been walking briskly, her skirts fluttering, but reined herself in somewhat when she saw guests in the main hall and timidly called, "Mother."

"Yanyan, come greet the Dao Lords!" Madam Liu drew the girl into her arms, then nudged her forward.

The girl had a round, fair face and clear, unclouded eyes. She paid her respects to Xie Lingchuan, Shen Ji, and the others one by one.

Perhaps because they were close in age, she kept looking curiously at Jiang Tingxue after taking her seat.

"This is my daughter, Mingzhu. We had her late in life, and we dote on her dearly."

Shen Ji smiled faintly. "I see. Your daughter is blessed with good fortune. Mingzhu is a fine name."

At the compliment, a brilliant smile immediately blossomed across the girl's face.

Master Liu and Madam Liu were delighted to see it and smiled along with her.

"Since you Dao Lords have decided to stay, why not remain another day or two?"

Shen Ji asked, "May I ask if there is a particular reason for extending our stay?"

Madam Liu immediately said, "My daughter's wedding to the son of Zhuolu City's city lord in the Western Region is set for five days from now. Nothing could be better than having a few more Dao Lords light incense and add to her blessings on her wedding day."

Although they had long heard that girls among the common folk married young, seeing that Mingzhu, who was about Jiang Tingxue's age, was about to marry still made them pause.

"What is it, Dao Lords? Is something amiss?"

Shen Ji glanced at Xie Lingchuan, who nodded. He then told Madam Liu, "If you don't mind us imposing, Madam, lighting incense and offering blessings is no great trouble. We'll stay a few more days, then."

Hearing this, Master Liu and Madam Liu both beamed.

"Good, good, wonderful! Nothing could be better than having Dao Lords lend splendor to such a joyous day."

Zhu Lianqing had once visited Zhuolu City in the Western Region to slay demons.

It had once been a small place much like Yunxi City, but after Pingjiang City became a ghost city, the Moon-Gazing Sect had relocated there. With an immortal sect's protection, fewer demons caused trouble within the city, and its people lived and worked in peace. It had now become the most prosperous place in the Western Region.

After the meal, Mingzhu, who had watched Jiang Tingxue throughout, finally went over and took her hand.

Two pairs of large, round eyes met. Mingzhu spoke first. "How old are you?"

Jiang Tingxue said, "I'm fifteen this year."

Mingzhu nodded. "Oh, you're the same age as me."

Jiang Tingxue could no longer contain her curiosity. "You're only fifteen too? Why are you getting married already?"

"My age is quite suitable for marriage. Haven't you found your ideal husband yet?"

Jiang Tingxue nearly jumped in fright. "Whatever you do, don't let my eldest senior brother hear that. In our sect, if my master found out I was romancing a man at my age instead of diligently practicing my swordsmanship, I'd be punished."

Mingzhu nodded without quite understanding. "Is it that serious?"

Jiang Tingxue nodded vigorously. "Of course! Every day, I hear things like, 'Looking for a Dao companion when you're still too young to even find your own natal sword is the greatest joke under heaven,' so often my ears are practically growing calluses."