In the Green Lotus Courtyard

Three days later, at Green Lotus Courtyard

The servants all knew that their mistress was in a bad mood these days. Even the head maids around Fei Shuhe spoke and acted in a bad tone, completely unlike their usual kind and gentle selves.

Pei Yi, who had come to see her, sensed the unpleasant atmosphere. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Nanny Sun who came out to greet her, he saw Fei Shuhe come out to meet him, looking exhausted.

At this moment, the noblewoman of the Fei Household spoke in a low voice, with a hint of dejection. "I'm sorry to have troubled you, Uncle. I'm useless as your sister-in-law; I've returned empty-handed again this time."

Although Pei Yi was prepared, he still couldn't help but feel a little disappointed, but he showed no change in expression and simply said respectfully:

"Not at all. My sister-in-law's family has been a powerful clan for generations, and the two elders are preoccupied with matters of state and military affairs, so it's only natural that they can't attend to things here. We are all extremely grateful that my sister-in-law has allowed us to recruit Rogue Cultivator in the name of the Fei Household."

Unexpectedly, Fei Shuhe frowned upon hearing this, her tone turning sour. "Uncle, you must understand, my husband is not only the head of Double Brightness Fei Shuhe, but also my husband, and the father of Changyi and Changxi. This matter isn't just a concern for you and your fellow disciples! I am also extremely anxious!"

Pei Yi repeatedly apologized, bowing his head and bowing twice.

Fei Shuhe didn't dwell on the matter, but instead asked, "The Dragon Beast Master said that even if all the Golden-Feathered Owl were released now, they still wouldn't be able to find out the situation in the Cold Crow Mountain Range. Has Uncle received any news from the Jia-Chou Military Stronghold?"

Pei Yi could only smile wryly, "If any news comes, how could I not inform my sister-in-law in time?"

Fei Shuhe sighed and said, "Changyi sent a message back yesterday, saying he wanted to come back to help. When I had Nanny Sun reply, I scolded him a lot. What difference does it make whether a mere cultivator who has just entered the late stage of cultivation comes back or not? We adults will handle the affairs of the household; why should he worry about them?"

After sighing, Fei Shuhe sighed again in her heart, thinking that if Kang Dabao had listened to her back then and made Kang Changyi a disciple of Shoushi the High Cultivator Chu Yanran instead of making Registered Disciple of Chu Yanran, a newly promoted Golden Core cultivator who had nothing but a title.

Although Shoushi the High Cultivator had a poor reputation, he was the best at teaching disciples. Among his True Disciple, more than one had become Pill Master. In addition, he had a wide circle of friends and acquaintances with many prominent families in the vicinity.

Given the relationship between the two families, it shouldn't be a problem for Chongming Sect to find one or two fake alchemists to help them. If that were the case, the situation at Jiachou Military Stronghold wouldn't be so urgent.

"I should have been more assertive back then. I clearly stated beforehand that matters concerning the inner quarters and education should be my responsibility."

Fei Shuhe knew that lamenting was useless at this point, so she immediately shook off these distracting thoughts and turned to Pei Yi to ask, "Has Second Uncle decided when to set off for the expedition?"

"Most of the personnel we assigned arrived a few days ago. Junior Brother Yuan and Senior Brother Ye are currently working hard on training, which should take about ten days," Pei Yi replied softly.

"Ten days?!" Fei Shuhe's tone rose slightly. She knew the stakes, and that as an outsider, she shouldn't easily comment on such military matters, so she asked again:

"Upon my return, I heard that my second uncle recently used some methods to deal with two families who had broken their promises. May I ask if this is true?"

Pei Yi's expression changed slightly, and he quickly tried to cover it up. "Junior Brother Yuan was just worried and confused. We brothers and I have already advised him afterwards. Sister-in-law, don't worry, it will be difficult for this kind of thing to happen again."

Unexpectedly, Fei Shuhe shook her head and said, "Junior Brother Pei, there's no need to explain. I asked not to reprimand you, but because I felt Junior Brother Yuan's punishment was too lenient. In the future, if there are any more rebellious individuals like this, they should be severely punished."

"This..." Pei Yi was so shocked that he was speechless for a moment, unable to utter a word for a long time.

Fei Shuhe took in the whole scene, but sighed inwardly, "Although my lord's junior brothers are not mediocre people, their vision is too shallow."

When has being harsh and strict ever been considered a mistake? If this were in the Ying Prefecture clan territory, the cultivators from Ping and Jin counties would have been severely punished long ago for their lazy attitude after their master's fall. How could they be as soft-hearted as these brothers?

Fei Shuhe had no intention of talking to Pei Yi anymore. She found an excuse to have Nanny Sun send Pei Yi away, and then returned to the backyard. There was still a conversation that she needed to start.

Yuan Xiyue and Zhang Qingran sat down on their seats with numb expressions. In fact, they had always looked the same since the day they were forced to become the concubines of the Sect Leader Kang Da.

The two women were both promising Foundation Establishment True Cultivator; how could they possibly develop feelings for that lecherous man just because they had been on his bed once?

As for the idea that feelings develop over time, that's utterly ridiculous.

In this world, there are always those poor scholars who, after taking away a fairy's undergarment, can return home together as husband and wife—a pipe dream. Do they really believe that with just a few ounces of flesh, they can lock a beautiful female cultivator's heart away in the inner quarters? How can things in this world be so illogical?!

Therefore, if anyone in the Chongming Sect and Green Lotus Courtyard is truly indifferent to the safety of Sect Leader Kang Da, it is only these two women.

Sitting in the main seat, Fei Shuhe studied the two women's expressions for a while, and after pondering for a long time, she said, "This time, it will be hard for you two sisters again."

"Tch," Zhang Qingran's cold laugh had barely left her lips when a tearing pain shot through her heart. Along with it came Fei Shuhe's deep, resonant voice:

"Don't try to play dumb with me now. If you were truly willing to risk your life to become a chaste and virtuous woman, why did you take off your undergarments and climb into bed with her back then?"

Zhang Qingran blushed with embarrassment and glared angrily at Fei Shuhe, who didn't flinch at all. Fei Shuhe merely turned her head to look at her, her beautiful eyes showing no pity whatsoever, and said bluntly, "Qingran, I've already chosen one for you!"

The words were intimate, but the tone was unmistakably cold. Zhang Qingran turned her head away in hatred, but Fei Shuhe had no intention of letting her off the hook. She simply added, "Remember this: if you dare to look at me like that again, I'll make sure you can't bear to look at me again."

Zhang Qingran trembled from the shout, her beautiful eyes closed tightly, and two clear tears fell down her cheeks. She didn't know whether she felt more regret or more sorrow.

At this moment, Yuan Xiyue had been sitting quietly to the side without speaking, finally spoke. She first sighed suddenly, and then spoke softly, changing the subject:

"Why are you angry, sister? Qingran is just a little shy and, being a legitimate daughter, can't stand being slighted, which is why she acted so rudely. I suppose you, sister, come from a distinguished family and your perspective is far superior to ours, a country bumpkin. As the mistress of the house, you certainly wouldn't hold a grudge against her."

Fei Shuhe's expression improved slightly. After carefully examining Yuan Xiyue's feigned smile, she said with a smile, "Sister Xiyue is more sensible."

Yuan Xiyue's smile widened further as she spoke, "Sister, you summoned Qingran and me here today perhaps out of concern. Since we entered the sect, when have we not offered our help? Sister, please don't worry."

Upon hearing this, Fei Shuhe interrupted, saying, "Times have changed. This time, simply exerting our strength may not be enough; we need both of you to risk your lives."

Zhang Qingran stopped sobbing and looked up with her red eyes. Yuan Xiyue's smile also faded, and she looked at Fei Shuhe expressionlessly, remaining silent for a long time.

Fei Shuhe, as always, showed no intention of speaking much with the two women, and the room fell into a silence so profound you could hear a pin drop.

In the end, Zhang Qingran could not contain herself and, filled with grief and indignation, uttered a mocking laugh:

"You venomous woman, you say I'm feigning innocence, but aren't you the same? You know perfectly well that Yuan Xiyue and I have fallen for your schemes, and that we can only be manipulated by you in everything. So why put on this hypocritical act, pretending to discuss things with us? Just give the order, and how dare we disobey?"

Yuan Xiyue showed no intention of backing down this time. Like Zhang Qingran, she thought Fei Shuhe was playing a pointless cat-and-mouse game. Her beautiful eyes were indifferent and lifeless, and her heart was equally unmoved.

Unexpectedly Fei Shuhe smiled and said, "I am not a heartless person. After spending so much time together, I can't just treat you two as useless playthings to please my husband. There must be some genuine affection between us."

After hearing the two women's sneers, Fei Shuhe was not annoyed. She turned around and took out a handwritten letter with an official seal, asking Nanny Sun to present it to the two women for their review.

During this process, she calmly said, "This is a letter I wrote to my aunt asking for the Joy Powder on your person. As long as my husband returns safely this time, this letter can be placed on my aunt's desk."

The two women's eyes lit up upon hearing this. If it weren't for Han Ningyue, an aunt from a prestigious family, helping Fei Shuhe with her methods, how could Fei Shuhe, an early-stage True Cultivator who wasn't good at fighting, possibly have subdued the two of them, even with the help of the old servant Nanny Sun?

Not to mention willingly accompanying Fei Shuhe to serve their lord.

"Only."

After a brief moment of excitement, the two women's eyes regained their composure.

Zhang Qingran, lacking the necessary shrewdness, spoke first, "How can we trust you? Or rather, what can we do if you don't give us the antidote when it returns?!"

Yuan Xiyue didn't say anything, but judging from Zhang Qingran said was exactly what she felt.

This time, Fei Shuhe did not rush to respond. After carefully putting away the silk scroll that Nanny Sun had presented, she spoke in a cold voice, "My two sisters have probably misunderstood this time."

The noblewoman of the Fei Household paused at this point in her speech, then looked at the two beautiful women in the hall whose faces were filled with sorrow.

The first wife showed no compassion whatsoever. Her voice was harsh and devoid of any warmth. "If our lord doesn't return this time, my two sisters will have no offspring. They'll be lonely in their lives."

Tears welled up in Zhang Qingran's eyes again, and even Yuan Xiyue was startled by Fei Shuhe's intimidation.

But the head wife didn't finish her sentence: "The reason I showed this letter to my two younger sisters wasn't to make any promises. It was simply to make it clear to them how I would act. After all, this time is different from before; you had no choice."

Zhang Qingran collapsed to the ground, while Yuan Xiyue seemed to have lost her spine, slumping in her seat and remaining silent.

Fei Shuhe didn't care whether others thought she was a viper in the eyes of others because of her behavior. She simply exchanged a glance with Nanny Sun and then stepped out.

At this moment, Huo Ying, who had always been sitting in the corner and never dared to speak, followed closely behind the two of them and said urgently, "Please take me with you this time, sister."

Nanny Sun's eyes flashed with a strange light, and the two women in the hall wore mocking smiles. Only Fei Shuhe felt a tremor in her heart upon hearing these words. She turned around and looked back, as if trying to see a hint of affectation on Huo Ying's face, which had lost its youth and beauty.

I looked for a long time, but still couldn't find it.

This was the first time Fei Shuhe had looked at her eldest son's birth mother so closely. She could see the fine lines around the latter's still bright eyes, her anxious face, and Huo Ying's clenched hands and panting breath.

It's easy to imagine how much courage it took for Huo Ying, who never dared to come and talk to her directly, to speak to her like this today.

Fei Shuhe felt slightly ashamed of herself because of this heartfelt sincerity. She stood there stunned for a long time, and it was only after being reminded by Nanny Sun that she came back to her senses.

At this moment, the noblewoman of the Fei Household, seeing only the intense gaze ahead, knew that she didn't need to offer any further words of advice. So she simply spoke words of comfort:

"Don't worry, Huo Household. I was just trying to scare your two lazy older sisters. The situation isn't that dangerous at all. I'm here for you. Don't worry, just stay home and take good care of Changxi for me."

After speaking, Fei Shuhe did not leave alone, but instead took Huo Ying back to the inner room, leaving Zhang Qingran and Yuan Xiyue alone in the courtyard.

At this moment, the clear moonlight generously poured down from the courtyard, casting a sorrowful hue over the two women.

Is it pitiful?

Who isn't pitiful?

---- Bing-Zi Military Stronghold

"The Demon Beast have retreated!! Star-Shooting Crossbow, fire another round!"

" Those at the Qi Refining Fifth Layer or above, go out into battle to collect Demon Beast materials. We need everything—alchemy, artifacts, talismans, and arrays—as they are all vital to our lives. Keep your eyes peeled and don't let any usable material slip by."

"Senior Brother Song, Junior Brother Shan's injuries have worsened again."

"This array flag needs repair. Forget about the array masters and weapon makers; I'll give it a try myself."

Song Cheng watched the beasts retreat and rest, put down the blue Ruyi in his hand, and breathed a sigh of relief. At the same time, he was also glad that the legendary Spirit Awakening Demon Beast had not landed here, which finally made the Second Tier Copper-Eyed Jackal leading the group outside not work too hard.

As for going out to pursue, the Bing-Zi Military Stronghold was mostly filled with wounded soldiers, and it was fortunate that they had held on until now. Song Cheng was even less capable of leading them to chase after a beast horde led by Second Tier Demon Beast.

"Senior Brother Du, things are still peaceful here, so the Jia-Chou Military Stronghold should be fine too." Song Cheng said in a low voice, then shifted his gaze to Du Qing, who was already covered in wounds, as if expecting a positive answer.

The latter feigned confidence and echoed:

"Of course, I had the honor of sitting and talking with the sect leader several times back then, how could I not know what abilities he possessed? Our sect leader once even killed a fake alchemist master, so how could a mere beast horde possibly do anything to him?"

Although Du Qing's cultivation level was not high, his seniority among the disciples of the Chongming Sect was indeed quite profound. After he said this, even the guardian cultivators, including Song Cheng, felt more at ease.

After being infused with this spirit, the cultivators' actions in repairing the formation became much faster.

Song Cheng finally breathed a sigh of relief, but before he could finish visiting Xiu Ming on his sickbed, he turned around and rushed back to the stockade wall when he heard a violent howl coming from the beasts that had just stopped resting, which continued for a long time.

"Retreat to position! Retreat to position!"