Ye Qiu hadn’t gone far when he overheard Qian Shanxue asking Qiu Shan Nange this question from outside, and he couldn’t help but pause his steps.
He wanted to hear how Qiu Shan Nange would respond.
Seeing Qian Shanxue’s eyes fixed on her, Qiu Shan Nange realised Qian Shanxue was testing her. To be honest, she felt quite guilty.
What should she do?
Qian Shanxue furrowed her brows, a plan forming in her mind. She put on a stern face and scolded, “Xiaoxue, don’t talk nonsense!”
Qian Shanxue giggled and said, “Master, I was just teasing you. Don’t be angry. But speaking of which, Master, if you do like Ye Qiu, I wouldn’t mind.”
Qiu Shan Nange was stunned. “Xiaoxue, is that your true feeling?”
Qian Shanxue replied, “Master, you don’t know this, but that scoundrel Ye Qiu has more than just me in his heart. He has several other women back in Huaguo.”
“That’s exactly why I didn’t want to tell him about my pregnancy.”
“I wanted him to regret it for the rest of his life.”
“Who would’ve thought, when we were captured by Yoshida Shuuichi, Ye Qiu risked everything, crossing oceans to save me, and nearly died at the hands of Miyamoto Musashi.”
“That’s when I realised Ye Qiu truly cares for me. I no longer hold any resentment towards him. Even knowing he has other women and that I’d have no formal status with him, I don’t care.”
Qiu Shan Nange hugged Qian Shanxue and sighed, “Xiaoxue, you’ve been wronged.”
“I’m not wronged,” Qian Shanxue said. “Finding someone you love is a joyful thing.”
“Master, I also hope you can soon find someone you love.”
“It’d be great if that person was Ye Qiu, then we could be sisters.”
*Thump!*
Qiu Shan Nange flicked Qian Shanxue’s forehead and chided playfully, “If you keep talking nonsense, I’ll really hit you.”
“Alright, alright, I’ll stop,” Qian Shanxue suddenly said. “Master, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”
“What is it?” Qiu Shan Nange asked.
“I’m planning to take Ye Qiu to the back mountain tomorrow,” Qian Shanxue said, sneaking a glance at Qiu Shan Nange, worried she might disapprove. She explained, “I know the back mountain is the forbidden area of our Shuiyue Sect, and no one except the sect leaders is allowed to enter.”
“But I still want to take Ye Qiu there.”
“Ye Qiu’s great enemy is still out there, and I want to lend him a hand.”
“I’m doing this for Ye Qiu, but also for the child in my womb. I don’t want my child to be born without a father.”
“Master, I hope you’ll…”
Before Qian Shanxue could finish, Qiu Shan Nange said, “Alright, I agree.”
“Really?”
Qian Shanxue was overjoyed. “Master, you really agree?”
Qiu Shan Nange said, “Ye Qiu saved us this time, which is as good as saving the Shuiyue Sect. If we had died, the sect would surely have perished.”
“Take him to the back mountain tomorrow.”
“Consider it my repayment for his life-saving grace.”
Qian Shanxue said gratefully, “Thank you, Master.”
Seeing Qian Shanxue’s joyful expression, Qiu Shan Nange sighed inwardly. Silly child, your Master was actually planning to discuss this with you, but you brought it up first.
“It’s getting late. You should rest. I’m going back to my room.”
Qiu Shan Nange stood to leave.
But Qian Shanxue grabbed her sleeve.
“Master, why don’t you sleep in my room? I’ll go out for a bit,” Qian Shanxue said.
“It’s so late, where are you going?” Qiu Shan Nange asked, then smiled. “You want to find Ye Qiu, don’t you?”
Qian Shanxue didn’t deny it and said, “I want to check on him.”
“Go ahead.”
As Qian Shanxue left, Qiu Shan Nange added, “Xiaoxue, you’re pregnant, so be careful.”
“I know,” Qian Shanxue replied, her face flushing as she hurriedly left the room.
…
Ye Qiu rushed back to his room, lay on the bed, and pretended to sleep.
Soon after, he heard footsteps outside. The door was pushed open, and a fragrant breeze wafted in.
Ye Qiu kept pretending to sleep, even letting out soft snores.
Then he heard soft, rustling sounds, unsure of what Qian Shanxue was doing.
About two minutes later, the blanket was gently lifted, and a warm body slipped into his arms.
Ye Qiu was stunned. Since when had Xiaoxue become so bold?
And she wasn’t even wearing…
“Stop pretending. I know you’re awake,” Qian Shanxue said, pinching Ye Qiu’s waist.
*Hiss,*
Ye Qiu gasped in pain, opened his eyes, and asked, “How did you know I was awake?”
“With your cultivation, there’s no way you wouldn’t notice me coming in,” Qian Shanxue said softly. “Are you still upset with me?”
Ye Qiu knew she was referring to the child.
“I’m not upset. If anything, I’m the one who’s at fault,” Ye Qiu said, holding Qian Shanxue. “If I’d known you were pregnant and in danger, I should’ve stayed by your side to care for and protect you.”
“It’s not your fault. I didn’t tell you about the child,” Qian Shanxue said. “Are you willing to take me to Huaguo to meet your family?”
Ye Qiu shook his head.
Qian Shanxue’s face immediately fell.
Ye Qiu explained, “Miyamoto Musashi is dead, and Yoshida Shuuichi is dead. Right now, staying in Dadong is safer for you than going to Huaguo.”
“If you come with me to Huaguo, my enemies will notice you. They won’t spare you, nor the child in your womb.”
“Xiaoxue, once I’ve dealt with my enemies, I’ll take you to Huaguo to meet my family.”
After hearing Ye Qiu’s explanation, Qian Shanxue asked worriedly, “Will your family accept me? I’m from Dadong, and there’s a longstanding feud between Dadong and Huaguo. I’m worried…”
“No need to worry. The grudges of the past have nothing to do with you. Besides, my family is very open-minded. When my mother meets you, she’ll definitely like you.”
Ye Qiu added, “My mother has always wanted to hold a grandchild. If she finds out you’re pregnant, she’ll probably be grinning from ear to ear.”
The gloom on Qian Shanxue’s face finally lifted, and she smiled. “Am I a bit different from before?”
“Yes,” Ye Qiu nodded.
The old Qian Shanxue always had a cold demeanor, giving off an untouchable, sacred aura. But now, she was much gentler, like the girl next door.
“Maybe it’s because of the pregnancy. My mindset has changed a lot,” Qian Shanxue said. “It’s been so long. Did you miss me?”
“I did.”
“How much?”
Ye Qiu said, “I couldn’t eat or drink, thinking of you day and night, wanting to meld you into my very being.”
Qian Shanxue burst out laughing. “You always know how to sweet-talk me.”
Ye Qiu said seriously, “Every word I say comes from the heart.”
“Really?” Qian Shanxue looked at Ye Qiu, her hand gently caressing his shoulder. She kissed his cheek, letting out soft, sweet murmurs, filled with tender affection.
Ye Qiu, stirred by her teasing, couldn’t hold back any longer. He rolled over, pinning Qian Shanxue beneath him.
