Under a clear blue sky with the sun shining brightly, a colorful cloud drifted through the morning glow as Purple Sun Prefecture ca into view.
The newly purchased residence was located in the eastern part of the city, adjacent to the bustling marketplace. Even early in the morning, the streets were lively, with vendors weaving through the alleys, their cries rising and falling like waves. The crowd was dense, faintly reminiscent of the capital of the Great Shang Kingdom.
Beneath the overpass, the sharp rap of a storyteller's gavel rang out, followed by a booming voice.
"The latest Nine Heavens and Ten Lands Rankings have been released, and many major events have unfolded recently!"
"From afar, the Western Zen Sect has seen the reincarnation of a Living Buddha—Monk Huikong, who leaves lotus blossoms in his wake. anwhile, the Southern Black Witch Sect has concocted a new type of exotic poison. Over at the Lingxi Sect, several disciples have gone missing, though the sect leader claims it's rely an internal reshuffling of temporary mbers—nothing major."
"In my humble opinion, folks, it's best to steer clear of the Lingxi Sect these days. The feng shui there seems... off."
"But let’s return to our own Purple Sun Prefecture. The Qingyuan Sect is on the verge of becoming the leading sect of the region, and the engagent between the Frost Fairy and the Swordmaster Li Qun is imminent. Everyone knows this, but I’ve got so insider tidbits that might surprise you..."
......
The crowd buzzed with excitent, their murmurs growing louder as they hung onto every word.
"The Buddhist sects have been producing quite a few prodigies lately—not just Monk Huikong, but also Master Zangai, who’s said to be half-human, half-demon yet possesses profound Buddhist enlightennt."
"I always thought the Lingxi Sect would dominate the Eastern Wasteland. But with so many disciples gone, they’ll probably fade into obscurity now."
"Even at its peak, the Lingxi Sect was nothing compared to our Qingyuan Sect. We’ve got the Frost Fairy Ying Bing and the 'Wife-Blessing Overlord' Li Mo!"
At the ntion of this, even casual passersby perked up.
People eagerly exchanged rumors—how Young Master Li wielded a mighty sword surpassing even the Celestial Blade, how his hamr could shrink and grow at will...
"?"
Amid the crowd, Gu Xueqin narrowed her eyes, finding the descriptions of her son both familiar and strange.
Her younger brother chuckled beside her.
"A mother’s heart aches when her child is far from ho. Sis might not say it, but she’s clearly worried—lingering here to listen while out buying groceries."
Thinking about it, he couldn’t help but sigh.
The last ti he saw Li Mo, the boy was a sickly half-grown child. Now, in the blink of an eye, he had beco a renowned hero across the land, soon to be wed.
"Just gossip, Sis. With Little Mo’s fa, it’s only natural people would spin tall tales."
"That’s true. But why hasn’t that rascal co ho yet?"
Gu Xueqin carried her basket of groceries, leading Ying Bing by the hand toward the market.
"..."
Ying Bing glanced at Huang Donglai, who had changed into a new outfit on stage.
Well... perhaps not all of it was baseless exaggeration.
Once inside the market, Gu Xueqin’s spirits lifted. She guided Ying Bing through the stalls, her lips curling slightly whenever soone asked about the ethereal young woman by her side, whose beauty rivaled the Frost Fairy’s.
She’d introduce Ying Bing while seizing the mont of the other’s astonishnt to haggle for a better price.
Ying Bing had grown up in the Li household but had rarely ventured outside.
Yet now, whether facing strangers or trailing behind Gu Xueqin in the market, she no longer wore her icy, unapproachable expression. Instead, she was serene and graceful—even mastering the Li family’s art of bargaining.
When Gu Xueqin finished haggling, the Frost Fairy would casually ask for an extra bundle of scallions.
By midday, the family returned ho.
Gu Xueqin busied herself with chores while recounting the day’s rumors to Li Dalong.
"Our son will only spend less and less ti at ho from now on. But maybe that’s for the best."
Li Dalong, sensing his wife’s longing and worry, reassured her,
"That brat’s not the sa as before. He’s a rising star now, and soon enough, he’ll be a true heavyweight. Big shots don’t have ti to hover around their parents."
"They say parents shouldn’t let their children wander far. Who wouldn’t want their kids close by?"
Gu Xueqin sighed softly.
"You weren’t like this when he left."
"That’s how sons are. When they’re away, you miss them. When they’re ho too long, they get on your nerves."
Sons were like the double-slit experint—missed when unseen, slightly annoying when observed too much.
"What about daughters?"
"Whether near or far, they’re always sweet."
Ying Bing lowered her eyes, appearing as serene as an orchid in a secluded valley. But inwardly, her heart ward, and even the tea she sipped tasted sweeter.
"But Little Bing can’t stay with us forever either." Gu Xueqin’s tone grew wistful again.
Perhaps, across the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands, won of this age were just as sentintal?
Then, Li Dalong suddenly asked, "Little Bing, do you prefer boys or girls?"
Ying Bing actually paused, her phoenix-like eyes narrowing in thought.
Well, she didn’t need to think too hard.
The mont the question was posed, it was as if two tiny figures popped up beside her head—one a little angelic ice cube, the other a mischievous little imp.
Ying Bing stared blankly, utterly unable to decide.
"I... like both."
Li Dalong laughed. "See, dear? Little Bing wants a pair too. So why worry about having no one to keep us company in our old age?"
"That’s true. If that’s the case, who cares if that rascal never cos back?"
Gu Xueqin’s eyes sparkled, her entire deanor glowing at the re thought.
"?"
Ying Bing realized that the elder Lis had subtly shifted the topic away from children.
Because she suddenly rembered Li Mo’s three-step plan—upper, middle, and lower strategies.
Now it seed the "upper strategy" had been devastatingly effective on Aunt Gu...
"Then... should I leave?"
Just then, a familiar voice sounded at the door.
Ying Bing, who had been looking elegantly composed (if a bit slow on the uptake), turned her head.
The mont she saw who it was, her expression shifted to one of utter bewildernt.
Li Mo stood at the entrance, the rotund Elder Qian beside him.
He spread his hands, looking utterly baffled—as if even the "far-sweet, near-annoying" rule had failed him.
He hadn’t even stepped inside, and already he wasn’t welco?
Damn it, what had that ice block been up to these past few days?!
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