After the Death Ceremony, I was Entangled by My Two Wives - Chapter 6

“Senior Sister, are you hiding a beauty in a golden house?”

Ying Buran froze for a moment, then touched Zhao Qingxun’s forehead, then her own. “No fever.”

She didn’t seem to be hallucinating.

Zhao Qingxun chuckled softly, offering no further explanation. Instead, she asked Ying Buran about her progress: “Are there still any blockages?”

“None. I’ll try again.” Ying Buran shook her head, took a deep breath, and sat cross-legged, closing her eyes. She circulated her spiritual energy according to the Senluo Art, silently reciting the incantation.

Zhao Qingxun sat upright, watching her intently. Only when the spiritual energy began flowing smoothly did she finally exhale in relief.

It seems this time will be successful.

The cultivation session lasted three days. On the third day, Ying Buran opened her eyes. Within her Sea of Consciousness, a small tree had sprouted. Her divine sense gently brushed against its leaves, and the leaves responded by nuzzling her back, as if in affection.

Ying Buran gasped in wonder, then withdrew from her Sea of Consciousness. She remembered Zhao Qingxun had said this was the mark of successful cultivation.

From today onward, she had officially embarked on the path of cultivation.

“Excellent! Now, try focusing your spiritual energy into the ground before you. It might produce a remarkable effect,” Zhao Qingxun said with a smile.

Counting the time, she had been cultivating for roughly three years. To go from nothing to mastering the basics in such a short time was already remarkably fast.

She still had several more years to refine her skills.

Ying Buran nodded and began circulating her spiritual energy. She pressed both hands firmly against the ground, closed her eyes, and focused her mind.

At first, she felt nothing. Gradually, a current like a gentle breeze flowed into her hands and seeped into the earth beneath her palms.

When she opened her eyes, a flower had bloomed before her. Its branches slowly unfurled, reaching upward until it blossomed into star-like blossoms.

Zhao Qingxun chuckled softly, concealed the seed, and explained, “This is a Falling Star Flower. Legend says it sprouts from the earth where a fallen star strikes, growing in accordance with people’s wishes. Who knows? One day, it might witness the fulfillment of your own desires.”

“Wow… a wish?” Ying Buran gazed at the flower, cautiously touching its petals. In that instant, she felt the vibrant life force within. “Can I take it with me? I’ll take good care of it.”

Zhao Qingxun produced a small flowerpot from somewhere and handed it to Ying Buran. “Of course you can.”

Ying Buran accepted the pot and carefully transplanted the flower, soil and all, into it. She placed the pot on the windowsill of her room.

Every day, she would bring the flower out to bask in the sun for a while, then water it. She loved the warmth of the sunlight on her skin, feeling as if it could dispel all shadows.

Having chosen and mastered her Dao Technique, the next step was to select her Dao Path.

Zhao Qingxun favored becoming a Medical Cultivator, and the Senluo Art, symbolizing endless vitality, seemed perfectly suited for this path.

But Ying Buran had her own ideas.

It was her third day here, and she had only just managed to get out of bed. Sitting on the edge of the bed in a daze, she vaguely heard a noise outside and shuffled toward it, one step at a time.

Leaning against the window, she watched Zhao Qingxun practice swordsmanship in the courtyard. Fallen leaves danced around the blade as it sliced through the air, leaving shimmering trails in its wake.

The scene was deeply etched into her memory.

So when asked what she wished to cultivate, her immediate response was: the sword.

Zhao Qingxun looked surprised. “Your constitution isn’t very strong,” she said instinctively. “Learning swordsmanship will be even more arduous for you than for others. Are you sure you want to choose this?”

Ying Buran nodded, then tilted her head and smiled at Zhao Qingxun. “Yes! I want to learn the sword. But you don’t mind? I thought you’d refuse.”

“No, this is your decision and your Dao Path. I will respect all your choices,” Zhao Qingxun said earnestly, extending her hand. Ying Buran understood and placed her own hand in Zhao Qingxun’s.

Having only just entered the Dao, Ying Buran hadn’t yet achieved pigu (abstaining from grains) and still needed regular meals. Zhao Qingxun arranged for freshly prepared food to be delivered daily. Eventually, they built a kitchen, and both she and Zhao Qingxun learned to cook.

Ying Buran was rather casual about food, but Zhao Qingxun was meticulous about nourishing her body. After some time, Ying Buran visibly gained weight—at least, she no longer felt like skin stretched over bone.

After another thorough examination, Zhao Qingxun said, “Hmm, much better than before, but still relatively weak. Starting today, I’ll prepare medicinal baths to condition your body. Then, beginning tomorrow, we’ll start physical training. Is that alright?”

Ying Buran nodded. “Yes, I’ll follow your instructions. Thank you.”

“Prepare yourself—it will be grueling. No need for thanks; we don’t need such formalities between us.” Zhao Qingxun patted Ying Buran’s head before rising to make preparations.

Ying Buran touched the spot where Zhao Qingxun had patted her, grinning to herself, already looking forward to tomorrow.

That anticipation vanished without a trace after the first day of training.

Exhausted beyond measure, she felt as if her body no longer belonged to her. Lying on the ground, she lacked even the strength to move, her breath tinged with the faint metallic tang of bl00d.

Zhao Qingxun helped her sit up, fed her a medicinal pill, and asked with concern, “How do you feel? Should we continue tomorrow?”

Ying Buran swallowed the pill, struggling to regulate her breathing, but nodded firmly. “Yes, we must. I’ve fallen too far behind to give up now.”

I’m just so tired.

Zhao Qingxun remained silent for a moment before suddenly lifting Ying Buran into her arms. “Alright, I’ll stay with you too. Let’s take a medicinal bath now. It will relieve your fatigue and improve your health.”

Ying Buran was startled by the sudden embrace, her mind momentarily blank. It wasn’t until they reached the door that she snapped out of her daze, her cheeks burning slightly. Burying her face, she mumbled, “Okay.”

So close… This time it felt different, not just ordinary closeness.

By the time they reached the room, Ying Buran had regained some composure and insisted on handling the bath herself. Zhao Qingxun didn’t object, helping her prepare the medicinal bath before leaving.

After closing the door, Zhao Qingxun rubbed her slightly flushed cheeks, suppressing the strange flutter in her heart.

Meanwhile, Ying Buran soaked in the medicinal bath. It stung at first, but gradually the warmth became soothing, the fatigue and pain slowly melting away.

Two hours later, she changed into fresh clothes, feeling completely revitalized.

Zhao Qingxun, who had been keeping track of the time, entered after checking on Ying Buran. She first cleaned up the bath before gesturing for her to lie down on the bed.

Ying Buran blinked, instinctively glancing out the window. It was still bright outside; surely it wasn’t time for bed yet?

“I’ll massage your limbs and back again,” Zhao Qingxun explained. “This will help your body absorb the medicine faster and relieve your fatigue.”

So that’s how it works… Ying Buran nodded, rubbed her nose, and lay face-down on the bed after removing her outer robe.

Zhao Qingxun slowly but firmly massaged Ying Buran’s muscles, occasionally asking if the pressure was too strong.

As gentle as ever.

Ying Buran buried her face in the pillow, trying to hide her flushed cheeks.

Since her adoptive mothers had died, this was the first time anyone had been so kind to her.

It’s really hard not to fall for her…

“Senior Sister? Senior Sister, are you there?”

A shout from outside interrupted Ying Buran’s thoughts and Zhao Qingxun’s movements.

Zhao Qingxun paused briefly before resuming the massage and finishing up, explaining as she worked, “The person outside is my Junior Sister, Cheng Banxia. She sometimes comes to challenge me to sparring matches.”

“I see,” Ying Buran said, putting on her outer robe. “Can I meet her?”

In all the time she’d been here, she hadn’t met anyone besides Zhao Qingxun and Luo Wangqing.

Zhao Qingxun considered for a moment, then nodded. “Alright, let’s go out together.”

Cheng Banxia was waiting outside the door, bored. She guessed her Senior Sister was probably cultivating, since the courtyard gate was open, indicating someone was inside.

She never expected Zhao Qingxun to emerge from the house with another person.

Seeing Cheng Banxia’s stunned expression, Ying Buran felt a pang of nervousness. Would she mind her being here?

But Cheng Banxia’s first words upon seeing her were, “Senior Sister, are you hiding a beauty in your golden cage?”

Ying Buran: “……”

Zhao Qingxun: “……”