The Beloved Master's Mad Dog Disciple - Chapter 25

Wife, I’m scared.

With Feng Yingbo no longer causing trouble, their journey progressed much more smoothly.

Lanshou Village was already quite close to Imperial Peak Mountain. Moreover, the two horses had been fed Beast Essence Pills by Feng Jin, altering their constitution and making them far faster than ordinary steeds. This significantly shortened their travel time, and they arrived at Lanshou Village by midday. Feng Jin and Feng Yingbo, seated outside the carriage, were the first to spot the village’s boundary marker.

Feng Jin let out a surprised “Huh?” “Martial Aunt Shen, Sect Leader, Eldest Senior Sister, it looks like Lanshou Village is celebrating a wedding.”

Bo Xuenong lifted the carriage curtain and glanced out the window.

Sure enough, every household in Lanshou Village was adorned with red silk banners and lanterns, the crimson fabric fluttering in the wind like cascading sunset clouds—a breathtaking sight.

Yet strangely, the village was eerily silent, devoid of the usual wedding festivities. Not a single person could be seen anywhere.

Bo Xuenong tapped her earlobe, a faint white light flickering at her fingertip as her hearing amplified severalfold. Finally, she detected a sound—not of celebration or joy, but of intermittent weeping.

The cries were fragmented and chaotic, coming from many voices.

Bo Xuenong lowered the curtain, her brow furrowing. “Master,” she said.

Shen Yanting shook her head at Bo Xuenong, who obediently fell silent, realizing Shen Yanting had also heard the sounds.

The two sat side by side, watching Fu Yunqing’s face light up with joy.

Fu Yunqing lacked the sensitivity to hear the muffled sobs or sense the village’s unease, instead immersing herself in the festive atmosphere. “I wonder whose wedding it is? Do I know them? If so, we could go ask for a cup of wedding wine.”

Feng Jin halted the carriage outside the village and turned back to reply, “Sect Leader, everyone you used to know has probably passed away by now.”

Fu Yunqing was a Core Formation Stage cultivator, whose lifespan of over seven hundred years was considered fleeting by fellow cultivators but seemed eternal to mortals with their century-long lives.

Though Lanshou Village still existed, all the people Fu Yunqing had known were long gone.

Feng Jin spoke the truth, but her words were harsh.

Even the blunt Feng Yingbo found Feng Jin’s remark too blunt. She reached out and tapped Feng Jin’s forehead. “If you can’t speak properly, you might as well be mute.”

Fu Yunqing had a remarkably good temperament. Earlier, when Bo Xuenong had suspected her of angering Shen Yanting, she had been briefly annoyed but quickly forgotten the incident.

Now was certainly not the time to dwell on Feng Jin’s bluntness. Fu Yunqing quickly stopped Feng Yingbo, who was about to scold her disciple. “It’s fine. Xiao Jin didn’t say anything wrong.”

Though she spoke these words, the joy in her eyes faded instantly, replaced by a hint of sorrow.

Fu Yunqing glanced out of the carriage. “Senior Sister Shen, why don’t we bring them a gift and ask for a cup of wedding wine?”

She withdrew her gaze and smiled. “Maybe a touch of wedding luck will delay my death a little longer.”

“Very well,” Shen Yanting agreed without hesitation. It wasn’t just for Fu Yunqing’s wish, but also for the sake of those weeping voices—they ought to pay their respects.

Feng Yingbo and the others naturally had no objections.

Feng Yingbo casually retrieved a gold ingot from her Storage Ring and tossed it to Fu Yunqing. “Sect Leader, here.”

Fu Yunqing caught the gold, pondered for a moment, and said, “Junior Sister Feng, please stop calling me Sect Leader. Since we’re pretending to be ordinary people, I think we should change our titles and roles.”

Her gaze swept over the group, and she touched her face, a mischievous glint suddenly appearing in her eyes. “How about this? Since I look the oldest, I’ll be your mother, and all of you will be my daughters. I promise I’m not trying to take advantage of anyone.”

Fu Yunqing’s words would have been more believable if she hadn’t added that last line.

Cultivators age slowly. With each breakthrough in cultivation, their lifespan extends dramatically, and the aging process slows exponentially. After reaching the Nascent Soul stage, their physical appearance completely stops aging.

Some cultivators, particularly those obsessed with their appearance, strive to reach the Nascent Soul stage as quickly as possible. Others even use Youth Preservation Pills to freeze their appearance at their most desired stage. Thus, the higher one’s innate talent, the faster they advance and the slower they age. Some exceptionally gifted Sect Patriarchs maintain a remarkably youthful appearance until their death.

Fu Yunqing is currently only at the Core Formation Stage, lacking the cultivation level required to halt aging. Had Shen Yanting not given her a Youth Preservation Pill, she would already appear as a frail, elderly woman. However, Shen Yanting had only joined the Imperial Tranquility Sect five hundred years ago, so she couldn’t have given Fu Yunqing the pill any earlier. Fu Yunqing does appear the oldest among their group, resembling someone in their forties or fifties, with faint wrinkles at the corners of her eyes.

By proposing to be their “mother,” Fu Yunqing was clearly trying to gain an advantage. Bo Xuenong couldn’t refute her, especially since Shen Yanting hadn’t spoken yet.

Feng Yingbo was the first to enthusiastically respond to Fu Yunqing’s suggestion. She leaned into the carriage, excitedly rubbing her palms together. “Then I’ll be the second oldest! I want to be… um, your little mother!”

Before she could finish, Feng Jin clamped a hand over her mouth. Feng Yingbo tugged Feng Jin’s hand down in protest, managing to force out the complete sentence.

Her attempt to gain an advantage was even more blatant now!

Bo Xuenong pursed her lips, studying Feng Yingbo’s delicate, youthful face. “Elder Feng, you look quite young.”

Speaking of Feng Yingbo’s appearance, Bo Xuenong suddenly recalled something odd. Despite her exceptional innate talent, Feng Yingbo had only begun cultivating at the age of thirty-five. During her time in the mortal world, she had often worked on farms, making her appear several years older than her peers. Although her cultivation progress had been rapid, her appearance hadn’t kept pace. Yet, after returning from a cultivation journey, she not only brought back a child but also looked noticeably younger, her skin remarkably improved.

Bo Xuenong remembered this detail largely because Fu Yunqing had relentlessly pestered Feng Yingbo for years about her youth preservation secrets. Of course, the efforts had been fruitless; Feng Yingbo always claimed ignorance.

Anyone else might have kept such a secret hidden, but with Feng Yingbo, it was likely she genuinely didn’t know. Even Shen Yanting eventually concluded that Feng Yingbo had probably stumbled upon some fortuitous opportunity by chance.

By the time Bo Xuenong snapped out of her reverie, Feng Yingbo had already been silenced. As the eldest among them, Shen Yanting felt that having one person claim seniority over her was enough; she wouldn’t tolerate a second.

Using her spiritual energy, Shen Yanting sealed Feng Yingbo’s mouth shut and declared coldly, “I’ll be the elder sister, and you’ll be the younger sister.”

Shen Yanting glanced at the now-alert Bo Xuenong, patted her head, and softened her tone slightly, “Nong’er will also be the younger sister.”

Bo Xuenong nodded eagerly, afraid that if she hesitated, Shen Yanting might think she disliked the arrangement.

Satisfied with Bo Xuenong’s acceptance, Shen Yanting turned to Feng Jin, who still hadn’t been assigned a role. “Xiao Jin will also…”

“No! Jin’er must be my daughter!”

Feng Yingbo proved surprisingly resilient, breaking free from Shen Yanting’s spiritual restraints and immediately protesting.

Bo Xuenong could guess why Feng Yingbo was so agitated and insistent.

Unbeknownst to Shen Yanting and the others, Fu Yunqing’s hand, which had been stroking her cheek, froze. She rolled her eyes at Feng Yingbo. “Do I look like someone who could have a granddaughter your age?”

“Yes!”

Fu Yunqing had hoped to gain an advantage, but she hadn’t intended to elevate her seniority by so much. She knelt before Feng Yingbo and pinched her soft, pale cheek. “Where do you see the resemblance?”

“Jin’er is still so young,” Feng Yingbo retorted, brushing aside Fu Yunqing’s hand and pulling the silent Feng Jin into a tight embrace. Her voice rang with unwavering conviction. “She can only be my daughter. If you refuse to accept that, I won’t acknowledge you as my mother either.”

Fu Yunqing narrowed her eyes. “Feng Yingbo, you’re acting strangely.”

Feng Yingbo’s face stiffened, but she clung to Feng Jin. “No matter what you say, Jin’er will always be my daughter.”

Feng Jin’s lips parted slightly, but no sound escaped her throat. Her gaze was a complex mix of faint hope and cold resolve. Abruptly, she pushed Feng Yingbo away and crawled deeper into the carriage.

Feng Jin, who had always been terrified of Bo Xuenong, suddenly reached out and hugged Bo Xuenong’s leg. “I’ll do it! I’ll make the arrangements… Sect Leader will be my grandmother, Martial Aunt Shen will be my mother, Master will be my stepmother, Eldest Senior Sister will be my aunt, and Xiang Yu will be my great-aunt.”

After speaking, she didn’t dare look at Feng Yingbo. She tilted her delicate head and glanced at Shen Yanting and Bo Xuenong. “Eldest Senior Sister, Martial Aunt Shen… is that… alright?”

Bo Xuenong saw the pleading in Feng Jin’s eyes.

Feng Jin, who had always avoided her like the plague, was now begging her. Though confused, Bo Xuenong nodded almost unconsciously.

Shen Yanting didn’t respond immediately. She was watching Feng Yingbo.

Like Fu Yunqing, she sensed something was off about Feng Yingbo.

“Jin’er,” Feng Yingbo said, her expression troubled. It wasn’t anger so much as hurt, which only deepened Bo Xuenong’s confusion.

Now that Feng Jin had shed her act of arrogance and cruelty, Bo Xuenong realized she was not only timid and weak but also remarkably sensitive and observant. Xiang Yu had been so quiet during the journey that Bo Xuenong had almost forgotten she was even in the carriage. Yet Feng Jin hadn’t forgotten to assign Xiang Yu a role, likely guessing that Feng Yingbo wouldn’t approve of the arrangement.

Although she hadn’t figured out exactly how Feng Yingbo had given birth to Feng Jin, she knew that no one would be happy about their own mother becoming a concubine. She refused to believe Feng Jin was stupid.

Even when Feng Jin ignored her, Feng Yingbo would find a way to get her attention.

She poked Feng Jin’s cheek forcefully. “Why am I a concubine?”

Feng Yingbo’s resentment was palpable. Feng Jin looked up, her voice softening involuntarily. “Didn’t you want to be a concubine just now?”

“I didn’t want to be your concubine.”

Bo Xuenong and the others rarely saw Feng Yingbo this serious. Bo Xuenong grew even more convinced they were mother and daughter, but she still couldn’t understand how Feng Yingbo had given birth to Feng Jin, or why Feng Jin seemed to deliberately provoke Feng Yingbo’s displeasure.

Feng Jin didn’t dare look at Feng Yingbo. She buried her head low, her grip on Bo Xuenong’s leg tightening as if Bo Xuenong were her only lifeline.

At that moment, Feng Yingbo seemed far more terrifying than Bo Xuenong.

Yet Feng Yingbo had always treated Feng Jin with exceptional kindness.

Bo Xuenong couldn’t understand, and neither could Shen Yanting. She reached out to pull Feng Jin, who was huddled in the middle of the carriage, to her feet. But Feng Jin, seeing her outstretched hand, seized the opportunity for a better excuse: “Martial Aunt Shen said you’re the younger sister and she’s the elder. It wouldn’t be right for the younger sister to have a daughter while the elder sister has none, would it?”

Her reasoning was flimsy.

Shen Yanting had meant sisters by bl00d, not sisters by marriage.

Bo Xuenong expected Shen Yanting to be so furious she’d strike Feng Jin. Instead, Feng Yingbo actually went along with Feng Jin’s excuse, leaning forward slightly. “That makes sense. Very well, I’ll lend you to Senior Sister for a few days.”

Feng Yingbo smiled brightly, a faint hint of seductiveness flickering in her beautiful eyes.

Bo Xuenong found the situation odd, but since Feng Yingbo had agreed, she felt she had no reason to refuse.

Just as Bo Xuenong was about to accept, Shen Yanting’s voice reached her ear through telepathic communication: “Don’t agree. Junior Sister Feng is angry.”

Seeing Bo Xuenong’s confusion, Shen Yanting explained again: “She’s always like this. The angrier she gets, the more she smiles.”

Bo Xuenong had been raised by Shen Yanting and naturally knew telepathic communication. However, her cultivation was inferior to Shen Yanting’s, preventing her from achieving the same effortless, silent transmission of thoughts.

She formed a hand seal, her lips parting slightly as her voice transformed into a wisp of spiritual light that drifted toward Shen Yanting: “Master seems to know Aunt Feng very well.”

Shen Yanting raised an eyebrow in surprise but refrained from asking further questions, simply replying, “I know you too.”

Bo Xuenong felt as if her heart had been filled with honey. She pressed a hand to her chest, joy dancing in her eyes.

Master says she knows me? Does that mean she pays close attention to me?

Ignoring the fact that Shen Yanting had been tasked with monitoring her, Bo Xuenong was consumed by the thrill of knowing her master was always watching over her.

Already deeply devoted to Shen Yanting, she now found reasons to reject Feng Jin’s proposal: “No, this arrangement makes no sense at all. Mother, Aunt, where’s Father?”

Bo Xuenong’s question stumped Feng Jin, causing her grip on Bo Xuenong’s leg to loosen.

Fu Yunqing leaned in, adding, “That’s right, I need a son.”

Fu Yunqing failed to notice Bo Xuenong and Shen Yanting’s reluctance toward Feng Jin’s plan. She genuinely believed Bo Xuenong’s point was valid. Her gaze swept across everyone in the carriage before she suddenly pointed at Bo Xuenong: “Xuenong will be my son.”

“Huh?” Bo Xuenong stared at Fu Yunqing in disbelief. In the next instant, she retrieved her familiar bronze mirror from her Storage Jade Bracelet and scrutinized her reflection. The face in the mirror was undeniably feminine, with eyes as gentle as water and no trace of masculine features. She looked every bit the beautiful young woman she was.

She tossed the mirror back into her bracelet and demanded, “Why me?”

Fu Yunqing spread her hands, utterly helpless. “Senior Sister is too beautiful, Junior Sister is too delicate, Xiang Yu is too weak, and Feng Jin is too young. Only you, Junior Niece, have the potential to pass as a man.”

Bo Xuenong took Fu Yunqing’s words as a compliment, but she still didn’t understand. “Why must I crossdress? Can’t female cultivators marry other female cultivators? Sect Leader, didn’t you once say that in the Cultivation World, choosing a Dao Companion shouldn’t be limited by gender? We should only consider their Innate Talent, Cultivation, and the benefits Dual Cultivation would bring us.”

“Junior Sister,” Shen Yanting’s gaze swept lightly over Fu Yunqing. “When did you tell Nong’er this?”

Fu Yunqing touched her cheek, a hint of guilt in her expression. “Just… during casual conversation.”

Shen Yanting frowned slightly and grasped Bo Xuenong’s wrist. “Character matters more.”

Bo Xuenong revered every word Shen Yanting spoke as divine pronouncements, wishing she could memorize each syllable. Naturally, she nodded emphatically. “Master, I understand!”

Ever adept at currying favor with Shen Yanting, she couldn’t resist adding, “Master’s character is truly exceptional!”

“Hahaha!” Fu Yunqing burst into uproarious laughter, bending at the waist as she chuckled. “Then you should just take your Master as your Dao Companion!” she gasped between fits of laughter, her voice trembling with mirth.

Shen Yanting’s hand, which had been holding Bo Xuenong’s, jerked involuntarily, and she released her grip.

Bo Xuenong didn’t understand what Fu Yunqing found so amusing, but she no longer found the Sect Leader as irritating as she once had.

Following her heart, she corrected Fu Yunqing with a stern expression. “Sect Leader, Master’s character is indeed exceptional. However, my own character pales in comparison. I couldn’t possibly take Master as my Dao Companion—it would be far too unfair to her.”

Bo Xuenong emphasized the unfairness to Shen Yanting, rather than clarifying their master-disciple relationship.

“?” Fu Yunqing’s laughter ceased abruptly, her eyes widening in shock.

Feng Yingbo, abandoning her sulk, silently pinched the soft flesh of her cheek, trying to confirm she hadn’t misheard.

Realizing she hadn’t imagined it, she couldn’t help but ask, “Aren’t you… concerned about the master-disciple status? You’re from different generations, aren’t you?”

“No one ever said a master and disciple can’t become Dao Companions,” Bo Xuenong declared.

“But… once a master, forever a mother,” Feng Yingbo countered, trying to reason with Bo Xuenong. However, Bo Xuenong would only listen to Shen Yanting’s reasoning.

Bo Xuenong pointed at the silent Shen Yanting beside her. “Master just said that saying is wrong. She’s not my mother, and I’m not her daughter.”

Shen Yanting, never one for many words, was now completely speechless.

I really am a terrible master, she thought. I’ve raised this perfectly good disciple to become increasingly eccentric.

Only Feng Jin in the carriage was happy. She secretly smiled and clapped her hands softly.

Though the sound was faint, it didn’t escape the ears of the cultivators. Noticing their gazes, Feng Jin quickly backtracked. “I think the Sect Leader’s arrangement is perfect! Eldest Senior Sister can be my dad, Martial Aunt Shen can be my mom, Xiang Yu can be my aunt, and Master can be my… my little aunt!”

She had almost called Shen Yanting “little mother,” but a glance at Bo Xuenong and Shen Yanting sitting together made her hastily change her words.

Feng Yingbo chuckled in exasperation, her laughter growing softer and more alluring. “So I can’t even be a ‘little mother’ anymore?”

Feng Jin shrank back, her guilt tinged with an unspoken pain. “Master, you wouldn’t understand.”

Feng Jin didn’t give Feng Yingbo and the others a chance to refuse. She released Bo Xuenong’s calf, grabbed Fu Yunqing, and jumped out of the carriage, muttering, “Father, you need to act more convincingly.”

“……”

Bo Xuenong’s identity had shifted once again.

She couldn’t even remember what her own father had been like, and now she was supposed to pretend to be someone else’s father? The whole situation felt incredibly awkward.

Bo Xuenong didn’t move immediately, sitting in place, bewildered. “Master, if I’m a woman, can’t I still marry you? Why do I have to pretend to be a man?”

“You can,” Shen Yanting replied before realizing how strange Bo Xuenong’s question was. Marry her?

Feng Jin’s sudden declaration had caught them completely off guard.

While Shen Yanting agreed with Fu Yunqing’s proposal to change their identities and titles, this particular arrangement felt absurd. After all, she was still Bo Xuenong’s master. How could a master and disciple pretend to be husband and wife? She was conflicted, though her concerns differed slightly from Bo Xuenong’s.

Feng Yingbo and Xiang Yu followed Feng Jin and Fu Yunqing out of the carriage, hastily lowering the curtains, as if afraid Bo Xuenong might refuse to change her identity.

Bo Xuenong was indeed reluctant. “Master, do I really have to dress as a man?”

“The mortal world isn’t as tolerant as the Cultivation World,” Shen Yanting said. Having seen more of the world than Bo Xuenong, she understood why Fu Yunqing had suddenly arranged this. But she worried Bo Xuenong might not grasp the implications. After a moment’s hesitation, she added, “Besides, if you don’t disguise yourself as a man, how will we explain having a daughter?”

“We could have Aunt Feng pretend to be a widow,” Bo Xuenong blurted out.

Shen Yanting gave her a long, thoughtful look. Sensing her mistake, Bo Xuenong fell silent, then suddenly asked, “Master, can two women have a child?”

“No.”

The mortal world lacked such methods. While the Cultivation World might possess them, no one would ever consider such a thing. Those who sought immortality cared little for worldly affections. Most Dao Companionships, as Fu Yunqing had said, were based solely on Innate Talent and Cultivation, considering only the benefits Dual Cultivation could bring. Few would bother nurturing a Bloodline, as the child’s Innate Talent remained unknown. What if the child was born without a spiritual root? They would have to be sent to the mortal world to be raised, facing ridicule from enemies. If one truly desired a child, adopting a disciple with exceptional Innate Talent was the far better choice.

In the Cultivation World, only the Demon Clan typically cultivated their Bloodline. Demons could devour their own kind to enhance their Cultivation; those lacking Innate Talent simply hunted their kin.

Shen Yanting chose not to burden Bo Xuenong with the complexities of the situation, preferring to preserve her innocence. Bo Xuenong’s bloodline was already severely flawed; constant exposure to malice would only exacerbate her paranoia.

Noticing Bo Xuenong’s prolonged silence, Shen Yanting broke the quiet first. “What made you think to ask this?”

“Master, what about that demoness? Could a demoness…” Bo Xuenong trailed off, stopping mid-sentence. Half-demons possessed secret techniques for procreation, but Feng Yingbo wasn’t a demon. Even Yu Cenwan, who had fused with the Buddha Fruit’s bloodline, could only be considered a half-demon at best. Moreover, if Feng Yingbo had truly borne Yu Cenwan’s child, she wouldn’t speak of Yu Cenwan with such indifference. According to the books, Yu Cenwan was a woman of excessive morality and responsibility; she wouldn’t stoop to secretly having Feng Yingbo bear her child out of mere boredom.

How, then, did Feng Jin come to be?

The more she pondered, the more confused she became. Shen Yanting scrutinized her with a strange look. “Nong’er, what exactly are you trying to ask?”

Bo Xuenong had been holding back for a long time, but she finally blurted out, “Master, do you think it’s possible that Feng Jin is Aunt Feng’s biological child?”

Shen Yanting paused, then quickly regained her composure. “It’s possible.”

After a moment of contemplation, she slowly added, “When she brought Xiao Jin back, the child hadn’t yet begun cultivating. I did detect her bl00d aura on Xiao Jin.”

“Master, didn’t you ask Aunt Feng about it?”

“Why ask?” Shen Yanting said calmly. “Yingbo isn’t the type to keep everything bottled up. She’ll tell me what she wants to share first. If she doesn’t want to talk about something, even if I ask, she won’t tell me. I might even inadvertently touch a raw nerve. That wouldn’t be good.”

“Nong’er,” Shen Yanting paused, then continued, “Everyone is entitled to have secrets. Yingbo can have hers, and you can have yours too.”

Her voice remained even and unruffled, her dark eyes devoid of any probing. Yet Bo Xuenong felt a sudden, inexplicable tremor in her heart.

She stared blankly at Shen Yanting, gazing into those deep, dark eyes that gave her the strange sensation of being swallowed by an abyss.

Unconsciously, Bo Xuenong lowered her head, avoiding Shen Yanting’s gaze. For a fleeting moment, she had felt as if Shen Yanting had seen through all her pretenses, a realization that filled her with terror.

Bo Xuenong swallowed nervously. “Master, let’s hurry and get our disguises on so we can go down.”

“Very well.” Shen Yanting pressed her lips into a thin line. She retrieved a jade pendant from her Storage Ring, channeled a wisp of spiritual energy into it with a hand seal, and hung the pendant around Bo Xuenong’s neck.

As the jade pendant settled around Bo Xuenong’s neck, her lake-blue silk robe instantly transformed into a dark cyan long robe, her shoes became jet-black boots, and her loose hair was neatly tied up. Since their storage spaces contained no men’s clothing, they had to rely on an Illusion Technique to disguise her. Fortunately, Shen Yanting’s innate talent was exceptional, allowing her ample time to master such seemingly useless techniques while cultivating.

Even with the Technique’s enhancement, it was difficult to completely masculinize Bo Xuenong’s features.

Shen Yanting was still considering whether to further alter Bo Xuenong’s appearance when Bo Xuenong tugged her out of the carriage.

Only Xiang Yu was waiting beside the carriage; Feng Jin and the others had vanished long ago.

“Where are they?” Shen Yanting asked.

Xiang Yu pointed toward Lanshou Village. “The Sect Leader and the others went inside.”

Her timidity was palpable, unlike Feng Jin’s hidden cowardice. Xiang Yu’s weakness was immediately apparent. She had barely spoken a word during the journey, and her reply was soft and hesitant.

Bo Xuenong’s reputation for kindness and gentleness gave Xiang Yu the courage to speak to her. But Shen Yanting, known for her aloofness, was someone Xiang Yu didn’t dare glance at for more than a moment. The way Xiang Yu shrank back and avoided Shen Yanting made Shen Yanting frown slightly. “Xiang Yu, I should be your sister-in-law now.”

Truthfully, Shen Yanting hadn’t fully accepted her new role herself. Though she might appear reserved and distant, she wasn’t one to dampen spirits. Moreover, with Fu Yunqing nearing death, the impending separation made her unusually tolerant and willing to comply with Fu Yunqing’s arrangements.

Awkward as she felt in her new position, she still wanted Xiang Yu to act more naturally.

Shen Yanting’s use of “sister-in-law” startled not only Xiang Yu but also Bo Xuenong.

Bo Xuenong tugged at her sleeve and muttered, “Master, should I change my address too?”

“Mm,” Shen Yanting replied. Knowing that Bo Xuenong would continue calling her “Master” unless explicitly told otherwise, she cut to the chase: “You should call me ‘Wife’.”

Bo Xuenong nodded first, then gently shook her head. “That would be too much of a disservice to Master.”

Shen Yanting didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Bo Xuenong’s focus always seemed to land on the most unexpected things, leaving her at a loss for words.

Xiang Yu couldn’t bring herself to look at Shen Yanting; facing Bo Xuenong was much easier.

She timidly raised her head, glancing quickly at Bo Xuenong. “It’s a good thing it’s Elder Shen.”

Bo Xuenong only caught the words “Elder Shen” and instinctively asked, “Xiang Yu, what did you say?”

The gentle tone gave Xiang Yu a little courage. She lifted her head again, this time daring to steal a glance at Shen Yanting. “Even dressed as a man, Eldest Senior Sister is still so beautiful. Luckily, Elder Shen is even more beautiful. Otherwise… there’s no reason a young master should be more beautiful than his wife.”

Bo Xuenong had been praised countless times before and was used to hearing her junior sisters’ flattery. But for some reason, when Xiang Yu praised her alongside Shen Yanting, she felt a blush creep up her cheeks.

Her fingers unconsciously rose to brush against her soft cheek. “Master… you can just praise Master. You don’t need to praise me too.”

The young woman’s bashfulness took Shen Yanting by surprise. She had never seen Bo Xuenong like this before.

Only Shen Yanting, who watched Bo Xuenong day and night, knew how rare it was for her to show such a normal, girlish demeanor, given her feral beast Bloodline.

The unexpected delight prompted her to respond to Xiang Yu’s words, “Little sister is right. The gentleman is handsome; I’m not at a disadvantage.”

Shen Yanting’s tone remained flat, her voice still carrying a hint of coldness. Strangely, Bo Xuenong felt no chill; instead, it was as if a fire had ignited within her.

Her spine straightened abruptly, and an unfamiliar heat surged through the skin her fingertips touched. Crimson flushes spread across her snow-white face, the burning sensation making her heart race wildly. She instinctively wanted to find a place to cool down, but her gaze darted around, unable to find anywhere to hide.

Bo Xuenong felt utterly flustered, her lips parting slightly as she could only repeat, “Master! Master!”

Shen Yanting noticed out of the corner of her eye that people were emerging from Lanshou Village, led by Feng Jin and her two companions.

She reached out and took Bo Xuenong’s arm, her soft body pressing against Bo Xuenong’s arm as she whispered, “You called me the wrong name.”

Bo Xuenong trembled violently, but she obediently corrected herself, “My lady, I’m scared.”

Feeling Bo Xuenong’s trembling, Shen Yanting turned her head in confusion. She knew Bo Xuenong revered and loved her, but she hadn’t realized the girl was so afraid of her.

Perhaps… it’s not me she’s afraid of.

Shen Yanting paused, considering. “What are you afraid of?”

Afraid… afraid of what?

Bo Xuenong couldn’t articulate it. Her heart raced wildly, and her face burned intensely.

The hottest spot was her arm, where Shen Yanting’s hand rested. It felt like her bones were melting. She dared not pull away, her body stiff and motionless, her gaze fixed blankly ahead. As Feng Jin and the villagers drew closer, her panic intensified. “I… I’m just scared.”

Seeing the approaching group, Shen Yanting tightened her grip on Bo Xuenong’s arm and whispered, “You’re not allowed to be afraid.”

“Y-yes, my lady.” Bo Xuenong straightened her back even further. Perhaps accustomed to obedience, her trembling subsided. She looked solemnly at Shen Yanting, then suddenly adopted the resolute air of someone facing certain death. Gritting her teeth, she declared, “My lady, I’m not afraid!”

“……”