234: Chapter 234 Now I can rest assured!

The Lingxiao Sect Outer Sect Deacon responsible for the market's reception was the shrewdest of the shrewd. Seeing Xia Qingyue personally arrange things, how could he dare to be even slightly negligent?

He quickly called over several Disciples and personally led them to the residence. They checked it inside and out once more, confirming the Formation was intact, the Spiritual Qi was abundant, the bedding was clean, and all utensils were provided. Only then did he respectfully present the Restriction Token with both hands.

"Madam, the residence has been prepared. If there is anything that is not to your satisfaction, please do not hesitate to command me; I will immediately arrange for it to be rectified."

The deacon bowed low, his attitude so attentive it was almost fawning.

Lu Shiyin took the token and thanked him gently.

The deacon waved his hands repeatedly, "Madam is too polite! Madam is Fairy Xia's honored guest, which makes you an honored guest of our Lingxiao Sect. These are all within my duties; there is no need for thanks, no need for thanks at all!"

After saying that, he ordered several Disciples to stand guard outside the residence, ready to be at her service at any time, and then led his men away.

Seeing this, the surrounding Cultivators became even more certain—this woman's background was unfathomable and she must never be provoked.

Some Cultivators who had originally wanted to approach and strike up a conversation also gave up on the idea one after another and left dejectedly.

...

Xia Qingyue walked side by side with Lu Shiyin, leading a group of children toward the residence.

Behind them, the Lingxiao Sect Disciples followed from a distance, not daring to disturb them.

The residence was located in the eastern district of the market, in a spot that was quiet amidst the bustle. In front of the gate was a small alley paved with bluestone, and at the entrance of the alley grew two lush Spiritual Locust Trees, casting a dense shade over the ground.

Pushing open the vermilion gate, a spacious front courtyard came into view.

The courtyard was about half an acre in size, paved with blue bricks. In each of the four corners was a flower bed planted with some low-grade spiritual flowers and Spiritual Plants, blooming brilliantly in red, purple, yellow, and white.

In the center of the courtyard was a small rockery with jagged stones, surrounded by a clear spring flowing with a crisp and pleasant gurgling sound.

Facing the main gate was a three-room main hall, with carved beams and painted rafters, its air was extraordinary.

There were side rooms on both the left and right. Passing through the moon gate beside the main hall, there was an even larger back garden with pavilions, towers, and winding paths leading to secluded spots. There was even a small Spiritual Spring Pool, with spiritual mist lingering over it, where several brocade carp could be seen swimming leisurely.

"Wow—"

As soon as the little ones entered the courtyard, they were like wild horses off their leashes, running everywhere.

"Auntie, Auntie!"

Ye Zhi ran back, hugged Lu Shiyin's leg, and looked up with a small face and sparkling eyes.

"Is this our new home?"

Lu Shiyin looked down at the innocent little face, a surge of warmth in her heart. She reached out to pat the top of her head and smiled gently.

"Yes, this is our new home in Lingxiao Market. Do you like it, Zhi'er?"

"I like it! I love it so much!"

Ye Zhi nodded vigorously and pointed toward the back garden, saying excitedly:

"Auntie, there's a huge, huge garden in the back! And a small pond! There are fish inside!"

"Then does Zhi'er want to go see the fish?"

"I do!"

Ye Zhi pulled Lu Shiyin's hand and ran toward the back.

Seeing this, the other little ones followed one after another, chirping and chattering, making the place very lively.

Standing to the side, Xia Qingyue looked at the group of lively and cute children, and a touch of softness couldn't help but appear in her cold eyes.

She had grown up in the Lingxiao Sect since childhood. Although the Sect was large, it was cold and lonely. When had she ever seen such a lively and warm scene?

...

Once the children were tired from playing in the back garden and were led back to their rooms to rest by their respective Wet Nurses, Lu Shiyin finally found a moment to sit down with Xia Qingyue in the side room of the main hall.

A maidservant served Spiritual Tea, the steam rising with an elegant fragrance.

Lu Shiyin picked up her teacup and took a light sip, but she didn't speak, a trace of hard-to-conceal worry lingering between her brows.

Xia Qingyue observed her expression and asked softly:

"Sister Lu, is something on your mind?"

Lu Shiyin put down her teacup, hesitated for a moment, and finally spoke.

"Fairy Xia, to be honest... Changge has been away from the Ye family for a long time."

Xia Qingyue's gaze narrowed slightly.

Lu Shiyin continued:

"Before he left, he said he would return in a year at most. But now... nearly a year and four months have passed, and there is still no sign of him."

She paused, the worry in her eyes deepening.

"I know his cultivation is profound and he has many trump cards, so ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators can't do anything to him. But the world is unsettled these days... Even the Lingxiao Sect's territory is like this, let alone the Qingxuan Immortal City he was heading to. I heard that there was trouble with demonic Cultivators there recently..."

"Lately, every time I think about it, I can't sleep at night."

As Lu Shiyin spoke, she sighed softly, her eyes turning slightly red.

"I wanted to go find him myself, but with such a large household and so many children, I simply couldn't get away... After thinking it over, I decided to settle down in Lingxiao Market, to manage the business while also searching for news of him."

"Fairy Xia, you have been in the Lingxiao Sect for a long time and are well-informed. Have you... heard any news of Changge?"

She looked up at Xia Qingyue, her eyes full of hope.

Hearing this, Xia Qingyue understood.

So, besides settling the family business, the more important reason for Sister Lu's visit was her worry for Ye Changge.

She gently took Lu Shiyin's hand and comforted her softly.

"Sister Lu, there's no need to worry too much."

"To be honest, Fellow Daoist Ye and I have a pair of Yin and Yang Message Talismans."

Lu Shiyin was slightly stunned.

Xia Qingyue explained:

"My Revered Master gave them to me. My Cultivation Technique resonates with Fellow Daoist Ye's, and our auras are connected. This pair of message Talismans can transmit messages even across thousands of miles."

"A few days ago, Fellow Daoist Ye used this Talisman to send me a message, asking about the situation in the Lingxiao Sect's territory."

As she spoke, she took out a Jade Talisman shimmering with a faint spiritual light from her Storage Pouch and handed it to Lu Shiyin to see:

"Look, Sister Lu, the spiritual light on this Jade Talisman has not faded, which means Fellow Daoist Ye is safe. If something had truly happened to him and his aura had dissipated, this Jade Talisman would have turned dull and lightless."

Lu Shiyin took the Jade Talisman and examined it closely.

Sure enough, the spiritual light on the Jade Talisman was flowing, as warm as ever, without the slightest bit of dullness.

The heavy stone hanging in her heart finally lightened a bit.

"That... is good."

Lu Shiyin let out a long breath of turbid air and returned the Jade Talisman to Xia Qingyue, a relieved smile appearing on her face.

"Thank you for telling me, Fairy Xia. I have been worried sick these past few days."

Xia Qingyue shook her head and said gently:

"Sister Lu, there's no need for thanks. Since Fellow Daoist Ye could send a message to me, it means he is safe for now. As for why he has been delayed in returning... he likely encountered something on the way that held him up."

She paused and then added:

"Currently, the situation between the Zhao State and the Yu Kingdom is tense, with much turmoil at the borders, and things aren't very stable over at Qingxuan Immortal City either. Fellow Daoist Ye might have been tied up by something, or perhaps... he found some new Opportunity there."