284: Chapter 284 I still need to offer my condolences in the middle of the night!

Ye Changge watched from the side as the two women met for the first time; though it was a plain encounter, he understood it well.

After all, one was gentle and dignified while the other was quiet and reserved; neither had the personality to take the initiative in warm conversation.

It was already rare enough that they could maintain such perfect etiquette during their first meeting.

They would naturally become familiar with each other after spending more time together in the future.

He withdrew his gaze, stopped thinking about it, and continued chatting and laughing with everyone.

That night.

The banquet ended, the crowd dispersed, and everyone returned to their rooms to rest.

Changge Hall gradually grew quiet, with only the occasional sound of insects chirping in the distance.

Ye Changge handled some Family affairs in the study and reviewed several accounts submitted by the clan elders. Only then did he set down the jade slip, stand up, and walk toward the backyard.

Halfway there, his footsteps paused slightly.

Then, he changed direction and walked toward Lu Shiqing's courtyard.

He still felt a bit uneasy in his heart.

Having slept in the same bed as this girl for so many years, he knew her character better than anyone.

On the surface, she appeared tsundere and assertive, never admitting defeat verbally, but in truth, her heart was as soft as a little girl's, and she was the worst at hiding her worries.

During the day, she had been so proud and triumphant before everyone, acting as if it were only natural for her son to be taken as a Disciple by a Core Formation Immortal Master.

But at night, in the dead of night, she was likely...

Ye Changge sighed softly and quickened his pace.

---

Lu Shiqing's courtyard was on the east side of Changge Hall, a quiet and elegant little place.

A Spiritual Peach Tree grew in the courtyard, currently in full bloom. Its branches of pink and white petals swayed gracefully under the moonlight, and a faint floral fragrance filled the air.

Ye Changge pushed the gate open, walked through the path, and arrived at the door of the main room.

The door was left ajar, not fully closed.

He didn't knock, but gently pushed the door open and stepped inside.

No lamps were lit in the room; only the moonlight from outside spilled through the carved window frames, casting mottled shadows on the floor.

Ye Changge looked up—

He saw a slender figure leaning by the window.

It was Lu Shiqing.

She was still wearing the golden dress from earlier, its exquisite flowing cloud patterns shimmering faintly in the moonlight.

The night breeze blew in through the half-open window, ruffling her skirt and hair.

She sat curled up on the soft couch by the window, hands hugging her knees, head slightly tilted back as she stared blankly at the moon.

The moonlight fell on her fair face, making her look like an exquisite jade carving.

However, the slightly tightened corners of her lips and her somewhat dim gaze betrayed her current restless state of mind.

Ye Changge felt his heart soften at the sight.

As expected.

This girl, who put on such a proud and triumphant act during the day, still couldn't hide her feelings when night fell.

He lightened his footsteps, walked to her side, and sat down on the soft couch.

Then, he reached out and gently pulled her slender shoulders toward him, drawing her into his embrace.

Lu Shiqing's body stiffened slightly before slowly relaxing.

She turned her head and, seeing it was Ye Changge, her beautiful eyes, which had been somewhat dim, instantly welled up with tears.

She bit her lower lip, and a look of grievance immediately appeared on her exquisite and charming little face.

The pride and strength she had forced herself to maintain in front of everyone earlier completely collapsed at this moment.

She spoke softly to Ye Changge, her voice trembling slightly:

"Husband..."

That call of "Husband," soft and filled with grievance, made Ye Changge's heart ache.

He quickly tightened his arms, pulling her entirely into his embrace, gently patting her slender shoulders as he leaned down and spoke warmly in her ear:

"What's wrong? Do you miss Xiao Chen?"

Hearing those words, Lu Shiqing felt a pang of sorrow, and her eyes instantly turned red.

She sniffled and buried her face in Ye Changge's chest, her voice muffled and carrying a hint of a sob:

"Husband... you say... you say Xiao Chen is still so small and usually a bit mischievous. Will he get into arguments with others when he goes to a great Sect? Will he be bullied by other Disciples?"

The more she spoke, the more aggrieved she felt, and her voice grew lower and lower:

"And... and that Core Formation Immortal Master, although he looks kind, who knows what his temperament is like in private? What if... what if Xiao Chen is disobedient and makes the Immortal Master angry, will he be punished?"

"He's still so small, he just learned how to talk, and he even needs someone to feed him... he was just taken away like that, I... I didn't even get to see him one last time..."

By the end, her voice had taken on a distinct sob.

Listening to the intermittent outpouring from the person in his arms, Ye Changge felt both heartache and amusement.

During the day, she was so proud and triumphant before everyone, as if it were only right and natural for her son to be taken as a Disciple by a Core Formation Immortal Master.

But at night, in the quiet of the night, she finally remembered that her son was still so small, had just learned to walk and talk, and even needed someone to feed him, yet he had traveled far to a completely unfamiliar Sect.

Thinking that her son might be bullied, might be punished by his Master, or might cry for his mother at night...

As his mother, how could she possibly hold it in?

Ye Changge sighed softly, held her a bit tighter, rested his chin on the top of her head, and said warmly:

"Shiqing, listen to me."

Lu Shiqing buried her face in his chest and gave a muffled "Mhm."

Ye Changge gently stroked her back, his voice calm and certain:

"Xiao Chen, though a bit mischievous usually, is bright, clever, and knows his limits. That Core Formation Immortal Master could tell at a glance that he possessed the Geng Metal Body and was willing to take him as a Personal Disciple, which shows the Immortal Master is someone who cherishes talent. Given that, how could he mistreat him?"

He paused and continued:

"As for whether he'll be bullied—did you forget? Bufan is also at the Lingxiao Sect. Although that child isn't very old either, he is already a Cultivator at the Mid Qi Refining Stage and has some Foundation in the Sect. With him there, he will certainly protect Xiao Chen."

"Moreover, Xiao Chen and Zhenzhen went together as siblings; they can look after each other and won't be too lonely."

Hearing this, Lu Shiqing's emotions calmed down slightly.

She lifted her head from his chest, her eyes and the tip of her nose red, looking at him with a bit of grievance:

"But... but I'm still worried... he's so small..."

Ye Changge reached out, gently wiped the tear tracks from the corners of her eyes, and said softly:

"I know. You're his mother; it's inevitable for you to be worried."

"But you must also believe in Xiao Chen. Though he is small, he has a mind of his own. Being chosen by a Core Formation Immortal Master shows he has great fortune. He will surely achieve great things in the future."

"When he returns after succeeding in his cultivation, he might even be more powerful than his father."

Hearing him say this, Lu Shiqing finally couldn't help but burst into a small laugh.

She raised her hand to wipe her tears and gave him a playful glare:

"You're just trying to coax me."

Ye Changge smiled and leaned down to plant a light kiss on her forehead:

"I'm telling the truth, how could I be coaxing you?"

Lu Shiqing leaned against his chest.