61: Chapter 61 Is this what matters between men and women?

To be in charge of a mountain at such a young age, and to be a Foundation Establishment Cultivator on top of that...

Xia Qingyue quickly gathered her surprise and shook her head slightly. Her voice remained cold and aloof, yet carried no hint of blame:

"Fellow Daoist Li... no, Fellow Daoist Ye, there is no need to take it to heart. Using a pseudonym when traveling is common practice; I can understand."

Seeing her so reasonable, Ye Changge felt a weight lift from his heart.

This young lady, though cold by nature, was kind-hearted and truly easy to get along with.

Immediately after, Xia Qingyue seemed to recall something. Her eyes flickered slightly as she asked:

"Fellow Daoist Ye, does this mean... you have already reached Foundation Establishment?"

"Hehe, just luck. I only just succeeded in Foundation Establishment not long ago," Ye Changge replied with a humble smile.

Xia Qingyue could not help but feel an extra measure of goodwill toward him.

In her view, Ye Bufan only possessed a Ninth-Grade Spirit Root, so as his father, Ye Changge's own spiritual talent likely wasn't very high either.

To be able to reach Foundation Establishment at such an age, while the quality of his Dao Foundation surely wasn't exceptional, it must have been the result of a firm Heart-Nature and diligent daily Cultivation.

She quite admired this groundedness and effort.

Because of Xia Qingyue's special status, Ye Changge did not stop at the mountain gate, but instead directed Little Gold to land directly on the plaza in front of the main peak's "Changge Hall."

No sooner had they leaped down from Little Gold's back than a water-blue silhouette stepped gracefully out from the hall.

The woman had a slender figure, a fair and gentle face, and a dignified, water-like temperament; it was none other than Lu Shiyin.

Upon seeing Ye Changge, her brows and eyes naturally curved into a soft arc, and she said softly: "Husband, you have returned."

As soon as she finished speaking, she noticed the woman beside Ye Changge, who wore a veil and possessed a temperament as cold and aloof as the moon.

Although it was common for her husband to bring women home, this woman before her—even with a thin veil covering her face—displayed a peerless beauty through just her eyes and overall bearing, causing Lu Shiyin's heart to flutter slightly as she secretly sighed that her husband truly had quite the fortune with women.

Seeing Lu Shiyin's gaze land on Xia Qingyue, Ye Changge quickly coughed lightly and began to introduce them:

"Shiyin, this is Fairy Xia, Xia Qingyue, a True Disciple of the Lingxiao Sect and also Bufan's Junior Martial Uncle. Fairy Xia is here to stay at our home for a few days to study her Cultivation Technique."

He specifically pointed out her status as a "True Disciple of the Lingxiao Sect" to avoid any misunderstandings by Lu Shiyin that might lead to awkward remarks.

Hearing this, a flash of surprise crossed Lu Shiyin's beautiful eyes. A True Disciple of the Lingxiao Sect? Her husband was this impressive?

She quickly performed a curtsy, her attitude respectful and gentle: "So it is Fairy Xia who has graced us with her presence. I am Lu Shiyin; please forgive my earlier lack of manners."

Xia Qingyue shook her head slightly, her voice clear and cold. "Fellow Daoist Lu is too polite. It is Qingyue who is imposing."

Ye Changge then pulled Ye Bufan over and smiled: "Bufan, this is your Aunt Shiyin; she is your mother, Shiqing's, older sister."

Ye Bufan was very sensible and immediately cupped his hands in a salute: "Bufan greets Aunt Shiyin."

Seeing that he was as cute as jade and so well-mannered, Lu Shiyin felt a surge of affection and said softly: "Good child, are you tired from the journey? Would you like Auntie to have someone prepare some snacks for you?"

Ye Bufan's eyes lit up as he looked at Ye Changge. Ye Changge smiled and nodded: "Go on. Follow your Aunt Shiyin and go see your mother first, and don't be mischievous."

Lu Shiyin took Ye Bufan's small hand, gave an apologetic smile to Xia Qingyue, and then took the child into the hall to make arrangements.

Ye Changge then turned around and said to Xia Qingyue: "Fairy Xia, let me give you a brief tour of Longmai Mountain."

Xia Qingyue nodded slightly.

The two walked slowly along the stone path of the main peak.

Along the way, Ye Changge introduced the purpose of the various halls, spiritual fields, and herb gardens. Xia Qingyue listened quietly, occasionally asking a question or two in a soft voice.

However, as they walked, a trace of confusion gradually surfaced in Xia Qingyue's cold eyes.

Because along the way, they had encountered no fewer than ten beautiful young women with distinct temperaments.

Upon seeing Ye Changge, every one of these women's eyes lit up, and they called out softly with shyness and joy: "Husband!" "Revered Master has returned?" "Husband, you have worked hard..."

Ye Changge nodded and smiled at each one, responding gently.

Xia Qingyue followed behind him, watching these scenes unfold, and her cold heart-lake rippled in a rare moment of disturbance.

Her Revered Master had clearly stated that engaging in such affairs between men and women was detrimental to Cultivation.

Yet this Fellow Daoist Ye... he had clearly succeeded in Foundation Establishment and was by no means someone who slacked off.

But why did he have so many Dao Companions in his home? This seemed to differ somewhat from the principles taught by her Revered Master.

Doubts gradually grew in Xia Qingyue's heart, but she did not rashly ask, choosing instead to observe silently.

Before long, the sky grew dark, and the setting sun gilded Longmai Mountain with a golden edge.

Ye Changge led Xia Qingyue back to "Changge Hall" and personally arranged a quiet and elegant guest courtyard for her.

"Fairy Xia, please rest early today. If you have any needs, feel free to instruct the maids or send a message directly to me." Ye Changge stood before the courtyard gate and said gently.

Xia Qingyue nodded and said softly: "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Ye."

After Ye Changge turned and left, Xia Qingyue walked alone into the guest room, which was arranged simply yet with great care, and sat on the meditation cushion by the window.

She gazed at the deepening twilight outside the window, her cold eyes reflecting slightly shifting thoughts.

What she had seen and heard today at the Ye Family of Longmai Mountain was completely different from what she saw within her Sect.

In the Lingxiao Sect, Disciples mostly focused on Cultivation.

While affairs between men and women were not forbidden, they were rarely so... so straightforward and commonplace as this.

Here, she saw an entirely different atmosphere within a Family. Wives and concubines lived in harmony, and children played around their knees.

She sat on the meditation cushion in the quiet room, the scenes of the day repeatedly surfacing in her mind.

She sat in meditation all night, but her thoughts remained difficult to fully settle.

She did not know how much time had passed when the faint light of dawn filtered in through the window.

Xia Qingyue slowly opened her eyes; they remained cold, but they hid a trace of confusion.

She took a deep breath, stood up, smoothed her moon-white dress, and decided to go and explain the situation to Ye Changge.

She walked out of the guest courtyard and headed toward the main hall along the stone path she had walked yesterday.

The path was not long, but Xia Qingyue felt her steps were somewhat heavy, and for some reason, her heart was beating a little fast.

This made her frown slightly, and she subconsciously touched her chest.

She had practiced the Ice Heart Sentiment Forgetting Art for many years and was long accustomed to a heart as still as water.

Such uncontrollable heartbeats were truly unfamiliar and unsettling.

Before long, the main hall was before her. The hall door was half-closed, and it was quiet inside.

Xia Qingyue paused outside the hall; she intended to speak directly, but feared it would be abrupt.

She hesitated for a moment, then quietly extended a wisp of her Divine Sense like a breeze into the hall, wanting only to perceive if Ye Changge had risen and if he was free.

However, the scene her Divine Sense "saw" caused her to freeze completely in an instant!

Inside the warm chamber of the hall, Ye Changge was wearing only a single layer of clothing, and was gently holding Lu Shiyin in his arms, who was only wearing her undergarments with her hair slightly disheveled.

Lu Shiyin's cheeks were flushed, her eyes half-closed, and her lotus-like arms were wrapped around Ye Changge's neck.

Their breaths mingled as they clung tightly to each other, their posture intimate and inseparable.