Both Qinglan Temple Master and Old Pri Minister Wang felt that Qin Liuxi’s emotions were sowhat off, too calm and indifferent. Could it be that the young girl was frightened by the death of the woman in childbirth?
"Giving birth is akin to passing through the Death Gate; you needn’t bla yourself too much, it was also her fate," Old Pri Minister Wang advised dryly.
Qin Liuxi almost choked on her tea, saying, "Where did you see that I felt guilty?"
Old Pri Minister Wang felt a bit embarrassed; had he misunderstood?
"I saw that you weren’t in good spirits and thought that you were upset because you couldn’t save her."
Qin Liuxi replied, "The fault is not mine; I just feel pity for that child, that’s all."
The Qinglan Temple Master had a smile in his eyes, noting the softness in the child’s heart.
It was not that Qin Liuxi regretted Lin Family’s young woman’s early demise as much as her compassion was for little Yunfan, the little one’s fate so full of hardships.
As for Mrs. Lin, succumbing to overwhelming emotions, she got stuck in her obsessions and refused to erge; that was her own choice.
Mrs. Lin’s heart had died along with her husband’s sudden demise. Now she was but an empty shell, unable even to stir the desire to live for her child in her womb; the inevitable conclusion was only death.
During these past six months, although she was alive, she was distressed and restless, which is taboo for a pregnant woman. The mother and child’s hearts are connected; he would sense his mother’s emotions. If Mrs. Lin was unsettled, how could he be at peace?
It was only because little Yunfan had a strong will to live, desperately absorbing nutrients, that he barely made it to eight months. Otherwise, with Mrs. Lin’s suicidal actions, he would’ve never had the chance to see the world.
But even so, he nearly entered the Ghost Gate.
Therefore, Qin Liuxi pitied him; life is not easy to co by.
She had no good feelings toward Mrs. Lin, but no ill feelings either. She did not understand the love between a man and a woman, nor the tangled sentints of life and death. The only thing she disliked was that Mrs. Lin had not fulfilled her duties as a mother.
Of course, she was ill, with the most serious ailnt of the heart, not blaable on others, so she had no right to criticize Mrs. Lin’s actions.
Life and death are personal choices. If she wanted to go, then let her go. To forcibly keep her here is not impossible, but why should one do it?
Qin Liuxi respected her choice.
Strong as a mother? Not every woman is suited for that role; so people just don’t asure up!
Old Pri Minister Wang sighed, "Indeed, those deeply in love do not live long."
Qin Liuxi sipped her tea, changing the subject to inquire about where Wang Zheng had been assigned for work.
Old Pri Minister Wang said, "He is temporarily in the Hanlin Academy, to be sent out next year."
Qin Liuxi nodded, set down her teacup, took his Peace Pulse, wrote a Peace Formula, and then said goodbye to the Qinglan Temple Master.
On the other hand, General Cao had learned from his old wife how Qin Liuxi had managed to deliver the child, his expression changing slightly as he said, "Old Wang said her dical skills were profound. I saw she was so young and felt sowhat apprehensive, but I didn’t expect her to be so decisive."
Old Mrs. Cao also sighed, "Isn’t that the truth."
At that ti, under those circumstances, she nearly kicked Qin Liuxi out, since what she claid was too shocking to hear.
But Qin Liuxi did it, even restoring Mrs. Lin’s abdon to its original state, not perfectly scar-less, but with enough respect.
This young female crown, aloof in temperant, but inside, truly tender-hearted.
General Cao rembered sothing she had said, that Qin Liuxi seed to have seen the soul of his daughter-in-law, asking, "Did my daughter-in-law truly na her grandson?"
"She said she did."
This truly was beyond the realm of gods and ghosts.
The two elderly people looked at each other, their eyes filled with awe.
"Yunfan is also not a bad na. I no longer hold expectations, nor do I wish for anything grand for the child; I only hope that he can live a peaceful and smooth life, may he not bring us to the sorrow of the old sending off the young," General Cao expressed.
Old Mrs. Cao exclaid in shock, staring at him displeasedly, "Old man!"
General Cao gave a wry smile and continued, "Since the official na has been set, and he is to be nad at Qinglan Temple, I’ll ask the temple master to bestow a Taoist monastic na later on, which is also good for his well-being."
"That makes sense."
Nanny Li ca to report that Qin Liuxi was leaving.
General Cao hurriedly stood up, saying, "Quickly bring the reward."
The two rushed out in haste.
"Are you leaving already? You could stay at the manor for the night," General Cao said sincerely.
Qin Liuxi shook her head: "You have many matters to attend to as well; I shall not impose any further and take my leave."
She then took a small Peace Jade Pendant out of her sleeve and handed it over: "Have little Yunfan wear this, and he shall be protected from all evils."
General Cao quickly took it with gratitude. Seeing that he could not persuade her to stay, he handed her a wallet filled with silver notes: "Our Cao family owes you a great favor. Please accept this small gift of gold and silver. When my grandson grows up, I myself will bring him to pay respects to you."
Qin Liuxi accepted it, smiled lightly, and wished "Blessings to the Infinite," then left with Hei Sha.
Hei Sha asked, "The little one is born with neither father nor mother; quite pitiable. Why didn’t you keep his mother?"
"I do not save those who seek death," replied Qin Liuxi. "Her resolve to die is set; even a child who can stir in the womb could not save her. Who then could? Hei Sha, the most important thing for a person is to know how to save oneself. If she gives up on herself, then nobody’s help would be of use."
...
In Si Family ancestral land.
Si Lengyue watched the poisonous insects fighting fiercely in the pot, eyes gleaming with excitent. Once she refined the golden silkworm poison, she would present it to Xixi as her first gift since she started practicing witchcraft.
"Family Head, Master Buqiu requests an audience."
Si Lengyue was startled, straightened up, and looked at the Wind Bell, "Who?"
"It’s Master Buqiu," said the servant’s voice from within the Wind Bell.
Si Lengyue felt a surge of joy and lifted her skirt to leave the secret chamber.
As she exited her residence, she saw Qin Liuxi walking up the mountain. Si Lengyue couldn’t contain her delight and, breaking from her usual dignified and reserved deanor before clan mbers, she ran towards her.
"Xixi, what brings you here?"
Her voice, as clear and cool as ice, caused Hei Sha to look up to see soone diving down against the light. The sun cast a halo of golden light around her pure white dress and with the mist of dusk in the valley, she appeared like an ascending fairy in the haze.
The fairy quickly approached, revealing her true face.
Skin smooth as jade, black hair cascading like a waterfall, half-tied with a ribbon into a braid, the other half flowing freely behind her, her eyes sparkling with radiant light, lips slightly curved.
Like the bright moon, like snow lotus flowering on an icy peak.
Hei Sha felt his heart racing, thumping loudly.
It was the sound of his heart being smitten.
Qin Liuxi stepped forward, embraced the rushing Si Lengyue, held her briefly, then released her, and examined her carefully, smiling in praise: "Not bad, even more beautiful, and with an even more superior aura than before."
Now she looked even more ethereally beautiful, and especially in her clothing embroidered with the totems of the Witch Clan, she seed even more enigmatic.
"You smooth talker," Si Lengyue touched her face, knowing that Qin Liuxi wasn’t just flattering her. After practicing witchcraft, her deanor had indeed improved significantly. But hearing the praise, she was nonetheless overjoyed.
She turned to the person behind Qin Liuxi: "And who might this be?"
Qin Liuxi turned her head and saw Hei Sha with his mouth practically drooling, slapped him: "What are you thinking about? Won’t you greet her?"
"I desire to mate!"
Hei Sha blurted out a few words subconsciously, and upon realizing what he said, he inwardly cursed his fate.
Sure enough, what followed was a torrential beating!
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