"Punishment, huh…"
Yun Ming murmured.
Grand-Aunt Martial Uncle is such a wonderful person, and so understanding.
How could it be considered a punishment?
If it were in his previous life, and a woman like Bai Xian treated him this way, he probably would have surrendered long ago.
"No, staying here in the Scripture Pavilion is fine…"
"I calculated it. If I go to your place, there will inevitably be many disturbances."
Bai Xian simply leaned against Yun Ming's chest, no longer letting him rub her shoulders, and seriously flipped through some ancient texts.
She saw familiar handwriting.
Methods to delay memory loss, methods for immortality, principles of how foul breath carries memories, possibilities of reincarnation… things like these.
There were also methods to dispel lingering thoughts.
But these books had endured the passage of time; some were only fragments, and would likely require a good deal of research.
She didn't care about the chaotic thoughts within the Qing Ming Sword; it was merely the sudden loss of consciousness that surprised her.
She vaguely remembered something, but it was just a blurry figure, something from too many years ago… she figured the person from back then must have long passed away.
It probably wasn't anything important.
How could it be as important as teasing the person in front of her? Yun'er was his most important source of fun, after all.
She burrowed into Yun Ming's arms and softly asked,
"Is it soft, Grand-Aunt Martial Uncle?"
"Soft…"
"Do you want to keep holding me?"
"Yes…"
Yun Ming held Bai Xian, so immersed in the peaceful atmosphere that he was almost falling asleep. He answered instinctively, without thinking.
By the time he realized it, it was too late to explain.
"Grand-Aunt Martial Uncle, you're at it again…"
"Just hold me properly. There aren't many beautiful women in this world as generous as Grand-Aunt Martial Uncle to let you hold them~"
Right, right, right, the impish Grand-Aunt Martial Uncle.
Always wanting me to disrespect my elders, and feeling uncomfortable if she doesn't tease me a few times when we meet, right?
Yun Ming understood, he understood it all.
"Oh, by the way, if I fall asleep… don't worry, just remember to prepare some snacks for me to eat."
Asleep, and still thinking about food?
Yun Ming chuckled.
He tickled the sensitive spot on her slender waist, but this time there was no reaction. When he looked down, he found Bai Xian already deeply asleep.
Instant sleep… just as his Senior Sister had said, without any warning.
He thought about it again and again, and still decided to carry Grand-Aunt Martial Uncle back to sleep. After all, he didn't know how long she'd be out, and lying in a bed would always be more comfortable.
But the truth was just as Bai Xian had predicted.
By nightfall, after the Apprentices finished their meal, two little girls quickly ran back to Qi Yun Courtyard.
After washing up and changing, they excitedly burst into Yun Ming's bedroom, which he hadn't closed. What bad intentions could two little girls have?
They just wanted to cultivate with Yun Ming.
But as they entered, they saw Yun Ming holding Bai Xian in his arms. Coincidentally, Bai Xian had just woken up and was lazily being fed.
Her cherry lips slightly parted, playing a finger escape game.
If Yun Ming was too slow, he would get bitten. He froze for a moment when he saw the two little girls, and was caught… Bai Xian spat out his finger, shrugging innocently.
Time seemed to pause for a few seconds.
Little Yi Xuan's cheeks were flushed, and she covered her eyes, peeking through her fingers, while Yi Jiang helped her sister cover hers.
Ensuring her sister couldn't see.
"Hello, Senior Brother, hello, Senior Sister…"
"I, Yi Xuan and I will come back later. You two are busy."
Yi Jiang bowed with clasped hands, but her mind kept recalling the sect rules she had just learned that morning, Article 132—
Prohibition of illicit relations between men and women. Those who confirm a relationship should apply to the sect for cohabitation.
It was all a lie. Senior Brother Yun Ming was doing this and that, and absolutely no one could control him.
Also, who was this person? How had she never heard of her… She puffed out her cheeks, took her sister's hand, and ran outside.
But the door clicked shut with a 'pa-da'.
"Wait, you two come back here… it's not…"
Yun Ming stopped. No, that's not right.
He was open and honest and hadn't done anything, so why did he feel like he'd been caught in the act? These two rebellious Apprentices!
"Come here, sit down!"
He brewed a pot of hot tea, then helped Bai Xian sit down.
Although he mused that Grand-Aunt Martial Uncle shouldn't be so weak, even if she was faking it, Yun Ming would go along with her wishes.
Yi Xuan secretly looked up and met Bai Xian's gaze.
"Ma, Mistress… hello…"
Pfft—
Bai Xian's smile was exceptionally bright, and she decided to reward this little girl handsomely.
"Cough, cough!"
Yun Ming had just taken a sip of tea and promptly sprayed it out again, coincidentally landing on Yi Jiang's face opposite him.
The little girl froze for a moment, then saw the woman opposite her laughing. Her face flushed with humiliation, she lowered her head. Seeing no tissues or handkerchiefs, she had to wipe her face with her clean clothes.
Then she bravely raised her head and stared at her Senior Brother with a mournful look.
It's okay, it's okay.
Yi Jiang sniffled. She wouldn't be sad.
It wasn't embarrassing at all, even if she was laughed at, it was fine, really!
The handkerchief Yun Ming offered was ultimately a step too late. Seeing Yi Jiang's aggrieved expression, his confidence also weakened by a third.
"Sorry… cough, cough! Let me introduce you, this, this is my Grand-Aunt Martial Uncle, which means she is your Grand-Aunt Martial Uncle…"
Yi Xuan's big eyes were full of curiosity. It was someone she had never seen before! Her Master's Grand-Aunt Martial Uncle must be a very powerful person, right?
In front of strangers, she was still a bit shy.
She wiped her sister's face, then obediently called out, "Hello, Grand-Aunt Martial Uncle…"
"Hello, Grand-Aunt Martial Uncle."
Yi Jiang didn't sulk, not wanting to disrespect a senior of the sect, but the resentment towards Yun Ming was evident to anyone.
Bai Xian stared at the girl, deep in thought.
"You are Yun'er's Apprentice, so you should call me Grand-Aunt Martial Uncle."
Yi Jiang said nothing, only looking directly at Yun Ming.
As if shouting loudly, 'Quick, tell her I'm your Junior Sister, not your Apprentice!'
Bai Xian leisurely ate the snacks on the table, not out of gluttony, but mainly because the little girl opposite her hadn't stopped babbling… if she didn't eat now, there probably wouldn't be any left soon.
She also turned to look at her little Martial Nephew, blinking, as if asking.
[This Apprentice of yours is a bit rebellious.]
Yun Ming sighed.
[Who says she isn't?]
Bai Xian covered her mouth, scanning back and forth between the two, her eyes full of teasing.
[Isn't a Master-Apprentice relationship more exciting than a Senior Brother-Junior Sister one? This little one is still too young.]
Yun Ming clenched his fist and sighed deeply.
[Grand-Aunt Martial Uncle, don't mess with them, these are new accounts.]
By the way, what exactly was Grand-Aunt Martial Uncle thinking?
Yun Ming truly didn't understand. On normal days, she loved to tease him with his Senior Sister and Hong Dou, and even encouraged him to boldly confess.
Firstly, Yun Ming himself didn't understand how he truly felt about his Senior Sister. Secondly, he was afraid his Senior Sister would break his legs.
As for Hong Dou, building a harem would probably kill him… Besides, why did he think Hong Dou even liked him? She was just a little girl, barely ten years old.
Grand-Aunt Martial Uncle, let's not use an adult's "tainted" perspective to consider these relationships and emotions.
Let's put these matters aside for a few years.
Anyway, they were still young now, and couldn't do anything.
Yun Ming thought so, but his mind couldn't help but wander to how Hong Dou would look when she grew up, her graceful figure outlined by a cheongsam.
She wasn't very tall, so how did she get so well-endowed? Wasn't this seducing him… Damn you, Hong Dou!
You'd better not like me, then I can still barely treat you as a childhood friend or a friend.
She wasn't even very old, and the relationship already felt like it was getting messy. Yun Ming felt his future was bleak.
Sure enough, the two-dimensional world of his previous life was better.
Everyone was his wife, and they wouldn't fight over him.
Shaking his head with a wry smile, he noticed that Yi Jiang had lowered her head at some point, the smile on her face gradually disappearing.
Bad news… she wouldn't mistakenly think that her Senior Brother was flirting with Grand-Aunt Martial Uncle right in front of her, and giving her the silent treatment, would she?