Chapter Eighteen: Eager to Return Home

“Fifth Sister, did you perhaps drop your hairpin on the ground?” Gu Weiyu stepped forward, feigning concern.

“Mind your own business!” Gu Weifang snapped, her tone prickly, as she lowered her head to search for the missing hairpin.

Gu Weiyu, unfazed, simply chose a cushion and sat down, assuming a wounded look, though inwardly she was quite delighted.

The others in Yanxi Hall exchanged glances, their sympathy directed toward Gu Weiyu.

Gu Qingsong withdrew his gaze. He had seen clearly that the incident with the hairpin was most likely orchestrated by Gu Weiyu. This eleventh sister of his was certainly no simple character!

He felt no urge to warn Gu Weifang. To his mind, Fifth Sister was a bit dull, while Eleventh Sister, with her outstanding spiritual root and evident intelligence, was someone anyone with sense would want to befriend. Yet Fifth Sister, lacking in both wit and tact, preferred to express her jealousy.

Truth be told, he found Fifth Sister tiresome. If not for the need to maintain his image of gentle refinement, he would scarcely bother with her.

He recalled how their ancestor had specifically instructed him to look after Eleventh Sister in Yanxi Hall, which only strengthened his resolve to forge a good relationship.

The hairpin was, of course, nowhere to be found. In the end, Gu Weifang had to produce another and fix her hair anew.

Casting a suspicious glance around, Gu Weifang could not discern who had tricked her, so she sat down in disgruntled silence.

Yanxi Hall regained its quiet, and everyone gradually entered their cultivation state.

Outside Yanxi Hall, Second Grandfather, who had kept his eyes half-shut until now, suddenly opened them. He was aware of everything happening inside, but unless things got truly out of hand, he would not intervene.

The path of cultivation could not be pursued in isolation. Gathering the younger members of the clan together for joint cultivation was a carefully considered decision.

This was Gu Weiyu’s first time cultivating in Yanxi Hall since drawing qi into her body. She quickly sensed the difference: the spiritual energy inside was markedly more abundant. After just one cycle, she felt the increase in her meridians was more than double what she would achieve in Emerald Bamboo Courtyard!

Realizing the benefits of cultivating here, Gu Weiyu soon became engrossed in her practice.

Another day passed quietly. As the hour of Shen approached, everyone began to leave Yanxi Hall. Gu Weiyu glanced at the youth still seated motionless on his cushion, then rose to depart herself—she still needed to visit Grandfather Third at Taihe Residence.

“Eleventh Sister, that’s Sixth Brother. They say he’s the most diligent in cultivation!” Gu Qingyun leaned in to whisper beside Gu Weiyu.

“Oh…” Gu Weiyu replied with understanding. Currently, there were eight people cultivating in Yanxi Hall. Gu Qingsong was the eldest among the boys, while Gu Weifang was the oldest girl.

---

“Eleventh Sister, was the hairpin your doing…” Outside Yanxi Hall, seeing no one around, Gu Qingyun could no longer contain his curiosity.

Gu Weiyu neither confirmed nor denied it, instead giving him a knowing look.

“Eleventh Sister, Twelfth Brother…” As the two exchanged smiles, a timid, gentle voice sounded behind them.

Gu Weiyu turned and was immediately charmed. It was a girl of seven or eight in pink, her hair tied in two little buns, her eyes like peach blossoms sparkling with light. She gazed at them nervously and murmured, “I’m Ninth, may I walk with you?”

“Of course you may,” Gu Weiyu replied warmly. She remembered how this adorable Ninth Sister had spoken up for her when Gu Weifang had given her trouble on the first day.

Gu Weihuan’s eyes shone brightly as she hurried to their side, her smile radiant. “Eleventh Sister, you’re truly remarkable! It took Weihuan a whole month to successfully draw qi into my body.”

Gu Weiyu was dazzled by her smile, thinking to herself that Ninth Sister’s beauty was indeed pleasing to the eye.

The three walked together toward their residences, and Gu Weiyu discovered that Gu Weihuan’s Lotus Residence was right next to Ling Frost Pavilion—their homes were quite close.

“That’s Fourth Sister’s Peach Blossom Retreat over there. She’s amazing too—just nine years old and already at the seventh level of Qi Refining!” Gu Weihuan pointed to a nearby courtyard.

Gu Weiyu looked toward Peach Blossom Retreat. The gate was tightly shut, but several branches of peach blossoms spilled over the wall, their brilliance vivid.

---

Taihe Residence.

Gu Jun regarded the little girl before him, stroking his beard in contemplation. “Child, cultivators are destined for shallow kinship. Your father and mother lack spiritual roots—in a hundred years, they’ll be mere dust. You—”

“Grandfather Third, you said yourself that’s a matter for a hundred years from now. It’s still far away!” Gu Weiyu interrupted crisply.

Gu Jun smiled, “Quite right, you’re still young. Very well, tomorrow at dawn, I’ll have your Sixteenth Uncle take you to Green Mountain Village, but you must return before dusk!”

Gu Weiyu nodded, “Grandfather Third, Ayu understands.”

“These pills are for your parents. Dissolve them in water to strengthen their bodies,” Gu Jun took out a jade bottle and handed it to her. “As for your father’s arm, Qin County is but a remote place, lacking the medicine to restore a lost limb. If only the Gu family still resided in the Upper Realm…”

Suddenly, Gu Jun fell silent. Gu Weiyu pouted—once again, Grandfather Third and Great Ancestor seemed so mysterious, always leaving things unsaid, piquing her curiosity.

Gu Weiyu tucked the jade bottle into her new storage pouch. Gu Jun took out a paper crane and whispered a few words to it; the crane fluttered its wings and flew off.

“That’s a communication talisman,” Gu Jun explained to Gu Weiyu’s curious gaze. “This paper crane can not only transmit messages, but also carry people. Once you reach the third level of Qi Refining, Grandfather Third will give you one.”

Gu Weiyu stared at him hopefully, “Really?”

“Haha, when has Grandfather Third ever lied to you?” Gu Jun chuckled, stroking his beard.

Just then, Gu Hui entered from outside, “Sixteenth pays his respects to the family head!”

Gu Jun’s smile faded as he turned to Gu Hui with authority. “Sixteenth, tomorrow at dawn, escort Little Eleven to Green Mountain Village and return by dusk.”

“Yes!” Gu Hui turned to Gu Weiyu, “Little Eleven, you’ve managed to draw qi into your body so soon?”

“Yes, and tomorrow I’ll trouble Sixteenth Uncle to take me home,” Gu Weiyu replied with mature politeness.

Seeing this, Gu Hui’s lips curved upward. What a well-mannered, sensible child—no wonder the family head liked her so much.

---

Emerald Bamboo Courtyard.

“Sister Crescent, tomorrow I can finally go home to see Father and Mother!” Gu Weiyu exclaimed, propping her chin on the bed.

Crescent smiled and nodded, “It’s a pity this servant can’t go with you to Green Mountain Village.”

“When I have my paper crane, I’ll take you home with me!” Gu Weiyu smiled sweetly, secretly resolving to cultivate diligently and reach the third level of Qi Refining soon, so she could have her own paper crane.

“Mm, Crescent will be waiting.”

…

Their voices faded, moonlight flooded the room, stars filled the sky, and the night deepened ever further…