Chapter 44: Recognizing and Admitting Mistakes

Generally, it’s very rude to investigate someone’s bone age without their permission.

And since Mu Chunxiang’s figure was a bit lacking in that area, Xuanyuan Jiong just assumed she wasn’t that old.

“You can stay in that room from now on.”

Looking at the room Xuanyuan Jiong pointed to, Mu Chunxiang nodded and replied, “Understood. But it seems there are only two guest rooms here. Where will Nian’er sleep?”

“Of course, he’ll sleep with Auntie.”

“…”

Chen Juenian just sat silently at the table, quietly watching Mu Chunxiang put on an act in front of his mother.

There’s no way Mu Qiuying would have let Elder Li send her here.

That means she must have tricked Elder Li and snuck here behind Mu Qiuying’s back.

Why come looking for me?

Chen Juenian thought the implication was obvious.

“Mother, can Nian’er have a private word with her? Senior Mu once mentioned her to me, and there are some things I’m curious about.”

“Go ahead! But Nian’er, don’t bully the girl, understood?”

“Mm.”

Following behind Chen Juenian, the smile that Mu Chunxiang had shown in front of Xuanyuan Jiong gradually faded.

—

“Master…”

Chen Juenian sat on the edge of the bed inside the room, while Mu Chunxiang knelt directly on the floor after closing the door.

She believed her sister’s words—that her master had truly been so disappointed in her that he was willing to make her forget her emotions.

If that were the case, she might as well die right there on Juenian Mountain.

But now she had a tiny sliver of hope—that—

“Chunxiang knows she was wrong. Hit Chunxiang, scold Chunxiang, whatever it takes! As long as Master can forgive me, Chunxiang promises she will never again harbor thoughts she shouldn’t toward Master…”

She pressed her forehead tightly against the floor.

This was the only time in her life that Mu Chunxiang had bowed her head and knelt.

Back when she was training on Juenian Mountain, Chen Juenian had never allowed her to be so humble in front of him, because she was his disciple.

Later, she descended the mountain.

As one of the Great Emperors of this world, she could not bow her head.

After the Linlang Pavilion was fully established, she was the one who received everyone else’s worship.

Stooping so low didn’t feel good, but Mu Chunxiang knew this was her only chance.

Her chance to make amends for her mistakes.

“What did I tell you when you came of age?”

Chen Juenian let out a soft sigh, then stood up from the edge of the bed and walked over to stand before Mu Chunxiang.

“Even if you are no longer my disciple, you should still remember what I said.”

Understanding his meaning, Mu Chunxiang slowly rose and shifted into a kneeling-sitting position, facing her former master.

She looked up at Chen Juenian.

Her light blue, clear eyes held no impurity, as if she had truly only come to admit her mistakes.

“Beyond that, you also forgot the moral propriety I taught you, forgot what it means to respect your teacher and honor the Dao, and this time, you even forgot what I told you at the very beginning—”

“Don’t… easily give up on yourself…”

“Did you really forget?”

Two streams of clear tears flowed down.

Mu Chunxiang did not answer.

Worse than truly forgetting is knowingly committing the offense.

“Mu Qiuying should be coming for you soon. When she does, go back with her. Chunxiang, for now, I just hope you won’t bother me anymore, okay?”

“Does Master truly hate Chunxiang that much…”

“I liked the you before you went down the mountain. Back then, you were obedient and followed orders. But when you came back up the mountain and saw me again, you were no longer the Mu Chunxiang I knew.”

“Can you give Chunxiang a chance? I will… I will definitely let Master see the Chunxiang that Master liked… Chunxiang knows she was wrong…”

Just as Mu Chunxiang dropped to both knees and crawled toward Ye Lingtian, trying to wrap her arms around his thighs to beg for forgiveness, Xuanyuan Jiong suddenly opened the door.

As soon as she opened it, she saw Mu Chunxiang kneeling on the floor with tears streaming down her face, while her child stood coldly in front of her.

“Nian’er, what’s going on?”

A moment ago, Xuanyuan Jiong had faintly heard sobbing.

She thought she had misheard, so she didn’t pay it much mind.

But when she heard the sound again, she couldn’t ignore it.

Xuanyuan Jiong believed her child would never bully Mu Chunxiang.

But if Mu Chunxiang, as Sister Mu’s younger cousin, developed some psychological problem while staying with her… that would be terrible.

“Did Chunxiang remember something sad?”

“I… Auntie…”

Mu Chunxiang stood up and wiped her tears with the back of her hand, which was clean of dust.

“Auntie, Chunxiang did remember something sad, so she was talking to Nian’er about it… Nian’er didn’t bully me.”

“I see.”

Even though the posture for confiding was a bit strange, it must be that.

Her Nian’er would never bully a girl he had just met.

“If something’s bothering you, it really is better to talk about it. Nian’er is actually a very gentle man. From now on, if Chunxiang has any troubles, you can talk to him or to Auntie, either way.”

“Mm! Understood!”

Seeing Mu Chunxiang smile happily, Xuanyuan Jiong finally felt at ease.

Her Nian’er was still so understanding.

When he was very young, he already knew how to care for her… and now he could be so considerate toward a girl he just met!

Chunxiang must have been so overwhelmed after having her knot untied that she knelt on the floor.

“Then everything should be fine, right? You two, come on out. Auntie will take you out to eat something delicious!”

“…”

Mu Chunxiang longed to take Xuanyuan Jiong’s place, to link arms with her master and walk together along this mountain path.

But obviously, she couldn’t.

Even more obvious was Chen Juenian’s rejection of her.

His indifferent attitude toward her was proof that he despised her.

When has Master ever treated me like this?

She would rather he look at her like garbage than treat her like a stranger.

“Nian’er, what do you think of that small eatery we went to before?”

“Mm. Nian’er thinks that little girl’s cooking is quite good.”

“Then let’s go again! Since Chunxiang is here, ordering a bit more won’t be a waste.”

Xuanyuan Jiong turned her head to look at Mu Chunxiang, who had been following behind the whole time.

“Chunxiang, is there anything you’d like to eat? We can still change our minds now…”

“Auntie, I don’t really have any special cravings. Whatever you two want is fine.”

“Alright. Say, Chunxiang, are you especially shy? It’s fine. Go over to your Nian’er’s empty side. Go on!”

Glancing at Chen Juenian, who had not once turned his head to show any reaction, Mu Chunxiang hesitated for a moment, unsure whether she should obey Xuanyuan Jiong’s words.

Could she really go up and walk beside her master again?

Just like seven hundred years ago, holding her master’s hand… walking with him…