Chapter 62: The Master’s Wife Arrives: A Queen Mother Separating Lovers?

Leaving the ferry at the next bustling crossing, Xiao Yifeng and Su Miaoqing stepped ashore and made their way back through the vibrant streets of Heyang.

The return journey quickly devolved into a shopping spree. Su Miaoqing dragged Xiao Yifeng into shop after shop, sweeping through the merchandise like a whirlwind. She bought piles of clothes for herself, but she didn’t spare him either, forcing several sets of fine robes into his arms.

Xiao Yifeng tried to resist. “Senior Sister, I really don’t need—”

Su Miaoqing cut him off with a glare, her beautiful eyes narrowing. “Xiao Feng, when we get back, burn those rags you’re wearing. They’re hideous. Walking the world in such shabby attire disgraces the face of our Wuya Hall.”

Xiao Yifeng could only nod helplessly. “Yes, Senior Sister.”

Naturally, Su Miaoqing didn’t forget her family. She bought lavish gifts for her parents and didn’t leave out a single Senior Brother. The two of them were spending money like water, transforming into the golden patrons every merchant dreamed of. The vendors grinned so hard their eyes disappeared into creases of joy.

Eventually, the sheer volume of purchases became a problem. It was unwise to flash a Storage Bag in public, and they had bought far too much to carry by hand.

Sensing a business opportunity, several shopkeepers conferred and hired two nimble-footed assistants to trail behind the pair. The porters hauled the mounting pile of boxes and bundles, ensuring the two big spenders wouldn’t stop shopping just because their hands were full.

The result was quite the spectacle.

Xiao Yifeng and Su Miaoqing walked in front, hands empty and carefree, while a small entourage followed, laden with goods. To the uninformed observers, they looked like the young lord and lady of a wealthy aristocratic family out for a stroll.

When they finally left the district specializing in clothing and jewelry, the shopkeepers watched them go with reluctant, misty eyes, waving as if bidding farewell to their own ancestors.

Xiao Yifeng left the address of Wangtian Tower with the porters, instructing them to deliver the goods directly. Without the burden of the bags, the duo continued their leisurely exploration of the festival.

They played until the crowds began to thin and the lights dimmed. Only then did Su Miaoqing reluctantly agree to return to the inn.

By the time they arrived at Wangtian Tower, Xiao Yifeng had accumulated another armful of snacks and trinkets. A quick inquiry with the waiter revealed that the earlier shipments had already been safely deposited in his room.

The clever waiter, seeing Xiao Yifeng’s hands full, proactively rushed forward to relieve him of his burden. Xiao Yifeng didn’t disappoint, flicking a piece of silver into the man’s hand as a tip. The waiter beamed, bowed, and wisely retreated, leaving the two alone.

They walked slowly toward the North Courtyard.

Passing through the quiet pavilions and shadowed gardens of the inn, the atmosphere shifted. The bustle of the festival felt miles away. Su Miaoqing walked ahead, her hands clasped behind her back, her steps light. Xiao Yifeng followed in silence, watching her silhouette against the moonlight.

Neither spoke until they reached her door.

Xiao Yifeng broke the silence with a soft smile. “Senior Sister, it’s getting late. You should rest.”

Su Miaoqing turned, her expression gentle. “Mn. You rest early too, Xiao Feng. I’ll be returning to the Wentian Sect first thing tomorrow morning.”

Xiao Yifeng opened his mouth, wanting to say more, but Su Miaoqing raised a hand to stop him. She shook her head slightly, her eyes communicating a silent message.

Xiao Yifeng understood. He swallowed his words and fell silent.

Su Miaoqing stepped into her room. Just before she closed the door, she spun around, flashing him a smile so brilliant it outshone the lantern light.

“Thank you, Xiao Feng. I had a lot of fun today.”

She didn’t give him a chance to respond before the door clicked shut.

Xiao Yifeng stood there for a moment, staring at the wooden panels. “Me too,” he whispered into the night air.

He turned and walked back to his own room, his heart feeling strangely full.

Pushing open his door, he was greeted by a mountain of packages stacked neatly in the corner. He sighed, sat down at the table, and poured himself a cup of tea. He took a sip, the events of the night replaying in his mind like a vivid dream.

Knock, knock.

A sudden rap on the door broke his reverie.

Xiao Yifeng started. Did Senior Sister forget something? Or does she want to talk?

He hurried to the door and pulled it open. “Senior Sister, did you—”

The words died in his throat.

Standing in the hallway wasn’t the youthful Su Miaoqing, but a mature, elegant woman with a presence as gentle as water yet as deep as the ocean.

It was Lin Ziyun.

She stood there with a faint, unreadable smile playing on her lips.

Xiao Yifeng’s eyes went wide. “Master’s Wife?! Why are you here?”

“What?” Lin Ziyun’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Am I not allowed to be here? Am I disturbing you?”

“No, no! Not at all!” Xiao Yifeng quickly stepped aside, bowing low. “Master’s Wife, please come in.”

Lin Ziyun glided into the room, her gaze sweeping over the luxury suite and the pile of shopping bags in the corner.

Xiao Yifeng quickly pulled out a chair. “Please, sit.”

Lin Ziyun sat down with practiced grace. “Xiao Feng, sit.”

Xiao Yifeng sat opposite her, feeling like a criminal in court. He hurriedly poured her a fresh cup of tea, his hands trembling slightly. “Master’s Wife, have some tea. You… you came for Senior Sister, didn’t you?”

Lin Ziyun didn’t beat around the bush. She nodded. “Precisely. That girl Qing’er is with you, isn’t she?”

Xiao Yifeng’s expression turned solemn. He set down the teapot and lowered his head.

“Master’s Wife, Senior Sister Qing’er is indeed with me. But… this was all my doing. I lured Senior Sister down the mountain. She is innocent and naive; she was deceived by my rhetoric and left without permission. This matter has nothing to do with her. If you and Master wish to punish someone, please, punish me alone.”

Lin Ziyun’s face turned icy cold. She slowly stood up, her aura flaring slightly, pressing down on the room.

“Xiao Feng,” she said, enunciating every word clearly. “Do you know the consequences? If Qing’er left on her own, she would face at most one year of confinement. But if you abducted the Sect Master’s daughter… I will drag you back to the mountain myself. According to the Enforcement Hall’s laws, you will be sentenced to three years of isolation facing the wall.”

She leaned forward, her eyes piercing him. “I will ask you one last time. Answer me honestly. Are you sure you were the one who brought Qing’er down the mountain?”

Xiao Yifeng’s heart skipped a beat. He had never seen Lin Ziyun this cold. He knew that Su Miaoqing was the ‘Reverse Scale’—the Achilles’ heel—of the couple. Touch her, and the dragon bites. But he hadn’t expected them to involve the Enforcement Hall. Three years was no joke.

A thousand thoughts raced through his mind in a split second.

He looked up, ready to confess or beg, but then he caught it—a microscopic twitch at the corner of Lin Ziyun’s mouth. A suppressed smirk.

She’s testing me.

Instantly, the fear vanished, replaced by a warm realization.

Xiao Yifeng gritted his teeth, feigning a look of tragic resolve. “This disciple knows his mistake. A man acts, a man accepts. The fault is mine alone. I am willing to accept the punishment.”

“Mother! Don’t listen to his nonsense!”

The door burst open. Su Miaoqing rushed in, her face pale with panic. She threw herself at Lin Ziyun, grabbing her mother’s arm.

“He doesn’t know anything! I sneaked out by myself! It was my idea! I’ll go back with you and accept the punishment. Don’t make things difficult for Xiao Feng!”

Xiao Yifeng stood up, acting anxious. “Master’s Wife! Don’t listen to her, it was my plan! It has nothing to do with Senior Sister!”

Su Miaoqing spun around, glaring at him with genuine anger. “Xiao Feng, are you stupid?! That’s three years of wall-facing! Why are you fighting to take the blame for that?!”

“Pfft—”

A sound broke the tension.

Lin Ziyun couldn’t hold it anymore. She burst into laughter, her shoulders shaking, her elegant demeanor shattering completely. She laughed so hard she had to sit back down, trembling like a flower branch in the wind.

Su Miaoqing froze, blinking in confusion. The “terrifying executioner” was currently giggling into her sleeve.

It took a moment for the realization to hit. Su Miaoqing stomped her foot, her face flushing crimson. “Mother! You tricked us! I’m not talking to you anymore!”

Lin Ziyun tried to compose herself, wiping a tear from her eye, but the smile refused to fade. She looked at her daughter and teased, “Oh dear. Why do I feel like the heartless Queen Mother trying to separate the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl?”

Su Miaoqing’s face burned even hotter. She huffed and turned her head away, refusing to meet her mother’s gaze.

“Xiao Feng, get up,” Lin Ziyun said, her voice warm again. “Sit down, both of you. I watched you two grow up; do you really think I can’t see through your little schemes? I’ve been following you all evening.”

Xiao Yifeng, who was just rising from his bow, looked genuinely stunned. “You… followed us all evening?”

“Mother!” Su Miaoqing’s jaw dropped. “When did you get here?”

Lin Ziyun shot her daughter a playful sidelong glance. “I’m not telling you.”

Su Miaoqing whined and tugged at her mother’s sleeve, acting coquettishly, but Lin Ziyun kept her secrets.

The tension dissolved completely. Su Miaoqing, eager to change the subject, began pulling items out of the bags like she was presenting rare treasures. She showed off every piece of clothing and jewelry she had bought for her mother.

Lin Ziyun stroked her daughter’s hair, her eyes soft. “Silly girl. You have a good heart.”

After a while, the mood settled. Lin Ziyun’s expression turned serious, though not unkind.

“Alright, Qing’er. You’ve played enough, and you’ve caused enough trouble. Come back with Mother now. If we delay any longer, your father will worry.”

Su Miaoqing’s excitement dimmed. She looked down, her shoulders slumping, but she nodded obediently. “Yes, Mother.”

Lin Ziyun stood up. “Xiao Feng, we are leaving. Rest well tonight.”

She walked toward the door, her robes flowing behind her. Su Miaoqing followed, her steps heavy and reluctant.

Just as she reached the threshold, Su Miaoqing stopped. She looked back at Xiao Yifeng, her eyes shimmering with unspoken emotion. She forced a cheerful smile onto her face, though it looked fragile.

“Xiao Feng, I’m leaving. Take care of yourself. Don’t disgrace the Wentian Sect while you’re out there… and remember to bring me a gift when you come back to the mountain.”