Mu Qingyue sat down beside her: "Disciples can be casual... except for those from Qingmiao Palace."
Because the disciples of Qingmiao Palace all practiced the Forget Love Path or Heartless Path, they were generally cold and reticent by nature, so Ji Wenchang arranged separate seating for them.
As for disciples from other sects, the direct disciples of the Wandao Sect would entertain them, so they could sit wherever they liked.
After all, this was a birthday banquet, not a lecture, so things didn’t have to be too formal.
"Then... can Brother Jin’an also sit here for a while?" Zhu Nanzhi’s eyes lit up.
Mu Qingyue tilted her head to look at her: "That’s why I left the seat on the left for Junior Brother."
Zhu Nanzhi looked at her Master on the right, then at Mu Qingyue on the left, meaning her husband would have to sit next to Mu Qingyue for now.
"Senior Mu." Zhu Nanzhi blinked: "Brother Jin’an and I haven’t seen each other for over a month, there’s so much to talk about..."
"I think you two talked enough yesterday." Mu Qingyue remained unmoved: "The sound of you chatting never stopped, did it?"
"Wouldn’t it be nice for Brother Jin’an to sit between the two of us, making others envious?" Zhu Nanzhi continued to whisper: "The distance between seats is quite large, so neither of us has to worry about the other crossing lines, right?"
"If Brother Jin’an only sits next to you, I would be very sad." Zhu Nanzhi said softly: "Everyone should be able to chat, don’t you think?"
Saying this, she blinked her bright and charming eyes, unwittingly exuding a bit of a pitiable beauty.
Mu Qingyue picked up a grape from the fruit plate on the table and spoke slowly: "Do you want to know what treasure of Junior Brother I have cherished?"
Of course, Zhu Nanzhi was curious, but yesterday she was distracted by her husband and forgot about it.
Now that Mu Qingyue brought it up, her interest was piqued.
"Also, in two days it’s Junior Brother’s coming-of-age birthday, do you want to know what gift I’m preparing?"
Mu Qingyue’s second question directly shifted Zhu Nanzhi’s focus from seating arrangements.
She naturally knew her husband’s birthday; she had already gifted him a Water Cloud Crown in the Nanzhuo Domain, which her husband wore, but she had prepared another gift after returning to Qingmiao Palace.
Since her husband isn’t a Sword Spirit, he naturally needs more gifts.
So knowing oneself and knowing the other, one can be undefeatable in a hundred battles.
Zhu Nanzhi’s eyes twinkled: "Do you know what gift I prepared for Brother Jin’an? I bet you can’t guess."
Mu Qingyue said lightly: "Let’s talk about the first question first."
"Sure." Zhu Nanzhi gently held the jade pendant at her waist: "I forgot to show you yesterday, look what’s inside?"
Mu Qingyue cocked her head to ’look’ at it; within the icy white jade pendant was a carved Junior Brother sitting cross-legged.
Zhu Nanzhi’s craftsmanship was really impressive.
Without damaging the exterior of the jade pendant, she carved into it using spiritual energy... this was a remarkable ability to control spirit.
Indeed, someone like Zhu Nanzhi who loves Junior Brother isn’t a bad person.
"Nanzhi." Mu Qingyue’s voice softened: "You’re amazing."
Zhu Nanzhi was startled for a moment, then felt a joy rising from her heart. Getting closer to Mu Qingyue could better persuade her to resist Senior Pei’s ’matchmaking words.’
"Thank you~" Zhu Nanzhi’s mouth curled into a smile, then she subtly asked: "Speaking of which, I have a question. Why didn’t Brother Jin’an know my identity beforehand?"
Mu Qingyue popped the grape into her mouth: "Perhaps Junior Brother just didn’t pay attention."
Zhu Nanzhi squinted slightly, then laughed nonchalantly before pretending to sigh: "Senior Pei must be happy to see you two together, right?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yinruo’s brow involuntarily twitched, glancing at her disciple, she sighed lightly.
"Mm." Mu Qingyue nodded.
"They say ’a parent’s command, a matchmaker’s words’..." Zhu Nanzhi smiled slightly: "But I think feelings should be in one’s own hands.
Otherwise, it just feels like pressure, doesn’t it?"
Hearing this, Mu Qingyue pursed her lips, as if lost in thought.
’All these years, there hasn’t been much progress with Junior Brother because my mother kept hinting for him to develop feelings with me?’
’Junior Brother, a dragon among men, always has his own opinions. Mother, being his Master, interfered with his emotions, so Junior Brother felt it as pressure, which is why most of our time together is spent sparring, rarely chatting about anything else.’
Mu Qingyue gently crossed her hands, recalling the night in Jing’an City with Junior Brother, where he also mentioned "living life in his own way."
Afterwards, when I took the initiative for the first time, Junior Brother also became much more proactive towards me.
Mu Qingyue suddenly understood in her heart.
Yes, without her mother’s deliberate or inadvertent interference, the relationship between her and Junior Brother indeed progressed by leaps and bounds.
Nanzhi was right about this.
And at this moment, watching Mu Qingyue who was lost in silent contemplation, Zhu Nanzhi chuckled softly: "I also feel the pressure."
"Hmm?" Mu Qingyue turned to ’look’ at Zhu Nanzhi: "What do you mean?"
As they spoke, she glanced at Xiao Yinruo on the other side.
Zhu Nanzhi quickly waved her hand: "Master treats me very well, don’t overthink it.
In our environment and with the personalities of the elders, there’s no situation where small sects would force the younger generation into marriage to gain some benefit."
Saying this, she turned to Xiao Yinruo with a sweet smile: "Right, Master?"
Xiao Yinruo gave a light hum, as Nanzhi liked Lu Jin’an, and thus she talked about matters of betrothal gifts with Wanyu... Since Nanzhi likes it, she would grant her wish.
How could they bear to?
The vast majority of people wouldn’t fall out with a disciple they raised themselves for a little benefit.