There was only one assimilation realm elder who would participate in the festive.
“And out of the four places left, the sect leader would have a spot too, so there are three places left this time around.”
“How can I get a spot?” Lu Mingshu asked without the slightest hesitation.
“It’s not that hard.” Liu Jizhen replied. “There are different stages to the goddess’s remenants. The first stage isn’t dangerous. Whoever reaches first gets the position.”
Lu Mingshu nodded. “Your disciple understands. When does the festival start?”
“Chinese new year.” Liu Jizhen said. “Your senior uncle said that the weather inside the historical remnant has turned bad recently. It might be a chance to some too.”
“Okay.”
Seeing that Lu Mingshu looked at ease, Liu Jizhen sighed. “Mingshu, I have no way to know where you stand now, but honestly, how do you think you rank?”
“Master, I haven’t fought anyone since I’ve broken through, but amongst our Nine Jade Palace elders, I think I can beat most of them easily.”
“Mingshu, I know you are talented, but being too proud isn’t good.”
“If Master doesn’t believe me, we can test it out.”
Her sword embryo had already formed, and it would soon evolve into a sword heart. Adding on to the abundant resources she got from the emperor’s secret garden and the teaching from a void realm elder, Lu Mingshu thought that she would fare better than most.
Liu Jizhen stared into her eyes for a while. Seeing that she meant her words, Liu Jizhen nodded and waved his hands. “Ask senior uncle An over tomorrow, then.”
“Court leader, Miss, lunch is ready.” They heard Hui Niang calling for them.
Lu Mingshu got up first to help Liu Jizhen up. “Master, let’s go eat first.”
“Okay.” He smiled and pushed her away. “Your master is still young; there’s no need to do this.”
Lu Mingshu nodded and smiled. “Of course, Master will forever be young.” ~When I get the medication for your meridians, everything will be better.~
Unaware of her intentions, Liu Jizhen thought that she was teasing him. He chuckled and shook his head. “Make a trip down to the truth courtyard after lunch. .Even though you aren’t an elder yet, you’ve already broken through, so go collect your new documents and rewards. Oh, anyways, make sure to visit your father to see how happy he will be.”
Liu Jizhen sneered at his last sentence.
…
“Mother!” Fu Mingxi hurried in, and before Zhou Miaoru could say anything, Fu Mingxi was already screaming. “That bitch really broke through for real!”
Zhou Miaoru looked up and stared at her daughter.
Her daughter was extremely good looking and could pass as her clone. ~Some resemblance to Fu Shangqing, and…. Lu Mingshu?~
~They are both her daughter, but why is my daughter….~
Back then, Zhou Yinru ruined her life while Lu Mingshu amazed the world with her brilliance during the Qilin Festival. It dawned on her that even though Fu Mingxi was her and Fu Shangqing’s flesh and blood, she behaved more like Zhou Yinru than any of them.
Zhou Miaoru gave her heart to managing the Zhou family at the start, and since Fu Mingtang was outstanding, she didn’t pay much attention to Fu Mingxi. She thought that since Fu Mingxi was still young, she could groom her when she grew older. Unfortunately, when Zhou Miaoru had time to spare, Fu Mingxi had already taken after her aunt’s characteristics.
Zhou Miaoru tried to correct Fu Mingxi but to no avail. Her words went in one ear and out the other. Nothing seemed to enter Fu Mingxi’s brain, so Zhou Miaoru gave up after a few tried. Still, she started being stricter in case she got worst.
~Even though that bastard isn’t likable, it would be good if our daughter was somehow like her….~
“Mingxi, watch your words.” Zhou Miaoru glared at her.
Recently, Fu Mingxi’s parents had been treating her differently. She was starting to receive punishments that she hadn’t before in her whole life. Hence, she toned down immediately after she saw her mother’s glare.
“Well….She has broken through.” Fu Mingxi then stomped and whined. “Mother, I really don’t want to address her as an elder sister! Why should I?”
Zhou Miaoru rubbed her temple and sighed in defeat. She waved her hand and signaled Fu Mingxi over. “So what is this about.”
Seeing her mother’s expression loosen, Fu Mingxi heaved a sigh of relief and walked over. “Mother, I went over to the Truth courtyard previously, and she was behind me. I heard the courtyard leader confirm that she had already broken through and was saying that he was bringing her here to visit father.”
“You bumped into her?”
“No, I was in the room next to her.” Fu Mingxi shook her head. Back then, she would have gone up to look for trouble with Lu Mingshu, but hearing the courtyard leader confirm that Lu Mingshu had broken through, she immediately rushed back to bring this piece of news to her mother.
“Ah, I get it. You may leave now.” Zhou Miaoru looked down to focus on her embroidery again.
“Mother!” Fu Mingxi never thought that her mother would react so calmly to this piece of news, so she stomped her foot urgently. “She’s become an elder according to our sect’s rule. Aren’t you afraid that…”
“Your father is the sect leader.” Zhou Minoru didn’t even bother looking up from her embroidery. “Remember this, she is your sister. You should feel happy for her now that she has broken through, got it?”
“Mother!”
“Out!”
Fu Mingxi bit her lips to suppress her tears from rolling down her cheeks and ran out.
~Why? Mother used to dote on me, but now! All because of that bitch! If not for her, mother and father would still dote on me….If she didn’t get first place in the Qilin festival, they wouldn’t treat me this way…~
~Fucker!~
The mother-daughter were on bad terms, while the father and daughter had a relationship that wasn’t much better.
Hearing the courtyard leader of the Truth courtyard’s report, Fu Shangqing stared at her blankly for her moment before putting down his teacup and looking up at Lu Mingshu with a smile. “Your mother and I were so worried about you for the past six years, but fortunately, something good came out of this setback! Great. You’re indeed my daughter.”
“Sect leader, my mother has passed on.” Lu Mingshu said in a monotone.
But this didn’t anger Fu Shangqing. Instead, he laughed and called for the servants. “It’s a blessing; we should celebrate. Tell madame about this, and we will hold a feast.”
“No need.” Lu Mingshu replied monotonously. “I have already celebrated with my master.”
Lu Mingshu didn’t even bother giving him face. However, to her surprise, Fu Shangqing was still all smiles, instead of being angry that she had embarrassed him. “It’s okay. We won’t have it if you don’t want to.”
As if he was a father who tried his best to give his daughter everything, but she never recognized his painstaking effort.