Following that, it was the turn of her official daughter-in-law. Old Mrs. Luo, who was just tear-stained a moment ago suddenly switched to a completely different look. There was a big smile on her face as she looked up and down her official daughter-in-law. The more she looked at her, the happier she was with her and the brighter her smile.
Then came the Cheng’s siblings. Cheng Xiao Xiao merely gave a simple curtsy, greeted her, then stood over to one side, remaining quiet.
Her mother Mrs. Cheng didn’t notice her slightly odd behavior but her father Cheng Biyuan let out a sigh silently. He, however, also didn’t say anything about it.
Mo Xuanzun stood with her the entire time and Cheng Xiao Xiao took the lively opportunity and dragged him out of the place that was suffocating her.
“What’s the matter, Xiao Xiao?” asked Mo Xuanzun, sensing that she was a bit off. “Something bothering you, Xiao Xiao? What seems to be the matter?”
“Hmm, nothing’s the matter. C’mon, let’s go look for Ancient Forefather.”
Cheng Xiao Xiao didn’t say much. The truth was, she wasn’t sure what was bother her either. All in all, everything seemed to be bothering her.
The two arrived at the guest quarters and the Ancient Forefather was a little surprised by their visit. “How come you two are here? I’ve heard that there are visitors?”
“Yes, Ancient Forefather, Xiao Xiao’s maternal grandmother is here visiting,” replied Mo Xuanzun.
The two of them were seated and the maids brought over fruits and beverages before they bowed out.
Ancient Forefather gave the girl next to him a look and asked, “What’s the matter, little Xiao Xiao? Did your grandmother make you unhappy? Or was it something else that is bothering you?”
“Ancient Forefather, are you a fortune teller? How come you seem to know everything?” Cheng Xiao Xiao had grown close to this Ancient Forefather. She was less refrained around him and felt more closeness to him. And she felt free to say whatever came to her mind in front of him.
The Ancient Forefather of Temple of Divine Plans didn’t seem to find her rude. He smiled and said, “Should I thank you for that?”
“I wouldn’t dare, Ancient Forefather. Shimu would punish me when she finds out after she had returned,” said Cheng Xiao Xiao with a smile.
“Alright, you don’t need to seek any more approval. Go ahead and tell me. What’s on your mind?”
“Ancient Forefather, you are so observant. I do have a favor to ask of you.”
“Oh yeah? What is it?”
Ancient Forefather gave them a look then, as though recalling something all of a sudden, asked, “Is this about your upcoming trip to Capital City?”
“That is exactly it,” said Cheng Xiao Xiao, wiping away her smile and put on a serious look. “Ancient Forefather, I have decided to head to Capital City tomorrow. I will take Old Man Ying with me and we will have to ask of you to watch over this place. I trust that with Ancient Forefather watching over this place, any ghouls would be taken care of by one wave of your hand!”
“Alright, you can stop with the flattering,” said Ancient Forefather as he gave her a stare. “Is it safe for you to go like this? If they only have one martial emperor, you will probably be fine; but if they have other help, then you will need to be more careful.”
“Yes, Ancient Forefather. We will be careful.”
“You two are still young but it won’t be bad to have little Ying with you. He is cunning and sly and not easy to fool. But that First Elder was no small character either. He had fooled generations of the Cheng’s. He was as wicked as a fox and vicious too. You need to be very careful of your safety. It’d be easy to fall into his trap if you aren’t careful enough.”
Having said that, Ancient Forefather turned to Mo Xuanzun and said to him, “Little Xuanzun, you must stay with little Xiao Xiao no matter what and never leave her side. Do anything within your power to protect her and cannot let anything happen to her. Do you understand?”