After Hu Zhongxuan finished speaking with you, he departed for the Danxia Sect that very day. Before leaving, he instructed everyone in the residence that during his absence, all household matters would follow your arrangements.
Your daily routine consisted of caring for Auntie and cultivating. Every morning, you needed to deliver a Rou Sheng Pill into Deng Wanshu's mouth using true qi, then channel energy to help her digest the pill. The Rou Sheng Pill was a fourth-grade elixir specially developed by Xie Huide for Deng Wanshu. Just one pill per day was enough to maintain her basic life functions - like a compressed biscuit, though far more advanced. Besides providing essential nutrients, the pill could slowly increase Deng Wanshu's martial realm without requiring cultivation techniques, preventing the chaotic qi circulation Jiang the Barbarian experienced from lacking proper cultivation methods. After decades of this regimen, Deng Wanshu had reached the late Bone Tempering stage.
You maintained this care routine for over a month. One day after administering Deng Wanshu's pill, you returned to your room to cultivate when the residence steward Old Wang knocked on your door. He stood respectfully outside: "Young master, there's a guest at the gate who specifically asked for you."
"Asked for me?" You were puzzled. Having rarely left the residence during your years in the capital - behaving more reclusively than most noble maidens - you couldn't imagine who would seek you out by name. You halted your cultivation: "Man or woman? What do they look like?"
"Young master, it's a young lady who looks..."
"Looks very pretty!" Wan Qingluan's cheerful voice rang out as she pushed your door open without permission. Old Wang, startled by her intrusion, immediately shouted: "Guards! Guards!! Intruder in the residence! Protect the young master!!"
Ignoring the commotion, Wan Qingluan giggled as she skipped to you, then plopped her petite bottom down right beside you on the bed. A crowd of martial guards rushed in, weapons drawn and expressions tense. During your two years in the residence, the guards had learned exactly how much importance Hu Zhongxuan placed on you - your status was second only to his, and any mishap would be unforgivable. But with you sitting so close to this unidentified woman, they hesitated, knowing any rash action might endanger you more.
Old Wang cautiously intervened: "You... uh... young lady, this is Vice Minister Hu's residence! Don't do anything reckless, think of your parents, your family—"
You sighed and interrupted: "Old Wang, everyone withdraw."
"Withdraw." You waved dismissively. Reading your expression and glancing at the vivacious beauty beside you, Old Wang's eyes lit up with sudden understanding. "Oh~ Young master, I get it, I get it!" He hastily retreated, even closing the door behind him. Immediately after, his scolding voice carried through:
"What are you doing with those big swords? Trying to kill someone?!"
"You'll scare the guests! And what if you frighten the children?!"
"Why are you staring? Don't you have duties? All of you, scram!!"
After the clamor of retreating footsteps, Old Wang's obsequious voice called through the door: "Heh heh, young master, carry on without restraint, I've sent them all away."
Annoyed, you replied: "You can scram too."
"Haha, yes young master, I'm scamming too..." Old Wang jogged off with a knowing smirk.
Turning to the radiantly smiling Wan Qingluan on your bed, you asked: "Happy personality today?"
"Mmhmm~" she giggled.
You nodded calmly, having given up questioning how she'd found you at Hu Zhongxuan's residence - you were growing accustomed to being permanently marked on everyone's map. "Your sect leader knows I'm here too?"
"Of course! I came with her!"
Your neck shrunk in fear: "Yan Zhixue is in the capital?!"
"Damn it!" You leapt from the bed to flee. With Hu Zhongxuan absent, you'd stand no chance if Yan Zhixue came for you.
Wan Qingluan grabbed your sleeve: "Where are you going?"
"Where? I'm running for my life!"
She said cheerfully: "Why fear the sect leader? She won't come for you."
"She won't? What about questioning me about the key?"
"She's currently with other Ultimate Grandmasters at Li Anlong's place. Won't leave the palace for days."
"Other Ultimate Grandmasters?" You frowned, sensing something amiss. Combined with Hu Zhongxuan's warning about impending changes, you suspected palace turmoil. But regardless of palace affairs, as long as Yan Zhixue wouldn't pursue you immediately, you had time to escape.
You stood to leave without packing - you maintained constant readiness to flee. After two steps, a small hand slipped into yours. Though focused on escape, decades of muscle memory made you squeeze that delicate hand. Considering flight wouldn't be hindered by company, you decided to bring this little thing along.
Hand in hand with Wan Qingluan, you exited to find Old Wang waiting outside. Seeing you emerge so quickly, he chuckled awkwardly: "Young master, you're... quite efficient..."
But you frowned severely: "You waited outside?!"
Terrified by your misunderstanding, Old Wang cowered: "No young master! I wasn't eavesdropping! The master has returned and sent me to summon you!!"
Your face brightened: "My lifeline is back!" Knowing escape became unnecessary, you hurried to the main hall with Wan Qingluan clinging happily like a accessory.
Entering the hall, you saw Hu Zhongxuan. "Martial Uncle! You're back! I missed you so much!" Noticing the girl you brought, Hu Zhongxuan assumed you'd picked up some love interest. He said calmly: "He Yu, have your... friend wait outside. We need to talk." Official source ıs n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟f͟i͟r͟e͟.net
You introduced: "Martial Uncle, this is Wan Qingluan, Saintess of the Extermination Sect."
"Hello Martial Uncle!" Wan Qingluan chirped brightly.
Hu Zhongxuan's eyes sparkled: "Ah~ The famous Heroine Wan! He Yu mentioned you. Why didn't you bring your child?"
You glared: "Martial Uncle! Stop fishing! We're just casual hand-holding friends!"
Wan Qingluan added obliviously: "Martial Uncle, we don't have children yet."
Seeing her expression, Hu Zhongxuan realized you'd told the truth earlier and dropped the matter. He asked Wan Qingluan: "Your sect leader came to the capital too?"
"Yes Martial Uncle. She's already secretly entered the palace."
Hu Zhongxuan nodded thoughtfully.
You looked between them in confusion: "Wait, what are you two discussing? Why do I feel like the only clueless one here?"