Zhu Xian: They've all been reborn

"Look, Biyao calls you 'Sister Xiaobai,' and she calls your mother 'Sister,'" Jiang Xiaochuan gestured, trying to clarify the complicated relationship. "But Biyao's mother, Senior Xiaochi, is also your younger sister... This generational hierarchy..."

Xiao Bai chuckled, her golden eyes full of teasing. She reached out and pinched his cheek. "Silly boy, what are you thinking? Our Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox clan has a long bloodline and lifespan, which is different from that of humans. Calling each other sisters is a matter of affection and closeness, not your human clan's rigid ethical and seniority rules. Yao calls me 'sister' because I'm older than her, have lived longer, and love her dearly. As for Xiao Chi..." She looked tenderly towards her younger sister, "She will always be my most beloved little sister. As for you..."

She leaned closer, her breath brushing against his ear, her voice alluring: "You're Yao's husband, my little Chuan Chuan, that's enough. Aren't you tired of thinking so much?"

Jiang Xiaochuan was a little confused by what she said, but then he seemed to understand. He nodded and gave a silly "Oh".

Seeing his stunned expression, Xiaobai laughed again and leaned in to give him a quick peck on the lips: "Silly boy."

Two days later, after Biyao finished her "inspection," she gave her two sons a "severe" dressing-down before returning to Qiyun Peak with Jiang Xiaochuan and Xiaobai. As for Jiang Liu and Jiang Nian, they naturally continued their "cultivation" at the Ghost King Sect. However, after Biyao's "reorganization," the two would obviously be much more "obedient"—at least, when thinking of new ways to "show filial piety" to their elders, they would be more mindful of the force with which their mother would twist their ears.

Back at Qiyun Peak, the sun was still warm and inviting. Without Jiang Liu and Jiang Nian, the two most boisterous kids, the bamboo house seemed a bit quieter, but far from deserted. Jiang Meng's babbling, Tian Ling'er and Linglong's soft whispers about embroidery patterns, Jin Ping'er's gentle movements in the kitchen, and the chirping of several spirit birds in the courtyard all blended together to create a peaceful yet lively atmosphere.

Lu Xueqi was waiting for them in the corridor. Seeing them return, she stepped forward and naturally took the outer robe that Jiang Xiaochuan had casually taken off. "You're back? How's it going with the Ghost King Sect?"

Biyao immediately began to recount with great enthusiasm how she had "displayed her divine power" in disciplining the two brats, Wanrenwang's beard, Qinglong's crane, Youji's cold face... Xiaobai occasionally added a few words from the side, which attracted Tian Ling'er and Linglong to come over and listen, and laughter continued.

Jiang Xiaochuan watched them chatter and laugh, feeling a warm glow in his heart. He walked to Lu Xueqi's side and whispered, "Has Yueyao...written anything?"

Lu Xueqi nodded and took out a jade slip from her sleeve, handing it to him: "I was just about to tell you. A few days ago, Linglong and Ping'er took An'er and Xin'er to Xiaozhu Peak. Yueyao saw them and said that the two younger sisters had good foundations and calm temperaments, so she kept them on the peak and personally instructed them in swordsmanship and basic mental techniques for a period of time. This is a message that Yueyao just sent."

Jiang Xiaochuan took the jade slip and probed it with his divine sense. His daughter's clear, calm yet concerned voice rang in his mind, briefly explaining the arrangements for Jiang An and Jiang Xin, and telling him and his mother not to worry. He felt a sudden emptiness mixed with relief. He was at ease knowing that An'er and Xin'er were with Yueyao. But... the children had truly grown up, each forging their own path.

"You can't bear to part with him?" Lu Xueqi asked softly, her fingers gently brushing across his slightly furrowed brow.

"A little," Jiang Xiaochuan honestly admitted, taking her hand. "It feels like this bamboo house suddenly... feels much emptier."

Lu Xueqi looked at him quietly for a moment, then took his hand and walked towards the bamboo forest behind the mountain.

"Come for a walk with me."

The two walked slowly along the familiar path.

The setting sun cast long shadows of bamboo, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of bamboo leaves and the aroma of earth. It was very quiet, with only the sound of footsteps and the rustling of the wind through the bamboo tips.

"Xiao Chuan," Lu Xueqi suddenly spoke.

"Um?"

"Do you remember when Yunzhou and Yueyao were just learning to walk?" Her voice was soft, carrying a gentle glow of reminiscence.

"She wobbles and always needs someone to hold her hand; she'll fall if you let go. Yueyao doesn't cry when she falls; she gets up by herself, purses her lips, and keeps walking. Yunzhou, on the other hand, will lie on the ground, staring at you with her round eyes, insisting that you carry her."

Jiang Xiaochuan smiled: "I remember."

"Later, as they grew up, they could run and jump, fly on swords, and go down the mountain."

Lu Xueqi continued speaking, her tone calm, yet with an indescribable gentleness.

"Later, Yueyao took Tianya, and Yunzhou carried Xuechuan away from Qiyun Peak. Now, Liuer and Nian'er have gone to Ghost King Sect, and An'er and Xin'er have also gone to Xiaozhu Peak."

She stopped, turned around, and faced him.

The afterglow of the setting sun cast a warm golden glow on her cool face, and his figure was clearly reflected in her usually calm and undisturbed eyes, along with a barely perceptible, watery longing.

"The children will grow up, they will leave, and they will have their own world. That's a good thing."

She reached out, her fingertips tracing his cheek, her movements as gentle as if afraid of breaking something: "But we're still here. Here," she pointed to the ground beneath her feet, then to her heart, "and here, it will always be their home, and our home too. A home won't feel empty just because there are fewer people temporarily; as long as the connection remains, the warmth will stay."

As Jiang Xiaochuan looked at her, the emptiness and melancholy in his heart slowly dissipated under her clear and firm words and gentle gaze, transforming into a calmer and longer warm current.

He reached out and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly. The cool, refreshing scent of her body filled his nostrils, and her soft, real body was in his embrace.

"Xueqi," he buried his face in the crook of her neck, his voice muffled, "it's good to have you."

Lu Xueqi hugged him back, tightening her arms, pressing her face against the top of his head, and softly hummed in agreement.

……

The morning is awakened by birdsong and... a strange breeze carrying a sweet and warm fragrance.

Jiang Xiaochuan opened his eyes, his mind still a little heavy, as fragments of last night's memories flooded back.

First, she accompanied Linglong to the pharmacy to sort through the newly harvested herbs. She spoke softly about the properties of each herb, her fingertips occasionally brushing against the back of his hand, carrying a cool, slightly bitter taste. Later…

Later, somehow, she ended up sitting on his lap, holding a dried calming flower in her hand. Petals fluttered onto his clothes. She lowered her head and kissed him, the kiss carrying the scent of medicine, and then…

He remembered that Linglong had half-supported and half-carried him back to his room.

No, it seems that Jin Ping'er came later too. She sat quietly by the bed and waited for him to lie down before lying down next to him, gently placing her hand on his waist...

He rubbed his temples, trying to sit up, but a familiar soreness in his lower back made him groan and fall back down.