Transmigrating into the world of Jade Dynasty, I was targeted by the female lead in a reverse romanc

Two days later, in the early morning.

The sky was still overcast, but it wasn't raining. The wind had died down a bit, and it felt nice on my face.

After flying on the sword for about a quarter of an hour, the outline of Dazhu Peak came into view. Familiar bamboo forests, familiar houses, and familiar smells of cooking wafted over on the wind.

Jiang Xiaochuan's heart suddenly started beating faster.

Closer and closer, the open space in front of Shoujing Hall was completely empty, without a single person in sight.

That's true. At this time, the senior brothers are probably all cultivating on their own.

Lu Xueqi sheathed her sword and landed lightly, followed by Jiang Xiaochuan, who then placed the cloud boat on the ground.

Stepping onto the solid, flat ground, Jiang Xiaochuan felt a little dazed. Four years had passed, and the wild grass growing in the cracks between the stones seemed to be the same as it had been four years ago. The smell in the air was a mixture of soil, bamboo leaves, and the faint aroma of food wafting from the kitchen—it hadn't changed at all.

Yueyao twisted her body in Lu Xueqi's arms, trying to get down. Lu Xueqi bent down and put her down. As soon as the little girl's feet touched the ground, she wobbled forward a couple of steps before Lu Xueqi gently pulled her back.

Just then, hurried footsteps came from the right-hand corridor, and a red figure, like a ball of fire, suddenly rushed out from around the corner.

It is Tian Ling'er.

She must have heard the commotion in her room and ran out. Dressed in red, her skin looked even whiter than snow, and her eyes were still bright. But the undisguised, astonishingly bright surprise and joy on her face made her seem to glow.

"Little..." She opened her mouth, but before she could finish the word "Chuan," her gaze fell on Lu Xueqi. Then, as if something had suddenly grabbed her throat, the smile on her face froze for a moment, and the bright light in her eyes dimmed almost imperceptibly, like a candle flame flickering in the wind.

But soon, she smiled again, though there was something in that smile that was hard to describe. She took a few steps forward, her gaze lingering on Jiang Xiaochuan's face for a moment before quickly shifting to Lu Xueqi, her voice trying to remain as light as usual: "Senior Sister Lu, Senior Brother Jiang, what brings you here?"

Jiang Xiaochuan looked at Tian Ling'er, feeling a mix of emotions.

"Senior Sister Ling'er," he said calmly, his voice utterly indifferent.

"Junior Sister Tian." Lu Xueqi nodded, her tone calm.

Tian Ling'er's gaze then fell on the two little ones. Yue Yao was looking up at her curiously with her little face, while Yun Zhou stood properly and looked at her as well.

"Aunt Ling'er," Yun Zhou spoke first, her voice clear and crisp.

Yueyao imitated her, calling out in her childish voice, "Aunt Ling'er!"

Tian Ling'er paused for a moment, then squatted down, a genuine smile on her face, and reached out to touch Yueyao's little face: "Yueyao is so good, and so is Yunzhou."

She looked up at Jiang Xiaochuan, "Did you bring the children back to visit?"

"Hmm," Jiang Xiaochuan nodded, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Senior Sister Ling'er, could you... please look after Yunzhou and Yueyao for a while? Xueqi and I would like to go see Master and Mistress."

Tian Ling'er's smile faded slightly, but she didn't say anything, just nodded: "Okay, you can go now. Father and Mother are at Shoujing Hall."

She reached out, taking Jiang Yunzhou's hand with one hand and trying to hug Jiang Yueyao with the other, but Jiang Yueyao twisted her body and turned back to Lu Xueqi, saying, "Mommy, hug me..."

Lu Xueqi bent down and picked her up, gently patting her back: "Yueyao, be good, play with Aunt Ling'er for a while, Dad and Mom will be back soon."

Jiang Yueyao pouted, but still nodded and stretched out her small hand to Tian Ling'er.

Tian Ling'er took Jiang Yueyao and held her in her arms. The little girl's body was soft and she smelled of milk. The bitterness in her heart was diluted by the warm touch. She said to Jiang Xiaochuan, "Go, leave the child to me."

"Thank you, Senior Sister." Jiang Xiaochuan said his thanks, then bowed to Yunzhou and instructed, "Listen to Aunt Ling'er and don't run around."

"Yes." Yunzhou nodded seriously.

Jiang Xiaochuan then turned around, looked in the direction of Shoujing Hall, took a deep breath, and started walking forward.

Lu Xueqi followed naturally, reaching out to take his hand.

Her hand was slightly cool, but her grip was strong and tight. Jiang Xiaochuan tried to pull away, but couldn't. Instead, she held him even tighter. He turned his head to look at her. Lu Xueqi was looking straight ahead, her face expressionless, but her jawline was taut.

He knew what she was thinking; she was afraid her master would embarrass him, so she wanted to stay by his side.

"Fine," Jiang Xiaochuan sighed inwardly, letting her hold his hand. The two walked hand in hand, step by step, toward Shoujing Hall.

The door to Shoujing Hall was open, and the interior was somewhat dimly lit, but the furnishings were still visible, everything as before. Tian Buyi sat on the chair at the head of the table, holding a cup of tea and blowing on the tea leaves.

Su Ru sat next to him, holding a small garment in her hand, mending it. The needle and thread moved swiftly and steadily through her hands.

Hearing footsteps, both of them looked up.

Upon seeing the figure standing against the light at the doorway, Tian Buyi paused, his teacup still in his hand, and Su Ru stopped needlework.

Jiang Xiaochuan stood at the door, looking at the two familiar faces inside, his throat tightened, and he couldn't speak for a moment.

Tian Buyi seemed to have lost some weight, and the wrinkles on his face were deeper, but when those eyes looked over, there was a sharpness in them and... an undisguised, fleeting joy.

Su Ru was still the same as ever, gentle and quiet. But when she looked at him, her eyes instantly reddened, and her lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but she choked up.

She probably instinctively wanted to say "you've lost weight," but her gaze lingered on Jiang Xiaochuan's face and body.

Her face was round, and her complexion was good, even more rosy than when she left four years ago, showing signs of being carefully cared for. Her clothes were neat and well-fitting, and the fabric looked to be of excellent quality. The word "thinned" was simply impossible to utter.

Tian Buyi snorted heavily, slamming his teacup on the table with a dull thud. He turned his face away, his voice hard and deliberately feigned anger: "So you know how to come back!"

Jiang Xiaochuan felt a lump in his throat. He broke free from Lu Xueqi's hand, took two steps forward, stood still in the hall, then lifted his robe and knelt down properly.

My knees slammed against the cold, hard floor tiles with a dull thud.

"Master, Mistress," he said, his head bowed, his voice trembling slightly, but each word clear, "your unfilial disciple has returned."

Behind him, Lu Xueqi followed suit, kneeling down beside him without saying a word.

The hall was silent except for Tian Buyi's heavy breathing and Su Ru's suppressed, faint gasps.

Su Ru abruptly put down her needlework, stood up, and quickly walked over, reaching out to help Jiang Xiaochuan: "Xiaochuan, get up quickly, the ground is cold..."

Jiang Xiaochuan didn't move, but simply raised his head, looked at Su Ru, his eyes red-rimmed, and said, "Master's wife, I'm sorry. Four years ago, I was a fool and said those foolish things, hurting Master and Master's hearts. I... know I was wrong."

He paused, then turned to Tian Buyi, who was still turning his face away, and kowtowed heavily, his forehead hitting the ground with a loud thud.

"Master, your disciple is unfilial. Back then, I was young and ignorant, and I spoke recklessly, saying those disrespectful things. I know I was wrong. For the past four years, I have thought of you and my mistress every single day, and I have regretted hurting you both. I have returned today, not asking for your forgiveness, but only... only asking you to take care of your health. I... apologize to you."

After he finished speaking, he kowtowed again.