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

"What's wrong with my disciple, Tian Buyi? Lu Xueqi is a genius, but my disciple is no less talented! He's at the ninth level of the Jade Purity Realm, how old is he? Given time, he might not be inferior to her!"

Jiang Xiaochuan felt a warmth in his heart from his master's words, but also felt a little amused and exasperated. He knew that his master was backing him up, afraid that he would be "bullied" in front of Lu Xueqi.

"However," Tian Buyi changed the subject, his expression turning serious, "Xiao Chuan, your master must remind you, Xueqi is a thoughtful and independent girl. She's genuinely good to you, but sometimes that kindness... is too much. You need to be aware of that. Don't just indulge her. You need to be firm when necessary, understand?"

Jiang Xiaochuan knew what his master meant better than anyone else. He nodded and said, "Disciple understands."

"Good that you understand." Tian Buyi breathed a sigh of relief, leaned back in his chair, and looked tired. "Alright, I've said everything I needed to say. Go and see how your master's wife and Xueqi's conversation is going."

Jiang Xiaochuan didn't move. He had been kneeling for too long, and his legs were a little numb. After a while, he stood up, but didn't leave immediately. Instead, he looked at Tian Buyi, hesitated for a moment, and whispered:

"Master, are you... are you and your wife still angry with me?"

Tian Buyi felt a pang of sadness seeing his cautious manner, and waved his hand, "Why are you angry? I'm not angry anymore. I'm just worried about you, wondering if you're doing well, if anyone is bullying you, if you... miss home."

Jiang Xiaochuan's tears fell again.

He walked up to Tian Buyi, bent down like he did when he was a child, and rested his forehead on his master's knees, his voice choked with emotion: "Master, I miss home, I miss you, I miss my master's wife, I miss my fellow disciples, I miss Dazhu Peak... I miss it every night."

Tian Buyi stiffened for a moment, then relaxed, reached out, and ruffled his hair like he did when they were children. The movement was a little clumsy, but exceptionally gentle.

"Silly boy," his voice was a little hoarse, "if you miss home, come back and visit often. This place... will always be your home."

"Yes!" Jiang Xiaochuan nodded vigorously, his tears soaking Tian Buyi's robe.

Tian Buyi patted his back: "Alright, stop crying. Go wash your face. Don't let your master's wife and Xueqi see you. They'll think I scolded you again."

"Yes, Master." Jiang Xiaochuan straightened up, wiped away his tears, gave Tian Buyi a somewhat awkward smile, and turned to leave the study.

After he left, Tian Buyi finally breathed a long sigh of relief, leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and smiled slightly upwards.

That brat, he finally came back.

……

Meanwhile, in the kitchen.

Su Ru was deftly preparing a fat fish with her sleeves rolled up. Lu Xueqi stood to the side, wanting to help, but Su Ru stopped her.

"No need, no need, you can just sit and chat with your master's wife," Su Ru said with a smile, her knife flashing and fish scales flying in her hand.

Lu Xueqi stood quietly to the side, watching her busy herself. The kitchen was filled with the aroma of food, and the fire in the stove crackled, creating a warm and peaceful atmosphere.

"Xueqi," Su Ru asked casually as she scaled the fish, "between you and Xiaochuan, who's usually in charge?"

Lu Xueqi was taken aback, not understanding, and asked in confusion, "The one in charge?"

"So... who's in charge at home?" Su Ru explained, a smile in her eyes.

Lu Xueqi understood, her face expressionless, and said calmly, "He decides on the small matters, I'll decide on the big ones."

Su Ru paused, holding the knife, and looked up at her, her smile deepening: "So what's a small matter, and what's a big matter?"

Lu Xueqi thought for a moment and said, "What they eat, what they wear, and what the children play with are minor matters. Cultivation, safety, and future are major matters."

Su Ru chuckled, "You're quite perceptive, aren't you?"

She put down the knife, wiped her hands, looked at Lu Xueqi, and said gently, "Xueqi, your master knows that you have a strong personality and are very good to Xiaochuan. But in a marriage, being good isn't enough; you also need to discuss things and be considerate of each other. Xiaochuan is a soft-hearted child. Sometimes he suffers grievances but doesn't say anything and just keeps it to himself. You need to be careful not to let him hold grudges in his heart, or it will damage your relationship in the long run."

Lu Xueqi was silent for a moment, then nodded: "Xueqi has remembered."

Su Ru smiled with satisfaction, picked up the knife again to continue processing the fish, and said casually, "You know Ling'er, right?"

Lu Xueqi hummed in agreement.

"That girl is thoughtful and prone to overthinking," Su Ru sighed.

"She liked Xiaochuan, she's liked him since she was little, but that silly boy Xiaochuan always treated her like a little sister and never thought about it in that way. Then you came... Sigh, it's just fate playing tricks on us."

Lu Xueqi didn't speak, she just listened quietly.

"I know that Ling'er sometimes says or does things that might make you uncomfortable." Su Ru turned to look at her, her eyes sincere.

"Xueqi, for my sake, don't hold it against her. That girl is just silly. She'll figure it out herself in time."

Looking at Su Ru's earnest eyes, Lu Xueqi slowly nodded and said, "Don't worry, Master's wife. Xueqi understands. Junior Sister Tian is Master's and Master's wife's daughter, Xiao Chuan's senior sister, and Yun Zhou Yueyao's aunt. Xueqi will not make things difficult for her."

Su Ru breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "That's good, that's good. I knew you were a sensible child."

The two chatted for a few more minutes, mostly with Su Ru asking questions and Lu Xueqi answering.

They asked the children if they were usually naughty, whether Xiaobai was used to living in Xiaozhufeng, and whether Jiang Xiaochuan's injuries had left any lasting effects...

Lu Xueqi answered them one by one.

After a while, Su Ru seemed to remember something, leaned closer, and said in a low voice: "Xueqi, let me teach you something. Men are like the fire in this stove. You can't keep it burning all the time, or it will burn dry. You can't keep it burning too little, or it will go out. You have to add some firewood from time to time and let some air in from time to time."

She blinked: "Xiao Chuan is gentle by nature, so it's good that you're a bit stronger. But being strong doesn't mean suppressing him all the time. It means knowing when to add fuel to the fire and when to let him out. For example, he knelt in front of your master today and is feeling bad. When he goes back tonight, you have to let him out a little, be gentle, understand?"

Lu Xueqi seemed to understand, and slowly nodded, saying, "Xueqi understands, thank you... Mother."

Su Ru suddenly remembered something and laughed, "Oh right, Xiao Chuan was so naughty when he was little. Once he climbed up that old pine tree on the back mountain to steal a bird's nest. He couldn't get down and was so scared that he cried. His master pretended to spank him, and he hugged the tree and shouted, 'Master's wife, save me!' It was hilarious."

Lu Xueqi listened quietly, then suddenly asked softly, "Does he...cry a lot?"

Su Ru was taken aback, then laughed and said, "That's right! You would cry if you fell down, you would cry if your master scolded you, and you would cry if you were tired from practicing. You only got better when you grew up."

Lu Xueqi lowered her head and chopped vegetables, her knife skills still sharp, her voice soft: "I cry a lot now too."

Su Ru: "Hmm?"

Lu Xueqi looked up, a faint smile in her eyes: "Sometimes at night..."

Su Ru was taken aback at first, then realized what was happening, blushed, and spat out, "You child!"

But his eyes were full of smiles, and he hummed an unknown tune.

When Jiang Xiaochuan washed his face, composed himself, and came to the kitchen, this was the scene he saw.

The master's wife hummed a song as she busied herself in front of the stove, while Xueqi stood quietly to the side, occasionally handing her a plate or a bowl. The atmosphere between the two was harmonious, even... a little too harmonious.

"Master's wife, Xueqi," Jiang Xiaochuan called out.

Su Ru turned around, saw him, and her eyes lit up: "Xiao Chuan's here? Finished talking with your master?"

"Okay." Jiang Xiaochuan nodded and walked over.

"Master's wife, let me help you."

"No need, no need, it'll be ready soon," Su Ru said with a smile.

She glanced at his still slightly red eyes, but didn't ask any further questions. She simply said, "Go and call your master out for dinner, and also invite Ling'er and the children. Today, let's have a proper meal as a family. Most of your other fellow disciples are cultivating in the Taiji Cave, so we won't disturb them for now."

"Okay," Jiang Xiaochuan replied, turning and leaving.