When I woke up, the entire cultivation world was talking about my master.

Chu Xianlan was internally devastated, her emotions were running high, and her actions were swift and decisive.

Watching Ji Cheng'an push open the door, I felt as if I had been struck by lightning, with only one thought flashing wildly through my mind—

Just what I feared most came to pass.

Besides "run," I can't think of another word.

Hearing the sound, Ji Cheng'an, disregarding his injuries, pushed open the door and went out, where he indeed saw the figure he had longed for day and night. Yi Chen stood quietly under the corridor, like a jade branch covered in frost and snow. This caused Ji Cheng'an's heart to tremble violently, a mixture of stinging pain and an intense, yearning itch rising from his throat. This time, Ji Cheng'an slowly approached, stopping at just the right distance, and then performed an impeccable disciple's salute, admitting his previous youthful impulsiveness and inappropriate words, feeling deeply ashamed. This time, her clear, cold eyes, like a deep pool, truly looked at him directly…

The time, place, and people all match up!

We must not let our guard down.

Good heavens, apart from the fact that he was there, it was practically a scene from my premonition come to life!

Thinking of this, Chu Xianlan's scalp tingled. Forgetting all manners and etiquette, she sprinted and grabbed Yi Chen's hand, pulling him away from the scene of the incident.

It wasn't until he led the people deep into the bamboo forest in the backyard that he realized how outrageous his actions were.

After stopping, Chu Xianlan took a slight breath, her back turned, not daring to look back at her master's expression, her heart pounding as if it would jump out of her chest.

...It's over.

How do you explain acting on impulse and not being able to think of any other way?

Should I just kneel down and kowtow to my master to admit my mistake?

Time was ticking away, and they couldn't afford to stay in this stalemate any longer. Chu Xianlan's heart pounded, and she turned around with trepidation, only to see Yi Chen with his eyes lowered, staring at their clasped hands, his expression inscrutable.

They are clearly waiting for a reasonable explanation.

—He was indeed very angry.

Chu Xianlan hurriedly let go, and in a moment of quick thinking, she took a sharp half-step back.

"Master! Your disciple has something to say!"

Yi Chen paused for a moment, then asked, "What is it?"

Master's tone was alright, so the situation probably isn't that bad...? But this is definitely not an attitude that can be easily dismissed...

Chu Xianlan swallowed, and under the seemingly calm yet scrutinizing gaze of the other party, she composed herself, unconsciously stroking her right arm with her left hand, and glancing slightly to the right.

"This disciple simply... simply misses Master too much."

"Actually, during the five years you were in seclusion..." His voice was low, as if he was very disappointed, "I missed you every day. Just now, when I saw that old jade pendant, it stirred up some memories of the past, and I couldn't help but act childishly."

The bamboo forest was silent, with only the rustling of the bamboo leaves in the wind. The dappled shadows of the bamboo, like pieces of gold, were projected onto the boy's slightly flushed cheeks. His dark eyelashes trembled, and his eyes were clear and transparent like glass.

After he finished speaking, the oppressive atmosphere around him dissipated somewhat.

……miss?

Yi Chen's expression went blank for a moment, as if he was surprised by what he said.

Given this, Chu Xianlan decided to steel herself and take a gamble, as success or failure hinged on this one move.

What I'm about to say is so painful it'll make my teeth ache. I don't know what Master will think after hearing it. All I can do is apologize to Yi Chen in my heart.

Ahhh! It wasn't his fault! It was all that weird precognitive dream's fault!

Because of this awful precognitive dream, he was unable to tell the truth and could only frantically make excuses and find reasons to cover things up.

Everything is for the sake of clearing Master's name!

"This disciple did not want you to see the Fourth Prince, which is why I acted so offensively and left Baicaotang against your wishes. It is because Ji Cheng'an is of noble birth and has exceptional talent, and this disciple was afraid..."

"I'm afraid that if Master sees him, he will despise me and think that Xianlan is mediocre and not worth cultivating."

The last few words were hoarse and immature, with a hint of timidity that made it difficult to speak.

A suffocating silence enveloped them. Chu Xianlan moistened her lips, knowing this was a blatant attempt to play the victim and that her posture must be incredibly awkward. Her ears burned with embarrassment. After a long wait, she finally raised her head with a desperate gait, only to see—

Yi Chen lowered his eyebrows and his expression turned cold.

Then, in a deep, tense voice, he said, "Nonsense."

In that instant, Chu Xianlan's heart sank to the bottom.

A bystander's comment that it was "nonsense" was probably meant as a joke.

But this is my master.

Even the briefest reprimand can have a deterrent effect. Even if no harsh words are said, it can make people feel as if they have been scolded for no reason, leaving them with a bitter taste in their mouths.

Chu Xianlan felt a heavy weight pressing on her chest, as if a boulder was pressing down on it, and her palms and the backs of her hands were cold. She inwardly berated herself: She should have just admitted her mistake from the start; why did she have to make up such a lame excuse!

If there was still a sliver of hope before, and one was secretly praying that the master had not been angered, now there is no chance of turning things around.

Now look what's happened; words spoken are words that cannot be taken back, and it's too late to regret it.

At this moment, Yi Chen raised his hand.

Chu Xianlan thought she was going to be punished, so she resigned herself to her fate, closed her eyes, and clenched her fists at her sides, waiting for the punishment to come.

But then I felt a sudden heaviness on the top of my head.

The hand with its distinct knuckles landed gently, lingering for a moment in his hair before stroking it down the strands. The movement of the fingertips through the hair was clumsy and awkward, but it did not stop.

Chu Xianlan opened her eyes in a daze.

My mind is a complete mess.

What's going on...? Isn't this even stranger than being punished?

Why is Master touching...touching...his head?!

This was completely contrary to the original plan. Chu Xianlan seemed to be stunned by the touch, standing there without moving, blinking her eyes repeatedly.

At this moment, he looked like a puppy that had been suddenly stroked, with even his hair drooping limply. Anyone who saw him would think he was about to be abandoned, but all he received was forgiveness.

Her bright eyes seemed to have been washed by rain, slightly damp, hiding a bewildered obedience.

"Master, Master..."

After a while, Chu Xianlan finally managed to find her voice. She remained stiff and dared not move, feeling a tingling sensation down her spine from the gentle touch.

The quiet forest suddenly became noisy as a strong wind swept through, causing bamboo leaves to swirl and fall to the ground.

Chu Xianlan looked down at her toes, then glanced at another pair of pristine white shoes beside her.

That hand stroked the top of her head once more, this time with more practiced ease, the fingertips caressing with a comforting pressure.

The nerves that had been stretched to their limit finally relaxed.

Yi Chen was indeed displeased at first.

This emotion stemmed not from the disciple's actions, but from Chu Xianlan's self-deprecating attitude.

His apprentice should not be swayed by a few words from others.

but……

On second thought, he realized that his disciple was a sensitive teenager, and demanding perfection in everything seemed too harsh. He had told his disciple that he could act on his whims, so this... wouldn't that be going back on his word?

The scene in the Discipline Hall flashed through Yi Chen's mind: the young man stood alone in the center of the hall, all alone and helpless. If he hadn't come out of seclusion that day, Chu Xianlan would probably have been whipped.

I had been in seclusion for five years and had neglected him somewhat.

Considering Chu Xianlan's previous reserved behavior towards him, Yi Chen, for some reason, felt inexplicably unwilling to see his disciple's fearful expression.

Perhaps... we should be more lenient.

"I have always cherished what you have done," the voice above said patiently, enunciating each word gently. "Don't underestimate yourself. Now that I have you, I won't look down on others. If you need confirmation, I'm always here."

"Those who cultivate themselves should focus on themselves and be diligent without ceasing, and should not worry about these trivial matters."

Seeing that Chu Xianlan remained silent for a long time and her body was stiff as iron, Yi Chen thought that he had spoken too harshly.

Then he added a few more words: "Xianlan, be obedient and behave."