Fairy, please have some self-respect. I am not the reincarnation of your deceased husband.

Pei Wanyun wore a light lotus-colored gauze dress, the sash of which had loosened slightly from sitting for a long time, outlining her graceful and voluptuous figure.

She had regular features and a slender figure, and her black hair was simply tied up with a gold hairpin.

Every move she makes carries a touch of languid ease, showcasing the unique charm and elegance of a mature woman.

As she was writing and reviewing documents, her sleeves had already slipped down to her elbows, revealing her fair and slender wrists, which formed a subtle and moving contrast with her mature and full figure.

"Was the trip relatively smooth?"

Pei Wanyun looked up at her disciple, smiled gently, and spoke in a soft and warm voice, her words full of the concern of an elder for a junior.

"Reporting to Master, everything went smoothly."

Mu Qianxue respectfully reports:

"The miasma has been eliminated, and the people of Qinghe Town are all safe and sound."

Despite being wary of her master in matters of the heart, she still respected him from the bottom of her heart.

only…

Although her master remained outwardly calm, the subtle act of hiding something under the table did not escape her notice.

Without even needing to think, she knew what the other person had been doing and what was hidden below...

"Yes, I've always trusted you to get things done."

"Thanks a lot."

"The sect is currently short-handed, and the outer sect needs your help."

Pei Wanyun did not suspect anything about her disciple's trip.

She believed Mu Qianxue's lie before the trip: that the outer sect was short-handed and that she was the only one who could take on this task.

After all, aside from certain "secrets," this girl has always been honest and has great respect and love for her master.

Although no news of "him" has been found outside the door during this period, judging by the time... we should be able to meet soon.

Just be patient for a while longer...

It will be fine in just a short time...

"It's no trouble at all; it's my duty as a disciple."

Mu Qianxue quickly denied it.

This wasn't her being modest; it was because ninety percent of those helping outside the sect were acting out of self-interest, with only one-tenth truly helping the sect.

Otherwise, why would she need to travel so far to the outer gate?

Wouldn't it be better to stay by Master's side and assist in handling government affairs?

"Alright, enough said. How could I not know about your sacrifices?"

Pei Wanyun seemed to have gotten tired of sitting. She put down her pen, stood up, stretched her back, and unconsciously let out a muffled groan that left much to the imagination.

The already loose sash slipped a little wider with this movement, making her figure appear even more slender and graceful.

"..."

Even Mu Qianxue had to admit that her master's figure was indeed excellent.

Even though she prides herself on having a pretty good figure, she still appears somewhat immature compared to others.

Even compared to a certain saintess, she paled in comparison, utterly incomparable, and was nothing more than a young girl who hadn't yet fully grown up.

"Are you settling in well at the outer gate?"

Pei Wanyun approached slowly, showing great care for her disciple:

"If you encounter any difficulties, please feel free to speak with your teacher."

"There are no difficulties. It's a bit busy working in the outer sect, but it's quite fulfilling."

Mu Qianxue's answer was flawless.

Not only did they not reveal their true purpose in the outer sect, but they also did not mention Chen Lianshu even once.

To make it seem more authentic, she added:

"Master often says that his disciple is aloof and dislikes interacting with people."

"Now, during my time in the outer sect, I have had many experiences interacting with people, and I have also gained some insights into the path of cultivation."

After all, having seen her husband, her inner knot has been untied, so how could her cultivation stagnate?

"Yes, very good."

Pei Wanyun was quite pleased to see the change in her disciple.

It seems that sending her to the outer sect for training is not necessarily a bad thing.

"But remember, don't be impatient for quick success."

"The key to spiritual practice lies in steady progress; taking one step at a time is the right path."

"Yes, disciple will remember!"

Mu Qianxue respectfully agreed, then suddenly changed the subject, showing concern for her instead:

"But Master, I've noticed you've been appearing quite restless lately..."

"Is something on your mind?"

"Things on my mind..."

Pei Wanyun couldn't hide her thoughts and subconsciously glanced at the desk.

From her angle, she could just see the scroll painting.

"Not really..."

But she quickly composed herself and said gently with relief:

"You're very thoughtful. Don't worry about your teacher."

"You've had a long journey, so don't stay here with me. Go back and get some rest."

"This disciple takes his leave."

Before Mu Qianxue could turn around, Pei Wanyun called out to her.

"Snowflakes..."

Her eyes darted away, as if she were struggling.

But after a moment's hesitation, he finally made up his mind, a hint of expectation in his eyes, and asked:

"Did you encounter any unusual people in the outer sect?"

"A special person?"

Mu Qianxue had anticipated that her master would ask this question, so she had already prepared a response.

Despite knowing the other party's intentions and even their "malicious intentions," she remained calm and composed, her expression as aloof as ever.

"There are many outer disciples; I wonder what Master means by 'special'?"

"..."

Pei Wanyun seemed to want to speak frankly, and even wanted to tell her disciple the person's name and appearance.

After much thought, he finally shook his head, a slight smile tinged with helplessness:

"Never mind, I was just asking casually, don't take it to heart."

"You should go and rest, since you have to go to the outer gate for duty tomorrow."

"Yes."

Mu Qianxue bowed and then turned and left the bedchamber.

She closed the door, leaned against the palace gate, and gently pressed her hand to her chest.

The pulse there quickened because of deceiving the master.

The feeling was especially clear when it was done under the very nose of the master.

It was as if she were the "cat that stole fish"...

As soon as the thought crossed her mind, Mu Qianxue shook her head, dismissing the unfounded idea.

After all, she and her husband stayed together until the end, so how could there be any talk of "stealing"?

"Heh~"

Thinking of this, Mu Qianxue smiled faintly and returned to her residence.

Inside the palace.

Pei Wanyun returned to her original position.

She slowly unfolded the Xuan paper hidden at the bottom of the table, gazing at the handsome face in the painting, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the face of the person in the painting.

The love in his eyes was almost tangible, and his longing surged like a tide.

"Soon..."

She murmured softly, her tone firm:

"In this life, your teacher will still not miss you."

Then, she softly uttered those two words, which had been suppressed for so long and were filled with deep emotion:

"My husband..."

As the last rays of the setting sun disappeared into the distant mountains outside the window.

Pei Wanyun carefully put away the painting, picked up her brush again, and began processing the sect's files.

……

The next day at noon, outside the gate.

"Knock knock—"

A knock on the door reached Chen Lianshu's ears as he was cultivating.

"?"

He began to have doubts.

Who would have thought this person would be?

After all, he always kept to himself and had no social interactions, so no one would come knocking on his door without a reason.

Could it be that the reward for the mission has arrived?

Although the Foreign Affairs Office usually takes three days to distribute wages, it's not impossible...

Upon opening the door, sure enough, someone delivered the reward for the task.

But the person who delivered it was somewhat unusual…

It was a figure in white robes with black hair, as pure and aloof as snow.

It was his inner sect senior sister who had accompanied him to Qinghe Town to exorcise the demon—

Mu Qianxue.