Publish Time: 2026-07-05 05:32:00
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«Chapter 543: Yu Hongjin’s Tantrum
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Lihua, lying sprawled on the courtyard wall, saw that the group of people were finally done with their busyness. It yawned and comfortably fell asleep.
Chen Changsheng sat in the courtyard and started chatting idly with Ruyi.
“I thought the embroidery workshop was busy? Back so early?”
“I got things sorted out. Don’t need to watch over it every single moment.”
Ruyi swung her legs a bit. Propping her chin on her hand, she seemed to be pondering something.
She turned her head and spotted the preserved fruit on the table.
“Where’d this preserved fruit come from?”
“Miss Yun brought it.”
Ruyi looked at the preserved fruit after hearing this, then at Chen Changsheng. She let out a long, drawn-out sound.
“Oh…”
Chen Changsheng, seeing the somewhat knowing look in her eyes, couldn’t help but laugh and ask, “Why are you looking like that?”
Ruyi leaned closer, asking curiously, “So, Uncle Chen, are you interested in Sister Yun?”
“What do you mean?” Chen Changsheng replied.
“You know, that meaning!”
Chen Changsheng smiled and said, “Youngsters shouldn’t be prying into such things.”
Ruyi chuckled, “This isn’t just prying! I’m worried about your lifelong happiness, Uncle Chen!”
Chen Changsheng then said, “Ruyi, you’re past twenty now, right? Other girls your age are long married. Why are you still alone?”
“Huh? Why are we talking about me now?” Ruyi exclaimed. “Uncle Chen, you’re way older than me! Aren’t you worried? Besides, don’t people involved in cultivation also care about finding a cultivation partner? Aren’t you much alone-er than me?”
Chen Changsheng reached out and tapped Ruyi lightly on the forehead.
“Ow!”
Ruyi cried out in pretended surprise, protesting with a pout, “Why’d you hit me, Uncle Chen?”
“That’s what you get for being disrespectful,” Chen Changsheng replied.
Ruyi pursed her lips. “It’s not that I’m not looking. I just haven’t found anyone I like.”
Chen Changsheng said, “Top scholars like Ping’an don’t come along but once every sixty years.”
“Yikes…”
Ruyi propped her chin again. “I think being alone is fine. After all, no one can spoil me the way Ping’an or Uncle Chen do.”
Chen Changsheng paused and asked, “Do I spoil you?”
Ruyi blinked, then smiled brightly. “Uncle Chen knows it too!”
“…” Chen Changsheng didn’t know how to answer.
This girl had learned how to trap people with words now.
Ruyi laughed. Waving her hand, she said, “I’m just teasing! But seriously, Uncle Chen, what do you think about Sister Yun? She must be over forty now, right? In a couple more years, she wouldn’t be able to have children.”
“What children? Are you looking to get hit?” Chen Changsheng frowned.
“I wouldn’t dare!” Ruyi grinned. But then she pressed on. “Speaking of which, though… I think Sister Aqing seems to have a soft spot for you too?”
Chen Changsheng sighed helplessly and tapped Ruyi’s forehead again. “Focusing on things you shouldn’t worry about! You should take care of your own business first.”
“Oh…” Ruyi rubbed her forehead and didn’t ask more.
She usually loved hearing about things like this. It was pretty much like the kind of ‘gossip’ Chen Changsheng remembered from his previous life.
When immortals fall in love? How could she not be curious! Ruyi was immensely curious about who Uncle Chen would finally choose. Surely he wouldn’t choose no one at all?
Whomever he picked was fine, in her opinion. But if she had to say, it would be best if he just kept them all. As long as they stayed in Qingshan City.
Chen Changsheng watched the smile playing on her lips, wondering what little plan might be brewing in her head.
“Ow!” Ruyi clutched her head again. “Uncle Chen, why hit me this time? I didn’t say anything! That’s unfair!”
“It wouldn’t be the first time I haven’t been fair,” Chen Changsheng retorted lightly.
“I’m not talking to Uncle Chen anymore!”
She gave a soft hmph and turned her head away.
Chen Changsheng shook his head, smiling helplessly.
Sometimes, he had this strange feeling, as if Ruyi were his adopted daughter – mischievous with a hint of sweetness, always making him want to scold her a little.
Perhaps he was just getting older.
Ruyi stayed for a meal at the courtyard in the afternoon, only leaving as the sun began to set.
Once Lihua became familiar with Ruyi, it started flitting back and forth between the two courtyards. At night, it caught several mice.
Usually, it actually didn’t bother with them. Mo Yu always said mice weren’t clean, so it was best not to eat them or even catch them too often.
Because of that, mice in the courtyards often walked around right under Lihua’s watchful gaze.
But that night, one even had the audacity to scurry right across its face!
Lihua was furious!
It went on a rampage and caught every single mouse it could find in both courtyards.
When Ruyi got up the next morning, she saw dozens of big mice piled up in her courtyard.
And Lihua was lying sprawled on the courtyard wall, resting.
Ruyi blinked, coming to her senses, then called softly, “Lihua… Lihua…”
Lihua slowly opened its eyes and yawned hugely.
“Did you catch all these mice last night?” Ruyi asked.
Lihua nodded. “They got too bold.”
Ruyi gasped, impressed. “Lihua, you’re amazing!”
The tabby cat blinked, agreeing, “Lihua thinks so too.”
Naturally, Chen Changsheng’s courtyard also had its own pile of mice, though fewer than Ruyi’s place. Probably because his yard had been empty longer and hadn’t had people around.
Chen Changsheng looked at the seven or eight mice on the ground. “There were that many…”
Lihua jumped down from the wall landing in front of Chen Changsheng.
It lifted its head, seeming very much like it was seeking praise.
Chen Changsheng feigned confusion. “Hm? What is it?”
Disappointment flickered in Lihua’s eyes. “Ruyi praised Lihua just now…” it said.
Chen Changsheng looked at it, pretending not to understand.
Lihua grew anxious. “Why doesn’t Good Human Chen praise Lihua?” it blurted out.
Chen Changsheng chuckled upon hearing this. “These mice steal food. Lihua has helped me a lot.”
Hearing this lifted Lihua’s spirits considerably.
Chen Changsheng then asked curiously, “By the way, Lihua, don’t you eat the mice?”
“Mo Yu said mice aren’t clean. Told Lihua not to eat them.”
“Oh, I see.” Chen Changsheng nodded. “So… have you ever eaten one?
“Yes,” Lihua nodded. “Tasty. But Mo Yu stopped me later.”
Chen Changsheng mused, “Mice are a bit unclean, it’s true.”
“Mhm!” Lihua agreed.
Just as they were talking, Ruyi came over.
Chen Changsheng saw her hair loose and messy. “Haven’t you tidied yourself up since getting up?” he asked.
Ruyi yawned. “I’m lazy.”
“You…” Chen Changsheng sighed with a fond smile.
Ruyi still seemed a bit groggy. She sat down on the long bench and dozed off again briefly.
Chen Changsheng went to brew some tea. A drink might help wake her up.
They sat for a little while in the morning.
Unbeknownst to them, another guest arrived.
“Is Uncle Chen in the courtyard?”
A pleasant voice instantly startled Ruyi out of her sleepy daze.
“Who?” Ruyi looked towards the gate.
Chen Changsheng set down his teacup and rose to open the door.
Ying En stood outside. Seeing Chen Changsheng, she bowed respectfully. “Father asked me to deliver the spiritual herb you requested yesterday.”
“Much obliged,” Chen Changsheng replied.
As she spoke, she noticed someone peeking out from behind Chen Changsheng. A young woman.
“And this young lady is…?” Ying En inquired.
Ruyi stood frozen in place. If she had to say, the young woman before her was probably the most beautiful person she had ever seen. She was momentarily stunned into silence.
When she finally snapped out of it, immediate suspicion arose within her.
Her mouth opened slightly. She stared at Chen Changsheng with an incredulous expression.
Just how many peach blossoms does Uncle Chen have chasing him?!
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