Chapter 18: The Art of Cultivating Curiosity

“So, Host, why exactly did you describe Yun Xueshang as someone who dislikes demonic cultivators? Won’t that just create a misunderstanding between Hua Yan and her?”

099’s perplexed voice echoed in Hua Xiangrong’s mind.

“Oh, you just don’t understand, 099.”

Hua Xiangrong mumbled her reply, her face buried in a lamb chop, her small mouth smeared with grease.

“This move is called creating curiosity! So-called love often begins with curiosity about the other person.”

“Look at Mother; all she ever thinks about is knocking Mother unconscious and carrying her back. Even Great-Grandmother told her that Mother likes her, yet she didn’t think about romance at all! How am I supposed to bring them together like that?!”

She sighed, exasperated.

“Now look at the situation. I dare say, Mother’s heart must be filled with questions: ‘Is Mother truly pretending? Why did she agree to return to the valley with me so readily?’ We’ve read the original novel; we know what kind of person Mother is, but Mother doesn’t.”

“As it stands, all her attention will be focused on Mother, observing her every day. And Mother is so beautiful, it’ll be hard not to fall for her!”

The girl, still gnawing on her lamb chop, chuckled inwardly, a glint of slyness flashing in her eyes.

“It seems… there’s some logic to that?”

“Hmph, of course.”

“However, this move also has its drawbacks. Once Mother observes her for a long time and discovers Mother’s true personality—realizing that Mother actually has no prejudice against demonic cultivation or her—she might start to doubt my words, or even my identity.”

Hua Xiangrong murmured inwardly, then lifted her small face like a docile kitten, allowing the frowning, scolding Hua Yan to wipe her greasy little cheeks with a handkerchief.

“Then, what should we do?”

099’s data stream instantly stalled, its tone laced with panic.

“Oh, if you play, don’t be afraid; if you’re afraid, don’t play! We’ve already started this way, so why worry about so much?”

Hua Xiangrong offered Hua Yan a sweet smile and thanked her, while casually replying in her mind.

“If we really get found out, we’ll deal with it when that day comes!”

***

After several rounds of wine and many dishes, the private banquet drew to a close.

“Oh, that’s right, Fellow Daoist Hua.”

As they were leaving the restaurant, Qu Linglong called out to Hua Yan with a beaming smile.

“Our Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets also has some properties in Fulong City. We plan to stay in one of the courtyards under our name for these next few days. Would you like to bring Rongrong and stay with us?”

“There’s no need for that, we…”

“Yes, please! Then tonight I want to sleep with Mother and my mom!”

“?!”

Hua Xiangrong cheered excitedly, not even waiting for Hua Yan to finish her sentence.

“Mother sleeps with me every night! It’ll definitely be the same tonight, right?”

[Don’t get carried away!]

Hua Yan glared at her, sending a direct mental warning.

[I slept with you before because I was afraid you’d cry in the middle of the night. Now that your mother is back, go sleep with your mother! Don’t drag me into this!]

No sooner had she finished speaking than she saw tears instantly welling up in the pink-haired girl’s eyes, her small hand clutching a remarkably familiar cloth amulet.

‘Since you’ve said so, I’ll really cry for you then!’

“Hey, no, no, no! My little ancestor! Can’t I just sleep with you all?!”

Hua Yan quickly scooped her up, forcing a smile onto her face.

“I’m willing to sleep with you, but I wonder about your mother?”

As she spoke, she cast a slightly provocative glance at Yun Xueshang.

‘Hmph, even if we’re sharing a bed, I, Hua Yan, shouldn’t be the one who’s nervous!’

‘Yun Xueshang, I’ll see how long you can maintain this gentle and considerate facade!’

“Mm, I’m willing too.”

Yun Xueshang nodded softly.

Hua Yan: “???”

“Then it’s settled, we’ll sleep together.”

Hua Xiangrong clutched the amulet with both small hands, her voice slightly nasal, tears on the verge of falling.

“Fine… It’s… it’s settled!”

Hua Yan, holding her, gritted her teeth, forcing the words out, her smile incredibly stiff.

***

So, why exactly had things turned out this way?

That night, in a lavish bedroom with embroidered silk bedding, Hua Yan, clad in a silk nightgown, hugged her knees and huddled beneath the covers.

‘Why did Yun Xueshang agree so readily?!’

She quietly turned her head to look beside her—the white-haired beauty, also in a nightgown, was sitting cross-legged, eyes closed in meditation.

The warm glow of the oil lamp in the room washed over her serene profile, creating a breathtaking beauty.

‘Could it be… she’s still infatuated with me? Is she craving my body?’

‘After all, I am born with such peerless beauty; it’s only natural for Yun Xueshang to be captivated by me, isn’t it?’

The red-haired girl grew increasingly smug with each thought, the corners of her mouth curving into a secret smile.

‘No!’

She abruptly shook her head, casting off the absurd notion.

‘I am a man! This feminine appearance is only temporary! What good is being beautiful?’

‘Even if Yun Xueshang is a ‘mirror-grinder’ who values looks, what does that have to do with me, this young master?!’

[Fellow Daoist Hua, are you troubled by tonight’s events?]

A ethereal voice suddenly resonated in her mind.

Hua Yan composed herself and saw that Yun Xueshang, who had been meditating with closed eyes, had now opened them. Those crimson pupils were gazing at her unblinkingly.

[Heh, what do I have to be troubled about? Rather, you, do you truly intend to sleep with me like this?]

[No.]

Yun Xueshang gently shook her head.

[I know that Fellow Daoist Hua certainly doesn’t wish to share a bed with me, nor do I intend to disturb your precious parent-child time with Rongrong.]

[Once Rongrong falls asleep, I will naturally go to the side room to rest. Rest assured, I will rise early tomorrow to practice my sword; when Rongrong wakes, simply say that I got up first.]

The white-haired girl blinked, showing her understanding.

This answer, however, caused Hua Yan to involuntarily freeze.

“Mother, Mom, I’m all clean~~”

A small pink bundle, clad in pajamas with wet hair, pattered over.

“How many times have I told you not to rub your wet hair on the bed!”

Hua Yan frowned, flicked her finger, and a gentle spiritual energy dried the girl’s hair tips.

“Honestly, why do you never learn to listen…”

“Hehehe…”

Hua Xiangrong merely giggled foolishly, then clambered onto the bed in a few swift movements, diving straight into the space between the two women, naturally gripping their hands.

“It’s such a blessing to sleep with Mother and my mom tonight!”

The girl snuggled into the bedding, rubbing against their arms, her eyes curving into crescent moons with her smile.

“Alright, it’s getting late. Let’s hurry and sleep.”

Hua Yan said, then flicked her finger again, extinguishing the candle by the bedside.

The surroundings instantly plunged into silent darkness.

[And you—you sleep with me too! No sneaking away in the middle of the night!]

Hua Yan’s voice suddenly echoed in Yun Xueshang’s mind, carrying a hint of imperceptible awkwardness.

[Since you promised the child, are you still thinking of slipping away? Do you want to be a disloyal mother?]

[I am not…]

[Then lie down obediently! No leaving!]

‘Honestly, I don’t even dislike her, yet she’s thinking of avoiding suspicion. What kind of logic is that!’

In the darkness, unseen by Yun Xueshang, a faint blush crept onto the red-haired girl’s earlobes.

[…Alright.]

Yun Xueshang paused slightly, then obediently lay down.

Thus, the bedroom settled into complete silence.

In the darkness, only a few interwoven breaths remained, along with a heartbeat that had quickened, though it was unclear by how much.