Why is the fairy who adopted me plotting against me?

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He remained expressionless, only nodding solemnly: "Mu'er understands, thank you for your guidance, Your Highness."

Li Zhaoning's gaze lingered on Su Mu's face. Seeing his focused expression and the barely perceptible worry in his eyes, she immediately understood.

He himself was still in the Qi Refining stage, so his inquiry about the inner demon tribulation must have been on behalf of Su Zhixiao, who had already reached the Foundation Establishment stage and was about to inquire about the Golden Core stage.

Her tone softened, carrying a hint of comfort: "Inner demons are dangerous, but not insurmountable. All cultivators face this tribulation. As long as..."

With unwavering resolve and the support of others, one will eventually overcome this obstacle.

Su Mu bowed solemnly and said, "Mu'er understands, thank you for your guidance, Your Highness. Please keep this matter from Xiao Xiao for now."

Li Zhaoning nodded slightly; given their mutual understanding, no further explanation was needed.

"The government office still has official business to attend to, so I'll take my leave first."

"Respectfully seeing Your Highness off." Su Mu escorted her to the courtyard gate, watching her figure disappear into the distance.

After Li Zhaoning's figure disappeared around the corner of the corridor, a slender figure quietly peeked out from behind a pillar. The morning light filtered softly through the thin mist.

The wine accentuated her shapely figure.

Li Qinghan wore a light blue dress with tiny white flowers embroidered on the hem, resembling tender leaves newly blooming in early spring.

Her dark black hair was half-tied up, with the rest flowing smoothly over her head, making her skin appear even whiter and more translucent.

She lowered her head slightly, her long eyelashes framing her face, her lips as pink as cherries, unconsciously pursed, revealing a touch of girlish shyness.

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disturbed.

Looking in the direction Li Zhaoning had left, Li Qinghan gently patted her chest, as if letting out a sigh of relief, and whispered, "His Highness is finally gone."

My aunt is easier to talk to.

In her view, this "adoptive mother" was too authoritative, and Brother Mu respected her more than he respected his gentle and kind "aunt" Hu Chanyuan.

"Matchmaking".

She took a deep breath, as if gathering her courage, then lowered her head and moved slowly towards Su Mu, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible:

Mu, Brother Mu... Good morning...

Su Mu turned around upon hearing the sound, and his gaze fell upon her, causing him to pause slightly.

In the morning light, Li Qinghan resembled a lotus bud about to bloom, possessing a purity and delicate shyness like dew, her body not yet fully developed like Xiaoxiao's.

She was alright, still quite childish, but very different from the little girl who always clung to him in his memory.

Su Mu regained her gentle expression and replied, "Good morning, Qinghan."

"Mmm," Li Qinghan nodded vigorously, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes. Her eyes quickly glanced up at him before looking down again, preparing to...

All the nice things I wanted to say vanished, and all I could manage to say in the end was:

"The weather is so nice today, it's so boring staying at home all day. Why don't you, Xiaoxiao, and me and Auntie go together..."

Let's go out for a stroll. How about it?

When she spoke the last few words, they were almost breathless, and her eyes darted away, avoiding his gaze.

Su Mu's heart stirred slightly. This was a good opportunity—she could travel with everyone, foster relationships, and also observe Xiao in a relaxed environment.

Xiao's reaction was a test to find traces of that inner demon.

"Great! It's been a long time since we went out together. Qinghan, is there anywhere you'd like to go?"

"Huh? Where are we going?" Li Qinghan was taken aback by the question. She was only thinking about bringing Brother Mu and Aunt together, and hadn't thought about the specific itinerary.

He panicked even more, and his eyes darted around.

"Just... just wandering around. Oh, by the way! What do you think of the peach blossom grove in the east of the city? It's the peak blooming season, the peach blossoms are so beautiful."

La!

Seeing her embarrassed appearance, Su Mu smiled inwardly, but didn't show it on his face: "Alright, then I'll talk to Xiaoxiao and Aunt Hu when they wake up."

"A sound. If there are no objections, we will depart shortly."

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Chapter Twenty-Five: My brother is mine!

The carriage swayed gently as it traveled along the cobblestone streets of Qingzhou City. Inside, Su Zhixiao sat close to Su Mu, almost half her body leaning against him.

Beside him. She pointed to the familiar street scenes rushing past the window, her voice clear and cheerful:

"Brother, look! That candy shop is still open. We used to sneak off to buy candy there when we were kids! And over there, that old locust tree, it's even taller than last year."

"A bit more!"

She looked up at Su Mu, her eyes sparkling with a bright smile, filled with undisguised intimacy and dependence.

Su Mu looked down at her, his gaze gentle, a indulgent smile playing on his lips. He followed her fingertips with perfect cooperation, responding softly:

"Yes, nothing's changed. Xiaoxiao's memory is always so good." He raised his hand and very naturally tucked a strand of hair that had fallen across her cheek behind her ear.

His fingertips brushed against her delicate earlobe unintentionally.

The tender affection flowing between the two left almost no room for a third party to interfere.

Sitting opposite her, Li Qinghan watched this scene, her small hands unconsciously tightening their grip on her skirt, a feeling of unease rising in her heart. If Sister Zhixiao continued to pester her like this…

It seems that her original plan to bring Mu Gege and her aunt together is going to be difficult.

But seeing how loving the two of them were, she felt that this was actually a good thing, and that Mu-gege's happiness was the most important thing.

But the thought only flashed through her mind for a moment before she immediately shook her head vigorously—no! For Brother Mu's future happiness and Aunt's well-being...

Fu…it’s also for Xiaoxiao’s sake, she can’t just give up like this! We have to think of another way!

Hu Chanyuan, sitting next to Li Qinghan, looked out the window calmly, but her heart was actually in turmoil.

Seeing the increased patrols within the city, her fingertips slightly twitched inside her sleeve, even though her and Qinghan's auras were concealed by layers of secret techniques, almost...

Despite having no physical presence, her years of vigilance still made her feel as if she were walking on thin ice. She lowered her eyes slightly, concealing a trace of worry deep within them.

The carriage drove out of the city gate and soon arrived at the peach blossom grove in the east of the city.

The curtain was lifted, revealing a sea of ​​pink and white flowers as radiant as rosy clouds. A spring breeze swept by, scattering petals and filling the air with their sweet fragrance.

Beneath the peach grove, tourists thronged, and vendors set up stalls selling all sorts of exquisite peach blossom cakes, peach blossom wine, and beaded flowers favored by women.

Jewelry, lively yet not noisy, a scene of springtime splendor.

However, as soon as Su Mu stepped off the carriage, he noticed something unusual—everywhere he looked, those strolling through the peach grove and lingering at the stalls were all women.

She was dressed in flowing hair adorned with jewels, her skirt billowing in the breeze, but there was not a single man in sight.

"Huh?" Su Zhixiao noticed too, and, linking her arm with Su Mu's, looked around curiously. "Why are there so many girls here?"

After a moment's thought, Su Mulu smiled knowingly and said, "It must be because the Heavenly Pride Gathering is approaching, and all the young talents in the city are eager to compete, so they've arranged to meet at the martial arts arena or..."

They've all gone to restaurants and teahouses to exchange ideas and gather information; who has the leisure to come here to admire flowers and stroll around?

Although it made sense, a very faint doubt still crossed his mind. This scene of yin prevailing over yang seemed a little too obvious.

"Oh, I see. Then brother, you'd better keep a close eye on them, don't let them target you, and don't try to seduce anyone." Su Zhixiao said in a low voice. Su Mu

He shook his head and smiled bitterly.

As is customary, the women donned light veils to conceal their stunning beauty before alighting from the car. Only Su Mu stood tall and elegant, his handsome face...

Her face was completely undisguised, and her gentle demeanor revealed an extraordinary quality, making her stand out conspicuously among the myriad flowers.

Su Zhixiao's worries were not unfounded; almost the instant he stood still, the previously noisy surroundings became eerily quiet.

Instantly, countless gazes, some bold and some shy, fell upon him, accompanied by suppressed whispers.

"Look at that young man! He's so handsome!"

"His demeanor is extraordinary; I wonder whose young master he is?"

"Could it be... Mr. Su from the Prince Ning's residence?"

Those gazes were intense, filled with undisguised admiration and scrutiny, as if they wanted to examine him from head to toe.

Although Su Mu was already used to being the center of attention, he couldn't help but feel slightly uncomfortable being the focus of gazes from nearly a hundred women... well,

It was definitely not because of the intense gaze Xiaoxiao gave him.

At this moment, Su Zhixiao, standing to the side, had already furrowed her brows. She clearly disliked other women spying on her brother; it made her extremely uncomfortable, and a feeling of unease settled in her heart.

A nameless anger surged within her, burning a dull ache in her chest.

Almost instinctively, she tightened her grip on Su Mu's arm, practically pressing herself against him, raising her chin with obvious...

With an air of possession, he swept his gaze back with hostility, as if silently declaring: This is mine!

This action was very effective. Seeing that Su Mu was already "taken," and that his female companion was so passionate, the women no longer dared to stare at him openly.

Her somewhat intense reaction was different from her usual coquettish jealousy; it carried an indescribable sharpness and tension.

Su Mu keenly sensed it, his heart sinking as he immediately recalled Aunt Gu's warning about inner demons. He turned his head and whispered comforting words in her ear.

Her voice was so gentle it could melt your heart:

"Alright, Xiaoxiao, they've stopped looking." His hand gently covered hers, which was tightly wrapped around his sleeve, carrying a reassuring warmth.

Du said, "Let's go. Didn't you say you wanted to try the new peach blossom cake? Let's go take a look over there."

Under his gentle words, Su Zhixiao's tense body gradually relaxed, but she still clung to him tightly, refusing to let go even a little.

The group strolled slowly through the bustling crowd. Su Mu picked out some delicate trinkets for each of them, and also bought some fragrant peach blossoms.

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cake.

Su Zhixiao held the pastry, taking small bites, the sweet taste melting on her tongue. Coupled with Su Mu's attentive companionship throughout, her...

My mood finally brightened, and my expression relaxed again.

Li Qinghan watched from the side, feeling the time was right. She took a deep breath, moved closer to Su Zhixiao, and affectionately took her arm.

She only raised her arm, her voice softened, carrying the unique coquettishness of a young girl:

"Xiaoxiao, there are so many jewelry stalls here, and the styles are all so unique! Shall we go and browse over there ourselves? Let them..."

Let's rest here for a bit.

“But…” Su Zhixiao hesitated.

Li Qinghan quickly added via telepathy, her voice carrying a hint of a young girl sharing a secret:

"And I have some private thoughts I'd like to share with you alone, Ma'am. I know you and Brother Mu have already become Daoist partners, so..."

Tell me your sweet story, won't you?

That last sentence struck a chord with Su Zhixiao; Qinghan had already figured it out. Being able to share her and her brother's...

Happiness... not that kind of happiness, but it's not bad.

She blinked, glanced at Su Mu beside her, who was smiling gently, then at Li Qinghan, who was looking at her expectantly. After hesitating for a moment, she finally nodded.

Head: "Okay. Brother, then Qinghan and I will go over there and take a look. We'll come back to find you in a little while."

Su Mu smiled and nodded: "Okay, don't go too far."

Watching Su Zhixiao and Li Qinghan disappear into the crowd hidden among the peach blossoms, Su Mu had just withdrawn his gaze and hadn't even had time to say goodbye to the person beside him.

As soon as Hu Chanyuan finished speaking, a female cultivator walked towards her.

She went straight to Su Mu and gave a graceful curtsy:

"May I ask your honorable name, sir? Is this your first time visiting this peach blossom grove? May I have the pleasure of visiting?"

Before she could finish speaking, Hu Chanyuan's eyes flickered slightly. Almost instinctively, she stepped forward and extended her hand with utmost naturalness.