Let me Touch your Tail

Chapter 175

"Miss Zi'er," Huhou said with a gentle smile, patting the empty cushion beside her. "Please, sit for a while longer."

Ren Qingyue complied and sat down next to Huhou, sitting upright with a serious expression, still filled with wariness, not letting her guard down. Seeing her like this made Huhou feel a bit disheartened, and she sighed helplessly.

She had hoped that during Ren Qingyue's stay in Qingyao Palace, their daily interactions would allow Ren Qingyue to feel her goodwill, gradually deepening their mother-daughter bond. However, Ren Qingyue had been avoiding her under the pretext of mentoring Yan Zhao, and now that she had made up her mind to leave, Huhou had to take the initiative.

"I've wanted to ask you something for a while, but I didn't have the chance," Huhou began softly. "Miss Yan shares the same surname as your master, the esteemed Yuan Qing. Is there a connection between them?"

Ren Qingyue looked down as she replied, "Ah Zhao's name was given by her master."

Her words only revealed part of the truth, yet Huhou's expression changed to one of realization as she sighed, "I see."

Who was Yan Yuanqing? The greatest sword cultivator in the human realm, commanding respect and freedom, living unrestrained, and taking only one disciple.

If Yan Yuanqing had merely named an ordinary child, that child wouldn't bear the Yan surname. The significance of that name was far too special.

With Ren Qingyue valuing her upbringing so highly, it became clear that Yan Zhao's identity was not simple. However, given Yan Yuanqing's status in the human realm, it was unlikely that ordinary cultivators could connect the dots.

Thus, Ren Qingyue's complex feelings towards Yan Zhao began to make sense.

Huhou propped her chin on her hand, her smile growing softer. "I see that the child is quite attached to you. You don't truly dislike her, so why do you keep her at arm's length? Is there something hidden?"

Ren Qingyue froze, suddenly looking up, her expression filled with surprise.

She hadn't expected Huhou to be so perceptive, able to see through her feelings in just a few days.

Meanwhile, on the roof, Yan Zhao and Bai Jin were equally stunned.

Yan Zhao's face paled. Did her senior not actually dislike her?

If that was the case, then why the distance?

Bai Jin, unfazed by the situation, clicked her tongue and whispered, "What are you asking for? It's obvious you're a nuisance, always getting Sister Ren into trouble. But you share the same master, so she can't just abandon you."

After making her deductions, Bai Jin nudged Yan Zhao's arm and asked, "Am I wrong?"

Yan Zhao: "..."

Hmph.

In the main hall, the brief conversation had just begun when it fell into silence.

Ren Qingyue unconsciously grasped her sword, her thumb tracing the textured surface of the scabbard.

How should she even begin to speak?

Perhaps she could choose not to answer, but the earnest concern in Huhou's eyes made her feel the weight of the older woman's worries.

Huhou must have noticed the awkwardness between her and Yan Zhao, as well as the inner turmoil she had been experiencing these past few days.

Fatigued, Ren Qingyue closed her eyes.