Mistress, I Was Wrong

The deeper they went, the more pungent the smell of blood became.

Zhi Lan quickly led them deeper into the cave, where a lock hung on the iron bars. She took out a key, and with a turn, it opened effortlessly.

The two had been here before, but they had stopped at the sight of the iron box and did not explore further.

"Weren't you supposed to be on guard outside?" Qian Yiling's voice was somewhat cold but carried a hint of softness.

In comparison, Qian Wanyu's voice was much colder, the kind that could send shivers down one's spine, commanding respect and fear.

"Master."

"Mother."

There was someone lying on the ground, no, more like a bloodied person.

Seeing Qian Yiling unharmed, both of them heaved a sigh of relief.

Dongfang Minghui instinctively crouched down to check the person's pulse, "He's lost too much blood, he's about to die."

Qian Yiling glanced at Qian Wanyu, but before she could speak, she saw Dongfang Minghui take out a porcelain bottle from her space. The bottle looked familiar; the young doctor had used something similar when she was injured.

"Hemostatic pills?"

"Yes."

"It's useless." Qian Yiling had tried many ways to stop the bleeding, but the person kept vomiting blood non-stop, and their vital signs were fading, "His injuries are too severe, don't waste the pills."

Dongfang Minghui was a bit surprised; her hemostatic medicine had always been effective, and it was rare for it not to stop the bleeding, "Mother, let me examine him, and I'll know why the hemostatic pills didn't work."

This natural call of "mother" left not only Qian Yiling stunned but Dongfang Minghui as well.

Qian Wanyu's eyes twinkled with amusement as she crouched down to examine the person, "Mother, let Ninth Sister check him first. She's a pharmacist and will quickly know what the problem is."

Qian Yiling was still a bit shocked, "…Ninth Sister?"

Qian Wanyu nodded, "It's a long story, but we should focus on saving him first."

"Yes, yes."

Dongfang Minghui felt a bit embarrassed, calling her "mother" felt too natural, hoping Seventh sister wouldn't get the wrong idea. She let out a sigh of relief, focused her mind, and checked the wounds of the person on the ground, big and small.

As she expected, "It's the work of a dual-system Spiritual Master again."

The wounds were large, resembling the handiwork of beastmen, and not easy to heal. She released a wisp of spiritual power to probe inside the wounds, only to find a bit of moisture and a small tail.

"Is there a cure?"

"There is, but the cost is quite high." Dongfang Minghui hesitated, not because she didn't want to help, but because the person was nearly on the brink of death, having lost much blood due to the delay.

Qian Yiling anxiously asked, "What cost?"

Dongfang Minghui looked troubled. The life-extending pill was priceless in the outside world, and more importantly, if she used it, Seventh sister would definitely find out about everything she had done…

Qian Wanyu pulled her aside and whispered, "Is it that there's no more of that potion?"

Dongfang Minghui nodded. She had only a few pills that could counteract the aura of death when she first made them, and later made pills to resist the dark medicine. They had used most of them during their journey, and she guessed Seventh sister had also used almost all of hers. Meanwhile, their enemies were becoming more rampant, always scheming in the shadows and appearing everywhere like ghosts.

Qian Wanyu's dark eyes dimmed, probably understanding Ninth Sister's method. To save someone, one must first ensure their own survival, then remove the hidden injuries on their body. There was only one way to do it in such a tight timeframe—life extension.

"Mother, who is this person?"

"An old friend."

"Important?" Qian Wanyu looked at the person lying on the ground, judging his identity just by his appearance, and considering what Qian Ziyan had said at the auction, she wondered what her mother was planning.

Qian Yiling hesitated, then said frankly, "Indeed important. As for the cost your Ninth—Little Nine mentioned, tell me about it."

Dongfang Minghui realized that Qian mama was determined to save this person. She made a decision, "Seventh sister, you help mother out first, I'll try."

Qian Wanyu's eyes narrowed, making Dongfang Minghui feel even more guilty, "Mother, you go out first, I'll stay and help Ninth Sister."

Dongfang Minghui felt a headache coming on. She couldn't let Seventh sister know about the life-extending pill, otherwise, Seventh sister would settle scores with her later, and she still remembered the experience of her buttocks being spanked red by Seventh sister… somewhat shamefully.

Qian Yiling stood up and said, "Yu'er, come out for a moment, mother has something to ask you."

Qian Wanyu was somewhat reluctant.

Dongfang Minghui watched them leave with a hopeful face, taking out the life-extending pill from her space ring, and said with a bit of regret, "I didn't expect to use it here, you really are lucky."

"Your Seventh Sister is a real sly one, you can't hide anything from her." Little Colour gleefully used its vine tendrils to completely encircle the iron bars, "This is as far as I can help you."

Qian Wanyu had just followed Qian Yiling out when she turned around to see the bars sealed off, a flash of frustration in her eyes, "Ninth Sister, you—"

"Yu'er." Qian Yiling grabbed her, "That person is very important to me."

"Important…?" Qian Wanyu chewed on the word, "Mother, he's from the Night Fox clan. Do you know they tried to steal the Dragon Pill from the Hilary Tribe yesterday?"

Qian Yiling was surprised she knew so much, smiling, "The Night Fox clan saved my life. No matter the cost, I must save him."

Qian Wanyu never knew her mother to be so stubborn. After a long stare, "Mother, actually, I have something very important to tell you."

Qian Yiling looked at her attentively, her eyes gentle as water, as if melting away.

Qian Wanyu opened her mouth, laid out the matters one by one, and finally chose to be direct, "Mother, Uncle came to see you."

Qian Yiling was stunned, "Yu'er, what did you just say? I didn't catch that."

Seeing the other's hand trembling uncontrollably, Qian Wanyu hurriedly took it, only to find her fingertips were cold. She wasn't sure if it was from staying in the cave too long or worry for the Night Fox clansman. She gripped tightly, "Mother, you heard right, Qian Ziyan is still alive."

Tears suddenly filled Qian Yiling's eyes, swirling but forcefully held back.

"Mother, Uncle misses you a lot."

Qian Yiling suddenly turned away, silent, but then heard Zhi Lan loudly calling from outside, "Who's there?"

She quickly wiped her slightly red eyes with her sleeve, whispering, "Yuer, stay here and guard. Don't let anyone in. I'll go check."

"Okay."

Qian Yiling wiped the corner of her eyes with her sleeve, but the redness in her eyes couldn't be hidden, "Who dares to—"

Looking up, she saw the elder brother she had just mentioned standing in front of her, along with a young boy sneakily poking his head out from behind Qian Ziyan, meeting Qian Yiling's complex gaze, "Sister Wanyu."

Zhi Lan was having a headache. If these two were strangers, she would have driven them away on the spot, but she had just seen them in Qian Wanyu's room.

Qian Ziyan's expression softened, even his voice was gentler than ever, "Lingling, long time no see."

Twenty years had passed since their last meeting. Now, everything had changed.

Even with a million words at my disposal, at this moment, Qian Yiling couldn't utter a single word, looking at the person in front of her with a mix of tears and laughter.

"You never used to cry before." Qian Ziyan stepped forward, his fingers gently wiping away the round tear drops. The tears were warm, feeling almost scorching hot as they fell into his palm, making him feel distressed as well.

"That's because Big Brother always protected me well." Qian Yiling's voice choked up, clinging to the other's robe like a child, "Big Brother, you're finally back."

"It's okay now." Qian Ziyan summarized his ghostly experience of the past twenty years with a simple three words.

Mu Sheng was completely baffled, taking a while before reacting with a shout, "What's going on Sister Wanyu?"

Qian Yiling was amused by his straightforward words, laughing and crying at the same time, feeling utterly embarrassed. She wiped the corners of her eyes again, quickly regaining her composure, "Big Brother, who is this?"

"Mu Sheng."

"Wanyu's mother."

Qian Ziyan gave a brief introduction, "Did Wanyu and the others come looking?"

Qian Yiling felt truly embarrassed, being a mother yet losing face in front of this young man, "They're inside."

Mu Sheng sighed in admiration, "Wanyu's mother really does look just like Sister Wanyu… No, it's Sister Wanyu who looks like her mother. The rumors about the close relationship within the Qian Family, especially between the eldest and the fourth sister, are indeed true."

Now, after twenty years, these two were finally reunited.

Qian Wanyu had heard everything from outside, knowing that her mother and her uncle grew up together, sharing a closer relationship than other siblings in the clan. The coquettish behavior of her mother just now was something she had never seen before, like a girl still living in the past twenty years ago, now with a bit more vitality.

"Mu Sheng, you came too. Is Little Fatty alone at the inn?"

"Uh—"

"I asked him to come." After regaining his memory, Qian Ziyan, knowing that Qian Yiling had not returned for twenty years, was very worried. This trip was actually to find her. He was prepared for a long search, but unexpectedly found her so quickly, "With the Water Spirit Pearl given by Nangong Yuntian, there should be no problem."

Little Fatty wore a round water pearl around his neck, just to prevent her from accidentally starting a fire again.

Qian Wanyu didn't mind, knowing Little Fatty's attack power was very strong. She was just worried that Ninth Sister would start making wild guesses again once she came to her senses.

—

Dongfang Minghui stuffed the life-saving pill into the person's mouth, indeed saving their life by a thread.

"Pig Immortal Grass, come out, I need your help."

"What…?" Pig Immortal Grass mumbled, not even showing its head, stubbornly staying put in the space, ignoring even the man-eating plant.

"I need one of your leaves, I'll trade you something else for it, okay?"

Little Colour's vines and branches, she had collected many, but to concoct a potion to suppress the black fog, Pig Immortal Grass was needed. Dongfang Minghui had no choice, she even prepared a porcelain bottle, just waiting for Pig Immortal Grass to nod, but Pig Immortal Grass flatly refused.

Dongfang Minghui was stunned, "Are you blaming me for not caring about you these days?"

Most of the spiritual plants in the space were active, like Little Colour, unwilling to stay in the soul sea, always wanting to wander around. Ever since Love Flower took Lucky to settle with the Elf Tribe, she had let these group of spiritual plants be, only restraining that one plant that could harm people, the Black Medicine.

"It's not that." Pig Immortal Grass's voice was tender and weak.

"I'm really sorry." Dongfang Minghui felt that Pig Immortal Grass must be sick, wanting to bring it out to heal it, but Pig Immortal Grass was very resistant.

"It's not angry, it's clearly hiding from something." Little Colour saw through it, Pig Immortal Grass liked to bully the man-eating plant, but that timid man-eating plant also had a nature of being enslaved, being very obedient in front of Pig Immortal Grass, not daring to disobey.

After Little Colour finished speaking, Pig Immortal Grass, like a quail, nestled in the space and became even quieter.

"Hiding?"

Dongfang Minghui, upon Little Colour's mention, suddenly remembered that Pig Immortal Grass was a spiritual plant that used to run around the world, she had never asked about its past, not even Little Colour's past.

"Hiding from what?"

"Either from people or from lightning." Little Colour's experience, it had tried everything to avoid the thunder tribulation, but still got struck by lightning, so it felt some sympathy for Pig Immortal Grass, "Leaking its aura might get it discovered."

Dongfang Minghui was more troubled, "Ah? Then isn't Pig Immortal Grass in danger?"

The sorrowful Pig Immortal Grass hid in a corner, the man-eating plant wanted to come forward to comfort it but didn't dare, both staying in the space listlessly, each keeping to their own.

"Let your Seventh sister come, she definitely has a way."

"Okay."

Little Colour's vines wrapped around the iron bars quickly retracted, and the door automatically opened.

"Seventh sister, I need your help."

"Alright."

The iron bars closed again, and the vines wrapped around them once more. As Qian Wanyu stepped inside, she noticed that the bloody smell had almost dissipated. The blood-covered person, who had been on the brink of death, had been cleaned up, revealing his true appearance.

"It's him!" Qian Wanyu remembered her whip had pulled off a man's face mask. After all the twists and turns, it turned out this man was the one her mother wanted to save. "Ninth Sister, what exactly happened?"

Dongfang Minghui looked at Qian Wanyu with a bit of sadness.

"Hmm?"

"It's the Pig Immortal Grass. Little Colour said it was avoiding a lightning tribulation." Dongfang Minghui scratched her head in irritation. "Although I saved his life, if his wounds aren't healed, he'll still die."

It was just a matter of time.

Qian Wanyu instantly understood, "Let me try to deal with those things hidden in his body at the wound."

Dongfang Minghui grabbed her wrist, "Seventh sister, it's dangerous. That black mist is so troublesome, if it attaches to you and constantly causes damage, that would be troublesome."

"Let's try."

Qian Wanyu thought that if she could devour the aura of death, a small amount of this black mist shouldn't be a problem.

"But this isn't a long-term solution…" Without the leaves of the Pig Immortal Grass, the medicine concocted couldn't resist the black mist, so the key still lay with the Pig Immortal Grass. Her expression changed, "Pig Immortal Grass, where did you come from?"

Miraculously, upon hearing this, Little Colour also became as docile as a quail in her soul sea, incredibly well-behaved.

With everyone silent, Dongfang Minghui felt this scene couldn't go on.

Qian Wanyu focused her mind, trying to extract the hidden mist from the wound. However, the person lying on the ground trembled, and the blood that had finally stopped started to spread again in large amounts.

"It's not working." Qian Wanyu frowned, "His body is resisting my spiritual power."

Dongfang Minghui paced back and forth, "If I had known this would happen, I would have concocted more medicines and pills."

"Your Ninth Sister is lying. A medicinal plant doesn't need to undergo a lightning tribulation unless it's transforming into a human form, or it's a spiritual or demonic plant that has exceeded natural rules and is defying the heavens," Qing Mo bluntly exposed.

"That's impossible. Ninth Sister might have been misled by others without knowing." Qian Wanyu quite believed in her lover. Her lover's worried and troubled appearance indeed showed concern for this person's life; there was no need to lie.

As for the "others," it was mostly those few spiritual plants.

"Ninth Sister, what were you saying about the Pig Immortal Grass just now?" Qian Wanyu suddenly asked.

"It seems to be hiding from something." Dongfang Minghui felt somewhat annoyed, "It's because I didn't care for it enough, otherwise I wouldn't have failed to notice something was wrong."

The spirit plant, which usually loved to wander around, had been hiding in her space for several months now, which made her feel inexplicably sad.

"Pig Immortal Grass…" After listening to her, Qian Wanyu comforted her for a while, "I suddenly remembered something related to the Pig Immortal Grass."

"Eh?"

Even Little Colour, who was pretending to be a quail, and the Pig Immortal Grass pricked up their ears to listen.

However, Qian Wanyu deliberately beat around the bush and asked, "Does Ninth Sister still remember when I went to participate in the inner court competition?"

"Of course, I remember." At that time, she was desperately trying to improve her favorability in front of the Female Protagonist. Seventh Sister had been gone for so long, and she had felt quite resentful. Fortunately, she could see Seventh Sister's figure on the screen in the square, "Why did Seventh Sister bring this up?"

"When Mu Sheng and I were avoiding the pursuit of our senior brothers, we hid in a cave, where I met someone."

Xiu Qi!

Dongfang Minghui had truly forgotten about this person to the ends of the earth. If it weren't for Seventh Sister mentioning him, she would have probably forgotten him completely, "Seventh Sister, stop keeping us in suspense, just tell us."

"The first time I heard the name Pig Immortal Grass was from him." Qian Wanyu also tried hard to recall that strange person, "I remember he said that he had accidentally entered the secret realm while chasing a medicinal plant, and the Pig Immortal Grass is skilled in setting up formations."

A medicinal plant skilled in setting up formations…

Even if it were said out loud, probably no one would believe it.

But Dongfang Minghui had no doubts. Back then, Uncle Wood had carried her to the Qian Family's back mountain, triggering the human formation there. It was the Pig Immortal Grass that had awakened the dreamer with a single word, helping them to break the Qian Family's formation.

"Seventh Sister, do you mean that the Pig Immortal Grass deliberately led that person into the secret realm?"

Qian Wanyu laughed, "I used to think so too, but seeing how the Pig Immortal Grass is hiding now, preferring to nest in your space rather than come out, it's possible that the formation wasn't set up by it. It's very likely that Xiu Qi entered the secret realm on his own. In short, the Pig Immortal Grass is afraid of that person named Xiu Qi."

Upon hearing the name ‘Xiu Qi', the Pig Immortal Grass immediately stiffened, "Who's afraid of him? It was me who led him into the secret realm." Then it slipped away.

Dongfang Minghui's face lit up with joy, the Pig Immortal Grass was actually provoked into speaking by Seventh Sister, and she pressed on, "Pig Immortal Grass, are you hiding because you're afraid of Xiu Qi?"

"Of course not."

"Why are you refusing to come out?" Little Colour asked coolly in the soul sea, firmly denying that it was often played by the Pig Immortal Grass. If even the Pig Immortal Grass feared someone… it probably meant it couldn't defeat that person named Xiu Qi.

That would be awkward.

The Pig Immortal Grass became listless again, sighing maturely, "I just don't want to encounter him." It was really too troublesome.

"If I set up a formation here, you won't have to worry about him finding you."

"Right, why didn't I think of Seventh sister's method?" Dongfang Minghui was very pleased.

The Pig Immortal Grass hesitated, "Xiu Qi is also very good at formations…" That person was top-notch at breaking formations. To escape from him, it accidentally entered the Royal Academy and relied on the big tree of the Royal Academy to narrowly avoid him, "Let's give it a try."

Dongfang Minghui quietly asked in the soul sea, "If the Pig Immortal Grass is in the formation, its aura should be shielded, right?"

"Of course, otherwise how do you think those child immortal plant bodies could survive in the formation for so long?" The reason they were discovered must have been an accident, "Your Seventh sister's formation set up here won't have any problems."

"Okay."

Qian Wanyu discussed with Qing Mo and set up an aura-locking formation in the cave. The formation was quite difficult, so she also invited Qing Mo to assist. The two pondered for an hour before finally setting up the small formation.

"Let the Pig Immortal Grass come out."

"Okay."

The Pig Immortal Grass cautiously poked its head out to check, and after confirming the formation was activated, it hopped out with the Man eating plant, cheerfully strolling around the formation as if inspecting something.

"Pig Immortal Grass?"

The Pig Immortal Grass zipped back into the space, dragging Little Colour out. Under Dongfang Minghui's astonished gaze, the two little creatures fiercely fought, scattering leaves and vine branches all over the ground.

For a moment, it was hard to tell which belonged to whom.

"Stunned?" Qian Wanyu hurriedly pushed her, "Quick, gather them up."

"You idiot, why are you pulling me?" At that time, Little Colour was still thinking about turning this Pig Immortal Grass into its own furnace, but this idiot was too fierce. Every time they fought, it would lose a lot, so it seemed the strength of that first fight was fake…

"My tail is itchy." The Pig Immortal Grass's grass tail could stretch very long, and it could climb up along the vines, managing to get right in front of Little Colour and beat it up fiercely.

The leaves and broken vine branches sparsely fell to the ground.

Dongfang Minghui was happily picking, collecting a lot until, in the end, looking at the two plants that had become bare, she felt somewhat distressed, "Little Colour, Pig Immortal Grass, that's enough, stop fighting."

The Man eating plant was stunned, gently touching Dongfang Minghui's hand with its leaves.

Dongfang Minghui was startled by its sudden touch. The Man eating plant's temperament was completely different from its name. If it were a bit more aggressive, it definitely wouldn't have been so obediently defeated by the Pig Immortal Grass.

"Pig Lord previously said that sparring between medicinal plants helps to stimulate their potential."

"Really? It can be like this?" Dongfang Minghui looked dumbfounded, seeing the two stuck together like enemies, one plucking the other's leaves, the other biting off the other's vines, she half-doubted, "Is there really such a thing as sparring between medicinal plants in cultivation?"

She had only heard that Spiritual Masters challenging those of higher levels could lead to growth, but she had never heard that medicinal plants could do the same…

"Ninth Sister, what were you muttering to yourself just now?" Qian Wanyu busily helped her pick up a pile of broken branches and leaves from the ground, glanced at the person lying on the ground, still breathing steadily, "Ninth Sister, I'll stay here to watch over, you go find a place to concoct the potion."

Dongfang Minghui's mind was in turmoil. Seeing the Man eating plant's wife-like demeanor, she guessed it wouldn't dare to deceive her, "Could it be true?"

"Ah, when did Pig Immortal Grass become Pig Lord?" This little thing actually subdued the Man eating plant without her knowing?

"It is Pig Lord." The Man eating plant said weakly.

"Um, Seventh sister, let them fight… After they finish, they will cease on their own." Dongfang Minghui instructed, taking out the broken branches and leaves, and according to the proportions recorded in her notes, she focused on recording.

Qian Wanyu glanced lightly at the Man eating plant, which instinctively found a corner to stay in, not daring to wander in front of her.

"Has your Ninth Sister's medicinal plants and demonic plants gone mad?" Qing Mo looked at their stance, like mortal enemies.

"They're not stupid."

If anyone's stupid, it's her Ninth Sister.

Because Dongfang Minghui had previously adjusted the proportions for concocting pills at the Royal Academy, she first concocted a tube of potion, and without a word, gave it to the Night Fox clan member lying on the ground with half a life left.

"You better live well, don't waste the essence of my Little Colour and Pig Immortal Grass and the care of Qian Mama." Dongfang Minghui felt the pain, wondering why only the branches and leaves of Little Colour and Pig Immortal Grass were useful, and without them, it seemed to have no effect at all.

Her spiritual power was exceptionally gentle, and after a few attempts, she was able to touch the wound, extracting the ice spikes formed by ice from the body, cleaning each one, blood and flesh together, turning the person into a bloodied figure again.

There was no other way, Dongfang Minghui tore a bit, unraveling the person's clothes.

Qian Wanyu's eyes twitched, feeling frustrated inside. Her Ninth Sister was good in every aspect, the only downside being that as a potion master, she would disregard the difference between men and women to save someone, "Shall I help?"

"When did you start caring about others' lives?" Qing Mo was surprised but then bluntly pointed out, "Aren't you always worried that your silly pharmacist will be taken away by someone?"

"Mother wants to protect this person," Qian Wanyu said seriously.

To protect this person, she didn't hesitate to confront the group from the Hillary tribe head-on.

Qian Wanyu was quick with her hands. Without looking elsewhere, they treated all the wounds on the body. After they were done, Dongfang Minghui was so tired she couldn't lift her arms, "Seventh sister, let someone guard him. He will wake up soon."

"Can he still get up?" Qian Wanyu held the person.

The three plants in the formation somehow returned to her soul sea and space, and all the leaves and roots on the ground were collected into her space, "Little Colour, Pig Immortal Grass, thanks to you this time."

The two plants didn't speak again.

Dongfang Minghui laughed out loud, then grabbed Qian Wanyu's arm and laughed heartily.

"What's so funny?"

"It's, hahaha, Seventh sister, let me tell you about Little Colour and Pig Immortal Grass—" they went bald.

"Don't mention it." Little Colour and Pig Immortal Grass unusually spoke in unison to stop her.

"Hahahaha."

Hearing the voices of these two plants still full of energy, it was clear that the loss of their leaves did not affect them much.

Seeing her Ninth Sister laughing so joyfully, Qian Wanyu's lips curled up slightly, she bit lightly on her lips, her tongue smoothly entered her widely opened mouth, entangling for a moment before quickly letting her go, "Still laughing? If you laugh again, we won't go out tonight."

Dongfang Minghui hurriedly covered her mouth. This kiss sobered her up quite a bit, but seeing the bald Pig Immortal Grass, she still struggled to hold back her laughter.

Little Colour grumpily retracted its vines, and the iron gate automatically opened.

"Yu'er, is he, alright?" Qian Yiling looked at the two supporting each other and walked out, quickly asking.

"Ninth Sister treated him, he will wake up soon." Qian Wanyu was very confident in Dongfang Minghui's medical skills, especially the strange and unusual pills she concocted, "Mother, you can go in and see him."

Qian Yiling stepped past them, then said after half a step, "Yuer, stay here. I have important matters to discuss with you."

"Okay, mother."

"Mu Sheng, Uncle, why are you here too?" Dongfang Minghui was taken aback. "You guys, we all came. What about Little Fatty?"

Mu Sheng guiltily shifted his eyes, not daring to look at her.

Qian Ziyan said expressionlessly, "I asked Mu Sheng to follow, so that little mouse should be sleeping in the inn."

Dongfang Minghui: "…"

Seeing Uncle Wood's calm demeanor, she felt a mix of emotions.

"Ninth Sister, there shouldn't be any problems, don't worry."

"Hopefully."

As soon as Qian Yiling entered, she sensed the formation. After a brief inspection, she felt somewhat relieved, "Why set up a formation here to conceal one's aura?"

Although she had many questions, she remained still, waiting until the person lying on the ground let out a light hum.

Upon opening his eyes, Dono realized he was in a very dark place. After adjusting to the darkness, he saw a figure standing in front of him. Due to the lighting, he couldn't see clearly. Looking down, he noticed his clothes had been changed and his wounds bandaged. His body felt very dry and comfortable.

He had been saved.

Or it was a trap.

"Who are you?" His voice was slightly hoarse. What should have been stern words came out soft and weak. He was taken aback by his own reaction, realizing how weak his body was. He tried to transform.

But—

"It's best not to move. The wizard just finished bandaging you." Qian Yiling's voice was clear and cold, with a hint of concern.

"Who are you?" Dono felt the figure seemed familiar. "Why did you save me? And where is this?"

Three questions in a row.

Qian Yiling turned around, "Why did your Night Fox clan appear at this auction? Even if you wanted to steal, it should have been the True Eye. Dragon Pills are useless to you."

Dono suddenly stood up, lunging to hold Qian Yiling hostage, but the other party dodged lightly, and he didn't even catch the hem of her clothes.

Qian Yiling waved her sleeve with a cold snort, "I didn't expect that without Lans, the Night Fox clan would forget the basic gratitude for saving their lives. Had I known this, I wouldn't have risked saving you."

"You—" The person couldn't believe it, "You, you know Lans?"

"I saved you only to find out his whereabouts. The auction had announced the True Eye in advance, presumably you came for the True Eye. Why then provoke the Dragon Pill for no reason?" Qian Yiling continued, "Moreover, that True Eye is not Lans' eye. We were all deceived."

"How did you know, could it be that you won the True Eye?" Dono couldn't believe it and widened his eyes, "Lord Lans disappeared eighteen years ago, saying he was going to look for his wife and child, and never returned to the tribe after that."

"You said he went to look for his wife and child…"

"Yes, he indeed said so when he left."

Dongfang Minghui rested for a moment and recovered, looking curiously at Seventh sister who was gripping her hand tightly, "What's wrong?"

Qian Wanyu's expression was complex, she shook her head subconsciously, "It's nothing."

Does looking lost and despondent seem like nothing? Moreover, the grip on her hand suddenly tightened, almost breaking her bones.

Dongfang Minghui was puzzled, but then saw Seventh sister suddenly wrap her arms around her in a hug.

"Seventh sister."

"Let me hold you for a while."

Dongfang Minghui pouted, just as she saw Uncle Wood and Mu Sheng casting curious glances. She swallowed and stretched out her hand to gently pat Seventh sister's back, comforting her like a child, "Seventh sister must be tired, sleep well."

After comforting her, she yawned herself.

Qian Wanyu had excellent hearing, she had overheard the conversation between Qian Mama and the Night Fox clan, now hearing this small yawn, the gloom in her heart dissipated, "Ninth Sister, it's so good to have you by my side."

Qian Yiling had just stepped out when she heard this sentence, her brows furrowed slightly at the sight of the two embracing.

"Yu'er, I have something to tell you."

Dongfang Minghui was startled by Qian Mamma's meaningful glance, not knowing how to react, "Sev—Seventh sister."

Qian Wanyu, of course, knew what she was worried about, but unabashedly pinched her nose, "Silly girl."

The voice was neither light nor heavy, even Mu Sheng started to shiver.

This intimate tone, these affectionate gestures, and the sticky affection in each other's eyes, Mu Sheng dared not guess any further.

Dongfang Minghui was also stunned by Seventh sister's resolute action, sweating nervously on her forehead. Yet, what she worried about was, what if they found out… What if Qian mama and Uncle Wood disagreed?

Previously, she thought as long as the two of them were happy and in love, what did it matter if others agreed or not?

But when actually faced with the situation, there were many concerns and worries. She might have lost her family, but Seventh sister had only recently found the familial love she had longed for. It really shouldn't be lost because of her. She cautiously glanced towards where Qian mama and Seventh sister were.

Unexpectedly, as soon as she looked up, she met Qian Yiling's cold and inquisitive gaze. That look, like an X-ray, seemed to strip her bare inside and out.

Dongfang Minghui hurriedly looked away, feeling extremely fearful and cold all over.

"Mother, what is it?"

Qian Yiling withdrew her gaze from Dongfang Minghui, "Mother has always been puzzled about something."

Qian Wanyu raised her eyebrows, her face unconsciously tensing, "After Aunt Mo came to the beast tribe, she told me about your life in the Dongfang family. But due to various reasons, I couldn't immediately go back and take you away from the Dongfang family. Mother is sorry."

Qian Wanyu clenched her fists, her lips pressed tightly, "Mother, there's no need to mention the past. If you have something to say, just say it."

Mentioning this made Qian Yiling feel somewhat guilty, especially seeing Qian Wanyu's reluctance to talk about it. She hesitated, wondering if her next words would break the hard-earned familial bond between them.

"Mother?"

Qian Yiling came back to her senses, looking at the cold woman before her, murmured, "Aunt Mo once said that the ninth young lady of the Dongfang family took pleasure in bullying you since childhood. Mother just wants to know, is that girl the ‘Little Nine' you mentioned?"

Qian Wanyu was guessing the purpose of her mother mentioning this. She thought her mother would talk about the Night Fox clan, especially explaining about someone named ‘Lans'.

"Yes, she is indeed the ninth miss in the Dongfang family, and also the little witch doctor who previously transferred the Dragon Binding Seal from you with her body." Qian Wanyu saw her mother's surprised expression, "Mother, are you satisfied with this answer?"

OWO IT'S ALL EXPOSED! Sorry for the late updates, happy easter! Next chapter tomorrow.