Proud Sword Soaring Clouds

Never underestimate a woman’s intuition, especially when she cares deeply for a man.

That’s why Shangguan Yutong, both shocked and overjoyed, couldn’t help but tell her master. Qiuyue Yao, in turn, told Shangguan Yutong that if she liked him, she should just boldly bring Ling Xiao back. It would be the perfect chance to introduce him to the Palace Master—after all, wasn’t the Palace Master curious about him?

Then, she could subtly hint that this was the man Shangguan Yutong loved. Surely, those Elders wouldn’t pressure Yutong anymore, would they? As for the relationship between Shangguan Yutong and Ling Xiao, that could develop slowly. In any case, if she could avoid being forced into the Inner Sect this time, the opportunity for them to do so would likely not come again.

Qiuyue Yao had been in Lengning Palace for many years but had always remained in the Outer Sect. Her own master was also in charge of the Outer Sect and stationed away from the palace year-round. As a result, Qiuyue Yao didn’t have a deep understanding of the Inner Sect Elders’ personalities.

The master and disciple led Ling Xiao and Song Mingyue to a small courtyard.

"You two chat for a bit. I’m going to inform the Palace Master," Qiuyue Yao said, smiling gently at Ling Xiao. "If it weren’t for Yutong’s sharp eyes, I wouldn’t have recognized you. Your Disguise Skill is truly superb!"

Only then did Ling Xiao allow himself a smile. With no outsiders present, he bowed to Qiuyue Yao. "Aunt Qiu, my apologies. For certain reasons, I couldn’t greet you properly earlier."

"Hehe, I understand. You two go on and chat." Qiuyue Yao smiled, then turned and left.

Shangguan Yutong opened the door to a room and invited them inside. She poured tea for Song Mingyue and Ling Xiao, her face faintly flushed as she spoke apologetically, "I hope calling you over so suddenly won’t cause any problems for you two, will it?"

The corner of Song Mingyue’s mouth curled slightly. "It’s a little late to ask about that now, isn’t it? What’s done is done."

"Mingyue, don’t be rude," Ling Xiao said, frowning slightly. "This is my teacher. She has always taken very good care of me!"

Song Mingyue’s eyes immediately welled up with tears. She felt aggrieved. ’I knew it,’ she thought. ’I can’t even say one word out of line! And it’s true, isn’t it? You two aren’t in disguise, and you’re both so beautiful you naturally draw attention. Who would believe we’re strangers after you called the two of us away in public like that? What was the point of our disguises? Wasn’t it precisely to avoid being recognized?!’

But Song Mingyue was unwilling to face the most important reason buried deep in her heart: she felt that this beautiful woman was a major threat to her.

Hearing Song Mingyue’s words, Shangguan Yutong felt a wave of awkwardness. She was no fool and realized her actions had indeed been rash. Still, a flicker of anger rose within her. ’Who do you think you are?’ she fumed inwardly. ’He’s my student. What I do is none of your business.’

But after hearing Ling Xiao’s words, a brilliant smile blossomed on Shangguan Yutong’s face. She looked at Song Mingyue and asked sweetly, "And this is?"

Song Mingyue, however, was smart enough to hold her tongue. She could sense that this woman held a special place in Ling Xiao’s heart. Arguing with her now would be falling right into her trap. ’Hmph, you want me to fight with you? In your dreams!’ With that thought, a poised, mature smile appeared on Song Mingyue’s face. Without looking at Shangguan Yutong, she lifted her teacup and gently blew on the leaves floating on the surface. She knew Ling Xiao’s greatest virtue: he was always honest with those he considered close, and he would never be evasive about something like this.

Sure enough, Ling Xiao was direct. "Teacher, this is my woman, Song Mingyue."

Shangguan Yutong’s fair complexion shifted for a moment, but she quickly recovered with a smile. "She’s very beautiful! Congratulations, Ling Xiao. You rascal, you certainly have enough beautiful women in your life." Deliberately avoiding eye contact with Song Mingyue, she thought, ’Trying to make me angry? I’ve known for a long time this boy is surrounded by women. What are you so smug about? No matter how you slice it, you’re the one who came later!’

Ling Xiao had never expected to see a moment like this from Song Mingyue, who was always as gentle as water with him, trading barbs with someone. He was even more surprised that Shangguan Yutong, whose fiery temper was usually reserved only for him, would clash so intensely with Song Mingyue.

Faced with such a situation, any man would probably choose to turn a blind eye. But Ling Xiao couldn’t possibly blame Shangguan Yutong. Leaving aside the fact that she was his teacher, her relationship with his sister, Ling Su, and the immense care she had always shown him made it impossible for him to hurt her.

So, Ling Xiao shot a brief glance at Song Mingyue, silently pleading with her to rein it in and not make things difficult for him.

Song Mingyue, being exceptionally sharp, actually felt a surge of happiness at his glance. The more informally he treated her, the more it proved that, subconsciously, he considered her one of his own. Conversely, the more polite he was to Shangguan Yutong, the more it signified the distance between them.

Shangguan Yutong understood this logic as well. She shot Ling Xiao a plaintive look, keenly aware of the countless obstacles that stood in the way of them ever being together. In that instant, a feeling of utter despair washed over her. The light in her eyes dimmed as a thought surfaced: ’Actually... joining the Inner Sect might not be so bad after all.’

Song Mingyue sensed the shift in Shangguan Yutong’s demeanor. Instead of feeling the joy of victory, her heart was filled with a pang of bitterness. ’Why did I have to be like that?’ she wondered. ’Am I really just jealous? Jealous that she knew him first? Looking at her now, it’s obvious she has so much she wants to say to Ling Xiao but can’t because I’m here.’