Chapter 19 - 14 First Meeting with the Family

Words : 1511 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

Chapter 19: Chapter 14 First Meeting with the FamilyAfter leaving the mansion gates and passing through a host of grand buildings, it took more than half a two-hour period before Yue Jinghua and her two daughters reached their residence at Jingxin Courtyard, located at the farthest northern end of Lie Family Mansion. Jingxin Courtyard, true to its name, is situated in a secluded location, eternally deprived of sunlight. A simple courtyard gate and a few narrow paths constituted the entirety of Jingxin Courtyard's structure. The plants within the courtyard were withered, with only a few thin bamboos struggling to survive in the corners of the walls. After sending Yue Chen back to her living quarters, Yue Jinghua headed towards the flower hall. Lie Rou sat alone in the courtyard, shedding tears, when suddenly the house guards at the front gate reported her daughter Yue Jinghua's return, instantly transforming her sorrow into joy, as she swiftly rose to her feet and went out to greet her. "Huahua!" Just as she entered the courtyard gate, Yue Jinghua heard an urgent call. On the narrow flower path, a beautiful woman in green clothes came forward and embraced her, crying. "Mother, your child has returned," Yue Xiaoqi, who had been an orphan in her previous life, hesitated as she felt the warmth emanating from the woman's body, and softly comforted her while returning the embrace. "Let Mother have a good look; my poor child, you've suffered these last few days. Let Mother see if there is any..." Lie Rou, her eyes red, carefully examined her daughter, who had been away for over a month. Her eyes, previously reddened, widened in surprise upon clearly seeing Yue Jinghua's expression and complexion: "My child, you've grown stronger, seem taller, and look healthier too..." Lie Rou had prepared a litany of sorrowful things to say, but upon seeing her daughter, who had grown more confident in the space of a month, with graceful figure intact, and even the ugly scar on her right face seeming less conspicuous. Most notably, Huahua carried herself with easy grace, no longer with the timidity of the past, which was quite eye-catching. This was good, the pitying words Lie Rou had been about to spill forth suddenly seemed somewhat comical. Yue Jinghua was also taking a good look at Lie Rou. People in ancient times married early, and although Lie Rou had been a wife and mother for over a decade, she was only just past her thirties. Upon clearly seeing the woman's appearance, Yue Jinghua inwardly gave her compliments. Lie Rou was blessed with willow brows and almond eyes, her hair adorned with a white magnolia, which only accentuated her understated elegance. The only slight detractor was her lifeless eyes and the worn-out look of melancholic despair on her face. "It's good that you're back. We don't care about the Xuanji Academy anymore, I only wish for your life to be safe and free from disasters," said Lie Rou with tears in her eyes, murmuring softly as her hands constantly caressed Yue Jinghua's face. These words, however, felt somewhat sour to Yue Jinghua's ears. Perhaps it was due to the influence of the blood ties within "Yue Jinghua's" body that she felt an affinity towards Lie Rou upon seeing her. This pitiful woman had lost her parents at an early age and experienced the bankruptcy of her husband's family, leading a life of careful caution while relying on the kindness of others. "Jinghua, in Lie Meng's letter the other day, he said you were abducted, who saved you, and how did you come back? Did Lie Meng return with you?" Lie Rou felt a wave of emotions. A few days earlier, Lie Meng had sent a letter to the family saying he would return to the mansion in a few days. The message mentioned that he had hunted down two Second-order Profound Pills but made no mention of Yue Jinghua being rescued. The Lie Family Mansion, especially the third branch, was already prepared to decorate with lights and banners to welcome Lie Meng's return to the mansion. A cold sneer formed in Yue Jinghua's mind. Return? That young man had long since become fertiliser for the Cannibal Green Rush. "Mother, I'll tell you all about these things when we have time later. Yue Chen is injured, and the mansion's physician will come soon; let's go check on him first." It was encountering Yue Chen's injury that prompted Yue Jinghua to return to Lie Family Mansion first. Originally, she had planned to report to Xuanji Academy and casually select a Second-order Profound Pill to submit, thereby completing this trial. "Chenchen is injured? Who did it?" After hearing Yue Jinghua's account, Lie Rou's face showed a bit of helplessness. Yue Jinghua recounted the origin of the matter and accompanied Lie Rou towards Yue Chen's dwelling. Jingxin Courtyard was originally where Lady Feng Wanwan practiced alchemy. After her death, to avoid being reminded of her and feel grief-stricken, Lie Changgong left the courtyard deserted. It was only after Lie Rou and her daughter were forced to move back to the Lie Family Mansion that the two brothers of the Lie Family, finding the three of them troublesome, freed up this long-neglected courtyard. Although Jingxin Courtyard was somewhat simple, it was still the most spacious yard in the Lie Family Mansion, divided into four large chambers by four corridors. Lie Rou took up residence in the East Wing, Yue Jinghua in the West Wing, and Yue Chen in the South Wing, while the North Wing, originally housing the alchemy furnace, was later converted by Lie Rou into a study. Approaching the South Wing, an overpowering herbal fragrance greeted them. The Eastern Continent had already entered autumn at this time, with a landscape of withering grass and trees everywhere, yet the surroundings of Yue Chen's dwelling were lush and blossoming. "Did Yue Chen plant all these?" Yue Jinghua couldn't help but wonder aloud. On the Canglong Continent, because men mostly practice Dark Skill due to their cultivation of Dark Energy, few would plant flowers and plants at home. Seeing Yue Jinghua's surprised expression, Lie Rou smiled and said, "He planted them all by himself. I wasn't sleeping well a while ago, and he even specially brought me a pot of sleeping vines to place in my room, claiming they aided sleep. Indeed, my sleep has improved a lot recently." seaʀᴄh thё Nôvel(F)ire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Yue Chen had always loved flowers and plants since childhood. "Yue Jinghua" had often looked down on him for this, and the relationship between the siblings had always been strained. Hand in hand, the two of them entered the South Wing. They had just reached the flowerbed by Yue Chen's room when they heard the sound of soil being turned over. Yue Chen hurriedly stood up. He was only ten years old with a small stature. His eyes were round and bright, and his lips red as flower petals. After returning to the room, he had changed his clothes. His delicate face blushed thinly, as if rouged, when he saw Yue Jinghua. What surprised Yue Jinghua was that the bruises on Yue Chen's face and body had all disappeared, his skin was so tender that it seemed to ooze water, making him look like a little doughy boy. "He was just beaten to a pulp like a pig's head; how could he be completely fine so quickly? His constitution is too tough," Yue Jinghua blurted out, reaching out and pinching Yue Chen's face. "?" Yue Chen was startled, dropping his hand hoe to the ground, his face having been solidly pinched. His face grew redder, yet he dared not retaliate, simply staring with his big, glossy eyes. Yue Jinghua removed her hand, feeling the pleasant texture, and then used both hands, poking and kneading Yue Chen's small face as if it were dough. Yue Chen's baozi face instantly turned the color of a red persimmon, and he dared not struggle, simply pouting. Lie Rou was also surprised. "Yue Jinghua" had always been distant from Yue Chen since they were young, and with Yue Chen's gentle nature, but looking at the siblings' interaction now, they seemed like siblings with a good relationship. Both Yue Chen and Lie Rou were in a daze when Yue Jinghua suddenly withdrew her hands, her gaze sharply turning toward the entrance of the courtyard. Upon seeing the newcomer, her expression softened slightly. "Lady, there's terrible news," Hongling rushed over. On seeing Yue Jinghua, her face lit up with ecstasy, then immediately tensed: "Miss, you have returned. But something has happened to Young Master Lie Meng, the Third Master is leading people here urgently, saying they want to question you."

Chapter 19 - 14 First Meeting with the Family

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