some natural forces, human effort and technology seem so insignificant.These talismans, though varying slightly between schools and sects, were ineffective against these soulless, withered skeletons....The Shen family was a wealthy and influential clan, renowned throughout their circle. They didn't mistreat me; my meals and tea were delivered promptly three times a day. They just wouldn't allow me to leave my room.

I just lay in bed and slept soundly, anyway even the simple task of changing clothes was taken care of by someone... I wonder how many rumors about me have spread through the Shen family now.

In the afternoon, the door swung open with a bang, and the imposing Mrs. Shen appeared in the room.

I was half asleep when I heard Kun Dao behind her shout, “Disrespectful young one! Don't you get up and pay your respects to the old woman!”

I really want to retort, saying that those with opinions should go talk to your Imperial Lord. But since I'm under someone else's roof right now, I have to keep my head down.

When I was getting dressed, I realized that there were so many marks all over my body. Jiang Qiyun's hands are too heavy, he even bruised my waist, not to mention the red marks all over my chest.

The clothes Shen's family provided were all very antiquated. I had no choice but to put on a white tunic and trousers and go outside.

Old Mrs. Shen sat on the bed, staring at me coldly. I bowed and said, "Hello."

Those around her, from the Kun Dao sect, were still about to scold me when Old Madam Shen stopped them. “Enough,” she said, “Just sit down and speak. Serving the Celestial Emperor is certainly no easy task.”

This old woman, she really thinks she's the Empress Dowager, doesn't she

Those Kendo girls beside her looked at me with a mixture of amusement and disdain, mixed with a touch of envy and jealousy. They kept staring at me like that, never tiring.

"Do you have that little compass on you" asked Old Mrs. Shen.

I eyed her warily. "What do you want That's my mother's—"

She sneered: "That belongs to the Shen family! Your mother eloped with it! Rest assured, I haven't stooped to such cruelty as bullying a younger generation. I won't take it from you!"

She had just finished speaking when a man from the inner room brought out that compass and handed it to her.

I was secretly anxious inside. If this old woman dared to forcibly grab my compass, I would definitely report her to Jiang Qiyun!

"Indeed, it is the Yu Xuan Ji... I haven't seen this artifact in over twenty years..." She let out a soft sigh.

Mrs. Shen's eyes flickered slightly, with a hint of unreadable emotion passing through them.

"Even if this belongs to the Shen family, it's my mother's heirloom. The Shen family isn't short on good compasses, please return this to me." I said with a frown.

Old Madam Shen didn't force it, she returned the compass to me.

"Your mother ran away from home with another man back then, hmph, she's truly a good daughter of the Shen family! For that slick little scoundrel from the Mu family, she gave up her position as heir! What's so good about that small-time, insignificant Mu family!" Old Mrs. Shen had a lot of anger that hadn't subsided after twenty years.

Who knows what's good, love is like that, isn't it It makes you lose your mind, even knowing it's a pit of fire, you still jump in... Besides, my dad isn't a pit of fire!

"...it's all ancient history, and the person is gone. Just treat it as water under the bridge and move on." I said softly, "The 'spoiled brat' from the Mu family you're talking about is now a man in his forties, my brother and I have grown up too, and my mother has passed away years ago. There's nothing left to hold onto grudges for."

Grandmother Shen stared at me for a long time, then suddenly let out a light chuckle: "Women, you follow what kind of man, you choose what kind of life."

“There are some things we have no choice in at all.” I replied sullenly.

"Hmph, the Emperor has ordered me to teach you some Dao techniques. Tonight your brother Mu Yunfan will come over. From tomorrow onwards, you two will do coursework with the outer disciples. Learn as much as you can. You two are descendants of that old geezer Mu Yike, unruly and hard to teach. I don't expect you to follow the rules, just don't cause trouble for me, or I will punish you!"

What Studying at the Shen family! I immediately frowned, my brother must be feeling the same way too. Even if we remained half-baked amateurs, we wouldn't want anything to do with the Shen family.

"Don't give me that look. I don't want to teach you, but since fate has brought us here, the Emperor has blessed the Shen family for many years, and the Shen family should serve the Emperor with all their heart and soul." Old Madam Shen stood up, and her attendant, Kun Dao, placed two bundles on the table behind her.

After they left, I opened the package and looked inside. There were basic clothes, books, and some magic artifacts.

Here, at the Shen residence, I have no choice but to stay. Jiang Qiyun threw me here so he could do his things without worry.

The Shen family estate is located in such a picturesque place with mountains and water, far from the hustle and bustle, and with many disciples. It is indeed a good place for cultivating one's mind.

But I was worried about my father and brother. My phone had been dead for a long time, and I didn't know where to find a phone to call them and let my family know. The Daoist nun who brought me dinner wouldn't answer my questions. She just put down the food and hurried away.

There were only three modern things in the house: an electric light, an air conditioner, and a toilet. People took baths in large wooden tubs in the bathroom. Without a phone, it felt like going back to the primitive society.

The little nun from the Shen family changed my bed linens to cotton and linen, which are absorbent and breathable. Maybe those large patches of water stains last night scared them... I'm so embarrassed.

Last night was too intense, my lower abdomen aches faintly, like there's a fire burning inside. This feeling is especially obvious when I lie in bed today. I always feel something is wrong - it feels like the heat in my belly keeps going and circulating within my body, and the areas around my belly button are warm to the touch.

Maybe I really have to go see Old Mrs. Wu, just in case something happens. I don't want to suffer for nothing, and Jiang Qiyun would be furious and skin me alive if anything goes wrong.

Grandma Shen said my brother would come tonight, so I waited and waited until I fell asleep sprawled out on the Eight Immortals table. The air conditioner in the room was warm, but when a chill approached, I shivered. Jiang Qiyun immediately scooped me up and put me on the bed.

This... why is he so matter-of-factly pressing down It's fine to do it once last night, but if we do it like that every day, I'll be exhausted.

"No…" I turned my head away from his lips. "I'm still waiting for my brother. Old Madam Shen said he'd be coming tonight."

"...He's already at the Shen family gate and will be here shortly." Jiang Qiyun replied calmly.

Really I immediately gave him a perfunctory kiss on the lips and then hurriedly dressed, waiting anxiously.

"Xiao Qiao! Where's my sister Wasn't she supposed to be here" My brother's footsteps were still downstairs, and I could already hear him shouting.

I rushed over and flung the door open, grabbing my brother as he was about to cry out.

"Didn't you say not to worry about me How could something happen to someone as clever and quick-witted as me!" He slapped the back of my head.

He had bandages on his head and wrists, that's not a big deal!

"I anxiously pressed, “What happened to you Why did you disappear after falling down—"nchen is not a bad person. He knows his limits, and he has a good temper. He won't deceive you... As for the rest, I can't say for sure. I haven't had much interaction with the residents here... But i...