Comprehending Myriad Techniques as Woodcutter

Chapter 203: Chapter 173: Like?

However, to Xie Yuan, what mattered more was Situ Qin’s thoughtfulness. It was far more precious than any spirit pills or miraculous medicines.

Situ Qin pursed her lips, her eyes darting playfully.

"Why so serious? Don’t worry, I’m sure there will be plenty of times in the future when I’ll need to order you around, Master Xie!"

"I’ll be ready whenever you are."

Xie Yuan said with a chuckle.

The two of them immediately started chatting about everything under the sun, enjoying the various snacks Situ Qin had brought and sipping tea. It had to be said, Situ Qin’s luggage contained all sorts of things; she was fully stocked with food and refreshments.

Of course, Xie Yuan, who now knew her background, wasn’t the least bit surprised by this extravagance. In terms of status, she was a Commandery Princess, a station even more noble than that of a princess. There were many princesses, but one like her was unique. No amount of pomp was too much for her. Besides, it was just a few extra snacks and trinkets that she could carry herself, not to mention she was protected by a Grandmaster.

Li Tai wasn’t with Situ Qin this time, so Xie Yuan knew that this quiet, inconspicuous housekeeper, who always wore a veil and rarely spoke, must also be a Grandmaster.

Cloud Mountain was shrouded in mist, its strange peaks and bizarre rocks creating numerous sights worth seeing. Although Xie Yuan hadn’t been here long, he knew more about it than Situ Qin. He described a few places to her, piquing her interest, and they agreed to visit them later. Their conversation flowed as easily as it always had, and after half a day, the slight awkwardness from their time apart vanished completely. The trace of melancholy in Situ Qin’s heart gradually dissipated as well.

After they finished a pot of tea and paused their conversation, Situ Qin finished tuning her Guqin. With a light touch of her fingers, a melody as clear and crisp as spring water drifted through the quiet courtyard nestled between the two peaks.

Gazing at the vibrant flowers by the window, the ethereal mist beyond the cliff, and hearing the faint sound of a spring accompanying the Guqin’s melody, Xie Yuan felt his heart grow calm in this mountainside guest courtyard.

"Miss Qin, you should get some rest. I’ll take my leave now."

After the song ended, Xie Yuan savored the melody for a long moment. Seeing that it was getting late, he finally rose to take his leave.

After Xie Yuan left, Situ Qin sat before her Guqin, unconsciously plucking the strings and producing intermittent, single notes.

An inexplicable melancholy washed over her expression, and she let out a soft sigh.

"Miss, you came all the way up the mountain, found him, and confirmed he’s safe. Why the long face?"

The housekeeper, who had been nowhere to be seen, appeared abruptly in the room, her voice soft as she questioned Situ Qin.

Situ Qin, long used to this, said sullenly,

"I feel like the relationship between Master Xie and that Miss Mu is... a little unusual..."

"And what if it is?"

the housekeeper asked quietly.

"Well, I guess it’s nothing... It just makes me uncomfortable. It feels like a friend of mine is being shared."

Situ Qin stammered.

The housekeeper stared at her with a profound gaze and asked, cutting straight to the heart of the matter,

"You like Master Xie."

"What? No, of course not! I wouldn’t say I *like* him, I just... appreciate him. He’s very easy on the eyes, fun to talk to, and pleasant to be around. We haven’t seen each other in a long time, so I just wanted to hang out with him, that’s all..."

Situ Qin’s face flushed red as she instinctively retorted, her words tumbling out in a rush.

But as she went on, her voice trailed off into a mumble.

The housekeeper shook her head. ’Isn’t that exactly what liking someone is?’ she thought. ’Or at least the beginning of it.’

’Besides, your actions speak far louder than your words.’

"Anyway, it’s not like! But he really is a good person. If we had spent more time together, maybe I would have... liked him! But then this complication had to pop up, and out comes Mu Chaoyun."

Situ Qin fell silent for a moment, then suddenly sighed.

"She’s a Grandmaster at such a young age, so she’s definitely outstanding. Her family background isn’t bad either, and I bet her talent and looks are top-notch. And she has a tragic backstory that would make anyone pity her. Plus, she was with him day and night, they went through hardship together, and she can even teach him the Martial Dao..."

The more Situ Qin spoke, the less confident she became, pouting in frustration.

"But I met him first..."

Seeing Situ Qin’s dejected state, a trace of pity appeared in the housekeeper’s eyes.

She said faintly,

"But your advantages, Miss, are far greater than Mu Chaoyun’s."

"Advantages?"

Situ Qin was taken aback. By her own calculations, she was at a complete disadvantage.

"Yes. Do you know what they are, Miss?"

the housekeeper asked.

Situ Qin tilted her head, thought for a moment, and said tentatively,

"My age? I’m much younger than her! Heh, old woman..."

The housekeeper fell silent. After a long pause, she said,

"That is indeed a huge advantage. But it’s not the most crucial one."

"What is it? Aunt Hong, hurry and teach me!"

Situ Qin’s big eyes instantly lit up, and she stared at the housekeeper with anticipation.

Aunt Hong smoothed a stray strand of hair and said faintly,

"Your greatest advantage is that you, Miss, are right here by Master Xie’s side, while that Mu Chaoyun is worlds away."

Hearing this, Situ Qin’s eyes slowly widened.

Aunt Hong said unhurriedly,

"His bond with Mu Chaoyun was only just forged through shared hardship; it can’t be that deep. It’s nothing compared to the connection between you and him, Miss.

"Since you’re on equal footing, with one person constantly by his side and the other at the ends of the earth, it won’t be long before your charm, Miss, makes Master Xie forget Mu Chaoyun’s name entirely."

Situ Qin nodded repeatedly as she listened, her spirits lifting. But as Aunt Hong continued, she grew hesitant again and said in a small voice,

"I don’t think Master Xie is such a fickle person... And Mu Chaoyun is a Grandmaster, she’s experienced and knowledgeable, she can teach him the Martial Dao. I... I don’t think I can compare to that right now."

"Miss, you just don’t apply yourself to your training. Otherwise, with your natural talent, becoming a Grandmaster in a few years would be easy. It’s not that you can’t compare to her, you’re just younger, which is actually an advantage."

"Right, right, I’m just younger! That’s an advantage!"

Situ Qin’s little head bobbed up and down like a chick pecking at grain. With her parents’ Martial Dao talent, even if they had given birth to an idiot, it would have been a world-class genius of an idiot. Moreover, Situ Qin was no idiot at all. She had completely inherited her parents’ gifts, and for her, practicing the Martial Dao had always been as easy as eating a snack.

"As for knowledge and perspective, you are naturally second to none, Miss. And teaching martial arts? That’s even less of a problem. Not only is Master Xie’s strength currently no match for yours, but even if he catches up, you still have me and Li Tai to help you give him pointers. What’s a mere newly-ascended Grandmaster in comparison?"

Aunt Hong said unhurriedly,

"Furthermore, Mu Chaoyun is all alone in the world and can barely fend for herself; there’s little help she can offer Master Xie. You, Miss, come from a great and powerful family. The slightest hint of your favor could help Xie Yuan’s career skyrocket. Bringing that Blood Dragon Pill was a good move. Show off your power a little more, and if Xie Yuan is a smart man, he’ll know how to choose. Add your looks and talent to the mix, and he won’t be able to escape your grasp. In time, he’ll be completely devoted to you."

Situ Qin was beaming as she listened. ’Though,’ she thought, ’something about what Aunt Hong just said feels a little off. Master Xie isn’t that kind of person, and I’m not trying to buy his affection!’

’Still, it doesn’t change the fact that her overall strategy is sound. That’s Aunt Hong for you.’

’Aunt Hong was a songstress her father had rescued years ago. Her talent was exceptional, and she later became her father’s top spy. She knew men like the back of her hand, so her advice couldn’t be wrong.’

’As for her misunderstanding of Master Xie’s character, well, there was no need to correct her on that.’

Seeing that Situ Qin had taken her words to heart, yet also hadn’t quite, Aunt Hong added in a low, knowing voice,

"Men, in the end, can never resist temptation. Especially a temptation that’s right within their grasp. You remember that, Miss."

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