The moment Su Shiyu entered the hall, both Mo Yixuan and Su Shimeng were stunned by his appearance. While Su Shimeng instinctively stepped forward, Mo Yixuan stepped back and pulled the other with him, earning another look.
"What?" Su Shimeng hissed.
"Just wait," Mo Yixuan muttered back.
In their absence, it was Bai Tingyao who went forward instead, telling the two lantern-bearers to take their master's cloak and leave as she guided Su Shiyu towards his seat at the head of the hall. Mo Yixuan noted that it was now right next to the table that had been converted into an altar for the blank painting. Su Shiyu didn't seem to pay Mo Yixuan or Su Shimeng any attention, but only bent down towards his wife, nodding in response to her murmured words.
Finally, Su Shimeng couldn't hold it in any more and blurted it, "Big bro, what happened to your hair?"
Su Shiyu seemed to stir at the words, but didn't acknowledge them.
"Big brother!" Su Shimeng tried again, but Su Shiyu visibly grimaced and raised a hand to rest against his forehead as Bai Tingyao helped him sit down.
"Mengmeng, you can bother your big brother later," Bai Tingyao's melodious tones smoothed out the tense atmosphere. "He has a headache right now. Didn't you have some questions to ask me, Daoist Mo?"
Mo Yixuan was studying Su Shiyu as well, privately noting his haggard face. "Does Sir Su need to retire for the night?"
This time, Su Shiyu did look up. He gave Mo Yixuan a long stare before slowly shaking his head. "I'll be fine."
"It's been a long day," Bai Tingyao added apologetically.
"Sis, he's not the only one with questions," Su Shimeng spoke up. "I've got a few for you and big bro too."
"Do you now?" Bai Tingyao's voice sounded resigned. "Well, I suppose we should answer them sooner or later. Come on, let's begin."
She settled in the hostess seat across from Su Shiyu and dutifully waited while Su Shimeng attuned her to Equanimity. Her husband silently rested his head in one hand. When Mo Yixuan stepped closer, he realized that the man had fallen into a light doze.
"......." He was almost tempted to shake the man awake when Su Shimeng called him back.
"Hey! We're ready."
Between the dozing members of Su Manor and his own missing disciple, there were too many factors for Mo Yixuan to consider at once. He shelved them to the back for now to focus on the matter at hand. If anything, Nan Wuyue should be able to summon him for help if he really needed it.
Well, assuming his luck was good. Neither he nor his disciple seemed to excel in that department.
"Lady Bai," he bowed politely as he stepped in front of the woman. The golden scales floated between them and a shimmering thread could be seen connecting it to Bai Tingyao's heart.
"Daoist Mo," she said and seemed to sit up a little straighter. "What is it you wish to know?"
"You employed Ting'er around a year ago, correct?" Mo Yixuan began with the basics.
"Yes." The scale didn't move.
"Do you trust her?"
"Yes."
"To your knowledge, has she ever set foot in the jade mines or on its grounds?"
"No," Bai Tingyao replied confidently. The scales remained unmoving while Mo Yixuan waited.
At last he asked, "Could you elaborate?"
"I spend most of my days in the house or out about town," Bai Tingyao said. "That's where I take Ting'er to run my errands with me. Sometimes I send her alone or with Yu-lang, but I can't be sure what she does in her own time."
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Cultivation Retirement Plan (BL)
काल्पनिकThe first time Mo Yixuan dies, he drowns in the sea. The second time he tries, he jumps off a cliff. The third time... The third time never happens because somebody stops him instead. His disciple says, "Shizun, I hated you. But now I just want to...
