Chapter Two: An Encounter and Moving into the Residence

A calm and measured voice drifted from within the carriage. "Jinhan."
The person dressed in bamboo-green robes, hearing their master speak, raised a hand to block Qinglan’s way.
"May I see your young master?" Qinglan asked plainly, without the slightest sense that her request was unreasonable.
"My young master is not someone you can simply—" Before Jinhan could finish, Qinglan suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood. Suffering from a backlash, she quickly seized upon an idea and feigned a frail collapse, falling softly to the ground. Jinhan was startled.
"Young master, this lady has fainted and is coughing blood."
At this, the carriage curtain was lifted, and a figure stepped out. Dressed in black robes, a jade crown upon his head, his brows sharp as swords, his nose tall, and his eyes like blossoming peaches, he gazed upon the woman lying on the ground.
"Return to the manor at once," he commanded, then lifted Qinglan by the waist and carried her into the carriage.
"Yes, sir."
When the carriage reached the gates, the plaque above read 'Xiao Manor.' The Xiao family was renowned merchants, possessing numerous businesses.
"Young master, we've arrived."
"Mm," he replied, then carried Qinglan into the manor, drawing astonished gazes from gatekeepers and servants alike, though none dared speak of it.
He carried her all the way to his own courtyard, laying her gently on his bed. Seeing that her condition was not grave, he went to pay his respects to his parents.
Once alone, Qinglan opened her eyes, sat cross-legged, and began cultivating to heal the injuries from the backlash. As the afternoon passed, she recovered somewhat, propping her chin in her hands, wondering why the handsome young master had not yet returned.
Stepping out to the courtyard, she saw it was empty and cold, lacking the liveliness of the street by day. It was rather dull.
And with such a rare beauty present, she thought, he ought to return soon so she could admire him. Just as she was about to return to the divine realm, the young master came back.
"Tonight is Mid-Autumn Festival. The family will dine together and admire the moon. Will you come with me?" His tone was indifferent.
"Of course! As long as I get to see your face, anything is fine," Qinglan replied with a mischievous smile, reaching out to touch his face, only to be evaded.
"Why won't you let me touch you?" Qinglan protested, unhappy.
"I brought you here because you were injured, and besides, we seem to be meeting for the first time," he responded coolly.
"Oh right, then let's get acquainted! I'm Qinglan, and you?" Qinglan instantly shifted her mood.
"Xiao Cangyi."
"Xiao Cangyi—you not only look good, your name is pleasant too. You're more beautiful than anyone I've ever seen," Qinglan said, gazing at him with a foolish admiration.
Xiao Cangyi looked at her silly expression, thinking to himself that she must be a bit addled. Seeing her still dazed, he turned and left, unwilling to look at her any longer.

Qinglan saw him walking away and quickly followed. Arriving at the main hall, she suddenly had no idea what to do; she’d never been in such a situation before.
"Xiao Cangyi, what should I do?" she whispered anxiously at his side.
"Father, Mother, Little Sister, this is Qinglan. I brought her back to treat her injuries," Xiao Cangyi explained, glancing at Qinglan.
"Her bones are like water, her skin like jade—she matches you perfectly, Brother. Perhaps in the future..." Xiao Qingyue stood up, sizing up Qinglan and joking.
At her words, Xiao Cangyi shot her a sharp look, and Xiao Qingyue instantly fell silent, leaving the word "sister-in-law" unsaid. Qinglan, bewildered, asked curiously,
"In the future as what?"
Xiao Qingyue wanted to continue, but seeing her brother’s glare, she turned to her mother, Shen Xianyi, to complain.
"Mother, look, Brother bullies me."
Shen Xianyi, witnessing the scene, rolled her eyes at the siblings, not wanting to watch their antics. With Qinglan present, such behavior was improper.
But when she looked at Qinglan, her face was full of warmth.
"Miss Qinglan, pay no mind to those two. Come, sit and join us."
Qinglan nervously glanced at Xiao Cangyi for help. Though there were rules in the divine realm, she never cared for them, and mortal customs were different; she had no idea what to do.
Seeing her distress, Xiao Cangyi said nothing, but pressed her shoulders gently to seat her, then took his place beside her. Xiao Qingyue sat on her other side.
Outside, the moon shone bright, outshining the stars. The streets on Mid-Autumn night were bustling with lantern vendors and mooncake sellers.
Three figures—one blue, one black, one pale yellow—stood out on the lively street. They began walking side by side, but Qinglan’s curiosity soon drew her to every new sight.
"Sister Qinglan, you’re only looking, not buying; that’s not how you shop," Xiao Qingyue said as she followed Qinglan around.
"Oh, but I don’t have three copper coins. I can only look, not buy," Qinglan replied, patting herself down for anything of value.
"Sister Qinglan, if you lack money, my family has plenty. We’re the richest in the city—money is never an issue. Buy whatever you like (Brother will gift it to you)," Xiao Qingyue declared, thinking the rest to herself.
"Your family has many three-copper coins?" Qinglan asked in surprise.
"Yes, lots!"
"Then I can buy whatever I fancy!"
"Of course, buy as you please," Xiao Qingyue encouraged.
Excited, Qinglan soon gathered a pile of goods—hairpins, pastries, and most importantly, candied hawthorn skewers. The one she tasted that day was simply delicious.

"Xiao Cangyi, why are you walking so slowly?" Qinglan said, grabbing his hand as they walked.
"You’re just like my little sister," Xiao Cangyi sighed. Now there were two to worry about.
By then, Xiao Qingyue had purchased three lanterns and came running to them.
"Brother, here’s your lantern," she said naturally, and Xiao Cangyi took it with practiced ease.
"Hey, what’s this for?"
"Here, take one. You can write your family’s names on it, to show your longing for them."
"This lantern is lovely. Do you both use it to remember your loved ones?" Qinglan asked, curious as she accepted the lantern.
"Brother buys one every year; I don’t know what he does with it. As for me, I just think it’s pretty," Xiao Qingyue replied, turning her lantern in her hands. "See, compared to last year’s, this one is even more beautiful."
"So that’s how it is."
The two began chatting, leaving Xiao Cangyi aside.
"Little sister, it’s getting late. Time to return home," Xiao Cangyi interjected.
"What about me? What should I do? I’m still injured," Qinglan wilted, her voice pitiful.
"You seemed lively tonight, nothing like someone wounded. You should hurry home," he replied.
"No way! I coughed blood today—my internal injuries are serious. Besides, the divine realm... home is so boring, who wants to go back?"
"Brother, since you rescued Sister Qinglan, you should see it through," Xiao Qingyue chimed in.
"Exactly! You look so stunning, surely your heart is kind as well."
Kind-hearted? It was the first time anyone had described him that way. It was almost laughable. Over the years, he’d healed and saved many, but always out of necessity.
"Very well, let’s return together."
The two walked ahead, chatting and laughing, while Xiao Cangyi followed alone, gazing at their figures. If only things could always be this way.
Back at the manor, Qinglan was at a loss—she didn’t want to sleep, but mortals seemed to rest at night. She wondered if she could cultivate here in the mortal realm. She was now an Immortal Lord, striving to ascend to Divine Lord, and no matter how playful she became, she couldn’t forget her goal.
In the mortal realm, time passed quickly. Soon dawn arrived, and Qinglan was still immersed in cultivation.