Jing Shu glanced at the room. Ever since Elder Ping had left, Madam had maintained her seated posture without changing it. It was hard to tell if she was angry or not.
"Madam, your servant has washed some fruits. Please try them. These were sent by the Young Sect Master," Jing Shu said, bringing in a plate of spirit fruits after washing them.
Madam Yue turned to look at the fruit plate in Jing Shu's hand. The bright red fruits looked exceptionally tempting, but she couldn't muster any interest. Worry gnawed at her heart. If that person were just an ordinary friend, she wouldn't worry. Even if that person had ill intentions, she wouldn't worry. Her only concern was that this person might become a weakness for her son, Yue Ran, to be exposed. An Yue Ran without weaknesses was invincible. Even if his cultivation wasn't as good as others, she wouldn't have to worry. But with a weakness, it was different. In the Heavenly Sword Sect, exposing one's weakness was tantamount to seeking death.
"Jing Shu, go and find out who this Xiao Qin is," Madam Yue said, unable to rest her mind. "It's best to investigate thoroughly. And how did Ran'er get to know him?"
"This servant knew Madam would ask, so I had someone investigate carefully," Jing Shu replied, taking out several pages and handing them to Madam Yue. "Xiao Qin comes from the Eight Tribes and emerged from the Land of No Return two years ago. She made significant contributions during the chaos in Wuji City, discerning the demons' disguises and thwarting their schemes. Afterward, she joined the Hundred Herbs Hall."
"Hundred Herbs Hall? Is Xiao Qin an alchemist?"
"Yes, she is a fourth-grade alchemist. Judging by her conduct and methods, it can be inferred that she is deep-thinking and adept at planning. She also assisted the eldest son of the Jin family in seizing power. The current whereabouts of Madam Jin and the second son of the Jin family remain unknown. Rumor has it that Xiao Qin might have been responsible."
Madam Yue felt a chill run down her spine. Why would such a terrifying person be by her son's side?
"What does she want by approaching Ran'er?"
"This servant doesn't know," Jing Shu shook her head. "I heard from Elder Ping that she fell into the hands of demons in Fengling City. Within a short time, she escaped from the demons, then infiltrated the ranks of the laborers and entered the Heavenly Sword Sect, getting close to the Young Sect Master. To date, Elder Ping has found no anomalies. Everything she has done has been to assist the Young Sect Master, but Elder Ping also suspects ulterior motives."
Madam Yue fell silent. "Tomorrow, have Ran'er bring her here for me to see."
"Yes, Madam."
Jing Shu personally went to deliver the message. There were no guards at Yue Ran's courtyard. Everyone knew he disliked people entering his courtyard. However, when Jing Shu arrived, a young servant opened the door, and she was immediately taken aback. Had the Young Master changed so much?
"Aunt Jing Shu."
"You are..."
"I am Liu Han. I used to assist Xiao Qin. After Xiao Qin came, the Young Sect Master asked me to come over too," Liu Han quickly let her in. "Aunt Jing Shu, are you here to see the Young Sect Master?"
"Yes, is the Young Sect Master in?"
"He is. The Young Sect Master is in the kitchen."
Jing Shu's face showed confusion. "Kitchen?"
"There's a kitchen in the courtyard. The Young Sect Master is cooking in the kitchen."
Jing Shu's expression was one of extreme shock. Their esteemed Young Sect Master was cooking in the kitchen?
Jing Shu pushed Liu Han aside and hurried towards the kitchen. The Young Sect Master's courtyard had a private kitchen, but it was rarely used. Moreover, the Young Sect Master couldn't cook, so how could he be cooking?
However, when Jing Shu saw the figure busy at the stove, she was more shocked than if she had been struck by lightning. She rushed in and snatched the spatula from Yue Ran's hand. "Young Sect Master, how can you cook?"
Yue Ran saw Jing Shu and grinned widely, taking the spatula back from her. "Why can't I cook? What would I eat if I didn't cook?"
"Didn't the small kitchen cook for you?"
"I didn't let them. I wanted to cook myself," Yue Ran expertly stirred the vegetables in the pot, as if he had done this many times before.
"Who told the Young Sect Master to cook?" Jing Shu glared at Liu Han. Liu Han flinched, not daring to answer.
"Aunt Jing Shu, don't scare him. He's timid. He's just here to help me look after the courtyard," Yue Ran said with a smile. "I wanted to do it myself. As you know, no one can force me to do something I don't want to do."
"Young Sect Master..."
"Aunt Jing Shu, why are you here instead of serving my mother?" Yue Ran inquired.
"Madam made you new clothes and wants you to try them on tomorrow. She also wants you to have breakfast with her," Jing Shu quickly explained her purpose. "Also, Madam heard you made a new friend and wants to meet her."
"Another day. She's been accompanying me in cultivation recently and is exhausted. We'll talk about it after she recovers," Yue Ran said without looking up. "Go back and tell Mother that I have enough clothes and she doesn't need to make more. If she gets too tired, Father will worry."
"Young Sect Master, you speak as if Madam doesn't dote on you. A mother naturally pampers her child. Madam won't feel tired making clothes for you."
"Aunt Jing Shu, you don't love my mother anymore. In the past, you always advised my mother not to overwork herself."
Jing Shu smiled. "Madam dotes on the Young Sect Master, and I cannot stop her."
"Aunt Jing Shu, go back and tell my mother that I will visit her in a couple of days," Yue Ran finished cooking, scooped rice, placed it on a tray, and turned to instruct Liu Han. "Liu Han, there's some left in the pot for you. Eat it yourself."
"Thank you, Young Sect Master."
"Young Sect Master, Madam misses you dearly..."
Jing Shu watched as Yue Ran kicked open the door, carried the tray inside, and then used his foot to close the door. Then, from inside the room, Yue Ran's voice could be heard coaxing Xiao Man to get up for breakfast.
Jing Shu looked at Xiao Man's room, then at Liu Han. Liu Han flinched and quickly hid in the kitchen. The Young Sect Master indulged Senior Brother Xiao, and he couldn't control that!
"What's your name, Liu..."
"My name is Liu Han, Aunt Jing Shu," Liu Han quickly replied.
"Do the Young Sect Master and Xiao Qin usually eat and live together?"
"That... yes, that's how it is."
"She makes the Young Sect Master cook?"
Liu Han shook his head. The Young Sect Master wanted to cook himself.
"And then the Young Sect Master has to bring the food to her bedside?" Jing Shu's voice trembled. She was like a stern mother-in-law, furious that her daughter-in-law not only failed to take good care of her son but also dared to order him around!
Liu Han shook his head again. Senior Brother Xiao had gruffly said before sleeping that he was not to be disturbed!
"Unruly!" Jing Shu trembled with anger. Their Young Sect Master was so noble and proud, destined to inherit the Heavenly Sword Sect and become one of the top powerhouses in the world. To be ordered around by some obscure youngster like this was utterly absurd!