My Green Tea Junior Sister Smells So Good - Chapter 12

The room, after a frantic scramble, fell into an immediate, heavy silence.

“I recognize you. You are the immortal lady from the Cloud Hidden Sect… the one paired with Immortal Master Jiang?” Madam Li said, her voice trembling.

“Did Jiang Linchuan tell you that?”

Shen Qingyi was naturally unaware of how the messy affairs atop Cloud Hidden Peak were being circulated among the common folk.

This town sat at the foot of the mountain, and the people relied heavily on the blessings of the immortals. Consequently, any immortal with even a modicum of prestige had a statue in the local temple for public worship. Among the younger generation, only Shen Qingyi and Jiang Linchuan received such treatment.

Seeing two young faces amidst a sea of white bearded elders made them incredibly conspicuous. Since they were of similar age, possessed peerless looks, and held equal merit, meddling locals began to worship them as a “divine couple.” Some young lovers even prayed to them for a successful marriage.

Having received so much “incense” and collective belief, a subtle, subconscious pressure had begun to push them together. Had it not been for Du Yuanluo’s appearance breaking the illusion, Shen Qingyi might have truly been swept away by this tide of rural public opinion.

Master Li hid behind his wife and daughter, pleading, “Immortal Shen, our family offers incense to the Cloud Hidden Sect every first and fifteenth of the month without fail. If this girl has committed a crime, you cannot blame us. We’ve been victimized by her as well!”

Seeing Shen Qingyi arrive with such an aggressive aura, appearing as if she were there to demand accountability, the household had been at a loss. The Cloud Hidden Sect had a sterling reputation, they stayed out of worldly conflicts but viewed protecting the people as their duty.

Prompted by Master Li’s words, everyone realized: this must be about Du Yuanluo.

Back when Du Yuanluo had returned with the wounded Jiang Linchuan, the families who had participated in the “Bride Lottery” were green with envy. Marrying a wealthy man or an official was nothing compared to marrying an immortal, it was a blessing that reached back to one’s ancestors. Yet, such incredible luck had been snatched up by this “jinx.”

Master Li had even tried to secretly call Du Yuanluo back, attempting to push his own daughter toward Jiang Linchuan. However, the Li daughter was accustomed to being served and didn’t know the first thing about caring for someone. Jiang Linchuan had explicitly asked to have Du Yuanluo back.

This had deeply annoyed the Li couple, leading them to try and cozy up to Du Yuanluo just to catch a bit of the immortal’s reflected glory.

Who could have known that once Jiang Linchuan recovered, he would refuse to take Du Yuanluo with him, claiming he was already betrothed?

It was common knowledge that Jiang Linchuan was betrothed, but in the eyes of the commoners, it was also standard for a man to have three wives and four concubines. For someone of Du Yuanluo’s low birth to serve at an immortal’s side was a heavenly blessing; how could she dare dispute a formal title?

Yet, Jiang Linchuan refused to take her no matter what. In an instant, Du Yuanluo became a laughingstock. The envious glances turned into pointing fingers, and through word of mouth, she became a “seductress” who failed to ensnare an immortal.

Fearing she would ruin his daughter’s reputation, Master Li arranged to marry her off to a forty-year-old widower just to get rid of her. After pleading with Jiang Linchuan to no avail, Du Yuanluo had attempted to drown herself on the eve of the widower’s visit.

Cultivators fear nothing more than karmic entanglements. It wasn’t that Jiang Linchuan completely lacked the desire to take her, he simply lacked a proper reason. He didn’t want to upset Shen Qingyi, nor would the Sect Master allow it. But things had reached a point where if he walked away, both he and the Cloud Hidden Sect would be stained with infamy. He was forced to bring her back to the peak.

Du Yuanluo had been gone for nearly half a year, and everyone assumed she had secured her position. Some praised her cunning, while others cursed her as low-class.

Now that she was back, no one knew the details, but the only voices left were those of disdain and abuse. When Shen Qingyi appeared, the Li household collectively assumed the worst. Shen Qingyi was the “legal wife,” and Du Yuanluo must have offended her and fled back in terror.

Judging by Shen Qingyi’s imposing manner, Du Yuanluo must have caused a massive problem. They had to make sure she didn’t drag the Li family down with her.

With a sharp clink, Shen Qingyi’s blade unsheathed by two inches. But seeing Du Yuanluo’s dodging, panicked eyes, she silently sheathed the weapon.

Teaching these people a lesson was easy. Avenging Du Yuanluo was easy. But Du Yuanluo needed to learn to stand on her own. Du Yuanluo was like a fragile vine, always clinging to anyone who showed her the slightest bit of kindness, even when that “kindness” masked an intent to bleed her dry.

These masters took her in to use her like livestock. Jiang Linchuan treated her like a pet for his amusement. No one treated her as a person. Since Shen Qingyi had already secured her status as a disciple of the Cloud Hidden Sect, the first step was to teach her how to live with dignity.

A clever young maidservant immediately brought over a chair to curry favor. “Please sit, Immortal Shen. Whatever sins that wretched girl has committed, please tell us slowly. The Master and Madam are reasonable people, they won’t protect her. If the Immortal wishes to beat or kill her, so be it. If the Immortal finds it beneath her to get her hands dirty, this servant can do it for you.”

Shen Qingyi didn’t sit. Instead, she pushed Du Yuanluo into the chair.

Du Yuanluo didn’t dare sit while Shen Qingyi stood, especially with the Master, Madam, and Young Mistress all kneeling. However, Shen Qingyi’s hand remained firm on her shoulder, pinning her down.

Seeing this and though confused, the maidservant was quick-witted enough to bring a second chair. Only then did Shen Qingyi sit. Sitting side by side with Shen Qingyi, Du Yuanluo felt a tiny bit of relief.

The maid brought a cup of tea. Shen Qingyi didn’t take it, but gestured for her to give it to Du Yuanluo. The maid didn’t want Du Yuanluo to have the upper hand, but she didn’t dare disobey the immortal. Reluctantly, she offered the tea to Du Yuanluo.

When the maid moved to pour tea for Shen Qingyi, she was cut off. “Enough. I’m not here for tea. Let’s talk business.”

The maid quickly retreated and knelt beside the Young Mistress.

In the silence, Master Li felt that as the head of the household, he had to speak up. “May I ask what the Immortal wishes to discuss?”

“Weren’t you just discussing what Du Yuanluo did wrong? I heard everything. Continue.” Shen Qingyi’s tone was devoid of emotion.

Anyone who had heard of Du Yuanluo’s affairs could talk about them for hours. But with Du Yuanluo sitting right next to Shen Qingyi, the Li couple began to hesitate.

This was a posture of equality. They had heard Shen Qingyi was a pure, transcendent immortal, perhaps she was like a “virtuous woman” of the mortal world, devoid of jealousy and centered on her husband. If she truly viewed Du Yuanluo as family, speaking out of turn could bring trouble.

But the young maid, with her youthful spite, didn’t believe a woman could truly love what her husband loved. She assumed it was just a display of formal etiquette. Since the Master and Madam were hesitant, she would speak for them.

“The Master and Madam fear polluting your ears, so this servant shall be bold. This jinx, Du Yuanluo, has been a curse since she was a child. She should have died long ago, but the Master and Madam were kind enough to raise her. Instead of being grateful, she used her feminine wiles to seduce the Master and the Young Master, throwing the house into chaos. If not for the Young Mistress’s mercy, she’d have been sold to a brothel. Yet she felt no gratitude, even luring away the Young Mistress’s fiancé and ruining a perfectly good marriage. As for what trouble she caused on Cloud Hidden Peak, I don’t know, but given her character, no punishment is too harsh.”

Shen Qingyi let out a cold laugh. Sensing the person beside her trembling, she gently took Du Yuanluo’s ice-cold hand.

“Is what she says true?” Shen Qingyi asked the Li couple calmly.

Madam Li felt she understood the situation now. In the inner courts, there was no such thing as a “virtuous wife” they were all just suppressed by social codes. Given a legitimate reason, they’d all want to kill their rivals. An immortal’s reputation was even more precious.

She gave Shen Qingyi an opening: “It is the truth. Immortal Shen, you only need to ask around to know this girl has a terrible reputation. We were just too kind. Who knew we were raising a white-eyed wolf who would even disturb your cultivation? It’s truly a sin.”

“Then… according to your laws and house rules, how should she be punished?”

Madam Li choked. As a woman of the inner court, her punishments were limited to docking pay or floggings. The most severe was selling someone off. These seemed too light, as if she were trying to protect her.

Master Li, having seen more of the world, interjected: “Immortal Shen, please calm your anger. According to our mortal laws and customs, a woman who fails her virtue and commits adultery should be drowned in a cage and the deed should be proclaimed to all.”

“Immortal Shen… I didn’t…”

Du Yuanluo’s hand, held by Shen Qingyi, stiffened into a fist. At this moment, she feared the exposure of these “ugly affairs” before Shen Qingyi more than she feared death by drowning.

Shen Qingyi patted the back of her hand to soothe her, then asked the Young Mistress: “Young Mistress Li, what do you think of this punishment?”

The daughter hadn’t been listening. She was secretly eyeing the clothes of the two women. Those two outfits were quite beautiful. Shen Qingyi’s would be perfect for an outing, and Du Yuanluo’s flowing sleeves were perfect for watching the moon from a balcony. She was only annoyed that Du Yuanluo got to wear them while she didn’t.

Suddenly called upon, she snapped back: “How could a young lady like me meddle in such things? I leave everything to my father’s judgment.”

Shen Qingyi sneered. “You and Du Yuanluo were master and servant. Do you have no sentiment for her at all?”

“As an unmarried daughter, I only know to avoid trouble, not seek it. Everything is up to the Immortal and my elders. I shall merely take this as a warning for my own conduct.” The Young Mistress’s submissive act mirrored Du Yuanluo’s, but with an added layer of shrewdness.

“Du Yuanluo, do you accept this judgment?” Shen Qingyi turned to her.

Du Yuanluo was startled. She thought Shen Qingyi would protect her, or at least not make things difficult. Instead, it felt like an interrogation. Her body went weak, and she slid from the chair to kneel at Shen Qingyi’s feet.

“Immortal Shen, I was wrong. Please, spare my life.”

The plea came naturally. In her past, she had pinned her hopes on so many people, and without exception, those hopes had been crushed. But this time, she felt a unique sorrow, because she had thought Shen Qingyi was different. At least… at least what? It was her own foolish, wishful thinking.

Shen Qingyi pulled her up. “I only asked: do you accept it?”

In Du Yuanluo’s world, she had no right to refuse. Choking back tears, she whispered, “I accept.”

Shen Qingyi felt a flicker of frustration at her lack of spirit, but she suppressed it. Could she blame her? How could she? This was how the girl had grown up, confessing early just to receive fewer blows. There was no place for reason or logic here.

“Do you still want to follow me?” Shen Qingyi asked seriously.

“Yes.” Du Yuanluo grabbed onto her like a drowning person to a piece of driftwood. She tried to kneel again, but Shen Qingyi held her up. “Immortal Shen, I will change everything. I will do whatever you say.”

“Good.” Shen Qingyi pushed her back into the chair, looked into her eyes, and said firmly: “Now, I am going to teach you the first lesson: To know good from evil, and to distinguish right from wrong.”