Return of the Mystic Ancestor: The Prince’s Savior - Chapter 4

Shen Mingshu replied gently, “Thank you for your concern, Aunt Zhang. I’m feeling much better.”

Aunt Zhang, however, said with genuine worry, “Falling into the water in winter is no small matter. Tomorrow, I’ll go to the clinic and get some medicine for you. I don’t want you and your mother to suffer any more trouble from the Liu family.”

Shen Mingshu repeatedly declined, “Really, there’s no need. Thank you for your kindness, Aunt Zhang.”

Yunniang also chimed in, “Aunt Zhang, everyone knows the truth of the matter now. They wouldn’t dare to harass us anymore. The night wind is chilly—you should head back and rest.”

“Alright then. But you, Mingshu, should hurry back inside too. Don’t catch a chill.”

Watching Aunt Zhang’s retreating figure, Shen Mingshu narrowed her eyes slightly and asked, “Mother, does Aunt Zhang have two sons?”

“How did you know? Her eldest son has been bedridden for years—he’s never even stepped outside.” Yunniang was surprised as she closed the courtyard gate and wrapped an arm around her daughter, guiding her inside. “I only found out by chance. Aunt Zhang said no one knew about it and asked me to keep it a secret. I never mentioned it to you.”

Shen Mingshu looked up at her with a smile, blinking playfully. “I could tell. Do you believe me now when I say I can read faces and divine fortunes?”

“I believe you, I believe you. My Shengsheng is truly amazing.” Yunniang laughed, but her smile soon faltered.

If Shengsheng could read faces and divine fortunes, then… did she already know…?

Back in the room, Yunniang tucked Shen Mingshu into bed and was about to leave when a small, warm hand grasped hers.

“Mother, stay with me.”

Yunniang hesitated. “You never wanted me to stay with you when you were little. Why are you suddenly so clingy now that you’re older?”

“Because when I was little, there were too many ghosts around me. I was afraid they’d hurt you, so I slept alone.” Shen Mingshu pulled her down onto the bed and tucked her in. “But now those pesky spirits are gone. You can stay with me.”

Yunniang’s heart ached at her words. She gently embraced her daughter and said, “Now that you have the Heavenly Eye, we won’t have to fear those things anymore.”

Holding her daughter’s slender frame, Yunniang’s eyes reddened.

How should she explain Shenshen’s true origins…?

Suddenly, steady breathing came from the girl in her arms. Yunniang quietly glanced down and smiled tenderly.

How did this child fall asleep so quickly?

Still, holding her warm little body was much better than sleeping alone.

……

The morning sun slipped through the latticed window, dancing across the fair cheeks of the young girl on the bed.

Shen Mingshu slowly opened her eyes and sat up, squinting at the sunlight outside.

Last night, she had intended to talk to Yunniang about her birth mother, but this body had been too exhausted, and she had fallen asleep instantly.

The Extreme Yin constitution was inherently weak, and after yesterday’s near-drowning, she had pushed herself too hard by walking around for so long. She had truly reached her limit.

However, after being nourished by the Crimson Sun Golden Flame all night, the chill from the water had completely dissipated.

She had asked Yunniang to sleep with her because the Gathering Yin Array also affected her. The Crimson Sun Golden Flame could help dispel the yin energy clinging to Yunniang, but her current body wasn’t strong enough to break the array yet—she needed a few more days.

The Crimson Sun Golden Flame was her soul’s innate fire, not only the bane of ghosts and demons but also the greatest catalyst for her rapid advancement in mystical cultivation.

Otherwise, in her past life, she wouldn’t have ascended to immortality by the age of eighteen, revered by the world as a peerless grandmaster of the mystic arts.

As a mystic, one couldn’t even touch the threshold of becoming a celestial master without being at least seventy or eighty years old, let alone ascend to immortality.

Shen Mingshu walked into the courtyard to stretch her limbs while pondering what those old charlatans she used to know might be up to.

It was now the twenty-second year of the Dayu era. When she had undergone her tribulation, it had only been the sixth year of Dayu.

Sixteen years had passed. She wondered if her fellow disciples still remembered her and whether any new celestial masters had emerged in the mystic arts…

Yunniang was cooking in the kitchen and hurriedly called out when she saw her step outside, “It’s cold in the morning—hurry back inside!”

Shen Mingshu stretched her arms and legs, smiling brightly. “Mother, morning exercise is good for the body.”

Yunniang could only relent. “Breakfast will be ready soon.”

Before long, two bowls of plain porridge and a plate of pickled vegetables appeared on the table.

This was their daily fare, their three meals.

Shen Mingshu hadn’t eaten such coarse food in a long time, but she was genuinely hungry.

To her surprise, it tasted quite good!

Seeing her relish the meal, Yunniang couldn’t help but smile as well.

After breakfast, Shen Mingshu said, “Mother, I need to visit the clinic. I promised Aunt Fan yesterday.”

“I’ll go with you. I won’t feel at ease if you go alone.” Worried, Yunniang quickly washed the dishes.

Shen Mingshu thought for a moment—having Yunniang accompany her might be a good idea. It would give her a chance to witness her skills firsthand.

……

At the Liu Family Clinic, Fan Fangfang stood at the entrance, scanning the road.

It was almost noon—why hadn’t Shen Mingshu arrived yet?

Had that little girl just been trying to scare her?

In the distance, two figures appeared.

That slender, delicate silhouette—who else could it be but Shen Mingshu?

Fan Fangfang’s plump face lit up with a smile, but she quickly suppressed it.

Hmph! She still didn’t know whether the girl’s claims were true or not. No need to give her a friendly look.

When Shen Mingshu and Yunniang reached the clinic entrance, Fan Fangfang snorted, “Oh, you’re finally here—so early.”

Unfazed, Shen Mingshu replied softly, “Noon is the most auspicious time.”

Fan Fangfang was momentarily speechless. She huffed, “Why bring your mother along? Afraid I’ll eat you?”

Yunniang interjected, “My Shengsheng is still young—she can’t be without me.”

“At sixteen, she should be getting married. ‘Can’t be without mother’ is just an excuse.” Finally finding a retort, Fan Fangfang turned and walked inside. “Come on, my home is just behind the clinic.”

The clinic was small, so only the same assistant from last night was sweeping up.

Passing through a narrow door at the back, they entered a modest courtyard.

It was winter, so patches of withered grass covered the ground. Against the western wall stood a peach tree, its bare branches swaying in the wind.

But one could imagine that in spring and summer, the yard would be fragrant with flowers.

Fan Fangfang called out, “Acheng!”

After a long wait, Liu Cheng emerged from the house. “Yes, Mother? What do you need?”

“Go mind the clinic. I have matters to discuss with Yunniang and her daughter.” Fan Fangfang tilted her head meaningfully, worried about the loose silver in the counter.

Liu Cheng understood immediately and hurried over. “Don’t worry, Mother. I’ll keep an eye on things.”

Noticing the dark circles under Liu Cheng’s eyes, Shen Mingshu pressed her lips together, her gaze turning frosty.

Fan Fangfang said, “Let’s go.”

But Shen Mingshu paused. “Wait a moment.”

She walked to the peach tree by the wall and ran her hand along its trunk.

Fan Fangfang scoffed. “What’s there to touch? It won’t bloom until spring!”

Shen Mingshu turned back, offering only a faint smile before rejoining them.

Fan Fangfang led the two to a room and pointed at Liu Xingde lying on the bed. “I don’t know if I hit him too hard or what, but he still hasn’t woken up.”

Yunniang couldn’t hold back a laugh, quickly raising her hand to cover the smile at the corner of her lips.

Shen Mingshu walked to the bedside and took a look, her face immediately turning grim. “This is bad—his soul has left his body!”