The Villain Recognizes the Female Lead as His Master [Transmigration] - Chapter 30.1

Chi Jinnian stared at the bracelet on her wrist, lost in thought. Why, Shizun, why must it be like this?!

Yuan Shao seemed to read the turmoil in Chi Jinnian’s heart and asked softly, “What’s wrong? Are you regretting it?”

“No.” Chi Jinnian shook her head. “I just want to know why Shizun suddenly gave me a palace bell.”

Her wrist dropped, and she hung her head as if resigned to her fate.

“Didn’t I already tell you? If your senior brother has one, then you should have one too.” Yuan Shao walked slowly to stand before Chi Jinnian. “I said I would treat you well, and it starts with this palace bell. Whatever I’ve owed you before, I will make up for it bit by bit in the future. So, A’Nian.”

Her pale hand reached out to cup Chi Jinnian’s cheek, gently lifting her face. “I’m returning to the immortal sect. Are you willing to come with me?”

Yuan Shao’s gaze was intense, fixed firmly on her little disciple’s almond-shaped eyes. Her voice was so tender it seemed to melt into water, carefully measured to avoid frightening her disciple as she spoke each word deliberately. “Perhaps I’ve been lacking in many ways before, but from now on, I promise to treat you well, to keep you from harm, and to protect you always. A’Nian, will you come back with me?”

“Shizun,” Chi Jinnian lowered her head again. “But my father, my father might not agree to let me leave him.”

Chi Lin had become Chi Jinnian’s final excuse. After all, according to what Chi Jinnian had said, she had previously lived in a corner room of the Evergreen Sect. It wouldn’t make sense for her to refuse to return without reason. So, at this moment, she could only shift the blame onto her father.

Chi Jinnian didn’t like “mama’s boys” or “mama’s girls,” but in desperate times, she had to admit this tactic was undeniably effective.

“Shizun, when I first came to study under you, I did so without telling my family. Now that my father knows, he definitely won’t let me go.” Chi Jinnian replied in a soft, pleading tone.

Seeing Chi Jinnian’s downcast eyes, looking as if she were about to cry, Yuan Shao couldn’t bear to see her little disciple so distressed. She reached out and gently ruffled her hair, comforting her in a low voice, “Don’t worry. With your master here, leave everything to me.”

Chi Jinnian led Yuan Shao to the entrance of the pre-prepared “mansion,” which was actually the smallest side gate of the Demon Palace.

Wei Hong had thoughtfully hung a plaque above the door inscribed with the characters “Chi Residence.”

At first glance from the outside, Yuan Shao didn’t think much of the mansion, but once inside, she found it to be a hidden paradise.

The ground was paved with white marble, pure and flawless, adorned with lifelike carvings of auspicious clouds and cranes, their forms vivid and spirited. Flowers and greenery complemented each other harmoniously, meticulously maintained. In front of a rockery, a small waterfall cascaded into a crystal-clear pond where several swans played together. In the center of the garden, a pear tree bloomed in full splendor, filling the air with a faint, delicate fragrance.

Servants and maids stood in two rows on either side, all bowing their heads. As the two passed by, the maids curtsied and greeted them. “Young Miss, Immortal Master Yuan.”

Yuan Shao had previously thought her little disciple came from a well-off family, but she never imagined it would be so luxurious and majestic.

Seemingly sensing Yuan Shao’s unease, Chi Jinnian turned back. “Shizun, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Yuan Shao quickly caught up to Chi Jinnian and asked quietly, “A’Nian, are all these your family’s servants?”

Chi Jinnian nodded, and Yuan Shao fell silent.

How could such a young lady’s family ever agree to let her follow him up the mountain to endure hardship?

Not to mention A Nian’s family would be unwilling even Yuan Shao at this moment couldn’t bear to take his little disciple away.

Yuan Shao felt that his little disciple was cherished here, treated like a precious pearl in the palm of her family. He had thought that by no longer being as harsh as before and doing his utmost to protect her, he was being good to her. But the reality before his eyes proved otherwise.

Such conditions, such treatment Yuan Shao couldn’t provide them.

Perhaps all he could offer was a red thread connecting their wrists when she was afraid of nightmares.

After losing his memory, this was the first time Yuan Shao felt a sense of powerlessness.

Even when he lost all his magical power, even when his spiritual energy was weak, when chased by hordes of yellow weasels on Mount Huang Er, when breaking through the Water Mirror and facing a giant serpent many times his size, or even when trapped by the Immortal-Binding Chains—he had never felt this powerless. But now,

“Master.” A sudden warmth on his arm Chi Jinnian reached out and linked her arm with Yuan Shao’s. “Master, what are you staring at so intently?”

Chi Jinnian asked with a smile, “Did you see some beauty who captivated your soul?”

“Don’t talk nonsense.” Yuan Shao poked Chi Jinnian’s cheek, his previously stiff expression softening into a smile as she drew near.

Chi Jinnian led Yuan Shao all the way to the entrance of her Peach Garden. When Yuan Shao’s eyes met the characters on the plaque, the corners of his lips lifted slightly.

No wonder his little disciple had been so fond of Peach Spring when looking at the estate.

Those two simple words dispelled much of the earlier gloom.

Chi Jinnian tugged Yuan Shao inside. “Master, this is where I live. Come in and take a look.”

But as soon as they entered, Chi Jinnian was taken aback.

Cai Wei, Cai Yue, and the four attendants Dong, Nan, Xi, and Bei were all standing in the courtyard. Seeing the two approach, they quickly bowed in greeting. “Young Lady, Immortal Master Yuan.”

To make matters worse, among the four attendants, Yuan Shao recognized three of them! Wasn’t this about to blow her cover? Hiding behind Yuan Shao, she frantically waved at them, signaling them to leave quickly.

Just as they were about to move, Yuan Shao stopped them.

“Aren’t you the one from the tavern and you were at the teahouse last time, and you two weren’t you from that lantern shop?” Yuan Shao’s sharp eyes picked out all three of them at once.

While the other two hesitated, A Nan was quick-witted and knelt down first. “We come from poor families. Our elders are old, our mothers are bedridden, and we have a brother with dementia. When the Young Lady learned of our circumstances, she took pity on us and brought us here. Not only did she give us money to treat our families, but she also provided us with food. The Young Lady is our benefactor, and we are willing to follow her through life and death!”

Seeing this, the others quickly bent their waists and echoed, “We are willing to follow the Young Lady through life and death.”

Yuan Shao, however, stood still without any reaction. It was unclear whether he believed their words or was pondering something else.

Chi Jinnian quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “Master, my room is over there. Come take a look at my room!” With that, she took Yuan Shao’s hand and led him inside.

But as soon as she closed the door and turned around, Yuan Shao pressed her against the door panel. He gently lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.

“Master!” Chi Jinnian was so frightened that all the hairs on her body stood on end. Could Yuan Shao have noticed something? She knew she shouldn’t have brought anyone back!

If it were just one of Anan’s heartfelt words, Yuan Shao might have believed it, but with all three of them saying the same thing, it seemed too coincidental.

So, whether it was the jade hairpin, the dishes at the restaurant, the river lanterns, or the fireworks in the sky, were they all specially prepared by her little disciple?

After a long silence, Yuan Shao suddenly chuckled softly, reached out, and pinched Chi Jinnian’s cheek. “You little liar, don’t think I can’t tell.”

Chi Jinnian swallowed nervously as Yuan Shao leaned in close to her ear and whispered, “But your little tricks. I quite enjoy them.”

The low voice lingered in her ear, and the warm breath brushed against her earlobe. Chi Jinnian’s neck was extremely sensitive and had always been off-limits to others. Now, feeling the unfamiliar warmth, her face flushed all the way to the tips of her ears, especially her earlobes, which turned as red as if they were about to drip blood.

After speaking, Yuan Shao stepped back slightly. Seeing the other’s cheeks as red as ripe apples, she didn’t press further and released her grip.

Her disciple was timid and easily embarrassed. If she teased her too much, she might scare her away again.

Chi Jinnian’s cheeks burned. Once freed, she wanted to pour herself a cup of tea to cool down and quickly headed toward the inner room. But as she looked up, the sight before her plunged her heart into despair once more.

How had her room ended up like this? Though she hadn’t slept here many times, Chi Jinnian distinctly remembered her room being clean and tidy, not filled with so many paintings!

Hanging on the walls, standing beside the table, on the screens, the curtains, even the gauze curtains by the bed were embroidered with similar patterns in exquisite craftsmanship.

In the images, a woman in snow-white robes fluttered in the wind, her peach blossom eyes accentuated by a dark red tear mole at the corner.

The pearl jars, agate bowls, and glass flower vases that had originally adorned the antique shelf had all been smashed to pieces by the original Chi Jinnian. Since the first night Chi Jinnian moved in, the shelf had been empty, even gathering a thin layer of dust.

But now, the shelf was filled with clay figurines of all sizes.

Some held swords as they descended the mountain, some held scrolls, and some stood among flowers, their eyes fixed on the butterflies. The protagonist in each figurine matched the features of the woman in the paintings perfectly.