Translated by Pure

Edited by NovaLeir

Chapter 131: Tidy Up (2)

“I knew you would be worried.” Feng Ruo Er smiled and shook her head when she saw Su Shuilian open the door with a bewildered face. “Your husband didn’t tell you because he doesn’t want you to worry. But you skipped your breakfast because of it.” 

She placed the dish on the table and pulled Su Shuilian to sit. “Don’t worry, child. He’ll return safe and sound. He has never been a careless man. You must know this, right?” 

Oh yes, how come she had forgotten this? A Yao had never done anything he wasn’t so sure about its success. No matter what purpose it was for, he would put her and their kids in the safest position. And, he had never had anything unexpected happen to him.

“I was overthinking.” Su Shuilian smiled shyly. 

“If I were you, it would be the same. It’s because you’ve put him in your heart.” Feng Ruo Er smiled, patting the back of Su Shuilian’s hand. “I’m happy that I have a daughter-in-law like you. Although my son doesn’t want to accept us, it can’t change the truth, right? Do you mind calling me mother?” 

Su Shuilian was surprised. She lifted her head to look at the other. The noble queen had used a humble and low tone to beg her. She wanted her to call her mother, not the “Queen Mother” that one should address the queen. 

“What? You can’t do that? Ah… Right. Our son isn’t close to us. Of course, his wife will stay on his side.” 

“… Mother…”  Su Shuilian was a little shy. She called softly, which successfully stopped Feng Ruo Er’s self-mocking. 

“Li, did you hear that? Our daughter-in-law called me. She called me “mother”!” Feng Ruo Er wiped the corner of her eyes. She pulled her husband and showed off while sobbing. Su Shuilian felt her heart ache. How much did she yearn for A Yao to call her “mother”? 

“I heard it. Look at how happy you are.” Xue Li smiled and wiped the drop of tears rolling from her eyes. He turned and looked at Su Shuilian. “Won’t you call me too?” 

What! Call him what? Your Majesty? Or… Father? 

“Father…” Su Shuilian called him in an unusual tone. Now she was living in another world and she received two fathers out of nowhere. Was it true that the Heavens loved her so much that they bestowed upon her a husband and children?  Seeing it wasn’t enough, she was also given two pairs of parents whose status and identities were all higher than common people?

“Shuilian… I heard Zhan-er call you that. Do you mind if we call you the same?” Feng Ruo Er saw Su Shuilian shake her head, so she continued, “After today, we have to return to Blood Union. It’s not that we don’t want to go with you guys to Fan Hua Town. There’s some business in the imperial palace that your father-in-law must come and handle himself.” 

“… Mother?” When Su Shuilian heard that they would no longer accompany them to their home, the first thought that appeared in her head was that they were dispirited because of A Yao’s stubbornness. “A Yao… He…” 

“It has nothing to do with him.” Feng Ruo Er shook her head, comforting the other. “You know how great the responsibility Li has to shoulder. He’s not as free as the common people. But I promise you, as soon as Li’ is done solving these issues, we will visit Fan Hua Town. I just hope when that time comes, you won’t despise us.”

“Of course not! Actually, A Yao has you in his heart. He’s just not good at showing his emotions. Moreover…” Su Shuilian hurried to explain as she was afraid that Xue Li and his wife would misunderstand cold-faced A Yao. 

“Of course, we understand…” Feng Ruo Er and Xue Li exchanged a smile.

“Daughter-in-law, let me tell you, yesterday, your husband, our son came to see me and talked about today’s affairs. So, don’t worry. Anyway, you’re right. He’s not good at showing his emotion.” Xue Li smiled and said. To him, according to what happened yesterday, his son had come to him, which proved that he had accepted them in some aspects. It was enough! 

...

Around 4:30 a.m., after one hour of fierce fighting, the Yun Luo Pagoda had finally quieted down. 

Finishing the last troublemaker, Situ Yun put his sword back into his scabbard.

“ Senior Uncle, how do we deal with this?” His eyes swept through the corpses lying on the ground of Yun Luo Pagoda and asked Lin Si Yao, who was standing at the entrance. 

It’d been so long since he’s had a chance to fight to his heart’s contents. It felt really good!

“Rid of it!” Lin Si Yao answered without lifting his head. He brushed his clothes and was relieved to confirm that there were no blood stains the cloak Shuilian had made for him. 

“Yes, Sir!” Situ Yun heard that and proceeded to dispose of the bodies down the cliff behind the pagoda.

“Amitabha Buddha. Excellent, benevolent!” Jie Xiu chanted as he stood by Situ Yun.

“Hey, Monk Jie Xiu. If we didn’t do this, so many innocent people would have to die.” Situ Yun made several trips to throw all the corpses away. He brushed his hands and turned to say to Jie Xiu, who kept chanting Amitabha Buddha every time he went to throw the corpses. 

“This poor monk knows, for that I shall chant some sutras. I’m trying to rest their souls.” Jie Xiu nodded and explained seriously. 

This time, Situ Yun was surprised. He didn’t expect this conservative-looking monk to be so understanding! He thought he must have to endure a lecture of “lay down butcher's knife, become a Buddha on the spot!*”

(Pure: Idiom for instant rehabilitation / to repent and be absolved of one's crimes)

“Let’s go!” Lin Si Yao checked the pagoda thoroughly. After he confirmed there was nothing abnormal, he arrived next to Situ Yun. 

“This benefactor, after we part, it is unknown when…” 

“This day, next year.” Lin Si Yao dropped four words before Jie Xiu could finish his babbling farewell. He then followed Lin Si Yao down the mountain. 

“Hey, Senior Uncle said that next year at the same time, he will visit you. Take care!” Situ Yun sniggered, patting the bewildered Jie Xiu. Then, he followed Lin Si Yao to descend the mountain. 

In the distance, the sun was slowly rising behind the mountain range. It was, indeed, the magnificent scene of Mount Qi Yun. 

And the Yun Luo Pagoda had regained its quietness and peace.

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