“Family Tutor?” Chu Yi circled her with keen interest, staring as he drawled slowly, “Your sons and daughters are all sick, so why is she still here?”
“Uh…” The Eldest Young Madam paused, looking a bit awkward as she glanced at the Second Young Madam. “We did give her time off a while back and let her go home. Today… she must have come with my sister-in-law.”
It turned out that this Family Tutor named Kui Ya had been introduced by the Second Young Madam’s family, who claimed she was a distant relative of theirs.
Though the Eldest Young Madam privately looked down on her brash sister-in-law and her family’s habit of fawning over the high and trampling the low, they had been so eager to help that she couldn’t very well refuse to meet her.
She had planned to find some excuse to turn her away after the meeting, but they had actually recommended the right person this time—Kui Ya was not only beautiful and elegant, with a gentle demeanor and impeccable manners, but she also presented a stack of certificates. Most importantly, the two children liked her… so she stayed.
In truth, the Eldest Young Madam had been quite surprised when Kui Ya had so boldly interrupted earlier and accused the Master right off the bat. Kui Ya had been there for over half a year, and she rarely spoke up during family gatherings, blending into the background like an invisible person. The Eldest Young Madam had assumed it was due to her reserved and shy nature…
“What are you asking her for? Don’t you dare have any ideas about her!” Perhaps because Chu Yi’s gaze was too direct, the Second Young Madam suddenly grew alert and stepped in front of Kui Ya.
Yu Qingxian also walked over to Chu Yi’s side and tugged at his sleeve. “What are you looking at?”
Chu Yi withdrew his gaze and curled his lip. “I was just curious how old she is.”
Yu Qingxian raised a brow. How old could she be? Kui Ya looked no more than twenty-two or twenty-three at most, certainly not over twenty-five, with skin full of youthful collagen… about the same age as Chu Yi, really.
At that thought, Yu Qingxian nearly reached up to touch his own face. Had he gotten a bit old?
Chu Yi noticed President Yu’s motion and inexplicably found it adorable. His eyes curved as he said, “Don’t worry, you’re much younger than her.”
Yu Qingxian abruptly lifted his gaze. “You… do you even know how old I am?”
For him to say Yu Qingxian was younger than Kui Ya? Impossible!
Chu Yi leaned in close to his ear. “I don’t know your exact age, but her… she’s from Old Master Zheng’s generation.”
From the start, he had sensed something off about this woman. She was clearly a young girl, yet her style of dress was outdated and stodgy, lacking any youthful vitality.
And her eyes too—when she looked at people, it was with the gaze of a resentment-filled old lady!
The warm breath brushed against his ear, making it tingle with heat and itchiness. Meanwhile, the Second Young Madam stared at them warily, but Chu Yi whispered into his ear right there in front of everyone… Whether intentional or not, the move thoroughly infuriated her!
Yu Qingxian: “…”
What shocked him even more was the content of Chu Yi’s words. This young-looking Kui Ya was actually from Old Master Zheng’s generation?
Then… didn’t that make her fifty or sixty?!
Yu Qingxian’s mind raced. Chu Yi never paid attention to irrelevant people or matters, yet he had singled out this woman…
“The one who cursed the Zheng Family… it’s her?”
Chu Yi nodded slightly. “You’re a quick study.” He suddenly thought of something. “President Yu is so perceptive, understanding with just a hint. How about taking me as your master? You can cultivate with me and study the Five Elements Technique on the side… it’s great for health!”
He had wanted to ask for a while now. President Yu had suffered soul separation for some unclear reason, which meant he surely had some spiritual aptitude. Once he opened the five elements and eight apertures through cultivation, perhaps they could rebuild the Tianji Sect together.
He couldn’t find the original, so why not start a new one?
Yu Qingxian’s phoenix eyes flickered. “…Is now the time to discuss this? Old Master Zheng and the others are still watching. Let’s settle the curse matter first.”
Chu Yi thought for a moment. “True enough.”
He didn’t press the issue, and Yu Qingxian breathed a sigh of relief, though a twinge of regret followed.
He was actually very interested in mystical arts. The opportunity was rare too—his Yu Family might have power and influence, but against curses, they could only seek outside help. If Chu Yi was willing to teach, of course he wanted to learn.
But due to some unclear sentiment, he couldn’t bring himself to agree outright and made an excuse to tactfully decline.
Chu Yi probably hadn’t noticed…
Over there, Kui Ya’s expression had changed even before they started whispering. That kid had stared at her for ages, mentioning nothing else but pointing out her age?
And claiming she was older than the man beside him—whether due to their intimate relationship or because he had truly seen through her, she wasn’t sure.
Kui Ya had always been most confident in her appearance. Plenty of Xuan Arts Masters had come to the Zheng Family before and after her, yet none had spotted the flaw. How had this kid figured it out?
All her vigilance rose as she braced for his next move. But after whispering with Yu Qingxian, Chu Yi turned and chatted with Old Master Zheng, completely ignoring them as if they were air.
