A Moment of Respite

After Chiku arrived, Yunfa seemed to have lost her spirit, lacking energy and motivation for anything. Even Weili, who usually spoke freely in front of her, now hesitated, pulling Jingling away to ensure Yunfa’s peace was not disturbed.

Yunfa, unusually relaxed, sat with Su Xiaoxiao in her small courtyard, chatting and enjoying the scenery. Su Xiaoxiao sat with her chin propped on her hands, watching Yunfa weave a blue and white garment for a baby, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Yunfa, you actually know how to make children’s clothing?” Su Xiaoxiao exclaimed, her eyes shining with wonder. “It’s so beautiful…”

Yunfa smiled, “I know a bit. I’m glad you like it. It’s for your soon-to-be-born little fish.”

Su Xiaoxiao’s delight grew. “I want to learn too! Could you teach me?”

“Of course,” Yunfa replied, her recent moodiness making her want solitude, which she found in Su Xiaoxiao’s company. Yunfa’s presence drew Xilin more frequently, and Jingling was often pulled along, a habit that started from the day Jingling joined the Mermaid clan.

Xilin, benefiting from Yunfa and her estranged mother Weili’s lineage, had always found her path in cultivation effortless. Poor Jingling, naturally shy and never having practiced cultivation in the mortal world, struggled to keep up with her peers upon returning to the Mermaid clan.

For a mermaid, neglecting cultivation could shorten lifespan and invite danger. Jingling, therefore, had to train diligently. Yun Kong, seeing Jingling’s struggle, took it upon herself to guide her, even though Jingling was often distracted by Xilin, who tended to be weak-willed and easily influenced. Jingling, despite her timidity, would follow Xilin’s lead, even skipping lessons.

This peculiar yet amusing situation unfolded as Su Xiaoxiao, also in a melancholic mood, sought companionship. Little Golden Dragon, noticing Yunfa’s unhappiness, frequently visited Su Xiaoxiao, often bringing Jingling along. Jingling, however, had many responsibilities and often found herself torn between them.

One day, Yun Kong, frustrated by Jingling’s frequent absences, stormed into Su Xiaoxiao’s courtyard. Jingling, seeing Yun Kong, shrank back, her voice barely audible as she apologized. “Long… Long…” She struggled, knowing she would follow Xilin’s wishes without hesitation.

Xilin, protective of Jingling, stepped forward. “You’re always scolding her! I have the same cultivation level as you. I’ll teach her myself!”

Yun Kong laughed, exasperated. “You and your mother Weili, always causing trouble!” She remembered how Weili had once seduced Yun Kong. “Jingling is such a good mermaid, obedient and polite, though not the brightest, she is diligent and stable. Just like in ancient times, a good fish ruined by a dragon!”

Yun Kong, furious, raised her instrument to strike Xilin, not caring about her status as a princess of Huaxia. Xilin, unconcerned, grabbed Jingling’s hand, pulling her away. “This courtyard is too small! Let’s take this to the open sea!”

Su Xiaoxiao watched, barely containing her laughter. “Why take Jingling with you?”

Xilin didn’t respond but didn’t let go of Jingling’s hand. As they ran, Xilin called back to Yun Kong, “Mother, make new clothes for me too!!!!”

“Oh, and for Jingling as well!”

“I… I…” Jingling was overwhelmed, her hand tight and warm, a sensation that spread to her heart, leaving her mind blank. They vanished from sight, and Yun Kong merely pretended to chase them, stopping once they were out of view. She turned back to Su Xiaoxiao, concern etched on her face.

“Have you really made up your mind?”

Yunfa nodded, her expression thoughtful. “Aren’t you always against it?”

Yunfa hesitated, as if wanting to say more, but only replied, “As long as you’ve thought it through.”

The courtyard fell silent again. Su Xiaoxiao sat beside Yunfa, who was intently choosing colors for small handkerchiefs. “Choose a color you like, and I’ll make you a few sets too.”

Su Xiaoxiao hurriedly declined, “You’re already making so much. I don’t need any.”

Yunfa smiled gently, “It’s no trouble. I’m idle anyway.”

Su Xiaoxiao noticed Yunfa’s genuine concern, though she tried to hide it. “I’m afraid I won’t do a good job,” Yunfa admitted, her voice filled with weariness. In Huaxia, unlike the Mermaid clan, there were many rules and watchful eyes.

“Eyes?”

“Xilin is Weili’s only child, and everyone’s scrutiny is on her. From her cultivation and studies to her words and actions, everything is judged to see if she’s fit to be the next monarch.”

“Weili’s intentions are clear. She wants Xilin to be flawless in everyone’s eyes. But I…”

Su Xiaoxiao listened intently, and Yunfa realized she had said too much, causing Su Xiaoxiao’s mood to dip. “I’ve said too much. I’m sorry,” Yunfa apologized.

Su Xiaoxiao shook her head, “You don’t need to apologize to me.”

She thought about her upcoming meeting with her unborn child, a reality she couldn’t change. Xiyue was the child’s mother, a fact she couldn’t ignore. “Long, will Xilin become the next monarch?”

Yunfa nodded, though without joy. “I thought she would stay with you in the Mermaid clan.”

“Because Weili has only Xilin, she’s destined to be the next ruler.”

Su Xiaoxiao looked down at her belly. “Xiyue only has this one child, but I want my little fish to stay with me. The demon world is harsh, my little fish will be happier in the south sea.”