An Unexpected Visitor

Su Xiaoxiao did not feel too uncomfortable during her treatment. Before the examination was over, someone knocked on the door. The person who entered left Su Xiaoxiao astonished. It was Yunjie, the Empress who was supposed to be in Shanghua Heaven. ‘I heard that Xiaoxiao has returned,’ Yunjie said softly, ‘so I came to see how she is.’

Yunjie’s voice was gentle and soothing. She smiled at Su Xiaoxiao, her ice-blue hair contrasting with her snow-white skin, creating an image of beauty and grace. Among the Mermaid clan, there was no one with an ugly appearance, and Yunjie stood out even among them, her features exquisite and refined. Her presence was elegant, carrying an air of nobility, yet she remained approachable and kind.

She had changed from her former luxurious robes into the common blue and white attire of the Mermaid clan. Despite her simple clothing, she still outshone everything around her.

‘Sister Yunjie?!’ Su Xiaoxiao exclaimed, a mix of surprise and joy in her voice.

Since her birth, Su Xiaoxiao had never seen Yunjie return to the clan. It seemed Yunjie had always been in Shanghua Heaven, never leaving that place. This was the first time Su Xiaoxiao had seen her in the clan!

Yunjie smiled at Su Xiaoxiao and then turned to the Mermaid treating her, ‘Is there anything I can help with?’

The Mermaid treating her frowned slightly, ‘You should rest. Your condition is worse than hers.’

Yunjie remained unfazed, her smile never wavering, ‘Yunjie, there’s no need to be so harsh with me.’

The other Mermaid merely huffed and fell silent.

Gu Yan, an outsider, watched in bewilderment. She couldn’t understand why Yunjie was here. Was she helping the Celestial clan negotiate with the Mermaid clan? Shouldn’t she be in Shanghua Heaven, stabilizing the military morale? Especially at such a crucial time, shouldn’t she be there?

Rumors said Yunjie hadn’t returned to the Mermaid clan in thousands of years. Why was she here now, at such a critical moment? Was this intentional, or was the Empress distancing herself from the clan?

Su Xiaoxiao, however, was overjoyed to see Yunjie. She wanted to chat more, but Yunjie silenced her with a gesture, telling her to be quiet.

‘A good healer with such a temper,’ Gu Yan thought, amazed at how Yunjie spoke to the Empress. Yet, Yunjie remained composed, seemingly unfazed by the other’s rudeness.

After about an hour, the examination was finally over. Su Xiaoxiao’s condition was not optimistic, but it wasn’t dire either. Gu Yan had done her best, detailing Su Xiaoxiao’s daily medication to Yunjie. The usually stern Yunjie’s expression softened slightly, ‘At least that demon has some conscience.’

Su Xiaoxiao needed to rest and recover, especially with her pregnancy. She had to take her medicine daily and eat well. Yunjie was stricter than Gu Yan, offering no compromises. Every drop of medicine had to be taken, and there was no room for waste. The little Mermaids feared Yunjie’s scoldings, knowing they would be scolded for even minor ailments. Yunjie’s sternness was tempered only by her concern for Su Xiaoxiao, who was pregnant. After a few stern words, Yunjie allowed Su Xiaoxiao to rest. Gu Yan was also assigned a place to stay, right next to Su Xiaoxiao.

Su Xiaoxiao’s home was not far from the Mermaid Palace, surrounded by beautiful scenery and abundant spiritual energy. It was a peaceful place, perfect for her recovery.

During the examination, Yunjie had already arranged for Su Xiaoxiao’s home to be cleaned. Her friends, Su Xue and Su Tao, had taken care of it. They had wanted to stay and chat with Su Xiaoxiao, but the elders insisted she needed rest. So, they reluctantly left.

They asked each other why they had returned suddenly. Cloud thoughts drifted through their minds.

In their casual conversation, Yunjie asked Su Xiaoxiao if she had decided on a name for her unborn child. Su Xiaoxiao shook her head, unable to form a response. Just then, a familiar girl’s voice echoed from outside, ‘Mama! Mama!’

Rushing in was Xilin, the young princess of Shanghua Heaven, whom they had seen a few months ago in the Ghost clan. She wasn’t wearing her mask, revealing her bright and youthful face. Her golden hair flowed down to her waist, and her slender waist gave her a gracefulness that belied her regal upbringing. She was no longer the stern princess but a lively and spirited girl. She ran with such enthusiasm that she was sweating profusely, her forehead beaded with sweat.

‘Why did you run so fast?’ Yunjie asked, gently wiping Xilin’s face with a handkerchief before handing it to her. ‘I heard that Su Xiaoxiao had returned,’ Xilin panted, her breath quick and shallow.

‘You should call her Sister Xiaoxiao,’ Yunjie scolded softly, ‘or Sister Yunjie will scold you for being disrespectful.’

‘That old woman doesn’t like me,’ Xilin muttered, ‘no matter what I do, she always dislikes me…’

Yunjie frowned, and Xilin quickly changed the subject, turning to Su Xiaoxiao, ‘Why is your belly so big?’

Su Xiaoxiao was taken aback, unsure of how to respond. Luckily, Yunjie intervened, her voice gentle, ‘Sister Xiaoxiao will have a baby soon.’

‘Does that mean I’ll have a new playmate?’ Xilin’s enthusiasm was infectious, and Su Xiaoxiao found herself smiling, ‘Last time we met, I never imagined you would be so playful, little princess.’

‘Don’t call me little princess!!’ Xilin insisted, ‘If you do, I’ll be angry! Call me by my name, Xilin.’

Xilin seemed to remember something and turned to Yunjie, ‘Mama, a few days ago, I visited the World Tree of the Human clan. Why doesn’t it have a plaque for me? Even Jingling has one, but not me!’

‘This…’ Yunjie was at a loss for words, unable to explain.

Even as they accompanied Su Xiaoxiao back to her home, Yunjie still couldn’t figure out how to answer Xilin’s question.