When Wei Yunqing heard the news, her expression darkened immediately. The Feng Patriarch held Wei Yunxi in high regard, and now that so-called good little sister of hers was about to flaunt herself again.
Wei Yunqing touched the crimson bracelet on her wrist. Her mood lightened as she whispered under her breath:
"Relying on someone else's strength will never be the same as having your own. True power lies in oneself. I don't believe they can stay by Yun Xi's side forever."
With a flick of her sleeve, she turned and returned to the Wei family estate. But upon arrival, she found herself blocked outside the Zhuohua Courtyard.
Wei Yunqing frowned. She remembered her mother had sent word through someone that she had already moved into Zhuohua Courtyard. Why was there a formation barrier still set up outside?
Just then, Liu Xu, the maid by Du Ruolan's side, hurried over and bowed respectfully.
"Young Miss, Madam has sent me to escort you to Haitang Courtyard."
Liu Xu now wore the hairstyle of a married woman. She had clearly wed and was now respectfully addressed as Aunt Liu Xu. Seeing a familiar face, Wei Yunqing narrowed her eyes and asked coldly:
"What's going on? Why am I being blocked here?"
Liu Xu immediately lowered her voice.
"Young Miss, please come with me to see Madam first. She will explain everything to you."
Wei Yunqing had a bad feeling in her gut. She frowned but still nodded and followed Liu Xu to Haitang Courtyard.
When Du Ruolan heard from the servants that her daughter had returned, she was overjoyed. But upon remembering that Zhuohua Courtyard now housed Wei Yunxi, she quickly sent Liu Xu to fetch her daughter.
When mother and daughter reunited, there was a moment of pure joy. Du Ruolan even wept from happiness. Seeing her daughter as radiant and vibrant as ever, a mirror of her own youth, she finally felt a sense of relief after so many days of worry.
"Yun Qing, what's your current cultivation realm?" Du Ruolan asked with concern.
"Mid-stage Foundation Establishment. I just had a breakthrough recently. I was only at the early stage when I left the sect, but I had some fortunate encounters in the Baohua Mountain Range. That allowed me to break through."
Wei Yunqing spoke with pride.
Learning her daughter's cultivation, Du Ruolan sighed softly. In the end, her daughter was still a step behind.
Wei Yunqing noticed her mother's sigh instead of joy and grew displeased. "Mother, what's the meaning of this? You look down on your daughter's cultivation?"
"You've misunderstood, Yun Qing. At your age, reaching mid-stage Foundation Establishment is already outstanding. I'm delighted, truly. How could I possibly look down on you?"
"Then why did you sigh?"
"Ah... Wei Yunxi has already formed her Golden Core."
Wei Yunqing's eyes widened in disbelief.
"What? That's impossible! When she left the sect, she was only mid-stage Foundation Establishment!"
Du Ruolan didn't want to admit it either, but facts were facts. She could only continue: "She returned two days before you did. Today, she accompanied Patriarch to the Feng family to offer congratulations. You'll probably see her soon."
A trace of resentment flickered across Wei Yunqing's charming face. "So she formed her Golden Core, and they kicked you out of Zhuohua Courtyard for her?"
Du Ruolan sighed helplessly. "Your father wanted the healing pills she brought back and ordered me to vacate the courtyard."
"She didn't even give Father any face!"
"Where is Father now?"
"He's in seclusion, recovering from his injuries."
"Father was injured?"
"Yes. Last year, he failed to break through to Golden Core and suffered serious injuries. He's been searching for high-grade healing pills ever since. Yun Xi just happened to have the pills he needed, so he had no choice but to compromise.
Not only did Wei Yunxi return as a Golden Core cultivator, but she also brought back a batch of cultivation resources for the family. The elders in the clan have acknowledged her contributions. From now on, you cannot treat her as you did in the past."
Du Ruolan feared her daughter would clash with Wei Yunxi. If that happened, the one who would suffer would be her own child, so she patiently offered advice.
Wei Yunqing clenched her teeth and could only nod. This wasn't the sect. If Wei Yunxi truly wanted to act, no one would be able to stop her.
Du Ruolan, relieved that her daughter understood, finally relaxed. She then spoke about the time she had tried to give Wei Yunxi the Fusion Spirit Pill in secret.
Instead of blaming Du Ruolan, Wei Yunqing hugged her tightly, moved to tears.
"Mother, you're the only one who truly cares about me. You were already planning for my future. If only it had worked back then."
Du Ruolan sighed with regret. That one misstep had led to one failure after another. Not only had she failed to remove obstacles for her daughter, she had also created a formidable enemy.
"Yun Qing, it's enough that you understand my intentions. For now, she's stronger than you. You must endure for a while. I believe in you. One day, you will surpass her and trample her beneath your feet."
Wei Yunqing released her mother and nodded with firm determination.
"Don't worry, Mother. I'll never let her step on me again."
Not far away, a butterfly resting on a begonia flower gently stirred its wings and inserted its proboscis into the blossom to drink nectar. No one noticed its presence.
Elsewhere, Wei Yunxi, using her Flying Mist Butterfly, had clearly heard the conversation between this shameless mother and daughter. A cold glint flashed through her eyes.
Beside her, the Wei family head sensed a fleeting trace of killing intent. He turned and asked:
"Yun Xi, are you planning to stay at the Feng residence for a few days?"
Wei Yunxi smiled softly.
"In a few days, I'll return to ask Elder Feng for guidance on alchemy. For now, I'll go back with Patriarch. It feels like there's a surprise waiting for me at home."
The Wei Patriarch didn't quite understand the meaning behind her words, but he didn't question further. He rose, bade farewell to the Feng family head, and the two of them were courteously escorted out.
As soon as they returned to the Wei estate, Wei Lingtao understood what Yun Xi meant by "surprise." Wei Yunqing had returned too.
He rubbed his forehead, deciding it would be best not to meddle in his older brother's family affairs. Even the elder brother himself had used closed-door cultivation as an excuse to avoid this situation.
Just as Wei Yunxi stepped into Zhuohua Courtyard, Wei Yunqing arrived hot on her heels. She still couldn't believe Wei Yunxi had truly reached Golden Core and wanted to confirm it with her own eyes.
Du Ruolan, uneasy, came along with her daughter.
Wei Yunxi waved her sleeve and dismissed the formation, allowing the shameless mother and daughter to enter.
She sat leisurely beneath the pear blossom tree, sipping spirit tea at a jade table. When she saw the contorted look on Wei Yunqing's face, she smiled sweetly, her dimples showing.
"Wei Yunqing, you're back? So, how is it? Surprised? Did I catch you off guard? I've already formed my Golden Core."
Wei Yunqing felt like steam was about to burst from the top of her head. But she forced herself to suppress her anger and said through gritted teeth:
"Congratulations, Little Sister, on advancing to Golden Core."
"We're not that close, are we? You'd better address me as Wei Zhēnrén. That sounds much better to me."
"Wei. Zhēn. Rén."
Wei Yunqing bit out each word one at a time.
Wei Yunxi was very satisfied with the reaction. She didn't hold back.
"Now that you've confirmed I'm a Golden Core cultivator, take your mother and leave Zhuohua Courtyard."
Though reluctant, Wei Yunqing could only turn and leave. But Du Ruolan suddenly spoke up.
"Wei Zhēnrén, I came today to explain something. There was a misunderstanding between us. I'm not the one you should resent."
Wei Yunxi nodded.
"You're right. I shouldn't resent you. The root of everything lies with Father. But the one who gave me the Fusion Spirit Pill was you, not him. Father never forced you."
Beside them, Wei Yunqing's heart skipped a beat. She didn't understand why her mother would bring up that matter at a time like this.