Chapter 128: Substitute

He Xijin really can’t figure it out. Huang Rang’s time staying in the Ruyi Sword Sect is numbered. How on earth did she discover his private money!

But now, he was completely confused.

Qu Manying was both amused and angry, but in front of her niece, she refrained from scolding her husband and just pointed at He Xijin.

Master He was so angry that he kept saying, “Rebellious…rebellious… rebellious girl!”

Although he said so, he went to the kitchen and put on an apron to cook.

Qu Manying pulled Huang Rang over and said, “Auntie will send someone to pick up Jun’er first. We’ll have a meal as a family, and then we’ll think about giving you a suitable identity.”

Huang Rang had just heard her mention Huang Jun, but hadn’t had a chance to ask. Now she asked, “Sister, didn’t you come to find Auntie?”

In the third dream, Huang Jun and Qu Manying were clearly master and disciple. If she sought help, Qu Manying would definitely help in any way.

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Twydt Sydt wdelapvsse yde pyke, “Fs, pbl oswze ayvbla pvyu kd bla bwpcyde’p qyxkzu yde vyjl nyal sq bla qyxkzu.”

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Twydt Sydt dseele yde pyke, “Mbld Gwdvkl eslpd’v dlle vs kdqsax bla. R’zz ts qkde bla ydsvbla eyu.”

“Xjyu.” Cw Yydukdt zssjle yv Pk Zkikw, blpkvyvle qsa y zsdt vkxl, yde qkdyzzu pyke, “Mblpl ulyap… ol byhl ayalzu nsxxwdknyvle. R yzps jdso vbyv ol pbswzed’v czyxl vbl Ubklq qsa Gb Sydt’p xyvvla. Jwv shla vbl ulyap, kv byp clld y vbsad kd xu blyav. R yzoyup qllz vbyv kq ol vssj tsse nyal sq vbkp nbkze, ds xyvvla obyv, pbl oswze pvkzz cl…”

Tla hsknl tayewyzzu nbsjle wr, yde Twydt Sydt srldle bla yaxp, bwttkdt bla vktbvzu.

Cw Yydukdt nyzxle esod bla lxsvksdp yde pyke yqvla y obkzl, “Zswa wdnzl yde vbl svblap nyd’v wdvkl vbkp jdsv lkvbla. Psd’v czyxl vblx.”

Pk Zkikw prsjl nyzxzu, pyukdt, “R wdelapvyde.”

Huang Rang let go of Qu Manying and said again, “Then help me think of a name. From now on, I won’t be Huang Rang anymore! But with this face, people who know me will recognize me…”

She began to worry, and even Qu Manying found it difficult to handle.

Because Huang Rang’s identity needed to be kept confidential, He Xijin and Qu Manying simply didn’t even call their own son.

The four sat at the same table and had this meal.

Mentioning the matter of Huang Rang adopting a pseudonym again, He Xijin said, “You…You can become chief’s maid  and serve him personally.”

“A maid?!” Huang Rang widened her eyes. Di Yiqiu also had a slight pause in his movements.

However, Qu Manying said, “That’s fine. Over the years, the common people who admire you actually… don’t like the Chief. If you appear as a couple, he might be even more despised.”

Di Yiqiu said, “I don’t mind it.”

He didn’t mind, but Huang Rang had to consider it for him. After pondering for a while, she said, “Alright. Then I will pretend to be his maidservant.”

After saying that, she sighed softly, “I never thought that I would have to be my own substitute…”

It was truly a tragic situation when one’s own followers did not like one’s husband.

In the end, Huang Rang chose the name “Ah Ran” for herself and became the personal maidservant of Di Yiqiu.

In the afternoon, after having their meal, Huang Rang and Di Yiqiu returned to the Celestial Court together.

Qu Manying and He Xijin accompanied the two of them to the sect’s entrance. The Chief took out a paper carriage from his bosom, and as soon as it touched the ground, it materialized into a real carriage.

The couple, He Xijin and Qu Manying, saw them off. Towards the end, Huang Rang even received a playful ear-pulling from He Xijin. Master He finally avenged himself for his secret stash of money.

Outside, the sunlight was just right, and begonias were in full bloom, with petals fluttering down.

Huang Rang extended her hand to Di Yiqiu, making a gesture of “please”: “Young Master, please get on the carriage!”

Di Yiqiu frowned and said, “My reputation is insignificant. There’s no need for you to worry about it.”

“How can it be insignificant?”

Huang Rang said, “The Goddess Temple I have now is all built by you. In case your reputation is tarnished and you lose power in the future, who will defend me?”

Upon hearing this, the Chief felt it made sense. He got on the carriage first, and Huang Rang followed suit.

Then, she seemed to think of a serious issue and said, “Speaking of which, I now make a living through the people’s faith and offerings. What if they stop believing in me one day? What should I do?”

The Chief sat on the embroidered cushion in the carriage and said, “It won’t happen.”

Huang Rang asked, “But what if?”

The Chief, arranging fruits and pastries for her, said seriously, “The Celestial Court will distribute eggs.”

“Brilliant!” Huang Rang clapped her hands in admiration. Her husband truly understood the people’s psychology. Considering the significance of these eggs, she might have a long and prosperous life.

With her worries dispelled, she leaned closer, snuggling against Di Yiqiu.

Di Yiqiu didn’t refuse. Huang Rang noticed that as long as she didn’t push him further, he didn’t resist this gentle intimacy.

As Di Yiqiu gently stroked her long hair, he realized at this moment that Huang Rang was right.

He couldn’t demonize himself. He would forever need the authority of the Celestial Court to maintain the faith in the Goddess Temple.

Huang Rang raised her hand and touched his beard under the nose. Feeling impulsive, she said, “How about I shave your beard for you?”

Di Yiqiu grunted and handed her his storage artifact, saying, “There’s a shaving knife inside.”

Huang Rang then rummaged through it, and Di Yiqiu leaned back against the carriage wall, eyes slightly closed.

He wasn’t worried that Huang Rang would find anything from the storage artifact. He had no secrets from her.

—Or, he wasn’t supposed to have any.

Huang Rang found the shaving knife and even discovered shaving oil.

The carriage was cramped, and Di Yiqiu lay down, his head resting on Huang Rang’s lap. Eagerly, Huang Rang first used scissors to trim Di Yiqiu’s beard into stubble, then applied shaving oil and gently shaved his face with a small knife.

Her hand was skilled and the blade sharp, occasionally grazing his jaw as the carriage moved, occasionally rocking gently.

But the Chief closed his eyes—he had fallen asleep.

The capital,Celestial Court.

The carriage stopped at the entrance.

The Chief opened his eyes, about to lift the curtain, when Huang Rang whispered, “I am your maidservant now. Naturally, these things should be done by me.”

“You?” The Chief frowned.

Huang Rang said, “Yes. And the colder and more harsh you are to me, the better. Only then will the people think you are not infatuated!”

The Chief then said, “Then why haven’t you gotten off the carriage yet?”

She had to play her part. Huang Rang could only get off the carriage first.

At the entrance of the Celestial Court, two guards had already looked over. Seeing the official flag of the Celestial Court on the carriage, they didn’t dare to approach.

Huang Rang proved to be a competent maidservant. She brought over a low stool and set it up before lifting the carriage curtain.

The Chief stepped down from the carriage, regardless of how disheveled and miserable he appeared in front of Huang Rang before. At this moment, he exuded a cold and stern aura.

His gaze was sharp as an eagle, his posture straight, radiating authority without overt anger, yet making it intimidating to look directly at him. Some people seemed to possess innate nobility.

Huang Rang glanced at the just-cut beard and marveled in her heart!

Because the Chief had been away for so long, the guards at the entrance no longer recognized him.

But the official robe he wore was something everyone could recognize.

“Ch-Chief… Chief…” The guard stammered, hardly believing his eyes.

After all, at the pinnacle of the Immortal Sect, there were only two individuals standing.

One was Xie Hongchen of the Yuhu Immortal Sect, renowned as the First Sword Immortal since his youth. Currently, he rarely handled affairs as he focused on closed-door cultivation. Matters of the Yuhu Immortal Sect were mainly managed by his senior disciple Nie Qinglan. Many speculated that it wouldn’t be long before he completely stepped down, becoming the elder of the Yuhu Immortal Sect.

The other was Di Yiqiu of the Celestial Court. He apprenticed under Qiu Yanming and gained fame for his exceptional forging skills during his youth. Later, he encountered numerous fortuitous events, advancing not only in his skills but also obtaining the body of a mythical beast.

Due to their peculiar connections with Huang Rang, there were many speculations about their relationship, especially regarding the anticipated battle between him and Xie Hongchen. Although the outcome of their cultivation strength was unknown, one thing was widely acknowledged by all:

The Chief undoubtedly possessed “extraordinary abilities.”

In the strange dreams of the past, over a dozen renowned courtesans from the capital had praised him as being “laden with extraordinary treasures.” Just based on this, he could surpass Master Xie in many aspects, and nobody questioned that.

However, Di Yiqiu had been in seclusion for many years. The positions of these two divine ancestors had almost become legendary.

How could the guards not be astonished?

The Chief paid no attention to these two individuals and walked straight inside. The guards, however, didn’t dare to neglect their duties and hurriedly ran inside.

Soon, Deputy Chief Li Lu, Bao Wu, and the four deputy rushed over.

“Chief!” Everyone bowed in unison, their emotions too overwhelming to express.

Li Lu glanced over secretly and saw Di Yiqiu in a purple robe with a jade belt. Although his face appeared stern, there was not much difference from before. He sighed in relief. However, when he looked past Di Yiqiu, he noticed another person following him!

Deputy Chief Li was taken aback. After scrutinizing for a while, he asked, “Chief, who is this young lady…”

Of course, he recognized Huang Rang, but Huang Rang had supposedly died. In front of everyone, she had transformed into sand, dispersing into thin air. Deputy Chief Li obviously didn’t want to reopen the Chief’s old wounds.

It was widely believed among the people that Di Yiqiu was heartless, but only those close to him, like these subordinates, knew the depth of his sorrow.

To show contempt for someone so effectively, Di Yiqiu truly excelled at it. He casually said, “Maidservant.”

“M-Maidservant?” Everyone’s gaze fell on Huang Rang, full of doubt.

With that face and figure, who else could it be if not Huang Rang?

Huang Rang was also a master at speaking blatant falsehoods. She quickly bowed deeply to everyone and said, “Ah Ran pays respects to all the esteemed individuals.”

Her words were reserved, and her anxiousness was evident despite her attempts to disguise it.

Hearing her familiar voice, everyone couldn’t help but harbor suspicions, yet they dared not confirm.

“Ah Rang?” Li Lu asked.

Just as Huang Rang was about to explain, Di Yiqiu spoke, “As a maidservant, can’t you even pour tea or water? If you’re so clumsy, you might as well leave to spare yourself from embarrassment.”

You got into character so quickly!

Huang Rang hurriedly said with a shy tone, “Please calm down, my lord. I’ll go right away!”

She quickly inquired about the tea room and hurriedly left.

Seeing Di Yiqiu’s attitude, everyone was convinced.

—If this girl is really Ah Rang, how could our Chief speak so coldly?

So, when Huang Rang returned with the tea, sympathy appeared in everyone’s eyes.

Huang Rang respectfully served the tea, and Di Yiqiu’s expression remained icy as he said, “Wait outside.”

“Yes.” Huang Rang bowed to him and quickly went outside.

While Li Lu and the others reported on the situation of the Celestial Court over the years, they occasionally glanced at the door.

This girl, from her attire to her hair accessories, was exactly like Ah Rang.

She was like a stand-in!

Huang Rang guarded the door and dared not leave.

After a while, Zhu Xiang, Tan Qi, and others came out first. Seeing her, Zhu Xiang couldn’t suppress her curiosity.

She pulled Huang Rang aside and whispered, “Are you also called Ah Rang?”

Huang Rang pretended not to know and said, “Indeed.”

Zhu Xiang’s eyes lit up, and she asked, “Rang as of ‘soil’?”

Mind your own business!

Huang Rang lowered her eyes and whispered, “Untouched stain. It’s what the lord named me.”

This is too pitiful! Zhu Xiang looked sympathetic and asked, “What about this dress…”

Huang Rang said, “The young master said… I look good in it.”

Zhu Xiang almost wanted to cry for her. “Do you… like it yourself?”

Huang Rang shook her head and nodded,

After a while, she reluctantly endured her grievances and said, “If the lord likes it, I’m willing to wear it.”

“What a tragedy in the mortal world!” Zhu Xiang sighed indignantly.

Huang Rang was addicted to acting, and she immediately began to exaggerate, appearing submissive and said, “The lord saved my life. Although he has a bad temper at times, as long as I can stay by his side and serve him, I am willingly… to do anything.”

She acted out a scene of hardship, causing Zhu Xiang to exclaim at the injustice.

Meanwhile, Li Lu and Bao Wu had come out of the room.

Both of them looked at Huang Rang with an indescribable expression.

Inside the room, the Chief said, “The tea has cooled.”

Huang Rang agreed and hurriedly went inside.

Is she going in to change to hot tea?

Deputy Chief Li shook his head and sighed. Unexpectedly, Bao Wu beside him suddenly said, “Having a bit of nostalgia is not a bad thing.”

This statement wasn’t particularly strange, but coming from him, it seemed quite peculiar.

Everyone looked at him, and he just patted the golden knife at his waist, saying, “Come here boys. Follow Master Bao for patrol!”

It wasn’t until he led the men away that Li Lu murmured, “Time flies too fast.”

—Time really flies too fast. Even Bao Wu’s words are starting to have some depth.