Chapter 498 469: The Forbidden Relationship the Master's Wife Must Not Know About

"Senior Sister, your Treasure Pill was a great help when I went to save Yueqiu."

"It's time I returned it."

As Pei Yuhang spoke, he handed the azure Treasure Pill to Lu Ruoxi.

Lu Ruoxi looked up, and her heart trembled slightly when she saw his gaze, as clear and pure as a mountain stream.

"It's alright. I'm just glad I could help you, Junior Brother."

She reached out to take the Lifebound Spirit Pill. Her fingertips accidentally brushed his palm, and she snatched her hand back as if burned.

'Even though I've received Junior Brother Pei's initial forgiveness… I still feel unworthy of his gentle treatment.'

'If only he would be stricter and harsher with me.'

'That way, it would feel more like atonement.'

A rather terrible thought surfaced in Lu Ruoxi's mind.

She raised the Treasure Pill to her lips but suddenly paused.

Lu Ruoxi suddenly remembered that this Treasure Pill had just been in her junior brother's mouth…

At the thought, the tips of her ears flushed, and her gaze drifted unconsciously toward Qing Yueqiu at her side.

Qing Yueqiu had no idea that the azure Treasure Pill only worked when held in the mouth, so her expression was one of pure confusion, completely unaware of the intimate thoughts running through Lu Ruoxi's mind.

Lu Ruoxi's heart leaped. As if afraid Qing Yueqiu might notice something, she quickly looked away and lowered her gaze. Her long lashes, like the wings of a butterfly, fluttered gently, masking her inner panic.

She put the Treasure Pill in her mouth but didn't swallow it right away.

The Spirit Pill rolled on her tongue, carrying a faint, clean scent. It was her own lifebound treasure, cultivated over many years, yet right now, it felt imbued with her junior brother's essence, making her reluctant to swallow it so soon.

She pressed her lips together and began to suck on the Spirit Pill, tasting it with the tip of her tongue as if it were a piece of hard candy. A look of unconscious pleasure softened the corners of her eyes.

Noticing Lu Ruoxi's strange behavior—how she remained silent long after taking the Spirit Pill—Pei Yuhang asked with concern, "Senior Sister, is something wrong with the pill?"

Lu Ruoxi snapped back to reality. She shook her head in a fluster and swallowed the Spirit Pill, but its fragrant taste still lingered in her mouth.

She feigned calm as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "It's nothing," she said softly. "I was just sensing how much the Spirit Pill had been depleted."

"From the looks of it, you took very good care of my Spirit Pill…"

As Lu Ruoxi spun her excuse, she kept her head down, not daring to look her junior brother in the eye for fear he would see her embarrassing secret thoughts.

"Junior Brother, since you and Yueqiu are both alright, I'll head back and rest now."

"Mm, take care, Senior Sister."

After seeing Lu Ruoxi out, Pei Yuhang suddenly felt a tug on the hem of his robe.

He turned around and saw a silver-haired girl clutching the corner of his robe.

Qing Yueqiu clutched Pei Yuhang's robe, her long lashes lowered, her crimson eyes filled with unease. "Master… a moment ago… I think Sister Lu saw us…"

Her pretty face burned, and she bit her lower lip, unable to bring herself to finish the sentence.

Normally, she was his boldest disciple, but now that an outsider had witnessed her forbidden intimacy with her Master, she became as timid as a frightened quail.

'The relationship between Lu Ruoxi and Mistress Ye Liyuan…'

'If Mistress found out…'

Qing Yueqiu clenched her fists so tightly her knuckles turned white, and her thin lips pressed into a pale line.

Pei Yuhang laid his hand on the cool back of hers and said softly, "Yueqiu, are you worried Senior Sister Lu will talk?"

Qing Yueqiu looked up, her crimson eyes glistening as if veiled in mist. She nodded uneasily, a few silver strands of her hair slipping over her shoulder.

"Aren't you afraid, Master?"

"If Mistress finds out…"

As Qing Yueqiu spoke, an image of Ye Liyuan's ice-cold expression surfaced in her mind, and a bitter, metallic taste filled her throat.

Only now did the young woman realize just how important it was to be the rightful Dao Companion.

Without a legitimate title, one could only act like a thief, constantly worried about being exposed.

Pei Yuhang shook his head and said softly, "Rest easy, Yueqiu. Senior Sister Lu didn't see anything, and she certainly won't spread any rumors."

He gently pulled the young woman into his embrace, his hand stroking her back soothingly.

Nestled in Pei Yuhang's arms, Qing Yueqiu was still trembling. She buried her face in her Master's chest and took a deep breath. The familiar scent of cool pine filled her senses, and the storm raging in her heart finally began to subside.

At that moment, a dark question surfaced in her mind.

'If Mistress really finds out… about my relationship with my Master, one that has already crossed into forbidden territory…'

'What would Master choose then?'

'Would he choose me… or Mistress?'

'Knowing Master's character, he probably wouldn't abandon either of us.'

'But how could Mistress possibly accept me…?'

'When the time comes, how will Master choose, caught between us?'

Qing Yueqiu didn't dare think any further.

She shook her head, trying to banish the dark thoughts from her mind.

"Master…"

She looked up at him, the corners of her eyes still rimmed with red, and forced a smile. "You haven't rested at all while saving me."

"So, I won't disturb you any longer…"

Pei Yuhang gazed at her strained smile and sighed softly. He knew the girl's heart was in turmoil, so he leaned in and kissed her on the forehead, saying gently:

"Yueqiu, don't dwell on it. No matter what happens, I won't let you suffer any injustice."

"Go and get some rest. If you need anything urgent, contact me right away."

"Mm."

…

Back in her room, Qing Yueqiu collapsed onto the bed.

Lying there, she first replayed the memory of Lu Ruoxi's shocked expression upon opening the door and witnessing the intimate scene with her Master. Then, she closed her eyes, and her consciousness began to drift away.