Chapter 115: The Xue Sisters

“Sis, isn’t that the young master of the Ji family? And who is the girl beside him?”

As soon as the two women appeared under the tree, the one dressed in pink pointed toward Ji Jiuxuan and the others, her voice tinged with glee at others’ misfortune.

“Could it be that the Ji family is about to get engaged to some family?” The pink-clad woman’s surprised tone held certainty, causing the woman in purple to furrow her brow and glance at Ji Xiuqi’s position, her breath visibly unsettled.

“That can’t be. The Ji family isn’t that kind of family.” Though the woman in purple felt a flicker of emotion, her mind remained clear.

In recent years, it had become common for noble families in the immortal cultivation world to arrange marriages between youths, but the Ji family, residing by the South Sea, was absolutely not like that.

The Ji family was renowned for its upright family values; none of its descendants ever married for profit, much less had concubines. Yet, they were also quite open-minded.

She understood that her cousin was probably up to mischief again, but when she saw Ji Xiuqi, she couldn’t help but stand still, hoping to approach and speak with him, though she worried he might not welcome it.

Seeing her cousin’s expression, the woman in pink revealed disdain in her eyes but still urged, “Sis, you know the young master of the Ji family, right? Why don’t you go greet him?”

Xue Ningxue stood there, her purple robes flowing. Her natural features were somewhat cold, making her seem less likable than their usually cheerful cousin.

Now, burdened by nervousness, Xue Ningxue appeared even more aloof.

This only deepened Xue Ningyu’s disdain, though she spoke kindly as she pulled Xue Ningxue toward Ji Jiuxuan and the others’ spot.

“Come on! Let’s go say hello.”

Compared to Xue Ningyu, Xue Ningxue was stronger. If she refused, Xue Ningyu wouldn’t be able to force her, but secretly she hoped to exchange a few words with Ji Xiuqi.

“Young Master Ji, what a coincidence! You’re here at the auction too!” Before Xue Ningxue could speak, Xue Ningyu’s sweet voice chimed in.

Her tone was intimate, as if they were very familiar.

In truth, Ji Xiuqi had no intention of talking to her and wasn’t prepared to respond. Instead, he glanced toward Xue Ningxue’s side and gave a slight nod, silently communicating, “Ah Jiu, how about we head back first? We can just send a message to Senior Nie.”

Ji Jiuxuan was far from inflexible. Observing the pink-clad woman’s posture, she felt a strong sense of scheming. To outsiders, her gaze might seem delicate, but to Ji Jiuxuan, it was all calculation.

As for the woman in purple, the suppressed affection she radiated was obvious at a glance.

Judging by her brother’s attitude, he was clearly uninterested.

Obediently, she said, “Alright.”

“Hey! Young Master Ji, don’t go! Since our last parting in the secret realm, my sister hasn’t stopped thinking about you. Leaving like this is too cruel.”

Xue Ningyu’s words instantly enraged Xue Ningxue. Ji Xiuqi looked toward her with ice-cold eyes. “The Xue family from the East Sea?”

Just as he was about to retort harshly, Xue Ningxue lost her patience.

She was no pushover. Instinctively, she wanted to get closer to Ji Xiuqi but refused to tolerate Xue Ningyu’s behavior. Raising her hand, she struck Xue Ningyu’s face fiercely.

With a sharp slap, a vivid red handprint appeared on Xue Ningyu’s cheek.

“You hit me! How dare you hit me!” Xue Ningyu fumed, glancing at Ji Xiuqi’s direction. Her fury instantly turned to tears, which trickled down pitifully.

Her voice was full of accusation as she looked at Xue Ningxue, brimming with grievance. “Sister, why did you hit me? Was I wrong? Seeing you so distracted and not eating, I’m only trying to help you. How can you treat me like this!”

Ji Jiuxuan was dumbfounded. Since arriving in this world, she had met only strong, self-reliant women, but here were two so petty and spiteful.

So affected and manipulative.

If it were someone like Wang Xunji before, a scheming and shameless beauty, it would be less unpleasant. But these two made her feel suffocated.

Ji Jiuxuan had no desire to associate with such people. As for the woman in purple beside them, she was a stranger and had no intention of helping her.

Tugging on Ji Xiuqi’s sleeve, she whispered, “Brother, let’s leave quickly. These two are strange.”

Ji Xiuqi nodded. He recalled how, when he teamed up with Xue Ningxue in the secret realm, she was a decisive woman. Yet now, the other clearly betrayed her, and she let it happen.

Whether or not she knew about the secret realm incident was uncertain, but since Xue Ningyu mentioned it, she must know something.

His impression of her wasn’t originally so bad, but her loose tongue had soured it.

He shook his head, taking Ji Jiuxuan’s hand without looking back, and they walked forward.

At that moment, Nie Xingyuan and Senior Sister Meng Jiao appeared. They had been transported to another exit, which took some time.

“Let’s go. We should leave here first.”

Ji Xiuqi bowed slightly to Nie Xingyuan. “Senior Nie, may I take my little sister back to the other courtyard first? I’ll bring her back later.”

Ji Jiuxuan smiled at Nie Xingyuan. “Uncle Master, I want to go play for a while.”

“Go ahead, but be careful.” Nie Xingyuan nodded, not imposing strict restrictions on Ji Jiuxuan.

Meanwhile, Xue Ningxue watched Ji Xiuqi’s retreating figure, who hadn’t even said a word to her. Her gaze toward Xue Ningyu darkened.

“At first, I tolerated you because you’re my cousin. Xue Ningyu, don’t overstep, or don’t blame me for being ruthless.” This time, Xue Ningxue was truly furious.

She hated herself for falling for the temptation to follow Xue Ningyu here. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Gathering her spiritual power in her hand, she struck toward Xue Ningyu.

Xue Ningyu was prepared. She glanced at the approaching clan members and immediately dissipated her gathered power. Xue Ningxue sensed something was wrong and couldn’t stop in time.

Meanwhile, Ji Jiuxuan followed Ji Xiuqi to the other courtyard, her curiosity rising again. “Brother, do you know the Xue family?”

That green tea woman said the girl in purple missed him since the secret realm, implying familiarity.

“We teamed up in the secret realm. They’re from the East Sea Xue family.” Since her little sister was one of the Ji family, Ji Xiuqi did not hide anything.

He even explained the relationship, fearing Ji Jiuxuan might get hurt by ignorance.

“So the Xue family has been trying to arrange a marriage with you?” She had heard about the engagement again. “Brother, are you willing?”

Seeing her ignorance, Ji Xiuqi crouched down, looking earnestly at Ji Jiuxuan. “Ah Jiu, our Ji family never forces marriage on anyone unless they like the person. Otherwise, there’s no compulsion.”

She seemed to have read something similar in the gossip records, which were half truth and half fiction. She had only read them for amusement but hadn’t expected the truth.

“So the Xue family is dreaming in vain.” She had met the two sisters only once and had no real opinion of them; they were just figures in the conversation.

Ji Xiuqi smiled, stood up, and took Ji Jiuxuan toward the courtyard. “This time, your maternal grandfather sent two high-level Qianxuan horses and even made a carriage for you. You should like it.”

Ji Jiuxuan didn’t dwell on unrelated people. The two Xue sisters were quickly forgotten as joy accompanied her steps beside Ji Xiuqi.

Thanks to Memoryless for the monthly ticket, thank you!~

Thanks to My Porcelain Darling ^3^ for the monthly ticket, thank you!~

Thanks to Red Lotus in the Clouds for the monthly ticket, thank you!~

(End of this chapter)