[COMPLETE] Transmigrated Author: The Quiet Plum

Chapter 72: Dinner with the Family

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That night, the new family of three had a meal together.

"So... how was your day?" Qiaoli asked the two of them. But seeing how both have frustrated faces, she didn't know how to proceed.

Li Yun sighed and proceeded to put food on his wife's and sister's plates.

It was the Duchess who answered and she was obviously pissed. "Your brother managed to scare both the kids at the orphanage and the businessmen. I think it's a unique talent."

Qiaoli was surprised. Unbelievable. As far as she knew, her brother was known for having an amicable smile. Well, except to her because he was always frowning in front of her.

The Duke massaged his forehead. "I can conclude that I'm entirely useless when it comes to these kinds of things."

"Wha-what do you mean? You've been sent to Zhong Xin multiple times for diplomatic purposes. How did you do those then?"

Ruoli sighed before taking a bite of the food. Seeing that her husband didn't say anything even after she fully chewed, she took the liberties.

"Well, why do you think Yemin never left his side? All he had to do was put on that charming smile of his."

Li Yun looked at the Duchess with blame in his eyes. She never insulted him like this before. Sure, she had been a lot more animated ever since he arrived this time but she had also been openly showing hostilities.

Meanwhile, Qiaoli was thinking back to the things that transpired in the palace of Hanjing that day. It was true that Yemin always stepped up. It seemed like she still overestimated her brother's social abilities.

Li Yun toyed with his food. "Well, I was never good at this."

A long silence ensued.

"There's also the matter of what happened in the Imperial City." Qiaoli was the one who opened the topic again. "How did the report go with his Majesty?"

She noticed her brother went back to Duke mode that moment she mentioned the Emperor.

"There is something amiss. His Majesty looked too disgruntled to care about the censor that went missing. Like there were more pressing matters to attend to."

Qiaoli frowned. Certainly, it was good news that the Emperor let go of him but...

"And? I reckon you already had it investigated."

"Well," Li Yun's lips curved up. "It seems a long-lost Lord of the Qin went down from the mountains to deliver a warning."

Seeing her sister's face was blank, he remembered that she didn't grow up here and had no inkling of their faith. These past weeks that they've traveled together and as they had gotten closer, it felt like he didn't lose her at all.

It was also thanks to Qiaoli adapting quickly, making it seem they were never apart.

It was Rouli who explained about the Qin clan and how Cai Xie's messenger hailed from their line.

"I never thought Huo Ai is so monotheistic," Qiaoli murmured to herself.

She read a passage about it but she thought it was unimportant so she just skipped it.

Li Yun was confused. "Mono- what?"

Qiaoli realized her slip of tongue and shook her head. She diverted the topic. "That other place has no one god."

Her sister-in-law nodded. "Well, that's why residents of Huo Ai look down on Zhong Xin. They had forgotten who Cai Xie is."

The Marquise understood now. She turned to look at her brother. "So this Qin clan are priests? Monks?"

He shook his head. "They are one of the founding clans. Even though they went missing hundreds of years ago, their status is still the same. The Emperors never wanted to anger the Goddess by erasing them in the sacred records."

What missing? His sister's face seemed to ask that.

"They were recorded missing in the historical records. People just assumed they went to directly serve Her in the Wu Yun Peak."

Qiaoli hummed in understanding. So some cult family went down their mountain all of a sudden to warn the Emperor of something.

"And what was the warning?"

"That the barriers to Zhong Xin will soon disappear. Nobody knows when but all the clans are starting to prepare. The elders are also urging us to do the same so there would be a council anytime this month."

Li Yun seemed apprehensive about it. He had always disliked this sort of council as the wily foxes of his clan always made sure to gang up on him until their desired outcome was met.

Since sitting as the Duke, he managed to limit the council to not more than a few handfuls. But it would always be a stressful event for him. Assistants were not allowed in the council so Yemin couldn't enter.

He was alone in a place where everyone was against him. If it was on a battlefield, he would just hack away with his arts.

A battle of words really didn't suit him. But seeing that Qiaoli was alive and well in front of him now, it seems the council meeting won't be something he needed to be uneasy about.

Meanwhile, Qiaoli's eyes gleamed. What happens when the borders open?

Her brother saw the look in her eye so he shook his head.

"It's not anything good. An all-out war might happen. After all, the countries who know how to cultivate felt superior. The most possible thing is they will try to conquer the lands of Zhong Xin."

After hearing this, Qiaoli's blood ran cold. She already knew of other countries similar to Huo Ai. In fact, Zhong Xin was surrounded by them but also protected by the invisible walls built by the gods long ago.

If Cai Xie's borders will disappear, then it probably meant the others too.

"Not only that, the creatures and monsters living here will also cross over. They would try to find new lands." She remembered the [Rime Wolves] that managed to slip past.

If the borders opened, the Hong family would be in danger. That was the first thing she thought.

The dinner table grew grim at the future that was about to come.

"Well, this seems a good time to introduce me to the elders. I'll be at the council with you then." Qiaoli gave a small smile at her brother.

Li Yun rolled his eyes. "You, young lady, will have to bury yourself in books and lessons before you can appear before the elders."

She didn't complain, she liked those after all. Knowledge is power. Qiaoli would do anything to gain power and protect the ones she love.

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A/N: Ok, I admit I didn't keep track of days because I'm going through a lot of chasing for opportunities both career-wise and personal life-wise! And I think I might have passed the schedule a bit >.> 

But hopefully, we'll hear good news this month or the next. A possible little collab of some sort with Wattpad????? lmao I don't dare to say more. I'm just a small author. I'll let you know when it's time to rock n roll.