Chapter 609: Li Sui

Chapter 609: Li Sui

"Human nature, at its birth, is good; natures are similar, but habits grow apart... If not taught, nature will change; the way of teaching lies in dedication..."

Seated in the front row, Li Sui listened with delight as the master swayed his head and recited the ancient text. Within the entire Niu Xinshan private school, her voice was the clearest and loudest.

Taking advantage of the master's brief pause to sip tea, Li Sui proudly showed off to the nearby village soldier who had come to learn characters. "I've studied this passage before—I know what it means! My father taught me!"

But the soldier paid no attention to her words; all his focus was on the radiant face that seemed to glow like a celestial being.

Not just him—throughout the school, both men and women couldn't help stealing glances at her from time to time.

After all, compared to these dirt-stained laborers working the fields, this girl in flowing robes was nothing short of an angel descending from heaven.

Especially among the young boys, their minds were far from reading and writing. Their eyes seemed glued to Li Sui’s form.

It was precisely because of this reason that the normally empty schoolhouse was packed tonight.

Even Master Wu, the teacher, found himself distracted from time to time. "Cough cough, miss, could you perhaps cover your face a bit more?"

He didn’t know where this beautiful woman came from. The female boss of the white-haired demon had always told him not to neglect her.

He was genuinely puzzled. Her appearance and demeanor didn’t seem like those of someone uneducated.

Hearing this, Li Sui looked confused. "Why should I cover it? Am I not human now?"

Master Wu frowned, unable to say anything further. He turned away and continued reciting from the textbook.

As the moon rose high, evening lessons ended. A large group filed out of the schoolhouse, each heading home.

Among them were several people following Li Sui toward the Bai family compound. Even without speaking, merely watching her graceful silhouette from afar was a pleasure.

Li Sui felt delighted—finally, others weren’t afraid of her anymore, and she no longer needed to wear her straw cloak all day long.

She was already planning to go chat with villagers during the day.

"Mother, I'm back!" Li Sui happily ran toward Bai Lingmiao standing at the gate.

Just as Li Sui grabbed her to find her father, Bai Lingmiao stopped her. "Wait first. Your father is having an important conversation with a distinguished guest."

"Important? What kind of important thing?" Li Sui blinked with big eyes.

Bai Lingmiao glanced up at the reflection in the upstairs window and said nothing, pulling Li Sui inside through the second gate.

Looking at her clothes, Bai Lingmiao softly remarked, "How long have you been wearing those? You need new ones."

"Why do I need to change?"

"Because they get dirty easily. You're a lady, Li Sui—you can't be so dirty."

"Really? What does 'lady' mean?" Li Sui asked curiously, walking along with Bai Lingmiao.

Under Bai Lingmiao's patient explanation, Li Sui learned many things her father had never taught her.

Soon, Li Sui's clothes were stripped off, but instead of changing immediately, she was thrown into a large wooden tub by Bai Lingmiao.

Outside, Bai Lingmiao gently rubbed the removed garments, while inside the tub, Li Sui mimicked her by scrubbing her own skin.

Seeing Li Sui's clumsy movements, Bai Lingmiao smiled knowingly and patiently taught her how to wash clothes.

"Li Sui, did you know? I actually really enjoy it when you call me mother." With her head lifted by a hand, she looked at the white-haired girl with a daze.

"Sometimes I really want to give Brother Li a child, but... I can't." Bai Lingmiao's face showed a trace of sadness.

"If my child ends up like Dogwa’s daughter—white fur all over—it won’t be good for either Brother Li or the child."

"I’ve suffered enough. I know that even if others speak kindly, we’re different from ordinary people. I don’t want my children to suffer like this."

Bai Lingmiao untied Li Sui’s long hair and gently washed it in water.

"You look strange at times. At first, I was repulsed, but then I thought about how I’m not much better than Brother Li, so I stopped caring."

"Mother, what are you talking about? I don’t understand."

"It’s better if you don’t understand. Sometimes I envy you—never having to think about anything."

Like true mother and daughter, Bai Lingmiao helped Li Sui wash her hair while softly speaking.

Though Li Sui didn’t fully grasp Bai Lingmiao’s words, she was happy to be with her mother figure.

Things that her father wouldn’t listen to or react to, Bai Lingmiao would hear patiently.

After a relaxing bath, Li Sui put on her human skin, reattached her human head, styled her hair, and finally wore Bai Lingmiao’s clothes.

"Not bad at all. Our bodies are quite alike—we can swap clothes," Bai Lingmiao observed approvingly.

"Wait, stand still. Let me put some rouge on you," Bai Lingmiao said, turning to leave, but suddenly paused and looked toward the left window. "Didn’t you promise me you wouldn’t approach Niu Xin Village?"

"Saintess, the Astronomical Bureau wants to see you. They wish to discuss matters with our White Lotus Sect," a deep voice came from outside.

Bai Lingmiao sighed. "I’ll go, but not now."

"Also, due to the rumors spread earlier, many old White Lotus believers who had hidden away have come looking for us."

"Ugh! I’ve barely returned, and now you’re chasing me again? Can’t I run away?!" As Bai Lingmiao’s tone changed, the voice outside disappeared.

"Li Sui, let’s go find your father!" Bai Lingmiao pulled Li Sui toward the bedroom, clearly annoyed.

Just as they reached the door, Liu Zongyuan, bowing backward, stepped out.

When he turned around, he caught sight of a black tentacle slipping back under Li Sui’s skirt. His expression instantly changed, and he reached into his chest. "What sorcery is this!"

The newly worn clothes on Li Sui tore apart instantly. Black tentacles flew everywhere. A beast-like face covered in sharp teeth blocked Bai Lingmiao’s path, snarling at Liu Zongyuan.

Seeing the familiar beast face, Liu Zongyuan froze, realizing his mistake.

"What?"

Hearing Li Huowang’s question from within, Liu Zongyuan quickly put on a cheerful smile. "Oh, Ejiu brother, your spirit beast is amazing—it can even take human form! Almost didn’t recognize it just now."

When he reached the staircase, seeing Li Sui and Bai Lingmiao enter the room together, he shivered and hurried downstairs.

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Next chapter updates at 11:30 PM.

(End of Chapter)