Chapter Seventy-Four: Senior Brother and Junior Sister

Mu Qing saw her demanding a meeting gift while clutching the jade box tightly, and couldn't help but laugh. "You’ve already taken your meeting gift, yet you’re still asking your teacher for more?"

Liu Qin was overjoyed to hear Master Mu had given her the jade box, but she still pouted and said, "Master, now that I’m your disciple, you shouldn’t call me ‘miss’ anymore. Call me Qin’er from now on. Hehe, thank you for such a wonderful gift! I’ll be sure to make some delicious dishes in return for you."

Mu Qing laughed heartily. "Very well, I’ll wait for my disciple to honor me with good food."

"Rest assured, Master, Qin’er always keeps her word."

With these words, Liu Qin finally had a chance to examine the jade box in her hands. It was rectangular, not too large, and its color was a pale white tinged with green. Had she ever seen a snow lotus, she would have noticed that the hue of the box closely resembled its petals. The lid was carved with a strange plant bearing serrated leaves, one Liu Qin had never seen before. Not to mention the material—ice jade, rare beyond compare—the carving itself was the work of a master craftsman. Every leaf and even the tiniest petal were so lifelike they seemed to breathe.

"Master, what flower is this?" Liu Qin pointed to the odd plant on the lid and asked. Mu Qing glanced at it and replied, "Sensitive Plant."

Sensitive Plant? There was such a plant in her previous life, though Liu Qin had never seen it herself. Mu Qing continued, "Its leaves curl up at the slightest touch, hence its name. Though it appears harmless, it is actually highly poisonous. When touched, it releases toxins, and those unaware may easily be poisoned. Its venom is fierce; without the correct antidote, death comes within three days."

Liu Qin stuck out her tongue in fright. She hadn’t expected this inconspicuous flower to be so dangerous. It reminded her of the delicate yet deadly lotus maidens she’d seen in TV dramas—harmless to look at, but ruthless beneath the surface. Truly a fair comparison.

Her master went on, "Though the Sensitive Plant is poisonous, it is also the nemesis of other toxins. As the saying goes, fight poison with poison. If you are afflicted with a potent poison, taking one leaf of Sensitive Plant in time will preserve your life." Mu Qing smiled. "Do you know why this plant is carved on the jade box? It possesses a rare ability: it wards off poison. Its capacity to preserve the efficacy of medicinal herbs makes it a treasure beyond value, and its anti-poison properties make it all the more precious. Keep this jade box safe—it may be invaluable in the future."

So rare and precious! Liu Qin marveled at its ability to ward off poison; she’d truly stumbled upon a treasure. She carefully tucked the jade box against her chest, separated only by her inner garment. As soon as it touched her skin, a chill seeped through, sending shivers down her spine. "So cold!" She hastily pulled it out and hopped from foot to foot, cradling it in her hands.

Everyone laughed at her antics. Mu Qing took out a small silk pouch and gestured for Liu Qin to place the jade box inside. With the box in the pouch, the chill was lessened, and it felt much more comfortable.

After a bout of laughter, they returned to business. Since the prenatal poison in Jiang Li’s body had not been fully expelled, Mu Qing instructed him to continue his daily routine: three rounds of boxing morning and evening, and meditation for an hour each session, coordinating with the medicinal effects of the snow lotus to completely purge the toxins. Arrangements for his recovery would be made once his health was restored.

Seeing her master instructing Jiang Li in the essentials of boxing and internal cultivation, Liu Qin quietly retreated to the doorway, careful not to disturb them or remind her master of her own presence. At the threshold, she found Xiao Wu still standing there, so she beckoned him over.

Xiao Wu hesitated but eventually approached. Once they were in the courtyard, Liu Qin giggled, "Brother Xiao Wu, now that we’re fellow disciples, should I call you Brother Xiao Wu or Senior Brother?"

Asking Xiao Wu was like questioning a block of wood. Liu Qin didn’t wait for his answer and tilted her head. "Never mind, I’ll keep calling you Brother Xiao Wu so I don’t have to get used to a new name. But you mustn’t call me ‘Hey’ anymore."

It turned out that, on those rare occasions when Xiao Wu spoke, he neither called her ‘miss’ nor ‘little sister,’ but simply ‘hey’—which annoyed Liu Qin greatly. She made it clear, "You must call me Junior Sister from now on, understood?"

Xiao Wu didn’t reply, but nodded. Feeling mischievous, Liu Qin adopted the manner of a spoiled young master teasing a virtuous maiden, squinting and looking playful. "Go on, call me once so I can hear." She nearly reached out to hook his chin with her finger.

Xiao Wu looked up, his eyes dark as ink and shining like a hidden flame. Even his perpetually cold, wooden face showed a hint of color—a suspicious blush. Was Xiao Wu actually blushing? A rare event indeed. Liu Qin was surprised, but then heard him softly say, "Ju... Junior Sister."

"Come on, Brother Xiao Wu, let’s go outside and join the others!" Liu Qin exclaimed happily, grabbing his hand and pulling him along. Xiao Wu’s hand was cool to the touch, like holding a piece of ice cream on a hot summer day—so comfortable.

It was likely the first time Liu Qin had ever held Xiao Wu’s hand. Since learning of his quirk, she’d avoided any physical contact to spare him discomfort. But today, she was so overjoyed she forgot herself.

Yet, Xiao Wu’s usual aversion didn’t surface. Instead, a surge of uncontrollable joy rose within him. His junior sister’s hand was soft and warm, with a slight dampness in her palm that seemed to seep into his skin. He couldn’t quite describe the feeling, but it etched itself deep into his memory, lingering for years. Only much later did he realize this was the feeling of mutual affection and intimacy—of being inseparable, each containing the other.

Hand in hand, the two walked toward the gate, never before so harmonious or natural together.

Jiang Li had just stepped out and happened to witness this scene. Watching the taller and shorter figures leave the courtyard hand in hand, his eyes narrowed and his lips pressed into a thin line. Ever since his sister told him she’d be with him for life, his heart had settled, no longer wavering because of Xiao Wu or others. Yet his hostility toward Xiao Wu remained, and now grew even stronger. Senior Brother Xiao Wu, could it be we are destined to be rivals?

Outside, the group of boys hadn’t slackened just because Master Mu was absent. Under Lei Hu’s leadership, they practiced the newly learned long boxing over and over. The essence of boxing lay in constant repetition, gaining insight through practice. Each round, their movements grew more fluent, and their understanding deepened. Eventually, when hands and heart moved as one, they would reach proficiency; when heart moved without hands, they’d achieve mastery.

Liu Qin couldn’t sense any of this. Unable to immerse herself, she naturally missed the subtleties. Watching their synchronized movements, she could only clap excitedly at the sidelines, as if watching young monks perform at the Shaolin Temple.

As evening approached, Liu Qin sent Changsheng to inform the Old Madam of Jiang Li’s apprenticeship, and to ask whether two tables should be set for a celebratory banquet.