Chapter Forty-Eight: She Is Still Her, But Not Who She Used to Be

A few days later, Su Xueer had recovered somewhat, and Tang Ruoyu finally brought Shen Zixuan to see her. Before this, no one was allowed inside.

"Yaoyao, Yaoyao..." Shen Zixuan squatted beside the cradle, playing with Yu Wenyao.

Tang Ruoyu sat beside Su Xueer, who looked at Shen Zixuan and asked softly, "Ruoyu, what do you think of Xiao Xuan now?"

Tang Ruoyu smiled faintly, "Xueer, he still hasn't said a word to me."

"What... he hasn't said a single word?" Su Xueer was surprised. She thought they had already reconciled, but it turned out Shen Zixuan still refused to take that step.

While Su Xueer pondered this, Tang Ruoyu dropped a bombshell. "Xueer, there's something important you should know. Five months ago, just as you predicted, a taboo descended upon Luoshen Valley. It restricts those at the Lingdi level and above. Even Ling Sheng level experts who enter have their powers forcibly suppressed to the peak of the Lingdi level."

Su Xueer's expression changed slightly. She questioned, "Why are you telling me this now?"

"Well..." Tang Ruoyu stammered, unable to explain. Su Xueer sighed, "It was Yu Shi who told you not to say anything, wasn't it?"

"Yes."

"It's fine, I understand his intentions. He just wanted me to focus on a healthy pregnancy." She then turned her gaze to Yu Wenyao, who was babbling happily.

After Tang Ruoyu and Shen Zixuan left, Su Xueer began to meditate and cultivate. Although it had been a long time since she practiced, her spirit sea had expanded significantly since she first advanced to the Lingdi level, and she was now on the verge of reaching the mid-Lingdi stage.

That evening, Yu Shi walked to the door and opened it to find Su Xueer meditating, while Yu Wenyao slept soundly in the cradle. Yu Shi looked lovingly at Yu Wenyao's round little face, clearly very fond of her.

"You're back."

Yu Shi turned to Su Xueer and replied, "Yes, in a few months, I'll leave the affairs of the Spirit Master Mansion to Tang Ruoyu and Xiao Xuan."

"Alright, accompany me to the Tang residence tomorrow."

Yu Shi frowned, "What are we going to the Tang residence for?"

"I promised the Tang clan leader to deliver some things, but I haven't had the chance. Since I'll be leaving soon, I might forget later, so I want to deliver them personally as soon as possible."

Yu Shi clenched his fists, his eyes filled with anger, "If I weren't the Grand Commander of the Spirit Master Mansion, would they dare to threaten you like this?"

Su Xueer understood Yu Shi's frustration. She placed her hand on his clenched fist to calm him down, "This matter needs a resolution. I need to find out who I am. A mystery that has been haunting me for so long must be solved. Go rest, you've had a long day."

After settling Yu Shi, Su Xueer did not go to bed. Yu Shi was puzzled, "Xueer, where are you going?"

"I've fallen behind too much recently. I've had enough sleep. You go rest early."

With that, she left, but not without glancing at Yu Wenyao one last time as she walked out.

The next morning, Yu Shi and Su Xueer arrived at the entrance of the Tang residence.

Tang Mingyuan greeted them warmly, "Grand Commander, Madam Commander."

Su Xueer responded, "Clan Leader Tang, sorry to bother you."

"Not at all, please come in."

In the main hall of the Tang residence, Su Xueer took out several boxes of jewelry and a whole box of gold coins from her spatial ring.

"Clan Leader Tang, these are the wedding gifts we couldn't deliver on time. Please forgive us."

"Madam Commander, there's no need for such formality. We're all family, and I only lent a small helping hand. However... these gifts, I really shouldn't accept."

"Clan Leader Tang, since you said we're family, refusing them would be impolite on our part."

"Well... then I humbly accept. Haha~"

After accepting the gifts, Tang Mingyuan inquired about Su Xueer's child.

"Is it a boy or a girl?"

"A girl, named Yu Wenyao."

"Yu Wenyao..." Tang Mingyuan stroked his beard, "A fine name, very poetic."

"How is my daughter doing lately?"

"She is doing well. She has been working under Yu Shi and showing great promise."

Tang Mingyuan was visibly pleased, "Oh? Really? I must thank the Grand Commander for his guidance."

"No need to thank me, Clan Leader Tang. I just did my best with the responsibility entrusted to me. She is indeed very clever and capable."

"...."

After a brief chat, Su Xueer and Yu Shi took their leave.

In the following three months, Su Xueer spent her time either cultivating or holding Yu Wenyao. When Wenyao cried, she comforted her; when Wenyao smiled, she smiled along.

At night, Su Xueer held Yu Wenyao, sitting by the window, looking at the sleeping child in her arms, tears streaming down her face.

"Mommy is sorry, my dear. Mommy has more important things to do. Please don't blame me," Su Xueer sobbed. She was reluctant to part with her young daughter, but she had to leave her.

As if sensing Su Xueer's words, Yu Wenyao suddenly began to cry. Su Xueer, choking back tears, quickly comforted her, "Don't cry, dear. Mommy won't leave. Mommy will stay with you. Don't cry, please."

Only then did Wenyao quiet down. Su Xueer continued to watch her, tears flowing. She couldn't bear to leave her child. She hated the fact that she wasn't an ordinary person.

The next day, Yu Shi had prepared everything for Su Xueer's departure. She wore a light white dress, a white cloak, a mask, and a bamboo hat. Just as she was about to leave, she hesitated. She walked over to Yu Wenyao, who was still sleeping, her eyes red with emotion.

"Goodbye, dear."

Yu Shi, Tang Ruoyu, and Shen Zixuan accompanied Su Xueer to the city gate. Although Shen Zixuan showed no change in his expression, his heart was in turmoil, and his resolve to become stronger deepened.

Yu Shi stared intently at Su Xueer's departing figure. Tang Ruoyu tried to comfort him, "Grand Commander, please don't be too sad. I believe Xueer will return safely."

Yu Shi smiled faintly, "Do you think she will be the same when she returns?"

Tang Ruoyu looked into the distance, contemplating, "Grand Commander, when Xueer returns, she will still be Xueer, just not the Xueer she used to be."

"Yes, she will still be her, just not who she used to be."