The familiar singing and tears of Mrs. Xu melted the last bit of grudge in her heart.
She indulged herself in this long - awaited love for a long time. Finally, she raised her tear - blurred eyes, looked at Shen Cuiyu, and said with a crying voice but extremely clearly:
"Sister... I... I can't bear to part with Mother... I came in this life just for Mother..."
Shen Cuiyu took a deep look at Mrs. Xu and reminded her softly:
"You must think it over. If you regret it later, you will surely suffer a backlash."
Mrs. Xu nodded almost without hesitation.
"Whether it's Jiao Jiao or Shun Shun. No matter what happens in the future, I will never let go of her hand again."
Looking at the "mother and daughter" hugging tightly in front of her, Shen Cuiyu's lips curled up slightly, showing a relieved smile.
Only when something is hard - won can one know how to cherish it. This mother - daughter bond that had crossed life and death and experienced many twists and turns finally came to a perfect end.
When the disciples escorted the clay doll carrying Shun Shun's soul back to the Cui Mansion, the sun was already high in the sky.
Under everyone's gaze, Shen Cuiyu condensed spiritual light on her fingertips and gently touched the forehead of the clay doll. A soft halo rose from the clay and slowly flowed towards Jiao Jiao, who was in a coma on the couch.
"The three souls return to their positions, and the mind becomes clear." Shen Cuiyu whispered the incantation and changed the hand seals in her hands.
Just as the soul completely merged, Jiao Jiao on the couch fluttered her eyelashes and slowly opened her eyes.
Those eyes were as clear as water, but more profound than before.
She first looked around blankly. Her gaze paused slightly when it touched Mrs. Xu, and a complex look flashed in her eyes - there was Jiao Jiao's dependence and Shun Shun's timidity.
"Jiao Jiao..." Mrs. Xu choked and stepped forward, but stopped the moment she met her daughter's eyes. The look in those eyes was so familiar that she involuntarily called out another name: "Shun Shun..."
The little girl nodded gently and said with a somewhat awkward voice: "Mother... I remember everything."
She said "remember everything" - she remembered the grievance of being neglected as Shun Shun and the warmth of being doted on as Jiao Jiao.
Shen Cuiyu stood quietly by the couch and did not erase any memories.
She knew that only a complete soul could carry a complete life. Whether it was bitter or sweet, it was the karma that this child should experience.
Liu Ruyan stepped forward in time and said softly to Mrs. Xu: "Madam, don't worry. Your daughter's soul is now complete, and she will no longer be as weak and sick as before. Just now in the temple, I could tell that this child's soul was extraordinary..."
Pei Yu watched this scene coldly and said nothing.
When they left the Cui Mansion, the sunset was just right. Mrs. Xu stood at the door holding her daughter to see them off. The little girl lay on her mother's shoulder and waved gently.
Those eyes were still clear, but when looking at Shen Cuiyu, there was a bit more gratitude that was hard to describe.
Mrs. Xu seemed to remember something and said a little worriedly: "Celestial Master, what about that evil ghost that caused trouble..."
"I will hand this evil creature over to the academy for disposal when I return to the academy." Shen Cuiyu said indifferently, "The Soul - Locking Tower will surely teach it the consequence of feeding on others' souls."
On the returning carriage, Shen Cuiyu closed her eyes to rest, but the last look in Shun Shun's eyes emerged in her mind - it was the look of someone who had finally achieved perfection after going through hardships, and it was also the most gentle acceptance of the world from a child who carried two sets of memories.
She knew that from then on, this child who was neither purely Shun Shun nor purely Jiao Jiao would live her own life with double memories.
And perhaps this was the best ending.
.........
After everything was settled, the disciples set off to return to the Myriad Phenomena Academy.
The carriage rumbled along. Inside the carriage, the disciples were still discussing the previous mission hotly. A green - clothed disciple flattered Liu Ruyan:
"In this mission, Ruyan not only pointed out the direction with the Soul - Searching Disk but also stabilized the soul with the Soul - Soothing Melody. You have made great contributions. You must be the candidate for the Grand Sacrifice Ceremony."
Another disciple hesitated and said: "But Shen Cuiyu also seems to have made great contributions in this mission..."
When Shen Cuiyu was mentioned, a cold light flashed in Liu Ruyan's eyes, and her tone involuntarily became a bit sharp:
"All our words and deeds are recorded in the Retrospective Mirror of the Myriad Phenomena Academy and judged jointly by the teachers and the court. I believe the teachers will make a fair judgment."
As soon as she said this, the carriage fell silent immediately.
A younger disciple said in surprise: "Ruyan, how do you know the rules of this competition? Isn't this supposed to be a secret of the academy..."
Liu Ruyan's expression froze for a moment, then she smiled and said, "I'm the reincarnation of the Mysterious Maiden, so I can naturally figure out a thing or two about these things." She changed the subject, and her tone suddenly became low, "It's just... this Grand Sacrifice Ceremony is ultimately under the full responsibility of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau."
She deliberately left her words half - said, leaving infinite room for imagination.
The green - clothed disciple suddenly realized: "Oh! I almost forgot. Lord Shen Zanghai is the director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau and also Shen Shijie's father..."
These words were like a stone thrown into a quiet lake, instantly causing ripples.
"The Grand Sacrifice Ceremony is so solemn. How can we abandon fairness for personal gain?"
"Ruyan, don't worry. We all have seen your strength. We will surely support you with all our might!"
"That's right. We mustn't let someone take the position that should belong to you through nepotism!"
Liu Ruyan lowered her eyes to hide the smug look in them and said softly: "I appreciate the kindness of all my fellow disciples. But... I hope you won't have a rift with Cuiyu because of this."
The more "magnanimous" she seemed, the more indignant the others became.
The carriage curtain fluttered gently with the wind, and Shen Cuiyu's carriage in the front could be faintly seen. Liu Ruyan stared at that figure and a barely perceptible sneer curled up on her lips.
The Grand Sacrifice Ceremony? She was determined to win it.
........
Sure enough, a few days later, Shen Zanghai came to the Myriad Phenomena Academy with Mrs. Zou and Shen Mu'an.
Shen Cuiyu's originally calm expression brightened up the moment she saw the three of them, and even her tone became a bit more brisk: "Father, Mother, Brother!"
Although Shen Zanghai and Mrs. Zou doted on their daughter, they were surprisingly consistent in education. Mrs. Zou carefully examined Shen Cuiyu's residence. Seeing that the room was small but tidy and orderly, a look of relief flashed across her eyes - her Yu'er had really grown up and knew how to take care of herself.
It was Shen Mu'an. As soon as he saw his sister, he couldn't help but step forward to compare their heights and nag like a fussy old woman:
"Are you used to life in the academy? Is the daily food to your taste?"
"How are you getting along with your classmates? If anyone bullies you, be sure to tell your brother." He walked around Shen Cuiyu, frowned slightly, and said, "You seem to have lost some weight..."
If Mrs. Zou hadn't grabbed his ear in time and pulled him away, this elder brother might have kept nagging until late at night.