Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return

Chapter 1816: Chapter 1816: Such a Snobbish Person

”We came on behalf of Huayu Temple to Tianyang City to attend the God-worship ceremony, and took the chance to visit Grandfather and the elders.” Shen Yuhe was more or less used to her expression by now. She glanced somewhat awkwardly at Han Yan and the others and replied.

On the way here Shen Yuhe had already introduced the situation in the Gu family: the Family Head is Gu Qingming, a Ninth Rank Divine Priest of Heavenly Sun Temple, though just like Ye Yi’an, he doesn’t actually hold a post in the temple.

The eldest uncle, Gu Mingxuan, had outstanding natural talent and reached the level of Ninth Rank Divine Priest before turning twenty. His future had been extremely bright, but Heaven is jealous of geniuses—he met with an accident and died young while out training. He left behind his widow Lin Xiu, the kindly, gentle older woman; according to Shen Yuhe, she is naturally detached and kind, and dotes on her very much.

The second uncle, Gu Ming’an, is also a Priest, but his natural talent is mediocre. After cultivating for so many years he’s only a Fifth-rank Divine Priest, far inferior to Shen Yuhe. Because the eldest son died unexpectedly, Gu Qingming was overwhelmed with grief and handed the family affairs over to Gu Ming’an early on. However, Gu Ming’an’s cultivation is not high and he’s henpecked, so in reality the one running the Gu family is his wife, Zhu Yulan.

As for what kind of character Zhu Yulan is, Shen Yuhe hardly needed to say much—Han Yan and the others had already seen it with their own eyes. From the fawning smile on her face when she came up to greet them at first, to the icy cold look once she found out Shen Yuhe’s identity, they could tell she was the mercenary type. The reason Shen Yuhe hadn’t wanted to bring them to the Gu family earlier was probably because she was afraid they’d have to suffer her rolling eyes.

”Well now, you’ve improved, huh. You actually qualify to represent Huayu Temple.” Zhu Yulan folded her arms, shot Shen Yuhe a sidelong glance, and spoke in a mocking, sing-song tone.

”Mm. My master passed away, and I inherited her Divine Position. I’m now a Right Priest of Huayu Temple.” Shen Yuhe didn’t get angry, and spoke calmly.

”Yu He, you became a Right Priest?” Lin Xiu was overjoyed, but she also subconsciously let go of her hand.

Though she was by nature indifferent to worldly things, she still knew what kind of status a Right Priest held in the temple, so she was a bit nervous and ill at ease.

”Aunt, even though I’ve become a Right Priest, I’m still your junior.” Seeing how uneasy and flustered she looked, Shen Yuhe felt bad and took the initiative to hold her hand.

”Right, this is our Huayu Temple’s Main Priest, Master Han Yan. This is Right Priest Master Sikong Qinglan. And this is Peace Priest Master Wen Gaoren.” Shen Yuhe then began introducing Han Yan and the others.

”So this is the Master Priest...” Lin Xiu hurriedly bowed to Han Yan, but before she finished speaking, she saw Zhu Yulan dart forward to cut in front of her.

”So this is Master Priest. We didn’t know several esteemed adults were gracing us with your presence, so if there’s been any neglect, please forgive us. Ah yes, my name is Lin Xiu, I’m Yu He’s second aunt. I watched this girl grow up, and to think in the blink of an eye she’s become a Right Priest. We must thank Master Priest for your care and support. You all haven’t eaten yet, have you? I’ll arrange a dinner at once to welcome and cleanse the dust for you...” The face that had just been colder than eternal ice suddenly thawed; Zhu Yulan’s obsequious smile bloomed like spring flowers.

Han Yan and the others all looked at each other. This face-changing speed... wasn’t it a bit too fast? They had already noticed she was mercenary, but hadn’t expected her to be mercenary to this extent.

”Aunt, there’s no need to trouble yourself. We’ve already eaten.” Han Yan really couldn’t stand this type of mercenary person; she’d rather go hungry than deal with her.

”If you’ve eaten then have some late-night snacks. Someone come, quickly prepare some snacks for these adults.” Zhu Yulan led Han Yan and the rest inside as she summoned servants and gave instructions.

Han Yan and Sikong Qinglan couldn’t help but exchange another look. It had only just turned dark and she was already talking about late-night snacks—wasn’t that a bit early? This Zhu Yulan was so materialistic that even they found her hard to tolerate.

”By the way, Yu He, since you specially came back to visit us this time, did you bring any gifts?” As she led Han Yan and the others further in, Zhu Yulan asked warmly.

”Well...” Shen Yuhe hesitated. She hadn’t planned to visit her grandfather this soon, so she hadn’t prepared any gifts. And of course, given Huayu Temple’s current situation, she couldn’t really bring out any decent presents.

”Yu He, don’t tell me that now you’re a Right Priest, you look down on your mother’s family. It’s rare for you to come back, and you didn’t even prepare gifts?” The smile on Zhu Yulan’s face vanished rapidly; she switched expressions again.

Seeing that smile disappear so quickly and the rolled eyes appear just as fast, Shen Yuhe’s expression grew awkward again.

”How could that be? It’s rare for Yu He to come back, of course she’s prepared generous gifts.” Han Yan didn’t want to see her embarrassed, so she quietly exchanged a look with her, her lips moving slightly.

It’s said that once cultivation reaches the level of Divine Heart Priest, a Priest can use Gathering God Transmission, similar in effect to Gathering Qi Transmission. But Han Yan still couldn’t use it, so she had to rely on this method to signal her. Fortunately it was only a few words; Shen Yuhe quickly understood.

”Second Aunt, Aunt, these are the gifts I prepared especially for you. Please don’t dislike them.” Shen Yuhe took out two relic soul beads and handed one to each of them.

”Since it’s rare for you to be so thoughtful, Aunt won’t stand on ceremony.” Lin Xiu accepted the relic soul bead and, without even examining it, tucked it into her bosom with a gratified smile.

Zhu Yulan also took her relic soul bead and held it up to the lamp to inspect it, her expression growing darker and darker.

”Shen Yuhe, what’s the meaning of this? Are you trying to humiliate me?” Zhu Yulan glared at Shen Yuhe, her face full of anger.

Han Yan and the others all stared at Zhu Yulan, not understanding what she was getting at.

”You actually palm off a glass bead on me. Do you take me for a three-year-old? Even if I didn’t get along with your mother back then, you don’t need to use a glass bead to insult me, do you? Shen Yuhe, if you don’t give me a proper explanation today, I’m not done with you.” The more Zhu Yulan spoke the angrier she became, until she finally pointed at Shen Yuhe’s nose and began a tirade of curses.

Glass beads... Han Yan and the others’ jaws almost dropped. That was a relic soul bead—worth at least tens of thousands of taels of silver, and sometimes even sold for tens of thousands of taels of silver—and in her eyes it was just a glass bead.

The Gu family was at least a Priest Family. She’d managed household affairs for so many years; where exactly had all that effort gone, if she couldn’t even recognize a relic soul bead and actually took it for a glass bead?

But after thinking it through, they felt it made sense. Even for the Divine Temple Chief Priests of each temple, relic soul beads were only available if they wanted them; ordinary folk would hardly ever get the chance to see one. It wasn’t so strange that she didn’t recognize it.

Still, even if she didn’t recognize it, she didn’t have to start shrieking and cursing like a shrew. With this, everyone had a clear look at just how insanely snobbish Zhu Yulan really was.

”Yu Lan, don’t be angry. It’s not like you don’t know Huayu Temple’s situation. This is Yu He’s heartfelt gesture, after all. If you make such a scene, won’t it just make outsiders laugh at us?” Lin Xiu hurriedly stepped in front of Shen Yuhe, advising her earnestly. From the look of it, she didn’t recognize the relic soul bead either.