Chapter 46 A More Vibrant Atmosphere
Since that day when they "got some fresh air" on the terrace, Chi Li and Tang Lu seem to have reached some kind of unspoken understanding.
Chi Li no longer keeps Tang Lu by her side all the time.
When dealing with less urgent official business, she would allow Tanglu to move freely in the garden outside her bedchamber or in a few designated safe areas.
Occasionally, she would even have a trusted lady-in-waiting accompany her to take Tang Lu for a walk in a more scenic palace garden.
Tang Lu showed great enthusiasm for this.
She was like a greedy sponge, absorbing everything from the outside world.
The warmth of the sunlight, the touch of the breeze, the scents of different spiritual plants, the clear chirping of birds...
Every time she returned from an "outing," her little face was rosy, her eyes were bright, and she exuded a lively energy that blended various plants and sunshine.
She began to get to know more about the demon race.
It was no longer the kind of contact with the purpose of "seeking treatment" that existed before, but a more natural encounter.
She would squat on the ground, watching curiously as the earth spirits, no bigger than ants, carried away the spirit grains.
She would try to imitate the bird maidens, clumsily attempting to utter melodious calls, though the result was often just a string of off-key breaths.
She would even share the sweet spiritual fruit that Chi Li had given her, which she herself was reluctant to eat, with the kind-faced old tree spirit who guarded the garden.
Her world, centered around Chi Li, is gradually and safely expanding outwards.
Chi Li witnessed all of this.
She would still silently use her divine sense to cover the area where Tang Lu was active, and no possible movement could escape her perception.
But she learned to restrain herself, no longer easily revealing an overly oppressive protectiveness, but existing silently like a shadow, like air.
She discovered that giving Tang Lu this limited freedom not only didn't make her "fly away," but also brought some unexpected...rewards.
For example, if Tanglu finds a wild fruit with a particularly sweet smell outside, she will carefully wrap a few in a handkerchief and present them to her like a precious treasure:
"Lili, try it! It's sweet!"
Although the fruit was useless to Chi Li's cultivation, she would always eat it without changing her expression, and then nod affirmatively in the little guy's expectant gaze: "Mmm, very sweet."
For example, Tanglu would bring back any oddly shaped, beautiful stones or brightly colored feathers she found in the garden and solemnly place them in an empty jade box in Chili's study, calling it "a treasure for Lili".
The jade box is now almost completely filled with these "junk" items, but Chi Li has never ordered anyone to clean it.
What made Chi Li feel even more conflicted was that Tang Lu seemed to have incorporated her unique healing abilities into this free exploration.
The only difference is that the target has shifted from the demon race to those silent plant spirits.
She would quietly bring life to flowers and trees whose branches had been broken by wind and rain, she would moisten parched land again, and she would soothe frightened plants...
She always did these things secretly, as if she was afraid of being discovered by Chi Li, or as if she was following some kind of instinct and couldn't control herself.
Chi Li actually knew all of this.
Her divine sense "saw" everything clearly.
At first, that possessiveness would still instinctively surface, making her want to immediately grab the little one back and reiterate the theory that "your light is precious."
But when she "saw" Tang Lu's face radiate pure and contented joy as she helped a dying evening mist grass regain its vitality, all the words of dissuasion stuck in her throat.
Her tree spirit seems to gain some kind of nourishment and joy in the process of healing others.
This kind of joy, unlike the tranquil comfort she brought herself, was more outward-looking and more full of vitality.
Akari began to learn to accept it, and... secretly indulged it.
As long as it didn't involve potential danger or require too much mental effort, she tacitly approved of Tang Lu's "small acts of kindness."
She would even deliberately "arrange" some spirit plants that needed help near Tanglu's activity area, and then watch with satisfaction as the little guy ran over as if he had discovered a new continent and started "working" diligently.
It's a wonderful balance.
Tanglu enjoys the vast world that comes with limited freedom, while Chili controls the boundaries of this freedom and draws feedback from it on Tanglu's ever-growing vitality due to her happiness.
The most direct manifestation of this balance is the daily "return to the nest".
No matter how much fun she had during the day, as the sun began to set and night slowly fell, Tang Lu would always run back to where Chi Li was, carrying the scent of sunshine and grass.
Sometimes, in the study, she would sneak in silently like a tired little animal, climb onto the cushion next to Chi Li as if she knew the way well, and pretend to doze off against her calves.
Sometimes, in the bedchamber, she would rush into Chi Li's arms while she was meditating, chattering away about what she had seen and heard that day, though her logic was incoherent.
Sometimes, she wouldn't even say anything, but would just run over, hug Chi Li tightly around the waist, bury her face in her chest, take a deep breath, and then sigh contentedly.
She would reach out her small hand and habitually place it on Chi Li's old wounds, or simply gently rub her wrist, transferring the abundant wood spirit vitality that she had "squandered" all day to Chi Li without reservation.
This became a ritual for her, a way to give back to Lili, who provided her with a safe haven, by drawing vitality from the outside world.
Chi Li enjoys the dependence and healing of this "homecoming".
She discovered that Tanglu, after experiencing free exploration, seemed to bring her more vitality and resilience, and its soothing effect was even better than before.
Her letting go was not a loss, but a way to reap a more fulfilling homecoming.
Her tree spirit wings had grown stronger, and she flew out to see the world, transforming the sunshine and rain of the outside world into the power that nourished her.
In the end, he returned to her side with even greater attachment.
His Majesty the Demon King suddenly felt that this kind of "limited freedom" seemed to be... a pretty good idea.
She looked at the little one in her arms, whose eyes were shining and who was gesturing excitedly as he recounted the interesting things that happened during the day, and a very soft smile appeared on her lips.
Perhaps the best way to protect a tree destined to grow tall is not to confine it to a small space.
Instead, they designated a safe territory for her, allowing her to grow freely.
Then, whenever she needs rest, always be the soil from which she can return safely...
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