The early morning.
Jiang Huai led Luo Qingyu, who was dressed, back to the courtyard.
Wen Wanwan stayed in the courtyard to teach Wen Fufu sword practice and did not follow them. Luo Qingyu was wearing a black qipao, her slender figure completely concealed. At this moment, Luo Qingyu had shed some of her girlish immaturity, and her body seemed to have become increasingly moist and tender.
Upon returning to the courtyard, Luo Qingyu pounced into Luo Yueguan’s arms. Luo Yueguan gently hugged Luo Qingyu’s back, then reached out and pinched her little face, her eyes smiling.
Luo Qingyu was very good at acting spoiled; even Jiang Huai didn’t know where she learned it, as if she had learned it all by herself. Back in the courtyard, Jiang Huai took Luo Qingyu to prune flowers and plants, and then they went to the trading street of the Tian Xuan Sect to buy ingredients for lunch and dinner.
Luo Qingyu would sleep in Jiang Huai’s courtyard tonight, and they wouldn’t go to Wen Wanwan’s place. Jiang Huai would go to Wanwan’s place tomorrow. This was all discussed and agreed upon by Luo Qingyu and Wen Wanwan in advance. There were times when sisters needed to unite against outsiders, and times when they could have each other all to themselves, without Jiang Huai needing to worry about anything. Jiang Huai could only laugh and sigh at this.
For lunch, Jiang Huai was meticulous with his cooking. He prepared six dishes for the four of them, four light-flavored and two with stronger flavors. Luo Yueguan preferred this, and when she used to visit the courtyard, Jiang Huai would always prepare the meal in a similar manner.
Although nothing had changed from before, Luo Yueguan still glanced at Jiang Huai with a wistful look in her eyes.
She couldn’t make a scene in public, so all she could do was give Jiang Huai a lingering glance. After lunch, Jiang Huai took Luo Qingyu for a stroll. He held her soft, slightly cool white and tender little hand, while Luo Qingyu’s steps were cheerful, like a little butterfly fluttering its wings.
The two walked and stopped, and when no one was around, they would kiss and hug for a while. They walked until they reached Snow Lake. They chose a spot under a tree for shade and sat quietly to fish. They were lucky today; both of them caught a fish. Carrying the fish home, Jiang Huai went to the kitchen to prepare dinner, while Luo Qingyu helped him at his side. One fish was steamed, and the other was boiled, along with some other dishes.
After dinner, Jiang Huai and Luo Qingyu went for a walk in the bamboo forest in the backyard. They had also strolled through the Zi Yun Fen Ge during the day. Jiang Huai bought a music score, a new piece composed by a music cultivator in the past two years. He played the zither in the bamboo forest, while Luo Qingyu, in her black qipao, danced to the music, with the wind rustling through the bamboo.
Luo Qingyu’s body was becoming increasingly supple.
When Jiang Huai stopped playing the zither, Luo Qingyu got closer and leaned against him. In front of them was a small pot of bamboo leaf wine and some snacks to go with it. They sipped it slowly, and occasionally, Luo Qingyu would lean in with wine in her mouth, her cheeks puffed out, looking innocently at Jiang Huai’s eyes. When Jiang Huai kissed her, some of the wine would always drip from their lips. Fortunately, they would be bathing together soon anyway.
Fortunately, when they went to the bathhouse, Chu Xianning seemed to have gone for a walk with Luo Yueguan, otherwise, Jiang Huai would have felt a strange sense of shame. He didn’t do anything with Luo Qingyu in the bathhouse, they just applied foam and flower dew to each other and soaked in the bathhouse for a while before getting dressed and returning to their room. Luo Qingyu did not get into bed immediately, but first sat on a chair.
Her eyes blinked innocently as she looked at Jiang Huai. Her white and tender toes moved slightly, and then she reached out her palm towards Jiang Huai, “Give me the flower dew, Jiang Huai Gege.”
“What for?” Jiang Huai asked, confused.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve stepped on Jiang Huai Gege. Last night, Jiang Huai Gege actually helped Wanwan Jiejie punish Qingyu. It’s Qingyu’s turn to punish Jiang Huai Gege.”
“Huh? How do I remember that I also helped Qingyu bully Wanwan?”
“I don’t care, you bullied Qingyu anyway.” Luo Qingyu tilted her small face up slightly and then let out a soft snort, speaking in a commanding tone, “Jiang Huai Gege, sit still obediently, and don’t move.”
Jiang Huai could only laugh and sigh, so he sat there obediently. Luo Qingyu had just bathed, and there were still some water droplets on her slender white and long calves. She stretched her slender calves straight, then bent slightly, pouring the flower dew onto the top of her foot, and then using Jiang Xiaohu to spread it evenly, until the gaps between her toes were completely filled.
“Is Qingyu more amazing, or Wanwan Jiejie?”
“Of course, Qingyu.”
“Hmph, if Wanwan Jiejie were alone and asked Jiang Huai Gege, Jiang Huai Gege would definitely answer the same way.” Luo Qingyu’s eyes became increasingly charming, her white and tender little feet closed slightly, her snow-white soles as smooth as milk.
…
The early morning.
Luo Qingyu, contrary to Jiang Huai’s expectations, overslept and refused to get up. Even a couple of pats on her little backside didn’t work. She just wanted to hug the quilt and sleep soundly. This was after she had “dealt with” Jiang Huai with her white and tender little feet twice last night. In the end, she didn’t even have the strength to take off and put on her black silk stockings. It was Jiang Huai who picked her up and placed her in the bathtub to wipe her down, and she was almost asleep.
Jiang Huai tucked Luo Qingyu in and walked out the door. Chu Xianning was already up. He went to prepare breakfast, but Luo Yueguan had not woken up yet. So he first brought two bowls of noodles to Chu Xianning and placed them on the table. Jiang Huai held his chopsticks and slurped the noodles loudly. After eating his fill, he rubbed his belly and looked up to see that Chu Xianning’s bowl was still half full. She put down her chopsticks and poured the remaining noodles into his bowl.
“I’m full. You eat it.”
Jiang Huai had no choice but to eat it all obediently and put down his chopsticks.
Today, Chu Xianning was still wearing a white dress. His fairy master preferred simple colors; almost all her clothes were either black or white. When she wore a white dress, her aura was more cold and gentle, like a white flower. When she wore a black dress, she didn’t appear seductive. The black dress contrasted with her cold white skin, making her appear even more unstained by the mundane world.
Chu Xianning didn’t speak but walked silently to the pavilion. Since Jiang Huai had nothing to do, he followed her to the pavilion and set up the chessboard on the table. This time, Chu Xianning gave him a slight advantage. They played chess quickly, and the game was quite intense, indicating that Chu Xianning was in a good mood. Otherwise, if she played seriously, Jiang Huai would have absolutely no chance of winning.
Unless he cheated, but that would be no fun.
They didn’t speak while playing chess, but Jiang Huai wanted to say something several times.
Chu Xianning also remained silent but seemed to sense his hesitation and waited patiently.
After three rounds of chess, Luo Yueguan still hadn’t woken up. Jiang Huai suspected that Luo Yueguan might have secretly spied on them again last night. Then he thought his idea was too strange; maybe not?
He looked up at Chu Xianning’s snow-white cheek again. Chu Xianning was just looking at him calmly.
One second, two seconds, three seconds.
Jiang Huai hesitated to speak again.
Chu Xianning put away the chess pieces, seemingly preparing to go out for a walk. Jiang Huai thought for a moment and then spoke, “I have something to say.”
“If you don’t want to say it, you don’t have to.”
“It’s not that. I just don’t know if Master wants to hear it… If Master wants to hear it, I’ll say it.”
“What is it?”
“It’s about Luo Yueguan.”
“You say it, I’ll listen.”
“Then can Master promise not to hit me after listening?” Jiang Huai shrunk his head.
“I don’t guarantee it.” Chu Xianning shook her head. “But you don’t have to say it.”
“I’ll still say it.” Jiang Huai sighed lightly, gathered his thoughts, and spoke slowly.
“Let’s start with going to Qingxuan Sect with Wanwan this time…”
Jiang Huai had thought carefully about it two days ago. He felt he needed to tell Chu Xianning about this matter, so he told her almost everything that had happened during this period. When it came to some slightly suggestive parts, Jiang Huai tried to gloss over them, but he didn’t exactly hide anything. After finishing, he scratched his head, “That’s about it.”
He dared to say “about it” because the most outrageous thing he had done was to kiss Luo Yueguan voluntarily. If that night by the bathhouse had been his initiative, he wouldn’t have dared to say a word.
He was a little afraid to look Chu Xianning in the eye, but when Chu Xianning spoke, he still looked up.
“You’ve fallen for her?” Chu Xianning asked softly, her brow slightly furrowed, not with anger, but with deep eyes that Jiang Huai couldn’t see clearly.
“I can’t say for sure. At first, I swore I didn’t want anything to happen with her… but it seems I’ve gradually fallen into it myself…” Jiang Huai lowered his head slightly.
Although confessing felt like he was about to have his head cut off by the executioner’s blade, the heavy stone that had been weighing on his heart had finally fallen. The reason he confessed these things to Chu Xianning was that he wanted her advice.
He didn’t know what to do. He couldn’t discuss this matter with Wen Wanwan or Luo Qingyu, so he could only turn to Chu Xianning. He knew that Chu Xianning truly considered Luo Yueguan a friend, and she was the person who understood Luo Yueguan best in the world.
“Then do you think she likes you?” Chu Xianning asked softly.
“Probably a little… but how much… I can’t say clearly… I always feel like she likes me, perhaps just to fill some void in her heart… but I can’t be the one who truly changes her… The more I think about it, the more confused I get, Master… Did I do something wrong again?” Jiang Huai lowered his head dejectedly.
Chu Xianning’s expression was blank. A moment later, the tip of her open-toed crystal high heels stepped on Jiang Huai’s foot, causing him to cry out in pain.
“Don’t think that just because you’re showing a repentant and apologetic look, you are innocent. If you had remained indifferent to all her temptations from the beginning, things wouldn’t have escalated to this point.”
“Yes… I confess.” Jiang Huai lowered his head obediently, admitting guilt and accepting punishment, sincerely repenting.
“What is your purpose in telling me this?” Chu Xianning’s fingertips gently held a chess piece, flipping it over and back in her hand, her voice distant and cold.
“I wanted Master to give me some advice… and I felt that I should tell Master about this matter… I can’t figure it out myself, and I want to hear Master’s thoughts…”
“If you want me to give you advice, I will only give you one piece of advice. If you feel that Luo Yueguan is pitifully alone, and you pity her and want to help her, I will not stop you. Perhaps you can succeed, or perhaps you will suffer greatly because of your arrogant pity, but that will be your own doing.
Sometimes I also feel that her disposition is childish, but she is only childish and unreasonable in front of those she is close to, and this is not her fault. Her past was too difficult, so she has a lot of resentment. Since you promised to figure many things out by her side, then fulfill what you promised.
“But,” Chu Xianning’s voice finally carried a hint of coldness, “when she tries to gain a sense of security by using her body to tempt you, you cannot do anything you shouldn’t do. Otherwise, you would be taking advantage of her situation, using her trust and dependence on you to satisfy your own desires. How you do it is your own business. If you want to indulge with her, then I can’t control you.”
Jiang Huai listened attentively. After thinking for a while, he looked up and nodded slightly, “I understand. Thank you, Master.”
Chu Xianning looked at the chess pieces on the chessboard and said nothing more, just played with the warm jade pieces. After a while, Jiang Huai scratched his head and tentatively asked, “Doesn’t Master have anything else… to say?”
“No.” Chu Xianning replied coldly.
“Just… that’s it?”
“What do you want me to say?” Chu Xianning looked at him calmly. “You never need me to teach you anything. There is no absolutely right choice in this world. You can only choose a way that you think is right and move forward, never looking back. Once you’ve decided, don’t turn back.”
“I know Luo Yueguan well enough. Luo Yueguan’s liking for you is like a drowning person grabbing a life-saving straw. But if one day she figures it out, she will let go. No matter what, she has lived for six hundred years, and she understands many things better than I do. I am not as good as her.”
“Doesn’t Master worry at all that I’ll be so infatuated with her that I’ll be wagging my tail for her every day?”
“If you really liked her enough, you wouldn’t be telling me this,” Chu Xianning guessed all of Jiang Huai’s hidden thoughts with ease. Jiang Huai could only give a wry smile and nod. After a moment, he said, “Then I have one last question.”
Chu Xianning looked calmly at the caution on Jiang Huai’s face.
“Master… are you angry now?”
“What do you think?”
“I dare not guess.”
“You’ve already guessed right.” Chu Xianning took out a snake bone whip and pointed it at the pagoda tree by the door.
Jiang Huai understood. He stood up silently, turned his back to the pagoda tree, and let Chu Xianning’s whip fall on his back. It hurt so much that he grimaced, but he tried his best not to make any sound.
“Do you know why I’m hitting you?” Chu Xianning’s voice was ice-cold.
“Master hitting me is not to vent her anger, but to make me remember what Master said, to remember it well.”
“Are you going to hit me again?” Chu Xianning asked calmly.
“Hit me two more times. I’ve figured it out, Master.”
Chu Xianning waved the snake bone whip in her hand expressionlessly. She didn’t hit him hard, just enough to make him feel pain without actually injuring him. After three lashes, she put away the whip. Just then, Luo Yueguan’s door opened, and she looked at Jiang Huai and Chu Xianning in the courtyard in surprise. “What are you doing? Chu Xianning… you!”
Chu Xianning looked at her calmly and put away the whip. “I am disciplining my disciple. It has nothing to do with you.”
She would not tell Luo Yueguan what Jiang Huai had told her, nor would she advise Luo Yueguan on what to do. Everything was her own choice. She was always an observer. Her silence was equivalent to giving Luo Yueguan face.
Luo Yueguan rushed over, looking at Jiang Huai with concern. Jiang Huai waved his hand, “I’m fine. Master didn’t hit me hard.”
“Then why did she hit you?”
“It’s really fine. Master doesn’t need a reason to discipline her disciple.” Jiang Huai tacitly didn’t mention their conversation just now. He saw the concern in Luo Yueguan’s eyes and shook his head slightly, “It’s really fine. Sit down for a while, I’ll go make you some noodles.”
His voice was gentle, without any perfunctory or polite tone. When Luo Yueguan looked into his eyes, the expression in her eyes was both strange and familiar.
It was as if time had gone back to before April, when he brought Luo Qingyu back to Qingxuan Sect to heal her Ice Soul Profound Body poison spirit.
