Chapter 58

The night was deep, moonlight hazy.

The huge shadows of two carriages were reflected on the official road.

No. 2 glanced at Zhai Yi and saw her hands pillowed behind her head, eyes closed.

But he knew she definitely wasn’t asleep.

So No. 2 bluntly spoke up. “You pissed off the Young Master again?”

Zhai Yi kept her eyes closed and lazily replied, “Nope.”

“If not, why is the Young Master ignoring you?”

No. 2 had noticed that ever since they left Brocade River Inn, the Young Master hadn’t given Zhai Yi a proper glance. Every time she shot Zhai Yi a sidelong look, her eyes carried resentment and hatred, her gaze sharp as a knife, as if she wanted to flay her alive.

Zhai Yi opened her eyes, her gaze deep and dark. “Didn’t you say it yourself? Ever since I recovered my memories, the Young Master hasn’t given me a good look. Isn’t that normal?”

No. 2 looked suspicious. “…Yeah?”

“But I feel like the Young Master is really mad at you this time.”

Zhai Yi asked, “What do you mean ‘really’? Fake?”

No. 2 explained, “Before, whenever you pissed off the Young Master, it was just minor stuff. But this time, I really sense she’s holding a grudge against you—especially the way she looks at you…”

He warily glanced at the carriage compartment, then leaned in and whispered, “Like she wants to poke right through you.”

Zhai Yi pushed him away. “Drive your carriage and don’t meddle in other things.”

“I’m just worried about you and the Young Master.” No. 2 pouted.

“Don’t waste your energy on that. Remember why we left Xuanji Pavilion this time?”

No. 2’s expression turned serious. “I remember.”

“Jingzhou is the last stop this time. Once we get the Shanggongqiu, we’ll head back to Xuanji Pavilion in Wuzhou. By then, the Young Master’s body will be fully restored.”

No. 2 nodded. “Mm.”

Zhai Yi closed her eyes to rest, ignoring the person in the carriage compartment who still wasn’t asleep.

No. 2 cracked his whip, and the two carriages slowly entered the good night, silent as ghosts.

At dawn, Zhai Yi and No. 2 switched places, with No. 2 closing his eyes to rest beside her.

Around three quarters past noon, Zhai Yi drove the carriage to Lin Duck Creek and stopped to rest, easing their travel fatigue.

“Zhai Yi-jiejie?” Qiaoqiao jumped down from the carriage and bounced over to Zhai Yi, who held the reins. “Did you drive the carriage all night last night?”

Zhai Yi shook her head. “No, Lin Er and I took turns.”

Qiaoqiao said, “That’s good. We’re resting here anyway—want to catch some sleep?”

“My brother and I plan to catch fish in the creek and grill some for you all later.”

Zhai Yi nodded. “Sure.”

Qiaoqiao looked toward the carriage compartment and whispered, “Is Lin-jiejie awake yet?”

Zhai Yi heard faint snoring from inside. “Not yet.”

“I don’t know why, but I feel like Lin-jiejie’s in a bad mood. Her complexion doesn’t look good. Is Lin-jiejie sick?”

Zhai Yi said, “After that fight at Pure Abode, the Young Master hasn’t been resting well these past few days, so she looks a bit weak. She’ll recover after a few days of recuperation.”

Qiaoqiao relaxed. “That’s good. I have lots of tonic medicines. If Lin-jiejie still feels unwell, she can get some from me.”

Zhai Yi nodded. “Got it. I’ll tell the Young Master.”

With that, Qiaoqiao ran off to Chu Mingxu’s side and went down into the water to catch fish.

No. 2 yawned. “Qiaoqiao is pretty kind-hearted.”

“You tired? Why don’t you go sleep?” He pointed to a crooked-neck tree up ahead. “That spot’s nice—you can lie down, stretch your limbs.”

Zhai Yi jumped down from the carriage. “Alright. You watch the Young Master. Call me if anything happens.”

No. 2 waved her off. “Go on.”

Zhai Yi walked to the tree, leaped up onto it in a few moves, lay on the thick trunk, and closed her eyes to rest.

Lin Langyi hadn’t slept well the night before. She’d had several nightmares in a row. When she woke, she was covered in cold sweat.

She rubbed her aching brow and eyes, feeling the sweat soaking her inner clothes.

Lin Langyi pulled back the curtain. The sky was a clear blue, sunlight blazing down, hot as fire on the skin.

She looked toward the distant creek stream. Chu Mingxu was in the water with Qiaoqiao catching fish, their laughter filling the air, joyful to the extreme.

She took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. That stifled feeling in her chest remained stuck there, neither up nor down—unbearably uncomfortable.

“Young Master, you’re awake?” No. 2 walked over.

Lin Langyi nodded. “How come it’s just you?”

No. 2 pointed to the distant crooked-neck tree. “Number One’s lying up there resting. She drove the carriage all night, so this subordinate told her to rest there.”

“Does the Young Master need Number One? This subordinate will go call her.”

Lin Langyi looked toward the crooked-neck tree. Zhai Yi lay on the thickest branch, hands pillowed behind her head. Her gray bamboo garb fluttered in the breeze. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, falling on Zhai Yi’s translucent white face, glowing with a warm halo—like a mountain spirit come to life, breathtakingly beautiful.

“Forget it, no need to call her.” Lin Langyi withdrew her gaze and looked toward the creek. “This is Lin Duck Creek. I remember there’s a pool upstream, right?”

No. 2 pulled out a map and checked. “Yes, Young Master. About four li ahead, and you’ll see that pool. Does the Young Master plan to go there?”

Lin Langyi nodded. “I’ll go rinse off. It’s so hot today—sweaty and uncomfortable.”

No. 2 hesitated. “If the Young Master is going to bathe, should I have Number One go with you?”

Bathing was private; he couldn’t follow as a man, but Number One was a woman with strong martial arts—perfect to accompany her.

Lin Langyi refused. “No need for her. It’s not far—what could happen?”

“Besides, I can protect myself. No need for you two to follow me everywhere.”

No. 2 looked troubled. “Young Master, this subordinate still thinks…”

Lin Langyi eyed him. “Or do you want to come with me? Watch me bathe?”

No. 2 pursed his lips. “This subordinate wouldn’t dare.”

“Then stay here. I’ll be back soon.” Lin Langyi grabbed clean clothes and got off the carriage. “Don’t treat me like a cripple.”

No. 2 paused. “This subordinate wouldn’t dare.”

Lin Langyi headed upstream along Lin Duck Creek.

No. 2 watched her figure disappear into the woods. After a moment’s thought, he walked to the crooked-neck tree and nudged Zhai Yi’s arm.

Zhai Yi opened her eyes. “What?”

No. 2 pointed in the direction Lin Langyi had gone. “There’s a pool upstream in Lin Duck Creek. The Young Master said she was sweaty and wanted to go bathe. I can’t follow as a big man—why don’t you go check, just in case something happens to her.”

“How far?”

No. 2 said, “Four li.”

Zhai Yi closed her eyes again. “At that distance, I can sense the Young Master’s condition without going.”

No. 2 was amazed. “That impressive?”

Zhai Yi kept her eyes closed and raised a brow. “Mm. So no need to worry about the Young Master’s safety.”

No. 2 trusted Zhai Yi’s skills and turned to leave, letting her rest.

He heard Qiaoqiao’s excited shout about catching a fish and went over. Sure enough, she’d caught two big ones—but Chu Mingxu was nowhere in sight.

No. 2 went to Qiaoqiao. “Qiaoqiao, where’s your brother?”

Qiaoqiao handed the fish to Lv Yi and the guards. “Brother slipped earlier and fell in the water. He heard there’s a pool upstream in Lin Duck Creek, so he took clean clothes to go wash up.”

No. 2’s eyes widened. He smacked his right fist into his palm. “Damn it!”

Qiaoqiao saw his alarmed look and asked, puzzled, “What’s damn it?”

“My Young Master went to that pool to wash up too, and Young Master Chu also went… They’re gonna run into each other!”

Qiaoqiao gasped. “Then… what do we do?”

“I’ll go to the pool right now and call my brother back.”

No. 2 didn’t dare go—he didn’t know the situation there. “Alright, you go check first. I’ll have Zhai Yi take a look.”

“Okay.”

Qiaoqiao turned to run but saw Chu Mingxu stumbling back, looking disheveled, with a scratch on his neck.

“Brother, why are you back?” Qiaoqiao rushed up. “You’re hurt? Did enemies attack?”

No. 2 sighed in relief seeing Chu Mingxu back. He spotted the Thread-Drawing Wire injury on his neck and thought, the Young Master’s skills are impressive.

Chu Mingxu touched his neck, cheeks still flushed. “It’s nothing. I got scratched by a branch on the way back.”

Qiaoqiao relaxed. “That’s good.”

“Um… did you go to that pool?” she asked cautiously.

Chu Mingxu’s eyes darted away. “No, I got scratched by the branch and figured I’d come back to bandage it first.”

Qiaoqiao was relieved. “Good. I just heard Lin Er-ge say Lin-jiejie went upstream to the pool. I was worried you’d bump into each other and cause an awkward misunderstanding.”

“You’re back now anyway—no misunderstanding happened. You can go after Lin-jiejie finishes.”

A flash of discomfort crossed Chu Mingxu’s face. “Oh, really? Lin-guniang went to the pool too? Good thing I came back. I’ll go after she returns.”

Qiaoqiao pulled Chu Mingxu toward the carriage. “Then let Qiaoqiao help you apply medicine, Brother.”

“Mm.”

Zhai Yi watched Chu Mingxu return, her brows slightly furrowed.

When Lin Langyi had woken and headed upstream to bathe, Zhai Yi had woken too. Later, she’d seen Chu Mingxu take clean clothes toward the pool but deliberately hadn’t told him Lin Langyi was there changing.

Lin Duck Creek was a key plot point—the male and female leads would confess their feelings at the pool, overcome by passion and sharing intimacy.

But now, Chu Mingxu was injured by Lin Langyi’s Thread-Drawing Wire and chased off.

No one left for the follow-up “hero saves the beauty.”

Zhai Yi closed her eyes, brows knitting as if compromising. She jumped down from the crooked-neck tree.

No. 2 saw her come down. “Slept well?”

But her speechless, irritated expression didn’t look like it.

“What’s up?” No. 2 grabbed her arm when she ignored him. “Where you going?”

Zhai Yi frowned. “Didn’t you tell me to check on the Young Master?”

No. 2 blinked. “Didn’t you say you could sense her?”

“Not anymore.”

“Why?”

“Didn’t sleep well. Not at my best.”

“Go sleep more then?”

Zhai Yi gave him an idiot stare. “Sleep well versus personally protecting the Young Master—which is better?”

No. 2 muttered, “Personally protecting.”

“Let go.”

No. 2 obediently released her. “Take care.”

Zhai Yi sighed and headed upstream along Lin Duck Creek.

A narrow path wound through the woods, overgrown with weeds, birds and beasts darting about now and then.

Not far in, her eyes fell on a crystal-clear pool at the base of a cliff, with a small waterfall cascading down.

A beauty was in the pool, shoulders half-exposed.

Raven hair like a waterfall, dancing in the breeze.

Slender waist emerging from the water, swaying gracefully.

Fine skin, even flesh and bone, sunlight rendering it nearly translucent.

Zhai Yi gazed at Lin Langyi’s beautiful back, her elegantly shaped spine like a blooming flower.

Lin Langyi sensed someone behind her and thought Chu Mingxu had come back.

Her eyes turned fierce as she swiftly shot out her Thread-Drawing Wire.

“How… Zhai Yi?” Lin Langyi turned and said in surprise.

Zhai Yi tilted her head to dodge; the Thread-Drawing Wire nearly grazed her face before embedding in the tree behind.

Lin Langyi immediately retracted it. Looking at Zhai Yi on the bank, she thought of her current naked state, cheeks flushing. She didn’t dare meet Zhai Yi’s eyes and murmured, “You… how are you here!?”

Zhai Yi didn’t answer. Instead, she walked straight into the pool.

The pool water had been warmed somewhat by the sunlight. It wasn’t deep—reaching only to the waist in the middle.

Lin Langyi widened her eyes, watching as Zhai Yi stepped into the pool and approached her step by step.

She stood frozen in place like she’d been nailed to the spot, letting Zhai Yi draw closer. Her cheeks gradually heated up, burning hotter than the midday sun and leaving her mouth dry and parched.

“Zhai… Zhai Yi, what are you doing?”

Lin Langyi had no idea what she should do—cover her naked body with her hands or just stand still, waiting in anticipation for Zhai Yi’s approach.

Seeing Zhai Yi get closer and closer, she swallowed hard, her throat so tense it went hoarse. “Zhai Yi, are you going to…?”

Zhai Yi reached out to her. Lin Langyi squeezed her eyes shut in a mix of panic and shyness, then threw herself into Zhai Yi’s arms with a burst of courage, hugging her slender yet sturdy waist tightly.

The impact made Zhai Yi stagger a little, nearly letting the Red Brocade Snake in her hand bite her.

She pinched the snake’s head hard, crushing it outright. The Red Brocade Snake died instantly, deader than dead.

Lin Langyi sensed Zhai Yi’s movements and glanced back. Seeing the Red Brocade Snake in her hand and thinking of her own reckless actions just now, she felt mortified. Holding her breath, she dove underwater, too embarrassed to face Zhai Yi.

Zhai Yi tossed the Red Brocade Snake into the bushes on the shore. Looking at the bubbles popping up on the surface, she said helplessly, “Young Master wasn’t bitten by the snake—are you trying to drown yourself now?”

Lin Langyi really was running out of air. She was completely naked right now, and she’d just thrown herself at Zhai Yi like that. The shame was overwhelming.

But with so little breath left, if she didn’t surface soon, she really might drown in this pool.

Lin Langyi figured that since she’d already confessed to Zhai Yi—and said and done all those shameless things—this little bit of taking advantage hardly mattered anymore.

A quick death or a slow one, it was all the same. She might as well do whatever felt good.

Lin Langyi shot up out of the water with a splash. She didn’t bother covering herself at all as she stared at Zhai Yi. Though her face was flushed bright red, she held the upper hand in sheer bravado and put on a calm front. “I… I… I took advantage of you, so what? You… you got the guts to hit me?”

Zhai Yi withdrew her hand and wiped the water from her face that Lin Langyi had splashed everywhere. She kept her gaze fixed on Lin Langyi’s neck as much as possible. “How could your subordinate dare hit Young Master?”

“A Red Brocade Snake already appeared in this pool, and Red Brocade Snakes are gregarious creatures. There are probably more around. For Young Master’s safety, please come ashore quickly.”

Lin Langyi was well aware of Red Brocade Snakes’ habits too. She nodded. “Alright.”

Zhai Yi turned toward the shore when suddenly an “Ah!” came from behind her.

Zhai Yi turned around. “What’s wrong?”

Lin Langyi grimaced. “A pebble… it’s stabbing… my foot.”

Zhai Yi looked over. A strand of red floated on the water’s surface—blood.

Zhai Yi took off her outer robe and wrapped it around Lin Langyi, then scooped her up in her arms.

Lin Langyi froze. Her hands instinctively climbed up to Zhai Yi’s neck as she gazed at her profile, the corners of her mouth curving up slightly.

Zhai Yi carried her to shore and set her down on a clean, flat stone.

She grasped Lin Langyi’s left ankle and examined the pebble embedded in her sole. “Your subordinate will pick out the pebble. Shout if it hurts, Young Master.”

Lin Langyi gazed deeply at Zhai Yi. Seeing her gentle movements and soft tone, her eyes suddenly reddened, a sour ache flooding her heart.

She pressed her lips into a straight line. “Mm.”

Zhai Yi’s fingertips pried at the pebble, pinching it carefully and easing it out bit by bit. Throughout the process, Lin Langyi didn’t let out a single whimper of pain.

The foot wound was worse than the one on her palm that night, when she’d wailed endlessly from the pain. Yet now she endured it in complete silence.

Stubborn.

Zhai Yi took out some Golden Wound Medicine, applied it, then tore a strip of cloth to bandage her up.

She handed Lin Langyi her clean clothes, then turned away. “Young Master, please change into your clothes first.”

Once Lin Langyi was dressed, she sat on the stone, staring at Zhai Yi’s tall back. She bit her lip. “Zhai Yi?”

Zhai Yi didn’t turn around, just raised a brow. “What instructions does Young Master have?”

“Sorry.”

Zhai Yi’s expression shifted slightly.

“About yesterday… I’m really sorry.” Lin Langyi clutched the hem of her clothes, her damp hair sticking to her face amid the steam. “I shouldn’t have threatened you or forced you to go against your principles and submit to me. I’m truly sorry.”

Zhai Yi licked her dry lips. “Young Master, say no more.”

“I have to say it. When people make mistakes, they need to own up to them bravely—that’s the only way to have a chance to turn over a new leaf.” Lin Langyi stood up, planting her right foot firmly and touching the ground lightly with her left. “Yesterday, I was like a crazy person. I must have scared you badly, right?”

She drew slowly closer, standing right behind Zhai Yi, her words earnest. “I’m sorry. I only said all those hurtful things because I like you so much.”

“But I know that liking someone shouldn’t mean hurting them like that.”

Zhai Yi’s fingertips curled inward.

“I’ve never liked anyone this much before. I didn’t know how to handle it, so I did all those things that scared you.”

“I know everything you’ve done for me is because I saved your life. You became my guard to repay that debt and protect me. And with the Heart-Devouring Gu in your body, you can’t leave me—it’s restricted your freedom.”

Zhai Yi lowered her eyes and said nothing.

“Sometimes I wonder how awful I am. I know full well how tragic and pitiful your past was, yet I still bully you and force you to do things you hate. Am I really that detestable?” Lin Langyi’s laugh carried a hint of a sob. “How am I any different from those Nether Seclusion Clan people who hurt you?”

Zhai Yi took a deep breath. “Young Master is joking. You’re nothing like them.”

Lin Langyi gave a bitter smile. “Just how much face do I, Lin Langyi, have? After treating you like that, you’re still the one comforting me?”

Zhai Yi’s pupils trembled, her eyes deep as an abyss.

“Zhai Yi, I like you—so, so much. I want to spend the rest of my life with you more than anything. But I know you don’t like me. You only feel gratitude for saving your life, and there’s just the bond of master and servant. The reason you stay by my side is only to repay that debt. I know all this.”

Lin Langyi clenched her fists, tears rolling down one by one.

She looked at Zhai Yi with deep affection. “So, Zhai Yi, I respect your choice.”

“If you don’t like me, that’s fine. I won’t force you anymore. But… could you… not hate me? Not ignore me?”

“Okay?”

Zhai Yi watched as Lin Langyi’s hands lifted, as if to embrace her, but then slowly dropped. Then she felt Lin Langyi’s forehead press lightly against her back.

So light, yet so heavy.

She listened to Lin Langyi’s stifled sobs, full of grievance.

Lin Langyi wanted to hug Zhai Yi, but she had no right. All she could do was rest her forehead against Zhai Yi’s back, like a pious act of worship.

Each word earnest, every plea heartfelt.

Zhai Yi struggled inwardly for a long time before finally uttering a single word: “Okay.”