Chapter 229: Four People, Two Pairs
Banquets in Qingyun World come in two forms: communal dining and individual dining.
The tables outside were for communal dining, where everyone shared dishes, but the banquet hosted by Master Jian now was individual dining.
Each person had several small plates, and the dishes were not extravagant.
There were also desserts, such as ciba, but they were made into square shapes instead of the usual stick-like ones.
During the individual dining, Ding Yao quietly explained to Ji You that Master Jian had recently become afraid of stick-shaped objects, even hiding when she saw fried dough sticks at breakfast...
The officials of the Pro-Immortal Faction, however, did not notice the unique shapes of the food, and the entire meal felt somewhat disorienting to them.
They had never imagined being able to dine with such a sect master-level figure. After all, this was a world where immortal authority reigned supreme; only His Majesty in the entire Great Xia Dynasty might have such qualifications.
However, because Yan Shuyi did not speak, the entire dining process was basically silent.
During the meal, she looked up and sized up Wei Rui, and incidentally, Ji You.
She sized up the two princesses, and incidentally, Ji You.
She sized up Zhao Yunyue, and incidentally, Ji You—
Zhao Yunyue felt that Master Jian seemed to harbor hostility towards her, and she was somewhat flustered inwardly, not knowing why.
Wei Rui, on the other hand, held her chopsticks, looking like she was enjoying the drama, watching Fairy Yan’s gaze, feeling not at all surprised in her heart.
It’s normal to have hostility. Why would you want to have children with Master Jian’s husband? My Fairy Yan is a super jealous person.
After the individual meal, night had fallen, and the courtyard was filled with stars.
Zhao Yunyue and the officials of the Pro-Immortal Faction were escorted away, but their hearts were still bewildered. They felt as if the banquet had been a dream. Although they didn't seem to have formed any connections, the money spent felt very worthwhile.
At this moment, west of Yongqing Garden, near the border wall, a gentle breeze brushed the secluded lakeside. Four figures, in two pairs, walked along the covered bridge with a long distance between them, strolling forward bathed in moonlight.
Ji You, Kuang Cheng, and Wei Rui came out from the main gate, having agreed to meet Master Jian from the back gate.
By the time they met, she had already taken off her Master Jian’s immortal robe and changed into an orange-yellow, waist-cinching butterfly-gauze long dress.
The shoulders and sleeves were embroidered with osmanthus branches, making her look like a Fairy in the setting sun.
Lingjian Mountain’s Master Jian’s ability to influence trends was extremely strong. Wei Rui, who was following far behind, already wanted to learn from her.
“Young Master Ji and Master Jian, they are truly a good match.”
Kuang Cheng looked at the two figures ahead: “But in this world, I wonder how many people will think they are not a match.”
Wei Rui gently said after hearing this: “Marriage, by its very nature, should be decided by oneself.”
Kuang Cheng’s heart stirred. He wondered if he was talking about the two pairs ahead, or about himself.
Yan Shuyi glanced back at this moment: “Wei Rui’s eyes are so interesting. When she first entered the courtyard, she didn’t dare to recognize me. It was only after I winked at her that she became happy.”
“She hasn’t seen you like that before. It’s normal for her to be a bit timid. In fact, I haven’t seen it either. It’s very dignified,
the kind that looks like she could draw her sword at any moment and ask if the other party wants to die or live.”
Yan Shuyi couldn't help but lower her small Face: “I have always been this arrogant and dominant. How could you two not have seen it?”
Master Jian always thought she controlled herself extremely well, maintaining the same dignity in front of Ji You and Wei Rui as she did normally, walking with a commanding presence, never pattering, and never acting spoiled. Especially the term 'stranger' when referring to men, she used it with particular aloofness, exuding power without anger.
Little did she know that Wei Rui's first impression of her was that she was arrogant but actually very fond of acting spoiled, and a bit childish,
liking to cling to Ji You. This was vastly different from her own perception, and she felt a bit unyielding.
Ji You thought to himself, your acting is indeed good, but there are quite a few giveaways.
For example, now, her originally steady, aloof steps, after a short walk, began to patter, and her voice sounded a bit like she had caught a cold.
This indicates that even those who are wielders of Sacred Artifacts have some misunderstandings about certain aspects of themselves.
Yan Shuyi narrowed her eyes, putting her hands behind her back: “Did you see those people I asked Ding Yao to meet?”
Ji You nodded: “I saw them. It turns out my Tianshu Academy is the most unpresentable.”
“How did you know I wanted you to help me ruin Tianjian Peak’s reputation?”
“I didn’t know, but if something helps you and I want it, I’ll help you do it.”
Master Jian looked at him, her eyes slightly stunned, suddenly remembering the sharp sword given to her late last year.
She actually felt a bit down when Zhuo Wanqiu reported back, because she didn’t want the stranger to think she was using him.
But now she felt that even if she didn't go to extra trouble, the stranger would do the same if he met Yan Hao.
Because he would do anything he thought was good for himself.
Yan Shuyi narrowed her eyes: “You, a stranger I’ve only met a few times, are you perhaps going to great lengths to curry favor with this Master Jian?”
She couldn't remember how many times she had seen him now, but she remembered having kissed him five times.
But she couldn't say “you, a stranger I’ve only kissed five times,” so she could only use “met a few times” to refer to him.
Ji You turned to look at Master Jian, who was full of vigor under the moonlight: “This isn’t currying favor. I just hope you can relax a bit. You’re not good at this sort of thing to begin with.”
Wei Rui was secretly watching from behind, noticing that Master Jian’s walking posture had suddenly become dignified, but after only a few steps, she started pattering again.
Master Jian’s gaze shifted to Ji You’s head: “Where’s your little crooked braid?”
Ji You reached out and rolled up his sleeve, revealing the floral string tied around his wrist: “I untied it when I bathed. Can you make me another one?”
“Why two?”
“?”
Yan Shuyi narrowed her eyes, feeling that the floral string was somewhat familiar.
Ji You glanced at the floral string on his hand and held his breath, thinking to himself that he was used to it; he had untied one of Yuan Caiwei’s on the way here and casually put it on his wrist.
He was wondering whether he should try to quibble or take the blame, when he suddenly saw Master Jian’s gaze drift elsewhere, then she narrowed her eyes and stared intently at the bushes behind a rockery not far away.
Ji You couldn’t help but look over as well, and saw a man embracing a woman, hidden behind the rock wall, engaged in a passionate kiss.
Xianxian Garden is vast, with layers upon layers of landscapes everywhere. There are countless rockeries alone, made of thousands of huge stones. Finding a hidden corner to do something is very private and indeed offers a unique thrill.
However, they weren’t sure if this was just the beginning of the foreplay, or if it merely stopped at this stage.
After exchanging glances, Ji You and Yan Shuyi both held their breath simultaneously, then turned to look at Wei Rui and Kuang Cheng behind them.
Wei Rui and Kuang Cheng happened to be strolling over at this moment and also noticed the movement in the bushes. After one look, they were thunderstruck, their Faces turning redder than the other’s.
Such starkly different reactions were enough to highlight the progression of relationships between men and women.
For Ji You and Yan Shuyi, who merely bickered when there was nothing else to do, they only found it a bit bold that the couple was in the wild, but didn't think much of it. Kuang Cheng and Wei Rui, on the other hand, felt a sense of impending doom, as if propriety had collapsed.
Then the four slowed their pace, quietly walked past the area, and only stopped slightly when they were out of sight.
Ji You turned to look at Kuang Cheng and Wei Rui: “The four of us walking together is still too conspicuous. If we’re discovered, it might be hard to explain. How about we split up and then find a place to meet up later?”
Kuang Cheng: “?”
Wei Rui: “?”
Yan Shuyi narrowed her eyes, remembering what the couple in the bushes had just done, and cast a fierce side-glance at Ji You.
Actually, Kuang Cheng also somewhat wanted to have some romantic whispers with Wei Rui. Additionally, he was a little afraid that Wei Rui might learn the essence of Fairy Yan’s temper.
He wasn't Brother Ji, whose Face was thicker than a wall. If Wei Rui called him “stranger” repeatedly, he wouldn't be able to handle it.
So Kuang Cheng pulled Wei Rui away. After looking around, he saw a covered bridge extending from the lake. He stepped onto the stone bridge, followed it, and entered a pavilion suspended over the lake.
Ji You, on the other hand, continued to walk forward with Yan Shuyi in a serious manner, speaking as they walked: “What is Xianxian Holy Land like?”
Yan Shuyi followed calmly, and hearing the question, she glanced at him: “You’ve asked the wrong person.
I have never been there.”
“Even you haven’t been inside?” Ji You looked at her with some surprise.
“If I wanted to go, naturally no one would dare to stop me. But that realm is too fragile now to withstand the pressure of a Sacred Artifact, so I cannot bring the spirit mirror in. However, going without the spirit mirror is too risky for me, so it’s not quite worth it.”
The reason Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain has been fine under the watchful eyes of Tianjian Peak is, frankly, because of the spirit mirror protecting her.
Therefore, not carrying a spirit mirror was indeed a great risk for her previously.
Especially since Xianxian Holy Land cannot remain open for long, and one can only exit at a fixed time after entering, no one dares to imagine what might happen.
It was undoubtedly true that Tianjian Peak harbored malicious intentions, and besides that, there were quite a few who wished for Lingjian Mountain to lose its Dao tradition. Ji You could understand Yan Shuyi's choice.
The moonlight was exceptionally bright at this moment, silver light scattered across the vast lake, shimmering. If one didn't use Divine Sense, it was almost impossible to distinguish whether it was a lake or a sea.
After walking for a while, the two rounded the south side of the rockery and saw a secluded path densely covered with green bamboo.
Ji You stopped at this point, subtly shifting his steps and walking into the dark bamboo forest.
This was a place similar to where that couple was just now. Yan Shuyi's eyes narrowed slightly, then she remained silent for a moment before slowly following him in.
The moonlight streamed down, broken into mottled patches by the bamboo leaves, scattering across the ground.
The Young Master Jian walked through a narrow opening formed by two giant rocks, her expression as if Master Jian was inspecting Lingjian Mountain.
But just as she passed through a narrow opening where two giant rocks stood opposite each other, Ji You turned around and approached her.
Yan Shuyi looked expressionlessly at the man who was crying inches away from her. It seemed she was displeased by Ji You's previous remark about her not being majestic, so she narrowed her eyes at him but said nothing.
The rockery was not lacking in stones. Ji You found a flat one and reached out to pick her up and place her on his lap.
When her plump bottom settled on his thigh, Ji You instantly smelled a young girl's fragrance, finding it difficult to control himself.
If it were an ordinary Young Master Jian, even if held in his arms, she would remain calm, her eyes feigning coldness, as if seeing him only as a cushion of flesh, free of distracting thoughts, not inferior to anyone.
However, to Ji You's surprise, today the Young Master Jian instantly blushed as soon as she was embraced, then turned her exquisite Face away, her eyes glistening slightly, and her cheeks growing redder and redder.
Although some things were not understood at first, and no one had taught them, at this age, one could understand just by looking. But after understanding, there was a problem: it was embedded in their mind and could not be forgotten; their heart always felt concerned, so much so that even the calm mindset they had when they just happened to sit there began to disappear.
"Recently, I've been a bit afraid of stick-shaped items. Ciba should be made into squares."
Ji You recalled the Young Master Jian's shape preference shown in recent days and instinctively looked down, but as soon as he lowered his head, his hair was grabbed.
The man named Ji You, courtesy name Bochun, was forcefully pulled up, and he felt a fragrant breath of orchid spray onto his Face.
"What were you just thinking about?"
Ji You glanced at her: "I was thinking about what you were thinking."
Yan Shuyi blushed and instantly leaned in: "I'll bite you—"
"If you want to bite, just say so."
"?"
Ji You felt he really should find a mirror for her to look at, to let her see her current pouting Face.
There was no longer any trace of that aloof Master Jian; she was simply as delicate as could be, her Face looking like it could drip water.
At this moment, Xianxian Garden was very quiet, with only the constant chirping of insects, accompanied by the sound of wings flapping. Yan Shuyi's gaze suddenly noticed a grasshopper, she reached out and caught it in her palm, observed it carefully for a while, then released it, and then fell into silence, thinking why they weren't fighting yet. Then she subconsciously glanced at Ji You, only to find him seriously observing her.
Actually, Ji You now had an added filter when looking at Yan Shuyi, the reason being that in recent days he had seen the truly high and mighty Young Master Jian.
Coldly beautiful, noble, expressionless, and awe-inspiring without anger.
That appearance was completely different from what she usually pretended to be in front of him for the sake of Face.
Especially earlier in Yongqing Rear Garden, when she sat under the osmanthus tree and lightly raised her eyes, that domineering aura truly made him feel a different Yan Shuyi, so he was somewhat nervous when holding her, harboring an subconscious sense of admiration.
And besides this respect, Ji You also wanted to try if this girl would personally initiate a battle with him if he remained still.
But after waiting for a long time, he felt that the person in his arms was getting impatient, and Killing Intent gradually brewed around her.
There was Killing Intent the first time he kissed her, and now there was Killing Intent because he was kissing her slowly.
Ji You couldn't help but sigh softly, leaning in to taste a full, cool sweetness.
Yan Shuyi still kept her eyes open, her vermilion lips slightly parted, silently struggling with him, but her eyes kept darting around, and she even caught another grasshopper as their breathing grew heavier from the kiss.
In short, doing other things while kissing could be considered not specifically kissing him.
Ji You gradually noticed her little movements, and his brows furrowed slightly.
Yan Shuyi didn't notice, because she was too close to see his forehead clearly. But at this moment, she suddenly heard a "slap" that buzzed in her ears. After her shoulder trembled slightly, she felt a burning sensation on her bottom, completely stunned.
By the time she came to her senses, the Young Master Jian was already ready to make a fuss, but soon realized she was gradually rising.
Originally, they were being equally bullied, but now it had turned into an upper-lower kiss, so her eyes gradually widened.
After a long time, Yan Shuyi finally closed her eyes, but her hands tightly gripped his clothes. Xianxian Garden was vast, and the most secluded places should have few people, but two figures emerged from the green bamboo path by the lake.
The woman among them faced the lake breeze, her rosy little Face cast in shadow. Looking closely, her indifferent expression seemed to carry a hint of fear.
Ji You leaned against the stone carved railing by the lake, savoring the feeling he had just experienced.
At this moment, both of them subconsciously looked south.
That was the direction they had just come from. Along the shimmering lake, a pavilion could be seen, and the two people inside were still enjoying the romantic scenery, making both of them fall silent.
They were practically two different worlds.
But if Ji You were to judge which was better, he would still think they were better, because talking about romantic scenery wouldn't lead to children.
"Are they always like this?"
Ji You nodded: "Always like this, I don't know what the point is."
Yan Shuyi turned her head to him, cold as frost, and couldn't help but raise her fist to his back of the head and measure it.
The two returned along the original path and met with Kuang Cheng: "Brother Ji, uh, where did Brother Ji and Fairy Yan go for a stroll?"
"We went to catch grasshoppers," Ji You said calmly.
The layout of Xianxian Garden was well-connected in all directions. Rusheng Garden was located in the east, while Taiping Garden was on the southwest side.
It was not on their way.
Although Yan Shuyi still maintained that energetic expression and insisted on walking ahead of Ji You, she was clearly a bit clingy to him tonight. She didn't mention anything about going back first to avoid being seen, but instead led him to walk close to the wall.
It wasn't until they reached the outer wall of Rusheng Garden that the Young Master Jian lightly tapped her toes and disappeared amidst the rippling spiritual energy.
Zhuo Wanqiu and Ding Yao were currently sitting on the beauty perch on the second floor, speculating whether Master Jian would return tonight. Although Xianxian Garden was crowded and complex, there were guesthouses everywhere in the commandery city.
However, even with such speculation, they still brewed tea for Master Jian, keeping it warm on a small stove.
This was a habit of the Young Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain: after returning from outside, she would always drink tea first, then bathe, then cultivate or sleep, none of which could be omitted. This had been the routine for over ten years.
Just as the fragrance of tea filled the room, they suddenly heard a sound and saw Master Jian gracefully appear on the wooden floor of the second story.
"Bathe."
"?"
Xianxian Garden was the most luxurious estate, even the wooden tubs had temperature-controlled Magical Artifacts.
Yan Shuyi's butterfly-gauze long dress now lay scattered gracefully in the room, then her shoes were kicked off, and soon after, a splashing sound of water began.
The Young Master Jian's clothes were specially washed by Cui'er. Seeing that Master Jian had gone to bathe, she began to tidy up Master Jian's skirt, gauze top, skirt hem, undershirt, bellyband, and silk trousers.
As Cui'er tidied up, a hint of question suddenly appeared in her eyes: "Master Jian—"
"Hmm?"
"Where are your underpants?"
There was a long silence in the bathroom: "I'll wash those myself."
Cui'er: "?"
Yan Shuyi was now soaking in the bath tub filled with petals, gradually shrinking into the water.
It would be fatal—