I wanted to laugh, but I was too embarrassed to do so in front of Jiang Chen, so I lowered my head, tucked my chin in, and held it in.
Jiang Chen suddenly reached out and lifted my chin, smiling as he said, "Xiao Mo, you should enjoy life to the fullest when you're successful, don't hold back."
I was both angry and amused, so I slapped his hand away.
A long, deep, and powerful howl echoed from the thatched hut on the hillside: "Ye Bai, hurry up!"
Senior Brother He Xiaole's internal strength has become increasingly profound.
A moment later, Senior Brother Zhao rushed up in a panic, shoved the tissue into Jiang Chen's hand, and said, "Master asked me to go buy groceries. You take this to him."
Jiang Chen reluctantly took the toilet paper and headed towards the outhouse.
I finally got rid of the plaster and quickly left the mountain path, heading towards the hot springs behind the mountain.
My master doted on me. There was a hot spring in the Immortal Cave behind the mountain, which was originally for everyone's use. Later, my master heard that soaking in hot springs could strengthen the body, so he made it his own. My constitution was very poor; I was the weakest in martial arts among the Xiaoyao Sect, and my internal energy was also terrible. My master specially invited Doctor Qiao from Shennong Valley to examine me. He said that I had a congenital problem, a deficiency from birth.
When we arrived at the Fairy Cave, Xiao Hebao, as usual, stood guard at the entrance for me. I had just taken off my clothes and was soaking in the water when I heard a familiar voice from the entrance: "Xiao Mo, now that we're a couple, can I bask in your glory and soak in the water too?"
The cave was deep and dark, the echoes lingering. That call was both terrifying and terrifying. I shouted "No!" as I quickly put on my clothes.
This is unbearable.
I rushed out of the Fairy Cave in a panic, my hair still dripping wet.
Little Hebao looked at me with utter disdain: "Miss, you're such a hypocrite! Haven't you always read that part in the storybook about the mandarin ducks playing in the water? The young master is really about to go in, and you rush out again. What a perfect opportunity! Really!"
I was speechless, my face burning. That storybook only had one slightly ambiguous section about a couple taking a bath together; the rest was all legendary tales of the martial arts world. And of all times, Xiao Hebao brought that up in front of Jiang Chen. How could I possibly bear this? How could I possibly save face?
I glanced at Jiang Chen, and sure enough, he was grinning from ear to ear, and said meaningfully and affectionately, "Xiao Mo, I like you like this, it's good that you're interesting."
I was increasingly speechless and looked up at the sky.
On the way down the mountain, I quietly asked Xiao Hebao, "How did you see my storybook?"
"You put it under the pillow, and I just flipped through it casually when I was folding the blanket."
Wow, I found the "Mandarin Ducks Playing in the Water" book so easily. Looks like I need to change my habit of putting everything under my pillow. Luckily, I moved the "Chongshan Sword Manual" to my boot. But that's not foolproof; what if a mouse ate it?
I went back to my room, closed the door, and started thinking about how to securely store the sword manual. After pondering for a long time, I came up with a good idea.
I copied the book backwards, covered it with a book cover, and tucked it among a pile of storybooks, keeping it inconspicuous. Even if someone accidentally stumbled upon it, they wouldn't be able to see any secrets.
So I stayed in my room and copied the Chongshan Sword Technique backwards. Little Bao had never seen me write so diligently before, and she asked me curiously what I was writing.
I replied, "I copied Buddhist scriptures."
Little Hebao nodded in praise: "Miss, you should copy Buddhist scriptures to thank the Bodhisattva for being so lucky to marry Young Master Jiang!"
I was speechless. Did even Xiao Hebao think I was climbing the social ladder? Was I destined to be a cow dung for a thousand years?
Suddenly, Zhao Yebai's voice came from outside the door: "Little purse, is Jiang Chen here?"
"The son-in-law is not here. Miss is copying Buddhist scriptures in the room."
"Senior Brother Yun is leaving and asked me to give this to Jiang Chen. I've looked all over but haven't found him. Could you have Xiao Mo give it to her later?"
Is he leaving? Where is he going?
I hurriedly opened the door and came out.
"Where is Senior Brother Yun going?"
Senior Brother Zhao said, "I heard we're going to Fujian, where the Japanese are rampant. Senior Brother Yun has been learning martial arts at the Xiaoyao Sect for several years, so it's a good opportunity for him to go and assist Father in serving the court."
I was stunned. Yes, his father was the Fujian Military Commander, so it was only natural for him to go there; it was only a matter of time.
Senior Brother Zhao handed over a small box and said, "This is a congratulatory gift he gave to Jiang Chen to congratulate you on your engagement."
My fingers felt completely powerless as I caught it in my hand, and my heart sank.
I asked weakly, "Has he left?"
"I'm packing my things, I'll be leaving soon."
A pang shot through my heart. Why didn't he come to say goodbye? Did he also consider me Jiang Chen's wife and become cold and distant from me from then on?
He also specially sent Jiang Chen a congratulatory gift. I smiled bitterly, put the box on the table, and walked to the front yard in a daze.
Several senior brothers came out of his room, and he stood under the corridor, smiling and bowing in farewell.
The bright sunshine illuminated his jade-like face and gentle smile, so captivating, yet he would never belong here again. Even if I could only watch him silently from the sidelines, I could no longer...
A short bluestone path lies between him and me, yet it feels as if we are separated by thousands of miles of floating clouds; I am in the dust, and he is in the clouds.
My steps were a little unsteady as I slowly walked over. His face drew closer and closer, and it took a lot of effort for me to manage a slight upturn of my lips. I couldn't see my own face at that moment, so I didn't know if I was actually smiling.
He looked at me, seemingly taken aback.
A thousand words were stuck in my throat, and I couldn't utter a single one for a moment. I just looked at him, and my heart felt like it was being tightly squeezed and clenched by a hand, a dull ache in my chest.
He chuckled softly and called out in a low voice, "Xiao Mo."
I was like a puppet that was given life by his call, and I was finally able to speak.
Are you leaving?
He nodded silently, looking at me intently. It seemed to be the first time he had looked into my eyes for so long, gazed at me so earnestly, with such a deep look in his eyes.