Yunzhou lay beside me, his body exuding a light, pleasant masculine scent. He wore only a thin undershirt, his strong, youthful body possessing a subtle, burgeoning allure. My hand rested on his chest, my hand...
Beneath my fingers lay his warm, powerful skin, possessing the sturdiness and strength characteristic of a martial artist. Although I was unable to move, the sensation beneath my fingers was incredibly sensitive. It was as if the trapped beasts within my body were trying to break free from their cages, and my fingers almost involuntarily wanted to roam over his body.
I tried desperately to suppress this thought, to stop thinking about him, to stop thinking about Jiang Chen. But the more I thought about it, the less confident I became, and instead, resentment arose within me.
How much has he kept from me? How much of his sincerity is truly genuine? How much of his incredibly moving and deeply touching words are actually true? What was his past with Yu Muxi really like? Even now, I...
I still cling to a sliver of hope for him; I want to ask him directly before I can finally give up. I used to believe him, but now, should I still believe him?
My body felt increasingly uncomfortable; my blood was flowing so fast it was almost like a torrent bursting from a dam, and my skin felt like it was being stretched painfully. I gritted my teeth and closed my eyes, my mind flashing back to Yunzhou, Jiang Chen, and my childhood.
Jiang Chen's thoughts were as unpredictable as the moon reflected in water or a flower in a mirror. Just when I finally let go of Yunzhou and was gradually moved by him, Yu Muxi's words, like a hidden weapon, silently pierced my heart. She
I believed most of what she said. I believed she liked Jiang Chen, I believed she was the same Mei Duo from back then, and I believed she and Jiang Chen had a childhood sweetheart relationship—my cousin Shao Rong had said someone looked a lot like me, and it really was her. However, I still held onto a sliver of hope for Jiang Chen. Perhaps it was all just Yu Muxi's unrequited love; if Jiang Chen had no feelings for her, I would still believe him.
Those fifteen minutes felt like an eternity, and my hands and feet gradually regained feeling. I clearly wanted to get out of bed and leave, but my movements were unconscious and out of control. My fingers seemed to have a mind of their own, trembling as they caressed Yunzhou's skin. His eyelashes trembled slightly, and my heart was stirred. His jade-like face instantly evoked memories of my youth, those secret and sweet longings, all leaping out of my memories now, fluttering and dancing like sparks, threatening to burn away the last vestiges of my reason.
I couldn't linger a moment longer. I knew I wasn't myself at this moment. I knew these drugs couldn't be countered by reason alone. I also knew she wasn't bluffing; I might really die here. But I couldn't be with Yunzhou… Only now did I realize that Jiang Chen had surpassed Yunzhou in my heart, even though he had lied to me and betrayed me.
I was so hot I almost wanted to tear my clothes off. My fingers almost touched Yunzhou's body several times. I knew I had to leave immediately, or I really would... I stumbled to the door, only to find it already closed.
It was locked, and in despair, I sat down on the floor, leaning against the door frame.
My body grew increasingly hot. I couldn't help but take off my outer clothes, but it still wasn't enough. My mind began to wander. Before me were patches of peach-colored clouds, and Yunzhou stood on them, smiling at me with a gentle smile.
Like cool jade and sweet spring water, I couldn't help but reach out and want to touch it.
White clouds and crimson sunset clouds gathered together, and I felt as if I were floating lightly above the clouds. In my drowsy state, I touched cool skin, smooth and strong, and felt a warm breath surrounding my ear. I was close to a warm body, unable to tell whether I was holding him or he was holding me. The light and pleasant masculine scent of that young man lingered in my nose, seeping into my body through every bone, suddenly drawing out a strange and dangerous power within me, which came on fiercely.
I murmured, almost moaning, "Don't hug me, it's so hot."
But they didn't separate. Instead, they embraced even tighter, subconsciously wanting to both please and push away, their bodies reacting beyond their minds.
That embrace, gentle and fleeting, was like a snail shell sheltering me from the wind and rain, softly enveloping me within. In a daze, it seemed as if warm water was rippling, and I clung tightly to a warm piece of wood, wanting only to drift along with the waves. Even so, it still felt insufficient, but I couldn't understand exactly what was lacking, until a sharp pain struck, finally bringing relief. I seemed to shed tears from the pain, and in a daze, someone kissed away those tears.
Bride, let's change the bride.
I don't know how much time passed before I groggily woke up. The moment I awoke, the scene from last night flooded my mind. I was startled and immediately looked around, only to find the bed empty. The bedding was disheveled, and there was a strange and unfamiliar atmosphere that made me feel uneasy.
I sat up in a panic, a wave of aches and discomfort immediately washing over me, especially in my lower back and groin. My heart sank, and I pulled back the covers with trembling fingers.
Beneath the orange quilt lay a lake-blue sheet, where several mandarin ducks floated on the green waves. A patch of crimson blood, like a budding flower, adorned the lotus-covered green waters.
My vision went black, and I nearly fainted. What happened last night was no illusion! A chill instantly ran through my body; my hands and feet were cold and numb, and my body felt completely drained, limp and powerless.
Did I really, really get involved with Yunzhou?
I sat there in a daze, my mind frozen, unable to think for a long time. Last night, after hearing Yu Muxi's words, I originally wanted to see Jiang Chen immediately to find out the truth and understand his feelings. However, after last night, it seemed unnecessary for me to find out the truth anymore. Regardless of his past with Yu Muxi, and regardless of whether his feelings for me were genuine or not, it's all gone now. I am no longer a virgin, and I have nothing to do with him anymore.
Thinking of this, my heart ached. I couldn't help but marvel at the capricious hand of fate, which tossed me around like a puppet, leaving me utterly powerless. I had originally admired Yunzhou, but he suddenly became my cousin; I had finally let go of him and accepted Jiang Chen, only to suddenly have a night of passion with Yunzhou.
Faced with this ending, I wanted to laugh, but tears streamed down my face.
The door creaked open, and a refreshing morning breeze rushed in. I was frozen in place, afraid to turn my head. Was it Yunzhou? How should I face him?
A cautious voice sounded at the door, "Miss, you're awake."
My tense heart suddenly relaxed; it wasn't Yunzhou, it was Xiao Hebao.
I didn't want to look back at her; a deep, cold sadness filled my heart. She was actually Yu Muxi's sister! She'd been by my side for years, only to be Yu Muxi's spy. All that care I'd given her, treating her like my own sister, was for nothing. Now I understood why she clung to me so tightly after we fell into the water that night. She was simply waiting for Yu Muxi to come to my aid, wanting me to feel grateful to Yu Muxi and be completely unguarded when I saw her again. And last night, when she told me about the appointment in Yunzhou, I didn't doubt it at all. How could I have imagined she'd lie to me?
However, the most unexpected people often do the most unexpected things, like her, like Jiang Chen.
She slowly walked over, and suddenly knelt down on the ground with a thud.
"Miss, I know you will hate me. You can hit me or scold me as you please."
I don't hate them, I'm just disappointed. When you treat someone with your whole heart and soul, only to be betrayed in the end, that kind of disappointment leaves you feeling powerless.
“You should go find your sister. I always thought you were pitiful and lonely, which is why I took you in. I never expected you to have such a smart and capable sister. Now that your sister’s wish has been fulfilled, you don’t need to humiliate yourself by being a maid anymore.”
“Miss, please don’t resent my sister. She just really likes the young master. She sent me to Xiaoyao Sect not because she wanted to do anything to you, but because she wanted to know the young master’s every move.”
It's too late to say anything now. The die is cast, and Yu Muxi's wish has been fulfilled. I've already consummated my marriage with Yunzhou, so naturally I can no longer marry Jiang Chen. Her scheme against me was truly ingenious, a decisive blow.
Xiao Hebao sobbed, "Miss, I... I know I'm sorry. I shouldn't have lied to you about coming here last night. But I didn't know why my sister asked me to come here. Later, when she left, she told me to wait an hour and then go and call the young master to catch them in the act. That's when I found out what was going on. As soon as my sister left, I went and called the young master."
Hearing this, I was suddenly stunned! She immediately called Jiang Chen over. Has Jiang Chen arrived yet? Did he see anything? Did he just happen to see me touching Yunzhou?
I was so ashamed and indignant that I almost couldn't bear to listen anymore. But the numb parts of my heart were awakening, throbbing slightly. Could last night's events not be what I thought?
"After the young master arrived, he saw that the young lady had been poisoned and that Young Master Yun was unconscious, so he asked the servants outside the door to take the young master back to the Yun residence."
Hearing this, I was shocked again. Jiang Chen had someone deliver Yunzhou away, so... then who was the one I made love to? My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it would jump out of my chest. I stared nervously at Xiao Hebao, but I couldn't bring myself to ask her directly about last night. I could only ask in a low voice, my heart pounding, "And you?"
"Young master told me to quickly go back to the kitchen to boil water and also to brew a medicinal soup to clear heat."
"And then what?"
"I prepared the medicine and brought it over. The young master poured the medicine into the bathtub, took off the young lady's clothes, and carried her in."
A wave of blood rushed to my face, and I asked in a trembling voice, "Yes, who took off my clothes?"
"It's the young master. I originally wanted to help the young lady, but she clung to him tightly and wouldn't let go, so I couldn't help her. Actually, at that time, the young lady had already undressed almost completely. She was only wearing a bodice."
I was so ashamed and angry that I wanted to bang my head against the wall, but I hadn't gotten to the most crucial question yet, so I had no choice but to ask again: "And you?"
"Seeing that it wasn't convenient for me to stay here, I went downstairs. I waited for a long, long time, but the young lady and young master didn't come down. The lights in the room were also off, so I slept downstairs. Just now, the young master woke me up and asked me to come up and watch over the young lady."
sister."
I was both ashamed and angry. She had actually left me with Jiang Chen and gone to sleep. So, last night, I... I actually... with Jiang Chen... Although I was under the influence of the Drunken Immortal Spring and needed the antidote, and he had no choice but to touch me, when I thought of what Yu Muxi had said to me, and then of what he had done and then turned and left without offering any explanation, a surge of resentment and bitterness welled up inside me, stuck in my chest like a sharp stone.
The sharp edges grind against my heart and lungs, causing a piercing pain.
I cannot accept that he has another woman in his heart and yet marries me, nor can I accept that he treats me well for the sake of something. Even if our marriage is already a done deal, I will not compromise.
Where did he go?
"The son-in-law went to Jingyue Inn."
A chill ran through me, and I blurted out, "Does your sister live there?"
The little purse timidly replied, "Yes."
"Alright, come with me."
The little girl hugged my leg and started crying again, "Miss, my sister, she, she's not a bad person, she just likes the young master. Can you forgive her? She suffered a lot when she was little, she really isn't a bad person."
I gave a wry smile. "I'm not going to settle scores with her. I just want to find Jiang Chen and ask them a few more questions in person."
Fortunately, both of them are here, so we can ask them about some things face to face.
Stepping out of the Inviting Moon Pavilion, the morning light was already bright. A cool morning breeze by the lake, carrying the unique crispness of autumn, ruffled the hem of my clothes and tousled my hair. Ripples spread across the lake, layer upon layer of waves surging endlessly.
Blocked by pebbles on the shore, I was forced to turn back, feeling as helpless as my chaotic mood at that moment.
Suddenly, a person walked briskly from the lakeside. The familiar figure appeared gracefully in the morning light. My vision blurred for a moment, and it turned out to be Yunzhou!
"Xiao Mo!" He looked anxious, hesitant to speak. His clear, bright eyes were fixed on me, a thousand words swirling within them. I knew what he wanted to know. Even if he didn't ask me now, I would find a chance to explain to him.
"last night?"
I couldn't help but smile wryly. "Senior Brother Yun, last night was a misunderstanding."
He raised an eyebrow and looked at me with a puzzled expression.
"The person who invited you here is Yu Muxi, the head of the Yuanshan Sect. I only found out last night that she looks very much like me."
Why was she impersonating you?
"Because she likes Jiang Chen and wants to stop my engagement with him. That letter was also given to you by her, her intention being that she hopes I can be with you and not stand in the way of her and Jiang Chen."
Yunzhou pursed his lips and remained silent, watching me in quiet contemplation. A gentle breeze by the lake lifted the hem of his robe, revealing his dark boots. Dewdrops clung to the boots, leaving them damp.
I lowered my head slightly, looking at the dew-kissed grass at his feet, and whispered, "Do you know? I've found my mother, and I've asked about my background."
"Xiao Mo! What did she say?"
I could hear the tremor in his voice. I didn't dare look up, afraid that if I met his eyes, I wouldn't be able to say those words. But I felt I had to do this. If there was ever a sliver of a chance to be with him before, after last night, it was absolutely impossible. In that case, giving up and despairing was the best way out.
I mustered my courage, looked up, and forced a smile at him. "My mother said you are indeed my brother."
His face paled, and I could clearly see his eyes dim, like the clouds in the west hidden behind the horizon. In that moment, there was a sense of desolation and darkness, the light vanished, and silence descended.
I couldn't bear to look any longer and hurried past him. I walked very fast, afraid he would stop me, afraid he would question me with a single word. Now, I understand completely that he and I are truly not meant to be. Even with Yu Muxi's elaborate schemes, she still couldn't bind us together; this can only be attributed to fate.
My eyes stung, and I looked up at the sky. The morning light wasn't harsh at all, yet I felt like crying.
The journey from Yaoyue Tower back to Guiyun Manor was only a few steps, but it felt like an eternity, and I couldn't tell whether my feelings were sorrow or heaviness.
I returned to my room and retrieved the "Chongshan Swordplay" from the bookshelf, sighing involuntarily. My master's words echoed in my ears: "This is a rare treasure, but also a source of trouble." At the time, I hadn't taken it seriously; it was just a small booklet, and I hadn't given it a second thought. I had no grand ambitions and never dreamed of becoming a renowned heroine in the martial world through this sword manual. Unfortunately, what I didn't value didn't mean others didn't cherish it, and what I valued might be worthless to others.