Chapter 138: Jinhuan, Jinhuan

Shhh-shhh-shhh~

Outside the window, autumn rain drizzled softly; inside the Lin Fu courtyard, all had fallen silent—except for the Poisoness, who, alone in the outer compound's alchemy chamber, recklessly burned through herbs, refining bizarre, ghostly pills.

Xie Jinhuan held an oiled paper umbrella, cradling Wan Yi wrapped in a cloak, landing silently outside her chamber; only after confirming no one was near did he push open the door.

Creak~

Wan Yi had been furious in the Wang Fu, her chest nearly bursting with rage, and still seethed inwardly—but she said nothing bad about him to Xie Jinhuan.

After all, the principal wife must not be jealous!

After entering the room, she helped Xie Jinhuan sit on the embroidered bed, then raised her hand to feel his pulse:

"Don't just tend to me—are you truly unharmed?"

"I'm fine, just need two days' rest. Though if you give me some pills, I might be back to full strength by tomorrow."

Hmph~…

Wan Yi still pitied the man; seeing this, she lit a small lamp, walked to the window-side desk, knelt on the floor, crawled beneath it, and opened a hidden compartment to search for secret pills.

Rustle-rustle~

Xie Jinhuan sat on the bed's edge, watching—until he quickly realized Wan Yi's posture was odd.

Kneeling and crouched on the floor, her entire body hidden under the desk, only her waist and legs exposed, swaying gently as she moved, revealing a heavy, substantial weight…

?

Xie Jinhuan blinked, suddenly realizing he wasn't weak anymore; he walked over and gently tapped her:

"Shall I look instead?"

His touch was light, yet the chamber instantly fell silent.

Wan Yi had been rummaging through hidden pills when suddenly struck—she froze, turned her head, confirmed it wasn't Zisu, then flushed crimson with a pinch of humiliation:

"You could've just said so! Why hit me?"

"Uh… I was afraid you wouldn't hear me."

…

Wan Yi clenched her teeth inwardly, wanting to snap at him.

But if she didn't let him tap her, was she saving it for that little Daoist nun?

They'd already ridden her head like a vase and mocked her…

And in the forest, Xie Jinhuan had rushed over to embrace her, his eyes filled with terror, holding her close all the way to warm her…

Wan Yi lightly bit her lower lip, said nothing more, and kept searching for pills.

…

Seeing Wan Yi wouldn't scold him, Xie Jinhuan crouched halfway down, feigning to support her lower back as he peered inside, asking casually:

"Why did you go to the outlying county today? I was terrified—you ran off alone, what if you'd encountered danger…"

Wan Yi noticed his hand was in an improper place, tensed all over, pressed her lips shut, and pretended not to notice his small maneuver:

"My sect said they have a lead on a Jiazi Lotus—wanted to know if you want it."

Oh?

Xie Jinhuan's eyes gleamed with delight.

After all, Jiazi Lotus must be returned—if not, the Ice Tuozi's legendary brutal ride would crush him to death.

"I definitely want it. What's the price?"

Wan Yi pulled out a pill box from beneath the desk:

"Your sect says they want inner sect techniques from Mount Zihui—Lu Xian Array, Seven Stars Nails, etc. If you can get them, they'll give you one Jiazi Lotus."

Xie Jinhuan helped Wan Yi sit beside him on the bed, frowning slightly:

"That's a monstrous demand. The Divine Canon is a teaching text the imperial court uses to attract experts—anyone with connections can learn it. But what you mentioned? Those are bottom-of-the-box killing techniques. To learn them, you must become a disciple, then endure years to become a core inner disciple…"

"Linghu Qingmo likes you, doesn't she? Ask her for it. Techniques aren't impossible to copy—get them, and you get a Jiazi Lotus for free."

"These are heritage items—only the successor sect leader or the Technique Elder may learn them. Qingmo doesn't know them either. Even if she did, I couldn't learn them, and even if I did, I couldn't transmit them. Stealing cultivation methods in the Dao path invites pursuit to the death."

Seeing Xie Jinhuan had no way, Wan Yi naturally didn't press:

"I was just discussing it with you. Hmm… I'll ask around, see if we can trade something else—anyway, I'll help you get it back…"

As she spoke, she brought a bright red pill to nourish vital energy to his lips.

Xie Jinhuan thought Wan Yi was truly virtuous; noticing he still felt chilly, as if not fully recovered, he pulled her into his arms:

"You're going to feed me like this?"

?

Wan Yi looked puzzled, thought for a moment, then began cooing like to a child:

"Open your mouth, ah~~"

Xie Jinhuan smiled slightly: "I'm not a child. Show some sincerity."

Sincerity?

Wan Yi pondered, then understood his meaning—reluctantly.

But if she didn't feed him, was she saving it for that little Daoist nun?

After a moment of hesitation, Wan Yi's cheeks flushed faintly; she placed the pill between her red lips and leaned in:

Mmm~

Xie Jinhuan was thoroughly satisfied, quickly accepting it.

The pill was slightly bitter, but carried a faint trace of rouge—enough to make the bitterness entirely forgettable.

After slipping the pill into his mouth, Wan Yi pulled back, blushing; feeling cold, she kicked off her shoes, drew the autumn quilt up, and draped it over both of them:

"It's late—let's begin cultivation."

Xie Jinhuan felt that Wan Yi, having just been scolded, was now much more well-behaved; he thought to himself as he embraced her plump figure, lay back on the pillow, and warmed her with his body heat:

"Today was too tiring; let's rest for one night."

?

Lin Wanyi's eyes fluttered; for some reason she felt a bit nervous, but she didn't struggle. She found Xie Jinhuan's hand very warm, so she tucked it into her bosom, leaving not a single bit of warmth for that little Daoist nun!

Xie Jinhuan was flattered. Looking at the beautiful face so close, he thought for a moment and said:

"Wan Yi, guess when was the moment that made my soul wander and dream of you the most?"

Lin Wanyi's vision was clear, so she dared not look around wildly; her gaze fluttered:

"At... at the pleasure boat?"

"No."

"You... don't say 'now', you lecher..."

"Not that either."

Xie Jinhuan leaned close to her earlobe and said with deep sincerity:

"It was when you saved food for me and went out to heat up the dishes. My family was broken and scattered; I had thought I would become a wandering swordsman of the Jianghu forever, but at that moment I suddenly discovered I still had a home. Hmm... it just felt like happiness."

Lin Wanyi didn't expect such a serious response; after thinking for a moment, she asked:

"Guess when was the moment that made me like you the most?"

"The first time we met?"

"?"

Lin Wanyi let out a soft hum:

"I'm not a lovesick fool... I just thought you were quite handsome, had a chivalrous heart, and a good temperament. The moment I liked you the most was when you rushed alone to Huai Jiang Bay. Hmm... that was especially manly! But it's not allowed in the future; if you dare to throw your life away playing the hero again, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Xie Jinhuan showed a bitter smile:

"Actually, I'm not some righteous young hero. My father originally wanted to name me 'Deyi', hoping I would become a 'distinguished student', the very excellent and powerful kind. But I think life is not easy, so one should enjoy the moment; what others think doesn't matter. When it's time to enjoy, one must enjoy to the fullest."

Lin Wanyi blinked her eyes:

"You practiced the eighteen arts diligently since you were three; you know everything. You call yourself 'enjoying the moment'?"

"Sigh, what enjoyment could a three-year-old have? That's called starting from childhood. 'Enjoying the moment' in youth, and 'enjoying the moment' now."

While Xie Jinhuan chatted softly, he discovered Wan Yi's body was cold, so he urged his Qi mechanism to warm her, only to discover she was wearing a magical artifact.

"Uh... I was just trying to warm your body; I didn't expect you to be wearing this..."

"You..."

Lin Wanyi sensed that Xie Jinhuan was still playing around; her face turned red. However, thinking back to since they met, Xie Jinhuan had protected her in various ways; today, upon discovering her arrival, the worry and anxiety in his eyes...

A young man of eighteen or nineteen is naturally vigorous and energetic; he just wanted to touch a bit. What fault was there in that...

"You... you learned so many things diligently since you were three, just to 'enjoy the moment' like this?"

"Mm."

"You still say 'Mm'?"

"When life is prosperous, one must enjoy it to the fullest..."

Xie Jinhuan smiled, looking at the big-nosed cat:

"Wan Yi, you just said that since I carried you back today, you were very moved, so..."

"That was just angry talk; don't take it seriously."

"Oh... I am a righteous knight; I certainly won't ask for it actively. Then let's sleep."

"?"

Lin Wanyi recalled the ruthless words she had been forced to say just now; at this moment, she found it hard to respond.

She originally wanted to close her eyes and pretend to sleep, but thinking of the dual admonitions from Zisu and Seeing Mo Mo, she truly found it hard to sleep or eat!

Saying I have no courage, daring to kiss my lover in front of them...

Saying I am a rotten aunt who cannot be supported by a wall...

Simply enough to make a person furious...

Xie Jinhuan looked at the well-behaved Wan Yi, then turned his head toward the door and asked:

"Qin Wen isn't staying next door, is she?"

"No. These past few days you've been running over here, so I let her stay with Zisu. Since Zisu isn't coming, there's no one around... Ah~ you rascal, no, no, no..."

Lin Wanyi clearly didn't realize what her own words were doing; before she could react, she felt a weight settle on her body. Then she was holding her lover, tucked into the autumn quilt, taking everything and eating everything.

Lin Wanyi's face was exposed outside the quilt; she couldn't see anyone. She wanted to hide but her hand was caught; she was completely panicked. Soon, she shivered slightly, her face turning red as if it might bleed, and she gritted her teeth, muttering:

"You... why are you like a child? What are you trying to do?!"

"I'm just researching this magical artifact; don't be nervous..."

"Sigh..."

Lin Wanyi trembled slightly, feeling that Xie Jinhuan was getting carried away; if he kept playing recklessly, something big would happen!

But if she didn't let Xie Jinhuan get carried away, was she waiting for the man to get carried away with that little Daoist nun?

Lin Wanyi bit her silver teeth in secret, glanced toward the lamp light, and her face quickly turned red down to her neck; her whole body warmed up. After hesitating for an instant, she lifted the quilt and looked down:

"Your arms and legs are injured."

Xie Jinhuan quickly stopped: "It's nothing; I don't even feel it anymore."

I do feel it...

Lin Wanyi put down the quilt, arched her instep, and finding it truly hard to resist, she took the peony hairpin that was always kept in the bedside grid. She thought about distracting herself, ignoring Xie Jinhuan, and playing on her own.

But unfortunately, her mind soon started to feel dizzy; she didn't even know what she was doing, and slowly she embraced his neck.

And the muttered words of shame and anger soon turned into a faint, barely audible hum, blending into the drizzling rain outside the window until dawn...

—

Requesting monthly tickets~

(End of this chapter)