Chapter 220: Again Catching a Cold

Yuan Caimei soon noticed several faces flickering in and out of the window; she opened her eyes to stare, her cheeks slightly flushed, then her expression turned icy.

She was famously cold and elegant among the alchemists of Danshan, unaccustomed to letting them see her now in such a docile guise.

So Yuan Caimei raised her hand, untied the curtain's cord, and pulled the side curtain down.

Big Sis, what are you doing? I want to see my brother-in-law!

Yuan Chen roared, while the Yu Danzong disciples, watching their Holy Maiden lower the curtain with her own hands, withdrew their gazes with complex expressions.

They couldn't imagine what might be happening inside that carriage with the bed—felt their hearts turn emerald green.

Ji You noticed Yuan Caimei's action and shifted his gaze from the map: "Why did you suddenly pull the curtain?"

"Hmm, the sun's a bit too bright."

Yuan Caimei lifted her eyes; her plump toes unconsciously spread slightly, pink as a blooming lotus.

In truth, Ji You and Yuan Caimei were far from being able to sustain such intimacy in a carriage.

Especially with a proud, jealous eldest wife who would never settle for second place—if she couldn't have first, no one else would get to enjoy it either.

So Ji You maintained a certain gentlemanly restraint, sitting across from the Yu Danzong girl only to drink tea, chat, admire the scenery, and occasionally glance at those snow-white little feet.

He'd seen those feet before in the herbal pool—when Yuan Caimei had collapsed into his lap, nearly sinking into him, her toes nearly kicking him in the face.

After leaving the imperial city, the road to Zhongzhou was not empty.

Along the way, noble families heading to Zhongzhou appeared frequently, their carriages flying banners emblazoned with family crests that fluttered in the wind.

He wasn't familiar with these crests, but Yuan Caimei knew many; whenever she recognized one, she'd tell him about it.

One of these families came from the south; according to Yuan Caimei, they were allied with Lingjian Mountain and close to the Tianjian Peak lineage.

So the two used this moment to speak of Lingjian Mountain's Young Master.

【After being spanked by her sister's man, chatting with her sister's man about her sister】

"I've known the Young Master since we were children. Back then, our Yu Danzong and Lingjian Mountain had good relations, mainly because a senior relative of mine was supposed to marry into Lingjian Mountain—but then the previous master of Lingjian Mountain vanished, and the matter was dropped."

"The Young Master was especially mischievous as a child, always wanting to sneak outside to play, never able to sit still—I can't imagine her enduring years of seclusion."

"That must have been hard for her."

"She had few playmates—I was one of them. We once swore to be sisters for life, never to part."

Upon hearing this, Ji You paused mid-sip of his tea.

He'd never heard this story before; he thought, See? Some flags just shouldn't be planted.

Yuan Caimei fell silent at the thought too, wondering if she'd soon need to find an opportunity to call her "sister" instead, to test the waters.

Having been a sister for half her life, suddenly becoming a younger sister—how strange.

She looked up at Ji You and noticed he was distracted, as if lost in thought, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

That expression—Yuan Caimei's eyelashes trembled.

She'd noticed before: whenever someone mentioned the Young Master, Master Ji always looked like this.

His affection was truly profound; as a woman, Yuan Caimei sensed it easily.

"What about you?"

"Me?"

Ji You turned to her: "What were you like as a child?"

Yuan Caimei thought a moment: "Nothing special—just memorizing elixir formulas, watching my father refine them, then trying to refine myself as I grew older, later tutoring Yuan Chen, hoping he'd one day uphold Yu Danzong."

Ji You nodded, thinking Yuan Caimei had it better—at least she had a younger brother to tease.

Yan Shuyi was a complete only daughter, raised entirely alone, elevated to high status as a child, bearing the chill of solitude alone.

But whether fifty steps or a hundred, they were all women swept along by fate.

Yuan Caimei looked at Ji You now: "And you, Master?"

Ji You turned his gaze to the other window, its curtain still open: "I had it better than you both as a child—grew up with many older brothers and sisters, then looked after many younger ones too. I always had playmates."

"A big family, then."

"Yes."

Yuan Caimei glanced at Ji You: "How did you and the Young Master meet?"

Ji You smiled softly: "We met by chance during cultivation. She lied, said she was a celestial fairy fallen from heaven. I didn't believe her—and that's how we met."

Then they spoke of their first meeting at Qiling—he'd thought Yuan Caimei a rational woman, always thinking of her brother and Yu Danzong, embodying the true bearing of a Yu Danzong daughter.

Unlike Yan Shuyi, whose playful nature was tempered by duty, Yuan Caimei had genuinely devoted herself to her family.

Back then, when Yuan Chen went into the mountains to rescue her, she scolded him.

At the time, Yuan Caimei likely would have preferred death over letting her brother risk himself.

So Ji You truly admired Yuan Caimei—he'd never held ill will toward her, because he hadn't done what she had.

But Yuan Caimei wasn't pleased when he brought this up.

She felt she'd been impolite during their first meeting—telling him full cultivation of the lower realms wasn't in her marriage criteria, demanding payment upfront—so her memory of their first encounter wasn't pleasant.

Back then, she didn't want to marry at all; even a higher cultivator might not have qualified.

Yu Danzong had no combat strength; every woman bore the duty of political marriage. Compared to other immortal maidens, their choices were fewer.

Yuan Caimei had seen many female alchemists used for alliances, so she'd always resisted marriage.

Her father kept introducing promising young men; she kept delaying, sometimes secretly hoping that if she waited long enough, no one would want her—and she could devote her life to the alchemical Dao.

At the time, her feelings toward Ji You were the same.

But first meetings happen only once—they can't be undone.

Hearing him mention "payment upfront," Yuan Caimei's eyelashes trembled: "Did you think I was vulgar? Had no taste?"

"I only thought it sad that you chose a husband for your family's sake, not your own desires."

"And?"

"You're a good sister."

Staying in one posture too long was tiring; Yuan Caimei, seated cross-legged, stretched her legs out, lost in thought, her feet twitching slightly.

As they swayed, Ji You snapped her pink toes with a soft "pop." She snapped back to awareness, her cheeks instantly flushing.

That was cheating—waving food in front of someone.

Yuan Caimei pulled her feet back under her skirt, silent for a long while—then, after a moment, pretended nothing had happened and stretched them out again.

Private, solitary time easily draws people closer—even two strangers locked together, doing nothing, grow increasingly intimate. That's the pull of opposites.

So Yuan Caimei gradually relaxed around Ji You, no longer rigid with propriety; now she deliberately swayed her feet, then yanked them back with a "whoosh" the moment he reached out, her gaze hiding cunning beneath her cultivated poise.

Ji You glanced at her, set down his teacup without a word, then saw those glistening, jade-like feet sneak out again—and swiftly reached out.

"Pop." Her smooth, jade-like foot was caught outright—silky, warm, soft, and fragrant, the sensation flooding his palm.

After his body refinement, Ji You's spiritual sense and reaction speed were unmatched; such mischievous feet couldn't escape his grasp.

He lightly tickled the tender sole, and the Yu Danzong maiden's cheeks flushed crimson, silent as she squirmed faintly, her pink toenails shimmering with a soft glow.

Her hips merely concealed it—Master Ji's true favorite was her feet…

Yuan Caimei recalled those recent days, seeing the faint tooth marks on Yan Shuyi's feet—she'd doubted it then, thought it too lewd; now she was slowly beginning to believe it.

The Yu Danzong maiden's delicate jade feet were being toyed with; she first pretended not to notice, but finally couldn't help letting out a soft whimper: "Master…"

"Still dare to?"

"Still dare…"

The carriage rolled on until the afternoon sun dipped low, then night rolled in, the sky thick with stars.

Along the way, they stopped at a small town for a meal.

Cultivators could go without food, but alchemists still ate, and Ji You's body required greater nourishment—he needed to eat more.

Yuan Caimei's cheeks flushed as she stepped down from the carriage behind Ji You's tall figure, her toes still tingling.

They were numb from being squeezed—but not bitten.

Ji You sat with Yuan Chen, who'd gotten down earlier, and showed off his appetite, leaving Yuan Chen stunned.

"Brother-in-law, if you eat like this, won't you get fat?"

"No."

Ji You patted his abdomen: "I've abs."

Yuan Chen didn't believe him, lifted his shirt to look—and was amazed.

Yu Danzong and Tian Shuyuan planned to reach Zhongxing Commandery overnight, so the carriage wouldn't stop—but after eating, no one hurried back inside, likely because the cramped space had grown uncomfortable, and they wanted to rest longer.

Ji You went to relieve himself and saw Yuan Chen staring at Yuan Caimei: "Big Sis, guess if Brother-in-law has abs?"

Yuan Caimei was still lost in the carriage scene; she looked up: "Of course he does."

"Big Sis saw them?"

"I've seen more than just abs—I've seen other muscles too."

Yuan Caimei murmured to herself, thinking, Isn't this your fault, brat? You tricked me and Master Ji into the same herbal pool—seen everything.

The Yu Danzong maiden's mind conjured a hot, thick shape.

They said Zhongxing Commandery had hot springs, infused with spiritual energy, popular among cultivators—wonder if she'd be tricked into one again.

Yuan Chen finished eating and looked up at his sister: "Big Sis, can I go back to your carriage?"

Yuan Caimei frowned slightly: "Why?"

"Senior Brother's feet smell awful—I can't stand it…"

After long thought, Yuan Caimei pinched a pill from a jade clasp on her waist and handed it to her brother.

Yuan Chen took it, glanced at it: "What kind of pill is this?"

"Spirit-Extinction Pill. If you pretend to be dead, you won't smell anything."

"Big sister, am I even your real sibling? If I don't take this pill in time, I'm dead."

Yuan Caimei couldn't help but laugh at his heartbroken expression: "I'm joking. It's a pill that seals the five senses—your sense of smell too."

Yuan Chen held the pill in his fingers, watching his brother-in-law return from the outhouse, finally understanding what it meant to do all the work for someone else.

Then his sister hurried him back into that distinctly scented carriage.

Ji You had returned to the carriage and glanced at the empty seat: "Isn't Yuan Chen coming with us?"

Yuan Caimei nodded seriously: "I called him, but he won't come. Says he wants to chat with his senior brother."

"He's so stubborn."

"He's been like this since he was little…"

After the meal, everyone returned to the carriage and bounced along through the night.

Yuan Caimei treasured every moment with Ji You, so she took another Essence Pill from her belt, planning to swallow it with water and stay awake with him through this endless night.

But Ji You thought some pills were better left uneaten, so he urged her to go to sleep.

Yuan Caimei had just said women should obey their husbands, but now she was being willful: "When we reach Zhongxing County, I'll go with Father to the Sacred Grounds of the Ancients. I won't be back for half a month."

Ji You lifted his head: "Is the Sacred Grounds of the Ancients opening early?"

"It's always been like this. Each opening requires a long time to mend the cracks, so we need alchemists stationed there. By the time we return, Young Master Ji will probably be busy with the competition."

As she spoke, Yuan Caimei suddenly looked up at Ji You.

Women are usually perceptive and observant.

Throughout this journey, she could clearly feel that as they neared Zhongxing County, Ji You grew happier—and that happiness, needless to say, came from soon seeing his sister, the Appraiser.

His behavior had become more restrained too; he'd lost interest in her feet. He was afraid the Appraiser would get jealous.

She didn't really want to compete, because the Appraiser had known him longest, and she, in truth, was just an intruder.

Intruding between two people who are drawn to each other is far worse than intruding between two who are merely pretending.

But deep down, she still hoped Ji You wouldn't show his feelings too obviously—if he didn't want the Appraiser to know, she wouldn't say a word.

At that moment, Ji You suddenly rose from the carriage and walked toward her.

Before Yuan Caimei could react, he swept her legs up and lifted her off the cushion, so she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, her delicate feet dangling in the air.

Before she could struggle, he laid her on the bed, sinking her fully into the soft cushions, her eyes fixed on Ji You in dazed silence.

"Sleep. I'm going to cultivate."

Yuan Caimei suddenly felt like being spoiled. She puffed out her cheeks and looked at him: "I don't want to sleep."

Ji You leaned closer: "Why not sleep?"

"Tomorrow you'll meet the Appraiser sister—you're thrilled, wishing the night would end faster. But Caimei… Caimei won't see you for a long time…"

"It's only half a month."

Yuan Caimei was stubborn: "But before this half-month, I've already waited half a year. We're arriving in Zhongxing County tomorrow—just let me talk to you a little. I've stayed up before."

Ji You replied: "But I don't want to talk to you anymore."

Yuan Caimei froze, then opened her mouth slightly, lowering her eyelids. Suddenly, she seemed to lose all strength.

She could rely on Ji You's slight fondness for her to act spoiled—but if that fondness vanished, it wasn't coquetry anymore, it was annoyance.

She gently released her grip on his robe and lay back obediently—but before she touched the bed, a hand caught her.

Before she could react, Ji You pressed against her, his lips sealing over hers.

The sudden softness made Yuan Caimei stiffen instantly; her ten plump toes curled involuntarily.

Young Master…

She softly called his name in her heart, her whole body melting. Her eyes closed obediently, her breathing quickening.

She didn't know how long the kiss lasted, but suddenly felt a slap on her rear. Startled, she opened her eyes, blinking in confusion.

After a moment, she seemed to understand. Her teeth parted slightly, her tongue instantly swept out, her waist trembling.

Unconsciously, she tightened her arms around Ji You, closed her eyes again, her lashes trembling violently.

Ji You opened his eyes, watching her—her complete submission, her clumsy response. He wondered if she'd open her eyes.

Soon, she did—just a sliver—but when she saw him watching, she snapped them shut again, shrinking even tighter.

The Daughter of the Yu Dan Sect was incredibly soft, her skin exquisitely smooth. Her body scent, like Yan Shuyi's, made it hard to hold back.

Long after, their red lips parted with a soft "pop."

Yuan Caimei's lips parted slightly as she gasped, still clutching his robes, her eyes filled with reluctant longing.

So he didn't want to talk—he just wanted to use his mouth for something else. He wasn't tired of her.

The Daughter of the Yu Dan Sect bit her lip shyly, her mouth burning.

Back when she first met him, she'd always dreamed he'd give her a bite just like the Appraiser's mark—but now, when he actually kissed her, she realized she'd been utterly clueless.

She admired the little Appraiser sister—no, sister—in such a moment, she could still bite him.

Ji You returned to the thick rug, breathing lightly.

"Can you sleep now?"

"I don't want to sleep at all."

"?"

Ji You turned to look at Yuan Caimei, thinking: Yan Shuyi, always so arrogant, always calmed down after a kiss—but this one, so obedient normally, became defiant after one. She's doing everything backward.

Seeing her slightly furrowed brows, Yuan Caimei shrank her head, then obediently pulled the blanket up to her chest, looking docile.

The night deepened. Under the stars, the carriage raced on until dawn, when it stopped at Wutong County.

The Sacred Grounds of the Ancients lay between Fengzhou and Zhongzhou, so the Yu Dan Sect disciples had to change course at Wutong County.

Thus, as the faint morning light fell, the Yu Dan Sect separated from the Heavenly Book Academy's carriage.

The attendants from the Management Office would accompany and escort them—safety was assured.

Yuan Caimei woke early, as the small bed on the carriage was truly uncomfortable. She raised her head and saw Ji You drinking tea. She slid her jade feet from the bed to the floor, gazing at him with glistening eyes.

Yuan Chen came to his sister's carriage after it was ready, standing outside and calling out a few times. A faint smacking sound came from within.

The still-drowsy Daughter of the Yu Dan Sect softened further, nestled in Ji You's arms, kissed until her heart melted.

Yuan Chen waited outside for a long time; only when the sun rose high did his sister finally lift the curtain, her face flushed.

"Big sister?"

"Mmm~?"

"Big sister, did you catch a cold?"

"Don't talk nonsense. Let's go—the Sacred Grounds can't wait."

Yuan Chen looked at his sister's flushed lips and suddenly serious expression, and instinctively shrank back.

At the window, Ji You watched them depart, seeing the Daughter of the Yu Dan Sect turn back countless times.

There's another jealous one coming—Ji You felt he'd either be stabbed to death or bitten to death.

The Heavenly Dao Assembly was supposed to be a cultivation gathering, yet the most troublesome part turned out to be the mouth.

(End of Chapter)