Appreciating New Tea with an Inkstone - Chapter 11

Ye Qinming slowly emerged from behind the screen, her brow slightly raised. “How did you know I was here?”

To be honest, Ye Qinming found this quite strange. Although she hadn’t used any demonic arts to conceal her presence in front of Gu Xiyan, she had stood behind the screen without making a single sound. Gu Xiyan, being blind, shouldn’t have been able to detect her. Sometimes, she suspected that Gu Xiyan wasn’t human at all, but perhaps a spirit who had cultivated into a refined form.

Hearing this, Gu Xiyan’s lips curved into a faint smile before she replied gently, “Didn’t I tell you before that my sense of smell is quite sharp? You carry a faint scent of tea, which is both pleasant and unique. I caught a whiff of it as soon as I entered, so—”

Ye Qinming’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “How is that possible?” She couldn’t help but sniff herself, but she detected no trace of tea fragrance. Besides, as the ruler of the Demon Realm—though her power had significantly diminished—she should be able to mask her aura to the point where a mere human couldn’t detect it.

Yet, Gu Xiyan didn’t seem to be lying. As Ye Qinming thought back, her expression darkened slightly. “So, you knew about my origins because you smelled the tea scent on me?”

She suddenly recalled that day in the pavilion when she had asked Gu Xiyan if the scent of purple magnolias was too strong for her. Gu Xiyan had replied that it didn’t hinder her from detecting other scents. Could it be that the tea fragrance Gu Xiyan mentioned was actually from her?

Gu Xiyan didn’t hide the truth. Although discussing a woman’s scent in such a manner was somewhat impolite and awkward, she answered honestly, “Back then, I noticed a particularly unique tea fragrance on that tea tree, so I paid special attention to it. When you appeared in the pavilion that day, I detected the same tea scent. It’s quite distinctive, so I had a vague sense of it.”

“Your sense of smell is almost frightening. You’ve never brewed me, so how could you detect the tea scent from the tree? Moreover, I myself wasn’t even aware of it. How could you distinguish my scent while you were brewing tea and admiring flowers?” Ye Qinming still found it hard to believe. As a demon, she was being schooled by a human, which was quite a revelation.

Gu Xiyan’s face flushed slightly, and she lowered her head, pouring herself a cup of water to mask her embarrassment. “Actually, it’s extremely faint. If I hadn’t focused intently, I wouldn’t have been able to detect it. But your tea fragrance isn’t something that ordinary worldly teas can compare to. Even other tea scents can’t overshadow it, so I remember it quite vividly.”

Ye Qinming naturally noticed the faint blush on Gu Xiyan’s cheeks and found it amusing. This woman, who usually seemed as composed as a clay Buddha, was actually blushing. 

With a playful smile, she sat down and teased, “So, after all that, were you just complimenting me?”

Gu Xiyan was momentarily at a loss for words. She lowered her head and remained silent, slowly sipping her water.

Ye Qinming didn’t press further and simply chuckled softly. After a moment of silence, Gu Xiyan asked, “Are you feeling better? The tea tree seems a bit wilted.”

Ye Qinming lazily replied, “I’m not as exhausted as before, but I’ve lost a lot of spiritual energy. That’s why I came to see you.”

Gu Xiyan was momentarily stunned before understanding her meaning. “Do you need some spiritual energy?”

Ye Qinming had only mentioned it in passing. Although she had come partly to see Gu Xiyan, it was also because she was frustrated about losing some of her spiritual energy instead of gaining any. She hadn’t actually intended to ask for it back, but seeing Gu Xiyan’s reaction, she couldn’t resist teasing her.

“Hmm, are you unwilling?”

Gu Xiyan shook her head. “You saved my life. It’s only natural that I give you my spiritual energy, or even my life if you asked for it.”

Her tone was calm, almost indifferent, which made Ye Qinming frown slightly. This woman seemed far too detached about her own life and death. Ye Qinming felt an inexplicable urge to disrupt her composure. She stood up and walked over to Gu Xiyan. “Then I won’t hold back?”

Just as Gu Xiyan was about to nod, a warm, soft pair of lips pressed against hers. The faint tea scent suddenly became rich and clear, and Gu Xiyan felt all the blood rush to her head.

Her fingers curled into fists, and she instinctively wanted to pull away. But she could sense that Ye Qinming was indeed drawing spiritual energy from her, with no other inappropriate intentions. Overreacting would only make things awkward, so she could only close her eyes and endure it.

Ye Qinming controlled the flow, guiding the spiritual energy from Gu Xiyan’s body into her own. She slightly opened her eyes to look at Gu Xiyan, who had her eyes gently closed, her eyelashes trembling slightly in embarrassment, yet her expression remained calm and composed. If it weren’t for the faint blush on her cheeks, Ye Qinming might have thought she was truly unperturbed.

In truth, drawing spiritual energy didn’t necessarily require such intimacy. Ye Qinming had done it on purpose, partly out of mischief, and partly because Gu Xiyan’s lips were indeed very soft, and the light touch felt quite pleasant.

She didn’t take much. When she noticed Gu Xiyan’s face turning pale, she stopped. After she pulled away, Gu Xiyan finally caught her breath, feeling somewhat weak and dizzy.

Ye Qinming pursed her lips. “Are you alright?”

Gu Xiyan steadied herself. “I’m fine. I’m just not used to it, so I feel a bit lightheaded.”

Ye Qinming’s gaze remained fixed on her, but her tone was casual. “Then you’ll have to get used to it quickly. The force that was sealing your spiritual energy has dissipated, and your spiritual body is exceptionally pure, making it a great supplement for any cultivating spirit. From what I’ve observed, the demonic aura in Danyang City is quite strong. Since that snake spirit has already discovered you, your days ahead won’t be peaceful. If you can’t provide me with enough spiritual energy, I won’t go out of my way to protect you a second time. Understand?”

Gu Xiyan’s fingers tightened in her sleeves. “What’s so special about me? I’ve never practiced cultivation, and I don’t know where my spiritual energy comes from. I’m just a blind woman. Why would so many spirits be interested in me?”

Ye Qinming’s brow furrowed slightly. She quietly observed Gu Xiyan for a long time before speaking. “Although I’m not well-versed in fate and destiny, having lived for so long, I can glimpse a bit of the universe’s workings. But you… I can’t see through you. The fact that I can’t discern your past or future means you’re no ordinary human. There’s nothing strange about that.”

Gu Xiyan sighed softly and then asked in a low voice, “That day, you appeared suddenly, injured. Did you encounter an enemy?” Recalling the sudden gust of wind that had swept through the tea garden that day, she now guessed that it had been Ye Qinming falling into the garden.

At the mention of this, Ye Qinming’s aura darkened, and a faint red light flickered in her eyes. She spoke in a low voice, “Yes, I encountered an enemy—a great enemy that I must avenge. So, whether you’re willing or not, I must use you to recover as quickly as possible. I can’t make any promises to you, and you don’t need to feel indebted to me. If my enemy finds me before I’ve recovered, I’ll take your life without hesitation. Do you understand?”

Gu Xiyan lowered her gaze and refilled Ye Qinming’s tea, speaking softly, “I understand. But I’m still grateful that you’ve given me a chance.”

In truth, keeping her alive was a great risk. As long as she lived, spirits would inevitably come for her, and Ye Qinming would have to expend energy to protect her. It was a losing proposition. She didn’t know why Ye Qinming was doing this. The excuse that Gu Xiyan’s spiritual body was better than expected seemed a bit flimsy.

She didn’t press further. Even ants cling to life. Gu Xiyan wasn’t afraid of death, but she still wished to live peacefully. Moreover, she firmly believed that everything had two sides. If her existence attracted so many spirits, there must also be a way to counteract them. Otherwise, her existence would be truly tragic.

Ye Qinming didn’t stay long. After Gu Xiyan finished her bath and lay down in bed, she quickly fell asleep due to the loss of spiritual energy.

Late at night, a slender figure silently appeared by her bedside. 

Ye Qinming gazed at the restless sleeper, her expression inscrutable in the darkness.

After returning yesterday, she had pondered why she was willing to take on such a troublesome burden, but she still hadn’t figured it out. However, she wasn’t one to hesitate. She didn’t want Gu Xiyan to die—at least not now.

“So, even if it’s troublesome, I’ll protect you for a while,” a soft voice murmured in the night before silence returned.

***

The next day, Gu Xiyan woke up late. Perhaps because Ye Qinming had drawn spiritual energy from her, she had slept fitfully, plagued by chaotic dreams filled with strange scenes. In her dream, she couldn’t distinguish reality from illusion, and many things inexplicably made her feel deeply uncomfortable.

But upon waking, she could hardly remember any of it. The only vivid memory was of a bizarre place in her dream—a vast, hazy expanse where the boundaries between heaven and earth were indistinct, and no light could be seen. It was as if everything was shrouded in darkness.

Yet, in that desolate, lifeless chaos, she had suddenly spotted a hint of grayish-green stubbornly growing amidst the void, just within her reach.

Gu Xiyan sat on the bed, trying to recall the dream. That grayish-green seemed to be a tea tree? She shook her head with a wry smile. “I must be overthinking things, dreaming about tea trees now.”

Since the day the snake spirit appeared, the security at the Gu residence had been extremely tight. However, over the next few days, the household remained peaceful, as if the earlier tension had never existed. Of course, this was only true if one ignored the fact that people in Danyang City continued to disappear.

After the snake spirit’s brazen appearance, the Gu family was convinced that a demon was at work in Danyang. Hearing about more disappearances, even Gu Ye, the family head, couldn’t remain calm. He sent people to urge the expert he had invited to come to Danyang as soon as possible.

Thus, the family closely followed the developments. However, despite the authorities’ investigations, they only uncovered more victims, with no leads on the perpetrator.

One day, instead of the old friend from Dongzhou they were expecting, the Gu family received a visit from Yang Xunzhi and his father, Yang Shuo.

Gu Ye had already grown wary of the Yang family and wasn’t particularly welcoming of their arrival.

Yang Shuo, in his forties, carried himself with the same refined elegance as his son. Upon meeting Gu Ye, both father and son exchanged pleasantries before engaging in conversation.

Gu Ye was a shrewd man. While he chatted amiably with the Yangs, he avoided bringing up the purpose of their visit.

It wasn’t until Yang Xunzhi gave his father a meaningful look that Yang Shuo finally set aside his smile and spoke seriously, “We’ve come uninvited today mainly for my son’s sake. My wife previously came to propose a marriage alliance, but after being rejected, my son has been deeply despondent. That’s why I’ve come in person to express our sincerity. I hope Brother Gu can see the Yang family’s goodwill.”

Gu Ye’s expression remained unchanged. He smiled and took a sip of tea. “Thank you for your kind intentions, Brother Yang. However, my daughter rarely leaves the house. I’m curious—how did Xunzhi become so taken with her?”

Yang Xunzhi clasped his hands respectfully. “Uncle, to be honest, two months ago, I was admiring the scenery on Gushan Mountain when I caught a glimpse of Young Lady Gu in the tea garden. I was instantly captivated. Moreover, when I passed by, I heard her playing the qin, and her talent further won my admiration. My previous approach was too abrupt, and I apologize for that.”

Gu Ye studied his expression carefully before nodding thoughtfully. “I see. But as I mentioned before, my daughter has been blind since childhood. My wife and I are reluctant to let her leave our side, so we prefer a matrilocal marriage for her. Xunzhi is your only son, and with his outstanding talents, I doubt you’d want him to suffer such an arrangement.”

Yang Shuo was about to speak, but a glance from Yang Xunzhi silenced him. However, this exchange didn’t escape Gu Ye’s notice. He felt something was off but couldn’t pinpoint what.

Yang Xunzhi continued, “I understand your love for your daughter, Uncle, and I respect your concerns. The reason you want a matrilocal marriage is to ensure Young Lady Gu won’t be mistreated in the future. I will prove my sincerity to you.”

Gu Ye’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. Although Yang Xunzhi’s words were polite, there was an underlying determination that made him uncomfortable. He had met Yang Xunzhi several times before and had always held a favorable impression of the young man. But today, something about him felt off, though he couldn’t quite place it.

Author’s Note:

Ye Qinming: I don’t feel well, I need some spiritual power.

Gu Xiyan: Mm, okay.

Ye Qinming feels like she’s a woman with a plan.

Divine Lord Xiyan: I truly know how to talk. My wife’s fragrance can’t be compared to those ordinary green teas.

Reporter: Divine Lord, readers are very curious. As someone who dares to straight-up tease her wife, how did you find her?

Divine Lord: Smell a little, lick a little, then brew a little.

Green Tea: Am I an Oreo?

Reporter: No, you’re a tsundere.

Green Tea: Get lost!