Appreciating New Tea with an Inkstone - Chapter 12

Gu Ye and the Yang family father and son chatted for nearly the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. Although Yang Xunzhi’s attitude was indeed sincere, Gu Ye still did not relent.

It just so happened to be lunchtime, and since the Yang and Gu families had some dealings with each other, and considering the Yang family’s considerable reputation in Danyang City and their influence with the local authorities, Gu Ye thought it would be impolite to refuse them an invitation to dine. He instructed the kitchen to prepare a feast and quietly told the steward, “Inform the young lady that we have distinguished guests today and ask her to dine in her own courtyard. Remember to have the kitchen prepare her favorite dishes.”

Yang Xunzhi sat in the hall, sipping tea with his head down. He glanced up at Gu Ye, who was speaking softly at the head of the table, then lowered his gaze again. A fleeting glint passed through his deep brown eyes.

Upon hearing the steward’s message, Gu Xiyan nodded and then asked, “Uncle Chen, who are the distinguished guests?”

Uncle Chen replied respectfully, “My lady, it’s the Yang family father and son.”

Gu Xiyan’s brow twitched slightly, but she said nothing, merely instructing the butler to leave. 

Ah Qi, who was grinding ink, was puzzled. “Hasn’t Master refused them several times already? Why are they here again? Is Yang Xunzhi really that persistent?” After saying this, she glanced at Gu Xiyan and joked, “My lady, your charm is indeed great. Even without meeting you, you’ve made someone so infatuated. If they were to see your beauty and talent, the threshold of the Gu residence would surely need to be replaced every month.”

Gu Xiyan chided her, “Dare to make fun of me now?”

“Ah Qi wouldn’t dare,” Ah Qi said, sticking out her tongue and then covering her mouth to stifle a laugh.

Gu Xiyan tilted her head, a faint smile on her face. “You say you don’t dare, yet you’re making faces and laughing. Ah Qi, your courage is growing.”

Ah Qi was startled, then bent down to look at Gu Xiyan, whose beautiful eyes were still vaguely looking ahead. She couldn’t help but say, “My lady, how did you even know I was making a face?”

Gu Xiyan picked up her brush nonchalantly, accurately dipping it into the inkstone at the top right corner, and said slowly, “You stuck your tongue out too exaggeratedly.”

Ah Qi blushed deeply. “You’re too mean, my lady.”

Gu Xiyan lowered her head and chuckled. This silly girl, no matter how sharp she was, she couldn’t possibly sense every time Ah Qi stuck out her tongue. It was just that Ah Qi had a habit of sticking out her tongue exaggeratedly when teasing her, so she had just played along. However, the muffled laughter couldn’t escape her ears.

Knowing that Gu Xiyan would be dining in her own courtyard, Ah Qi personally went to the kitchen to arrange the meal. Meanwhile, Gu Xiyan picked up her brush to finish the last few lines of writing. After putting down the brush, she frowned slightly. Yang Xunzhi’s persistence made her increasingly uneasy. What was he really after?

She had no clue. Putting down the brush, she got up and went to the garden. The spring sun was shining brightly, and the gentle breeze was very pleasant. The flowers in the garden were blooming one after another. The Gu residence’s garden was meticulously arranged; although there were many varieties of flowers, their fragrances didn’t mix chaotically. From the entrance, each section of the garden featured different flowers, all with a subtle, elegant scent, which Gu Xiyan found to be a perfect arrangement.

She sat down at the stone table in the garden, with Xiao Wu standing by her side. Xiao Wu, who had practiced martial arts since childhood, was a bit older than Ah Qi and much more composed and quiet. She stood by without disturbing Gu Xiyan.

Gu Xiyan had been prone to daydreaming lately. Since Ye Qinming came to take her spiritual energy that day, she hadn’t appeared again. Gu Xiyan had visited the tea garden several times but hadn’t encountered her. She didn’t know if something had happened to Ye Qinming or if she had temporarily left the Gu residence.

Although they had known each other for less than two months, Ye Qinming was the first stranger Gu Xiyan had ever interacted with on her own since childhood, and the experience felt quite extraordinary to her.

She wasn’t someone who could remain calm in the face of supernatural beings, but when she found out that Ye Qinming was a demon, she didn’t think ill of her at all. Even when Ye Qinming bluntly told her that she needed to take her spiritual energy, Gu Xiyan didn’t find her cruel.

One would think that knowing there was a demon around would make anyone fearful and worried, afraid that they might harm others. Yet, Gu Xiyan never worried about Ye Qinming harming anyone in the Gu family. Sometimes, when she thought about it carefully, it seemed unbelievable.

As she was lost in thought, she heard faint footsteps coming from the other end of the garden. At first, she didn’t pay much attention, thinking it was a servant. But Xiao Wu suddenly became alert and asked, “Who are you? Why are you here?”

The person was startled, then politely said, “I am Yang Xunzhi. I was admiring the scenery in the residence and got lost, accidentally wandering here. I hope you can forgive me.”

He had entered from the eastern corridor and was momentarily dazed when he saw Gu Xiyan sitting there. After speaking, he stared blankly at Gu Xiyan in her light-colored dress.

Xiao Wu frowned. Wasn’t Yang Xunzhi supposed to be in the eastern courtyard? How did he end up here?

Gu Xiyan’s heart also stirred slightly, but since they had encountered each other, she couldn’t be impolite. She stood up and gave a slight bow. “So it’s Young Master Yang. My apologies.”

Yang Xunzhi took a few steps closer, cupping his hands respectfully. “It was my rudeness. I am fortunate to meet Young Lady Gu in person. Just like that fleeting glimpse from afar the other day, you are truly unforgettable.” His eyes held a mix of admiration and infatuation, though not overly blatant, but Xiao Wu still found it distasteful.

“My father has invited you both to stay for lunch. It must be about time. I’ll have a servant guide you back, so they won’t miss you. I am blind and cannot accompany you, so please forgive me.” Gu Xiyan could sense that he was only about six steps away from her.

After she spoke, Yang Xunzhi seemed somewhat embarrassed and quickly agreed.

Xiao Wu couldn’t leave her side, so she clapped her hands, and soon a guard from Ah Da’s team appeared in the garden to escort Yang Xunzhi away.

As he left, Yang Xunzhi still said, “Today was rushed and too abrupt. I hope to formally visit Young Lady Gu another day.”

Gu Xiyan didn’t respond, merely nodding slightly. The sound of footsteps gradually faded, but she felt a slightly invasive gaze lingering on her. Gu Xiyan’s frown deepened. She raised her hand to cover her nose and took a few steps forward, standing exactly where Yang Xunzhi had been.

“Xiao Wu, do you smell anything?”

Xiao Wu took a few deep breaths and shook her head. “I only smell the flowers, my lady. Is there something unusual?”

Gu Xiyan said softly, “Perhaps I’m being too sensitive. It’s nothing. Let’s go back. By the way, have Ah Da send more people to keep an eye on the Yang family father and son, to avoid any more guests getting lost.”

“At once, my lady.”

Gu Xiyan didn’t stay in the garden any longer and immediately returned to her room. Lunch was meticulously prepared by the kitchen, but Gu Xiyan had little appetite. However, Qiao’er from the Zhuo family brought her some steamed cakes, and she ate a few pieces of the soft, sweet pastries.

She had a suspicion in her heart but didn’t know who to confirm it with. And if it were true, she would be facing a big trouble.

After lunch, Gu Xiyan didn’t take her usual midday nap but stayed in the study instead. Ah Qi had already returned. From Xiao Wu, she knew that Gu Xiyan hadn’t had much appetite at noon. After reading an article, Ah Qi cautiously asked, “My lady, Xiao Wu said you met Young Master Yang this morning. Is it because of him that you’re not in high spirits?”

Gu Xiyan paused but didn’t deny it. She simply said, “Send someone to the eastern courtyard to see if the Yang family father and son have left.”

Ah Qi pursed her lips and softly agreed. “But is there something wrong, my lady?”

She had grown up with Gu Xiyan and knew her well. Her young lady was usually calm and composed, but today she clearly sensed that Gu Xiyan was unsettled, and it was obviously related to the arrival of the Yang family father and son.

“It’s hard to say. Keep a close eye on them. They’ve approached us several times; it’s not just about proposing marriage. Moreover, Yang Xunzhi’s excuse of getting lost and appearing in the garden is too flimsy.”

Ah Qi also frowned upon hearing the details. “Indeed, could it be that he just wanted to meet you?”

“That’s irrelevant now. What I’m worried about is his true intentions.”

“Intentions?” Ah Qi was confused. Wasn’t it just about getting close to the young lady and winning her favor?

Gu Xiyan didn’t elaborate but got up and went to the tea garden. She stood in front of Ye Qinming’s tea tree for a long time, watering it. But she could still feel that Ye Qinming didn’t seem to be here. It had been many days, and she was starting to worry. Ye Qinming had said that there were many demons in Danyang City, and she feared that Ye Qinming might have run into trouble.

Unable to find her, Gu Xiyan could only return. That night, she went to bed as usual. But in the middle of the night, she suddenly felt someone approaching. She immediately opened her eyes and sat up, about to call out, when a familiar scent washed over her.

Then her body sank as the other person pressed down on her. Gu Xiyan was startled. Amid the scent of tea, she detected a hint of blood and another strange smell. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly supported Ye Qinming, whispering, “Are you hurt?”

Ye Qinming didn’t speak, only breathing slightly rapidly, suppressing her panting as she said, “Don’t move.”

Gu Xiyan froze, not moving at all. The next moment, that familiar scent enveloped her. Her heart raced, but knowing that Ye Qinming was there for her spiritual energy, her chaotic mind gradually calmed. She lay quietly, waiting for Ye Qinming’s uneven breathing to steady.

After a while, Ye Qinming moved away from her. Feeling her sit on the edge of the bed, Gu Xiyan struggled to sit up. Her body felt weak, and her head was dizzy. She couldn’t sit steady and leaned towards the bed curtains. Ye Qinming quickly reached out to hold her.

The darkness didn’t hinder Ye Qinming from seeing Gu Xiyan clearly. Her face was pale, her expression slightly worried. The soft lips that had just touched hers were now pressed tightly together, pale from discomfort.

For some reason, Ye Qinming’s heart ached slightly. Her movements became gentler. “Don’t rush to get up.”

Gu Xiyan took a deep breath and said softly, “You smell of blood. Where are you hurt?”

Ye Qinming’s eyes lowered, emotions swirling within them. She said lightly, “I’ve been too comfortable here, so I went out for a stroll and ran into some troublesome demons. It’s just a minor injury. Besides, with you here, it’s nothing serious. But you…” She leaned in to sniff Gu Xiyan. “You’ve got demonic energy on you. What have you encountered?”

Gu Xiyan’s brow twitched, but she showed little emotion. So, it wasn’t her imagination after all.

Before she could speak, Ye Qinming, who had been sniffing her, suddenly moved closer. At the same time, her right hand slid up from Gu Xiyan’s slender waist, whispering, “A strong fox scent, quite skilled. But since they didn’t act immediately and left something on you, they must be in a tight spot.”

Gu Xiyan didn’t know what she was doing, but from her words, she understood that the other party had left something on her.

She couldn’t see what Ye Qinming had taken, but she felt an invisible force being pulled out from her back. Then she heard the sharp cry of a fox, which immediately dissipated in the wind.

Ye Qinming held the fox’s shadow in her hand, crushing it into powder. Three animal hairs fell into her palm and were burned to ashes the next moment. She raised an eyebrow, flicking her fingers lightly. “Such petty tricks, daring to show off.”

Author’s Note:

Ye Qinming: I don’t know when I’ll brew tea, but I’ve already kissed White Lotus three times and pinned her down once.