Appreciating New Tea with an Inkstone - Chapter 28

Ye Qinming was in a daze, the poison in her body seeming to intensify under the catalyst of Gu Xiyan’s blood. She lifted her head, hooked her arms around Gu Xiyan, and kissed her directly.

This wasn’t the first time Ye Qinming had kissed her, but this time, Gu Xiyan felt that something was different. Soon, her intuition proved correct. This time, Ye Qinming wasn’t just absorbing her spiritual energy—her kiss was urgent, prying open Gu Xiyan’s lips and tangling deeply with her own.

When that sweet and moist sensation enveloped her, Gu Xiyan trembled. The feeling was like an electric shock, making her heart skip a beat. The unfamiliar sensation surged through her, her heartbeat growing so intense that she could hardly bear it.

Both of them were injured. As Ye Qinming kissed Gu Xiyan, the scent of blood mixed with a lingering sweetness, fermenting into something heady. The blood-stained kiss was both confused and fervent, making it impossible to resist.

In this indescribable taste, Ye Qinming found a long-lost familiarity and nostalgia. Even when the initial heat faded and her rationality returned, she was reluctant to stop. Her aggressive movements gradually softened, becoming increasingly tender and lingering.

Gu Xiyan didn’t fully understand, but she wasn’t foolish—she knew that such intimacy was something shared only between husband and wife. Yet, when Ye Qinming kissed her, she didn’t feel repulsed. Instead, she was overwhelmed by an uncontrollable, trembling helplessness.

As Ye Qinming’s kiss turned gentle, Gu Xiyan found herself sinking into it. She could only clutch at Ye Qinming’s clothes, close her eyes, and let her take what she wanted. Her body grew weak, the scent of tea filling her mouth and nose, making her surrender completely.

It was unclear how much time had passed before Ye Qinming suddenly realized that the spiritual energy in her body was undergoing a tremendous transformation. Her mind snapped back to clarity.

She quickly pulled away from Gu Xiyan and retreated slightly. Gu Xiyan’s face was flushed, her head lowered as she gasped for breath. Her long hair had slipped from its tie, cascading over her chest and shielding her expression.

For a moment, Ye Qinming didn’t know what to say. After a long silence, she finally rasped, “I was poisoned by the fox demon’s enchantment toxin just now, so I lost control. My apologies.” But after speaking, she felt a pang of regret, though she couldn’t understand why.

By now, Gu Xiyan had already regained her usual composure. Other than her slightly swollen lips, there was no trace of the chaos that had just unfolded between them.

She brushed back her disheveled hair and said coolly, “I understand.”

Her tone was distant, and for some reason, it made Ye Qinming feel a dull ache in her chest. Still, she pursed her lips and resumed meditating.

The effects of Gu Xiyan’s blood on her body far exceeded Ye Qinming’s expectations. Not only had her spiritual energy mostly recovered, but there was also a surge of blood energy resonating within her dantian, constantly colliding with its hidden recesses.

Finding this unusual, she cast aside her distracting thoughts and focused her mind. Only then did she realize that a part of her dantian seemed to be sealed. It had never affected her before, so she had never noticed it. She couldn’t even discern what it was, as though something was wrapping around it.

But the moment Gu Xiyan’s blood spread through her system and transformed into spiritual energy, it nourished that very spot. As Ye Qinming carefully refined and observed it, she faintly saw something emitting a soft white glow—but just as a small portion became visible, it disappeared again.

She couldn’t make sense of it, but she could clearly feel that this thing was not harming her. On the contrary, it was helping her neutralize the poison in her body. What’s more, it seemed to have an unusual preference for Gu Xiyan’s blood.

Ye Qinming didn’t dwell on it for long. She stretched out her hand, and a demon core radiating a deep green aura appeared in her palm. With a light flick, the core floated into the air and settled onto her forehead.

A pure stream of green demon energy unraveled into fine threads, slowly weaving into Ye Qinming’s brow. Eventually, the energy fully merged with her body.

A long time later, Ye Qinming opened her eyes. Her gaze was bright and clear, and as she circulated her spiritual energy, she found it more abundant than ever. Even the chronic injuries within her body had healed significantly, far beyond her expectations.

She turned her head to look at Gu Xiyan, who was leaning against a tree with her head tilted slightly to the side, her brows faintly furrowed—already fast asleep.

Ye Qinming stood up quietly and walked over, crouching in front of Gu Xiyan. The person before her looked pale, the redness from earlier now gone, leaving even her lips devoid of color. She seemed fragile, almost insubstantial.

Ye Qinming pressed her lips together, a thought flashing through her mind. Lowering her gaze, she carefully lifted Gu Xiyan’s left hand.

Gu Xiyan’s left wrist was haphazardly wrapped in a strip of white cloth. It was likely difficult to manage with just one hand, so the bandage was loose and messy, failing to secure properly. The fabric was already soaked with blood. Beyond her wrist, her fingers were in a terrible state—her nails had broken from clawing at the ground, and her fingertips were raw and bloody.

Taking a deep breath, Ye Qinming gently pulled at the cloth, and it immediately unraveled, revealing a gruesome wound. Her gaze darkened, lips pressing into a thin line as she glanced at the golden hairpin discarded nearby. A mist of emotion welled up in her eyes.

The feeling came so suddenly, so uncontrollably—Ye Qinming could clearly recognize it as heartache. A relentless, gnawing pain, like tiny insects eating away at her heart.

She blinked a few times, then reached her right arm around Gu Xiyan’s back and carefully pulled her into her embrace, shifting into a seated position against the tree.

Gu Xiyan was utterly exhausted, both physically and mentally drained to the brink of collapse; anyone else would have succumbed long ago. She didn’t even stir when Ye Qinming moved her.

Lifting Gu Xiyan’s injured hand, Ye Qinming examined the wound. The flesh at the edges had been roughly torn open by a blunt object, the skin curling away, a sight painful even to look at. Dried blood had crusted around the wound.

Ye Qinming gathered a trace of spiritual energy at her fingertips, using it to gently dissolve the dried blood and clean the wound. Then, she brushed her fingers over the torn flesh, allowing her energy to seep in. Before long, the gruesome injury disappeared, replaced by smooth, unblemished skin.

She meticulously examined all ten of Gu Xiyan’s fingers, carefully tending to each one. Only when every wound had been healed did she finally let out a relieved sigh.

Lowering her gaze, Ye Qinming looked at Gu Xiyan’s hand, absentmindedly stroking her wrist with her index finger. Then, she rubbed her slender, delicate fingers, the dull ache in her chest easing slightly.

She had always known that Gu Xiyan was beautiful. She had studied her features many times before—the long, thick eyelashes that fanned out like tiny fans when her eyes were closed, the perfectly shaped lips, though now devoid of color. Her gaze eventually fell upon Gu Xiyan’s closed eyes. Raising a hand, Ye Qinming gently traced over them, that same dull, suffocating ache creeping back into her heart.

Such a person… why couldn’t she see?

The memory of Gu Xiyan fumbling blindly through the forest flashed through her mind, stirring a sharp pain in Ye Qinming’s chest.

Her fingers slid down the gentle arch of Gu Xiyan’s brow and tapped lightly on her cheek. This person was always so composed, so mature—calm and collected, as if nothing could shake her. It was hard to imagine her feeling sad or angry.

But when she cried for that little girl, Ah Qi, the raw sorrow in her expression had been undeniable. That moment had made Ye Qinming uncomfortable in a way she couldn’t quite describe.

She pinched Gu Xiyan’s soft cheek, her gaze unconsciously drifting to her lips. Just moments ago, she had tasted them—soft, sweet, and addictive.

Pressing a finger against them lightly, they felt as delicate as flower petals, impossibly soft. Were all young women’s lips this tender?

She hesitated, then touched her own lips, but the sensation was entirely different. Her brows furrowed slightly as she looked at Gu Xiyan, lost in thought.

Suddenly, Gu Xiyan’s expression changed. Though still asleep, she seemed restless, her brows tightly knit, her body tensing and shifting as if trapped in a nightmare.

“No… no… Ah Qi, Ah Qi… Ah Da, hurry, run! Run! Don’t kill them, please… please…”

Her face twisted in anguish. Perhaps because she was still dreaming, she no longer restrained her emotions, allowing them to spill out unchecked.

Sweat quickly formed on her forehead, her body writhing as if she were struggling against something, yet she couldn’t wake. Finally, tears slipped silently from the corners of her eyes.

Ye Qinming’s expression darkened. She raised her hand, and a soft green glow appeared in her palm. She gently placed it over Gu Xiyan’s forehead, letting the warm light envelop her. A soothing scent of tea spread through the air, wrapping around her like a cocoon.

Before long, Gu Xiyan’s frantic movements slowed, her furrowed brows gradually relaxing. At last, she drifted into a peaceful sleep, her breathing steady and even. Curled up in Ye Qinming’s embrace, she finally looked like the eighteen-year-old girl she truly was.

Blood stained her clothes, making her appear eerily fragile. Ye Qinming frowned, then untied her belt, lifting her with spiritual energy. With practiced ease, she removed her outer robe and undergarments before conjuring a clean white dress and dressing her anew. Finally, she cast a cleansing spell, restoring her to the neat and proper young lady of the Gu family.

Lowering her head, Ye Qinming took a subtle breath—clean, fresh, carrying the warm fragrance she liked. Holding Gu Xiyan close, Ye Qinming felt a sense of contentment settle over her. Leaning in, she whispered softly in her ear, “Sleep well. With me here, nothing will harm you again.”

***

In her hazy dreams, Gu Xiyan vaguely heard a gentle voice beside her ear, felt a soft touch against her forehead, and sensed the lingering warmth of tea in the air.

The pain and despair of her nightmares seemed to be washed away, replaced by a comforting tranquility.

And so, she sank into deep, peaceful slumber.

She had no idea how long she slept.

When Gu Xiyan finally opened her eyes, there was a lingering sense of confusion.

Above her, she could hear the distant cooing of birds—not sharp or crisp, but murmuring softly, as if preparing to return to their nests.

The sounds quieted down, and her senses gradually returned. That was when she became aware of the shallow breathing above her and the warm, soft body beneath her. Someone was gently supporting her head—she seemed to be sleeping in Ye Qinming’s arms.

She felt dazed and a little embarrassed, but unsure of the situation, she hesitated on how to get up.

The person beneath her moved slightly, adjusting the hand resting under her neck, and said softly, “You’re awake.”

Gu Xiyan’s ears grew hot as she realized what was happening. She reached out, fumbling as she tried to prop herself up. She must have been resting in Ye Qinming’s embrace.

Ye Qinming reached out to stop her. “We’re in the mountains. You can’t see—don’t move recklessly, or you might hurt your hands.” Saying this, she supported Gu Xiyan’s shoulders and helped her sit up.

Even after standing properly, Gu Xiyan still felt a little uneasy. “I’m sorry, I don’t know how I ended up…”

Ye Qinming chuckled. “You don’t know how you ended up sleeping in my arms?”

Gu Xiyan fell silent, lowering her head slightly. She moved her wrist a little and ran a finger over it—the wound was completely gone, without a single trace. The pain in her fingertips had also vanished after just one sleep. She naturally knew who had done this and said in a low voice, “You were injured and poisoned. You shouldn’t have used your spiritual power to heal me.” Her voice was solemn, showing she truly meant it, not just saying it out of courtesy.

Ye Qinming frowned but didn’t respond directly. Instead, she said to herself, “Earlier, you fed me your blood, and my body recovered by seventy or eighty percent. Even the old afflictions left from years ago have started to ease.”

Gu Xiyan lifted her head, a hint of joy flashing across her face. “Really?”

Ye Qinming nodded. Gu Xiyan lowered her gaze, thinking for a moment, before continuing, “Then… are you going to eat me?”

Ye Qinming: “…”

Ye Qinming’s brow twitched, and she gritted her teeth in frustration. “Gu Xiyan, are you rushing to get yourself killed?”

Gu Xiyan didn’t respond. She seemed lost in thought, and her already dull eyes looked even dimmer in the dark forest. After a long silence, she finally whispered, almost inaudibly, “If I weren’t here, the Gu family wouldn’t have been in danger. Ah Qi and Ah Da wouldn’t have lost their lives in vain.”

Ye Qinming’s heart clenched—an ache both sour and painful. So, this person was blaming herself after all.

Taking a deep breath, she reached out and pulled Gu Xiyan closer. “I know you’re hurting. I’ve already taken Ji Wuyan’s life, and as for Nangong Pei, I’ll make him suffer a fate worse than death—his blood will pay for blood. As for Ah Da and Ah Qi… since you know the Three Realms exist, you should also know about the Six Paths of Reincarnation. They may have lost their lives, but they will enter the cycle of rebirth. You are a reincarnated deity—saving you is a great act of virtue. In their next lives, they will be blessed.”

Seeing Gu Xiyan tilting her head slightly, listening intently, Ye Qinming’s heart softened a little. Her voice gentled. “They loved and respected you; they weren’t afraid to die. What they feared most was being unable to save you. But if they hadn’t stalled for time, I wouldn’t have arrived in time. In the end, they fulfilled their wish—to protect you. I believe they would be happy about that.”

Gu Xiyan didn’t speak. She stood there in a daze, tears silently rolling down her face. Ye Qinming let out a quiet breath of relief. Gu Xiyan was always the type to endure everything alone, so the fact that she could cry while awake was actually a good sign.

“I dreamed of them,” Gu Xiyan murmured. “Even though I’ve never seen their faces, in my dream, I could see them clearly.”

Ye Qinming’s voice remained gentle. “I know. You had a nightmare while you slept. You were talking in your sleep, crying so hard… I couldn’t bear it, so I held you and let you sleep in my arms.”

Gu Xiyan, lost in self-reproach just moments ago, suddenly found herself flushing.

“Those nightmares were terrifying,” Ye Qinming continued. “But once you were in my arms, you stopped crying. You slept until dusk.”

Gu Xiyan: “…”

“So from now on, stay with me. With me here, nothing will ever happen to you again.”

Gu Xiyan felt this was the most beautiful thing she had ever heard. These words accompanied her through all the long, lonely days without Ye Qinming.

Author’s Note:

I think it’s so cute when White Lotus says “let Green Tea eat her,” ha ha.

White Lotus: How about you eat me?

Green Tea: You… you said it. You won’t regret it, right?

White Lotus: Mm, I said anytime you want. (With a completely innocent and serious expression)

Green Tea: Close your eyes.

White Lotus: She’s afraid I’ll get scared.

(Undressing…)

White Lotus: Mm… Do you eat people so politely? Still need to take off clothes?

Green Tea: Don’t you peel shells when you eat?

White Lotus: True. But… mm… the way you’re eating is all wrong.