Appreciating New Tea with an Inkstone - Chapter 30

After staying for a few days to recover, Ye Qinming prepared to take Gu Xiyan to the residence Gu Xiyan had arranged for Gu Ye and the others.

However, midway through their journey, Ye Qinming changed her mind and instead brought Gu Xiyan back to the Gu residence. After the devastating fire, most of the grand Gu estate had been reduced to ruins. Amidst the wreckage, Uncle Chen and his nephew were clearing away the debris. Looking at the desolate remains of the mansion, Uncle Chen burst into tears.

“Uncle, please don’t grieve. Master and Madam have already passed, and there’s been no sign of the young lady. She should be safe,” Chen Tianci sighed. “It’s just that Ah Qi and Ah Da… their deaths were too tragic.”

“Those beasts!” Uncle Chen wiped his tears away, his heart filled with hatred for those who had looted the residence amidst the chaos. “But the lady’s eyes can’t see, and she was taken by that demon. Who knows if it will harm her?”

“From now on, we won’t do business with those who caused trouble for the Gu family. Understand?”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Ah Qi and Ah Da were good children. We must give them a proper burial. Later, I’ll bring their favorite food to pay my respects. I’ll also ask them to protect the lady and help her turn misfortune into blessings,” Uncle Chen said, his voice trembling as he walked away from the ruins, unable to hold back his sobs.

Standing beside Ye Qinming, Gu Xiyan listened to Uncle Chen’s words, her eyes reddening. After a moment, her voice, slightly hoarse, broke the silence. “Can I visit Ah Qi and Ah Da’s graves?”

Ye Qinming agreed. Closing her eyes, Gu Xiyan quietly reached out to sense her surroundings, then followed her to the Gu family’s ancestral cemetery. On the western side, a separate burial ground was reserved for the family’s loyal servants. Among them, two freshly erected tombstones bore the names Ah Qi and Ah Da.

Since entering the Gu household, they had abandoned their original surnames and taken on the Gu family name. Their gravestones read “Gu Ah Qi” and “Gu Ah Da.” The graves were well-crafted, clearly prepared with care and effort.

Once others had left, Ye Qinming led Gu Xiyan to the graves and silently stood by her side.

Gu Xiyan slowly approached, crouching down as she placed her hands on the tombstones. Her fingers traced the engraved names, the cold stone transmitting their presence to her fingertips.

A deep, indescribable sorrow surged in her chest, making her eyes burn. She gently knelt before the graves and, after a long silence, finally spoke in a voice thick with grief. “Ah Qi, Ah Da, I’m doing fine now. If you can hear me from the afterlife, please don’t worry about me. In this life, I owe you both too much. If the heavens grant me another chance in our next lives, I hope to repay you. But next time… please, don’t sacrifice yourselves for others like this again.”

She was not someone who cried easily. Ever since childhood, even when she first lost her sight and struggled to adjust—stumbling and falling countless times—she had never shed tears. She had worked harder than most just to live as normally as others, enduring much hardship along the way.

But losing the friends who had always been by her side, and in such a brutal manner, was a pain far worse than the darkness that had swallowed her world. It was a pain she had never imagined she would have to bear.

Ye Qinming quietly watched Gu Xiyan as she murmured to the graves, the sorrow on her delicate face unmistakable. Though her dark eyes lacked light, the tears gathering in them made the depth of her grief achingly clear.

Her heart ached for Gu Xiyan, but she didn’t interrupt. She knew that grief like this needed to be expressed and released.

Only when she sensed someone approaching did Ye Qinming step forward. In a gentle voice, she said, “It’s time to go.” She extended a silk handkerchief, brushing it against Gu Xiyan’s cheek.

Gu Xiyan froze for a moment, not reacting in time to take it. Seeing this, Ye Qinming wordlessly wiped away the tears at the corner of her eyes. Even through the fabric, she could feel the softness of her skin. Her fingers paused briefly before she casually withdrew her hand.

Gu Xiyan’s heartbeat faltered for a second, but she simply pressed her lips together and murmured, “Thank you.”

Without another word, Ye Qinming wrapped an arm around her waist and took off, soaring into the sky with her.

Gu Xiyan couldn’t see, but she could feel the fierce wind rushing past her, tugging at her robes and lifting her hair into the air. The exposed skin on her arms could even sense the faint, misty coolness of the clouds.

Perhaps because it was her first time flying, an unusual trace of wonder flickered across her usually calm and gentle features. Ye Qinming held her securely, making her feel completely safe despite the unfamiliar experience.

Standing side by side atop the clouds, she hesitantly stretched out her right hand, as if trying to touch the mist drifting past them.

Ye Qinming had long grown accustomed to her remarkable adaptability. Turning her head slightly, she leaned close to Gu Xiyan’s ear and asked, “Does the wind feel too strong for you?”

Because Gu Xiyan had to rely on her senses to perceive her surroundings, Ye Qinming initially didn’t shield her from the strong wind. However, seeing how delicate Gu Xiyan looked in the fierce gusts, she couldn’t help but ask again.

The air was colder at such a high altitude, making Ye Qinming’s warm breath against Gu Xiyan’s ear feel particularly intense. Gu Xiyan’s right ear twitched slightly, and a faint blush appeared on her cheeks.

Ye Qinming noticed how her pale ear adorably moved before turning pink, and she couldn’t stop the smile from forming on her lips. Suppressing the urge to reach out and rub it, she instead lightly touched Gu Xiyan’s hand to check her temperature.

Gu Xiyan tensed slightly. “I’m fine.”

Sensing her reaction, Ye Qinming withdrew a little and softly said, “You can lift your hand and feel the clouds around you. They’re beautiful.” She gently took Gu Xiyan’s right hand, guiding it toward the passing clouds.

Gu Xiyan focused on the sensation at her fingertips. It was likely her first time touching a cloud, and the experience was fascinating. The clouds weren’t as soft as she had imagined—she could only feel a faint mist, cool and fleeting.

Ye Qinming realized she had been watching Gu Xiyan more and more lately. Throughout the journey, she had barely looked away. Like now—Gu Xiyan’s earlier sorrow had disappeared, replaced by quiet wonder. It was a subtle change, but it made Ye Qinming feel inexplicably happy.

At this moment, Gu Xiyan no longer seemed so mature and composed. Instead, she exuded the innocent charm of an eighteen-year-old girl.

Perhaps because Gu Xiyan couldn’t see, Ye Qinming felt she didn’t need to restrain herself. As long as she wasn’t too obvious, Gu Xiyan probably wouldn’t notice. This thought emboldened her.

Recalling Gu Xiyan’s blindness, Ye Qinming finally asked, “Gu Xiyan, how did you lose your sight? Is there no cure?”

Gu Xiyan withdrew her hand and shook her head. “Since childhood, my parents sought out countless renowned doctors, but none could find a cure or even determine the cause. They said it was a congenital weakness from birth. At first, I could still see, but my vision gradually blurred, and I became sensitive to light. By the time I was seven, I had lost my sight completely.”

Ye Qinming pondered for a moment. “Give me your hand. Don’t be afraid or resist—I’ll take a look.”

If possible, she wanted to teach this honest and kind-hearted girl how to protect herself before she left the Mortal Realm. And if there was a way to heal her eyes, she would do her best to help. Someone like Gu Xiyan, so gentle and good-hearted, shouldn’t have to live in darkness forever.

Slowly, Ye Qinming channeled her spiritual energy into Gu Xiyan’s body. She had examined her condition before when treating her injuries, and what she found was surprising—though Gu Xiyan was an ordinary mortal, she possessed an immense reserve of spiritual power sealed within her dantian. The vastness of it even surpassed that of many immortals. If she had cultivated from a young age, she might have rivaled Ye Qinming herself.

However, something was strange. Despite the sheer amount of spiritual energy, it was chaotic and uncontrollable, as if it had existed within her since birth rather than something she had cultivated. In essence, Gu Xiyan was like a vessel storing immense spiritual power.

Setting aside her doubts, Ye Qinming guided the energy through Gu Xiyan’s meridians toward her eyes. Yet, after barely traveling three inches, it was blocked.

A powerful force was sealed within the meridians of her eyes, completely obstructing the flow of energy. Ye Qinming attempted to break through, but the seal held firm. When she cautiously increased her power, the force retaliated, pushing back with unexpected intensity.

Gu Xiyan let out a muffled sound of pain. Sensing her distress, Ye Qinming immediately withdrew her energy.

“Does it hurt?” Ye Qinming asked, concern evident in her voice as she noticed the paleness of Gu Xiyan’s face.

“There’s a strong pressure in my eyes… it’s painful,” Gu Xiyan admitted, cold sweat forming on her forehead. It was clear the discomfort was severe.

Ye Qinming frowned and reached out, channeling a soft green glow into Gu Xiyan’s eyes while gently massaging them. “Is this better?”

“Please don’t use your spiritual energy anymore,” Gu Xiyan whispered. “I’ll be fine. If you stop, the pain will go away.”

Seeing that her complexion had improved, Ye Qinming finally ceased, then spoke seriously. “Xiyan, your blindness isn’t due to an eye disease. There is a sealed power inside you, lodged precisely within the meridians of your eyes. Because you are a mortal and cannot withstand it, it has caused your blindness.”

Gu Xiyan was startled. “A sealed power? Then… if it were removed, could I regain my sight?”

“That should be the case. But right now, we can’t recklessly break the seal. At the very least, you need to reach a certain level of cultivation first. The good news is that your eyes themselves aren’t damaged, so there’s hope for recovery.”

She didn’t want to give Gu Xiyan false promises, but she also wanted her to have hope.

Gu Xiyan could sense the careful choice of words in Ye Qinming’s tone. After a brief pause, she smiled softly. “I’ve already grown accustomed to the way things are now. Of course, regaining my sight would be a wonderful thing, but even if I can’t, it won’t really matter to me.”

Ye Qinming didn’t respond, but deep down, she wished Gu Xiyan could see the vast, flourishing world with her own eyes.

While she was lost in thought, Gu Xiyan hesitated for a moment before finally speaking. “Just now… did you call me Xiyan?”

Ye Qinming froze briefly, her expression stiffening for just a moment before she quickly regained her composure and replied with casual ease, “Mm, is there a problem?”

Gu Xiyan tilted her head slightly, the familiar gentle smile in her eyes. “Not at all. It’s just that before, you always called me by my full name—Gu Xiyan.”

Ye Qinming put on a serious face. “Three syllables are too much trouble. Xiyan sounds better. Or would you prefer I call you Yan’er instead?”

This time, it was Gu Xiyan who felt a bit flustered. But before she could say anything, Ye Qinming touched the tip of her nose and muttered under her breath, “Yan’er sounds too intimate… Xiyan is better.”

Gu Xiyan couldn’t help but laugh.

Following Gu Xiyan’s directions, Ye Qinming led her toward Yunzou City. It had only been three days since Gu Ye and the others left Danyang City, and given their speed, they wouldn’t have reached Yunzou yet.

So, Ye Qinming searched in the direction of Yunzou and eventually discovered that after traveling for two days, Gu Ye’s group had unexpectedly turned back toward Danyang. Though they hadn’t reentered the city, they had settled in a small village ten miles outside of it.

Ye Qinming also noticed that Ji Changsheng, the cultivator from Dongzhou, was looking for the Gu family as well. When she asked Gu Xiyan what she wanted to do, they chose not to make contact with Ji Changsheng. Gu Xiyan was worried that since one party practiced cultivation and the other was a demon, another conflict might arise.

Though she wasn’t the type to hold a grudge against all cultivators just because of Nangong Pei, Gu Xiyan found it difficult to fully trust them—especially when it came to their attitude toward Ye Qinming.

The village where Gu Ye and his wife had taken refuge belonged to a small town under Danyang City’s jurisdiction. It appeared peaceful, untouched by the turmoil that had swept through Danyang.

As the sun set, wisps of cooking smoke curled into the sky. Children, called home by their parents, ran through the village laughing, their voices mingling with the occasional barking of dogs. Paths crisscrossed between the houses, where chickens and dogs could be heard in the distance—it was an idyllic countryside scene.

Most of Ye Qinming’s memories were filled with striking, vivid imagery—either grand and dramatic or stormy and treacherous. She had rarely witnessed such simplicity and tranquility.

But now, standing at the entrance of the village, holding Gu Xiyan’s hand, she took in the peaceful sight before her. She turned her head slightly and saw the golden glow of the setting sun illuminating Gu Xiyan’s serene and delicate features.

For the first time, Ye Qinming felt that the human world was truly beautiful.

Author’s Note:

Green Tea: Not only do I want to call you Xiyan, but I also want to call you my wife.

White Lotus: … You call me “rations” if not “little blind girl”.