Appreciating New Tea with an Inkstone - Chapter 38

Ye Qinming was feeling a bit troubled. Last time, she could blame it on Ji Wuyan’s poison, but this time, she had been caught red-handed—there was no room for argument. 

She glanced up at the sunlight. She had been out for a while now, and the sky was beginning to darken. Leaving Gu Xiyan alone for too long wasn’t safe. Thinking this, she turned into a streak of light and rushed back the way she had come.

When she landed in front of the familiar bamboo house, the person who had been sitting in the bamboo chair was no longer there. Ye Qinming froze. The house seemed quiet as well. She quickly stepped inside and found that Gu Xiyan was nowhere to be seen.

Her heart clenched. Ye Qinming leaped out through the window, just about to use her spiritual power to search when she caught a faint sound from afar.

Turning her head, she saw Gu Xiyan walking over from the deep ravine, carrying two fish in her hands. From a distance, her expression was calm. Her neatly tied-up long hair had partially come loose, with two strands hanging over her chest. She was dressed in flowing white robes that brushed the ground as she walked across the grass. Her fair feet stepped onto the lush greenery, the contrast of pale white against deep green making her presence all the more striking.

Ye Qinming wasn’t sure if she should call out to her. She simply stared, dazed, until Gu Xiyan came closer. Snapping out of her trance, Ye Qinming fixed her gaze on the woman standing there quietly, momentarily at a loss for words.

Gu Xiyan didn’t seem affected by what had happened earlier. Instead, she spoke in her usual gentle tone, “You’re back. I couldn’t find anything else, so we’ll have to eat fish again tonight.”

Ye Qinming’s expression turned complicated. How could she act so indifferent? Just a simple “You’re back,” as if she had no idea why Ye Qinming had fled in a panic earlier. Still, despite her mixed emotions, Gu Xiyan’s composed demeanor allowed her to relax—at least for now. Yet, beneath that relief lay an inexplicable sense of loss and frustration.

She lowered her gaze to Gu Xiyan’s bare feet and couldn’t help but say, “Why aren’t you wearing shoes? Aren’t you afraid of hurting your feet?”

Gu Xiyan wiggled her toes slightly. “I can control my spiritual power well enough now, so I won’t get hurt. And I was catching fish—didn’t want to get my shoes wet.”

Neither of them mentioned what had happened earlier, as if they had reached a silent understanding. Ye Qinming reached out to take the fish from her. “Go put on your shoes. It’s already the tenth month—the weather is getting cold.”

Gu Xiyan nodded and turned back. “Start the fire first.”

Ye Qinming watched her leave, then glanced down at the fish in her hands, once again feeling conflicted. How could Gu Xiyan remain so calm?

Whenever she had absorbed Gu Xiyan’s spiritual power in the past, even when she kissed her, Gu Xiyan had always been careful and restrained. She never seemed to mind. But this time… 

This time, Ye Qinming had gone so far, done something only a true partner would do—so how could she act as if nothing had happened?

Frustration gnawed at Ye Qinming, but she couldn’t let it show. As a result, she remained unusually silent throughout the meal. Gu Xiyan, though unable to see her expression, could sense that she wasn’t happy. Yet, not knowing the exact reason, she could only keep quiet as well.

That night, Gu Xiyan lay on the bed while Ye Qinming sat by the window, the dim night outlining her figure.

Gu Xiyan could hear her breathing. Normally, Ye Qinming would either sleep on the bamboo couch at the side or simply stay awake through the night. But now, even her breathing was uneven.

After tossing and turning for a while, Gu Xiyan couldn’t hold back any longer. “Qinming, are you unhappy?”

Ye Qinming pursed her lips. She was so annoyed—finally, Gu Xiyan was paying attention to her.

“Do you really not know whether I’m happy or not? And you’re only asking now?” Ye Qinming sounded just like a child throwing a tantrum.

For some reason, Gu Xiyan felt a sense of relief. She let out a light laugh, lifted the blanket, and got out of bed.

Seeing her approach in her white inner robes, Ye Qinming, despite pretending to ignore her, shifted her legs aside to make space.

Gu Xiyan leaped up lightly and sat beside her. “It was my fault—I asked too late. I just didn’t know why you were upset. And I was afraid that asking might make you even angrier, so I hesitated. Will you forgive me?”

As she gently offered her apology, her profile appeared calm and serene under the moonlight, making Ye Qinming’s chest tighten with pain. Clearly, Gu Xiyan was the most innocent one here—she was the one who had done wrong, yet she was the one avoiding it. Ye Qinming turned her gaze away and murmured, “It’s my own problem. But, Gu Xiyan, sometimes… you can comfort me too.”

This was outright unreasonable—such behavior from Ye Qinming was exceedingly rare. Having lived through countless years and witnessed the ever-changing world, she had long lost any semblance of innocence or naïveté. Even in her weakest and most painful moments, she had never shown vulnerability, let alone sought comfort from others.

Gu Xiyan understood this all too well, and precisely because of that, this side of Ye Qinming completely disarmed her. Though she couldn’t see Ye Qinming’s expression at that moment, her sightless eyes still brimmed with warmth and indulgence.

“Alright, I’ll comfort you,” she said, smiling softly.

The night couldn’t obscure Ye Qinming’s view of Gu Xiyan’s expression, and for the first time that evening, she felt a bit better. The gloom surrounding her dissipated as she asked, “How?”

Gu Xiyan was momentarily stunned. After a brief hesitation, she replied softly, “I’m not very good at comforting people… and I don’t have anything to give you.”

Staring at the delicate, serious face before her, Ye Qinming suddenly felt reckless. She simply let herself go and leaned directly against Gu Xiyan.

Flustered, Gu Xiyan instinctively wrapped her arms around Ye Qinming to steady her, but then, realizing how close they were, she stiffened and awkwardly loosened her hold, making her look both clumsy and adorable.

Ye Qinming sighed. “Don’t be so stiff. Relax and let me lean on you for a while.”

Gu Xiyan pressed her lips together, her unfocused eyes vaguely concealing her emotions. After a long moment, she also shifted, relaxing her posture so that Ye Qinming could rest directly on her lap.

The thin fabric of their clothes did little to block the warmth between them, and the soft sensation became all the more distinct. Ye Qinming suddenly felt that this might not have been a good idea, but at this point, she couldn’t back out. She had already thrown away all dignity in front of the Demon Emperor today—she couldn’t make it any worse.

Lying against Gu Xiyan, inhaling her faint scent, Ye Qinming closed her eyes. She had overstepped the line, yet Gu Xiyan still indulged her. Was it because she owed her a favor and had no choice but to endure it, or did she simply think none of this mattered at all?

The more she thought, the more she despised herself. She knew there was no future for them, and she couldn’t afford to let a fleeting impulse make her abandon her vengeance and responsibilities. So why was she still thinking about this, still entangling herself with Gu Xiyan? Ye Qinming had no answer—she was already losing control.

But Gu Xiyan was just a mortal. There was no good ending between demons and gods, just as there wouldn’t be one between them.

That was Ye Qinming’s last thought before she drifted off. In the thousands of years she had lived, this was the first time she had ever fallen asleep in someone’s arms.

Gu Xiyan hadn’t expected Ye Qinming to actually fall asleep. When she realized the woman lying against her had gone completely still, her breathing steady, she couldn’t help but chuckle silently.

All the bitterness she had suppressed that afternoon seemed to vanish in an instant. Lowering her head, she was once again met with darkness, and for the first time, she regretted that she couldn’t see Ye Qinming’s expression.

Her fingertips brushed against Ye Qinming’s robe, and she instinctively softened her movements. Slowly, her fingers moved further until they made contact with smooth, delicate skin. Startled, she immediately pulled back, only to realize that Ye Qinming was still sound asleep. After a moment’s hesitation, she reached out again, her fingertips grazing the gentle curve of Ye Qinming’s chin.

Gu Xiyan silently noted this and resisted the urge to continue exploring. Even so, a sense of quiet satisfaction filled her heart. No matter what, just being able to stay like this, to be trusted like this, was enough.

“Qinming?” she whispered. Ye Qinming didn’t respond.

Was she really sleeping so soundly? Gu Xiyan let out another soft laugh before bending down, carefully slipping her arms beneath Ye Qinming’s neck and legs. Slowly and cautiously, she lifted her into her arms.

It was the first time she had ever held Ye Qinming like this, the first time she had been so close to feeling her—her slender, supple frame, unexpectedly light and soft, carrying that familiar, comforting scent of tea.

The distance from the window to the bed was no more than six or seven steps, yet Gu Xiyan was reluctant to rush. It wasn’t until her toes brushed against the edge of the bed that she finally stopped and bent down, carefully laying Ye Qinming onto the mattress.

Reaching out, she found Ye Qinming’s leg and carefully removed her shoes. After tucking her in, Gu Xiyan sat by her side for a while before finally whispering, “Sweet dreams.” Then, she rose and went to the bamboo bed where Ye Qinming usually slept.

The bedding was still warm, carrying the lingering heat Gu Xiyan had left behind. A faint, elegant fragrance clung to the sheets, a scent so pleasant that Ye Qinming, even in her sleep, could still perceive it. But being an old demon, even the slightest movement around her did not go unnoticed. She had vaguely heard Gu Xiyan calling her name earlier but had chosen not to respond.

When Gu Xiyan lifted her into her arms, Ye Qinming felt even less inclined to move. The embrace was fresh and clean, carrying a warmth laced with a delicate fragrance. That cautious yet reverent touch left Ye Qinming utterly defenseless.

Lying there with her eyes closed, a dull ache settled in her chest. Wasn’t this kind of shameless closeness far too disgraceful? She knew it wasn’t right, yet she couldn’t restrain herself. It wasn’t fair to Gu Xiyan.

Right now, Gu Xiyan was just an ordinary young woman. She probably tolerated Ye Qinming only out of gratitude. If not for the kindness she owed her, any other person would have either slapped her or avoided her entirely if she dared to be this forward.

This thought only made Ye Qinming more irritable, but she dared not stir. The blind girl sleeping nearby had exceptionally keen hearing. Annoyed, she fumed inwardly—just a little blind girl, and the reincarnation of a detestable immortal at that! How could she manage to throw her off balance like this? Helpless and frustrated, the mighty Demon Emperor childishly cursed Gu Xiyan in her heart, calling her a “little blind girl.”

In the end, both of them drifted off to sleep. When Gu Xiyan woke up, Ye Qinming was already outside, meditating and channeling her breath. Seeing Gu Xiyan step out, Ye Qinming merely lifted her eyelids slightly and said, “You’re awake. Time for training.”

Gu Xiyan nodded at the words. Ye Qinming extended a hand, and with a flick of her palm, a long sword materialized. She turned her wrist and sent the sword flying straight toward Gu Xiyan.

Gu Xiyan swiftly shifted her stance, reaching out to grasp the hilt. Ye Qinming wasted no time launching her next attack. “We’re using swords today. Pay attention—I’ll be using spiritual energy.”

Gu Xiyan formed a hand seal with her left hand, and immediately, the ordinary sword in her grasp was enveloped in a white glow. She countered with a swift strike, twisting her body to dodge Ye Qinming’s incoming spiritual energy attack.

Ye Qinming’s eyes gleamed with amusement, though her tone remained strict and unyielding. “Don’t just evade—look for openings to counterattack. Watch my spell formations carefully.”

Whenever she trained Gu Xiyan, Ye Qinming never joked around. She was relentless in correcting mistakes and harsh in her reprimands. If Gu Xiyan left any openings, Ye Qinming exploited them without hesitation.

By the time Ye Qinming finally withdrew, Gu Xiyan staggered back several steps, clutching her chest. A thin trail of crimson trickled from the corner of her lips, and her face had turned slightly pale.

Ye Qinming’s expression changed instantly. Forgetting all pretense of being a strict master, she rushed forward to support her. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m fine, just some internal turbulence,” Gu Xiyan said, wiping the blood from her lips and waving a hand dismissively.

Ye Qinming grabbed her wrist and channeled a surge of spiritual energy into her. Frowning, she scolded, “Why push yourself so hard? If you can’t take it, say something! You’re as silent as a gourd.”

Gu Xiyan lowered her head before murmuring, “I’m sorry… I just didn’t want you to think I’m too weak.”

“Tsk.” Ye Qinming flicked her forehead sharply, exasperated. “Gu Xiyan, do you even know who you’re up against? Do you have any idea how short a time you’ve been training?”

Gu Xiyan, rubbing her now-reddened forehead, replied honestly, “I know. You’re incredibly strong, yet you’re still willing to teach me. I don’t want to disappoint you.”

Ye Qinming opened her mouth, then closed it again. In the end, she reached out and roughly rubbed Gu Xiyan’s forehead as if trying to soothe the sting. “If I were disappointed, I wouldn’t bother teaching you at all.”

She had never taken on a disciple before, and for the first time, she wondered if she had been too strict—so much so that Gu Xiyan had become overly cautious.

After a brief silence, she added, somewhat awkwardly, “I’ve lived for thousands of years and met countless beings—humans, demons, and gods alike. Even among those so-called immortals, there are few with as much talent and comprehension as you. If you regain your immortal body, I doubt many in the Immortal Realm would be able to match you.”

Gu Xiyan, however, assumed Ye Qinming was merely trying to comfort her and didn’t take the words too seriously. After all, given her current abilities, even that snake demon who attacked her before could still easily devour her whole.

Author’s Note:

Green Tea is really conflicted right now, hesitating back and forth—saying one thing but meaning another.

White Lotus: You keep saying no, but your mouth and body are being quite honest.
Green Tea: I was wrong. Considering I was locked up for a thousand years—and spent another thousand years without you—can’t you come down from the tree and let me pick a little?
White Lotus: No. If I come down from the tea tree, how will you get tea leaves? How will you brew tea?
Green Tea: (Bursts into tears.)

Don’t worry, everyone—this is a mutual dynamic. Picking lotuses and brewing tea won’t be missed!