Appreciating New Tea with an Inkstone - Chapter 6

Gu Xiyan spent some more time with her parents before finally returning to her room with a heavy heart. 

Ah Qi was waiting for her outside. Seeing her come out in silence, her expression somber and her eyes filled with worry, Ah Qi knew her mistress well enough to understand that something significant must have happened to cause such visible distress.

“My lady, has something happened? You seem to be in a bad mood.”

Gu Xiyan turned her head slightly and then spoke softly, “I just talked with my parents about some past events. It’s a bit heavy, but it’s nothing serious.”

Seeing that Gu Xiyan didn’t want to elaborate, Ah Qi didn’t press further and simply accompanied her quietly. The moonlight tonight was beautiful, casting a silvery glow over the courtyard. The tall bamboo by the wall cast dappled shadows, creating a scene reminiscent of an ink painting. The courtyard was exceptionally tranquil.

Although Gu Xiyan couldn’t see the scenery, she could still appreciate the serenity of the environment. Sitting there, feeling the cool night breeze and hearing the faint rustling of bamboo leaves, her troubled heart gradually calmed down.

She looked up at the sky, her expression gentle and serene. “Ah Qi, the weather is nice today, and it’s the sixteenth day of the month. Is the moonlight beautiful?”

Ah Qi was momentarily stunned, then quickly looked up at the night sky. “Yes, my lady. The moonlight is very beautiful tonight.” The moonlight was beautiful, but the person before her was even more so.

Ah Qi soon shifted her gaze from the moon back to Gu Xiyan.

Gu Xiyan smiled faintly. “It’s a pity I can’t see it, or it would surely be a delightful experience.”

Although there was a hint of regret in her tone, there was no self-pity. Her expression remained open and serene. Yet, Ah Qi couldn’t help but feel a pang of heartache for her. Such a wonderful person, yet heaven had not been kind to her.

Ah Qi looked at Gu Xiyan, while behind her, on a crabapple tree, a figure in dark red reclined on a branch, watching the mistress and maid with a thoughtful expression. This Young Lady Gu was truly interesting—a mortal who remained so composed in the face of supernatural matters. Recalling her words earlier that day, the figure’s lips curled into a slight smile.

Considering that this person would eventually be devoted to her, she decided to endure a little and let the tea plants sprout. That way, Gu Xiyan’s mood might improve.

Thinking about how she had noticed Gu Xiyan’s rare low spirits during her earlier stroll, she felt inexplicably uncomfortable. In truth, Ye Qinming had always found it strange how much this Young Lady Gu affected her. Sometimes, just seeing her made her chest feel tight, filled with an inexplicable sense of aversion. Yet, at other times, watching her quietly felt quite interesting, and seeing her in low spirits somehow made her own mood sour.

Frowning slightly, Ye Qinming couldn’t help but wonder to herself. There was no need for her to care so much about a mere spirit she was nurturing. Could it be that this person’s past life had some entanglement with hers?

She quickly suppressed this thought, a flash of red passing through her eyes. Regardless of any past entanglements, she needed to return to the Demon Realm as soon as possible. This person was hers, and she was determined to have her. Moreover, she had noticed that the spiritual energy around Gu Xiyan was becoming increasingly dense. Previously, it had been faintly concealed, but now it was gradually leaking out, surrounding her like a mist.

Given her current state, it seemed someone was protecting her, forcibly sealing her spiritual energy. But now, the seal was failing. Even if Ye Qinming didn’t kill her, other spirits and demons would surely come after her.

Ye Qinming sneered coldly, then turned her gaze to the northwest corner of the garden, where a dark shadow was slowly spreading. With a sharp glance, the shadow shrank back and gradually disappeared.

By then, Gu Xiyan had already stood and returned to her room with Ah Qi. Ye Qinming gracefully descended from the tree, shaking her head as she watched them leave. “Without my protection, you’d be nothing but dust.”

With that, she teleported to the base of the wall and pulled out the dark shadow. The shadow trembled violently, fluctuating between dense and thin.

Ye Qinming sneered. “A mere mirage demon that can’t even maintain its form dares to act up in front of me. She’s mine. Don’t even think about touching her. Now, scram!” With a wave of her sleeve, she dispersed the mirage demon. In an instant, all the spirits in the courtyard with even a hint of intelligence trembled in fear.

Satisfied with the newfound peace in the courtyard, Ye Qinming disappeared in a flash of light, returning to the tea garden.

***

Recently, Gu Xiyan had been sleeping restlessly at night. But tonight, after learning about the secret her parents had kept from her for over a decade, she surprisingly slept well. She had no dreams and woke up in the morning to find a soft glow outside.

Ah Qi, hearing her stir, brought in the wash basin. “My lady, you look much better today. You slept a little longer this morning. Did you rest well last night?”

Gu Xiyan stretched gently. “Indeed, much better than the past few nights. It’s strange.”

“Perhaps sitting outside last night helped calm your mood,” Ah Qi said, handing her a towel before going to prepare today’s attire.

Listening to Ah Qi bustling about at the dressing table, Gu Xiyan felt a bit helpless. “Ah Qi, keep it simple.”

“That won’t do. Today is your birthday. I had Du Juan make you a new dress. We should make it festive,” Ah Qi insisted seriously.

“Exactly, our lady is already so beautiful. With a little more, you’ll be absolutely stunning,” Du Juan chimed in, carrying a silver tray with a lotus-colored dress and a light gauze.

The two helped Gu Xiyan change into the new outfit. Normally, Gu Xiyan’s clothes were simple and elegant, mostly white. This lotus-colored dress was a rare change. After adding some pearls, both Ah Qi and Du Juan were struck by her beauty. 

Sensing their silence, Gu Xiyan adjusted her clothes. “Alright, don’t exaggerate. Let’s go have breakfast. Dad and Mom are waiting.”

Du Juan blushed. “My lady is always so perceptive.”

Ah Qi made a gesture to her mouth and pointed to her ears, indicating that Gu Xiyan’s hearing was exceptionally sharp.

***

Gu Ye and Xie Wan were delighted to see their daughter dressing more than usual. 

“Our Yan’er is truly stunning.”

This child was like a gift from heaven, cherished by them since she was young. Others said raising children was difficult, but Gu Xiyan had never caused them any trouble. She was clever and well-behaved to the point of causing them distress. The Gu family was wealthy, and they doted on her, ensuring she never picked up any bad habits. Gu Ye was immensely proud.

Gu Xiyan’s birthdays were always low-key, except for one grand tradition. Every year on her birthday, Gu Ye would not throw lavish celebrations but instead provide relief to the poor and homeless in Danyang City. For three days, they would distribute rice congee and winter clothing. Gu Ye hoped this would accumulate good karma and bring her safety and joy. Thus, while few in Danyang City had seen Gu Xiyan, many knew her name.

In the morning, Gu Xiyan accompanied her parents, brewing tea for them. Despite being blind, she performed each brewing step with precision.

When she first started learning, Gu Ye was worried she might burn herself or be scalded by boiling water. But Gu Xiyan insisted, and now they were completely at ease.

The art of tea was complex, but for personal consumption, Gu Xiyan didn’t fuss over details. This time, she used a set of Xingzhou porcelain, known for its silver-like whiteness, which showcased the tea’s color beautifully. While not as prized as Yue kiln, it was still of high quality.

A stove was heating water, with Chang Jun tending to the fire. Gu Xiyan listened to the water’s sound and scooped a ladle when it reached the right temperature. Chang Jun quickly handed her a bamboo clip.

Gu Xiyan rolled up her sleeves and stirred the boiling water with the clip, adding the measured tea leaves to the swirling vortex. Moments later, the water boiled vigorously, and she poured in the ladle of water, calming the boiling water.

The tea was poured into cups, the foam light as flowers, like jujube flowers falling into a pond, or duckweed beginning to grow—a beautiful sight.

Unable to see, she asked, “Dad, Mom, how is it?”

Gu Ye picked up his cup, sniffed the aroma—rich but not overpowering, with a lingering sweetness. He took a sip and laughed heartily. “Only your parents get to enjoy tea brewed by Yan’er. It’s delicious.”

Xie Wan also savored the tea, chiding Gu Ye for drinking too quickly. “It’s a pity your father isn’t more refined. Such good tea, yet he drinks it in a single gulp, wasting it.”

Gu Ye protested, “How am I wasting it? I may be a rough man, but I can tell good tea. It’s just that Yan’er’s tea is so good, I can’t help myself.”

Gu Xiyan smiled and took a sip. “It’s just for you to enjoy. As long as you like it, how you drink it doesn’t matter. It’s not wasted.”

Gu Ye’s eyebrows lifted in delight, his beard twitching. “Yan’er understands me. Unlike her mother, who always criticizes me.”

The two began to bicker, while Gu Xiyan, accustomed to their banter, waved Chang Jun away and quietly enjoyed her tea, listening to her parents’ affectionate arguments.

Finally, noticing their daughter’s silence, Gu Ye coughed and stopped. After finishing their tea, Gu Ye went to attend to his business, while Xie Wan, knowing Gu Xiyan liked to sit quietly in the garden, returned to her own courtyard. Before leaving, she reminded Ah Qi to watch the weather and bring a cloak if it got cold.

Now alone in the pavilion, surrounded by magnolias in full bloom, their fragrance not too strong, swaying in the breeze, Gu Xiyan could still imagine their beauty through the wind’s touch. She reached out and accurately touched a low-hanging branch, her fingers gently brushing the petals.

As a child, she had seen the magnolias and could still recall their appearance—large, beautiful flowers with red-purple petals curling upwards. The tree must be stunning in full bloom.

Her mood was pleasant when she heard the sound of fabric rustling in the wind. Thinking it was a servant, she noticed there were no footsteps. Puzzled, she turned towards the sound, where there was another faint noise.

Ye Qinming had noticed the increasing spiritual energy around Gu Xiyan and seized the opportunity to visit. She hadn’t planned to reveal herself, but seeing Gu Xiyan in the lotus-colored dress, she was struck by her beauty. Watching her tenderly touch the flowers, she couldn’t help but appear.

Assuming Gu Xiyan couldn’t see her, she didn’t bother to hide. But as soon as she appeared, Gu Xiyan turned towards her, seemingly deep in thought.

Ye Qinming paused, raising an eyebrow. A gentle breeze passed, barely moving her clothes. She wondered if Gu Xiyan had some sixth sense.

Moments later, Gu Xiyan smiled gently and asked softly, “Why have you come here without speaking?”