Chapter 18 Hot Springs Spring Scenery

bine's already tear-streaked face flowed even more fiercely as she saw Old King's expression remain unchanged while Cloud Qianyue spoke. Turning towards the stunned king, she cried: "Your Highness, lo...Chapter 18: Spring Scenery of Hot Springs

Yun Qianyue originally wanted to test her recovered martial arts skills, but unexpectedly, when she barely touched the ground with the tip of her toe, she lightly rose into the air. She was startled at first and then pleased, thinking that it was indeed better to have martial arts! Turning around to look at Xuan Ge, she saw him staring at her in disbelief. A smile appeared on her lips; instead of landing as planned, she changed course and flew towards the Rong王府 side door with agility.

She thought that based on this speed, she should be faster than Ye Qian! Meaning, her martial arts skills have reached a very high level!

The distance between Yun Cloud Manor and Rong王府 would take about two periods of time to travel by carriage, but with lightness kung fu, it was merely the time for a cup of tea.

Arriving at the main gate of Rong王府, instead of stopping her movement, she turned her body and flew over the high wall through the side entrance. Following her memory from the last visit, she flew towards Purple Bamboo Garden.

The sun was setting as she arrived; sunlight fell on the purple bamboo forest, dotting the purple leaves with speckled light that looked very beautiful. Yun Qianyue glanced at the stone monument standing in front of the purple bamboo forest. Her gaze flashed a mischievous glint; instead of stepping into the formation, she leaped directly onto the top branches and floated in.

This level of skill is truly peerless!

Easily crossing the Purple Bamboo Forest, she arrived at Rong Jing's courtyard. Yun Qianyue lightly landed with satisfaction, thinking that if she were to steal something, her current skills would allow her to carry away all his treasures! She planned to do just that in the future and watch him flaunt his wealth.

"Who are you" Suddenly several angry shouts echoed around. In an instant, over ten black-clothed figures surrounded Yun Qianyue.

Yun Qianyue was still feeling pleased when she suddenly found herself surrounded; she paused in surprise. She had managed to approach silently, but didn't expect Rong Jing's people to be so vigilant. When she saw that the black-clothed figures were the eighteen men who appeared during her previous visit after a hundred assassins attacked, it wasn’t surprising they spotted her. These eighteen individuals were top-notch experts whose origins were unknown; one man was worth ten. She raised an eyebrow but did not speak.

The eighteen black-clothed figures initially drew their swords and daggers toward the intruder but when they saw that Yun Qianyue was the target, all sheathed their weapons and bowed respectfully, saying, "Miss Shanyue! Please come in!"

With those words, the eighteen black-clothed men disappeared without a trace, as if they had never appeared.

Yun Qianyue remembered coming here before when she didn't have martial arts skills and thought that aside from Old Medicine Master, Qing Quan, and Qing Shang, there was no one else in the yard. Now that her skills were back, she felt that every corner of this courtyard had been set up with hidden guards. Rolling her eyes, she thought that rich people indeed guard themselves against thieves day and night. She could still be detected despite her skill level; Rong Jing's courtyard truly was heavily fortified!

"Miss Shanyue! You finally came!" Old Medicine Master, Qing Quan, and Qing Shang all rushed out together with joyful expressions, like welcoming a Buddha.

“Hm! Where’s Rong Jing” Yun Qianyue smiled as she asked them.

"Young Master is still in the water. Miss Shanyue, please come inside!" Qing Shang urged her.

Yun Qianyue stepped towards Rong Jing's room, paused before the door and suddenly felt something was off; she stopped her hand and turned to look at them. She found their eyes eagerly staring at her and chuckled, asking, "Should I just go in like this It seems inappropriate."

After all, Xuan Ge had said that Rong Jing burned his clothes and put himself in the water; if she just went in wouldn't it be inappropriate Wasn’t their relationship close enough for her to pull him out of the water naked

"It's appropriate. You're most appropriate! We would dare not enter without Young Master’s orders, if you were inappropriate no one else could!" Qing Quan nodded rapidly.

“Indeed, Miss Shanyue, please come inside quickly! Young Master's injuries shouldn't be in the water for long…" Old Medicine Master also hurriedly nodded.

"Yes, Miss Shanyue, please hurry and enter, every minute you delay he’ll soak longer…" Qing Shang urged again anxiously.

Yun Qianyue looked at them feeling somewhat vexed and emphasized loudly, "I’m a woman! Your Young Master is a man!"

"Man or woman, they're all people! Miss Shanyue please come inside quickly! Our Young Master treats you differently…" Old Medicine Master saw Yun Qianyue standing at the door not moving, and was about to push her in.

“Our relationship hasn’t reached that level yet…” Yun Qianyue was somewhat helpless.

"But it will!" Old Medicine Master said.

What does "will" mean Yun Qianyue rolled her eyes at the old man and asked, “Old Medicine Master, how old are you” She didn’t understand why a senior citizen could be so progressive; she came from another world and hadn't become so liberal as to pull out a naked man who had been in water.

Qing Quan and Qing Shang looked at Yun Qianyue without speaking this time, their faces red with embarrassment. They were eager to get Rong Jing out of the water but recalled that Miss Shanyue's relationship with Young Master was still not romanticized or officially wedded; although she could pull him out, it wasn't appropriate for her to enter.

"I am seventy years old!" Old Medicine Master said.

“You don’t look it!” Yun Qianyue sized up the man. He looked in his fifties and had a mentality that was even more impressive than his appearance.

"Old man Yao has spent his life studying pharmacology and possesses skincare techniques, which is why I look younger." Old Man Yao sounded quite pleased with himself as he urged Yun Qianyue again, "Miss Yun, in the eyes of a doctor, there are no distinctions between men and women. Although you haven't had any interaction with the Young Lord... it's okay to enter. Just treat him like an injured patient. If you don’t pull him out, despite how easygoing he seems normally, once his temper is set on something, none of us can persuade him..."

Should she be happy about being treated specially in front of Rong Jing Yun Qianyue waved her hand and gritted her teeth as she said somewhat helplessly, "Alright, I'll go inside and drag your Young Lord out for you. No need to explain more!"

"Thank you very much, Miss Yun!" Old Man Yao hurriedly thanked her.

"Thank you very much, Miss Yun!" Qing Shan and Qing Quan exchanged a glance before hurrying to thank her as well.

Yun Qianyue pushed open the door forcefully and stepped inside.

At this moment, Xuan Ge had just returned to the Purple Bamboo Courtyard. He landed gracefully but saw Yun Qianyue pushing open the door and stepping inside right away. He was still in shock and didn't understand how Yun Qianyue's martial arts skills could have become so formidable all of a sudden. However, he felt relieved seeing that she managed to enter the room and persuade their Young Lord out of the water.

Yun Qianyue entered the room but found it empty; no one was there. She searched around but saw nobody. Frowning, she asked from outside, "Wasn't Rong Jing soaking in water Why is there no sign of anyone"

Could he be playing a prank on her

"Miss Yun, I forgot to tell you that the room has an invisible door. There's a mechanism behind the bed, and if you open it, you'll find him in the water as we said. We didn't lie," Qing Shan explained hastily.

Yun Qianyue walked over to the bed and indeed saw a hidden compartment at its head. She lightly pressed on it, causing a door behind the screen to suddenly open up. She stepped inside and noticed how seamlessly this secret door blended into the wall; the design was very cleverly done. She rolled her eyes before stepping in.

"Xuan Ge, didn't I tell you not to come in Leave!" Rong Jing's voice came through from behind the misty water.

Yun Qianyue stopped and looked inside. The room was filled with steamy fog, making it hard to see clearly. She could barely make out a large pool of water and a blurry figure soaking in it; he was indeed bathing. Furrowing her brow, she didn't say anything.

"Didn't you hear me Get out!" Rong Jing said again.

Yun Qianyue remained silent as steam carrying warm air wafted past her face, revealing that the pool was actually a hot spring. She thought, This heartless person sure knows how to enjoy himself! He even installed a secret door for easy access to the hot springs from inside his room!

"Do I have to lock you in a dark room before you leave" Rong Jing's gentle voice turned slightly stern with an unyielding tone, "Get out and stop bothering me!"

Yun Qianyue rolled her eyes and couldn't help but speak up, "You're hurt yet still soaking in water. Do you think that’s justified"

Rong Jing was startled. Opening his eyes abruptly, he looked toward the door through the thick mist and saw Yun Qianyue standing there. He was taken aback and said in surprise, "Why are you here"

"You're soaking yourself in water and no one can get you out; that’s why I came!" Yun Qianyue didn't enter further but leaned against the door frame lazily, looking at Rong Jing's indistinct figure and said sarcastically, "Sure enough, a dried-up stick. Even naked there's nothing to see!"

Rong Jing remained silent as he stared back at Yun Qianyue for quite some time.

Yun Qianyue glanced at him coolly and said, "Aren't you going to get out Are you waiting for me to drag you out"

Rong Jing stayed silent.

"Are you really not coming out then You’re being quite stubborn! I count to three; if you don’t come out by then, I’ll..." Yun Qianyue thought that perhaps she would have to drag him out herself. Shaking her head, she changed her mind and said, "It’s up to you whether you want to come out or not. Anyway, your body is yours and so are your injuries; if you don’t take care of yourself, then just stay in there! I'll leave now!"

With that, Yun Qianyue really turned around to leave.

"Wait!" Rong Jing suddenly called out.

Yun Qianyue paused and said irritably, "What is it"

"Could you... bring my clothes in for me" Rong Jing's voice was slightly hoarse.

"Where are they" Yun Qianyue asked.

"At the head of the bed!" Rong Jing replied.

Yun Qianyue stepped out from behind the screen and saw a clean, crescent white satin robe neatly placed at the bedside. She reached to take it but noticed that she still held onto the clothes she had grabbed earlier from Jade Bracelet's place. In her rush, she had brought them along too. Setting down her own clothes, she picked up Rong Jing’s robe and walked back behind the screen to the secret door entrance. She then tossed the robe toward Rong Jing with a flick of her hand, saying, "Here you go; catch it!

"My hands are weak; you should know that. Bring it over to me!" Rong Jing said.

Just as Yun Qianyue was about to let go of the clothes, she stopped abruptly and frowned at Rong Jing, "Can't even catch a piece of clothing"

"Mm." Rong Jing answered.

"If your hands are too weak to catch something, you deserve it! If you stay in the water for one more second, I’ll make sure that your arm will be permanently damaged!" Although Yun Qianyue’s tone wasn’t pleasant, she still took a step forward.

She didn't notice that behind her, the door closed silently.

When she reached about three steps away from the water basin, Yun Qianyue turned around without looking at Rong Jing and stretched out her arm to hand him the clothes in her hands. "Here!"

Rong Jing looked at Yun Qianyue; her face was slightly flushed due to the steam. He stared into her eyes, and his eyes gradually darkened with something pooling inside them.

"Why aren't you taking it then !" When Yun Qianyue saw that no one was going to take the clothes from her hand, she couldn’t help but urge him. "Don’t tell me you don’t have the strength to put on your own clothes! Do you really think I won’t drag you out and throw you outside"

"Mm." Rong Jing answered softly. He slowly reached his arm out to catch the clothes in Yun Qianyue’s hand.

Yun Qianyue heaved a sigh of relief when she saw his movements, but she had never experienced such an awkward situation before where a man was undressed and soaked in water right in front of her. She couldn’t help blushing! She thought that as soon as he got the clothes from her hand, he’d quickly leave, or else she would die from suffocation here.

However, Rong Jing didn't reach out to take his clothes. Instead, he took a hold of Yun Qianyue’s wrist. She was startled and before she could say anything, she felt him tugging her hand with great force. Before she had the chance to break free from him, she fell into the water along with him. "Plop," the pool bursted with splashes.

"Rong Jing, what are you doing" Yun Qianyue shouted angrily when water splashed all over her face.

"I can tell that you didn’t listen to me and take a hot bath. Come in and soak yourself or else be prepared for the cold." Rong Jing’s voice was unusually soft.

“You must think I’m crazy! I’ll never bathe with you!" Yun Qianyue wiped her face dry, but when she reached out to push him away, her hand brushed against his skin and immediately withdrew. Her face flushed red in embarrassment. "Let me go!"

"No." Rong Jing shook his head. He looked at the embarrassed Yun Qianyue; her clear appearance was bewitching like a fairy under the fog. His heart stirred, and he bent down to kiss her lips.

Yun Qianyue cursed inwardly, calling him an "idiot," since his grip on her wrist wasn’t as weak as he said it was. She turned her head away from his kiss angrily, "I’m not your food! If you don't let go of me now, I swear to God that I’ll throw you out!"

Rong Jing kissed Yun Qianyue’s cheek instead of her lips, seemingly ignoring her threat. He said softly, “Then just do it, who cares As long as we’re thrown together, there won’t be any shame! This is my courtyard and outside are my people.”

Yun Qianyue was speechless for a moment. Rong Jing reached out to turn her face towards him and kissed her lips roughly.

No matter how warm his breath, Rong Jing’s kisses were always gentle and cool like the snow lotus scent; light yet elegant.

Yun Qianyue’s heart skipped a beat as she lost herself in the moment.

Satisfied with Yun Qianyue's reaction, Rong Jing kissed her lips deeply. He let go of her wrist and wrapped his arms around her, leaving no space between them. At the same time, he used his injured arm to pull at Yun Qianyue’s waistband; it snapped open, and her dress loosened slightly. His fingers deftly undid the ties on her silk underskirt, revealing a stomach covering embroidered with crabapple flowers. He paused for a moment before placing his hand on her slender waist, now unobstructed by fabric. When he touched her smooth skin, it felt like touching fine brocade. His body trembled slightly, and he seemed to take in a deep breath; the kiss he had been giving Yun Qianyue abruptly stopped.

Yun Qianyue snapped back into reality as Rong Jing’s actions paused. She pushed him away from her and took several steps backwards, pulling her dress closed hastily before looking at him with both embarrassment and anger in her eyes, "Rong Jing...you are shameless..."

Looking at Yun Qianyue’s flustered face, Rong Jing's gaze flickered uncertainly.

"You…” “You…" Yun Qianyue wanted to call him a pervert but the words stuck in her throat. She saw his dark eyes that were filled with intense desire and turned away from him, gritting her teeth as she said sternly, "Get out of here now or I’ll never talk to you again!"

Rong Jing looked at Yun Qianyue’s back; she was standing in the water vapor with a slender form. He took his hand off hers and saw that it was still warm from the touch. His fingers curled slightly, then he stood up out of the pool and bent down to pick up his white moon-shaped robe by the side of the basin.

Yun Qianyue heard the sound of Rong Jing getting dressed behind her and sighed in relief; she had never been through any romantic situation before, so she didn’t know what the best way was. But she knew one thing: she and Rong Jing were not at a point where they could be naked in front of each other—no matter how little blood she had lost, it wouldn't change the fact that this kind of situation would make her feel uncomfortable.

After getting dressed, Rong Jing saw Yun Qianyue standing with her back to him and said gently: “This is a hot spring in Yinxiang Temple. In the past, my body was very cold so I had to soak here every day for half an hour to get rid of the chill. You are very cold today; you should soak yourself now.”

"No!" Yun Qianyue shook her head.

"Are you sure This is a place that no one is allowed in. If you don’t come here to bathe today, it won’t be available for you in the future," Rong Jing raised his eyebrows and said gently: "It’s still early; I’ll go out and ask Old Medicine Man to prepare something for us. How about having a meal with me He can make lotus leaf roasted chicken for you. Wait until dinner is ready before coming out.

Yun Qianyue pursed her lips, hesitating for a long time before finally succumbing to the warm hot spring water and the tempting scent of lotus leaf steamed chicken. She muttered an expletive under her breath, thinking that Rong Jing was truly heartless, always exploiting her weaknesses. She nodded resentfully. "Fine! Now get out!"

"Alright, I'm leaving now." It seemed like Rong Jing smiled as he stepped out of the room.

The hidden door closed behind him and Yun Qianyue turned around. The room was empty except for the lingering fragrance of snow lotus flowers. She looked down at herself, feeling as though his warm hand was still on her skin, causing an unprecedented tingling sensation that made her shiver involuntarily just thinking about it. What had Rong Jing felt in that moment Unable to stop herself from wondering, she immediately told herself not to think about it and took a deep breath before submerging herself in the water, lying where Rong Jing had been. The warm water surrounded her body except for her head, each inch of her skin feeling incredibly comfortable. She used to soak in hot springs after many nights of intense activity; this familiar sensation made her feel truly at ease. Closing her eyes, she quietly fumed, thinking that Rong Jing really knew how to enjoy himself.

Exiting the secret room, Rong Jing didn't leave but stood silently by the door. His slightly pursed lips and dark phoenix-like eyes betrayed his seemingly calm demeanor.

When had he lost control over his emotions

When did his self-restraint become so weak

And when did what he wanted change from simply drinking a pot of lingzhi wine with the jade snow mountain to wanting more

Even he hadn’t noticed...

Now that he had, he couldn't bring himself to stop...

A long while later, Rong Jing smiled bitterly and stepped out from behind the screen.

"Young Master, you finally came out!" Old Medicine, Xiangge, Qingquan, and Qingchang anxiously awaited at the door. Seeing Rong Jing emerge, they were all relieved.

"Xiangge, was it you who brought her here" Rong Jing stood by the door with a calm gaze directed towards Xiangge.

Xiangge was startled and immediately knelt down to beg for forgiveness. "Young Master, forgive me! I..."

"Go to the secret room and stay there locked up for one day!" Rong Jing ordered.

"Yes!" Xiangge bowed his head in submission.

Old Medicine, Qingquan, and Qingchang exchanged a look before kneeling down as well. No one spoke up on behalf of Xiangge.

Rong Jing looked at them, fixing his gaze on Old Medicine. "Old Medicine, go prepare dinner! Make a dish of lotus leaf steamed chicken!"

"Yes, sir! I'll get right to it!" Old Medicine quickly turned around and hurried off two steps before hesitantly looking back at Rong Jing’s arm. "Young Master, your arm... do you need me to wrap it up"

"No need! Go ahead." Rong Jing waved him off.

Old Medicine didn’t say another word and left.

Rong Jing then turned his gaze towards Qingquan and Qingchang. The brother and sister both spoke before he could even ask, "Young Master, please punish us! Today’s incident isn't entirely Xiangge's fault; we also..."

"Xiangge, do you know why I’m punishing you" Rong Jing interrupted them to ask Xiangge.

"I brought Miss Qianyue here without your permission and realize my mistake now!" Xiangge answered.

"Bringing her here on your own isn’t a problem, but what caused me to almost..." What had nearly happened Rong Jing didn't say it out loud; instead, he abruptly stopped speaking, his eyes darkening as he waved at Xiangge. "Go to the secret room now!"

"Yes!" Xiangge stood up and headed towards the secret room.

"You may get up," Rong Jing gestured for Qingquan and Qingchang to rise and turned back into the room.

Qingquan and Qingchang both got up. Seeing that there was no further instruction from Rong Jing, they exchanged a look before heading towards the kitchen. Once far enough away, Qingquan couldn’t help but ask his sister in a low voice, "Sister, what did Young Master mean by those words What danger did bringing Miss Qianyue put him in"

Qingchang pondered over Rong Jing's words and expression. As a girl, she was more observant and mature. With the young master bathing and Miss Qianyue entering the room, what could have possibly happened She thought that his full sentence might be "Bringing her here on your own isn’t a problem, but causing me to almost lose control..." Her face turned red upon realization, and seeing Qingquan’s puzzled look, she scolded him. "Do you think it's right for you to speculate about Young Master’s thoughts Don't think that just because he didn’t punish us means everything is fine; don't forget Xiangge was sent to the secret room. If you want to avoid going there too, keep your speculations to yourself."

Qingquan withdrew and immediately fell silent.

When Qing Shang saw that Qing Quan had stopped asking questions and was obedient, she felt relieved. After all, she was still a young maiden who had not left her family's home, so it wasn’t appropriate for her to explain things to Qing Quan. As long as he didn't ask anymore, everything would be fine.

"The Young Master put Brother Xian Ge in the dark room because he wants what’s best for him. Every time Brother Xian Ge comes out of the dark room, his strength has increased. I really want to go inside too! Too bad the Young Master never punishes me," Qing Quan said gloomily after a while.

"That's because your strength isn’t enough. If he punished you and sent you in there, you wouldn’t be able to come out," Qing Shang shot back, giving her brother a look.

“I will definitely work hard on my training until I surpass Brother Xian Ge one day,” Qing Quan declared determinedly.

Qing Shang glanced at her brother and smiled but didn’t say anything more. As they entered the kitchen, they saw Old Medicine already busy with preparations. They washed their hands and started to help him.

In the room, Rong Jing walked back to the bedside and stopped in his tracks when he saw the purple dress placed there. His eyes flickered as a hint of a smile curved his lips. He sat down by the bed.

About half an hour later, the door to the hot spring pool opened, and Yun Qianyue stood at the entrance, calling out to Rong Jing, "Rong Jing, throw me the clothes you put on your bedside! Don’t tell me that you don’t have any strength!"

“Sure!” This time, Rong Jing didn't hesitate. He picked up the dress and threw it at Yun Qianyue.

Yun Qianyue stretched out her hand to catch the dress and quickly put it on. It was already dark outside, and there were no lamps lit in the room. The jade bracelet had given her a very intricate set of clothes which she found incredibly difficult to wear. No matter how hard she tried, either she tied the ribbons incorrectly or misaligned the clasps. After a while, she said weakly, "Rong Jing, light up a lamp for me! I can’t get dressed!"

“Sure!” Rong Jing stood up and walked to the table, lighting the candles instantly making the room bright. He turned around and looked at the jade screen. Through it, he could see Yun Qianyue’s slender figure in a flurry of movement as she tried to dress herself. His gaze softened.

After struggling for a while, Yun Qianyue still couldn't figure out how to wear her clothes properly; instead, the ribbons were tied into knots and clasps misaligned. Frustrated, she wished she could tear off the clothes but then there would be nothing else to wear. She had no choice but to patiently untie them bit by bit. However, after struggling for a while, everything was still in a mess. Finally, feeling exhausted and annoyed, she said outside the screen, "Can you find me something else to wear I don’t want this one anymore!"

“I don't have your clothes in my mansion!” Rong Jing replied.

"How about Qing Shang's clothes then Can you give me one of her dresses" Yun Qianyue really didn't want to wear that dress anymore.

"Do you think you can fit into Qing Shang’s clothes" Rong Jing raised an eyebrow.

“What about your own clothes” Yun Qianyue thought she was skinny but tall, while Qing Shang was shorter than her. Her dresses would likely be too big for her to wear.

"My clothes are too big for you. Do you think you can fit them" Rong Jing’s eyes crinkled with a hint of amusement at Yun Qianyue's weak voice.

“What should I do This dress is impossible to put on!” Yun Qianyue felt that she could accomplish anything, but coming here had been a series of setbacks. She couldn't braid her hair or wear complicated clothing; she didn’t understand how Rong Jing effortlessly untied her ribbons. She swore that after leaving this place, she would seriously study the art of dressing to avoid such troubles in future.

“Shall I help you How about it” Rong Jing asked without waiting for an answer. Then he added: "Besides, haven’t I dressed you before"

“Well…okay.” Yun Qianyue thought that was all she could do.

Rong Jing left the table and walked around the screen to stand beside Yun Qianyue. He looked at her frustrated face and with graceful, unhurried movements, his jade-like fingers untangled the knots on Yun Qianyue's clothes effortlessly and carefully tied them back up again.

Yun Qianyue watched Rong Jing in admiration, wondering if there was anything he couldn't do under his hands

After finishing, Rong Jing smiled softly. He brushed a kiss on Yun Qianyue's lips and said tenderly, "There! Are you hungry Shall we go eat" Old Medicine had already prepared the meal for them.

Yun Qianyue nodded and obediently replied, “Okay!”

Rong Jing reached out to take her hand, guiding her towards the screen. After a couple of steps, Yun Qianyue suddenly remembered something and looked at his arm, asking, "You’ve been in the water for so long; is your arm okay Did you wrap it up"

“No, I was waiting to have you wrap it when you came out,” Rong Jing shook his head.

Yun Qianyue immediately rolled up his sleeves and saw that the redness around his elbow hadn’t diminished; there were white patches due to being in water for a long time. She frowned, scolding him sternly, "Don't you know you’re injured Even if you wanted to soak yourself, why do it with your arm Do you want to ruin it It's just that the jade bracelet hit you once; what’s so serious about it You can’t hug every beautiful woman. Why are you punishing yourself"

Rong Jing didn't speak but gazed at her dark face with an affectionate look.

"Look! It's gotten worse again. What should we do now" Yun Qianyue glared at Rong Jing.

With a very soft voice, Rong Jing replied, "It won’t happen next time; you can bandage me up, okay

The numerous lectures and anger Yun Qianyue had intended to deliver vanished without a trace under his gentle demeanor. She pursed her lips, cursed him silently as "a demon," and then lowered her face, whispering to him, "Apply the medicine first, then have your meal. It's getting dark now, and I need to return home."

"Alright!" Rong Jing nodded.

After leaving behind the screen, Yun Qianyue saw medicines and bandages laid out on the bed, clearly prepared in advance. She shot a glance at Rong Jing—didn't he know how to dress his own wounds after half an hour Did this mean she had to take care of him from now on Despite her resentment, she still carefully applied the medicine and wrapped up his wound for him. After finishing, she warned him, "From tomorrow onwards, until your wound heals, you mustn't touch water with your arm. Do you understand"

"Yes! Understood!" Rong Jing nodded.

"Be good, let's eat now! I'm starving!" Satisfied, Yun Qianyue lightly patted his face and turned to walk towards the table. The table was already laden with dishes; she suddenly realized how hungry she was after not having eaten all day long.

Rong Jing felt amused by her use of "be good." He knew that when he called her this today, she would seize any opportunity to get even with him. Seeing Yun Qianyue already seated at the table, he also walked over.

"Eh There's actually a pot of wine here" Yun Qianyue grabbed a drumstick and took two bites before exclaiming in surprise.

"Yes! Old Doctor usually enjoys drinking. He probably got this wrong." Rong Jing glanced at the wine jug on the table, his eyes flashing momentarily.

Yun Qianyue immediately put down her drumstick and twisted open the pot's lid, instantly inhaling a strong aroma of liquor. She praised it, "It looks like good wine!"

"This is One-Leaf Snow! It’s as excellent as Snow Lotus Fragrance and Spirit Mushroom Intoxication. Old Doctor usually prefers this." Rong Jing spoke warmly. Seeing her eyes light up, he reminded her, "Don’t drink it; its strength is too great for women."

"Stronger than your vats of Orchid Fermentation" Yun Qianyue asked. The wine had a clear fragrance of snow, well deserving the name One-Leaf Snow. Actually, the more Rong Jing told her not to drink it, the more she wanted to taste it, but she was afraid drinking would cause trouble for tomorrow’s mission.

"Not as strong." Rong Jing said.

"Then there's no problem! Besides your Orchid Fermentation, ordinary strong wines can't affect me," Yun Qianyue declared. Unable to resist the fragrance, she took a sip; the wine was smooth and mild without any spiciness. She sipped again, still not tasting anything spicy. Raising her eyebrows at him, she said, "This is what you call strong wine Did you mix something wrong It doesn’t taste strong at all."

"It’s not strong upon entry but has a powerful aftertaste. This is the characteristic of One-Leaf Snow!" Rong Jing explained.

Yun Qianyue took another sip and put down the pot with some regret, "Had it not been for tomorrow's affairs, I would have finished this entire pot. Since you say it’s strong wine, I’ll just drink three sips. Can't let drinking cause trouble."

"You have matters to attend to tomorrow Is it about Cloud Mist Mountain" Rong Jing seemed indifferent when asking.

"Yes!" Yun Qianyue picked up her drumstick again and nodded. Rong Jing knew that there was nothing strange for her to go to Cloud Mist Mountain, since she always felt this man knew everything.

Rong Jing raised his chopsticks without saying anything further.

Thinking of her mother’s words, the grandfather’s mention of her mother being poisoned by Purple Grass and her mysterious background that even her grandfather was unaware of, along with her dying wish to visit Cloud Mist Mountain for one zodiac cycle before no longer needing to go there—she pondered whether going to Cloud Mist Mountain tomorrow might uncover something. With this thought in mind, she stopped talking.

The room fell silent as the two ate their meals separately.

After eating her fill, Yun Qianyue put down her chopsticks and stood up, addressing Rong Jing, "I’m heading back home now! Tomorrow you will have to change your medicine by yourself. I’ll be staying at Cloud Mist Mountain tonight and won’t return; don’t wait for me."

Rong Jing remained silent.

Yun Qianyue felt dizzy, wondering if the wine’s aftertaste was affecting her already She had only drunk three sips—how could it be this potent Furrowing her brows, she ignored his lack of response and walked out. Just as she reached the door, her body suddenly collapsed to the ground. Before losing consciousness, she angrily accused Rong Jing, "Rong Jing, what did you put in the wine It’s clearly smooth; there's no way it would be this strong…"

Her words were interrupted as she fell onto the threshold and closed her eyes.

Rong Jing was seen taking a bath—did anyone catch that scene (⊙＿⊙)

The moon has definitely witnessed it~O（n_n）O~O（n_n）O~

Thank you to the following readers for sending diamonds, gifts, and flowers:

kikilovejie (20 diamonds, 1000 donation), Lu NaiNai (20 diamonds, 10 flowers), Boa QiQi86921 (100 flowers, 100 donation, 1 diamond), raphaellion (10 diamonds), yangyi2008 (5 diamonds), Amber273 (2 diamonds, 100 donation, 2 flowers), 15805700627 (2 diamonds), Qing Ye Hua ZhenZhen (10 flowers), Mo Qing Yan (2 diamonds), Hai Kuo Xing Lang (10 flowers), Zen Zi931102 (1 diamond), Zhang He365 (5 flowers), 15122775803 (5 flowers), 18951999066 (10 flowers), melon123 (1 diamond, 10 flowers), DanDan8Di (1 diamond), Su Yi2080 (10 flowers), Zhao Xiao Si 86 (1 diamond, 5 flowers), Chen Li2008 (1 diamond), CaiDyna (1 diamond), Xin Wei Scorpio (1 diamond), Yin YueYin (2 flowers). Thank you all~O（n_n）O~d not die out completely as Rong Feng, who had been sent to Heavenly Snow Mountain to train in martial arts since childhood, returned recently and is now prepared to serve his country. He arrived in t...