The little grove was quiet and still, with only the sound of their mingled breathing.
Yao Qianci, having lost his senses, looked completely different from the abstinent and proper Peak Master Yao he had been before.
Yet one thing had never changed: he was always finding ways to snuggle up to Yuan Shu.
At first, Yuan Shu had assumed he was simply being childish and tried to distract him with delicious food and amusing toys.
Unexpectedly, after fiddling with them for a moment, he tossed them aside.
Instead, he embraced her, rubbing his cheek against hers as he murmured her name.
His voice was tender and filled with dependence.
The Grand Elder had said that these were Yao Qianci’s true feelings buried deep in his subconscious.
If they wanted him to return to normal, the fiendish demonic energy within his body had to be cleansed. The necessary emotional guidance was also important.
After thinking it over, Yuan Shu stopped refusing Yao Qianci’s advances.
As a result, every time he finished carrying out one of her instructions, he would tug at her and demand a kiss.
At that moment, meeting Yao Qianci’s clear, narrow phoenix eyes, Yuan Shu let out a soft laugh. She took the initiative to wrap her arms around his neck and offered him her lips.
Yao Qianci’s eyes widened slightly. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and almost instinctively, he wrapped an arm around her waist and began to respond to her kiss.
Before long, the kiss had gone from a shallow taste to a deep, thorough entanglement.
The two of them, oblivious to everything around them, failed to notice a corner of a green robe fluttering past one side of the grove.
…
The Grand Elder of the sect came personally to take Yao Qianci away.
Yao Qianci had originally refused to go, clinging stubbornly to Yuan Shu’s sleeve.
This earned him several amused glances from the white-haired Grand Elder, who then knocked him unconscious with a single chop of his hand.
The Grand Elder caught Yao Qianci as he collapsed and explained to Yuan Shu, “The fiendish demonic energy is quite strange. Although it is a form of dark-element spiritual power, removing it is extremely complicated and requires a very quiet environment.”
“I’m taking him to see the Sect Master. The Sect Master should have a solution.”
“Thank you for your trouble, Grand Elder.” Yuan Shu bowed respectfully.
The Grand Elder raised his brows and smiled. “It’s nothing.”
Once the matter was settled, the Grand Elder reached out and patted Ji Qingyan on the shoulder before heading outside.
Ji Qingyan understood and followed him out of the courtyard.
They stopped beneath the banyan tree outside the gate. As the Grand Elder used his spiritual power to support Yao Qianci, he turned to Ji Qingyan.
“During this period, I’ve kept Ji Yun by my side. He hasn’t had time to bother you again, has he?”
Ji Qingyan was slightly startled. No wonder he hadn’t seen Ji Yun lately. So the Grand Elder had called him to his side!
“That boy still hasn’t been punished for drugging you last time. Since the sect has been unsettled recently, keeping him with me will give me a chance to temper his temperament.”
“A few days ago, I heard that something happened to the Ji family. Several of your uncles intend to take the item from the Ji family ancestral hall. Neither you nor Ji Yun is at home, so your parents are having a difficult time dealing with them.”
“Go home when you have the time. It is, after all, your own family.”
The Grand Elder patted Ji Qingyan’s shoulder earnestly.
Ji Qingyan’s expression shifted slightly. He bowed and said, “Yes, Grandpa Ji.”
“Mm.”
Ji Sheng nodded casually. He glanced toward the Guest Elder’s courtyard, then lowered his voice and said, “If you get the chance, bring a partner home for your parents.”
“If you can leave your parents a grandson or two, your uncles wouldn’t dare demand your family’s possessions so openly!”
Ji Qingyan abruptly raised his head. His lips moved soundlessly. “Grandpa Ji?”
“Don’t think that just because I’m old, I don’t know anything. You rejected the marriage arrangement with the Profound Flame Sect before, but now your eyes are practically glued to that Guest Elder Yuan. Heh heh heh…”
As he spoke, the Grand Elder gave Ji Qingyan’s arm another meaningful pat before turning and walking away.
Ji Qingyan’s ears grew hot. He felt embarrassed at having his thoughts exposed, but after only a moment, the smile faded from his face.
Was it that he did not want a partner?
He had even given Yuan Shu his primordial yang. Of course he wanted her as his partner.
But would she be willing?
He thought of Ji Yun, then of Yao Qianci, and finally of Yuan Shu’s several senior brothers.
There were too many outstanding people around Yuan Shu. He seemed to be only one among them.
He had noticed the way Yuan Shu looked at him.
But she had not said anything.
And saying nothing meant that she tacitly acknowledged that her relationship with Yao Qianci was unusual.
Ji Qingyan quietly stared at the empty path. His eyes were faintly red.
…
Night fell over the Peak Lord’s courtyard on Medicine Cloud Peak.
The night was hazy, and all was silent.
Aside from the disciples assigned to keep watch, everyone else had already fallen asleep.
The previous day, with Yuan Shu coaxing him half-heartedly and tricking him half-heartedly, Yao Qianci had returned to the Peak Lord’s courtyard.
Moreover, in order to make sure word of his return spread, she had made him walk around the courtyard so that everyone could see him clearly!
Surely they would make their move tonight?
For that reason, several of the people in the courtyard had been deliberately sent away. At present, only the gatekeeper remained.
Yuan Shu had originally been hiding behind the door of the bedroom.
But shortly before midnight, Ji Qingyan—disguised as Yao Qianci—suddenly seized her by the arm and dragged her toward the bed.
The instant the quilt covered their heads, Yuan Shu froze. “Ji Qingyan, what are you doing?”
Ji Qingyan climbed onto the bed after her and lay on his side.
Then he wrapped one arm around Yuan Shu’s waist, holding her securely against him.
“If the enemy intends to act, they’ll definitely attack the bed directly. This is the place closest to the enemy, so naturally it’s also the best location for an ambush.”
He spoke with complete seriousness. His warm, clear voice carried a low, husky note, yet it remained pleasing to the ear.
Yuan Shu considered his words and decided that they made some sense. Thus, she accepted this unexpected development.
But before long, a deep, involuntary breath came from above her head. It seemed Ji Qingyan was inhaling the fragrance of her hair.
She abruptly raised her head. In the dim night, she met Ji Qingyan’s deep, dark eyes.
He had lowered his head and was staring at her without blinking. Some emotion seemed to be surging within his gaze.
The next moment, Ji Qingyan’s kiss landed on Yuan Shu’s cheek.
!
“Ji Qingyan, we’re supposed to be lying in ambush!” Yuan Shu turned her head slightly and could not help reminding him.
Wasn’t he supposed to be more serious at a time like this?
“Mm.” Ji Qingyan acknowledged her, but the kiss on her cheek did not stop.
His movements were gentle, yet they tickled like a cat’s soft paws, making Yuan Shu’s heart itch.
“Ji Qingyan!”
Unable to hold back, she turned her face and lightly bit him.
A smile welled up in Ji Qingyan’s previously still eyes. “Don’t worry. I’ve set up formations around the room. Although they can’t stop the enemy from entering, they can provide an absolute warning. The moment anyone comes, I’ll notice them first!”
He knew why Yuan Shu had arranged everything this way, so naturally, he would not hinder her.
As soon as he finished speaking, Ji Qingyan lowered his head and kissed her lips.
He had been waiting for this day for several days!
During this time, he had watched Yao Qianci take advantage of his impaired mind to ask Yuan Shu for kisses again and again.
And Yuan Shu had been unable to refuse him.
Back then, this was how he had proceeded as well—starting little by little at her lips, slowly deepening the kiss until they were entangled and neither could bear to part.
Ji Qingyan’s heart churned with emotion, and his kiss gradually grew more intense.
