Chapter 462: Have You Really Fallen For Me?

The next morning, Ye Wenxin woke up feeling sore all over. It wasn’t because Jin Xiaoqin had her way with her all night again, but rather, Jin Xiaoqin had been so worried about her getting injured that she had stayed up all night to take care of her.

To go along with the act, Ye Wenxin exaggerated her discomfort, groaning in pain, which prevented Jin Xiaoqin from jumping her bones. Now, a small sense of guilt started creeping in.

“Old Jin, have you actually fallen for me?” Ye Wenxin rested her chin on the edge of the bed, watching Jin Xiaoqin busying herself nearby.

Jin Xiaoqin, holding a bowl of porridge, froze for a moment when she heard this. Then she quickly snapped back, “Don’t get any ideas! I’m only taking such good care of you because you’re my disciple. This has nothing to do with us being bed buddies.”

Her raised voice betrayed her, and she seemed to be masking some discomfort. Ye Wenxin found it a little funny. In her experience, not many people did the deed before falling in love, but she and Jin Xiaoqin seemed to be in that kind of relationship.

Jin Xiaoqin had become so dependent on Ye Wenxin’s body that she couldn’t free herself.

If given the choice, Ye Wenxin would prefer someone to genuinely like her, rather than relying on the peach blossom chains to keep women by her side.

So, Jin Xiaoqin’s reaction relieved Ye Wenxin. However, she also realized that her feelings for Jin Xiaoqin were nothing more than friendship. As she watched Jin Xiaoqin stirring the porridge she had made, Ye Wenxin reached over to play with her buns.

“Hmm? You better get back in bed and lie down.”

“I feel like I’ve almost recovered, so I thought I could absorb some nourishment.”

The only thing Ye Wenxin could give Jin Xiaoqin was physical gratification.

“You really have no patience.” Jin Xiaoqin shook her head and ignored Ye Wenxin as she groped her buns. Ye Wenxin smiled brightly, knowing this was Jin Xiaoqin’s silent agreement, and she grew bolder in her teasing.

Ye Wenxin leaned against Jin Xiaoqin’s back, trying to comfort her for the hard night she had endured. Suddenly, Gu Xiangsi’s voice sounded from outside the tent. Ye Wenxin quickly pulled away and sat down, demurely eating her porridge.

Gu Xiangsi rubbed her eyes, puzzled by the afterimage she just saw. However, both Jin Xiaoqin and Ye Wenxin’s expressions seemed too natural, leading Gu Xiangsi to think that perhaps it was just her own desire to monopolize Ye Wenxin that had created this illusion.

“Master, Sis, that woman is planning to leave. I came to let you know.” Gu Xiangsi’s gaze darted around as she greeted them. She noticed that Jin Xiaoqin’s clothes looked a bit disheveled, but remembering Jin Xiaoqin’s notoriously carefree nature, she figured this messiness was perfectly normal.

Jin Xiaoqin seemed to have just noticed this and straightened her collar. “Let’s see her off, then.”

As she continued sipping her porridge, she snuck glances to gauge Ye Wenxin’s reaction. Ye Wenxin looked surprised, as if she was confused about Ah Jiu’s departure.

“Leaving so soon?”

“Yeah, she said she was just passing through and shouldn’t stay long.”

Gu Xiangsi was sulky; Ah Jiu hadn’t actually said that. Instead, Ah Jiu’s natural charm had evoked a desire to drive away a rival within the girl, prompting her to say those words.

Ye Wenxin’s reaction only confirmed to Gu Xiangsi that she had made the right decision.

“Alright, bring me to her. I want to say goodbye to Ah Jiu.”

Ye Wenxin finished the porridge Jin Xiaoqin had served her, and slowly rose from her seat.

Gu Xiangsi felt a bit conficted until she noticed Ye Wenxin’s piercing look. It made her shiver slightly.

Although Ye Wenxin was generally obedient and rarely angry with her, she would sometimes show maturity beyond what a fourteen-year-old girl should have. It made Gu Xiangsi worry that Ye Wenxin would discover her feelings.

At the same time, she longed for Ye Wenxin to pay more attention to her, instead of constantly revolving around various beauties.

Gu Xiangsi mustered her courage and nodded. “I’ll bring you over then, Sis. Master, you can take your time eating.”

Jin Xiaoqin waved her hand dismissively, but her gaze remained fixed on Ye Wenxin, almost as if warning her not to have any improper thoughts about Gu Xiangsi. Ye Wenxin smiled awkwardly, pretended not to notice Jin Xiaoqin’s expression, and quickly followed Gu Xiangsi out.

There were several injured ordinary folks chatting in the tent, but Ah Jiu was noticeably absent. Ye Wenxin felt puzzled and, upon asking, learned that Ah Jiu had left the tent early in the morning. Gu Xiangsi grew increasingly uneasy at this news.

Although the situation in Yangzhou City had stabilized, dangers still lurked in the surroundings. The Jiangshi King was declared dead, but was actually in deep slumber, which allowed the other jiangshi to remain active.

Fortunately, not everyone was aware of this situation, and thanks to Long Qingyue, the Golden Age Dynasty’s Eldest Princess, they had easily misled both civilians and cultivators.

Despite her dislike for Ah Jiu, Gu Xiangsi felt a surge of concern upon hearing she had gone out alone, and immediately wanted to rush out to look for her. However, she suddenly felt a force holding her back.

“Don’t worry; I know where she went,” Ye Wenxin said calmly, and her gaze was reassuring. Just a glance from her made Gu Xiangsi quiet down, and the girl nodded, before following closely behind Ye Wenxin.

Ye Wenxin first headed to where Abbess Jiunan was staying. After speaking with some nuns from the Southern Dipper Temple, they told her they had seen the abbess earlier that day. She then quickly sought out Ye Tian, and, as expected, she found Ah Jiu visiting him.

The two were deep in conversation, enjoying each other’s company. Ye Tian seemed to be completely captivated by Ah Jiu. Their discussion ranged from ancient times to present events, as if they could talk endlessly. Ah Jiu was also smiling, and appeared to enjoy the lighthearted chat.

It wouldn’t take long for sparks to fly between Ah Jiu and Ye Tian. So, she decided to turn and leave, feeling it might serve as a small form of atonement for the village she had destroyed.

Suddenly, she heard Ye Tian call out to her.

“Little sis, you’re here… Let me introduce you. This is Miss Ah Jiu.” Ye Tian, still unaware that Ah Jiu was actually his first love in disguise, warmly introduced her to Ye Wenxin.

Ye Wenxin smiled and casually mentioned that she and Ah Jiu had already met. As they chatted briefly, Ye Tian and Ah Jiu naturally resumed their conversation, once again excluding Ye Wenxin. Ye Wenxin took the opportunity to excuse herself.

Just then, she noticed Gu Xiangsi smiling secretively.

“Xiangsi, why do you look so happy?” asked Ye Wenxin, a little suspicious.