Chapter 266: Yiyi, cutting off her own retreat
The night was quiet, with the occasional chirping of insects echoing from the corner. After changing into fresh clothes, Ye Anping, guided by Huang Quan, made his way along the corridors of Yun Mansion toward Yun Yiyi’s master bedroom. Xiao Tian lay on his head, lazily turning from side to side.
“Anping, when you returned from sword practice earlier, there were plenty of maids and servants around. Why is there no one now?” Ye Anping naturally noticed it too.
“It’s only been a couple of hours since sunset. Usually, the servants would still be busy, but after walking through two long corridors with Huang Quan, we haven’t seen anyone.”
“Huang Quan, where are all the people in the mansion? Why haven’t we seen anyone?”
“When the young miss returned earlier, she gave the servants a day off. She said they’ve been working hard lately, so she let them return to their quarters on the mountainside to rest.”
“I see…”
“After you and the young miss chat, I’ll prepare your medicine.” Huang Quan shyly bit her lip, glancing at Ye Anping’s pants, and asked, “Does the medicine I make have any effect?”
Xiao Tian, overhearing this, tilted his head in confusion. He realized that Ye Anping might intentionally pretend to be a weak young boy to garner sympathy.
“Anping, you’re so sneaky! Pretending to be sick to deceive people!”
Ye Anping glanced at Xiao Tian, sighed, and replied to Huang Quan’s inquiry, “It has some effect, but not very significant.”
“As long as it helps, just continue taking it for a while. Then you can marry the young lady.”
“Anping won’t marry that Yun girl!” Xiao Tian said. “She’s much older than Anping. How could Anping marry her, huh!”
“Um…”
Ye Anping absentmindedly conversed with Huang Quan. The deserted atmosphere of Yun Mansion made him feel uneasy, similar to knowingly walking into danger. He could guess that Yun Yiyi had figured out his role in the recent events. Her anger was inevitable.
Yun Yiyi appeared refined and composed, but if provoked, her wrath could be as fierce as a raging storm, not easily appeased by mere words. Ye Anping knocked lightly on the door after Huang Quan disappeared down the corridor.
“Please come in.”
Yun Yiyi’s voice was gentle, seemingly calm, but to Ye Anping, it felt like the calm before the storm.
Creak—
Ye Anping entered the room to find Yun Yiyi sitting gracefully on a couch, wearing a semi-transparent white silk dress. She looked up with a smile, her face adorned with light makeup, and the air filled with the subtle fragrance of high-quality cosmetics.
Yun Yiyi paused her playing, looked up at him, and smiled faintly.
Though outwardly calm, her mind churned with tumultuous thoughts—Tonight, I’ve sent everyone away from Yun Mansion. Even if you scream, no one will come to your rescue.
Ye Anping nodded in acknowledgment and approached cautiously.
On the surface, he appeared careless, but in his heart, he was extremely vigilant—Are you planning to extend an olive branch first, or are you waiting to slam dunk me when I get close?
Xiao Tian, perched on Ye Anping’s head, couldn’t help but act clever. He slightly retracted his neck and looked around at the two, puzzled.
“The tension in the air is so thick!” It patted Ye Anping’s head. “Anping, watch out! This person is up to no good!”
I am the one who came…
Ye Anping replied in his mind, feeling slightly exasperated. He carefully approached the sitting cushion next to Yun Yiyi and knelt.
“Miss Yun, why are you still awake at this late hour? You should be resting.”
Yun Yiyi exhaled softly, then leaned slightly against Ye Anping’s shoulder.
“It’s because I’m tired that I wanted to find Young Master Ye to comfort me. What could be more relaxing and comforting than leaning on my fiance’s shoulder?”
A breeze brushed against Yun Yiyi’s face, prompting her to look around in confusion. The doors and windows were closed, so where did the wind come from?
Ye Anping glanced over and saw Xiao Tian desperately nudging Yun Yiyi’s face while exclaiming, “You cunning fox! Stop seducing my Anping!!”
Unfortunately, it couldn’t budge her. Ye Anping felt a bit speechless at the scene. He noticed a jade teapot and two jade porcelain cups on a nearby table, so he used his spiritual power to pour tea into the cups and offered one to Yun Yiyi.
After a moment of contemplation, he spoke with lowered eyes.
“Miss Yun, perhaps it’s best to be direct. You seem tired too, don’t you?”
Yun Yiyi took the teacup and placed it on the table, then asked, “No more pretense! Are we laying our cards on the table?”
“No more pretense. Let’s lay our cards on the table.”
“In that case…” Yun Yiyi straightened up and exhaled softly. “I only have one question. What is your motive for helping the Sword Sect and reconciling Yun Jiujiu and me?”
“By chance, I obtained two sets of sword arts left behind by the Immortal Yunjian, the Questioning Sword Art and the Leaves Shadow Sword Technique. I did this just to repay the kindness of this opportunity.”
“Kindness… Well…”
Yun Yiyi squinted her eyes, seemingly skeptical, but she didn’t press further. Instead, she took a stack of documents from her storage bag and placed them on the table.
“Kindness. You helped the Sword Sect and me, so I’ll return the favor. The elders want to investigate the two individuals responsible for blowing up Zhuang Yan’s Pill Furnace. I’ve taken care of it for you. I found two scapegoats to bear the blame. The case will be closed soon. Here are the documents. Take a look to see if there are any issues. If not, I’ll submit them for filing.”
Ye Anping felt slightly surprised. He had expected Yun Yiyi to be furious, but he didn’t anticipate her concern for his well-being. Though he hadn’t left any evidence behind, it was touching to see her go the extra mile.
“Thank you, Miss Yun.”
“You’re welcome,” Yun Yiyi replied, turning her gaze away. “Will you be leaving soon?”
Ye Anping squinted his eyes warily, remaining silent momentarily before replying, “Yes…”
“At that time, I’ll send a jade slip to the Hundred Lotus Sect claiming to break off the engagement. That way, our engagement will be canceled. What do you think?”
“Well… I have no objections.”
“As for your junior sister, she has the Snow Qiong Spiritual Sword. Even if I let you two go, the elders won’t allow it.” After some thought, Yun Yiyi said, “I’ll visit the Sword Sect later and acquire an ancient sword to present to the elders as a substitute. It’s like swapping a cat for a prince.”
Yun Yiyi not only didn’t give him a hard time but also considered him in every way, even figuring out an escape plan for him. The more Ye Anping listened, the more furrowed his brow became,
“Miss Yun, why are you helping me? And why allow me to take your grandfather’s spirit sword?”
Yun Yiyi closed her left eye and replied,
“You did help me, and you helped the Sword Sect too. Do you think of me as a heartless person, Young Master Ye?”
Ye Anping couldn’t help feeling a bit guilty. He always believed in the principle of “no pain, no gain,” Yun Yiyi’s actions could be seen as doing his bidding and counting his money for him.
But he couldn’t figure out what kind of demon he was. Seeing Ye Anping’s lingering fear, Yun Yiyi covered her chest and said,
“Don’t worry, Young Master Ye, I don’t have any ill intentions. You might think I’m foolish and naive, but I can’t help who I fall for.”
“Miss Yun, we’ve only known each other for a few months. Isn’t it too hasty for you to feel this way? You don’t even know what kind of person I am.”
“Love is irrational,” Yun Yiyi said with a wry smile, resting her head on his shoulder. “It’s a pity that I can’t have you. Since I can’t, I won’t force it anymore.”
“…”
Ye Anping looked at Yun Yiyi’s face and wondered if his excessive kindness had led to this situation. He felt a twinge of guilt. He truly was sorry for Yun Yiyi. But he couldn’t marry her, not only because of his junior sister but also because he now carried the scroll of destiny. If he married Yun Yiyi, she would inevitably be drawn into his fate. He wasn’t confident he could protect Yun Yiyi from the challenges ahead.
“I’m sorry,” He said.
Yun Yiyi shook her head slightly, tears welling in her eyes. Though she had expected Ye Anping’s answer and mentally prepared herself, hearing it confirmed it still hurt.
“It’s okay.”
Xiao Tian, who had been teasing Yun Yiyi, was moved by her desolate state and comforted her.
“All right, I shouldn’t have called you a sly fox. You’re pretty great,” It said, patting Yun Yiyi’s head. “Don’t cry, be good.”
A breeze ruffled Yun Yiyi’s golden fur, calming her somehow and easing the knot in her heart. She wiped away her tears, sat up, and picked up the tea on the table, offering it to Ye Anping.
“A farewell cup of tea, Young Master Ye.”
“Um…”
Ye Anping nodded slightly, picked up his own tea, and bowed slightly. They brought the cups to their lips, tilted their heads back, and drank. The tea was smooth and soothing. However, Yun Yiyi didn’t swallow it. She watched Ye Anping’s throat, seeing him swallow before spitting the tea onto the carpet.
Two question marks, one large and one small, instantly appeared on the foreheads of Ye Anping and Xiao Tian. They were momentarily stunned, then simultaneously took a deep breath and turned to gaze at the jade teapot on the table, both thinking the same thing—Can she poison it?
Ye Anping swallowed nervously, quickly inspecting the remaining drops of tea in his cup. He felt uneasy, but his extensive training made him immune to poisons.
Even though Gu cultivators were immune to most poisons, he couldn’t shake the thought. Perhaps it wasn’t poison but medicine…
No, aphrodisiacs were still considered poison, but they did not affect him…
Wait… Effective!!
A warm sensation began to spread from his abdomen to his limbs.
“Hiss—”
Ye Anping furrowed his brow, asking, “What did you put in there?”
“A spiritual flower called Tianzhu Seven Elements Flower,” Yun Yiyi explained with a smirk, “It’s a tonic, harmful to women but completely harmless to men. You claimed you had no potency issues! Let me help you with that.”
Xiao Tian, after hearing this, was dumbfounded. He quickly consulted the Heavenly Dao scroll, verifying the flower’s name mentioned by Yun Yiyi. Rushing to Ye Anping’s side, He exclaimed, “Anping, this flower can awaken one’s potential. You just need to relax and focus…”
Ye Anping listened, his brow furrowing. He felt overflowing with energy, even without using spiritual energy. This was not good.
“Miss Yun,” Ye Anping began, trying to find the right words…
“Yes!” Yun Yiyi raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on her lips.
“You’re playing with fire,” He warned.
“Oh! Then let’s see what kind of fire you are,” She teased.
Taking a deep breath, Ye Anping forced himself to stand. Instantly, they struggled, but Yun Yiyi found him immovable, like a solid rock.
Yun Yiy was unfazed and assured him, “Young Master Ye, there’s no need to worry. Tomorrow, it’ll be as if nothing happened.”
Ye Anping remained expressionless, countering, “I can pretend nothing happened, but you can’t be so sure.”
Confusion and regret washed over Yun Yiyi as she realized the extent of the situation. She understood that Ye Anping didn’t set the locks on the doors and windows alone.
The servants she had sent away were not Ye Anping’s salvation but her own.
“Please, Young Master Ye… I…”
“Miss Yun, you started this. Don’t blame me,” Ye Anping interrupted, unmoved by her distress.
Sobs filled the room until dawn, signaling the end of the tumultuous night.
As the sun rose, the wind calmed, the rain stopped, and peace returned.
The fire had ravaged the land, leaving nothing but scorched earth behind.
—Oxen had plowed the ground.
And so, a new day began.
There’s no tired land only tired Oxen ?