Chapter 282: Senior brother, visit the thatched cottage
Halfway through the spring season, a gentle drizzle veiled the peaks hundreds of miles away from the Xuanxing Sect.
On Yuequan Peak, bamboo shoots of spring spread in all directions, with green bamboo growing unabashedly upward at three inches per day. The breeze carried back the scent of foliage from the depths of the bamboo forest, along with the presence of a handsome young man donning a purple Daoist robe.
CrackCrack
Ye Anping, holding an oil-paper fan, stood before the bamboo grove, his expression solemn as he gazed at the path leading inward.
At the end of the trail sat the summer retreat of Si Xuanji, the esteemed elder of Yuequan Peak. After living in this world for so long, Ye Anping felt, for the first time, the terror brought about by the unknown. He had no clue whether this path led to a point of no return. However, avoiding Si Xuanji was not an option. Even if he managed to evade her temporarily, it would only be a matter of time before their paths crossed again. Moreover, if she sensed him avoiding her, it would only lead to further complications.
For most people, feeling wronged simply led to tears. But when she felt wronged, it seemed like the heavens might collapse.
“Sigh— I hope I make it out of this.”
Ye Anping sighed softly, unfurled his paper umbrella, and walked into the bamboo forest with determined strides as if walking to his demise. The melodious chirping of birds and the fragrant aroma of bamboo enveloped him as he followed the guidance of the stone pathway and lanterns, eventually arriving at the gate of the three-entrance residence.
Logically, this bamboo grove should be equipped with one of Si Xuanji’s mazes, meaning entry and exit were at her discretion. Since he managed to enter, it likely meant she was aware of his presence.
Dong Dong——
Ye Anping folded his oil umbrella, grasped the door knocker, and rehearsed his words in his mind, hoping to avoid upsetting Si Xuanji.
The mahogany door swung open inward, and Maid Qiu appeared, her expression softening as she caught sight of Ye Anping.
“Master Ye!”
“Yes,” Ye Anping bowed respectfully. “Senior Qiu, forgive my intrusion. I’ve come to return the jade pendant Miss Xuanji lent me last time. Is she available?”
Maid Qiu sighed almost imperceptibly, then suddenly, as if seeing a lifeline, she rushed forward and grabbed Ye Anping’s hands.
“Master Ye, you’ve returned at just the right time.”
Ye Anping looked bewildered. What was going on? Why was she suddenly so excited, and why was she placing his hand on her chest?
He could surmise that Si Xuanji had likely set a trap for him again. As for the nature of the trap, he didn’t know yet, but he was sure there was one.
But even if he knew there was a trap, there was little he could do. If he avoided it, the old lady might feel wronged, and who knows how she might retaliate. Sometimes being too clever only invited trouble.
Ye Anping paused and feigned surprise, “Senior Qiu, what’s the matter?”
“That’s it. Miss followed her sister and sneaked out of Xuanxing Sect a few days ago and headed towards the Central Territory. Can Mr. Ye catch up and bring them back? There has been a lot of chaos in the Central Territory recently. I’m worried that the two of them will encounter some danger…”
Hearing this, Ye Anping immediately understood Si Xuanji’s intention. She wanted to lead him to the Central Realm.
In the game, Feng Yudie was originally unwilling to go to the Central Territory, but it was Si Xuanji who deceived Feng Yudie and Xiao Yunluo into going there.
Although Si Xuanji might have used a different approach this time since it was him she wanted to deceive into going to the Central Territory, the result would likely be the same.
Ye Anping felt a bit weary, going along with the act, and asked, “Why not consult the elders or Immortal Danyue about this?”
“It’s inconvenient to involve the elders and the sect master. It would cause unrest throughout the sect. The young lady and Young Master Xiao are at an age where they want to explore the outside world. The sect master has always been strict, not allowing them to leave the sect without permission. Perhaps they’ve been cooped up in Xuanxing Sect too long and wanted some fresh air.”
This statement sounded partly false and partly true… Ye Anping pursed his lips and continued, “How long have they been gone?”
“About three months.”
“The Central Territory is vast. How can I find them?”
“You don’t have to worry about that.”
Qiu Shuirou took a prepared item from her storage bag and handed it to Ye Anping, a small bell engraved with a hundred birds facing the phoenix.
“Mr. Ye, this is a mandarin duck bell. The other one is with the young lady. If the bell rings, it means the young lady is nearby.”
Ye Anping took the bell and examined it carefully, feeling speechless. Isn’t this the Star Returning Bell from the game? She actually lied to him, calling it a Mandarin Duck Bell and making it sound so romantic, but it was essentially a GPS locator. As long as he had it on him, Si Xuanji could accurately track his location no matter where he was.
Jingle bell bell~~
Ye Anping lightly flicked the bell and pondered for a moment, thinking that being monitored by Si Xuanji might actually be a good thing.
Ye Anping also had an extra ace up his sleeve. Moreover, if Si Xuanji wanted to spy on him, he couldn’t prevent it, no matter how hard he tried. Instead of being covertly observed by her, it was better to act while knowing he was being watched, so he could use the old Loli’s eyes in reverse.
“Hey–”
Ye Anping sighed softly and put the bell back into his storage bag, cupping his hands, “I’ll go find them in a few days.”
“Thank you, Mr. Ye.”
Qiu Shuirou’s eyes showed a hint of apology, seemingly embarrassed for aiding Si Xuanji in deceiving this innocent young man. After a pause, she took out a slightly larger box from her storage bag and said,
“This is from the young lady for Mr. Ye.”
“What!”
“On Mr. Ye’s seventeenth birthday last year, the young lady personally sewed a set of clothes for Mr. Ye. She wanted to give them to Mr. Ye, but unfortunately, Mr. Ye was in the Southern Region then, so she has put them until now.”
Ye Anping was slightly surprised. He vaguely remembered that Si Xuanji’s needlework skills in the game were surprisingly good. So, what kind of bizarre appearance did the clothes she made for him have?
He took the box, opened it, and glanced inside. It contained a valuable set of men’s Daoist robes embroidered with gold threads and adorned with intricately carved high-level spiritual stones. But at just one glance, Ye Anping noticed the collar, embroidered with a small string of Guichun Pavilion Etiquette.
Sewed by hand!
Ye Anping didn’t expose it. Instead, he smiled and complimented, “When I see Miss Xuanji, I will express my gratitude to her. Miss Xuanji is good at needlework, and this outfit is exquisite.”
Qiu Shuirou seemed reluctant to continue deceiving Ye Anping, but she had to obey her master’s orders. There was a noticeable trace of embarrassment on her face as she stiffly replied, “…As long as Young Master Ye likes it.”
“I’ll take my leave now. I’ll look for Miss Xuanji and Young Master Xiao in a few days.”
“Master Ye, walk slowly~”
Qiu Shuirou smiled and closed the door, then leaned against it, covering her chest with her hand and exhaling softly. She muttered,
“The sect master wants an older person to pursue a younger one. How did I become an accomplice? Mr. Ye looks so innocent and inexperienced that lying to him feels uncomfortable. And if the sect master accidentally reveals her true intentions and Mr. Ye finds out, won’t he be forever tormented by his inner demons?… Being teased and played with like this by a woman thousands of years old… How did it come to this?”
…
The ultimate cougar is after Anping…