Chapter 48: Ambiguity That Stings the Eyes

Once Xu Qinxian understood her third brother’s intentions, it was as if she had gained newfound strength. She cheerfully said to the Old Master Gu, “Father, I’ve made up my mind. Even if Brother Mubai cannot accept me right away, soon Master Yangliu will be holding the test for expanding disciples, widely recruiting those she favors. I intend to go with Brother Mubai. That way, we might become fellow disciples—brother and sister in name—which would bring us closer still.”

“Will they… go together, as husband and wife?” Xu Zixian asked hesitantly.

“Probably. Why else would she rush to the Myriad-Eyed Immortal Spring to increase her spiritual power? Master Yangliu requires at least the fifth tier of Earth Rank. Are you going, third brother? Why not join us? If we combine forces, we’re sure to break them apart.” Xu Qinxian’s excitement grew as she spoke.

“I’m not going.” Xu Zixian turned his head away, refusing to engage.

“You covet someone else’s husband so shamelessly—where’s the dignity of the young lady of Golden Valley?” Xu Zichu was infuriated with his own sister, who would lower herself so much for a man.

“And you have the nerve to lecture your sister? Look at what you’ve done. Get back to your room, accept twenty strokes, be confined for a month, and copy the family rules a hundred times. Learn to be a good brother.” The Old Master Gu sighed, his head aching at the sight of Xu Zichu.

“Yes, Father, I’ll go and accept my punishment. Third brother… I’m sorry.” For the first time, Xu Zichu bowed his head to someone and hurried out. At the door, he heard Xu Zixian say, “Brother, I’m fine. When I recover, let’s sit under your pear blossom tree with Father and savor the fine wine I used to steal from you.”

Xu Zichu’s eyes reddened; warmed by the gesture, he smiled and returned to his room.

The Old Master turned his gaze to Xu Zixing, who still lingered by the door. “Zixing, though this matter doesn’t directly involve you, you are not blameless. From today, you will go to your uncle’s house for three years, cultivate your mind and spirit, and cease causing trouble.”

“Father, my uncle lives a thousand miles away. Are you abandoning me?” Xu Zixing’s anxiety began to show.

“It’s only three years of training, not abandonment. It’s to teach you stability of mind; you’ll return in due time.”

“Father…”

But before Xu Zixing could finish, the Old Master said, “Enough. My head aches terribly today. Go now, all of you.”

“Yes, Father.” Xu Zixing’s heart sank. He realized the Old Master was determined to remove him from the succession, and in three years, the matter might be settled forever. He knew he had to make other plans.

The next morning at Golden Valley’s guest chamber.

“Young mistress, it’s time to get up.”

Qin Xiaomo, perhaps exhausted from yesterday, heard someone calling her faintly. Her eyelids felt impossibly heavy, and she could only manage a few muffled sounds from her lips. Turning over, her whole body ached so much that she quickly slipped back into sleep, the outside world seeming distant and unreal. She vaguely heard the door open, but was too tired to resist—even if someone were to carry her away now, she would not object. She simply let things be.

Someone sat gently on the bedside, tucked her in, and spoke softly, “What’s wrong? Are you ill?”

This voice sounded familiar—where had she heard it before? Qin Xiaomo searched her mind frantically, and suddenly, her memory matched it: the man with a half-demonic mask and a face both alluring and cold, a beauty capable of bringing a nation to ruin. Instantly, Qin Xiaomo’s eyes flew open, and she shuddered, every hair standing on end. She turned her head; sure enough, Qian Mubai sat at the bedside, masked, leaning on the bed, looking down at her.

“If you’re not feeling unwell, you should get up. The Myriad-Eyed Immortal Spring will likely appear soon, but its window is short. After all your efforts, don’t miss it.” Qian Mubai’s deep, magnetic, gentle voice made Qin Xiaomo’s thoughts wander, her cheeks flushed, bashful and adorable.

“What are you thinking?” Qian Mubai leaned close, his breath warm on her face, making her skin tingle, her heart race, and her breathing quicken.

“Nothing… just, my whole body aches.” Qin Xiaomo discreetly shifted away, inching to the side to put some distance between them and ease her nerves.

Qian Mubai found her behavior amusing, so he lay down on the bed beside her.

“What are you doing!” Qin Xiaomo cried, finally having moved herself to a safe spot.

“You kept shifting over bit by bit, weren’t you making room for me?” Qian Mubai suppressed a laugh, his lips curving as he spoke, suddenly fixing his gaze on Qin Xiaomo, making her spine tingle.

Qian Mubai’s expression turned slightly melancholy as he gently touched her cheek and murmured, “When will you remember me…”

“What?” Qin Xiaomo hadn’t caught his words.

“I said, you can lie here for fifteen more minutes, but any longer and you’ll really miss it.” As he spoke, Qian Mubai took hold of Qin Xiaomo’s arm and began to massage it.

At first, Qin Xiaomo thought he was being playful and tried to pull her arm back, but wherever Qian Mubai’s hands pressed, the soreness vanished, as if she were floating on clouds, relaxed and comfortable. She couldn’t help but close her eyes, feeling she could sleep for three more days and nights.

“Does it feel good?” Qian Mubai asked softly.

“It does. While you’re at it, could you massage my back as well? My waist is the most sore.” Qin Xiaomo willingly turned over, lying face down as if waiting for a masseur in a massage parlor.

Qian Mubai hesitated, then sat sideways on the bed and pressed her back. “When you’re outside, don’t let just anyone touch you like this.”

“I know,” Qin Xiaomo replied absentmindedly.

At that moment, outside the door, Xu Qinxian’s excited voice approached: “Brother Mubai, I went to your room and you weren’t there. They said you were here!” She pushed open the door, followed by Jiang Wei.

Qian Mubai grew angry and quickly pulled the quilt up, covering Qin Xiaomo tightly. “What is it?” He hated seeing his wife exposed so casually to others.

“N-no, it’s nothing…” Xu Qinxian was flustered.

“If there’s nothing, then leave!” Qian Mubai’s voice was cold and icy, chilling Xu Qinxian to the core.

Xu Qinxian saw Qian Mubai sitting on the bed, massaging Qin Xiaomo. The intimacy stung her, and she hurriedly said, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.” With reddened eyes, she fled the room in distress.

Qin Xiaomo looked up at Qian Mubai, her hand unconsciously touching his cheek and the half-mask. This tenderness that belonged only to her was precious. If only such a handsome and devoted man could chase after her every day in real life—it was a pity. Perhaps this game was a way to make up for the years she’d never found her destined match. “What are you thinking?” Qian Mubai noticed the slight sadness in her eyes.

“I just feel regret. When the dream ends, everything disappears—even you.”

Qian Mubai, suppressing the joy in his heart, replied, “This isn’t a dream. I’m real. I won’t disappear.”

Qin Xiaomo sighed deeply, then stroked his head and said, “You’re still young. You don’t understand. Go on, I need to change.”

“All right. I’ll wait for you at the door.” Qian Mubai’s voice was lighter than usual, with a hint of relaxed laughter.

As Qin Xiaomo changed clothes, she thought of him as an NPC, her heart full of regret. The more she interacted with him, the deeper the regret became. Today, it was even stronger; she felt a faint urge not to return to reality at all.