Key Smoke's eyebrows lifted slightly, a hint of cold light flashing in her eyes. She stared straight at Ji Nanjue, bit her crimson lips, and said, "Feeling bold, aren't you, Ji Nanjue? Have your wings grown strong? Today, you must face punishment!"
As she spoke, she pounced on Ji Nanjue, pinning the woman down on the bed. Their equally delicate faces pressed closely together, creating a rather pleasing sight.
With tender fingers, Key Smoke pinched Ji Nanjue's delicate chin. In the warm spring air, both were clad in thin garments, their jade-like legs and lotus-root arms exposed, covered only by a sheer overlay that revealed their impressive and sinuous curves under the flickering candlelight.
"What... what are you trying to do?" Ji Nanjue, accustomed to masquerading as a man, tensed subconsciously as Key Smoke pressed down on her. This caused her discreetly hidden peaks to stand even firmer, their tightness accentuated by the crimson silk bodice embroidered with koi fish, which seemed too restrictive, lending an air of profound stillness.
"Will you talk or not! Speak up, girl!" Key Smoke paid no mind to her disciple's pretense, her bare hand reaching toward the soft flesh at Ji Nanjue's waist.
Their bodies pressed tightly together. Key Smoke's stunning face was right before hers, their chests pressed together. Everything was so close it caused a slight blush to spread over Ji Nanjue's face.
Ji Nanjue couldn't help but giggle as her waist tickled. In Key Smoke's eyes, the otherwise grave and earnest Eastern Emperor was nothing more than a young girl.
"Master, your disciple will talk... I'll talk."
A lovely curve appeared at the corner of Key Smoke's mouth. She released her mischievous hand, patting it lightly, and looked down satisfactorily at the woman beneath her.
"Today at Azure Cloud View, I happened to meet Elder Su, and we shared a drink by the shore of Han Hai."
"Hmm, is that all?" Key Smoke, still suspicious, did not rise. Her embroidered brows furrowed slightly as she asked, "Is it really that simple?"
Because they were so close, Key Smoke could still smell the faint scent of wine on her. "I don't believe it!"
Ever since Elder Su's arrival, Key Smoke had seen her disciple seem distracted a few times, thoughts stirring in her own heart. She had initially seen him merely as an Elder, but perhaps now... it was time to view him from a different perspective.
Ji Nanjue's phoenix-like eyes widened. She pushed the Saintess off her, reversing their positions, and declared, "Really, that's everything!"
...
But inside, she was secretly delighted. She was finally riding atop this woman, easing the minor irritation from her recent spat with Queen Lin.
Ji Nanjue, her delicate hands stroking Key Smoke's face with a hint of playful malice, deepened her voice and said, "Saintess, today, I shall favor you!"
...
CLANG—
The door swung open.
Die Yi, clutching his head and drenched from the downpour, had intended to complain to Key Smoke but caught sight of the scene before him and heard Ji Nanjue's words.
—Ji Nanjue was triumphantly straddling Key Smoke.
Swallowing nervously, his mind in a muddle, he managed to say, "That... Aunt, you two have fun. Nephew... won't watch!!"
He glanced at the torrential rain outside, ultimately deciding against saying he was planning to go for a walk. He simply closed his eyes and stood facing the corner, deeply pondering. Why is everything in this reincarnation so strange?
「...」
「The next day, perhaps due to the overnight rain, the weather was somewhat cool.」 Fortunately, the sunshine was ample, warm and comforting.
Early in the morning, Su Bei dragged Xiao Ruoching, who was buried in the blankets, up with a look of disdain for her lack of ambition. Xiao Ruoching, propped on her arms at the windowsill, yawned and listened to Su Bei speak.
"You, you..."
If this jealous and wasteful disciple of hers had existed in her past life, Su Bei thought, she would have been one of those lazy cats unwilling to step outside, spending her days eating cat treats, grooming her fur, and basking in the sun, even meowing for food in a listless voice.
Yet, watching her yawn inadvertently, Su Bei was momentarily captivated. Such stunning beauty, even for someone like her who had seen many beauties before, could still make one act on instinctual urges.
—Of course, it was just the desire to give her pretty cheek a vigorous squeeze.
Somewhere in Su Bei's heart, regret was growing stronger, and she found herself terrified of the thought: how wonderful it would be if Xiao Ruoching weren't her disciple? But if she weren't her disciple, how could Su Bei appear before her so openly, with a clear conscience?
What Su Bei did not know was that if she hadn't resolved Xiao Ruoching's inner conflicts, if her actions hadn't led Xiao Ruoching to completely let go, Xiao Ruoching would probably still be behaving as she had when Su Bei first took her in as a disciple. She would be wearing a cold mask, flattering Su Bei's every command, and practicing day and night, all in the hope of one day striking Su Bei down with a single blow.
Su Bei casually picked up the belly band embroidered with a chubby koi fish, waved it, and pretended to take it away.
Xiao Ruoching's face flushed crimson instantly. She glared fiercely at Su Bei, bit her lip, and snatched it back.
Su Bei did not shamelessly watch her disciple change clothes. Instead, she left the room and saw Mo Li, already dressed and sitting in the yard. Mo Li was gently touching the blade of her Spirit Sword, feeling the Sword Qi upon it.
When Su Bei looked over, Mo Li stood and said, "Master!"
Su Bei nodded. She wondered if Xiao Ruoching had heeded even a little of what she herself had said the previous day.