Seeing how close the two of them were, Lu Xueqi abruptly stopped.
She stood there, quietly watching them.
The night breeze blew from behind her, sweeping her long hair and robes forward and casting a long shadow in the firelight.
She watched Jin Ping'er tilt her head as she spoke, the way she casually leaned closer, and the familiar smile on Lu Jiuyuan's face.
That smile had been for her by Yueya Lake, for her in the cave dwelling at dawn, and for her in every moment when they were alone together.
Now he was smiling that way at another woman, too.
Lu Xueqi's fingers curled slightly, her nails digging into her palm.
Her expression darkened further, and an unfamiliar emotion roiled in her cool eyes. She couldn't put a name to it.
Anger? Hurt? Or something else?
She only knew that she didn't want to stand there watching.
She slowly walked over.
Her footsteps were heavier than usual, and her white robes fluttered in the night.
Lu Jiuyuan noticed the movement and turned around. The instant he saw her, surprise flashed across his face before melting into a warm smile. "Xueqi? Why aren't you asleep yet?"
Lu Xueqi didn't answer.
She went straight to his side and sat down in the half-arm's-length gap between Jin Ping'er and Lu Jiuyuan.
The movement came naturally, as if she'd done it a thousand times.
Then she rested her head on his shoulder.
Her hair slipped down, covering half her face, but it couldn't hide the tips of her ears, which had turned faintly red.
She wrapped both arms around his, holding on tightly, her body almost pressed against his.
The body that was usually as cold as ice was now as soft as a pool of spring water.
"Husband, I can't sleep."
Her voice wasn't loud, but it was especially clear in the quiet night.
Soft and sweet, with a hint of a coaxing lilt, it also carried a strong note of jealousy.
Jin Ping'er's smile froze.
Lu Jiuyuan looked down at the head resting on his shoulder, then at the arm she was clutching tightly, and finally at the eyes gazing up at him.
Those eyes, usually as cold as ice, now shimmered with tears. They held a trace of hurt, a trace of stubbornness, and a hint of just try pushing me away and see what happens.
He understood at once.
This wasn't a case of being unable to sleep. She'd come to stake her claim.
The corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
He raised his other hand and gently stroked her hair. His voice was tender enough to melt. "Can't sleep? Is it because you're not used to the new place?"
Lu Xueqi rubbed her face against his shoulder and gave a muffled "Mm."
"Then would you like me to take a walk with you?"
She shook her head and clung to him even tighter. "No, I just want to stay like this."
Lu Jiuyuan held back a laugh and gently patted the back of her hand. "All right. Then we'll stay like this."
Sitting nearby, Jin Ping'er watched the scene. Her smile remained, but something shifted in her foxlike eyes.
She didn't say a word, only quietly watched the two of them: Lu Xueqi clinging tightly to his arm, Lu Jiuyuan tenderly stroking her hair, and the intimacy between them that no one else could intrude upon.
A few moments passed in silence.
Then she suddenly chuckled and stood up.
"Master Lu."
Lu Jiuyuan looked up at her.
Jin Ping'er stood in the firelight, backlit, her expression difficult to make out. But her voice was still amused, her tone lazy and nonchalant.
"I'll leave you two alone."
With that, she turned and walked away.
Jin Ping'er took a few steps, then stopped and glanced back.
The firelight fell across half her face, revealing a faintly teasing smile.
"By the way, Master Lu."
"Hmm?"
"Keeping watch is all well and good, but don't get so caught up in soothing someone that you forget to keep an eye out."
Jin Ping'er's gaze shifted from his face to Lu Xueqi and lingered for a moment.
Lu Xueqi happened to look up at the same time.
Their gazes met in the night.
One was as cold as frost, with unmistakable possessiveness.
The other smiled warmly, hiding an edge that couldn't be seen.
Jin Ping'er curled her lips and turned, disappearing into the night.
The darkness soon swallowed her figure. Only her footsteps gradually faded away, light as a cat's.
Lu Jiuyuan watched the direction in which she had vanished and raised an eyebrow.
Jin Ping'er returned to her spot, sat against a tree trunk, and pulled a thin blanket over herself.
She gazed up at the dark sky and licked her lips.
"Sooner or later, I'll get my chance."
She murmured the words to herself, so softly they were barely audible.
She closed her eyes, but the corners of her mouth still curled upward.
By the bonfire, Lu Xueqi was still resting her head on Lu Jiuyuan's shoulder, clinging to his arm and refusing to let go.
Lu Jiuyuan looked down at her. "She's gone. Aren't you going to let go?"
Lu Xueqi didn't move.
"No."
"Planning to hold on all night?"
"Mm."
Lu Jiuyuan chuckled and pulled his outer robe up to cover her shoulders.
"Fine. Then we'll stay like this all night."
"Fine. Then we'll stay like this all night."
Lu Xueqi buried her face in the crook of his shoulder and mumbled, "Senior Brother."
"Hmm?"
"You're not allowed to get too close to her."
Lu Jiuyuan paused and looked down at her.
She refused to look up, the tips of her ears so red they seemed ready to drip blood.
He chuckled softly and kissed the top of her head. "That depends on how you behave!"
Lu Xueqi's fingers lightly brushed his sleeve, but she said nothing more.
A moment later, Lu Xueqi lifted her head from his shoulder. Her cool eyes shone brilliantly in the moonlight. "Grandmaster, have a drink with me."
Lu Jiuyuan froze for a moment. Then he saw her produce a small wine flask and two white jade cups from her sleeve as if by magic. The flask was celadon, and the cups were carved from white jade, their surfaces gleaming warmly in the moonlight.
"Where did you get the wine?"
"I took it from the wine cellar at Xiaozhu Peak before we came down the mountain." Lu Xueqi set the two cups on the bluestone between them and pulled out the stopper. The clear, fragrant scent of wine immediately filled the air. "Master Shuiyue brewed this Osmanthus Wine and said we'd drink it when we got back. I thought... I'd try some early."
As she spoke, she lifted the flask and poured a cup for each of them. The wine was clear and pale gold, gently rippling in the cups and reflecting the crescent moon overhead.
Watching her pour, Lu Jiuyuan suddenly smiled.
"If Master knew you'd sneaked a drink so early, she'd probably be angry."
"She won't know if you don't tell her." Lu Xueqi picked up one cup and handed it to him, then took the other and lowered her eyes. "Senior Brother, drink."
The two white jade cups clinked softly, making a clear sound.
The two white jade cups clinked softly, making a clear sound.
Lu Jiuyuan took a sip. The wine was smooth on his tongue, the sweetness of osmanthus spreading across it. As it went down, a warm sensation followed, traveling from his throat to his stomach.
Master Shuiyue's wine was indeed excellent.
Lu Xueqi took a sip too and furrowed her brows slightly, as if the alcohol had stung her. But she soon relaxed and took another small sip.
They drank cup after cup, neither saying a word. The clear clink of their cups echoed through the night.
After a few cups, a faint blush spread across Lu Xueqi's cheeks, like peach blossoms just opening on a branch in early spring.
The eyes that were usually as cold as frost grew hazy, turning soft and dreamy.
"Senior Brother." Lu Xueqi set down her cup. Her voice was a little lower than usual, with a hint of huskiness.
"Hmm?"
"Tell me... Is Jin Ping'er pretty?"
Lu Jiuyuan nearly choked on his wine. He coughed and turned to look at her.
In the moonlight, Lu Xueqi tilted her head as she watched him, her eyes shining. They held the haze of wine, curiosity, and a trace of nervousness she was trying hard to hide.
"Why ask that all of a sudden?"
"I want to hear your answer."
Lu Jiuyuan fell silent for a moment, then looked at her earnestly. "Not as pretty as you."
Lu Xueqi's eyelashes trembled, and the corners of her mouth lifted into the faintest smile.
She lowered her head, poured herself another cup, and drained it in one go.
Before you continue