"Chirp, chirp, chirp~~"
It was noon, and few people were out on Dyeing Street.
Ye Jingtang led his horse down the street. The white bird Niao Niao rode on its back, leisurely munching on the little strips of dried meat he had just bought.
When they reached the entrance to Twin Osmanthus Alley, Niao Niao eagerly flew into the deep alley, calling along the way:
"Chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp..."
"You're back? You must be starving."
"Chirp, chirp..."
The young woman's doting voice came from behind the courtyard wall.
Ye Jingtang smiled at the sound and led his horse through the courtyard gate.
The clean, tidy courtyard had undergone a few more changes. A row of little flowerpots had appeared along the wall, planted with green seedlings of some unknown flowers.
Outside the kitchen, the chopped firewood was neatly stacked. Even the smoked meat, ginger, and garlic hanging beneath the window had been carefully arranged, making the whole courtyard seem brighter at first glance.
Ye Jingtang had lived with his adoptive father since childhood. Both were martial men; their home had never been filthy or chaotic, but a certain casual disorder was inevitable.
Seeing this, he suddenly felt that having a capable, caring woman at home was indeed a wonderful thing.
Luo Ning emerged from the kitchen in a long blue-green dress, carrying two plates of side dishes, with Niao Niao perched on her shoulder. She looked as coolly beautiful and serene as when they had first met. Without looking at Ye Jingtang, who was tying up the horse beneath the melon trellis, she simply called:
"Yunli went out to play. Come eat."
Ye Jingtang felt that Luo Ning had suddenly become much warmer toward him, which surprised him a little. He went into the kitchen, brought out the cooked dishes, and set them down in the main room, then looked at Luo Ning as she arranged the plates.
"Why are you being so gentle today, Lady Luo?"
Luo Ning sat down on Ye Jingtang's left, opened a small wine jar, and poured two cups, speaking as casually as if they were chatting about household matters.
"Although you and I aren't on particularly good terms, I really do have to thank you for looking after me these past few days. I've been in the Capital City for some time now, and I left without telling anyone at home..."
Ye Jingtang's hand paused as he reached for the wine cup, then withdrew.
"You're leaving?"
"Chirp?"
Niao Niao, who had been gazing longingly at the stir-fried pork, immediately grew anxious at those words and raised that little head to give Sister Little Watermelon a pitiful look.
Luo Ning gathered Niao Niao into her lap and stroked gently, her delicate brows drawing together.
"What do you mean by that? Do you intend to keep me detained in the Capital City, cooking and washing your clothes forever?"
That was not what Ye Jingtang meant. After a moment's thought, he said:
"We haven't gotten Qiu Tianhe out yet, and I still haven't worked out the secrets of the Dragon-Mingling Diagram. I don't think this is a good time for you to leave."
"There's something important at home. I have to go back. I promised to teach you martial arts as long as Qiu Tianhe got out of prison. I've already taught you lightness skills, and I don't want the Dragon-Mingling Diagram either. I trust that even without me here, you'll keep your promise..."
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Ye Jingtang frowned. "You're planning to leave and never come back?"
That was not what Luo Ning intended, but her expression remained perfectly serious.
"You rescuing Qiu Tianhe and me teaching you martial arts-that was our agreement from the start. I've already taught you lightness skills, and I'm not even asking for the Dragon-Mingling Diagram. What would I come back for?"
That question did leave Ye Jingtang at a loss. He tapped his fingers lightly on the table and considered it.
"Even if Qiu Tianhe gets out of prison, he'll still be trapped in the Capital City. That's no lasting solution. If I make more connections at court, perhaps I can get his freedom fully restored."
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Luo Ning had merely intended to loosen the reins to draw him in: she would say she was never coming back, then reluctantly agree to return after a few days, so this little rogue would not pester her relentlessly and refuse to let her leave.
She truly had not expected Ye Jingtang to make such a substantial promise just to keep her there, and she felt a little guilty.
But she certainly could not let that show. If the little rogue in front of her noticed, he would surely take a mile when given an inch and make some improper demand.
"There's something important at home. They've already sent someone to notify me, so I have no choice but to leave early. If you... if you can help Qiu Tianhe regain his freedom completely, I'll come back after a while and teach you the Cloud-Touching Fourteen Hands."
Ye Jingtang smiled at that, then asked:
"What's happened at home? Why the rush?"
"That's my private business. It has nothing to do with you."
"I'm only worried something might happen to you. You won't tell me who you are, so once you head out into the world, finding you would be like fishing a needle out of the sea. If you happened to meet your end out there, I'd still think you'd broken your word and never come back. Isn't that right?"
Luo Ning fell silent for a moment. She could hardly say that she was going to the Watercloud Sword Pool to attend Old Master Zhou's birthday banquet, so she merely said:
"It's nothing serious. Mm... I'm going back to deliver a gift. I'll return once that's done. It'll only take twenty-odd days..."
"Twenty-odd days..."
Ye Jingtang had to accompany Third Madam on a trip in a few days. They would first go to West King Town to cut down a few people, then stop by the Watercloud Sword Pool to cut down a few more. They would probably return around the middle of next month, so the length of their trips was about the same...
After thinking it over, Ye Jingtang nodded.
"All right. I have to go away in a few days anyway. It'll be hard to get Qiu Tianhe out in just a few days. Why don't we continue when we're back?"
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Hearing this, Luo Ning thought Ye Jingtang did not trust her and would refuse to help while she was gone. Displeased, she said:
"If I say I'll come back, I'll come back. What are you going away for?"
Ye Jingtang spread his hands slightly. "I'm an escort guard at Skywater Bridge, not some wandering knight. I have to work for my wages. In a few days, I need to handle a few minor business matters."
At that, Luo Ning asked no further questions. After a moment's thought, she picked up the wine pot on the table and poured for Ye Jingtang.
"You're quite gifted. Why be an escort guard? Whether you enter officialdom or make your way through the martial world, wouldn't either be better than selling your labor to someone else..."
Holding back her flowing sleeve as she gently poured the wine, and pairing that tender gesture with her muttering, she looked rather like a little wife complaining that her man lacked ambition.
Ye Jingtang picked up his chopsticks, looked Luo Ning over, and blinked.
Luo Ning noticed. Her eyes cooled slightly, and she set down the wine pot, picked up the brimming cup, and drained it in one gulp.
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Ye Jingtang was immediately speechless. He picked up the wine pot, poured himself a cup, and returned to an old question.
"I'm risking my head to help you rescue someone, and you still won't tell me anything about yourself, Lady Luo?"
Luo Ning hid her face behind her sleeve and drained the strong wine. As soon as she set her cup down, Ye Jingtang refilled it, and she did not refuse.
"I have my reasons for not telling you my background."
"What reasons?"
Luo Ning would not tell him because the Sky-Pacifying Sect was a rebel organization. Once Ye Jingtang knew, he would have to choose between his official career and following her. If he chose his career, they would have to part ways, and Qiu Tianhe's rescue would become difficult.
Besides, the Sky-Pacifying Sect Master was a woman. If Luo Ning came clean, she would have to explain all of that. Once Ye Jingtang knew she was merely an unattached older woman with an untarnished reputation, she probably would not be able to withstand all this little rogue's tricks.
"Don't ask. Once Qiu Tianhe is out of danger, I'll explain everything."
"Can't you give me a hint beforehand?"
Ye Jingtang raised his wine cup and sighed softly. "Right now, I feel morally bankrupt, seducing a married woman and betraying everything chivalry stands for. I can't even sleep at night..."
So you do know?
Luo Ning sat a little straighter and said sternly, "In that case, you should mend your ways and rein in your horse before the cliff..."
Ye Jingtang raised a hand slightly. "But it's already happened. Even if I rein in my horse before the cliff, I've still done wrong... I could cut through the tangled mess with one swift stroke, but then I'm afraid you'd think me a faithless man, Lady Luo."
Luo Ning was so angry she laughed. She raised her cup and took a fierce gulp, unwilling to respond to words backed by a hide thicker than a wall.
Ye Jingtang poured her another cup.
"Fated matches really are unpredictable. I don't have a wife or concubines right now, but as you know, I'm handsome and reasonably gifted. Plenty of people have their eyes on me. Prince Jing has opened every door for me-haven't you wondered why?"
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Before you continue