Chapter 56 Moonlit Jade Purity "Is he the better behaved, or am I the better behaved?"...

Gu Shanyue wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned close to his face: "Why don't you care? Are you scared?"

"How could I be afraid? I'm overjoyed..."

Qi Baitong's gaze was fixed on her face, unable to look away, his lips tightly pursed.

Gu Shanyue rested her face on his shoulder, turned to look at him, and said innocently, "The play says that if we were together, it would be considered a reckless and illicit affair. Everyone is afraid of that. I thought you were afraid too."

Qi Baitong thought of the conversation down the mountain. No wonder she suddenly asked a few more questions back then; she was thinking about these things.

He realized that it must be his attitude that had confused Gu Shanyue.

He loved her so much, yet he always restrained his desire to take things further. She didn't understand.

After a brief silence, Qi Baitong lowered his head and rubbed his face against her burning cheek.

"Ah Yue, I won't lie to you, even if you feel disgusted by me after hearing it."

He didn't want Gu Shanyue to misunderstand him in any way, especially to doubt his affection for her; he would never allow such a thing to happen.

“I have a needle-piercing gu in my body. There are rumors that this gu can be transmitted through the union of yin and yang. Although there has never been a precedent in decades, I dare not take the risk.”

No matter how much he longed for it, he would never allow Gu Shanyue to be put in danger for a moment of pleasure, even if there was only a one in ten thousand chance.

Gu Shanyue was surprised by this, exclaiming, "There's such a saying? I've never heard of it before?"

"This is a secret that circulates in the palace. My master mentioned it to me unintentionally once." As Qi Baitong spoke, the heat in her body slowly subsided, and the arms that had been tightly holding Gu Shanyue loosened their grip.

He didn't tell her the truth at first because he was afraid that Gu Shanyue would resist his approach if she heard it.

Qi Baitong lowered her eyelashes, and the strength in her arms was only enough to keep her from falling, but not enough to trap her.

If she grows to dislike him, he should still follow her, right? After all, she promised that if she didn't like him, he could secretly follow her and never show himself in her way; she would be content just to follow him from afar.

Before Gu Shanyue could utter a single word, Qi Baitong had already sadly considered the worst-case scenario and all possible escape routes in his heart.

Gu Shanyue swayed against him, and Qi Baitong's eyes dimmed slightly. Was she leaving?

"I'm going to fall, and you're already out of strength?"

Gu Shanyue wrapped her arm around his shoulder and pinched his ear with her fingers, as affectionate as ever.

Qi Baitong suddenly looked up, his pupils bright and clear. He tightened his arms and pressed her waist tightly into his embrace, his voice hoarse.

"I'm the strongest." I'd like to hold her like this forever.

“Then take me home,” Gu Shanyue pointed forward and patted him on the shoulder with her other hand, like urging a horse on, “Giddy up!”

Qi Baitong laughed, her tense body relaxed, and she ran in the direction she pointed, her arms steadily supporting her.

"Understood!"

After walking through the bamboo forest, a small bamboo house and courtyard suddenly appeared before us. It was Gu Shanyue's courtyard, with the words "Moonlight and Jade Purity" written on the gate.

Gu Shanyue pointed to the plaque and said, "This is my senior sister's calligraphy. I used to live with her, and the name 'Moon Bright Jade Pure' was also given to me by my senior sister. 'Moon' is me, and 'Jade' is her."

Looking at the plaque bearing the marks of time, Qi Baitong said sincerely, "It's very well written, grand and elegant, and the name is also excellent, fresh and clear."

Gu Shanyue listened with pleasure and rubbed his face contentedly.

The bamboo house courtyard had been carefully cleaned, simple and tidy. Candles were lit inside, and a table of food was laid out. Qi Baitong glanced at it and found that several of the dishes were just to Gu Shanyue's liking.

It seems that Lu Ya gave the instructions specifically.

"Let's eat, I'm hungry."

Gu Shanyue nimbly jumped off him, washed her hands and face, and the two sat down to eat. In the evening, the sound of bamboo leaves was like the sound of waves, which was very pleasant.

During the meal, Gu Shanyue didn't introduce the food much. She didn't care much about most trivial matters. Qi Baitong had something on her mind, so she ate the meal quite quietly.

When they had almost finished eating, Gu Shanyue suddenly spoke up: "This trip wasn't just to come back and see my senior sister. After the ceremony, I'll take you to Hundred Flowers Butterfly Valley to find the Valley Master. There will be a way to deal with the Gu worms in your body."

Qi Baitong raised his eyes, his gaze flickering slightly.

Although Gu Shanyue did not show any disgust after he told him frankly, the Gu worm was still a shadow that he could not shake off.

He used to be all alone, never caring about life or death, so naturally he didn't care about this Gu worm. If it wanted his life, so be it; it wasn't anything important anyway.

But things are different now. Gu Shanyue is in this world, how could he possibly die? Even if he can only eke out a living, he must live on and stay by her side.

Over the years, this intractable Gu worm finally transformed into a colossal beast that he feared.

Moreover, as long as the Gu worm is still there, he cannot be with Gu Shanyue... He is afraid that Gu Shanyue will think he is incompetent, afraid that Gu Shanyue will find someone else, and even more afraid that Gu Shanyue will abandon him because of this.

All her sorrows were hidden deep in her heart; Gu Shanyue's eyes were as clear as crystal, which he thought she was unaware of.

So, she could see his heart too?

"But... what if... even the Valley Master can't eradicate the Gu worms?" After a moment of silence, Qi Baitong finally asked the question.

If this needle-threading gu were truly to accompany him for the rest of his life, the thought of it filled him with panic, not for his own fleeting life, but for the fear that Gu Shanyue's eyes would no longer hold him.

“He will find a way. If he really can’t cure you,” Gu Shanyue frowned, then joked, “I will give you a proper burial.”

Qi Baitong pursed her lips and nodded gently: "Bury me in Zhuoguang Mountain too, I want to be closer to you."

Gu Shanyue frowned slightly. She had spoken casually, but he spoke as if he were really about to die and making his final arrangements.

She didn't really like hearing that.

Qi Baitong looked at her. Was she unhappy about his possible departure?

The panic and unease in her heart gradually subsided, and a sense of strength filled her heart. If death could make her remember him, perhaps that would be good too.

Qi Baitong smiled gently, stroking her cheek and comforting her, "I was just joking. Wanhua Die Valley is famous throughout the world. The Valley Master will definitely have a way to cure me, and I will definitely stay with you for a very long time. As long as you are willing to let me stay by your side."

Hearing this, Gu Shanyue's brows relaxed, and she hummed like a child, "That's right."

Qi Baitong still smiled and mimicked her tone, saying, "Yes, that's right."

Gu Shanyue put down her rice bowl and said, "I'm full."

"Are you full?" Qi Baitong put his arm around her and patted her stomach. "Looks like you've eaten. Did you enjoy the food?"

Gu Shanyue nodded and said lazily, "Of course, this was prepared by Lu Ya."

Hearing this name again from Gu Shanyue's mouth, Qi Baitong's eyebrows twitched and then furrowed slightly.

"He is also your disciple, and I am also your disciple, but he entered the sect earlier than me. Should I call him senior brother?" he asked slowly, his voice deep and gentle.

"Hmm?" Gu Shanyue hadn't thought about this question, but quickly gave an answer, "You can call out if you want, or you can not."

She was always easygoing, but Qi Baitong wasn't satisfied with that answer. He continued, "If I don't call out, will Lu Ya be angry and think I'm ill-mannered?"

Gu Shanyue thought about it for a moment with doubt: "Really? Lu Ya is quite well-behaved too."

“…He’s quite well-behaved,” Qi Baitong repeated, enunciating each word clearly, her voice low. “Is he as well-behaved as I am?”

“He…” Gu Shanyue suddenly understood what he meant and pinched his cheek with amusement, “He is different from you.”

"Is he the better behaved, or am I the better behaved?"

Qi Baitong rarely persisted like this. Perhaps it was because Gu Shanyue had said so many sweet words to him tonight, making him feel as sweet and secure as if he were soaking in a honey pot, that he finally revealed some of the dark thoughts in his heart that he never showed to anyone.

"Hmm..." Gu Shanyue blinked, seeing the undisguised nervousness in his eyes, his fingers clenched so tightly they turned white. She smiled at him, patted his head, and coaxed him like a puppy, "Of course you're the good one."

Qi Baitong felt a great weight lifted from his shoulders and a smile appeared on his face.

Even though so many people surround her and covet her, he is different.

Lu Ya is different from him; he's the more obedient one.

Lu Ya was just an ordinary disciple who benefited from the light of Wushan Jade; he was the most obedient one.

Lu Ya is nothing special; he was just lucky to meet Gu Shanyue first. He is the one Gu Shanyue personally told to be good.

After repeating the mantra several times in his heart, Qi Baitong calmed down, and his smile became more genuine.

After the meal, Qi Baitong cleared the table. Even though it was his first day and he was still considered a guest, Gu Shanyue didn't treat him like one at all. She sat with her legs crossed, watching him busy himself, and even ordered, "I'm thirsty."

Qi Baitong poured her water and tidied the table before she had a chance to properly look at the house where Gu Shanyue had once lived.

The main hall was simply furnished, and the tables and chairs were old objects that had been weathered by time. Even the teacup that Gu Shanyue was using had a small chip.

She was a person who cherished old feelings even more than he had imagined.

Gu Shanyue didn't show him around the house. Instead, after drinking tea, he wandered around the courtyard with great interest.

Qi Baitong stood up and silently followed beside her.

There is a lush osmanthus tree in the yard. In late autumn, the osmanthus flowers fall to the ground, leaving only a few small yellow flowers among the dark green leaves, like sparse stars.

“The osmanthus blossoms have fallen. Before they fell, my senior sister would pick osmanthus blossoms to make flower tea and pastries,” Gu Shanyue sniffed, then turned back to Qi Baitong and smiled, a hint of melancholy on her face, “Your senior sister’s skills are even better than yours.”

Qi Baitong took a breath; the slightly chilly autumn air carried the sweet fragrance of osmanthus. He said gently, "You've remembered it for so many years, it must be incredibly delicious."

"certainly."

Gu Shanyue ran her fingers over the bamboo fence and the bamboo poles in the corner, her voice filled with nostalgia.

“My senior sister and I used to go fishing in the pond behind the mountain. She could sit still and fish for an entire afternoon. I was young then and would always cause trouble and scare away the fish that were about to take the bait, but my senior sister never got angry with me. She had a very, very good temper.”

Qi Baitong listened attentively, his gaze falling on the two dusty fishing rods in front of him. Suddenly, he suggested, "I've never fished before. If you're interested after the memorial service tomorrow, how about taking me fishing?"

“Okay,” Gu Shanyue immediately agreed, the faint melancholy in her eyes vanishing, replaced by excitement. “Then we need to prepare the bait in advance, and we also need to change the fishing line…”

Qi Baitong listened with a smile, and after she finished speaking at length, he said gently, "Don't worry, I'll prepare."

Turning the corner of the courtyard, the crescent moon hung high in the sky. Gu Shanyue's excitement subsided a bit, and she yawned, "I'm sleepy."

Qi Baitong said, "Then go to sleep. You've been traveling for so many days, you need to rest and recharge."

Gu Shanyue nodded, turned and walked into the house, but halfway there she remembered Qi Baitong, turned back and waved to him: "You sleep with me."

Qi Baitong was taken aback and asked, "Aren't there any guest rooms in the courtyard?"

Although he longed to be close to Gu Shanyue, his youthful body was easily aroused, and once discovered, he would be toyed with by her.

He was hopeful, but also wanted to hide it, not to show so much of his vulnerability in front of her.

"This is my courtyard, where are the guests?" Gu Shanyue asked, puzzled. She pointed to the small house next to her. "There are only three rooms and three beds. One for my senior sister, one for me, and one for Yu'er. If you don't sleep with me, are you going to sleep in Yu'er's bed?"

After saying that, Gu Shanyue thought for a moment and said, "It's not impossible, as long as he doesn't find out." Otherwise, there will definitely be a huge uproar.

Qi Baitong felt a chill run down her spine upon hearing this and immediately said, "I'll sleep with you."