Chapter 20 If Scars Can Be Engraved in the Bone "Sister, are you happy tonight?"...
"Want to go to the theater?" Li Yaoguang asked, leaning close to Gu Shanyue.
Gu Shanyue glanced at the table full of sliced fruits and pastries: "Let's talk about it later."
"Okay." Li Yaoguang lay back down.
The two chatted casually, when Qi Baitong, who had his back to them, immediately stood up and started working like a spinning top, bringing over a plate of shelled pine nuts, refilling their teacups, and then a few books...
Li Yaoguang lay there, spitting out sunflower seed shells: "Have you always had such a leisurely life?"
Gu Shanyue squinted, feeling drowsy from Li Yaoguang's chatter.
"More or less."
Because Qi Baitong served him so attentively, to the point of being impenetrable, Li Yaoguang even forgot to mention the opera house again. He chatted with Gu Shanyue for most of the day, eating, drinking, and sleeping, and only left at dusk.
As soon as she left, Gu Shanyue fell asleep.
Gu Shanyue rarely entertained his friends, and it really took a lot of effort.
She nestled in the recliner, gently enveloped by the warm yellow light of dusk. Qi Baitong, who had been busy all day and barely stopped, paused, then walked over as if bewitched, sat down beside her, and quietly gazed at her sleeping face.
Her face was serene and beautiful, and her lips were a pale pink, like a cluster of sleeping orchids in a quiet valley.
Suddenly, she frowned.
Qi Baitong noticed the small insects flying around and shooed them away with light and quick movements.
Gu Shanyue's brows slowly relaxed.
When she opened her eyes, night had fallen. There were no lights in the courtyard. Qi Baitong sat beside her, waving his hand to shoo away the mosquitoes that flew in.
Why aren't the lights on?
"You've had a long day and finally got some rest. I don't want to disturb you."
Qi Baitong brought over some tea, and Gu Shanyue took a sip from his hand to moisten her throat.
"Are you hungry? I'll go cook something," Qi Baitong asked.
Gu Shanyue felt around for a moment, then shook her head: "Not hungry."
After a short nap, she was full of energy, and her hands felt itchy as soon as she touched the Immaculate Sword Sheath.
Gu Shanyue pushed aside Qi Baitong, drew his sword and leaped up. The long sword was drawn like flowing water, each move light and agile as the wind, each sound piercing the air. The sword was so fast that it was like an eagle chasing a bird, leaving only afterimages.
Qi Baitong held the rim of the bowl, gazing intently.
With a "whoosh," a leaf flew over and fell into the bowl.
Qi Baitong looked up and met Gu Shanyue turning around, his sword tip shooting down like a cold star.
Her black hair flew in the wind, and the corners of her mouth curled up: "Draw your sword!"
Qi Baitong's heart skipped a beat, and he slapped his knife to meet her sword strike.
Swords clashed, and a buzzing sound arose.
Gu Shanyue's movements were agile and nimble, like plucking leaves from a forest. The power of his sword light was even more swift than a flying spring, and he could control it with ease.
Qi Baitong stood firmly, his swordsmanship simple and ancient, his momentum in meeting the attack was like a rock landing, he did not retreat an inch.
Gu Shanyue sensed something was amiss. The sword light flashed like a cold glint, and Qi Baitong could hardly see where the afterimage was or where the sword tip was.
Qi Baitong retreated three steps to dodge. His knife was not as fast as Gu Shanyue's sword, but the momentum of his knife was heavier and more imposing than that of his sword.
Gu Shanyue did not harm him, but instead exchanged blows with him.
Qi Baitong noticed that Gu Shanyue's longsword was intentionally avoiding his body.
It doesn't really matter if you get stabbed.
He had so many wounds on his body, each one ugly and gruesome.
But if Gu Shanyue were to leave him with a sword wound, just thinking about it would warm his heart.
That wound will remain on his body forever; he will live the rest of his life with it, and die with it. If only the scar could be etched into his bone, then even as it rots, it would still be with him.
Gu Shanyue struck his longsword against his blade, the tip of the sword turning like a nimble snake, barely slicing through the fabric covering his chest.
"You were distracted while I was exchanging blows?"
Qi Baitong pressed his palm against the torn fabric on his chest, his heart pounding, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes.
Gu Shanyue: "Again!"
The two grappled together, flitting about in the small courtyard like two butterflies.
Qi Baitong always wore a smile. He didn't know how many people in this world could fight Gu Shanyue with their swords.
But at this moment, she saw him.
Gu Shanyue spun around, stepped on the wall with his toes, and leaped down towards Qi Baitong. Qi Baitong raised his sword to meet him, but there was no sound of swords clashing.
He saw Gu Shanyue, who had been staring at him, turn her head away, and a voice called "Sister" sounded behind him.
Gu Shanyue sheathed her sword and landed on the ground, her flowing robes falling down. Despite the fight, she remained calm, her face neither flushed nor out of breath.
"Yu'er?"
Qi Baitong remained in the posture of raising her knife to meet the attack.
Gu Shanyue's gaze fell behind him, and she didn't look at him again.
A figure strolled out, passed him, and came to stand in front of Gu Shanyue.
"Sister, why are you practicing swordsmanship so late at night?" Li Yuheng asked, glancing at Qi Baitong. "Is your practice enjoyable, sister? Lord Qi is skilled with a knife, perhaps I should find a swordsman to accompany you in your practice?"
Qi Baitong's body stiffened slightly, and his usually lowered gaze couldn't help but lift up to look at Gu Shanyue.
Gu Shanyue neither agreed nor disagreed with his suggestion, but simply twirled his sword and sheathed it.
"You can practice whenever you want? Are you all better now?"
Gu Shanyue placed her hand on Li Yuheng's shoulder and pinched it. Li Yuheng didn't flinch and said with a smile, "It tickles."
"Your health is still a bit weak; you should rest more." Gu Shanyue withdrew her hand.
Li Yuheng took Gu Shanyue's withdrawn hand and said, "Sister, don't worry about me."
Gu Shanyue let him lead her, frowning as she said, "I'm too lazy to worry. It's all because you're always sick. I'm afraid you'll kick the bucket in the blink of an eye."
Li Yuheng laughed out loud, his voice as gentle as jade: "Where would such a thing be?"
Gu Shanyue scoffed but didn't say anything.
Li Yuheng suddenly changed the subject and brought up another matter.
"I heard from the people in the manor that Yaoguang came today and stayed for most of the day before leaving. I didn't know that you and she were so close?"
"I happened to be there while watching a play."
“Yaoguang does indeed frequent brothels and brothels, sister, please don’t follow her bad example.” Li Yuheng said this with an air of seriousness, but a smile was gleaming in her eyes.
"You think you can control everything, especially not me?"
Gu Shanyue flicked his finger on Li Yuheng's forehead, and Li Yuheng pretended to be in pain, crying out "Ouch!" and covering his forehead: "No, no!"
Gu Shanyue gave a soft hum, a smile playing on his lips.
When he was young, Li Yuheng loved to act cute and obedient. Now that he's grown up, he still acts like a child.
“I’m worried about you. Those places are frequented by all sorts of shady characters. I’m afraid you’ll get hurt.” Li Yuheng rubbed his forehead, speaking with earnest concern.
"Suffer a loss? I don't know who suffers a loss if I'm the one who runs into you," Gu Shanyue said nonchalantly, even with a hint of disdain. "This tiny place, Shengjing, has made you more and more timid."
Having roamed the martial world for many years, she was always the one feared by others; she would never listen to Li Yuheng's words.
Li Yuheng raised an eyebrow: "With my older sister protecting me, am I not allowed to be timid?"
“How can others protect you? You have to protect yourself. It’s a pity that you…” Gu Shanyue’s words suddenly stopped.
Unfortunately, Li Yuheng was poisoned at a young age, which damaged his physical constitution. He had no interest in swordsmanship and only wanted to be the crown prince.
Otherwise, wouldn't it be better for Gu Shanyue to teach him the Zhuoguang Sword Technique and take him to wander the world than to spend his whole life in this cramped Shengjing?
What a pity, my senior sister wasted half her life in this deep palace.
Li Yuheng will be the same.
Upon seeing Gu Shanyue's expression, Li Yuheng knew what she meant by "not saying anything more."
He was born a prince, how could he be content to be just a commoner in the martial arts world?
"Sister is right. I also practice swordsmanship to keep my body healthy. Sister, could you give me some pointers?" He casually changed the subject, drew his sword from his waist, struck a sword pose, and said with a smile, "Sister?"
"It's perfect for me to see if you've been slacking off lately."
Gu Shanyue also became interested and drew his sword to fight.
Even when she slowed down, Li Yuheng was still somewhat flustered when he met her sword, and he retreated step by step.
Gu Shanyue clicked her tongue: "You come and attack me."
Li Yuheng immediately drew his sword and rushed forward. When he was young, Gu Shanyue never hesitated to teach him swordsmanship, but he only learned the basics, and his skills were similar in form but not in spirit.
While parrying, Gu Shanyue instructed him, the blade of his longsword striking various joints on his body.
"Waist turn, hands move like swords, upper arms exert force, chest expands, breathing steady..."
The two got closer and closer, and in the end, it was no longer a matter of exchanging blows, but rather Gu Shanyue teaching Li Yuheng how to practice swordsmanship.
She was like a strict teacher, yet incredibly patient.
"Sister, my arm is sore..."
Li Yuheng turned around and saw Gu Shanyue's scattered hair. Li Yuheng tilted his head and leaned on Gu Shanyue's shoulder.
Gu Shanyue glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, sneered, and pinched his waist without any mercy.
Li Yuheng jumped up with a "whoosh," his eyes filled with sorrow: "Sister..."
“You asked me to give you pointers, so don’t expect me to let you off easily today,” Gu Shanyue slapped his bent arm. “Straighten it.”
"I'm hungry..."
"Eat after you finish training."
"Sister, I feel dizzy..."
"Try fainting and I'll see. The moment you faint, I'll strip you naked and throw you up a mountain, and see if you wake up."
"...I think I'm not dizzy anymore."
"Oh."
In the end, Gu Shanyue stood directly behind Li Yuheng, grasped his wrist, and guided him to change his sword moves.
She couldn't see Li Yuheng's expression. Although Li Yuheng made various excuses, his face showed a pleasant sense of satisfaction as he bickered with her.
Only by Gu Shanyue's side could he be the simplest, most ordinary, and even willful young man.
Under the hazy moonlight, the hems of their clothes swirled and fell, intertwining like twin flowers.
Qi Baitong stood in the corner, sword in hand, quietly watching them.
At first, Li Yuheng would glance at him from time to time, his eyes filled with warning, but soon Li Yuheng forgot about Qi Baitong's existence.
Gu Shanyue didn't even glance at him again.
Qi Baitong suddenly felt that even if Li Yuheng's words were like sharp knives stabbing him, he would rather Li Yuheng treat him as if he were facing a formidable enemy.
Li Yuheng's sense of crisis made him feel that perhaps he was also somewhat important to Gu Shanyue.
In reality, he could only stand in the shadows.
Gu Shanyue came to Shengjing because of Li Yuheng. Gu Shanyue stayed in Shengjing even more so because of Li Yuheng.
Qi Baitong realized once again that Li Yuheng was different from everyone else to Gu Shanyue.
Li Yuheng was joking at first, and Gu Shanyue knew he was joking. After practicing for about half an hour, Li Yuheng's face was flushed and he was sweating profusely, panting heavily, and his arms were weak.
Gu Shanyue immediately realized that he was exhausted. Before Li Yuheng could speak, she took the sword from his hand and shoved it back into its sheath at his waist.
Li Yuheng lost his footing due to her movements, but Gu Shanyue stretched out her arm and caught his swaying body.
Li Yuheng's fair face was flushed and covered with a thin layer of sweat: "I haven't practiced swordsmanship for too long, you must be laughing at me."
Gu Shanyue sighed silently, then called out loudly, "Bai Yan!"
Bai Yan immediately stepped in and helped Li Yuheng from Gu Shanyue's arms.
Li Yuheng opened his mouth to speak again, but Gu Shanyue pinched his cheek and said, "Alright, it's chilly at night. Go back and take a hot bath, or you'll get sick again."
Li Yuheng smiled helplessly, his brows showing signs of fatigue, but his rosy, sweaty face had regained its color, making him appear much healthier.
"I understand," Li Yuheng said, then gently tugged at Gu Shanyue's sleeve. "Did you have a good time tonight, sister?"
Gu Shanyue paused for a moment, then nodded and said, "Happy."
Li Yuheng's lips curved into a smile, revealing the sharp tip of his canine tooth: "As long as you're happy, then I'll head back."
"Go back quickly," Gu Shanyue added to Bai Yan's instructions, "Remember to massage his hands and feet, otherwise he'll definitely be sore when he wakes up tomorrow."
Bai Yan lowered his head: "Yes."
Supported by Bai Yan, Li Yuheng left the brightly lit courtyard and walked into the deep night.
Gu Shanyue watched his retreating figure, recalling his words from earlier.
She enjoyed watching him practice swordsmanship, partly because of her senior sister, and partly because she wanted him to exercise more and live longer.
It turns out he knew everything.
Did he come here specifically to make her happy?
Gu Shanyue stood at the door for a while, then turned around and saw Qi Baitong standing in the center of the courtyard, holding a knife and with his face down.
A note from the author:
The nutrient solution level has exceeded 1000! Thank you everyone for watering it! [doge emoji with rose in hand] Kisses
Feifei has decided that, starting today, this story will officially enter a daily update phase! [glasses]
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