Chapter 220
At dawn, lanterns were lit in the plum garden. The spring flowers had not yet awakened, but Ji Wanshu had already risen.
The long table in the pavilion was piled with folded documents of all sizes. Ji Wanshu washed his face with cold water and drank two cups of strong tea to refresh himself. He sat at the table with a tired expression, exuding a low pressure that could not be ignored.
The disciples stood at a distance, engrossed in their tasks, except for Lu Huaiwei, who dared to chat and laugh with Ji Wanshu. She organized the reports, categorizing them and then explained to Ji Wanshu one by one: "This stack contains the expenditures of the major cities after the start of spring, this stack contains the profits of shops in various places after the start of spring, these in your hand are the compensation funds spent on the people in the city and the deceased disciples in the palace, and this in my hand is the budget for rebuilding Mingguang Hall. Let's not worry about anything else today, let's get the accounts sorted out first. Although the disciples have already calculated them, you still need to review them to see if there are any omissions."
Ji Wanshu was overwhelmed and didn't know where to begin. Looking up, she saw that the disciples were all very respectful, each moving with extreme care, as if afraid of disturbing someone. Ji Wanshu frowned and asked, "Why do you all look so timid? Who reprimanded them?"
Lu Huaiwei glanced at her disciples, smiled, and said, "Isn't it true that no one reprimanded them? Aren't they all afraid of you?"
"Me?" Ji Wanshu asked, puzzled. "I didn't insult anyone, why are you afraid of me?"
“There are few people in the palace who are not afraid of you,” Lu Huaiwei said. “Before you criticize others, you should take a look at yourself. Did you not look in the mirror before you went out? Your face looks terrible.”
Ji Wanshu fell silent for a moment, touched her face, looked down at her reflection in the teacup, and said, "Is there?"
“Yes,” Lu Huaiwei said, “it’s like someone owes you money. If I didn’t know your personality, I would have suspected that you were in a bad mood.”
Since Xie Yijun's death, Ji Wanshu naturally took over all the affairs of the sect leader. These past few days, she's been working from dawn till dusk, so busy she hasn't had time to eat or rest. Unlike Lu Huaiwei, who always had a smile on her face, she was so focused on her work that she rarely smiled, making her appear even more serious and somewhat cold, which made the disciples even more afraid of her than before.
“You’ve really wronged me,” Ji Wanshu sighed, picked up a file and started working on the abacus. “I just haven’t slept well. There are so many things to do, and I’m too busy to even think about how to care about other people’s feelings. I can’t just smile at everyone I see, can I? Wouldn’t that just make people even more confused?”
Lu Huaiwei imagined the scene and chuckled, "That's true. You've always been known as the cold-faced devil in the palace. If you suddenly start smiling at everyone, don't scare your disciples."
Ji Wan gave her a cold look, then felt a pang of resentment: "I used to always see the sect leader busy with this and that, but I didn't know what she was busy with. I even thought she was just busy doing nothing. Now that I'm doing things myself, I realize that there are just too many things to do in the palace. There's no such thing as being busy doing nothing."
Lu Huaiwei sighed, "Who says otherwise? Putting everything else aside, the sect leader was indeed conscientious and responsible during her many years in office, and there wasn't a single fault to be found. Now that she's gone, all these responsibilities have fallen on your shoulders, Senior Sister. You must learn all her good qualities. Didn't the sect leader guide you for a while before the New Year? I see that you've been handling things quite well these days, without being too flustered. Just take it slow. I'm here to help you, aren't I? Besides, Uncle Wen often comes to lend a hand. Just keep a good mindset. Don't be too hasty in everything. As long as you remain patient and calm in everything you do, you'll achieve twice the result with half the effort."
Ji Wanshu used to be hot-tempered and decisive in everything she did. After experiencing so many things, she gradually calmed down and became much more composed than before. However, a person's style of doing things cannot be completely changed overnight. Ji Wanshu knew that she had a long way to go and heavy responsibilities, so she had been trying to adjust and restrain herself, striving to be hardworking and conscientious, unlike before when she would get annoyed and want to quit after sitting for a while. By setting an example, she set a good example, and the disciples in the palace had a pillar of support. The atmosphere gradually calmed down, and people were no longer so anxious.
With Lu Huaiwei accompanying them, the accounts were settled quickly, and the two had approved all the reports by noon. Ji Wanshu was exhausted, her back aching, so she called a few disciples to practice in the training ground for half an hour to stretch her muscles before she felt a little better. When she returned to her courtyard, Wen Chaoyu was still fast asleep in her room. The sunlight made the room very bright, a little dazzling. Ji Wanshu drew the curtains, sat by the couch and watched Wen Chaoyu for a while, then signaled the disciples who came to deliver her food not to make any noise. After everyone had left, she went to her study to continue her official duties without waking Wen Chaoyu.
Perhaps she was too tired recently, Ji Wanshu fell asleep on the table after reading for a short while. When she woke up again, the sun outside the window had already slanted to one side. Wen Chaoyu had come to the study at some point and was sitting next to her, holding a book and reading it, with a half-eaten green date in her mouth.
Ji Wanshu immediately sat up, feeling dizzy and ravenously hungry. Wen Chaoyu glanced at her with a smile and said, "Oh, the busy person is awake?"
"When did you get up?" Ji Wanshu rubbed her temples, leaning back in her chair with a deep frown.
“It’s been a while,” Wen Chaoyu said, helping her to her feet. “I wanted to carry you to bed, but I’m missing an arm and it’s inconvenient for me. I tried and couldn’t carry you, and I didn’t want to wake you. I’m starving. Let’s eat first, and then I can take a nap.”
Ji Wanshu said, "There's no way to make up for it. I have a lot of things to do this afternoon, so I can't sleep."
Wen Chaoyu summoned his attendant to reheat the food, poured a glass of wine and handed it to Ji Wanshu, saying, "There's no such thing as a complete task. Take it one step at a time and don't push yourself too hard."
“Everyone can sleep in, but I can’t,” Ji Wanshu pushed the wine glass back. “I can’t drink either, I can’t hold my liquor.”
The table was so big, yet the two of them insisted on squeezing in one spot. Since losing her right hand, Wen Chaoyu was left-handed, and she loved to sit to Ji Wanshu's right. Every time they ate, their chopsticks would clash. Ji Wanshu would pick up food, but before she could even put it in her mouth, Wen Chaoyu would bump into her, spilling food all over the table. This happened several times, but Ji Wanshu not only didn't get angry, nor did she ask Wen Chaoyu to move to her left. Instead, she was very patient, waiting for Wen Chaoyu to pick up food before reaching out her hand, but instead of giving the food to herself, she would put it in Wen Chaoyu's bowl.
Yesterday, Ji Wanshu read memorials until midnight, and Wen Chaoyu stayed up with her until the same time. This morning, Ji Wanshu got up before dawn, while Wen Chaoyu slept soundly until noon, getting a good night's rest. Looking at Ji Wanshu with droopy eyelids, appearing listless yet forcing herself not to fall asleep, Wen Chaoyu felt a pang of sympathy mixed with amusement. Wen Chaoyu said, "I haven't seen you drink much. How much can you drink?"
Ji Wanshu picked at her food, clearly very hungry but with no appetite. After thinking for a moment, she said, "I don't know, I haven't really drunk any."
Wen Chaoyu laughed: "There are people who drink alcohol seriously? My wine doesn't make you drunk. In fact, it makes you feel refreshed and energetic, and you'll have the energy to do everything. Want to try some?"
Ji Wanshu obediently drank the wine. Wen Chaoyu watched as two blushes appeared on her face and couldn't help but laugh loudly, "Interesting, you can't drink wine. I didn't know that before. Let's have another one."
"Knowing I can't drink, you still tried to persuade me," Ji Wanshu was already very sleepy, and after drinking, she felt even more dizzy. "I'm not drinking anymore. I have important business to attend to this afternoon and can't let it interfere with my work."
"What's there to be afraid of?" Wen Chaoyu said dismissively. "Not everyone in this palace is dead, is they? There's nothing wrong with doing everything yourself, but there's no need for it. If you're going to be the sect leader in the future, you'll have to learn how to manage your subordinates effectively. You'll need to know what to do yourself and what to delegate. That's a skill. What's the use of being anxious?"
Ji Wanshu said, "Of course I know that, but one must be down-to-earth in everything one does. Everything is difficult at the beginning, but the beginning is often the time when you can accumulate the most experience. It is not that I cannot be lazy at this moment, but that will not help me. I should do what I can do myself. Day after day, I will become skilled through practice. In the future, I will know the importance and urgency of things and be able to do things in a good manner."
“I know that,” Wen Chaoyu said, looking at her. “But lately you haven’t been able to get more than two hours of sleep a night. What if your health collapses if you keep pushing yourself like this?”
Ji Wanshu said, "There's nothing we can do about it. We'll just have to endure it for now. Things will get better once we get through this period."
Wen Chaoyu glanced at her, then suddenly stood up and said, "You continue eating, I'll be right back."
Ji Wanshu looked puzzled. Wen Chaoyu gave her a smile, then pushed open the door and went out. After Ji Wanshu finished eating, Wen Chaoyu came back and said casually, "I asked Lu Huaiwei. It's not necessary for you to do it personally this afternoon. I'll have her take Bai Ling to do it. You don't need to go anywhere later. Just stay in your room and get a good night's sleep."
Ji Wanshu paused, then hesitated and said, "They're both exhausted too, no less so than me. How can we push all the work onto them?"
“You’re so tired, I can’t bear to see you like this,” Wen Chaoyu said, pulling Ji Wanshu’s hand and helping her sit down on the couch. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on things. Besides, Man Jiangxue is here. Just get some rest and don’t worry about anything else.”
Ji Wanshu let out a long sigh and didn't insist anymore. Wen Chaoyu helped her take off her clothes, and Ji Wanshu collapsed onto the quilt as if all her strength had left her. Wen Chaoyu leaned closer to her and smelled the alcohol on her.
This person clearly hadn't drunk much, but the smell of alcohol in her breath was quite strong. Wen Chaoyu rarely saw Ji Wanshu in such a slightly tipsy state, so she stared at her for a while. After a while, she gently kissed Ji Wanshu's lips. When she straightened up to leave, Ji Wanshu reached out and pulled her back, stuffing Wen Chaoyu into her arms.
"Don't go," Ji Wanshu said softly, her eyes closed. "Where are you going?"
Listening to her heartbeat, Wen Chaoyu said softly, "I'm not going anywhere. I'll stay here with you."
The room was dimly lit, the sunlight blocked by the curtains. Ji Wanshu struggled to open her eyes, pressing Wen Chaoyu's shoulders down to pull her closer to the pillow. Ji Wanshu looked down at her and said, "And what about after that?"
Upon hearing this, Wen Chaoyu raised an eyebrow. After a brief moment of silence, she replied, "It will be the same from now on. Wherever you are, I will be there too."
Upon hearing this, Ji Wanshu involuntarily fell silent for a moment, and whispered, "When you suddenly returned to the palace that day, I didn't ask you any questions." She buried her head in Wen Chaoyu's neck, "Why didn't you go to Cangjun with Nangong Min?"
Wen Chaoyu glanced at her and said, "It's not that I don't want to come, it's that she doesn't want me to come."
Ji Wanshu hesitated for a moment, then asked again, "And what about after that?"
Wen Chaoyu laughed: "I know what you want to say." She raised her hand and tucked a stray strand of hair behind Ji Wanshu's ear, then said, "Actually, we've known each other for so many years, and we used to be inseparable. But ever since the old leader passed away, she suddenly became a different person. We're no longer friends, just the leader and his subordinate. But that day she came to my house, and we... it was the first time in recent years that we opened our hearts and spoke our true feelings. But that doesn't change anything. We're not on the same path, and we can't be together in the end. Since she's willing to let me go and doesn't want me to go back, then I won't force her."
Ji Wanshu said "Oh" and then fell silent.
"Still not at ease?" Wen Chaoyu turned her head to observe Ji Wanshu's face closely. "I may not have many good points, but at least I'm a person of my word, right? I promised to stay with you, and I will never break my promise. Can't you trust me?"
Ji Wanshu remained silent for a long time before finally speaking softly, "It's not that I don't believe you, I just..."
Although she didn't say the second half of her sentence, Wen Chaoyu knew what she was going to say.
Ji Wanshu doesn't have any major flaws, but if she has any minor one, it's that she always speaks in a rambling, disjointed way. She never asks questions properly, leaving the listener to guess what she's trying to say. If someone isn't perceptive enough, it's not easy to decipher what she's trying to say. Wen Chaoyu initially thought this was due to Ji Wanshu's stubborn personality, but as the two spent more time together and became closer than usual, Wen Chaoyu discovered that behind these ambiguous words lay many of Ji Wanshu's hidden emotions.
Her uncertainty, her anxiety, and even, to put it slightly exaggeratedly, her lack of self-confidence.
Almost no one could associate Ji Wanshu with the word "insecurity," which would seem unbelievable to many.
As the chief disciple of Yunhua Palace and now the young sect leader, Ji Wanshu has always given the impression of being decisive, resolute, and strong-willed. No one would believe that Ji Wanshu could have moments of insecurity, and most of the time, with Ji Wanshu around, everyone feels at ease, as if no matter what happens, she can always be the first to rush to the front lines and solve all problems single-handedly. She doesn't smile much and doesn't talk much; she's not the kind of person who can easily mingle with the disciples, but that doesn't prevent her from protecting those who need protection—she simply has that ability.
Ji Wanshu was like this, and so was Manjiangxue.
They are the kind of people who can be relied upon completely, but whose inner softness cannot be easily seen.
However, it is often these kinds of people who need the care and love of certain people the most, and they need even more than others, but they never express it or show weakness.
Warm breath mingled with the scent of wine as it brushed against her neck, quickly moisturizing her skin. After some thought, Wen Chaoyu decided it was time to reassure Ji Wanshu. So, Wen Chaoyu smiled and said, "Alright, Nangong Min and I are old acquaintances. We were like sisters when we were young, and we are still like that now. Although we've inevitably drifted apart a bit due to various reasons, our friendship remains. In short, there's nothing between her and me that you're thinking. I promise you, okay?"
Ji Wanshu squinted, her gaze hazy as she looked at Wen Chaoyu's fair and lustrous earlobe. She leaned over and bit it, saying, "It's not what I was thinking... What was I thinking?"
“You can think whatever you want,” Wen Chaoyu said, her neck tingling, and she moved slightly away. “But please speak properly and don’t resort to physical violence.”
“I didn’t lay a hand on her or kick her,” Ji Wanshu said, pressing close to her and taking her earlobe into her mouth. “I didn’t think about anything.”
The warmth and moisture enveloped her sensitive areas, sending shivers down Wen Chaoyu's spine. She tried to push Ji Wanshu away, but he simply held her tightly in his arms. Wen Chaoyu groaned and teased, "Still being stubborn? You've been jealous for so long, yet you're so concerned about her?"
“Yes,” Ji Wanshu readily admitted, “It’s impossible not to care. You may not have any other feelings for her, but she may not have the same feelings for you.”
"You're overthinking it. Don't get jealous for no reason," Wen Chaoyu struggled but was weak from Ji Wanshu's licking. She blurted out, "If you really can't turn a blind eye, then go find her. I don't mind you two fighting over me. I'm actually happy about it. Who doesn't want to be a hot commodity?"
Ji Wanshu paused, the drowsiness in her mind instantly dissipating after hearing the latter part of her words, and she became wide awake. She snorted coldly and silenced Wen Chaoyu's noisy mouth with a kiss, each kiss carrying a hint of punishment.
Unable to move, Wen Chaoyu was pinned down by Ji Wanshu. The two of them kissed each other, nestled in the soft blankets, as if trying to outdo each other, neither willing to let the other dominate them. What should have been a tender and passionate kiss turned into a contest. However, not long after, Wen Chaoyu felt a chill on her body. In her haste, she glanced down and saw that Ji Wanshu had somehow lifted her clothes, and one hand was still untying the belt around her waist.
Wen Chaoyu's expression immediately changed, "I canceled my official duties for you so you could sleep, not so you could..."
"What about me?" Ji Wanshu interrupted her, her lips sliding down Wen Chaoyu's chin. "Blame your wine. It made me feel refreshed and unable to sleep."
A touch of coolness fell on her chest, then quickly turned to burning heat. Wen Chaoyu couldn't help but shiver, asking incredulously, "You...when did you learn this?"
Ji Wanshu buried his face in the opening of her clothes without expression and said calmly, "Learning has no end, and learning should be applied in practice."
"What nonsense about applying what you've learned!" Wen Chaoyu suddenly flipped over and pinned Ji Wanshu back down. "Who taught you this? How long has it been and you've already figured out how to handle things?"
Ji Wanshu said, "Can't I?" As she spoke, she tried to push Wen Chaoyu back down, but Wen Chaoyu defended herself tightly.
"Who do you think you are?" Wen Chaoyu, disheveled, straddled Ji Wanshu's waist and said provocatively, "Don't think that just because I have a broken hand I can't deal with you. There is an order of seniority. You better lie down obediently."
Ji Wanshu sneered for no reason, and pulled Wen Chaoyu back almost effortlessly. The two switched positions in an instant. Ji Wanshu said, "What nonsense about seniority. I'm going to defy my superiors. What can you do about it?"
"Who gave you permission to swear!" Wen Chaoyu was powerless to resist, so she could only hurl insults at trivial points, "You've gone bad!"
“I learned it all from you,” Ji Wanshu said. “It’s all thanks to your excellent teaching.”
It was one thing to be unable to beat her before, but now she couldn't even win a verbal battle. Wen Chaoyu was shocked to realize that she was losing more and more of the dignity that a master should have in front of Ji Wanshu. Even though she had never had that kind of dignity, the thought that Ji Wanshu was no longer giving in to her even verbally made Wen Chaoyu so angry that she almost fainted.
"Get out of my way! I'm not in the mood to talk to you right now—"
She wanted to say, "I'm not in the mood to do those shameless things with you right now," but Ji Wanshu sealed her lips again, silencing her before she could say anything.
The air warmed, and the aroma of wine wafting between them intensified. The kisses changed, becoming gentler and more patient. Wen Chaoyu involuntarily relaxed, her boisterous shouts replaced by an uncontrollable, turbulent energy. Those hands cradled her, those lips kissed her, tracing every inch of her skin, causing her to utter a sound Ji Wanshu had never heard before, even in the shadows they shared.
They embraced and kissed for a long time, and soon their outer clothes were taken off, and their undergarments were scattered to the side, revealing all their beauty.
Wen Chaoyu rarely got drunk, but at this moment, she seemed suddenly intoxicated. Ji Wanshu leaned over her, his slightly cool hair flowing down from her collarbone to her waist, cascading like water into deeper areas. Wen Chaoyu blushed like a spring peach, trembling at the warm, damp touch. Her mind went blank, and an unusually blinding white light appeared before her eyes, completely disorienting her.
"What...what are you doing?" Wen Chaoyu looked up, stunned by the scene at the end of her vision, and stammered, "I...I haven't even showered, you...you mustn't..."
Ji Wanshu ignored her, gripping Wen Chaoyu's wrists with both hands. Her tongue movements were slightly clumsy, but she quickly found her rhythm. Wen Chaoyu's breathing was heavy, stripped of her remaining strength. She was completely naked; her clothes had unknowingly fallen to the ground, and the blanket lay beneath her, leaving her with nothing to cover herself. In contrast, Ji Wanshu was fully dressed, wrapped up tightly from head to toe, even her hair was perfectly styled.
Even with Wen Chaoyu's usually thick skin, she couldn't help but feel a surge of shame at this moment. Moreover, Ji Wanshu's actions had come so suddenly, catching her completely off guard. Wen Chaoyu felt an unprecedented surge of pleasure and ecstasy. She floated and sank in the water, suffocating countless times, only to catch her breath again and again. Ji Wanshu was both the lifeline supporting her and the water drowning her.
Wen Chaoyu gave up, and was soaked through. She could only free one hand to restrain herself and hold onto Ji Wanshu's hair. After a long period of close contact and caressing, Wen Chaoyu suddenly trembled, letting out a few intermittent low moans. Her whole body went limp in an instant, completely submerged in that deep and warm water.
The lingering waves continued, pounding against her limbs. Wen Chaoyu's breathing was rapid, her eyes glazed. Ji Wanshu, holding her waist, slowly raised her head. She licked her lips, cleaning away the remaining taste. Then she looked at Wen Chaoyu, and in Wen Chaoyu's tearful gaze, she froze for a long time. It was as if she suddenly realized what she had done, and her entire face instantly burned bright red.
"You..." Ji Wanshu looked bewildered, quickly pulled the blanket over Wen Chaoyu, and said in a flustered manner, "Are you alright...?"
Wen Chaoyu was covered in sweat; it was the hottest time of day. She gasped, "...Oh no, take the blanket off! Are you trying to kill me with heat?"
Ji Wanshu threw back the covers, only to be met with a blinding white expanse that made her pull the covers back over herself. Her reaction amused Wen Chaoyu, who said, "Why are you pretending to be so proper now? You've done everything you should, and now you can't even look?"
Ji Wanshu turned her face away, looking slightly embarrassed, and said, "It happened so suddenly, I didn't think that much about it."
"You said it happened suddenly?" Wen Chaoyu was both amused and exasperated. She sat up and put her arms around Ji Wanshu's neck. "I think you've been planning this for a long time."
Up close, the flush on her face hadn't faded, making her look stunning. Ji Wanshu draped her coat over Wen Chaoyu's shoulders, trying her best to remain calm, and said, "No, you were the one who pushed away my official duties, it has nothing to do with me," and then added, "You did it on your own initiative."
"Then who was it that grabbed me and wouldn't let me leave?" Wen Chaoyu's eyes and brows were full of smiles, and even their bickering was full of affection. "If you had listened to me and gone to sleep, none of this would have happened. You're telling me you didn't plan this all along?"
Ji Wanshu immediately retorted, "Who told you to talk nonsense? You want to see Nangong Min and me fighting over you? I can't stand hearing that, I'm angry."
"I was just joking," Wen Chaoyu leaned closer, pressing her lips to Ji Wanshu's, and coaxed her, "Don't be angry anymore?"
Her gaze was full of affection, mixed with laughter, and something else entirely. Ji Wanshu instantly realized that at this moment, she should be the one holding Wen Chaoyu and comforting her. But she lacked experience and had to think one step at a time. She couldn't be like those seasoned lovers who could handle everything perfectly. She was still too young and inexperienced.
Thinking of this, Ji Wanshu took out a silk handkerchief from her bosom, put one arm around Wen Chaoyu's waist, wiped the sweat from her forehead with the other, and returned Wen Chaoyu's kiss. Ji Wanshu wasn't good at coaxing people, nor could she say any sweet words, so she could only convey her feelings to Wen Chaoyu in this way.
She loves her very much and cherishes her. Even if she doesn't do well enough, she still wants to try her best.
At least the moment she saw Wen Chaoyu's smile, she knew that Wen Chaoyu liked it, which proved that she hadn't done anything wrong. As long as Wen Chaoyu liked it, that was all that mattered.
As long as she's happy, that's more important than anything else.
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