Chapter 56 Chapter 56 “It’s done!”
Xie Guijing was stunned for a moment, then took a step back, looking slightly embarrassed. He straightened his posture and whispered, "I'm sorry, young lady."
Chu Yao lowered her eyes and smiled lightly, whispering: "It's okay, the young master is just drunk." As she said that, she wanted to support Xie Guijing, but he raised his hand to refuse.
Xie Guijing lowered his eyelashes, a hint of self-mockery playing across his lips. He said nothing more, only a slight nod, walked around her, and continued walking deeper into the night.
Chu Yao looked at his back, without showing any deep feeling of loss on her face, but a faint smile.
The sun was already high in the sky, its warm rays filtering through the window paper onto the bed. Jiang Ci's eyelashes trembled slightly, and he slowly opened his eyes. His head still felt heavy and aching.
She sat up and rubbed her forehead, feeling a fog in her mind. Her memory of yesterday stopped at the scene of her and Ji Yang dancing in the crowd, and everything after that was a blur.
"Miss, are you awake?" Yin Shuang pushed the door open, holding a basin of warm water. Her tone was light and cheerful, "Everything is packed. This time, we won't be going through Xiling. We'll go directly back to Fengdu. The journey will be much faster."
Jiang Ci half-leaned on the headboard and asked softly, "Is everyone ready?"
Yin Shuang nodded. "Yes. The Dongyang Army, along with Lu Sima and Master Jing, have already set off this morning. The Commander-in-Chief stayed behind with a small group, saying they would wait until you woke up before setting off. Half a day wouldn't be a big deal."
Jiang Ci was startled when she heard this, and her heart warmed quietly. She whispered, "He... actually waited for me."
"You were pretty drunk last night." Yin Shuang smiled and helped her up. "Hurry up and wash up, then you can leave."
Jiang Ci changed into traveling clothes and walked out of the county magistrate's mansion with Yin Shuang, Wan Niang and Chu Yao.
In front of the palace, the Dongyang army was already assembled and ready to march. Ji Yang was astride his horse, his figure erect and straight, wearing the very dress she had sewn herself. The fabric was crisp, and the double tiger head pattern on his shoulders was faintly visible in the morning light.
Jiang Ci looked up at him, and his eyes met Ji Yang's.
He seemed stunned for a moment, then turned his head away unnaturally, coughed lightly, and said in his usual cold tone: "Get ready to go."
Jiang Ci boarded the carriage and parted the curtain. She saw Ji Yang riding alongside, his expression as calm as ever, yet for some reason a little awkward. Puzzled, she whispered to Wan Niang, "What's wrong with Ji Yang?"
Wanniang smiled and looked at her meaningfully: "Miss, you don't remember anything about last night?"
Jiang Ci shook his head, frowning as he thought, "I only remember...we were dancing and someone toasted me. I seem to have forgotten everything that happened after that."
Outside the carriage, Ji Yang heard it with sharp ears, paused with his fingertips, lowered his head and sighed softly.
Fortunately, she doesn't remember anything.
After they set out, the mountain path was sparsely traveled, and the road was quiet and cool. In the evening, the sky darkened slightly, and the afterglow of the setting sun cast a shadow on the mountain road, casting swaying shadows on the pines.
Ji Yang rode ahead and suddenly turned back and said, "On our way back to Fengdu, we'll pass by Yuequan Villa. It's a hot spring inn in the mountains. If we hurry, we'll arrive tonight, which is perfect for a rest."
Jiang Ci lifted the carriage curtain and looked at him: "Hot spring?"
Ji Yang nodded. "This villa has been open for decades. The spring water is drawn from the belly of the mountain. It is clear, moist and mild. You have a cold body. The doctor said that taking a bath would be good for your health."
After saying this, he lightly squeezed the horse's belly and urged it forward.
Jiang Ci was stunned for a moment, then smiled and lifted the curtain. Yin Shuang looked at her and said with a smile, "The governor is so considerate."
An hour later, the last glimmer of twilight faded from the horizon, and the group finally reached Yuequan Villa on the mountainside after winding its way through the winding mountain road. Built into the rock, with its eaves rising high, the villa was lit, and mist swirled from all around, creating a fairyland on earth.
When Jiang Ci got off the car, Ji Yang was already waiting at the door of the inn. He held a wooden sign in his hand and handed her the key: "This is the key to your room."
Several waiters responded and came forward to lead them in, introducing them as they walked in: "Our hot spring pools are all private, and we don't bathe with others. Ladies, don't worry."
Jiang Ci smiled and said, "I've never been to a hot spring in Zichuan before, but today I can really experience it. You guys should try it too."
Yin Shuang and Wan Niang were both happy, and Chu Yao also nodded in agreement, with joy in her eyes.
The guest rooms were arranged properly. Jiang Ci and Ji Yang's rooms were located above, two adjacent upper rooms, while several attendants lived in the ordinary guesthouse below. Wan Niang smiled and said, "Miss, I will serve you. It would be nice for the two girls to go and have a bath."
After Yin Shuang and Chu Yao left, Jiang Ci rested in the house. About a cup of tea later, there was a light knock at the door. Wan Niang went to open the door and saw that it was the waiter who had brought in some snacks and fruit. He said that the master next door had asked the kitchen to prepare them and sent them to the lady to fill her stomach.
Jiang Ci tasted a piece of iced pear cake. It was sweet and cool, and melted in his mouth. He couldn't help but praise it: "This pastry is really well made."
Wanniang smiled as she untied her hair and helped her change into the thin clothes the inn had prepared. They were as light as a cicada's wing and slipped on her body almost silently. Jiang Ci looked down, his face slightly hot. "Isn't this... a little too thin?"
Wanniang said, "Although this dress is thin, it is specially made by the villa. It is made of water yarn and is breathable and comfortable to wear. Miss, please don't think it is too see-through."
"The girl doesn't need to see anyone, and there's no one in the backyard. Just change back after you're done soaking."
Jiang Ci looked down and although he felt lonely, he didn't say anything else. He just responded softly, then walked barefoot through the bedroom and pushed the door open to leave.
The backyard is surrounded by a bamboo fence and paved with stone slabs. The pool is shrouded in mist, with lush pines and cypresses by the pool, and the breeze carries the scent of the mountains.
She stepped barefoot into the hot spring, testing the water with her hand. Finding it just the right temperature, she slowly sank in. The warm water flowed over her shoulders, soothing the fatigue from the journey.
After an unknown amount of time, there was a sudden sound on the water surface, and a figure emerged from the fog in the distance.
Jiang Ci's heart tightened, and he whispered, "Who's there?"
Ji Yang was also stunned. He heard Jiang Ci's voice, which came through the mist and replied, "It's me."
It’s Ji Yang.
He was already half submerged in the water, his hair tied up high, his figure blurred by the mist. He paused, his tone barely concealing his embarrassment: "Why are you here?"
Jiang Ci put his hands over his chest, a trace of annoyance on his face. Then he remembered that they lived in adjacent rooms and that the backyard hot springs were connected. Asking him to leave now seemed hypocritical, and he felt very embarrassed.
It's probably set up by Wanniang.
Ji Yang stood in the water, unable to move forward or backward.
The atmosphere became subtle, with mist swirling around and shadows dim, so that even the outlines of each other's figures could only be seen.
Ji Yang stood by the pool without moving, and said in a deep voice: "Then I'll wait for you to finish soaking." As he said that, he turned around and was about to leave.
Jiang Ci said softly, "Commander, it's alright. It's late, and we have to travel tomorrow. You... just sit down, there's no one else here anyway."
After he finished speaking, Ji Yang paused for a moment, then turned around and slowly sat down on the other side of the pool.
The two of them sat in separate corners amidst the swirling hot mist, neither of them speaking again. The air seemed so still that they could hear each other's breathing and the sound of the water.
Tiny ripples appeared on the water surface, spreading out in circles in the mist.
Outside the courtyard, the moonlight was dimming, and the wind blew through the pine branches. On the other side of the fence, Yinshuang and Wanniang crouched against the fence, holding their breath and listening to the movement.
"Why are they so awkward?" Yin Shuang lowered her voice. "They clearly care about each other terribly, but one turns his head away and doesn't say anything, while the other purses his lips and doesn't ask. They look like a pair of rookie soldiers."
Wanniang shook her head and sighed: "I was so worried. Did you bring the things I asked you to prepare?"
Yin Shuang smiled triumphantly and took out something wrapped in silk from her bosom. When she unwrapped it, she found a lifelike fake snake with realistic scales and eyes adorned with black jade beads.
"I prepared it in Ningling a long time ago, but I didn't expect it would come in handy here," she said.
"Girls are most afraid of this." Wanniang's eyes were firm.
The two looked at each other, Yin Shuang stood up straight, flicked his wrist, and quietly threw the fake snake into the hot spring pool inside the fence.
In the pool, Jiang Ci was sitting on the steps, lost in thought. The water rippled slightly beside him.
With a light "pop" sound, the fake snake hit her hand. Jiang Ci lowered her eyes and glanced, only to see a slippery and slender object in her field of vision, with its tail dangling.
She took a closer look, her face suddenly changed, she jumped up suddenly and screamed: "Ah!"
Ji Yang was originally leaning against the edge of the pool. The moment he heard Jiang Ci's exclamation, his expression suddenly changed and he immediately stood up and swam towards her.
"What's wrong?"
Jiang Ci's face paled, and she desperately tried to escape the pool. But her foot slipped, and she stumbled forward, splashing water everywhere. She fell into the water, her heart pounding, her movements unplanned, thrashing about in the water, as if she were drowning and out of control.
Ji Yang didn't hesitate, reached his arms into the water and pulled her out.
The next moment, Jiang Ci seemed to have found his only support. He wrapped his arms tightly around Ji Yang's neck, threw himself into his arms, and even unconsciously wrapped his legs around his waist.
Her voice trembled: "There is a snake, there is a snake!" She almost hung on Ji Yang.
She was only wearing a gauze undergarment. The thin fabric had long been soaked and stuck to her skin, revealing her curves. She was sweating profusely, and her soft chest pressed against Ji Yang's chest. Her breath, as thin as silk, swirled in his ears.
Ji Yang's body suddenly tensed up, and he subconsciously tightened his arms. Jiang Ci in his arms was still in shock, with his face buried in the crook of his neck. The hot air sprayed out, making his throat hot.
He glanced towards the surface of the water and saw the snake, which was indeed floating there, motionless.
He suppressed his laughter and whispered, "...It's fake, don't be afraid."
Jiang Ci froze for a moment, then slowly raised her head, her eyes misty and watery. Only then did she realize that her current position with Ji Yang was extremely ambiguous.
She pressed herself against him, her skin almost naked against his. His arms were still tightly wrapped around her waist, his palms resting on the softest part of her back.
She wanted to pull away, but her body was so weak. She knew she should avoid it, but she couldn't bear to break free too quickly.
The fog surrounded the two of them tightly, and only each other's breath was clear.
Ji Yang lowered his eyes and met hers. At that moment, he suddenly felt that all his rationality was soaked in this pool of water and gradually softened.
The blush on Jiang Ci's face was so intense that it was hard to tell whether it was from moisture or a rapid heartbeat.
She opened her mouth but said nothing, just staring at him with a slight movement in her eyes.
Ji Yang whispered, "I scared you."
Jiang Ci's voice was a little hoarse, as if he had not yet recovered from the shock just now, but the corners of his lips curled up a little: "...The governor hugged me too tightly, I can't breathe."
Ji Yang then realized that he was still holding her, and the palm of his hand was... burning hot.
He paused suddenly and was about to let go, but he felt her gently retract her arm, as if to keep him.
This subtle force, in the night and mist, became the softest yet heaviest pull.
His breathing became disordered.
The temperature in the pool gradually rose, and the breath between the two people also became scorching and unbearable.
Jiang Ci was still hanging on Ji Yang, his hands on his shoulders, his heart beating alarmingly fast, and even his ears were red.
She raised her eyes hesitantly, her eyes filled with tender and indescribable emotions, no longer retreating or suppressing them.
Her lips were slightly open and her breathing was not yet steady, but Ji Yang's eyes had already involuntarily fallen on her lips. Her lips were very soft and slightly moist, as if stained with a layer of peach.
Jiang Ci suddenly lowered his head and pecked him lightly on the lips, like a feather skimming across the surface of a lake, very light and short, yet it seemed to pluck the heartstrings.
Ji Yang stood there in a daze, his Adam's apple rolling slowly and his heart trembling.
She had an elegant fragrance on her body, mixed with the scent of hot spring water, lingering in his nostrils, making his heart flutter.
He could no longer restrain himself and raised his hand, covering her cheek, and slowly stroking behind her ear with his fingertips. Under his palm was delicate and warm skin.
Then he tilted his head back and kissed her.
On the other side, Wanniang and Yinshuang clapped their hands lightly and whispered, "It's done, it's done!"
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