Chapter 15

Wei Yu had indeed received instructions from her master’s wife. This was a separate order given to her when the master’s wife left the valley years ago. Unfortunately, she had no interest in monitoring people, but due to the pressure from her master’s wife, she perfunctorily agreed and then put it out of her mind.

Moreover, Qu Yan had indeed done an excellent job as the senior disciple. During her free time, she personally taught the disciples, and when busy, she would seclude herself to develop medicines for sale. When the master’s wife was around, the conditions in the valley were quite modest. Since Qu Yan took control of the valley’s affairs, the valley’s treasury had been growing increasingly full, and the disciples’ figures had been becoming increasingly plump.

Only the money in hand was real. Wei Yu was too busy spending money on enjoyment to actually keep an eye on Qu Yan.

However, what truly made Wei Yu notice something unusual was an incident four years ago. One day, Xu Zong’er, who had been traveling outside, fell seriously ill after returning to the mountain. He often spoke deliriously during his illness. When his condition improved, she and Qu Yan visited him once, but his condition inexplicably worsened significantly afterward.

It was only half a year later that Wei Yu belatedly realized that Xu Zong’er, who had always loved to stick close to Qu Yan, had begun to deliberately avoid her.

It was the height of midsummer, the Great Heat season. The cicadas in the valley chirped noisily day and night, irritating people’s hearts.

Xu Zong’er was under the scorching sun, with fine sweat beading on the tip of his nose and the corners of his forehead. He carried a box on his shoulder and held a round fan in his hand to fan himself. After refusing the fifth person who offered to carry his box for him, he finally saw the familiar courtyard.

Though it was only a few steps away, it felt as if his feet were filled with lead. It took him a long while to shuffle to the gate of the courtyard.

Qi Ying initially didn’t want to bother, but the knocking on the door next door was persistent, as if it wouldn’t stop until someone came out. He had been living here for over half a month, and this was the first time he had seen someone come looking for Qu Yan.

It was a slender young man who looked about seventeen or eighteen years old. He seemed startled by the sudden opening of the door next door, his mouth open in surprise as he looked towards Qi Ying, his moist eyes full of a flustered expression at being interrupted.

Qi Ying was silent for a moment before speaking first, “She’s not here.”

Xu Zong’er looked at the master bedroom in front of him, then turned to look at where the man was, nodding blankly. Then he suddenly exclaimed, “I, I know senior sister isn’t here. I came to find you.”

“Find me?” Qi Ying repeated, confusion passing through his eyes.

Xu Zong’er nodded, pointing to the box at his feet, “Senior sister asked me to bring you some things. She should have told you about it.”

The young man’s voice was not loud and contained a hint of timidity. Although Qi Ying didn’t know why he was being so cautious, he finally remembered what Qu Yan had told him two days ago, so he nodded.

“Thank you.”

Xu Zong’er quickly shook his head. He was still a few steps away from Qi Ying, so he picked up the box and moved towards him. Qi Ying didn’t like others invading his space, but this was Qu Yan’s courtyard. He only stiffened for a moment before stepping aside to let him in.

“I saw that your hand is injured, so I brought it in for you. You don’t mind, do you?”

Xu Zong’er put the things on the table and turned to see Qi Ying’s expressionless face, his voice revealing a hint of unease. Now that they were closer, Xu Zong’er could clearly see his appearance. It wasn’t the coquettish, almost demonic look he had imagined, but rather an extremely delicate and clean face.

Even his temperament was extremely cold and clear. Xu Zong’er made eye contact with him for a moment before hastily looking away. Those jet-black eyes were as cold as a winter pond. He had never seen such a man before, like black ice.

Qi Ying stared at the person in front of him without showing any emotion. He looked like he didn’t have much courage and was clearly a bit afraid of him, yet he was forcing himself to look at him. He lowered his eyes to glance at the table, only replying,

“I don’t mind.”

Only then did Xu Zong’er let out a sigh of relief, “That’s good. There aren’t many men in the valley, and I bought all these things when I went out of the valley yesterday, which is why you had to wait an extra day. Take a look and see if there are any styles you like, and I’ll bring you a couple more next time I go out.”

Qi Ying’s eyes darkened, “What valley?”

Xu Zong’er, who was reaching for some clothes, paused in confusion, “Naturally, the Medicine Immortal Valley. What’s wrong?”

Qi Ying’s fingertips twitched, and he lowered his eyes to hide the emotions within them. When he looked up again, his expression was the same as before. He swallowed and said, “Nothing, please continue.”

Assassins are best at concealing their emotions. Xu Zong’er couldn’t see the emotions that had just flickered across his face, let alone realize that he had let something slip. Senior sister had brought the person into her room, how could he not know where this was?

He became enthusiastic when introducing the clothes. Qi Ying watched as he took out one piece after another, and he roughly understood that the clothes he was wearing were from him. After taking out all the clothes, Xu Zong’er then took out several bottles inlaid with jewels and hesitantly handed them to Qi Ying.

Qi Ying thought they were some kind of medicine and was about to investigate when he heard him say, “This is rouge from Cuiyu Pavilion. I didn’t know what color you like, so I took the liberty of buying you a complete set.”

Qi Ying was glad he hadn’t unscrewed the complicated lid yet, and he smoothly handed it back to him.

Xu Zong’er was taken aback and tentatively asked, “You don’t like Cuiyu Pavilion’s rouge?”

Qi Ying’s lips pressed together. Not only had he never heard of Cuiyu Pavilion, even if he had, he would never use rouge and powder. But seeing the young man’s very surprised expression, Qi Ying rarely softened his voice.

“I don’t need it.”

Xu Zong’er gave a light response, thinking that he might have better rouge and look down on these things. As he took them back, he muttered softly, “But senior sister likes to see it. You should keep it.”

He didn’t see the slight change in Qi Ying’s eyes, focusing only on tidying up the rouge. Xu Zong’er’s thoughts were simple: since this person was senior sister’s chamber servant, naturally he should try to please senior sister.

After he had tidied everything up, he hesitantly opened his mouth again, his expression quite conflicted, “My name is Xu Zong’er, I’m seventeen this year. Senior sister didn’t tell me your name or how old you are, or what I should call you.”

Qi Ying stared at him for a long while. Just as Xu Zong’er thought there was something on his face, he finally moved his gaze away.

“Qi Ying, age…” Qi Ying paused, “Perhaps twenty.”

Xu Zong’er was about to ask what ‘perhaps’ meant, but swallowed his words the next moment, stammering out a greeting, “Senior sister.”

Qi Ying didn’t miss the flash of fear that passed over his face.

Qu Yan responded lightly, her gaze sweeping over Xu Zong’er before returning to Qi Ying. She handed the medicinal soup to him, and he obediently drank it, even opening a sugar pill himself and eating one, looking extremely docile.

Xu Zong’er didn’t want to stay long and quietly excused himself before leaving silently.

She glanced at the corner of the man’s lips that his tongue had just licked, then moved to the red mole on his neck, which was very noticeable when his Adam’s apple bobbed. Qu Yan stared for a while without showing any emotion.

When the woman’s fingertip touched that blood-red little mole, Qi Ying’s body stiffened, his palm instantly clenching into a fist. The neck was where the lifeline was, and he tried his best to resist fighting back, only raising his eyes to gaze at Qu Yan.

“There’s a hair.”

Qu Yan looked at the side of his neck, her cool fingertip lightly brushing over his Adam’s apple, twirling the hair between her fingers. She clicked her tongue lightly, as if in regret and sighing.

“He’s always quick to get familiar. Did he annoy you?”

The neck that had been touched felt a bit itchy. Qi Ying’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and his stiff body relaxed a bit. Remembering Xu Zong’er’s appearance from earlier, he lowered his eyes and shook his head.

“No.”

“That’s good.” Qu Yan’s gaze fell on the table, and she casually picked up a small box, her tone curious, “What’s this?”

The bright red rouge lay quietly in the jar. Qi Ying looked at her palm and repeated what Xu Zong’er had said earlier: “Rouge from Cuiyu Pavilion.”

He thought for a moment, and with a purpose he couldn’t quite explain, he added softly, “The one you like.”

Qu Yan seemed to have a sudden realization and made an “oh” sound. She didn’t know she liked rouge from Cuiyu Pavilion. She was about to put it down when she saw Qi Ying silently looking at her, his lips lacking color.

The blood-like rouge was applied to the man’s lips. Qu Yan quietly admired her handiwork. Qi Ying’s skin was already fair, and now with the bright color, coupled with his aloof and cold demeanor, he truly had a cold yet alluring air.

His eyelashes trembled, hiding the emotions in his eyes, seeming even more like he was refusing yet inviting.

Her fingertip moved, smudging the rouge a bit, looking very much like it had been ravished. Only then did Qu Yan smile, “I do like it indeed.”

“Do you want me to serve you in bed?”

The sudden question exploded like thunder in the quiet room.

Qu Yan narrowed her eyes, her tone strange, “What did you say?”

When Xu Zong’er had said the words “Medicine Immortal Valley,” he finally understood why Qu Yan could effortlessly neutralize the poison in his body, and why she could speak of reconnecting his meridians.

Qi Ying’s understanding of the various sects in the jianghu came entirely from his master’s words. Although he had never deliberately learned about the Medicine Immortal Valley, he still had an impression of his master’s words in his heart. The Medicine Immortal Valley was far from being as independent from the world as it appeared, especially the newly appointed leader, who was by no means a kind person. Since she had taken office, the medicine pavilion of the Futu Tower had added seven or eight new poisons.

Qi Ying didn’t know who “she” was, but he still remembered his master’s teachings: don’t accept tasks related to the Medicine Immortal Valley and several other places with many disputes, and if you encounter their people, stay far away. He had always listened to his master and never meddled in those affairs.

As a result, he had just left the Futu Tower and immediately fell into the nest of the Medicine Immortal Valley.

Qu Yan seemed benevolent, but that was only on the surface. Otherwise, that Xu Zong’er wouldn’t have feared her. Qi Ying guessed she was the leader of the Medicine Immortal Valley.

He did have an aversion to matters between men and women, but he wasn’t completely ignorant. Over the years, he had been forced to watch many live spring scenes.

Qu Yan’s actions just now were close to flirting, and then there was that night with the medicinal bath. Qi Ying didn’t know if she was interested in him, but it wouldn’t hurt to ask. It would save him from her suddenly taking a fancy to him and using some method to torment him in the future. He had seen enough of those despicable acts of forceful taking, and he didn’t particularly want to experience it firsthand, although he didn’t think he had any appeal.

His expression unchanged, his nails digging deep into his palms, he even rephrased the question in more colloquial terms.

“Do you want to sleep with me?”