After My Thoughts Were Read, My Master Led Me to Change My Fate - Chapter 51.2

errands these past few years, and little Níng Sōngwù has been busy studying and practicing swordplay at Hóng Fēi Pavilion. It’s rare to gather like this.”

Cēn Rǎn said, “Don’t worry, Senior Brother. I brought back enough festive goods when I returned from the mountain a few days ago. We have plenty of red paper and firecrackers. Since there are only two days left and time is a little tight, Senior Brother, you go write the couplets, and Níng Sōngwù and I will make the dumplings. Let’s divide the work.”

Níng Sōngwù chuckled, “Senior Sister has a good plan. It’s only fun if we make these things ourselves.”

“I also think store-bought things aren’t fun, so I only bought the firecrackers ready-made. We also need to light lanterns on New Year’s Eve. I’ve prepared many bamboo strips and red cloth. Let’s make our own and see who makes the best one,” Cēn Rǎn was excited thinking about this rare New Year’s Eve gathering.

Rǎn Fányīn remained silent for a long time before slightly raising her eyes. Her clear, cold voice softly sounded, “And me?”

A momentary silence.

Cēn Rǎn looked embarrassed, racking her brain for an answer. “Master, you… you just sit there and watch us do it…”

Luó Shēng boldly interjected, “That’s right, Master. You don’t know how to do anything. Just sit there like a Buddha and let us serve you…”

Rǎn Fányīn gave Luó Shēng a cold look, her voice soft but intimidating:

“Say that again.”

Níng Sōngwù quickly picked up a large dumpling and stuffed it whole into Luó Shēng’s mouth, making him unable to speak, his face turning red with frustration as he glared at Níng Sōngwù.

Níng Sōngwù then picked up a sweet and sour meatball and placed it in Rǎn Fányīn’s bowl, her tone sounding like a comfort. “Master, after I finish making the dumplings, we will make lanterns together.”

Rǎn Fányīn glanced at Níng Sōngwù, feeling she was being cheeky. After a long while, Rǎn Fányīn still didn’t touch the meatball, as if touching it would cause her to lose face.

Níng Sōngwù’s gaze occasionally drifted over. Seeing the untouched meatball in Rǎn Fányīn’s bowl, her eyes darkened slightly.

After the meal, Rǎn Fányīn returned to the main hall, quietly reading a book.

After reading for a while, her eyes felt sore. Rǎn Fányīn looked up and glanced around. The framed painting on the wall suddenly leaped into her vision.

It was painted by Níng Sōngwù with her right hand, taking two years to complete.

Because of the two years spent painting, Níng Sōngwù’s right hand, although still unable to hold a sword, was much better than before.

She wondered how many times Níng Sōngwù had held the brush, and what kind of soul-searing pain she had endured to persevere.

Just as she was thinking of Níng Sōngwù, Níng Sōngwù walked into the main hall. She had taken off her red fur robe. She wore a light, ethereal moon-white long gown underneath, her sleeves rolled up to her elbows, and her hands were covered in white flour.

Rǎn Fányīn stopped her. “What are you going to do?”

Níng Sōngwù smiled brightly, changing her route to walk toward Rǎn Fányīn. “I was making dumplings with Senior Sister Cēn Rǎn just now, and I forgot something. I wanted to go inside to get it.”

Rǎn Fányīn acknowledged with an “En.” Seeing Níng Sōngwù walk straight toward her, she said, “You have flour on your hands. It’s dirty. Don’t come too close to me.”

Níng Sōngwù was stunned. She looked at her hands. “Dirty? It’s not dirty; it’s quite white. Master, you’re a bit too obsessed with cleanliness.”

Rǎn Fányīn coughed lightly and picked up her teacup to drink.

Níng Sōngwù saw Rǎn Fányīn’s eyes fixed on the teacup, smiled slyly, and took advantage of the opening. She quickly reached out and smeared Rǎn Fányīn’s face.

Rǎn Fányīn’s fair and refined face was instantly marked with a white smear of flour. She slightly raised her eyebrows, seeming unable to believe that Níng Sōngwù was bold enough to do this. She stared at Níng Sōngwù in disbelief.

Níng Sōngwù gave a naughty laugh, her smile stunningly beautiful. She laughed while quickly scurrying away with small steps.

Rǎn Fányīn was momentarily stunned before pulling out a handkerchief to wipe her face clean. Then, she put down her book, got up, and walked toward the kitchen. You little rascal, if I don’t settle the score with you, you’ll be walking all over your Master.

In the kitchen, Cēn Rǎn was busy kneading a ball of dough in her hands, her face also dusted with white flour. Níng Sōngwù was next to her, stirring a bowl of meat filling.

“How has your study been at Hóng Fēi Pavilion recently?” Cēn Rǎn asked while kneading.

“Very well. There are constant improvements. My sword skill has reached the sixth level.”

“For your age, reaching the sixth level is already excellent. There are only nine levels in total, and Senior Brother and I are only at the eighth. Since you’re like this, I feel relieved about the Sword Competition in March. Be sure to win beautifully over everyone and bring honor to Róng Kū Pavilion.”

Níng Sōngwù smiled, “Yes, I will.”

Cēn Rǎn was silent for a moment, then asked, “Well… how is Hè Lán Miánmián doing recently?”

“Oh, her? She’s living comfortably. The Senior Brothers at Hóng Fēi Pavilion are quite fond of her and have written her many sentimental love poems. Hè Lán Miánmián has an outgoing personality and gets along well with the Senior Brothers.”

“Gets along well…” Cēn Rǎn looked thoughtful, but her expression wasn’t very good. “You don’t get along well with them?”

“I’m busy with my studies and sword practice all day, so I don’t have time to play with them,” Níng Sōngwù stirred the meat filling while secretly observing Cēn Rǎn’s expression.

“Hmm, that’s good,” Cēn Rǎn’s voice was somehow low.

“Hè Lán Miánmián told me a few days ago that she also wants to come to Róng Kū Pavilion for New Year’s Eve.”

“En,” Cēn Rǎn hummed and said no more.

Níng Sōngwù gave a cryptic smile, put down the bowl in her hand, and said, “I’ll go cut the scallions. Senior Sister, you need to knead more gently. If you exert any more force, that cutting board will be kneaded right through.”

Cēn Rǎn’s face flushed. She grabbed a handful of flour and tossed it toward Níng Sōngwù. “How dare you make fun of me!”

Níng Sōngwù dodged nimbly, narrowly avoiding the flour. The clump of flour flew straight backward. As Níng Sōngwù flashed aside, she revealed Rǎn Fányīn, who had just entered behind her.

Cēn Rǎn thought, Oh no, but she simply closed her eyes and pretended not to see.

Rǎn Fányīn reacted extremely quickly this time. Just as the flour was about to hit her face, she flicked her sleeve, and the entire clump of flour was swept onto Níng Sōngwù, who was standing at the side chuckling to herself.

“Master!” Níng Sōngwù exclaimed in surprise.

Rǎn Fányīn glanced at her indifferently, a hint of a smile in the corner of her eye. “What is it?”

Seeing the situation, Cēn Rǎn breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, it didn’t land on her Master. She quickly spoke, “Master, Master, why did you come?”

“I was bored and came here to look around,” Rǎn Fányīn surveyed the kitchen utensils.

Níng Sōngwù was busy shaking off the layer of white flour on her, looking like a snowman who had just rolled in the snow. She said indignantly, “Senior Sister, this is all your fault! I just changed my clothes today!”

Cēn Rǎn was speechless. Heavens know, can she blame me entirely? Although I threw it, Master personally swept it onto you!

Rǎn Fányīn looked at Níng Sōngwù, who was continuously shaking her clothes, with a hint of disdain. She subtly moved away, afraid of getting flour on herself.

Níng Sōngwù, whose eyes were sharp, noticed Rǎn Fányīn’s little action. She didn’t know whether to cry or laugh. “Master!”

Rǎn Fányīn ignored her and proceeded to ask Cēn Rǎn, “Is there anything I can do?”

Cēn Rǎn quickly replied, “Yes, yes. There are a few freshly washed dishes over there. Master, could you just wipe them dry?” She didn’t have the courage to assign Rǎn Fányīn any complicated tasks.

Níng Sōngwù, seeing that she couldn’t shake off all the flour, simply stopped shaking. She pouted, walked over to the cutting board, picked up the scallions, and chopped them down in a burst of frustration.

Rǎn Fányīn nodded slightly, lightly rolled up her sleeves, walked over to the pile of dishes, picked up a dry cloth, and began wiping.

Cēn Rǎn, seeing that the situation had finally stabilized, secretly breathed a sigh of relief and refocused on the dough in her hands.

Silence fell in the kitchen for a while, broken only by the dong dong dong sound of chopping scallions. A few tiny snowflakes flew in through the window lattice, moistening the mood. Outside the window, the white cranes kept by the Northern Punisher Palace occasionally flew past, blending with the snowy sky to form a landscape painting.

Cēn Rǎn sighed to herself, What peaceful times.

But this tranquility was all too short-lived.

Not long after, there was a series of clattering, exploding sounds. By the sound of it, dozens of pots, bowls, and plates must have shattered, sounding as festive as setting off firecrackers for the New Year.

Níng Sōngwù and Cēn Rǎn quickly looked over, only to see Rǎn Fányīn holding a dry cloth with an embarrassed look. In front of her was a small mountain of shattered bowls and plates, and fragments of porcelain were scattered all over the floor.

Rǎn Fányīn coughed lightly and gently put down the cloth in her hand. “I… I’ll go first. You… you can take your time making the dumplings…”

“Master, do you have a grudge against the kitchen?” Níng Sōngwù asked seriously.

Cēn Rǎn couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “Master, please go back and rest. This place is not suitable for you.”

Rǎn Fányīn’s ears were flushed bright red. She didn’t say another word and left the kitchen like a gust of wind.

“If I’m not by your side, don’t suppress your feelings too much. I always hope that you are happy,” Rǎn Fányīn raised her hand and stroked Níng Sōngwù’s hair. “But you have grown up after all. I know you’re reluctant to tell me certain things, but I still hope you can vent your emotions to me, just like when you were little.”

Níng Sōngwù’s eyes somehow moistened. She gripped Rǎn Fányīn’s hand even tighter but chuckled, “What emotion does Master want me to vent? My only emotion right now is that I want to hug you and be intimate with you for a while. Is Master willing for me to continue venting?”

Rǎn Fányīn turned her head, a strange emotion coloring her light-tea-colored eyes. After a long pause, she whispered, “It’s not good outside.” Her voice remained light and indifferent, almost like the Guānyīn statue held high in a temple, overly ascetic.

“If it’s not good outside, I’ll carry you inside the room.” Níng Sōngwù’s smile deepened. She immediately stood up, took the unsuspecting Rǎn Fányīn in her arms in a princess carry, and held this cold, white-robed woman affectionately as she slowly walked toward the room.

The tips of Rǎn Fányīn’s ears turned slightly red. She was carefully placed on the bed in the guest room, her head slightly lowered. “You… you are presumptuous.”

“Didn’t Master say she missed me? I miss you too.” Níng Sōngwù smiled, pinching Rǎn Fányīn’s delicate chin. She whispered sweet nothings in her ear. “Although many thoughts run through my mind, they come and go, confusing and disorderly. I can’t make sense of any of them. But there is one thing I’m absolutely clear about, and that is you. I like you, I miss you, Master.”

“…I didn’t realize before that you are so good with words,” Rǎn Fányīn looked up, squinting at Níng Sōngwù. At this angle, her light-brown eyes vaguely revealed an indescribable allure.

“The Senior Brothers at Hóng Fēi Pavilion taught me before, and I often go to the library. The books there have them too.”

“How is that possible? The books in the library…”

“On the fourth floor, there is a small forbidden-book area that records some interesting things. Master can also go and have a look when you have time.” Níng Sōngwù bit Rǎn Fányīn’s ear, her voice growing even softer and more seductive.

Before Rǎn Fányīn could fully process the forbidden-book area Níng Sōngwù mentioned, her mind was completely captivated by the woman in front of her. Níng Sōngwù was extremely close, allowing Rǎn Fányīn to see her beautiful features. Her dark, clear eyes were like lustrous, warm ink jade, its light shifting. Her long lashes seemed to brush against Rǎn Fányīn’s cheek. This woman was truly a siren.

The two naturally pressed their lips together and kissed intimately. Rǎn Fányīn’s hand rested on Níng Sōngwù’s back, her slender, beautiful fingers retracting slightly, seemingly nervous.

After kissing for a while, Rǎn Fányīn’s fingers suddenly tightened, shaking slightly as they clutched Níng Sōngwù’s back.

Rǎn Fányīn turned her face away, separating from Níng Sōngwù’s kiss, lightly panting. Níng Sōngwù impatiently narrowed her eyes, continuing to kiss Rǎn Fányīn’s side and neck, tightly embracing Rǎn Fányīn’s waist.

“Níng Sōngwù,” Rǎn Fányīn’s voice was very soft. She gently stroked Níng Sōngwù’s hair. “It seems the Young Valley Master encountered something earlier. Go and check on her in the main hall.”

Níng Sōngwù held Rǎn Fányīn’s earlobe in her mouth, muttering indistinctly, “Now?”

“Yes, now. I’m afraid… she has a difficult matter to deal with over there. Go and see.”

“But I… I still want to hold you for a while.”

“When you go to bed tonight, come to my room. I’ll let you hold me all night, alright?” Rǎn Fányīn gently coaxed the woman in her arms, her hand ceaselessly stroking her long hair.

“…Hmm.” Although reluctant, Níng Sōngwù obediently stood up. She raised her hand to rub Rǎn Fányīn’s hair. “I knew Master was worried about the Young Valley Master. Then I will go and come back as soon as possible.”

Rǎn Fányīn smiled faintly and nodded. Níng Sōngwù raised her eyebrows helplessly, then turned and walked out.

Outside, the heavy rain continued, and the light was gloomy. Níng Sōngwù held an umbrella in one hand and a rain-lantern in the other. A strange feeling surfaced in her heart, but she didn’t think much of it. She just looked back at the door of the room where Rǎn Fányīn was staying, and followed the guiding disciple toward the main hall.

Rǎn Fányīn watched Níng Sōngwù disappear from sight, her smile instantly vanished. Her brows were tightly furrowed in pain, and dark red blood spilled from the corners of her pale lips.

Rǎn Fányīn tightly shut her eyes, her pale fingers rigidly gripping a corner of the quilt on the bed. She was enduring with extreme difficulty.

Her hands were shaking uncontrollably. Her entire body felt as if it were bound by something, and every movement was immensely difficult. She used great effort to get off the bed, but she couldn’t stand and immediately knelt on the floor.

Pain.

It felt as though something in her internal organs was about to rip her body apart from the inside. The pain, like an unsuspecting mountain torrent, collapsed upon her, surging fiercely and without warning. She couldn’t tell exactly where the pain was; it seemed all her internal organs were in agony, tearing apart. Her entire being felt as if it had sunk into an ice cellar, yet a volcano seemed to be brewing inside, ready to explode her from within at any moment.

Something was slowly, excruciatingly eroding her tendons, bones, and flesh.

Rǎn Fányīn supported herself with one hand on the ground. Sweat streamed down her porcelain-white cheeks, trembling. Her eyebrows and eyelashes were covered in sweat from the extreme pain, stinging her eyes shut.

How could this be…

“Ugh…” Rǎn Fányīn was in extreme agony but suppressed it severely, resolutely not uttering a single moan. This was partly due to her habit of endurance, and partly because she didn’t want to draw any unnecessary trouble.

The pain was worse than death.

The excruciating pain in her body forced her to bite down tightly on her lip, hoping to slightly transfer the pain elsewhere. Then, realizing that biting her lip would make it difficult to explain to Níng Sōngwù, she released her lips and clenched her jaw tightly instead. In a short while, her mouth was full of blood.

In her blurring consciousness, she raised her right hand, trying hard to discern it through her sweaty eyelashes.

Under the pale skin, an indistinct black line spread from the top of her palm, only two fingers long.

“Why…” Rǎn Fányīn frowned deeply, whispering with an unwilling tremble.

“Why… why…” She pressed her right hand violently onto the ground, her five fingers digging tightly into the flagstone. Her delicate skin was quickly abraded on the rough surface, and dark red blood spilled out, seeping into the ground.