I Need To Find A Way To Make Her Love Me Again - Chapter 26

The Encounter at the Medicinal Spring

Jiaoyan looked at her sister with eyes that lingered, she hadn’t misspoken. It seemed her sister was just an awkward child, much like herself. With a smile, Jiaoyan said, “I’ll go prepare some dinner for you all.”

Leaving behind an unfinished topic, she departed on her own. Yi Rong watched her receding back, her mind involuntarily turning over the words that had been said.

Jiaoyue led Yan Xingyu and the others to the back garden of the manor. The floral scent that had previously lingered in the air was now replaced by a faint medicinal aroma. In the center of the courtyard sat a small spring fed pool, its emerald ripples shimmering beneath a thin layer of mist, lending the scene an ethereal, immortal quality.

“Little sister, go to the wing room first and change into a bath robe,” Jiaoyue said, bringing out a set of white clothes and insisting on helping her change.

Yan Xingyu hurriedly replied, “Sister, I can do it myself.”

Jiaoyue countered, “Then you must at least let me see your wound.”

Upon hearing this, Yan Xingyu unbuttoned her clothes and lowered her sleeve to reveal the injury. Looking at the deep puncture marks from the fangs, the arm should technically have been ruined. However, when Jiaoyue reached out to inspect it, she found the meridians had already been repaired, the wound simply looked terrifying.

“You treated it in time. Your hand will be fine, after soaking in the medicinal spring for a few days, it will recover. I’ll prepare a scar removing salve for you to apply daily so no marks are left behind.”

“Thank you, Sister.”

“No need for formalities. Yuyu has a temper; thank you for looking after her. Make yourself at home here.”

After Jiaoyue left to prepare the medicine, Yan Xingyu changed into her robe and stepped outside to find Yi Rong still waiting. “You should go rest. I’m just soaking in the spring, I’ll be fine.”

“No need,” Yi Rong replied. “I will wait for you.”

Shared Reflections

Yan Xingyu stepped into the warm water, letting out a sigh of relief as the exhaustion of their journey washed away. She leaned against the bluestone edge and looked at Yi Rong, who stood stiffly nearby. “Come sit. Watching you stand makes me feel tired.”

Yi Rong hesitated but eventually sat beside her. Yan Xingyu smiled. “Sister said my wound was treated just in time thanks to you. Thank you.”

“As long as you are well,” Yi Rong replied softly.

The silence grew heavy. Yan Xingyu began nervously plucking at the grass by the pool. Noticing her distress, Yi Rong asked, “Are you uncomfortable?”

“No, the spring feels great,” Yan Xingyu replied, realizing she had nearly ruined the grass in her hand. She looked at Yi Rong, tall, elegant and silent like a beautiful statue guarding her. “Yi Rong, back at Mount Changyan… were you almost controlled by the demon there?”

“The three headed python of Mount Changyan is called a Chi-beast,” Yi Rong explained. “It excels at inciting the evil desires within human hearts. With the Fire Spirit Crystal aiding it, it is even easier for it to delude people. I was indeed almost swayed, but I suppressed it with the Yunyin Heart Method.”

“Then why weren’t Jiaoyu and I affected?”

“The Water Spirit Crystal naturally purifies and wards off evil, it protects you,” Yi Rong said, looking at the pendant around Yan Xingyu’s neck. “As for Jiaoyu, perhaps she possesses a heart of pure innocence.”

Yan Xingyu nodded, then frowned. “But I didn’t expect Guan Fei to be the most affected. She has always been sincere to me. I don’t think she has evil desires.”

Yi Rong remained silent for a moment before slowly saying, “Perhaps… her stray thoughts are simply too numerous.”

Before she could say more, she noticed Yan Xingyu had fallen asleep in the warm water, her head tilting dangerously toward the edge. Yi Rong reached out and cradled her head in her palm. Yan Xingyu nuzzled into her hand, sleeping peacefully, and it felt as though something heavy yet gentle had settled into Yi Rong’s heart.

The Room of Red Silk

Meanwhile, Jiaoyu was in her room, picking out a red dress from her wardrobe. She told Guan Fei to close the door so she could change.

“Is your family always this lively?” Guan Fei asked, standing by the door.

“They are noisy,” Jiaoyu grumbled. “Once Yan Xingyu is healed, we leave.”

“Is that so? I think I quite like a family like this,” Guan Fei mused. “Sister said you are very beautiful. It’s a pity I cannot see.”

“Were you born blind?” Jiaoyu asked, stepping toward her.

“Yes,” Guan Fei replied with a faint, self-deprecating smile. “I really am quite useless.”

Later that night, after dinner which Guan Fei skipped since she does not eat, the two lay in bed together. Jiaoyu was stiff with tension.

“Is this your first time sleeping with someone else?” Guan Fei teased.

“It’s different from when I was in my animal form!” Jiaoyu snapped.

Guan Fei chuckled and leaned in, her voice dropping to a low whisper. “I’ve heard that after the Fox Clan takes human form, they… easily go into heat.”

Jiaoyu glared and tried to get up, but Guan Fei was faster, pinning her down. “What are you doing?”

“Are you running because you’re worried you’ll go into heat?” Guan Fei’s voice turned soft and vulnerable. “At Mount Changyan, I was useless. I couldn’t protect you. I only caused trouble. So, Yuyu… even if you go into heat facing someone like me, it’s okay. Let me help you. Let me feel that I am still useful.”

The plea tore at Jiaoyu’s heart. She couldn’t bring herself to voice a rejection. Guan Fei grew bolder, her nose tracing the contours of Jiaoyu’s face. “If only I could see, I would know how beautiful you are… instead of just imagining.”

Her touch was gentle at first, but soon it turned into an overwhelming tide that left Jiaoyu breathless. In a fit of frustrated passion, Jiaoyu left bite marks on Guan Fei’s shoulder and tore the white silk from her eyes.

Looking into those dark, bright pupils that seemed to reflect the spring water and her own flushed face, Jiaoyu whispered a small curse: “You’re a rotten ‘blind’ person.”

Guan Fei only laughed softly and stole her breath with a kiss.