To Travel by the Edge of a Creek

Chapter 44: Lingering Sentiments

“What’s this?” The bloodred gem dangling from Jiang Ling’s chest, free of the confines of her clothing, tumbled onto He Xi’s chest. He Xi picked it up, inspecting it by the moonlight as it filtered through the window. 

“It’s for you.” Jiang Ling rose, placing the gem, strung on a red string, beside the bed, “Look at it tomorrow.”

Jiang Jiang then immersed herself in nibbling on He Xi’s neck. He Xi, who could not handle the ticklish sensation, pushed Jiang Ling away slightly, adjusting her breathing, “If I’m a fox, then you’re a—Mm.”

Jiang Ling’s eyes filled with tender affection and, unable to hold back, she pressed her lips against hers, swallowing the rest of He Xi words, leaving only the romantic atmosphere. 

“He Xi…” Jiang Ling murmured He Xi’s name as she basked in He Xi’s warmth, spellbound. 

“Mn.” He Xi answered, her voice enchanting. 

…

As dawn rose the following day, the chilliness of the morning air brushed across Jiang Ling’s shoulders. She furrowed her brow, reaching out to tug on the blanket. Her actions prompted the woman sleeping beside her to curl up, sticking close to Jiang Ling as she sought a source of heat. 

Jiang Ling squinted while she slowly adjusted to the light, as well as the fact that He Xi laid beside her. She had been like an entirely different person last night. Just thinking of her wild actions made her feel absolutely mortified—as expected of liquid courage. 

Her bravery having disappeared in the face of sobriety, Jiang Ling gingerly opened the blanket and made to get out of bed. He Xi snaked an arm around her shoulder, making her lay back down. She opened her eyes a sliver, her gaze hazy and unfocused, “Don’t run off.” Her voice was a little hoarse. 

“I…I wasn’t thinking to.” Jiang Ling stammered nervously. Neither of them wore a stitch of clothing beneath the blanket. The smooth sensation made Jiang Ling’s breath catch and her scalp tingle. Embarrassed, she wanted to put her clothes on as soon as she could, “I want to get up and meditate.”

“Mn.” He Xi agreed languorously like a sleepy cat and released Jiang Ling before rolling back over and burying her face into the blanket to get some more sleep. 

Having received orders for her release, Jiang Ling carefully pried open the blanket and stood up, turning around to put her clothing on. 

He Xi watched Jiang Ling dress in a flurry with half-lidded eyes. The scar on her back had already completely faded, transforming back to its original color. However, the irregular skin texture could still be faintly seen. Last night she had felt it, as well, so her scar must still remain. 

Jiang Ling’s body was bathed in a warm, golden hue under the morning light. Hidden beneath the blanket, the corners of He Xi’s mouth crooked upward. Jiang Ling owed her debt now, and there was no way she would run off without paying her back. She would not give her the chance to, either. 

Jiang Ling found a cushion, then sat down to meditate. After circulating her qi twice, He Xi had fully woken up. She picked up the blood-red gemstone beside the pillow and caressed it slowly, her slender arm, with its fine skin, revealed, “Why did you give this to me.”

Jiang Ling stood up, straightened her clothing. Today, she wore a round-necked, light blue set of robes, her hair pulled up into a crown at the top of her head. She had assumed the appearance of a rich young master once again, “I broke the one you had on your forehead before, didn’t I.”

He Xi sat up. Her long hair scattered over her body covered in love bites, partially shielding the enticing view of her chest. 

“You…” Jiang Ling had not expected her to sit up all of a sudden. Heat flooded her face. She had no idea where to rest her eyes, “Put your clothes on, quickly.”

She hung the gemstone leisurely, raising an eyebrow at Jiang Ling. Jiang Ling walked over to the bed and passed He Xi her clothes, her face averted the whole time. 

He Xi chuckled helplessly and thought, she’s still as awkward as before, “Are you really the same person you were last night?”

“That was last night. Now it’s daytime. It’s different.” Jiang Ling wanted to refute, but she might as well say nothing. Beating He Xi in a conversation had never come easily, “I’m going to buy you breakfast.”

Even though it was early, many people were already out and about on the streets of Yuzhou, and many of those people were gathered around some breakfast stalls. Wontons were a beloved, local snack, so the wonton seller’s stall was exceedingly busy. Even though Jiang Ling loved wontons, she might not be able to handle something spicy so early in the morning, so she went to buy buns instead.  

Tang Yi, who had come to the inn looking for Jiang Ling, called out, “Brother Jiang.”

He wore a distressed expression, presumably having been met with Miss Qi’s rejection. He sighed, “I just came out of Yunxiang Gardens, didn’t know where to go for the moment.”

Tang Yi saw the breakfast in Jiang Ling’s hands, “I was just getting hungry. Brother Jiang, you’re really a considerate person.” Tang Yi was already used to being rejected by Miss Qi; he recovered his spirits after his brief slump. 

Tang Yi looked for a seat, eating the bun that Jiang Ling had just purchased, “How’d you know I’d be stopping by, Brother Jiang? Even bought a bun for me.”

“…”

Jiang Ling noticed that he had not changed clothing and his top knot had come loose, a few wisps of hair clinging to his cheeks. He had probably spent the night outside. Jiang Ling’s heart moved and just let him have her portion; she would go buy more in a bit. 

Tang Yi ate both buns, then saw that Jiang Ling was wearing a new set of clothing, her cheeks pink, looking quite handsome. He examined her with narrowed eyes. Jiang Ling felt uncomfortable under his scrutiny, like some treasure of hers had just been discovered. 

His eyes shifted, an idea flashing in his mind, “I didn’t sleep last night. I’ll go have a nap in your room.” He made to bypass Jiang Ling and head up to the second floor. 

He Xi was still upstairs. Jiang Ling realized the situation was heading south and she leapt up, flipping up onto the stairs to block Tang Yi at the bottom. Her expression was sulky; she looked angry. 

There really was something going on. Tang Yi’s mouth curved into a derisive smile. He turned around and languidly went back downstairs to have a seat, “So Brother Jiang got lucky after all, really makes your little brother here envious.”

Jiang Ling knew that he did not mean to offend her, so she calmed herself and went over to sit next to him again, “Qiu Shi-jiejie told me about your difficulties.”

Tang Yi sighed. He propped up his cheek, lost in thought. 

Jiang Ling deeply empathized with him. When she saw Miss Qi that day, she had not seen any trace of sentiment toward Tang Yi in her eyes, only the bloodfeud of the Tang Sect’s part in the killing of her father and the destruction of her family. Further still was the immense gap between their stations. She and He Xi were like this before, too. The inherent conflict between hatred and good grace in one’s heart was not something others could understand. 

Jiang Ling contemplated for a moment, trying to solve the situation between Tang Yi and Miss Qi. “Brother Tang, what is your age?”

Tang Yi, not quite understanding, answered, “Seventeen. What is it, Brother jiang?”

“I noticed that the Yunxiang Gardens always uses the eldest daughter or the madame to pressure you. I thought you weren’t even weaned yet.” Jiang Ling went too far with her words and angered Tang Yi, who smacked the table and made to leave, “Serves me right for considering you my good brother.”

Jiang Ling hurriedly pulled him back, “Don’t blame me for speaking the truth, Brother Tang. What separates you and Miss Qi is the Tang Sect. If you continue to live under the Tang Sect’s roof as before, you and Miss Qi will always be separated by this enmity.”

Tang Yi could hear that Jiang Ling meant to offer counsel and forgave her for her impertinent remarks, “Brother Jiang, you intend for me to establish myself?”

Tang Yi was very intelligent and caught on to Jiang Ling’s meaning immediately, but establishing himself on his own was a rather extreme option. The Tang Sect was formed through blood ties; setting up his own sect was much easier said than done. That Tang Yi could even think of it was testimony that he had potential in at least this aspect, “No need to go so far. If Brother Tang could only stop spending his days in pleasure houses and act on his own without the protection of the Tang Sect, then Miss Qi would naturally start to see you in a new light.”

With Jiang Ling’s guidance, Tang Yi was suddenly enlightened. His eyes lit up, “A word of advice from you, Brother Jiang, beats ten years of study.”

Tang Yi’s expression made Jiang Ling feel apprehensive. She had only wanted to help Tang Yi resolve the grievance between the Tang Sect and Miss Qi. After all, the murder was neither Tang Yi, nor was the true murderer the Tang Sect. The true murderer was the one who had hired assassins. The Tang Sect was merely a puppet on this stage of revenge and resentment, “Brother Tang, this was just a small idea of mine. Everything later will depend on Miss Qi’s own thoughts.”

“No matter. It’s better than running around like a headless fly, meeting with disappointment at Miss QI’s door each time.” Tang Yi now had a new goal and set off for the Tang Family residence, spirits lifted. 

Jiang Ling grabbed the remaining buns and returned to the room. He Xi had dressed a while ago as she waited for her, “He left?”

Jiang Ling let out a long sigh and collapsed onto the table, answering with a mumble. 

He Xi knew that Jiang Ling had been spending the past few days with the young master of the Tang Sect. She knew that she had probably done it to uncover new leads, but when she went to ask, her words were instead full of jealousy, “You dallied in brothels with that rich young man for so long, you must have reaped much.”

Jiang Ling was not angry hearing this. She knew that she was jealous and felt happy. She sat up and said properly, “I learned how to drink.”

He Xi’s eyes curved into crescents, her mouth curling into a smile. She split off a piece of bun and slid it into Jiang Ling’s mouth, her fingers intentionally lingering on her lips. She teased: “If it weren’t for that wine, I wouldn’t have learned that a certain someone missed me so much that she cried.”

Jiang Ling was so stirred up by He Xi that her sense fled her. For some reason, she wanted to wrap the tip of her tongue around He Xi’s fingers. After this bit of teasing, she suddenly regained her reason. Heat flashed through her chest. Avoiding He Xi’s gaze, she took the bun, “I’ll eat it myself.”

Once she finished eating it, Jiang Ling discovered that she had eaten He Xi’s portion. She immediately stood up to go buy some more, but He Xi pressed her down, indicating that it was not urgent. 

“Buy some more in a bit. First, how about you tell me what that young master of the Tang family told you?”

Jiang LIng then apprised He Xi of everything she had learned from Tang Yi. He Xi’s brows knitted together. In this situation, if Jiang Ling did not believe her, then she may be forced to admit to crimes that were not her own. She recognized that she had also killed countless people, and if she had killed him, then she would just own to it. However, she knew clearly that she had not. She did not want to be branded with the label of murderer, especially when the victim was Jiang Ling’s shixiong. 

“We’ll set out for Mingzhou. I trust that the eldest daughter of the Gu family doesn’t want the true murderer to escape justice.” Jiang Ling immediately made up her mind. Since she believed that He Xi had nothing to do with Gu Yun’s death, then she would naturally see this through to the end.