Chapter 26: A Night of Suspicions and Preparations

On a misty night atop the violet-hued Zixia Peak, a girl in a pristine white gown summoned her flying sword and descended the mountain. The courtyard, once bustling, returned to its tranquil state.

Seated on a stone bench, a graceful figure slowly rose, her legs elegantly crossed. Under the moon’s gentle glow, her white robe seemed to shimmer with an ethereal veil, enhancing her already enchanting beauty. She appeared as a lost sprite, her deep, almond-shaped eyes briefly glancing back towards the room.

This glance sent a warning through the body of a certain vixen who had been secretly admiring the scene from the doorway. The girl, Xiao Xixi, blushed slightly, remembering how her teacher, Su Mei, had forced her to speak earlier that evening. Xiao Xixi confirmed that Su Mei indeed had a mischievous streak, as a truly kind teacher would have stopped when Xiao Xixi first said ‘no.’

Xiao Xixi recalled the dexterous fingers that had manipulated her tongue, causing it to uncurl. She looked up at the ‘sprite’ approaching the room, conflicted. After a mental struggle, Xiao Xixi decided to flee to a nearby room filled with the scent of orchids, feigning sleep.

To avoid detection, she chose to sleep on her stomach, hoping her expression wouldn’t give her away. Unbeknownst to Xiao Xixi, Su Mei, with her heightened senses, had already perceived her actions. Su Mei, munching on grapes, casually returned to her room, amused by the sight of Xiao Xixi’s trembling backside as she pretended to sleep.

Su Mei, suppressing a smile, decided not to expose Xiao Xixi’s charade. She believed in the adage that ‘food tastes best when eaten slowly,’ and feared that overwhelming Xiao Xixi might instill fear in her. With a flick of her ring, a thin, orchid-scented silk blanket appeared, which she gently draped over Xiao Xixi.

The soft touch and added warmth caused Xiao Xixi to waver, questioning Su Mei’s true intentions. Was she genuinely trying to teach Xiao Xixi to speak, or was she simply being mischievous? Xiao Xixi decided to focus on sleep, despite the alluring scent of orchids emanating from Su Mei, who sat nearby.

Xiao Xixi, recalling her high school days, remembered how complex texts helped her fall asleep. Without those books, she turned to the intricate tasks she had accepted, hoping their complexity would induce sleep. As she delved into the 996 tasks, she discovered they were interconnected, often involving love interests, lost items, or bullying incidents.

Intrigued, Xiao Xixi began to piece together clues from the tasks, her mind growing drowsy with the effort. Soon, she drifted off to sleep, her breaths becoming soft snores. Su Mei, meditating nearby, opened her eyes, observing the vulnerable Xiao Xixi with a mix of excitement and curiosity.

Su Mei’s room had two chambers, but she chose to stay, drawn by Xiao Xixi’s adorable act and a hunch she had. She believed that verifying her suspicion while Xiao Xixi was awake might be too intense, potentially leaving a lasting shadow on the innocent girl’s mind. Su Mei decided to act on her hunch that night, preparing meticulously.

She removed her silk stockings, revealing smooth, shimmering legs that seemed to glow under the moonlight. With practiced ease, she undressed, placing each garment carefully on a nearby stool. Finally, she lay down beside Xiao Xixi, the lantern light casting a soft glow on her naked form.

As she slipped into the narrow space, the scent of orchids mingled with Xiao Xixi’s natural fragrance, creating a heady aroma. Su Mei gently pulled Xiao Xixi into her embrace, her red lips curving into a smile. ‘Forgive me, Xiao Xixi,’ she whispered, her voice carrying on the night breeze. A light blue, flower-patterned skirt lay discarded on the stool, a silent testament to the unfolding scene.

****

TL Note: The next chapter will explain Su Mei’s suspicion and the ancient text’s description.