bayedsolid Chapter 369 - An Old Acquaintance
Chapter 369 - An Old Acquaintance
A single, enclosed dwelling, crudely constructed, yet surrounded by high walls. Inside, Fan Li felt trapped, his view of the world was limited to the small patch of sky above.The Great Zhou army’s idea of accommodations was closer to a prison cell than a guest house. The walls were built of rough-hewn stone and unpolished timber, prioritizing durability over comfort or aesthetics.
Fan Li could almost hear Shangguan Wan’er’s instructions during its construction: “Make it strong. Make it hold.” Architectural beauty was clearly not a priority.
“Alas! An Emperor reduced to a common prisoner! Heavens!” Fan Li shouted towards the sky, hoping the Zhou soldiers guarding the perimeter could hear him.
He repeated his cries several times, but no one entered. It seemed they were only concerned with preventing escape, not attending to his comfort. Confirming this, he turned and re-entered the dwelling.
The interior was as spartan as the exterior. No furniture, no bed, just three straw mats tossed carelessly on the floor. The woman in the silver mask huddled in a corner, her arms wrapped around her knees, still trembling with fear, keeping a cautious distance from Fan Li and Qing Qiu.
Qing Qiu, meanwhile, was meticulously cleaning the mats. She produced a handkerchief, summoned a small orb of water with a flick of her wrist, and dampened the cloth before wiping the straw.
“What are you doing?” Fan Li asked, bewildered.
“They’re dirty. I’m cleaning them,” Qing Qiu replied, her tone matter-of-fact and her expression impassive. She worked quickly and efficiently, soon finishing the task.
“You…” Fan Li was speechless. He hadn't expected her to take their captivity so calmly. He drew her close and whispered, “I’ve been meaning to ask, you knew I was a clone. Why risk accompanying me?”
Qing Qiu was aware of his clones. She shouldn’t have fought Shangguan Wan’er back in the Great Jin palace.
“Clones are important, too,” she replied firmly, without hesitation.
Important? Of course, they were important. They accelerated his cultivation and provided logistical convenience. But were they worth risking her life?
“Don’t be foolish. Even if I died, there are other…” Fan Li began, but Qing Qiu shook her head.
“You are more important than the others.”
He didn't understand. What did she mean?
Qing Qiu’s voice softened. “You brought me home once. Now, it’s my turn.”
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It took a moment for Fan Li to understand. When Empress Yao Guang had pursued Qing Qiu, hadn't this clone been the one to offer her refuge and support? In that cave, he had even… indulged in the tactile pleasure of her fox tail. Was that the reason? His gaze drifted towards the fluffy appendage, its rhythmic swaying a reflection of her emotions.
The masked woman, too, seemed captivated by the tail, glancing at them occasionally.
“Alright…” Fan Li sighed, placing a small object in Qing Qiu’s hand. “Use this when they’re not looking.” It was the Substitute Doll, the system’s reward. If Han Yue and Xiang Ning could use the Dust Destiny Necklace, and Wu Gang could consume the Longevity Pill, then Qing Qiu could surely use a system item. He quietly explained its function, careful not to be overheard by the masked woman.
“Do you understand?”
“Yes, I understand.” Qing Qiu nodded obediently, but her expression was tinged with disappointment.
“I’m sorry. I’ve caused you trouble.”
“There’s no need for apologies between us.” He felt the same, but a little reassurance never hurt.
Qing Qiu, a full head shorter than Fan Li, looked up at him, her gaze searching his face.
“Mmm.”
Mmm? What did that mean?
As he pondered, Qing Qiu folded the two straw mats together.
“What are you doing?” Fan Li asked, bewildered.
“Two layers are more comfortable. You said there’s no need for formalities.” Her expression remained impassive, but her tail swished excitedly.
Fan Li was stunned. A woman’s logic was truly… unique.
“Then… what about me?”
Qing Qiu didn’t answer.
Outside, the sun began to set, and the moon rose in the east. Inside, the two women lay down. The masked woman curled up in the corner, looking harmless and vulnerable, her breathing even, as if she were already asleep. Qing Qiu lay on her side on the double-layered mat, taking up only half the space.
Fan Li’s lips twitched. The empty space seemed to beckon him. He couldn’t stand there all night. Though his cultivation allowed him to remain standing for days without discomfort, wasn’t it a bit… pretentious?
The thought had barely formed when he lay down. Much more comfortable. He sighed contentedly, reminding himself, “Just lying down. Nothing more.”
Suddenly, a fluffy tail crept onto his body, its soft fur brushing against his skin, its tip stopping just before his lips, silencing him.
Fan Li’s heart pounded. What was happening? Was Qing Qiu truly this bold? There was another person in the room!
“Don’t make a sound. I’m going to test the Substitute Doll,” Qing Qiu whispered in his ear.
Oh. So that was it. He relaxed, scolding himself for his earlier assumptions. But why did he feel a bit of disappointment?
Qing Qiu rose silently and slipped out of the dwelling, though she remained within the walled enclosure.
She didn’t return.
Fan Li grew curious. The Substitute Doll was activated instantly. Why was she taking so long? Lying there, he began to feel drowsy. He still maintained the habits of his previous life, enjoying the simple pleasures of food and sleep.
He drifted off, then felt someone lie down beside him. Qing Qiu? He thought so, until a pair of slender hands touched his chest.
He nearly bolted upright. This boldness wasn’t like Qing Qiu. But the hands felt… familiar. And they began to wander, igniting a fire within him. He stared into the darkness, his face flushed, astonished by this unexpected… intimacy. It had been a long time since he had been so… passive.
“You… why… how can it be… you?!” He stammered, his face burning. He tried to appear angry, but his expression betrayed a mixture of confusion and excitement.
In the dim moonlight, he saw a silver mask discarded on the floor. The woman’s timid demeanor was gone. Her beauty was breathtaking, her aura radiating both pride and allure, a captivating blend of arrogance and vulnerability, as intoxicating and dangerous as the finest wine.
“So, it was you…” He finally understood why she was “Wine.”
“Hee hee hee.” Princess Chang Le giggled and pinched his waist playfully. “Fan Li, what is the nature of your relationship with Master Qing Qiu?”