Don't Provoke the Black Lotus O [Transmigration Novel] - Chapter 60

60: Does It Still Hurt?

The imperial doctor arrived quickly, and Jiang Ci’s injuries were treated. They weren’t serious, just looked frightening.

Helian Ping finally regained her composure and scolded, “You’re still injured yourself, yet you went to save someone else? Who is she to you?”

And you were pretending to have a lame leg! Luckily, everyone was too preoccupied to notice that you had jumped up, almost exposing the act!

“Well, she’s…”

Jiang Ci chuckled awkwardly. Helian Ping’s question had indeed stumped her.

When she saw Xi Lingxue in danger, her body had reacted instinctively.

Who was Xi Lingxue to her?

A lover? Or a friend?

Certainly not an enemy.

Xi Lingxue had indeed deceived and used her, but that was because she was Gao Yi at the time!

How many people in the world would believe in something like soul transmigration?

With the identity of the Marquis of Dingyuan and being Xi Lingxue’s sovereign, she was the greatest threat to Xi Lingxue.

Moreover, they had only known each other for less than a year back then, so it was natural for Xi Lingxue to be wary.

Jiang Ci harbored resentment, but deep down, she couldn’t bring herself to hate her.

She just felt powerless, as if no matter how much she gave, she could never move Xi Lingxue. In the end, she was just a substitute for the female knight.

But fate played a cruel joke. When she was reborn as herself and decided to start a new life, Xi Lingxue found her again.

Xi Lingxue had searched for ten years. After their reunion, she used every excuse to get close, doing everything possible to win her back.

From Songxiang Town to the capital, Jiang Ci could have refused at any point, but she kept compromising, her heart softening each time.

Jiang Ci also felt she was being contradictory. If only people could be like machines, deleting this tangled mess of emotions with a single command, ending it all, she would be free from her troubles.

Perhaps, she could never truly let go of Xi Lingxue.

Especially when she realized that her place in Xi Lingxue’s heart had long surpassed that of the female knight. She was no longer just a substitute.

So she thought, why not start over?

But just then, Xi Lingxue confined her, stationing heavy guards around the mansion, keeping her under strict surveillance.

She lost her freedom, like a golden canary trapped in a cage.

This wasn’t the new beginning she wanted.

During that month of confinement, Jiang Ci realized one thing: she loved Xi Lingxue, but she could never accept living like a pet, being controlled by someone else.

If being together meant having her wings clipped, she would choose to escape.

But even after escaping the Princess’s mansion, she never expected that Xi Lingxue would actually travel thousands of miles, chasing her all the way from the capital to the border, even surrounding the Liang Kingdom’s envoy.

That person, who seemed so strong, was actually fragile, terrified of losing her.

Jiang Ci wasn’t heartless. She didn’t hate her; she just couldn’t bear that kind of life.

So when Mo Sanqi tried to take her away, Jiang Ci stood her ground and asked that question.

[“Xiaoxue, do you remember what the first thing I gave you ten years ago was?”]

The Marquis’s token.

What Jiang Ci really wanted to say was, “I love you too. But the way I love you isn’t through bondage. I choose to respect your wishes.

Can you understand? What I want is an equal love.”

In the end, Xi Lingxue didn’t stop her.

To outsiders, it seemed they had already parted ways. One desperately trying to leave, the other no longer holding on, like a rope stretched to its limit, finally snapping.

Yet, only they knew that Xi Lingxue’s decision to let go was the first real step toward a new beginning.

After parting with Xi Lingxue, Jiang Ci finally made it to the Liang Kingdom. Following the usual plot of a cool article, she should have thrived there, shining brightly, eventually reuniting with Xi Lingxue at the peak…

But half a month after arriving in the capital of Liang, she was beaten half to death and ended up in a wheelchair.

At her most embarrassing moment, Xi Lingxue managed to sneak into the envoy group and saw her in that state.

No amount of embarrassment could describe how she felt. Would Xi Lingxue be angry? Would she mock or ridicule her?

Unexpectedly, a sudden assassin attack broke the stalemate.

Jiang Ci glanced at Xi Lingxue, who also had a complicated expression.

Seeing Jiang Ci, “severely injured and disabled” still trying to block a knife for her, Xi Lingxue swallowed all the words she had planned to say.

Jiang Ci came back to her senses and said, “She’s my friend.”

Xi Lingxue wasn’t just any princess; she held significant power in the Yu Kingdom. Sneaking into Liang was incredibly risky, especially given the chaotic situation there. The more people who knew her identity, the greater the danger.

“Friend?” Helian Ping snorted, her tone sarcastic. “More like a confidante, right? First Xi Lingxue, now Qin Shuang. Little Jiang, you really have a way with people, don’t you?”

Jiang Ci coughed, “Don’t talk nonsense…”

The assassin were all captured, and the situation stabilized. The Empress Dowager, feeling tired, returned to the palace, and the officials also took their leave.

Jiang Ci had been staying at Helian Ping’s princess mansion these past few days, so naturally, she would return with her.

But before they could leave, Xi Lingxue stepped forward and placed her hand on the wheelchair.

“Princess Helian,” the woman said calmly, with a faint smile, “Jiang Ci isn’t married to you yet. Staying together would be improper.”

Helian Ping: “Huh???”

What was this Qianjun doing? Why was she acting just like Xi Lingxue, trying to snatch someone away?

She and Jiang Ci were staying together for the sake of plot!

With the assassin showing up today, she still wanted to discuss the dark hall matter with Jiang Ci back at the mansion.

The Empress of Liang also heard the comment and realized it was indeed inappropriate.

“The envoy is right. I was thoughtless. I’ll arrange accommodations for Jiang Ci immediately.”

Xi Lingxue expressed her gratitude, then turned to Jiang Ci with a smile. “Then tonight, Little Jiang, you’ll come back to the posthouse with us? Your colleagues from Yu miss you dearly.”

Colleagues miss her? What nonsense…

Jiang Ci sighed inwardly, knowing Xi Lingxue had a lot to say. Coincidentally, so did she, so she agreed.

Helian Ping’s eyes darted between the two of them, sensing something was off.

Just as Jiang Ci was about to take her leave, a cold female voice interrupted, “Wait.”

She paused and turned to see that the speaker was none other than the High Priestess, Long Yin.

The woman, dressed in black robes and wearing an ancient, mysterious mask, was expressionless, only her deep eyes visible. Tall and imposing, her staff struck the ground with a dull thud, exuding an inexplicable pressure.

Jiang Ci suddenly remembered—she was also from the Xiaoyao Sect…

That white jade token must have caught her eye!

So, the High Priestess knew her identity?!

Long Yin stared at Jiang Ci, walking step by step toward her until she stopped right in front.

Jiang Ci had no idea what she wanted. It was said that the High Priestess could communicate with spirits, and being stared at like this made her nervous, a chill rising from the depths of her heart.

Everyone in the Xiaoyao Sect studied medicine, but this aunt didn’t seem like it…

She was terrifying, with no affinity at all!

The Empress asked, “High Priestess, do you have any guidance?”

Long Yin raised her pale hand, as if sensing something about Jiang Ci. After a long while, she said, “Your Majesty, I merely sensed that Jiang Ci has been encountering danger ever since she stepped into Liang. Thus, I took the liberty of feeling it.”

The Empress: “And what did you find?”

Long Yin: “She is plagued by misfortune and may face life-threatening dangers in the future.”

Jiang Ci: “…”

Xi Lingxue’s gaze froze, and she quickly asked, “Is there a way to crack it?”

Jiang Ci thought to herself, What’s going on? Do you actually believe this?

Long Yin had been silent earlier, only speaking up after seeing the token. She was probably just using this as an excuse to get close!

“Of course,” Long Yin said solemnly. “By borrowing the power of the mountain god, we can exorcise evil spirits.”

The Empress nodded. “Then this matter shall be entrusted to the High Priestess. Envoys from Yu, rest assured. With the High Priestess handling it, Jiang Ci will be safe.”

Long Yin bowed respectfully to the Empress, then turned to Jiang Ci, saying slowly, “Tomorrow at the mountain god temple, I await your presence.”

Jiang Ci met her gaze and couldn’t help but shiver.

The woman was even taller than her, and perhaps due to the oppressive aura, Jiang Ci felt a tingling scalp. “…Thank you.”

Long Yin nodded, then walked past her with her staff.

…

Jiang Ci left with the Yu envoy group. As they exited the palace, Xi Lingxue personally pushed the wheelchair the entire way. The atmosphere was eerily quiet.

Jiang Ci was practically squirming in her seat.

Ancient wheelchairs weren’t as easy to maneuver as modern ones, and the Liang palace was vast. Pushing it was exhausting. Last time, Helian Ping had pushed her for a long time and had to take a break midway.

She tried to persuade Xi Lingxue a few times, but the other woman remained silent, refusing to hand her over to anyone else.

Jiang Ci had been looking for an opportunity to explain the “lame leg” situation, but she was afraid of leaking information outside, so she had to hold back until they returned to the posthouse.

Once outside the palace, the envoys retrieved their weapons.

One of them took two small golden axes and hung them at his waist. Jiang Ci recognized him immediately—it was Jin Yu in disguise.

Sure enough, she had come to Liang with Xi Lingxue.

Back at the envoy’s temporary posthouse, with the door closed, Jiang Ci finally had a chance to be alone with Xi Lingxue.

But before she could speak, the woman leaned down and embraced her from behind.

Their lips met, soft and tender. Jiang Ci was stunned.

Xi Lingxue’s long lashes trembled, her chest heaving as she eagerly deepened the kiss, almost violently venting her anger.

Xi Lingxue hadn’t expected that after just half a month apart, Jiang Ci would be so badly injured.

She regretted letting her go. Respect and freedom? In the face of life and death, they were all meaningless!

She would rather Jiang Ci hate her, as long as she was alive and well.

But another voice in her heart said, “You can’t lock her up.”

Unless she cripples Jiang Ci’s martial arts, cripples her wild ideas, and imprisoned her forever. Otherwise, even if she locked Jiang Ci up, she would find a way to escape, and maybe next time, she would never be able to get back.

Could you bear that?

Is that what you want?

The two voices tore at her, like a demon in her heart. Xi Lingxue’s eyes were red, tears streaming as she held Jiang Ci, almost madly invading.

No, no!

She didn’t want just a shell. She wanted both body and heart!

Since her previous methods hadn’t worked, she would learn to love Jiang Ci the way Jiang Ci wanted—respecting her… as long as she could have her!

Jiang Ci was forced to tilt her head back, nearly suffocating from the kiss before the woman slightly released her. But after just a second, their lips met again. This time, the kiss wasn’t as intense, it was gentle, exquisite, kissing her eyebrows, her earlobes.

The woman’s eyes were red, emotions swirling within, but in the end, she simply placed her hand on Jiang Ci’s leg and asked in a trembling voice, “Does it still hurt?”

Meeting her gaze, Jiang Ci was momentarily speechless. The words she had been about to say were now stuck in her throat.

If Xi Lingxue had scolded her, mocked her, she might have felt better.

“Look at you, Jiang Ci. This is the result of your foolish choice? Wouldn’t it have been better to just come back with me? You left Yu Kingdom in such a hurry, only to end up like this?”

But Xi Lingxue didn’t laugh at her, even though she was in such an embarrassing state.

All her words condensed into one sentence: “Does it still hurt?”

Jiang Ci’s nose tingled with sourness. She could feel the change in the woman. Someone so powerful was willing to give in, to lower her head.

Xi Lingxue truly wanted to start over with her.

“Actually…” Jiang Ci took a deep breath, struggling to say, “My leg isn’t lame. The injury isn’t as serious as you think.”

Xi Lingxue was stunned, not reacting immediately.

Jiang Ci braced herself and stood up from the wheelchair, taking a few steps and even kicking her legs. “See? Nothing’s wrong.”

The room fell silent.

After a long pause, the woman’s expression darkened, her tears increasing instead of decreasing. Xi Lingxue grabbed Jiang Ci and bit her lip, her voice trembling with a sob, “You lied to me? Was it fun?!”

“I didn’t mean to,” Jiang Ci said, almost crying herself, her lips both hurt and itched from the bite. “I wanted to explain earlier… Ouch, my hand! That’s really injured!”

Xi Lingxue quickly let go. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to… I’ll get the medicine.”

Jiang Ci used her left hand to pull her back, and Xi Lingxue, off balance, fell onto her lap.

Jiang Ci wrapped her arms around her, holding her tightly. “It’s just a minor injury. My master gave me plenty of elixir.”

Xi Lingxue didn’t speak, just bit her lip and gently touched the girl’s face.

She wasn’t really that angry. If Jiang Ci’s leg wasn’t lame, that was a good thing. She was happy, actually.

“Why are you so foolish? Why block the knife for me when you’re already injured…”

“It’s fine. I’m a Qianjun, young and strong. I recover quickly. Besides, if I hadn’t blocked it, that knife would have cut your face. You could have been disfigured.”

“I’d rather be disfigured.”

“Alright, alright. There won’t be a next time. We’ll both be fine.”

Jiang Ci held Xi Lingxue, greedily sniffing the plum fragrance on her.

This was nice. The woman was finally starting to care about her feelings, no longer constraining her like before.

Jiang Ci thought, if things had been like this from the start, she wouldn’t have run away.

But there were no “ifs.” People only change when pushed to the brink.

Fortunately, they still cared for each other, and there was a chance to start over.

Jiang Ci said, “I pretended to be lame to delay the wedding. You know how the imperial family values face. The Liang Kingdom is no exception. They wouldn’t let a cripple marry a princess.”

But her legs had been injured because of Helian Ping, and the whole world knew it. Logically, the imperial family couldn’t cancel the wedding, so they had to postpone it.

Helian Ping’s urgent problem was solved, and Jiang Ci had caught the Empress’s eye, allowing her to realize her ambitions. It was a win-win situation, and things weren’t as bad as they seemed.

“Mm.” Xi Lingxue lowered her eyes, quietly feeling Jiang Ci’s warmth and heartbeat.

Back in Yu Kingdom, they had never held each other like this.

Before, she had used every means to get close to Jiang Ci, even confining her in the mansion, trying to possess her. But even though they were together day and night, they were like strangers sharing a bed, worlds apart.

You can’t lock someone’s body, nor their heart.

Now, by learning to let go, by trying to love Jiang Ci the way Jiang Ci wanted, the other woman had truly come closer.

Xi Lingxue covets this moment of peace. But the wound on Jiang Ci’s arm stings her eyes, reminding her once again how dangerous Liang Kingdom was.

“A Ci, do you still want to stay here?” the woman asked softly, gazing at her. “If you want, I’ll take you back to Yu Kingdom.”

Jiang Ci was startled, her heart stirred.

Xi Lingxue had truly let go of her might. Even though Liang was dangerous, she would first ask for Jiang Ci’s opinion.

“I still need to stay here,” Jiang Ci said. “The High Priestess of Liang is actually martial aunt. And today’s assassin…”

The Empress Dowager called them the dark hall.

Jiang Ci wasn’t sure what the connection was between the dark hall and the Xiaoyao Sect. She had many questions and would need to wait until tomorrow to get answers from Long Yin.

“What is it?”

Xi Lingxue knew a bit about Liang Kingdom. She had heard of the dark hall, a famous assassin organization there. Of course, they were also a prime target for the Liang government, and many had been executed.

The dark hall’s target wasn’t Jiang Ci; it was the Liang imperial court.

Jiang Ci shook her head. “It’s nothing.”

She wouldn’t say anything until she was sure.

Xi Lingxue didn’t press further, only saying, “Then you must be careful here. Don’t act recklessly, don’t get hurt again, and don’t make me worry.”

Jiang Ci smiled. What could she do? This side of Xi Lingxue was so cute!

“As you command, Your Highness. This humble official will live!”

The woman’s face turned red, and she said angrily, “You and your smooth talk…”

After holding each other quietly for a while, Jiang Ci remembered that Xi Lingxue had come to Liang not just for her, but also for official business.

Jiang Ci said seriously, “I’ll also think of a way to help with the Prince Duan matter. I’ve heard that those bandits aren’t the type to kill indiscriminately. They usually only rob goods, so Prince Duan must be safe. Being captured must have another reason.”

“Mm, I think so too.” Xi Lingxue rested her head on Jiang Ci’s shoulder, frowning. “But we still haven’t found any leads on the bandits’ whereabouts. I can’t help but worry.”

Moreover, the Empress Dowager of Liang had rejected their request, forbidding the Yu Kingdom from intervening. They could only wait for news.

Xi Lingxue was also troubled. They had only sent a small team to assist in the investigation. She didn’t understand why the Empress Dowager was so adamant.

She couldn’t just sit back and do nothing.

…

It was getting late, and both of them had things to do the next day, so they returned to their respective rooms to bathe and change.

Jiang Ci still had to go to the mountain god temple for Long Yin to perform the exorcism ritual. But Jiang Ci suspected this was just a pretext. Long Yin must have another purpose.

“Plagued by misfortune, life-threatening dangers…”

Just thinking about this made her roll her eyes.

She hoped this good martial aunt was just being sarcastic!

Jiang Ci blew out the candle and lay down in bed.

As soon as she closed her eyes, Xi Lingxue’s face appeared in her mind.

This was a good start—equality, respect. This was the kind of love she wanted. Everything was moving in the direction she hoped for, wasn’t it?

Jiang Ci’s heart felt warm, and her arm didn’t hurt as much anymore. She felt lucky, so Long Yin must have been talking nonsense.

She and Xi Lingxue would both be fine.