Don't Provoke the Black Lotus O [Transmigration Novel] - Chapter 73

73: End

Jiang Ci pressed her lips together and didn’t respond, her mind racing as she tried to piece together the events of the past.

“She’s not my sister.” A thin layer of sweat formed on Jiang Ci’s forehead. The more she thought about it, the more alarmed she became. She already had a rough guess—she just needed final confirmation. “Master, back then, didn’t Dongfang Bubai take Xiaoxue away from the capital? How did she…”

Mo Sanqi looked at her as if she’d seen a ghost. “How do you know all this?”

Jiang Ci paused, her expression complicated. “I saw the past at the mountain god’s temple. I also saw you and General Pei—”

“Ahem,” Mo Sanqi quickly cut her off. “Back then, she did leave, but this girl… she was too strong-willed. She didn’t want to follow the path others had arranged for her—she insisted on going back to fight those people.”

What happened afterward didn’t need to be said. Naturally, she suffered greatly.

Now, Jiang Ci fully understood. The day she’d traveled back in time and bustled about hadn’t actually changed anything.

The female knight-errant was “Dongfang Bubai” and the rival in love was herself.

Xi Lingxue’s unforgettable person, the one she’d been searching for all along, had always been her…

What a twist of fate!

Jiang Ci’s heart ached. How could things have turned out like this…

She carefully took the woman’s hand and gently caressed it.

The past had slipped through their fingers like sand, impossible to retrieve. They had missed out on far too much.

Helian Ping didn’t know what Jiang Ci was thinking. Logically, now that Xi Lingxue was finally out of danger, shouldn’t she be happy? Why did she still look so sorrowful?

“She’ll recover.” Helian Ping comforted her. “You two are really lucky. Look, we hardly ever see Senior Mo, yet she appeared just when we needed her. The mountain god must be watching over you!”

Mo Sanqi curled her lip. “What mountain god? I came here specifically to find A Ci.”

When she’d given Jiang Ci the Xiaoyao Token, she’d thought that if Jiang Ci encountered difficulties in Liang Kingdom, she could use her status as sect leader to seek Long Yin’s help.

Mo Sanqi hadn’t set foot in Liang Kingdom for fourteen years, nor had she contacted Long Yin in all that time. In her memory, her junior sister was highly skilled in martial arts, and the Dark hall was full of talented people—they’d surely be able to help Jiang Ci overcome any challenges.

Who could’ve guessed that the Dark hall had long since descended into chaos and instead needed Jiang Ci to step up and take charge?

The Xiaoyao Sect’s earth-shattering activities in Liang Kingdom had been impossible for her to ignore.

Unable to rest easy about her only disciple, Mo Sanqi had no choice but to set foot in this land once again.

And, of course, she once again encountered the person she’d never wanted to see again in this lifetime.

“Senior Sister…”

Long Yin appeared at the doorway at some point, her mask concealing her face. Only her subdued voice betrayed her helplessness and deep regret.

Mo Sanqi didn’t turn around, speaking only to Jiang Ci. “She’s been saved. You can take care of the rest yourself.”

Jiang Ci was taken aback. “You’re leaving already? Won’t you stay a few more days?”

Long Yin stared at her senior sister’s indifferent back, her chest tight.

In the past, they had been inseparable, spending every day together. Who could’ve guessed that because of Pei Yun, her senior sister would vanish for over a decade, and now, upon reuniting, she wouldn’t even spare her a glance?

Long Yin had long since regretted it. If she’d known it would come to this, she would never have told that lie.

“Senior Sister, I need to talk to you.”

“I don’t want to hear it. If you have time, you should go see… them.”

The words “wife and daughter” stuck in Mo Sanqi’s throat. Firstly, Long Yin and Pei Yun had never married, and secondly, it involved reputations—she couldn’t very well bring it up in front of so many people.

Her face cold, she added after a pause, self-mockingly, “Those are your matters. Why should I interfere? Farewell.”

With Mo Sanqi’s lightness skill, no one present could stop her if she wanted to leave.

Long Yin grew anxious. If Mo Sanqi left on her own this time, who knew when they’d meet again?

“Senior Sister!” she blurted out. “I lied to you back then! There was never anything between me and them!”

She had deliberately approached Pei Yun, fabricated the lie that they were in love, and even claimed the child as her own—all to sabotage their relationship and win Mo Sanqi back.

She admitted she’d been despicable and acknowledged she was no good person. That’s why she’d ended up in this state—she’d brought it all upon herself.

Mo Sanqi stiffened, not quite understanding her words—until it dawned on her.

Was it what she thought?

“What do you mean?”

“Senior Sister, let’s talk somewhere else.”

Mo Sanqi hesitated, then said gravely, “Follow me.”

“Master,” Jiang Ci called out, worried that Mo Sanqi might not know about Long Yin’s condition, “walk a bit slower. Auntie… can’t keep up.”

The first time Jiang Ci had descended into the altar, she’d heard Jing Muxing mention that Long Yin had been injured by a pregnant Kunjun.

Her meridians had been damaged, and she’d lost all her martial arts.

After traveling through time, Jiang Ci was certain that the Kunjun could only have been Pei Yun!

The grievances between these three were not for Jiang Ci to judge—each had their own temper. She could only hope they’d clear the air.

Mo Sanqi paused mid-step, her eyes full of confusion.

Long Yin said nothing, only gripped her staff and turned to walk out, her steps far less steady than before.

That night, the two of them didn’t return. Early the next morning, Mo Sanqi bid a hurried farewell and left, swift as the wind.

…

Once Xi Lingxue’s condition stabilized, Jiang Ci took her back to her own residence to recuperate. She sent word to the embassy to reassure the envoys. Jin Yu rushed over as soon as she heard the news, helping with the care.

However, when it came to private matters like bathing, Jiang Ci didn’t want anyone else’s assistance.

The first two days were manageable since Xi Lingxue was unconscious. Though Jiang Ci was flustered facing her naked body, she could still complete the task without issue.

But once the woman woke up, the difficulty level skyrocketed.

“Can you close your eyes for a bit…?”

Jiang Ci held a warm, damp towel, having just finished wiping Xi Lingxue’s face, but hesitated to proceed further.

The woman lay weakly on the bed, her dark hair spread out, her shimmering eyes fixed on Jiang Ci, brimming with emotion.

“Why so shy?” Xi Lingxue curled her lips slightly, her voice still hoarse. “Haven’t you… already seen everything?”

Jiang Ci’s face burned instantly.

She had seen everything, but—but… hearing it from the woman’s lips somehow made it unbearably seductive, setting her heart aflame.

She’s the one lying there naked, so why am I the one blushing?!

This woman had started teasing her the moment she woke up!

Jiang Ci steadied herself and avoided the topic, diverting attention with other matters. “Your injuries aren’t serious anymore. You’ll recover fully after some rest.”

She lifted the blanket slightly, focusing on the collarbone as she gently wiped with the towel.

The woman gave a soft “Mm” sighing, “Dr. Jiang works miracles.”

Hearing this long-unused title, Jiang Ci froze, instantly recalling the time back in Songxiang Town when she’d given Xi Lingxue moxibustion.

What followed was a day and night of unforgettable passion.

Memories of those indescribable scenes made Jiang Ci’s palms grow hot. Just as she finished wiping the collarbone and was about to move lower, her body grew restless with desire.

“…It wasn’t me. Master was the one who saved you.”

She swallowed hard, trying to suppress her thoughts. Her solemn expression made it seem like she was performing major surgery.

“Oh, Senior Mo came too.”

Xi Lingxue murmured this, but just as Jiang Ci’s hand brushed her chest, she couldn’t help but let out a soft moan.

Jiang Ci’s hand trembled, and she stopped abruptly. “Did I hurt you?”

The woman whimpered, her eyes hazy with desire. “No, it’s just… a little ticklish…”

That sweet, soft voice instantly made Jiang Ci’s heart race.

She’s a temptress!

What should have been a simple bath turned into an ordeal. Pressing her lips together, she tried to finish the daunting task as quickly as possible.

At night, Jiang Ci didn’t dare share the bed with her, opting instead to sleep on a makeshift pallet on the floor.

Xi Lingxue, of course, wasn’t having it.

When Jiang Ci tucked her in, the woman caught her hand. Looking up, Jiang Ci met a pair of resentful eyes.

“Why so far away?”

Jiang Ci didn’t move, afraid of aggravating her injuries. “How is this far? I’m right beneath you.”

Xi Lingxue gripped her hand tightly, biting her lip. “If I can’t touch you, it’s too far. Come up here.”

Jiang Ci’s gaze wavered, and she made an excuse. “I move around a lot in my sleep. What if I crush you?”

The woman snorted. “You had no trouble climbing into other people’s beds, but with me, you keep refusing.”

Jiang Ci was rendered speechless. This old grievance was being dredged up over and over! With a sigh, she resigned herself and climbed into bed.

The moment she lay down, the woman wrapped her arms around her neck, interlacing their fingers, and draped a leg over her, as if determined to “lock” her in place.

Jiang Ci didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. What kind of person stays this unruly after being stabbed?!

She slowly turned onto her side to face Xi Lingxue, gently caressing her cheek. “I won’t run away. I’ll stay with you from now on.”

Helian Ping was right—they were lucky. Xiaoxue hadn’t left her, and they still had a long future ahead to spend together.

Xi Lingxue gazed at Jiang Ci, her long lashes fluttering slightly. “When are we going back to Yu Kingdom?”

“We’ll go back once you’ve recovered.”

The affairs in Liang Kingdom had been settled, and Jiang Ci no longer needed to intervene. As for her “engagement” with Helian Ping, the Empress knew the truth and wouldn’t force the issue.

Xi Lingxue scooted closer, nestling against her. “I can’t sleep. Keep me company.”

Jiang Ci smiled. “Sure, want to chat for a bit?”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Xi Lingxue also smiled, as if transported back ten years to when Jiang Ci had first crossed over.

Only their roles were reversed now.

“That person you’ve been thinking about all this time…” Jiang Ci trailed off, feeling that since it was all in the past, there was no point bringing it up. “Never mind, it’s nothing.”

She herself had been the female knight-errant, and the thought of it now felt incredibly foolish. Especially at the last moment before her rebirth, she’d cursed herself harshly:

[No more being lovesick! She’s just a scumbag!]

Now, a decade later, that “boomerang” had come back to strike her.

Jiang Ci’s emotions were indescribably complicated.

But Xi Lingxue’s expression turned serious. She knew Jiang Ci had always been bothered by this person, and she herself had often felt the two were similar—but their ages didn’t match, and neither did their handwriting.

“A Ci, you can ask me anything. It’s just… I didn’t know much about her, and to this day, I still don’t know her name.”

“Ahem.” Jiang Ci moistened her lips. “Let’s just drop this. Neither of us should mention her again.”

“No, I want to talk about it,” the woman insisted stubbornly. “I don’t want you to misunderstand.”

“I’m not misunderstanding anymore…”

“I did have feelings for her back then, but now,” Xi Lingxue’s eyes shimmered as she spoke earnestly, “I know very clearly that the one I love is you.”

“I should’ve realized it sooner. Then we wouldn’t have missed out on ten years.”

Jiang Ci’s heart ached with guilt. After a long silence, she said, “Let’s not dwell on the past. Let’s just focus on the present and live each day to the fullest, okay?”

Xi Lingxue looked at her, and for a moment, their features seemed to overlap.

This time, it wasn’t just their appearance—even their expressions and tones matched. At this moment, Jiang Ci resembled that person more than ever.

Xi Lingxue was momentarily dazed but didn’t dwell on it. “Okay” she agreed.

…

Under Jiang Ci’s meticulous care, Xi Lingxue recovered quickly.

The woman was eager to return to Yu Kingdom for another important reason: she wanted to see the plum blossoms before they withered.

Those had been planted ten years ago on Jiang Ci’s orders when she was still “Gao Yi.”

But ever since then, though the flowers had bloomed year after year, the two of them had never admired them together.

Now, even if they rushed back at full speed, they’d likely miss the blooming season. Not to mention Xi Lingxue’s body, still in recovery, couldn’t endure the rigors of travel.

Jiang Ci, however, didn’t mind and took her time preparing for their return to Yu Kingdom.

On the day of their departure from Shangjing, the Empress of Liang Kingdom personally saw them off outside the city, assigning Sai Na to escort them safely. Coincidentally, Prince Duan was also returning with them.

Before leaving, Helian Ping reminded Jiang Ci, “Once you’ve set a date, remember to invite me to the wedding.”

“Absolutely,” Jiang Ci said with a smile. “See you later!”

The crowd watched as they departed. The Empress glanced at her younger sister and sighed inwardly.

To have her “almost-consort” snatched away like this—the Eldest Princess of Yu Kingdom was truly formidable.

“Ping’er, you should start thinking about your own future. I’ll choose another consort for you—someone better than Jiang Ci.”

“Forget it,” Helian Ping said listlessly. Truthfully, she didn’t care for Liang Kingdom’s Qianjun. After a moment’s thought, she asked, “What if… I go to Yu Kingdom again?”

The Empress was taken aback. “You want to pick someone from Yu Kingdom?”

“Why not?”

“There’s no reason not to. As long as you’re happy.”

Thus, the Empress of Yu Kingdom received another letter.

After reading it, Xi Tingyue nearly spat bl00d and slammed the table. “This Helian Ping! The returned betrothal gifts haven’t even arrived yet, and she’s already placing another order?!”

Chief Steward Chang said timidly, “Your Majesty, a marriage alliance would be beneficial…”

That was true, but Xi Tingyue was vexed. Was this even proper?!

She picked up a memorial, skimmed it, and tossed it aside.

“Do these old ministers have nothing better to do? They pester me every day about filling the harem!”

The pressure to continue the imperial bloodline had fallen on her shoulders. Now she finally understood why Xi Lingxue had refused to become Empress.

Xi Tingyue exhaled heavily and reluctantly returned to reviewing memorials. Meanwhile, her two elder sisters were off traveling the land.

Inside a luxurious yet understated carriage, Jiang Ci unfurled a map with a flourish and proudly explained to Xi Lingxue, “I had Lou Jingou gather information long ago and made a detailed travel itinerary.”

“These are all must-visit spots, and there’s plenty of delicious food along the way. We’ll take our time.”

Xi Lingxue leaned in to look. The map was filled with meticulous notes, clearly crafted with great care.

But the handwriting… looked familiar, as if she’d seen it somewhere before.

“Wow, this is amazing!” Jin Yu’s eyes sparkled, though she soon grew worried. “But if we do this, we’ll definitely miss the blooming season.”

“So we won’t rush.” Jiang Ci said with a smile. “This time, we’ll slow down and truly enjoy life.”

With the person she loved most by her side, every moment was a beautiful scene. Why rush blindly forward?

Jiang Ci closed her eyes and breathed in the fresh air. When she turned back to Xi Lingxue, she found the woman staring at the map, lost in thought.

After a long while, Xi Lingxue suddenly asked, “Did you write all these notes yourself?”

“Of course! Lou Jingou only gathered the information—I planned the itinerary. A labor of love!”

Jiang Ci emphasized this, hoping for some “reward.” Xi Lingxue had been recuperating all this time, so she hadn’t dared to make any moves, forced to endure her hunger.

But now was different.

Sure enough, the woman’s lips curled into a smile. After a moment, she said, “Jin Yu, go ride in Her Highness’s carriage for a while.”

Jin Yu immediately understood what was about to happen and made a swift exit.

Now, it was Jiang Ci’s turn to feel shy. She lowered her head and fiddled with her fingers. “Isn’t this a little inappropriate? We’re still in a carriage…”

Xi Lingxue straddled her lap, wrapping her arms around Jiang Ci’s neck.

Jiang Ci tilted her head up, meeting the woman’s fervent kiss.

Just as she was about to lose herself and bite Xi Lingxue’s nape, she heard a whisper in her ear:

“What’s inappropriate about it?”

“Dongfang Bubai.”

Jiang Ci’s pupils contracted as she met Xi Lingxue’s meaningful gaze.

A cold sweat broke out down her back.

…The Black Lotus was truly a force to be reckoned with.