The Villainess Always Tries to Seduce Me - Chapter 41

Today, Yun Chuanzhi was remarkably generous, clearly sincere about seeking knowledge. She felt deeply gratified and rose to gently touch her fingertips, explaining with meticulous care, “You should weave from the bottom up here, using a technique similar to how mortals weave bamboo hats.”

The young woman’s fingertips differed from Bai Fenghuo’s delicate ones, bearing thin calluses from years of labor. Though her hands were small, her fingers extended half an inch beyond her palms, appearing both nimble and strong—remarkably beautiful.

The warmth of Yun Chuanzhi’s hand brushed against the back of Bai Fenghuo’s hand, the distinct texture of her palm lines palpable.

Coupled with the faint scent of soapberry drifting into her nostrils, Bai Fenghuo’s mind grew flustered. She bit her tongue slightly to regain composure.

“This is so tedious,” Bai Fenghuo muttered, winding the cotton threads with slight irritation. “Why not make a spinning wheel? It would save so much effort.”

“This is just for fun,” Yun Chuanzhi replied. “Besides, a spinning wheel requires far more wood. Ling Shui has already gone to great lengths to find these two pieces of Volcanic Ebony.”

“It’s just Volcanic Ebony,” Bai Fenghuo said, withdrawing her hand from Yun Chuanzhi’s palm and tucking it into her sleeve to cool. “You could have simply asked This Seat. Why bother Ling Shui?”

No wonder Master had refused to teach her Artifact Refinement. She must have known Yun Chuanzhi’s impulsive and careless nature made her completely unsuited for such meticulous work.

“Really?” Yun Chuanzhi’s face lit up with joy. She grinned brightly and rushed forward to massage Bai Fenghuo’s legs. “Then I’ll take three round logs, some top-grade spirit stones, and Ancient Profound Iron.”

“You’re pushing your luck,” Bai Fenghuo muttered, but she didn’t refuse outright.

“Entertain yourself. This Seat needs a nap,” Bai Fenghuo said languidly. She steadied herself against the table corner, rose gracefully, and strolled toward the bed, where she paused.

Yun Chuanzhi understood her meaning. She hurried over and began tidying the bed herself, smoothing the wrinkles from the silken quilts and arranging Bai Fenghuo’s precious red jade seven-treasure pillow properly. Her hand brushed beneath the pillow, and she pulled out a small pouch.

The delicate pouch was stuffed with calming herbs, making it bulge. Yun Chuanzhi weighed it in her hand, a growing sense of familiarity washing over her.

Isn’t this the pouch I made with talismans to help Bai Fenghuo ward off nightmares when we were down the mountain? she wondered. When did she bring it up here?

As Yun Chuanzhi stared in astonishment, a jade-like hand descended from above and snatched the pouch away. A fleeting blush colored Bai Fenghuo’s cheeks, but by the time Yun Chuanzhi looked up, her face had already reverted to its usual aloof, arrogant expression.

“This Seat found it useful, so I kept it,” she said, lifting Yun Chuanzhi by the collar and pulling her behind her. “I need to rest. Do not disturb me.”

Yun Chuanzhi had grown considerably taller in recent days. The so-called “lifting” was merely her standing on tiptoe and cooperating with her backward movement.

He knew this would please Bai Fenghuo, and indeed, she seemed quite satisfied. With a graceful sway of her slender waist, she silently lay down on the bed.

Bai Fenghuo had seemed perpetually fatigued lately. Yun Chuanzhi, lacking medical knowledge, could only speculate that it was due to her forced cultivation.

According to Cheng Jinshu, Bai Fenghuo had suffered lingering health issues from a punishment years ago. Though she had been by her side for months, aside from the two initial episodes that seemed half-real, she had never witnessed her show any vulnerability.

Ah, beset by both internal and external troubles, she must have it rough, Yun Chuanzhi thought, feeling a pang of sympathy. She tucked the blanket around her and tiptoed back to the window, resuming her weaving of the Wind Collar.

Bai Fenghuo closed her eyes for a long time, but hearing no door open, she slightly lifted her lashes. Seeing the girl’s hunched back as she worked diligently, a wave of drowsiness finally washed over her, and she drifted into a deep slumber.

Bai Fenghuo slept deeply and soundly, completely unguarded. Though it was only meant to be a midday nap, she ended up sleeping for hours.

When she awoke, the shadows of trees loomed dark outside the window, and stars dotted the sky like scattered jewels. The heavens resembled a vast sapphire, its edges tinged with the pale glow of dawn.

Bai Fenghuo’s heart trembled. She pushed herself up, her body still weak, and glanced toward the window. There, in the dim light, the girl sat as before, her palm glowing faintly, her eyes still closed.

How could she sleep so soundly, without even a protective barrier around her? Bai Fenghuo wondered, a chill running down her spine. If someone had taken advantage of her slumber, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

A wave of fear washed over her, but the girl heard her stir. She opened her eyes, turned, and smiled. “Awake?”

The moment Yun Chuanzhi’s voice reached her ears, the lingering fear miraculously vanished.

Bai Fenghuo hummed in acknowledgment, exhaling slowly. Barefoot, she stepped onto the cool stone tiles, her wide sleeves swaying as she approached the window. “Is it already dusk?” she asked.

“More than that. The sun’s about to rise,” Yun Chuanzhi replied with a yawn, equally astonished. It was the first time she’d ever seen Bai Fenghuo sleep so long, completely unresponsive to any attempts to wake her.

“This Seat has slept for an entire day and night?” Bai Fenghuo’s eyes flickered with confusion. She pushed open the window and inhaled the cool morning air, its dampness carrying the scent of dew—undeniably the dawn.

“Yes, I even pretended to drop a cup to wake you, but you didn’t react at all. You just rolled over,” Yun Chuanzhi sighed. Only Ghost knew how bored she’d been all night; she’d woven three Wind Collars.

Bai Fenghuo suppressed her shock, closed the window, and lit the lamp. “You didn’t sleep all night?”

“I slept earlier, but woke up at Yin Hour,” Yun Chuanzhi stretched and yawned. “Seeing Sect Leader sleeping so soundly, I didn’t dare return to my room.”

Who knew if Bai Fenghuo had any defenses prepared? With so many enemies seeking revenge, if someone had infiltrated her room while she slept and harmed her, Yun Chuanzhi would have been held responsible. It was better to guard her here.

Bai Fenghuo’s lips moved as if she wanted to thank him, but the words didn’t come. She merely huffed, “How kind of you.”

Yun Chuanzhi mimicked her huff behind her back before rising to her feet. Her legs, stiff from sitting too long, buckled, and she stumbled forward, falling to her knees.

But before her knees hit the ground, an arm wrapped around her waist from behind. With a lift, Yun Chuanzhi was pulled upright, her chest colliding with something soft and warm.

Even as she tried to control herself, her cheek sank into that cloud-like warmth.

Realizing what had happened, Yun Chuanzhi’s face flushed crimson from head to toe, her body freezing in place. Only when the woman murmured, “Have you buried yourself enough?” did she find the strength to retreat.

Seeing the usually composed and self-possessed girl so flustered, Bai Fenghuo’s lingering irritation vanished like smoke, replaced by a mischievous delight.

She added, “How was it?”

“A little warm,” Yun Chuanzhi replied truthfully, unsure what Bai Fenghuo was asking. Having regained her composure, she wiped the sudden sweat from her forehead with her sleeve.

“No one asked how you were,” Bai Fenghuo said, stepping forward with her hands clasped behind her back. She watched with amusement as Yun Chuanzhi retreated step by step until she backed into the red coral cabinet behind her.

What new mischief is this rascal plotting now? Yun Chuanzhi wondered, unable to decipher Bai Fenghuo’s intentions. The cool autumn air suddenly felt like a sweltering steam room, stiflingly hot.

She looked up at Bai Fenghuo, her gaze lingering on the alluring curves before deliberately avoiding the exposed fair skin above. “Very good,” she said earnestly.

“Very beautiful.”

“Sect Leader is the most beautiful.”

Her rambling compliments grew tiresome. Bai Fenghuo waved her hand dismissively, silencing her.

“Get out and prepare breakfast,” Bai Fenghuo snapped irritably, watching the girl’s retreating figure. For a moment, she couldn’t decide whether to be angry or amused.

Whitey suddenly popped up from somewhere, clanking over to Bai Fenghuo’s feet. “Our Sect Leader Bai’s beauty is renowned throughout the realm, yet she’s been outwitted by a mere Little Immortal Servant. It’s truly…”

“Pah!” Bai Fenghuo kicked him, a smirk playing on her lips. “Believe me, I’ll toss you into the furnace and refine you into an inkstone.”

“Just teasing her a bit,” Bai Fenghuo said, glancing at the door before lazily turning back to sit down.

“I’ve followed you for over a century,” Whitey said bluntly. “You’ve always been displeased when others teased you, but I’ve never seen you tease anyone else like this. It’s just a pity she’s not the real Cui Ergou…”

Bai Fenghuo’s fingers, which had been twirling a strand of hair, paused slightly, her smile slowly fading. “What do you mean?”

“We know nothing of her past, only that she’s deeply skilled in Artifact Refinement and, despite her laziness, acts with a maturity that belies her youthful appearance. She’s clearly no ordinary girl.”

Whitey dragged out the last word, “Perhaps… before her soul transfer, she even had a family.”

The moment those words were uttered, the room plunged into an icy chill. Even the morning breeze drifting through the window seemed colder. The Iron Puppet shivered and wrapped itself in a window curtain.

“I was just guessing,” it muttered. “Don’t take it out on me.”

After a long silence, Bai Fenghuo’s laughter finally drifted through the air. “Your guess isn’t unreasonable. Why would This Seat take it out on you? Besides, what if she does have a family? She’s just a Little Immortal Servant. Does having a family disqualify her from serving?”

If only that were true, Whitey thought, peeking at Bai Fenghuo with one eye and sighing softly.

Though Bai Fenghuo guarded her heart fiercely, she had never experienced romantic love and was ignorant of its dangers. Combined with her arrogant and stubborn nature, such a person, once smitten—even with mere affection—might easily surrender her true feelings.

If those feelings were reciprocated, all would be well. But if misplaced, another world-ending calamity awaited him.

Whether Immortal or mortal, trust remained the greatest vulnerability. Whitey worried about this, but as a puppet, it could do nothing.

It could only hope it was overthinking things and that Bai Fenghuo was merely teasing.

Yun Chuanzhi remained unaware of the minor turmoil unfolding in Bai Fenghuo’s bedroom at Spring Encounter Pavilion. Yawning, she prepared breakfast, tea, and a small piece of dingsheng gao (victory cake), a seasonal treat for early autumn. She carried the meal on a serving tray to the door.

Before Yun Chuanzhi could knock, the door swung open. Bai Fenghuo, now adorned in opulent robes, stood regally in the doorway. Her dark hair was styled into an elaborate bun, crowned with a golden hairpin that swayed with each step, leaving only a few strands to flutter in the breeze.

His makeup was meticulously applied, lending her an alluring and refined air. Her lashes curled like butterfly wings, and delicate floral patterns, shimmering with fine glitter, adorned the corners of her eyes, sweeping upward toward her temples.

“Sect Leader, this…” Yun Chuanzhi began, but Bai Fenghuo cut her off with an icy tone, not even glancing at her. “There’s no need for breakfast. I just received a letter from the Sect Leader, summoning all sect leaders and elders to the Main Peak to discuss the Autumn Conferral.”

Yun Chuanzhi was about to ask what the Autumn Conferral was when Bai Fenghuo swept past her. The rising sun glinted off her shoulder pads, dazzling her eyes.

What’s going on now? Yun Chuanzhi wondered, handing the food tray to a passing Immortal Servant. She gathered her skirts and hurried after Bai Fenghuo, but she moved with such swiftness that she had to break into a run to keep up.

So tiring, Yun Chuanzhi thought silently. If I’d known I’d be doing physical labor so early, I would have asked Ling Shui to cover for me and serve her instead.

She chased her down the corridor for what felt like an eternity, panting heavily. Just as she mustered the courage to suggest a break, Bai Fenghuo abruptly halted. Yun Chuanzhi had to react quickly, grabbing onto a nearby pillar to avoid crashing into her again.

“This Seat suddenly has an idea.” Bai Fenghuo, who had been cold and aloof just moments ago, now smiled, though the smile didn’t reach her eyes, giving it a sinister edge that sent a chill down one’s spine.

Yun Chuanzhi remained silent, warily hiding behind a pillar.

“You’ve come of age, haven’t you?” Bai Fenghuo stepped forward, grabbed Yun Chuanzhi by the shoulder of her robe, and pulled her out from behind the pillar. “You’ve served diligently these past few days,” she said with a smile, “so this Seat wishes to find a way to reward you.”

A reward? Silver or treasures? Yun Chuanzhi’s spirits lifted, and her lips unconsciously curved into a smile.

“Your Immortal Talent is mediocre, and you have no interest in cultivation. Your lifespan is as short as that of a mortal. If you remain on this mountain for a few more years, half your life will have passed.”

“Therefore, this Seat intends to find an auspicious day and a suitable match, arrange your marriage, and send you down the mountain to live an ordinary life. How does that sound?” Bai Fenghuo’s gaze was indifferent, her voice as light as drifting clouds.

The smile vanished from Yun Chuanzhi’s face without a trace.