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Chapter 229 The Four People in Pairs
Qingyun Tianxia's banquets can be either communal or individual.

The banquets outside are all communal meals, meaning everyone sits around a table with a single dish, while the banquet hosted by the young master is a separate meal.

Each person had a few small dishes; the food was not extravagant.

The side dishes also include desserts, such as glutinous rice cakes, but they are made into square shapes instead of the usual sticks.

During the meal distribution, Ding Yao whispered to Ji You that the appraiser had recently become afraid of stick-shaped objects, and would even avoid fried dough sticks at breakfast...

The officials of the pro-immortal faction didn't notice the unique appearance of the food, and were somewhat dizzy throughout the meal.

They never imagined they would sit at the same table with such a powerful figure, after all, this was a world where immortals held supreme authority, and perhaps only His Majesty in the entire Great Xia Dynasty was qualified to do so.

However, because Yan Shuyi didn't speak, the entire meal was basically silent.

During the meal, she glanced at Wei Rui and then at Ji You.

He glanced at the two princesses, and then at Ji You.

He sized up Zhao Yunyue, and then casually glanced at Ji You...

Zhao Yunyue sensed that the appraiser seemed to harbor hostility towards her, and felt somewhat apprehensive, though she didn't know why.

Wei Rui, with chopsticks in her mouth, looked like she was watching a melon, and when she saw Yan Jie's gaze, she didn't find it strange at all.

It's normal to be hostile. Who told you to want to have a child with Sister Yan's husband? My Sister Yan is a super jealous person.

After the meal was finished, night had fallen, and the courtyard was filled with stars.

Zhao Yunyue and the officials of the Immortal Clan were asked to leave, but they were still confused. They felt that the banquet just now was like a dream. Although they didn't seem to have made any connections, the money spent seemed to have been well spent.

At this moment, on a secluded lakeside near the wall to the west of Yongqing Garden, a gentle breeze caressed four figures walking in pairs, a considerable distance apart, strolling forward under the moonlight.

Ji You, Kuang Cheng, and Wei Rui came out from the main gate, having arranged to meet Xiao Jianzhu through the back gate.

When they met, she had already taken off her immortal robe and changed into an orange-yellow belted gauze dress with osmanthus branches embroidered on the shoulders and sleeves, like a fairy in the sunset.

The Little Appraiser of Lingjian Mountain has an extremely strong ability to sell products, and Wei Rui, who is far behind, is already eager to learn from him.

"Young Master Ji and Sister Appraiser are such a perfect match."

Kuang Cheng gazed at the two figures ahead: "But how many people in this world would think they are unworthy?"

After listening, Wei Rui said softly, "Marriage is something that should be decided by oneself."

Kuang Cheng felt a slight unease, unsure whether the man was referring to the two teams ahead of him or to himself.

Yan Shuyi glanced back and said, "Wei Rui's eyes are so funny. She didn't recognize me when she first entered the courtyard. I winked at her and she was happy."

"She's never seen you like that before, so it's normal for her to be a little timid. Actually, I've never seen you like that either. You're very imposing, like you could draw your sword at any moment and ask the other person if they want to live or die."

Yan Shuyi's face fell: "I have always been arrogant and disdainful of the world, how could you not have seen it before?"

The young appraiser always thought he had controlled himself perfectly. In front of Ji You and Wei Rui, he was as dignified as ever, walking with a whooshing sound, never shuffling around or acting coquettishly. He was especially distant when addressing strangers by the four words, exuding an air of authority without anger.

Little did she know that Wei Rui's first impression of her was that although she was arrogant, she was actually very affectionate and a little whiny, and liked to cling to Ji You. This was quite different from her own feelings, and she was somewhat dissatisfied.

Ji Youxin said that your acting was indeed good, but you also gave away quite a few things.

For example, right now, his originally steady and unhurried steps have started to become choppy after a short while, and his speech sounds like he's caught a cold.

This shows that even those who are considered to be the wielders of sacred artifacts have some misunderstandings about themselves.

Yan Shuyi narrowed his eyes and put his hands behind his back: "Did you see the people I asked Ding Yao to meet?"

Ji You nodded: "I saw it, and it turns out that my Heavenly Academy is the least prestigious."

"How do you know I want you to ruin the reputation of Heavenly Sword Peak?"

"I don't know, but if there are things that can help you and that I want to do, I will do them for you."

The young appraiser stared at him, slightly taken aback, and suddenly remembered the sharp sword that had been given to him last night.

She was actually a little down when she heard Zhuo Wanqiu's report, because she didn't want the stranger to think that she was using him.

But now she feels that even if she doesn't go to all that trouble, a strange man would do the same if he met Yan Hao.

Because he will do anything he feels is good for him.

Yan Shuyi narrowed her eyes: "You're just a stranger I've met a few times. Are you perhaps trying your best to curry favor with me, the appraiser?"

She can't remember how many times she's seen him, but she remembers kissing him five times.

But she couldn't say "you're a stranger I've only kissed five times," so she could only refer to him as "I've met you a few times."

Ji You turned to look at the energetic little appraiser under the moonlight: "This isn't about trying to please you, it's just that I hope you can relax a bit. You're not really good at this kind of thing anyway."

Wei Rui was secretly watching from behind and noticed that the judge's sister's walking posture had suddenly become dignified, but after a few steps she started walking again with a clattering sound.

The young appraiser's gaze shifted to Ji You's head: "Where's your little crooked braid?"

Ji You reached up and rolled up her sleeve, revealing a floral rope around her wrist: "Take it off when you take a bath, then get me another one?"

"Why are there two?"

"?"

Yan Shuyi squinted, feeling that the flower rope looked somewhat familiar.

Ji You glanced at the flower rope on her wrist and held her breath, thinking to herself that she was used to it. She had taken one of Yuan Caiwei's ropes when she came and put it on her wrist as well.

He was wondering whether he should make excuses or be criticized when he suddenly noticed that the young appraiser's gaze had shifted elsewhere, and then he squinted and stared intently at the bushes behind a rockery not far away.

Ji You couldn't help but look over and saw a man embracing a woman, their lips locked in a passionate kiss behind a stone wall.

The Sage Garden is very large, with layers upon layers of scenery everywhere. There are countless artificial mountains made of thousands of huge rocks. You can easily find a corner to do something in a very private place, which is indeed a unique kind of thrill.

However, they were unsure whether this was just the beginning of the prelude or simply the end of the process.

After exchanging a glance, Ji You and Yan Shu also held their breath and turned to look at Wei Rui and Kuang Cheng behind them.

Wei Rui and Kuang Cheng happened to be strolling by at that moment and noticed the commotion in the bushes. After taking a look, they were struck dumb, their faces turning redder than the other.

These two drastically different reactions are enough to highlight the development of the relationship between the man and the woman.

People like Ji You and Yan Shuyi, who kissed for no reason, just thought they were a bit bold in the wild, but they didn't think there was anything wrong with it. However, Kuang Cheng and Wei Rui felt a sense of impending doom and the collapse of morality.

The four then slowed their pace and quietly walked past each other until they were out of sight before stopping.

Ji You turned to look at Kuang Cheng and Wei Rui: "The four of us wandering around together is too conspicuous. If we are discovered, it will be difficult to explain. Why don't we split up and then find a place to meet up?"

Kuang Cheng: "?"

Wei Rui: "?"

Yan Shuyi narrowed his eyes, recalling what the couple had done in the bushes earlier, and glanced at Ji You menacingly.

In fact, Kuang Cheng also wanted to whisper some romantic words with Wei Rui, but he was also a little afraid that Wei Rui would learn the essence of Yan Xianzi's temperament.

He wasn't as shameless as Brother Ji; if Wei Rui kept calling him a "strange man," he wouldn't be able to handle it.

So Kuang Cheng pulled Wei Rui away. After looking around, they saw a covered bridge extending from the lake. They stepped onto the stone bridge and followed it to a pavilion suspended above the lake.

Ji You then solemnly led Yan Shuyi forward, asking as they walked, "What did the places where the sages proved their Dao look like?"

Yan Shuyi followed without showing any emotion. After hearing the question, she glanced at him and said, "You've asked the wrong person. I've never been there."

"Even you haven't been inside?" Ji You looked at her with some surprise.

"If I wanted to go, no one would dare to stop me, but that world is too fragile now and cannot withstand the pressure of the sacred artifact, so I cannot bring the Spirit Mirror in. However, it is too risky for me to go in without the Spirit Mirror, so it is not worth it."

The reason why the young master of Lingjian Mountain was able to remain unharmed despite the covetous gaze of Tianjianfeng was simply because of the protection of the Lingjian.

Therefore, not carrying the Spirit Mirror would have been very risky for her in the past.

In particular, sacred sites of the ancients cannot remain open for long periods of time; once inside, one can only leave at fixed times, and no one dares to imagine what might happen.

There is no doubt that Tianjian Peak harbors malicious intentions, and besides them, there are quite a few who want Lingjian Mountain to lose its lineage. Ji You can understand Yan Shuyi's choice. At this moment, the moonlight is exceptionally bright, and its silvery glow shines on the vast and boundless lake, creating a shimmering expanse. If one does not use their divine sense, it is almost impossible to tell whether it is a lake or a sea.

After walking for a while, the two circled around to the south side of the artificial hill and saw a secluded path covered with lush bamboo.

Ji You stopped at this moment, turned around without making a sound, and walked into the dark bamboo forest.

This is a place similar to the one with the couple we just saw...

Yan Shuyi's eyes narrowed slightly, and after a long silence, she slowly followed him inside.

The moonlight shone down, its rays dappled across the ground, broken by the bamboo leaves.

The young appraiser walked with his hands behind his back through a narrow passage where two giant rocks were joined together, his expression resembling that of an appraiser inspecting Spirit Sword Mountain. However, just as he crossed the narrow passage where the two giant rocks stood opposite each other, Ji You turned around and approached him.

Yan Shuyi stared expressionlessly at the man standing close to her. She seemed somewhat displeased that Ji You had previously criticized her for lacking authority. She squinted at him but remained silent.

The rockery was full of stones, and Ji You found a flat one and pulled her onto his lap.

When the plump buttocks sat on his thighs, Ji You instantly smelled a girl's fragrance and found it hard to control himself.

If it were an ordinary appraiser, even if he were held in someone's arms, he would remain calm and composed, his eyes feigning coldness, as if he only saw him as a fleshy cushion, with no ulterior motives and no less capable than anyone else.

To Ji You's surprise, the moment the young appraiser entered her arms, her face flushed instantly. She then turned her beautiful face away, her eyes brimming with tears, and her cheeks grew increasingly red.

Although there are some things I didn't understand at first and no one taught me, at this age, I can understand them just by looking.

But after watching it, there was a problem: it was stuck in my mind and I couldn't forget it. I always felt concerned about it, so much so that my previous calm attitude, even when I just happened to sit on it, started to disappear.

I've recently become a bit afraid of stick-shaped items, so I'll make the glutinous rice cakes square.

Ji You recalled the shape bias that the young appraiser had shown these past few days, and couldn't help but glance down, but as soon as she lowered her head, her hair was grabbed.

The man, surnamed Ji, named You, and styled Bochang, had his gaze forcibly drawn up and felt a faint, orchid-like breath spray onto his face.

"What were you thinking about just now?"

Ji You glanced at her: "I'm thinking about the one you're thinking about."

Yan Shuyi blushed and immediately leaned closer: "I'll bite you..."

"Just say you want to bite."

"?"

Ji You felt she really should find a mirror for her to look in, so she could see the way her little face looked so sullen.

Where is that aloof and arrogant appraiser demeanor now? She's incredibly delicate, her face looks like it could drip water.

At this time, the Sage Garden was very quiet, with only the chirping of insects and the sound of their wings flapping.

Yan Shuyi's gaze suddenly fell on a grasshopper. She reached out and caught it in her palm. After examining it carefully for a while, she released it and fell silent. She wondered why they weren't fighting yet. Then, she subconsciously glanced at Ji You, only to find that the other was seriously looking at her.

In fact, Ji You now has a more favorable view of Yan Shuyi, mainly because he recently met the truly high and mighty Little Appraiser.

Cold and aloof, noble, expressionless, and imposing without anger.

That demeanor was completely different from the way she usually put on in front of me to save face.

Especially when she sat under the osmanthus tree in Yongqing's back garden, the way she looked down on the world with such an air of superiority truly made him feel that Yan Shuyi was different. So when he hugged her, he was a little nervous and had a subconscious desire to look up to her.

Besides showing respect, Ji You also wanted to see if this girl would personally start a fight against him if he remained still.

But after waiting for a long time, she sensed that the person in her arms was getting impatient, and a murderous aura was gradually brewing around him.

There was a murderous intent during our first kiss, and now there's a murderous intent even when we kiss slowly...

Ji You couldn't help but sigh softly, and stepped forward to take a full, slightly cool mouthful of milk.

Yan Shuyi kept her eyes open, her red lips half-open, silently battling him, but her eyes kept darting around, and even when their breathing became heavier during the kiss, she grabbed another grasshopper.

In short, if you do something else while kissing him, you can pretend you didn't specifically kiss him.

Ji You gradually noticed her subtle movements, and her brows furrowed slightly.

Yan Shu didn't notice because she was too close to see her forehead. But at that moment, she suddenly heard a "snap" and a buzzing sound in her ear. After her shoulder trembled slightly, she felt a burning sensation on her buttocks and was completely stunned.

Once she came to her senses, the young appraiser was ready to cause a ruckus, but soon realized she was gradually rising in temperature...

Originally, she was bullied and treated as an equal, but now it has turned into kissing from head to toe, and her eyes gradually widened.

After a long while, Yan Shuyi finally closed her eyes, her hands tightly gripping his clothes...

The Sage Garden is vast, and the most secluded places should be sparsely populated, but two figures suddenly appeared on the bamboo-lined path by the lake.

The woman was facing the lake breeze, her rosy face cast in the shadows. Upon closer inspection, her indifferent expression seemed to carry a hint of fear.

Ji You leaned against the stone railing by the lake, savoring the feel of the hand she had just touched.

Just then, both of them subconsciously looked south.

That was the direction they had just come from. Along the shimmering lake, they could see a pavilion where two people were still gazing at each other, which made them fall silent for a moment.

It's like two completely different worlds.

But if Ji You were to judge which one was better, he would still think they were better, because talking about romance and nature wouldn't lead to having a child.

"Have they always been like this?"

Ji You nodded: "It's always like this, I don't know what it means."

Yan Shuyi turned her head towards him with a cold and aloof expression, and couldn't help but raise her fist to measure the back of his head.

The two retraced their steps and met up with Kuang Cheng and his companion. "Brother Ji, uh, where did Brother Ji and Fairy Yan go?"

"They went to catch grasshoppers," Ji You said casually.

The layout of the Xianxian Garden is interconnected, with the Shengyuan Garden located to the east and the Taiping Garden to the southwest, which are not conveniently located.

Although Yan Shuyi still had that same energetic expression and still had to walk ahead of Ji You, she was noticeably clingy to him tonight. She didn't mention going back first to avoid being seen, but instead led him along the wall.

Only when he reached the outer wall of Rusheng Garden did the young appraiser lightly touch the ground with his toes and disappear amidst the ripples of spiritual energy.

Zhuo Wanqiu and Ding Yao were sitting on the balustrade on the second floor, wondering whether the appraiser would return tonight. Although there were many people and eyes in Xianxian Garden, there were inns everywhere in the county town.

Even with this speculation, they still brewed tea for the appraiser and kept it warm on a small stove.

This is the habit of the young master of Lingjian Mountain. After returning from outside, he always drinks tea first, then takes a bath, and then cultivates or goes to sleep. He does all three without fail, and he has been doing this for more than ten years.

Just as the aroma of tea filled the room, they suddenly heard a sound and saw the appraiser gracefully appear on the wooden floor on the second floor.

"Bath."

"?"

The Pantheon is the most luxurious estate, even the wooden barrels are equipped with temperature-controlled ritual objects.

Yan Shuyi's long, butterfly-patterned dress fluttered and fell to the ground in the room. Her shoes were then kicked off, and soon after, a splashing sound of water could be heard.

Cui'er was in charge of washing the young appraiser's clothes. Seeing that the appraiser had gone to take a bath, she began to tidy up the appraiser's skirt, gauze dress, hem, lining, bodice, silk trousers...

As Cui'er tidied up, a hint of doubt suddenly appeared in her eyes: "Master Appraiser..."

"Ok?"

"Where are your underwear?"

There was a long silence in the bathroom: "I'll wash myself."

Cui'er: "?"

Yan Shuyi was already soaking in a bathtub filled with flower petals, gradually shrinking into the water.

That will kill you...

(End of this chapter)