Transmigrating into the world of Jade Dynasty, I was targeted by the female lead in a reverse romanc

In the kitchen of Dazhufeng, it was still dark.

The fire roared in the stove, and white steam rose from the edge of the pot lid. Zhang Xiaofan squatted in front of the stove, holding fire tongs and poking at the fire intermittently.

He stared at the fire, the flickering flames reflecting on his face, making his eyes appear bright yet empty.

There's meat stewing in the pot.

It was a wild rabbit I caught in the back mountain yesterday. I skinned it, chopped it into pieces, added shiitake mushrooms and dried bamboo shoots, and simmered it over low heat overnight.

"Senior Brother Jiang likes this," Zhang Xiaofan thought.

In the past, whenever we had a feast, Brother Jiang would squat by the stove, staring longingly at the pot, and say, "Xiao Fan, when will it be ready?" He would rub his hands together as he spoke. When the meat was served, he was always the first to reach for his chopsticks, eating with his mouth full of oil, and muttering, "Xiao Fan's cooking skills have improved again."

But now...

Zhang Xiaofan paused for a moment while poking at the fire. The firelight illuminated his lowered eyelashes, casting a small shadow on his face.

How long has it been since Senior Brother Jiang came down the mountain? About eight or nine days.

Kongsang Mountain… I've heard that place is incredibly eerie, teeming with frighteningly large numbers of bats, and inhabited by demonic cult members. Senior Brother Jiang's cultivation has dropped; he's only at the third level of the Jade Purity Realm. What should we do if he encounters danger?

He recalled the scene at the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament, when Senior Brother Jiang took Lu Xueqi's heavenly lightning head-on. His body was charred black, his hair stood on end, but his eyes were still bright, and he smiled and said, "I'm fine."

How could he be alright? His cultivation level has even dropped.

Zhang Xiaofan's throat moved, he lowered his eyes and continued to stir the fire. Sparks flew out again, burning the back of his hand, but he didn't feel any pain.

There were footsteps outside the door, very soft, but Zhang Xiaofan heard them. He looked up.

Su Ru stood at the kitchen doorway, sunlight streaming in from behind her. Backlit, her face was obscured, only a slender silhouette visible. She stood quietly for a moment before entering.

"Master's wife." Zhang Xiaofan put down the fire tongs and stood up.

Su Ru nodded, her gaze falling on the stove. The meat in the pot was bubbling away, and the aroma grew even stronger.

She walked over, lifted the lid of the pot, and steam rose up, blurring her face. She stirred it with a spoon and then put the lid back on.

"It's almost done," she said softly.

"Hmm," Zhang Xiaofan responded, without moving.

Su Ru didn't leave either. She stood by the stove, staring at the pot for a long time.

The kitchen was quiet, with only the crackling of the firewood and the bubbling of the pot.

"Xiao Fan," she suddenly spoke, her voice very soft, as if afraid of disturbing something, "Do you think... Xiao Chuan is eating well outside?"

Zhang Xiaofan was taken aback. He hadn't expected his master's wife to ask that.

He thought for a moment and then honestly said, "Senior Brother Jiang isn't picky about food; he'll eat whatever you give him. It's just... he loves meat, has a strong palate, and likes spicy food."

Su Ru hummed in agreement, her lips curving slightly before quickly disappearing.

"Yes, he's been like this since he was little. When he was a kid, he would steal chili peppers from the kitchen, cry from the spiciness, and still stuff them into his mouth."

She paused, then lowered her voice even further: "I don't know... if anyone makes it for him."

Zhang Xiaofan didn't speak. He wanted to say, "Senior Sister Lu should take care of Senior Brother Jiang, right?" but he swallowed the words back.

He recalled the scene on the stage that day, when Lu Xueqi carried the unconscious Senior Brother Jiang off the stage. Her face was expressionless, but he could understand what was in her eyes.

That wasn't the kind of "senior sister looking at junior brother" gaze.

He felt a little down, though he couldn't quite put his finger on why. He lowered his head and stared at the dusty tips of his shoes.

Su Ru didn't say anything more. She turned around and walked to the window.

Outside the window, the sky was gradually brightening, a pale white tinged with bluish-gray. In the distance, the bamboo grove rustled in the morning breeze.

She gazed at the sky for a long time, her fingers unconsciously tracing the windowpane.

"Master's wife," Zhang Xiaofan suddenly said, "Senior Brother Jiang... he's strong and lucky, he'll be fine."

He spoke in a hurry, as if he was trying to convince someone.

Su Ru turned around and looked at him. The morning light shone in from the window, illuminating half of her face, making her look gentle yet somewhat tired.

She smiled, a faint smile, like ripples on water, which vanished in an instant.

"I know, he's just... such a worry."

After she finished speaking, she didn't look at Zhang Xiaofan again, turned around and left the kitchen. Her footsteps were soft and faded into the distance.

Zhang Xiaofan stood in front of the stove, looking in the direction his master's wife had left, and stood there for a while.

The meat in the pot was still bubbling and emitting a fragrant aroma. He took a deep breath, suppressed his inexplicable emotions, squatted down again, and picked up the fire tongs.

The fire is getting too small; we need to add more firewood.

……

At the front of Shoujing Hall, Tian Buyi sat in a grand chair, holding a cup of tea.

The tea was freshly brewed and steaming hot, but he didn't drink it; he just held it, his eyes fixed on the bluestone slabs in the courtyard outside the hall, motionless.

Song Daren stood at the lower end, his hands hanging down, not daring to speak. The other junior disciples—Wu Dayi, Zheng Dali, He Dazhi, Lü Daxin, and Du Bishu—all stood behind Song Daren, their eyes downcast, not daring to breathe.

The hall was so quiet you could hear your own heartbeat.

Tian Buyi suddenly snorted and slammed his teacup on the table. With a "crack," a few drops of tea splashed out.

"What are you all standing here for? Go do what you're supposed to be doing! Go cultivate! What kind of behavior is this!"

The junior disciples looked at each other, and none of them dared to make a move.

Tian Buyi glared at everyone with his small eyes and looked around. "What? My words don't carry any weight anymore?"

Song Daren steeled himself and stepped forward, whispering, "Master, the junior brothers are... are worried about Xiao Chuan and the others."

"Worried?" Tian Buyi's voice rose eight octaves. "What's the use of worrying? Huh?"

Song Daren felt uneasy listening to this.

He knew that although his master scolded him fiercely, he was actually more worried than anyone else. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been sitting here before dawn, not drinking the tea even when it had gone cold.

"Master, although Xiao Chuan's cultivation level has dropped, his body is not damaged. Moreover, with Senior Brother Qi Hao, Junior Brother Zeng, and Junior Sister Lu taking care of him, he should... he should be fine."

Tian Buyi didn't speak. He picked up the teacup, brought it to his lips, and then put it down. The tea had gone cold.

"Lu Xueqi..." He repeated the name, a complex emotion flashing in his small eyes, "That girl, she's reliable. She was taught by Shuiyue, she's got skills. It's just her personality..."

He didn't continue. The hall fell silent again.

After a while, Tian Buyi waved his hand, as if shooing away flies: "Alright, alright, everyone disperse. Go cultivate if you need to, eat if you need to. Don't get in the way."

The other junior disciples, feeling as if they had been granted a pardon, quietly slipped away. Only Song Daren remained standing.

Tian Buyi glanced at him: "Is there anything else?"

Song Daren opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but didn't know where to begin.

He recalled visiting Xiaozhu Peak yesterday and seeing Wenmin. Wenmin didn't look well either, with faint dark circles under her eyes. She only said, "Xueqi is stubborn," before leaving in a hurry.

Song Daren pondered those words all night.

"Master," he finally said, "you...don't worry too much. Xiao Chuan is clever and will take good care of himself."

Tian Buyi hummed in response, but didn't look at him; his gaze drifted towards the outside of the hall.

Song Daren silently bowed and withdrew.

Only Tian Buyi remained in the hall. He sat there, motionless, like a clay sculpture.

The morning light gradually moved in, shining on his chubby face, his tightly pursed lips, and the deep wrinkle between his brows.

After a long while, he suddenly muttered under his breath, "You little bastard, don't..."

The sound was very soft, dissipating in the empty hall, and then it was gone.

……

In the courtyard, Tian Ling'er was practicing with the Amber Crimson Silk.

The amber silk ribbon transformed into a streak of red light, swirling and dancing around her, sometimes unfurling, sometimes curling, creating a whistling sound.

But the moves were a bit chaotic. The red silk ribbon was either too strong or too weak when it was thrown out, and it was also difficult to pull it back.

"Ling'er".

Tian Ling'er paused, and the red silk drooped softly. She turned her head and saw Su Ru standing under the corridor, quietly watching her.

"Mother," she called out, her voice a little hoarse.

Su Ru walked over and picked up the red silk ribbon from her hand.

"If your mind isn't calm, your moves will become chaotic," Su Ru said softly, her fingers tracing the red silk ribbon.

Tian Ling'er lowered her head and remained silent.

"Thinking of Xiaochuan?" Su Ru asked.

Tian Ling'er's shoulders trembled slightly. She raised her head, her eyes a little red, but she didn't cry.

"Mother, do you think... Xiao Chuan hates me now?"

Su Ru looked at her and felt a pang of pain in her heart. She reached out and smoothed the sweat-dampened hair on her daughter's forehead.

"How could that be? Ogawa... he just hasn't figured it out yet."

"But he said he only sees me as an older sister, a younger sister." Tian Ling'er's voice choked.

"He...he's still so close to Lu Xueqi. That day, I saw him wiping Lu Xueqi's face, and Lu Xueqi even let him hug her...Mom, it hurts my heart."

She finally couldn't hold back her tears, which fell in large drops and landed on the ground.

Su Ru pulled her into her arms and gently patted her back.

"Silly child... You can't force matters of the heart. Xiao Chuan... has his own path to walk."

"But I like him..." Tian Ling'er buried her face in her mother's shoulder, her voice muffled and trembling with sobs.

"I've liked him for so many years... Ever since I was very, very young, I've thought that I would marry him when I grew up... Mom, am I being silly?"

Su Ru didn't speak. She held her daughter, her gaze passing over her shoulder and looking into the distance. There, the sky was already bright, the clouds were thin, and the wind was gentle.

But in her heart, it felt like a heavy stone was pressing down, making it hard to breathe.

She remembered many years ago, on a morning just like this, the thin, small child who always loved to follow her around would look up at her and call her "Master's Wife," his eyes curved like crescent moons. She sewed clothes for him, combed his hair, and lulled him to sleep at night. He would snuggle in her arms, his little hands clutching the hem of her clothes, his breathing even and deep.

Those were such good times.

"Ling'er, there are some things you have to learn to let go of. You're still young, and you'll meet better people in the future."

Tian Ling'er shook her head in her arms and cried even harder.

Su Ru didn't try to persuade her anymore. She just held her daughter and gently patted her back, just like she used to lull her to sleep when she was a child.

Sunlight streamed down, casting long shadows of the mother and daughter. The courtyard was quiet, save for the sound of the wind and suppressed, low sobs.

...

Xiaozhu Peak, Wangyue Terrace.

The back of Xiaozhufeng is also covered with dense bamboo forests, but unlike the "black joint bamboo" on the back of Dazhufeng, Xiaozhufeng is rich in another kind of strange bamboo - tear bamboo.

This type of bamboo is emerald green in color and has a slender body with nearly half the number of nodes as ordinary bamboo. However, it is extremely tough and is known as the best in the world, and even ordinary woodcutters cannot cut it down.

But the most famous feature of the tear bamboo is that its emerald green bamboo body is covered with tiny pink spots, which resemble the tear stains of a gentle woman in sorrow, making it extremely beautiful.

The name Xiaozhufeng (Little Bamboo Peak) originates from this. As for Wangyuetai (Moon-Viewing Terrace), it is actually a cliff suspended in mid-air, with most of it hanging high in the sky except for the rear half which is connected to the mountain.

It is said that on a bright moonlit night, the moonlight will slowly rise from the foot of the mountain and climb up to the Moon-Viewing Platform. The moment the moonlight fully illuminates the platform is when the moon is at its highest point, and that is when the platform is at its most beautiful.

Suddenly, the moonlight will shine down brilliantly, reflecting off the smooth rocks of the Moon-Viewing Platform and illuminating the entire Xiaozhu Peak in an instant. At that moment, those standing on the Moon-Viewing Platform will feel as if they are in a fairyland. Even more so, legend has it that on the night of the full moon, which only occurs once every 60 years, one will feel as if they are standing on the bright moon. The excitement of that feeling is truly something to yearn for.

Although it is morning.

The morning wind was strong, making people's clothes flutter. Master Shuiyue, dressed in a moon-white Taoist robe, stood on the edge of the cliff, gazing at the distant, churning sea of ​​clouds. She stood straight, like a sword stuck on a mountaintop, aloof and solitary.

A wisp of white hair at her temple fluttered against her cheek, but she paid it no mind. Her gaze was calm, yet it seemed to pierce through the layers of clouds, reaching the far distance.

Footsteps came from behind, light and steady. It was Wenmin.

Wenmin stopped half a step behind Shuiyue, bowed, and said, "Master."

Shuiyue didn't turn around, only giving a faint "hmm".

Wenmin straightened up and looked in the direction her master was looking.

The sea of ​​clouds stretched endlessly, the sky and earth vast, and nothing could be seen except for the wind. Yet, she seemed to know what her master was looking at.

The two stood quietly for a while. The wind howled across the cliff, carrying a bone-chilling cold.

"It's been a few days," Shuiyue suddenly spoke, her voice carried on the wind, somewhat ethereal.

Wen Min was silent for a moment, then said softly, "Today is the ninth day."

Shuiyue fell silent again. Her hands hung at her sides, her fingers slightly curled.

"Xueqi has always been a reliable child with sufficient cultivation. She is protected by the Six Harmonies Mirror and has Qi Hao and Zeng Shushu looking after her. I think... she should be fine."

Shuiyue's gaze shifted, but she remained fixed on the distance.

"She's too strong-willed. She's unwilling to back down when faced with a problem; she'd rather move forward."

She paused for a moment: "A place like Kongsang Mountain... is full of treacherous and cunning people from the Demonic Sect. It's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark."

Wenmin listened, and her heart sank.

She knew her master was right. Junior Sister Lu was exceptionally talented and resilient, but she was still young and had never truly experienced life-or-death battles.

The Ancient Cave of Ten Thousand Bats is infamous, a remnant of the great war between good and evil eight hundred years ago. Who knows what dangers it holds?

"The Qingyun Sect has sent out the best of the younger generation this time. Senior Brother Qi from Dragon Head Peak is highly skilled and composed, making him the perfect choice to lead the team. Junior Brother Zeng from Wind Return Peak is resourceful and knowledgeable. And Junior Brother Jiang from Great Bamboo Peak..."

She paused here. The image of the boy's smiling face and the image of him opening his arms to the heavenly lightning on the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament stage appeared before her eyes.

She took a deep breath and continued, "Although Junior Brother Jiang's cultivation was damaged, he was able to withstand Xueqi's Divine Sword Thunder Control Technique without dying, so his physique must be extraordinary. With him around, perhaps... he can also help Xueqi a little."

Shuiyue finally turned her head and glanced at Wenmin.

"You seem to think highly of that kid."

Wenmin said, "I am only stating the facts. Junior Brother Jiang... does indeed have extraordinary abilities."

Shuiyue turned her head and looked back at the sea of ​​clouds.

After a long pause, she slowly said, "That boy... Xueqi treats him differently from others."

Wenmin remained silent, not responding. She knew her master had already seen through it. Anyone on Little Bamboo Peak who paid even a little attention could see it.

"It's normal for young people to be quick-witted. But for cultivators, the Dao heart is paramount. Indulging in worldly affairs too early is not good for cultivation or character. Especially Xueqi, she is too talented and has a heavy burden on her shoulders. The future of Xiaozhu Peak and the future of Qingyun Sect may depend on her. I can't let her... go astray."

Wenmin lowered her eyes and said softly, "Master's teachings are correct. However... Junior Sister Xueqi, though cold in nature, is very determined. She..."

"It's precisely because she has her own ideas that I'm worried," Shuiyue interrupted her, her tone becoming more serious.

"Her temperament is just like mine when I was young. Once she's decided on a path, she won't turn back even if she hits a wall. But in this world, not every path can be forged through struggle. Some walls, even if you crash into them and end up bloodied, may not be worth it."

Wenmin raised her head and looked at her master's slender and upright back.

The master's words contained worry and disapproval, but it seemed... he didn't completely deny it either. He simply said, "We'll see how he performs."

The wind picked up, making people's clothes cling to their bodies. In the distance, the sea of ​​clouds churned, like boiling water, constantly changing shape.

"I hope they..." Shuiyue gazed at the ever-changing clouds, her voice low, the last part of her sentence lost in the wind.

Wenmin knew what her master hadn't finished saying. She hoped they would return safely.

She silently repeated it in her heart. Xueqi's cool face flashed before her eyes, as did the slightly curved eyes of the boy named Jiang Xiaochuan when he smiled.

These two people, one is like ice, the other is like... what is he like? Wenmin suddenly felt that the boy was sometimes like water, seemingly easygoing, but with his own direction underneath; sometimes he was like a stone, looking ordinary, but hard and grating.

She sighed softly, shaking off the inexplicable thought. Her gaze returned to the depths of the sea of ​​clouds, towards the direction of Mount Kongsang.

The mountains are high and the waters are far. The road ahead is unpredictable.

I only wish for everyone's safety.

……

In the kitchen of Dazhu Peak, the stewed meat was ready. Zhang Xiaofan ladled the meat into a large earthenware bowl, sprinkled it with chopped green onions, and the aroma was irresistible.

Du Bishu was the first to squeeze in, sniffing the air: "Smells good! Xiao Fan, your cooking skills have improved again!"

He Dazhi, Wu Dayi, and the others followed them in, gathered around the stove, and stared at it eagerly.

Zhang Xiaofan carried the earthenware basin to the stone table in the courtyard. His fellow disciples took bowls and chopsticks and sat down around it.

The meat was stewed until tender, melting in your mouth. The shiitake mushrooms soaked up the broth, and the dried bamboo shoots were crisp and fresh. But everyone ate in a bit of silence, unlike usual when they would be scrambling for the food.

Du Bishu took a couple of bites of rice, then suddenly sighed, "I wonder if Lao Liu can get used to the food outside. I heard that Kongsang Mountain is a desolate place, what good food could there be?"

He Dazhi poked at the meat in his bowl and said in a low voice, "Sixth Brother isn't fully recovered yet, he needs to eat more. This meat... he should eat more of it."

Lu Daxin said in a muffled voice, "When he comes back, I'll hunt a pheasant and make soup for him."

Zheng Dali nodded: "Yes, kill a lot more. Lao Liu loves chicken legs."

Zhang Xiaofan listened without saying a word. He picked up a piece of meat, put it in his mouth, and chewed slowly. The meat smelled delicious, but he didn't find it very flavorful.

He remembered that before Jiang left, he patted him on the shoulder and said, "Xiao Fan, wait for me to come back, and I'll eat your braised pork again." He said "Okay," and Jiang grinned, revealing a set of white teeth.

The meat is now stewed, but there's no one to eat it.

Zhang Xiaofan lowered his head and shoveled a mouthful of rice into his mouth. The rice grains were a bit dry and he couldn't swallow them.

He suddenly recalled the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament, and the figure of Senior Brother Jiang standing in front of him. So frail, yet so resolute.

And when Lu Xueqi carried him off the stage, there was something unfathomable in her clear, cold eyes.

The pent-up frustration in his heart surged up again, pressing against his chest.

"Xiao Fan," Song Daren suddenly spoke, his voice gentle, "Don't worry. Xiao Chuan will come back."

Zhang Xiaofan looked up at his senior brother. Song Daren had a smile on his face, but it seemed a little forced.

"Mmm," Zhang Xiaofan responded softly.

He'll come back. Zhang Xiaofan told himself. He definitely will.

But... when?

He didn't know, he could only wait.

Waiting for the sun to rise, waiting for the moon to set, waiting for day after day to pass, waiting for that person who always smiled and called him "Xiao Fan," loved his cooking, and would stand in front of him, to push open the door, walk in, and say:

"I'm back."

……

Late at night.

Inside the Shoujing Hall on Dazhu Peak, the lights were still on. Tian Buyi sat in a grand chair, holding a book in his hand, without turning a single page for a long time.

Su Ru sat to one side, doing needlework in her hands; it was a blue cloth long gown.

She worked slowly, stitch by stitch, as if passing the time, or perhaps waiting for something.

The hall was very quiet, with only the occasional crackling sound of the lamp wick popping.

"Still not asleep?" Tian Buyi suddenly spoke, his voice sounding somewhat abrupt in the silence.

Su Ru paused, the needle piercing her fingertip, drawing a tiny bead of blood. She didn't pay it any mind, pressed it with her fingertip, and continued sewing.

"I can't sleep," she said softly.

Tian Buyi grunted in response and didn't say anything more. He put down his book, picked up the teacup beside him, and held it without drinking it. The tea had long since gone cold.

After a long while, he suddenly said, "That kid... he's tough. He won't die."

He spoke in a stiff, unyielding tone, as if he were sulking with someone.

Su Ru looked up at him. Under the light, her husband's chubby face was expressionless, but there was a hint of barely perceptible anxiety hidden in his always shrewd little eyes.

She lowered her eyes and continued sewing. "I know."

"You know it, yet you still worry about it." Tian Buyi muttered, slamming his teacup heavily on the table.

Su Ru didn't reply. After finishing the last stitch, she bit off the thread, shook out the clothes, and looked at them.

The size should be just right. The shoulders need to be tapered a bit, since he's thin. The cuffs also need to be shortened, since his arms aren't that long.

She picked up the scissors and began to remove the stitches.

Tian Buyi stared at her for a long time. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but then swallowed it back. Finally, he sighed heavily, leaned back, and closed his eyes.

"Go to sleep," he said, his voice a little hoarse.

Su Ru hummed in agreement, but didn't move. She kept her head down, sewing and unsewing stitch by stitch.

The dim lighting cast long, swaying shadows of the two people on the wall.

Outside the window, the moon rose, round and bright. Moonlight streamed in, illuminating the bluestone floor with a cool, clear glow.

The night on the mountain is so quiet that you can hear the wind rustling through the bamboo tips, like someone whispering.

There must be people in a very, very far place watching this moon.

Su Ru raised her head and looked out the window. The moonlight shone on her face, gentle yet lonely.

She stared at it for a long time until her eyes started to sting, then she lowered her head and continued with her needlework.

One stitch, one thread.

and so on.