Chapter 71: Few People Would Not Like An Immortal-like Woman Such As You. I, Of Course, Like You Even More

After He Ziyi led Li Qiubai and the others into the city, the people who had been at the tea stall outside the city gate, watching the commotion with great interest, gradually stood up and left the stall. They dispersed in all directions, each continuing their original journey.

The female swordsman, who had been wearing a veil and joking with the others, also stood up with the crowd. She softly said to the two companions traveling with her, “From here, I will not continue with you. You can enter the city on your own. If there is anything you need my help with later, you can send someone to deliver a message to me at the Taohua* Pavilion inside the city.”

*peach blossom 

With that, Shu Yao swallowed the last sip of wine and set down her wine gourd, which she had carried with her. She tied it back to her waist. While fastening the gourd, she did not forget to tease the female swordsman, “What is this? After relying on us to escape so many pursuers and spies safely, now that you are back in your own territory and not afraid anymore, you think we are getting in your way?”

“Oh, how would I dare say you are getting in my way?”

Ye Wuyou glanced with a smile at Shen Lingyun, who was sitting nearby and calmly drinking tea. Then, leaning closer to Shu Yao's ear, she chuckled softly, “I was only worried that I might get in the way and disturb the two of you spending time alone.”

Although her voice was not loud, it was enough for Shen Lingyun, sitting nearby, to hear every word clearly. 

The usually composed and aloof Shen Lingyun's hand holding the tea bowl trembled slightly upon hearing Ye Wuyou's words. She subconsciously glanced in Shu Yao's direction.

The silver mask concealed half of that person's face, also hiding the blush that had crept to her ears. 

Unable to detect even a hint of embarrassment or annoyance on Shu Yao's face, Shen Lingyun unexpectedly felt a bit disappointed. 

Before Shen Lingyun could sort through her tangled and intricate emotions to speak, Shu Yao had already elbowed Ye Wuyou sharply and glared at her fiercely. 

“Are you looking for a beating?” 

Fortunately, Ye Wuyou dodged in time, narrowly avoiding an undeserved thrashing.

“Unreasonable, so unreasonable. I was just speaking the truth, how does that count as looking for a beating?” 

After saying this with a smile, Ye Wuyou did not tease Shu Yao any further. She gracefully stepped back and leaped away. Before mounting her horse, she glanced at Shen Lingyun, who was still seated and said with a grin, “Big wood, little wood, take some advice from your elder sister. Do not always keep such a gloomy face. It is too dull and unlikable. Elder sister will take her leave first.” 

With that, without waiting for their reactions, Ye Wuyou mounted her horse and left the tea stall at a gallop.

Ye Wuyou had always been perceptive. During her time traveling with the two, she had long seen through the nature of their relationship. Even the subtle intimacy and unspoken affection that neither of them seemed to notice had not escaped her sharp eyes.

As a carefree wanderer of the Jianghu, Ye Wuyou’s perspective differed from that of ordinary folk. In her eyes, a romance between two women was no different from one between a man and a woman.

Perhaps it was the case of the eunuch worrying when the emperor did not. After observing for so long without seeing any progress between the two, Ye Wuyou was utterly exasperated. Unable to hold back any longer, she finally took the opportunity to hint at it with a joke before parting ways.

Unfortunately, Shu Yao did not understand Ye Wuyou's good intentions. She only thought that Ye Wuyou had taken her jokes too far and worried that Shen Lingyun might feel offended or annoyed. 

Thankfully, Ye Wuyou fled quickly. Had she been a moment slower, both she and her horse might have narrowly avoided being hit by the stone Shu Yao angrily picked up and hurled in frustration. 

It was rare to see Shu Yao acting so riled up. A faint trace of a smile had already surfaced in Shen Lingyun’s usually calm eyes. 

Unfortunately, before Shen Lingyun could say anything, Shu Yao had already sat back down and muttered nervously, “What is wrong with that woman? She spends her days making pointless jokes. No wonder our Young Master is always gritting her teeth in anger at her. It seems she must bully our Young Master a lot!”

As Shu Yao spoke, she occasionally stole glances at Shen Lingyun, constantly gauging her expression, fearing that she might feel awkward or uncomfortable. 

Just a joke, was it? 

The smile that had not yet fully surfaced was swiftly suppressed by Shen Lingyun, leaving behind the same indifferent expression as always. 

With that, Shen Lingyun put down the worn teacup in her hand, stood up, adjusted her robe, and said calmly, “Forget it. Let us leave as well.”

After speaking, Shen Lingyun left the tea stall first and headed straight for the carriage parked outside. 

With two of their group already gone, Shu Yao had no choice but to hurriedly settle the bill with the shopkeeper before she could chase after Shen Lingyun. 

By the time Shu Yao finished paying, gathered her belongings, and caught up, Shen Lingyun was already reclining comfortably on the edge of the carriage. 

When Shu Yao, who was used to being the "driver," saw that Shen Lingyun was sitting in her usual spot, she could not help but ask in surprise, “Why? Are you not going inside?”

By now, Shen Lingyun had already hidden her earlier gloom. She gently shook her head and shifted slightly to the side, making room for Shu Yao. Only then did she speak, “Sitting alone inside is too stifling. It is more comfortable to sit outside with you and enjoy the breeze. I can catch my breath this way.”

Having someone to keep her company, especially when Shen Lingyun was the one to suggest it, made Shu Yao overjoyed. How could she bear to refuse? 

What was more, with both Young Master Meng and Ye Wuyou finally out of the way, it was a rare chance to be alone with Shen Lingyun. How could Shu Yao let such an excellent opportunity slip by? 

“All right, let us sit together then.”

After cheerfully agreeing, Shu Yao quickly leaped onto the carriage and sat shoulder-to-shoulder with Shen Lingyun. Her swift movements made it seem as though she feared Shen Lingyun might suddenly change her mind.  

As the carriage slowly pulled away from the tea stand, Shu Yao noticed Shen Lingyun showed no signs of rushing her. So, she simply indulged in her own thoughts and maintained her leisurely pace, driving the horse at an unhurried speed.  

She sneaked a few glances at the person beside her. Seeing Shen Lingyun casually leaning against the carriage door, watching the passing scenery, Shu Yao could not hold back any longer. Tentatively, she asked, “Were you angry earlier?”  

At this, Shen Lingyun turned her head but did not answer. Instead, she countered with a question of her own, “What do you think?”  

If a woman asked like this, she must be angry, right? Otherwise, for something that could easily be answered with a simple ‘no,’ why bother asking another question in return?

Shu Yao had a sudden realization, feeling somewhat guilty. She quickly gave an awkward laugh and said, “You know, that Ye Wuyou always speaks freely…”  

However, before she could finish her sentence, Shen Lingyun interrupted, “Am I dull?”  

That single question left Shu Yao stunned.  

“Huh?”  

Hearing Shu Yao’s instinctive response, Shen Lingyun asked again, this time with even more seriousness, “Am I boring?”

Only then did Shu Yao realize that Shen Lingyun might have taken Ye Wuyou's teasing words seriously. She quickly raised her voice to refute, “How could that be?!”  

Seeing Shu Yao's anxious reaction, Shen Lingyun’s expression softened with a hint of a smile as she spoke again, “Then… am I likable?”  

Likable?  

Meeting Shen Lingyun’s focused gaze, Shu Yao felt her cheeks grow faintly warm. She hurriedly turned her head away to avoid Shen Lingyun’s gaze, pretending to focus on the road as she drove the carriage. “Of course! Few people would not like an immortal-like woman such as you.” 

I, of course, like you even more…

Unfortunately, Shu Yao dared not say the last sentence out loud and could only quietly keep it in her heart. After all, this person seemed to have an extreme dislike for the imperial family.

Not wanting Shen Lingyun to ask any more questions that would make her blush or feel her heart race, Shu Yao quickly changed the subject after finishing her sentence, “By the way, are you not the one who hates those in the imperial family the most? How did you agree to go and treat that Princess’ injuries for Master He this time?”

Source: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=3614052
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too. 

Shen Lingyun smiled helplessly, not answering but instead asking, “If I did not go, would you be at ease?”

In fact, for Shen Lingyun, whether Li Qiubai was alive or dead had nothing to do with her. When Li Qiubai got into trouble, her not applauding from the sidelines was already showing her benevolence, let alone offering help. 

The only reason she lent a hand back then was because of Shu Yao and Young Master Meng's persistent pleas. She did not want to see the people she cared about live with regret for the rest of their lives. She could only temporarily set aside her resentment and pull that princess back from the gates of death. That one time of helping was enough, and there was absolutely no reason for her to agree to help He Ziyi again. 

But if she really rejected He Ziyi, not bringing Shu Yao into the city this time, this person would surely never feel at ease, right?

Shu Yao did not know what Shen Lingyun was thinking. She was slightly stunned and silently guessed. Could it be that this person’s reason for being willing to treat her Imperial Sister was due to her concerns?

Before Shu Yao could respond, Shen Lingyun had already shifted her gaze from her profile and turned her head to look at the scenery along the way. She casually continued, "Furthermore, Chang'an has always been impatient. If she hurriedly went to meet that Princess and ended up in some trouble, the Sect Leader and Madam would certainly worry. Since I am slightly older than her, I naturally have to take on the responsibility of an older sister. Only by personally keeping an eye on her can I feel at ease."

Oh, so in the end, this was still for Young Master Meng, huh.

Shu Yao had to admit that sometimes she really envied Young Master Meng. Whether it was Shen Lingyun, her imperial sister, or the elders in the sect, all of them showered Young Master Meng with endless affection. As long as Young Master Meng spoke, no matter how difficult the task, there would always be someone willing to do their best to try and accomplish it.

Especially her imperial sister’s unwavering devotion over the years, Shu Yao had witnessed it all. She could guarantee that if one day Young Master Meng said she wanted to pluck the stars from the sky, her imperial sister would carefully consider how to make that happen.

The bitterness she could not conceal surged up in Shu Yao’s throat, dispelling the joyful smile that had almost appeared on her lips.

Unfortunately, at this moment, Shen Lingyun did not notice Shu Yao’s change in expression. She was lost in thought, recalling the moment when Young Master Meng had parted ways with them. Shu Yao, in a state of distraction, had almost seemed desperate to follow her and search for Li Qiubai.

By the time Chang'an woke up, their group was not far from the Blood Flame Sect. Shen Lingyun had thought they were nearly home, believing that the girl would act as she always had and obediently return with her. However, what she had not expected was that this time, the girl was incredibly stubborn and refused to continue back home with her.

Moreover, with Ye Wuyou beside her, who often teased Young Master Meng, it was clear that in her heart, she was still on the side of that girl. Shen Lingyun was sure that if she had insisted on keeping the girl, Ye Wuyou would have taken the lead in defending her.

If it had truly come to that, Shen Lingyun could not guarantee whether Shu Yao would have sided with those two and opposed her. 

Furthermore, she had never intended to force Young Master Meng to stay. To avoid wasting effort on something thankless and causing friction among the group, Shen Lingyun decided to step back, allowing the girl to do as she wished. She had even thoughtfully seen her off. 

In this way, everyone would be happy.

Looking up at the "Yecheng" inscription hanging at the city gate, Shen Lingyun could not help but sigh softly. 

She wondered if her parents, knowing of her decision, might find peace in the afterlife. 

Hearing the sigh, Shu Yao immediately turned around and asked, "What is it?"

Meeting Shu Yao's concerned gaze, Shen Lingyun curved her lips into a smile and said, "Nothing, let us continue."

Recalling the light that had shone in Shu Yao's eyes when she had first learned of her change of plans, Shen Lingyun felt even more resolute.

Author's Note:

Don’t hit me, it must be because the comments were too few, and I didn’t spend enough money to feel sorry... This time is the same, the red envelope for 2-point comments will be sent until the next chapter update!