Time ripens all things, and the years bring a lingering fragrance.
In the blink of an eye, twenty years had passed since the demon invasion of the human world. The war was a distant memory. A decade of healing, followed by a decade of growth, had brought peace and prosperity back to the human realm.
For the new generation, those events had long faded into history. Children who hadn't experienced the turmoil would occasionally hear stories from adults, but their reactions were always full of innocence.
Time can smooth over all things.
Over the years, many changes had taken place in the cultivation world. After the battle against the demons, cultivators from all sects gained unique insights. As soon as the war ended, they hurried back to their sects to go into seclusion and cultivate. In the last twenty years, the number of breakthroughs in the cultivation world had skyrocketed. Even Jian Xuehan and the master of Penglai Pavilion, having gained insights from that battle, went into seclusion in search of enlightenment. To this day, it has been nearly twenty years since they began their meditative retreat. When they eventually emerge, it is hoped they will break through to the Great Ascension stage.
With Jian Xuehan in seclusion, the responsibility of running Qingxu Sect fell entirely upon Su Luowei's shoulders. Only after taking over did Su Luowei realize just how heavy the burden of leadership truly was.
Determined to handle everything well, she devoted most of her time to sect matters, often staying overnight in Mingguang Palace. As a result, she and Meng Shuying found themselves spending less and less time together.
Although Meng Shuying was displeased with the situation, she had little choice but to accept it.
Qingxu Sect's three main peaks were Yanmo, Qionghua, and Baizhan. The master of Baizhan Peak, Nie Wentian, was so obsessed with swordsmanship that his management of the disciples was harsh and crude, making it impossible for him to take on the role of sect leader.
Qionghua Peak's master, Meng Shuying herself, had little interest in managing peak affairs and had long since handed over all responsibilities to her vice peak master, Yu Qing. But three years ago, Yu Qing received a message from an old acquaintance and left abruptly, leaving Meng Shuying to handle all of Qionghua Peak's affairs by herself—a task that caused her endless headaches.
Meng Shuying was busy managing the day-to-day matters of Qionghua Peak and returned to Yanmo Peak each night to an empty room. Over time, even the most patient person would grow tired of such a situation—let alone someone like her.
So, one evening, under the rising moon, Meng Shuying appeared at the gates of Mingguang Palace, carrying a food box.
Everyone in Qingxu Sect knew about the relationship between Meng Shuying and her Senior Sister. As soon as the disciple guarding the gate saw her, she respectfully opened the door without asking any questions, even helping to close it behind her after she entered.
As Meng Shuying passed, she paused and casually said to the guard, "You can go for the night. No need to serve us this evening."
The guard blinked in surprise for a moment before understanding the implication, her face flushing as she quickly bowed and retreated.
Recently, the south had been plagued by floods and monster attacks. Su Senior Sister had been staying in Mingguang Palace for seven consecutive nights to deal with the situation. Tonight, Meng Senior Sister had clearly come to keep her company, perhaps to share a tender evening together.
The guard promptly sent away the disciples who were scheduled to stand watch nearby. The others were relieved to get the night off, though one overly concerned disciple worried aloud, "But what if Senior Sister calls for us in the middle of the night…?"
Another disciple quickly clamped a hand over her mouth, whispering, "With Meng Senior Sister around, why would she need us?"
Once the doors were locked, Meng Shuying saw the light flickering from the side hall and walked over, carrying the food box. As expected, her Senior Sister was inside.
Mingguang Palace had two parts: the central hall for conducting official business, and the side hall for resting. In the evening, Su Luowei preferred the side hall, as it was cozier than the vast, empty central hall.
At that moment, Su Luowei was sitting at her desk, reviewing a report from one of Qingxu Sect's subordinate city lords. The report stated that a sea beast had appeared in Jinping, attacking fishing boats. Although there had been no casualties yet, the situation had caused widespread panic. Fishermen were too scared to go out to sea, which would likely result in a tax shortfall. The city lord requested that the sect send cultivators to handle the matter.
After some thought, Su Luowei wrote "approved" at the bottom of the report and set it aside.
By the next morning, a disciple would come to collect the reports and ensure that her orders were carried out. Su Luowei needed to finish all of them by tonight.
She glanced at the small stack of reports she had already processed on her left, then at the much larger stack still waiting on her right. Her head began to ache.
So much work—harder than cultivation, harder than surviving a tribulation.
Frowning, she put down her pen and raised a hand to rub her aching temples. But before she could, another pair of hands reached out, gently massaging her forehead.
The night breeze was cool, and the person who had arrived carried with them the scent of evening. Despite the chill in the air, their fingers were warm, firm yet gentle, and familiar.
Without a word, Su Luowei relaxed, leaning back in her chair. Her back pressed against the hard wood, but her head rested against something soft. Letting out a long sigh of relief, she allowed herself to sink into the softness, opening her eyes after a moment to look up at Meng Shuying with a faint smile. "What brings you here?"
Meng Shuying tilted her chin up slightly, planting a soft kiss on her lips.
"I missed you, so I came."
Ever since they had confessed their feelings for each other, Meng Shuying had never hidden her love. She always expressed her feelings openly and boldly. Su Luowei often blushed at her words, but deep down, she found herself delighted.
Meng Shuying opened the food box, revealing several dishes. All of them were Su Luowei's favorites.
It had been a long time since Su Luowei had eaten a meal prepared by Meng Shuying. She had been too busy with work to return to Yanmo Peak, and when she did, it was usually late.
Though they no longer needed to eat due to their cultivation, old habits were hard to break.
The warm glow of the lanterns, the presence of her beloved beside her—it all felt so serene. No matter how vast the world, there was always someone leaving a light on for you. This was the peace of home.
Su Luowei was content to set aside her work for a while and enjoy a quiet, intimate evening with Meng Shuying.
But—
She glanced at the towering stack of reports on her desk. While a peaceful evening was possible, a truly quiet night seemed out of reach.
The reports were from various regions, covering both major and minor issues, all awaiting her decision. By tomorrow morning, they would need to be distributed, so there was no room for delay.
At most, she could spare an hour to spend with Meng Shuying tonight, but no more.
Su Luowei was always disciplined, with a strong sense of responsibility. She would never neglect her duties for the sake of personal indulgence.
Noticing the hesitation in her eyes, Meng Shuying calmly set the table and asked, "Do you still have work to do tonight, Senior Sister?"
After a brief pause, Su Luowei nodded, "Yes, I still have some matters to take care of…"
Meng Shuying smiled softly, "Then I'll leave after a while."
Her thoughtfulness made Su Luowei feel a pang of guilt. She took Meng Shuying's hand and said sincerely, "I'm sorry you've had to put up with this for so long. Once I get through this busy period, things will be better."
Meng Shuying had heard this promise several times already—each time, more work had followed.
But being the considerate partner she was, Meng Shuying never let it show. She had long known that if you wanted something, you had to fight for it yourself.
So, while her words were, "There's no need for apologies between us, Senior Sister," her hand was already resting on Su Luowei's leg, gently caressing.
The two of them had been together long enough to understand each other with just a glance. Meng Shuying's gaze was filled with suggestion, and a deep, lingering affection.
"Tonight really isn't possible, Ah Ying. There's still so much work to do."
Meng Shuying smiled, her voice soft. "If Senior Sister says no, then it's no."
Her hand slowly withdrew, seeming to yield without resistance.
Her obedience only made Su Luowei feel more guilty. Before Meng Shuying's hand could completely leave her lap, Su Luowei caught her wrist, her fingers sliding up to entwine with Meng Shuying's.
Meng Shuying smiled and gently squeezed her hand before picking up her chopsticks to offer her a bite of food.
"Eat while it's still warm."
Su Luowei picked up a piece of tender, green vegetable and brought it to her lips. The moment she bit into it, sweet and savory juices filled her mouth. Meng Shuying rested her chin in her hand, watching her. Her lips were a healthy shade of pink, and her teeth were small and white. Even her eating was elegant and graceful.
Truly a sight for sore eyes.
They finished their meal in comfortable silence. Afterward, Meng Shuying brewed a pot of fragrant tea. They each had two cups before Meng Shuying went to prepare a bath.
Although the side hall was called a "side hall," it was far from simple. Besides the study, there was also a bedroom, and attached to the bedroom was a small bathing chamber.
The rooms were separated by screens, and as Meng Shuying lit the lanterns in both the bedroom and the bathing chamber, their soft glow filtered through the screens, creating a warm, intimate atmosphere.
The bathing chamber had a large bath fed by a natural hot spring, eliminating the need to fetch water from outside. After testing the temperature, Meng Shuying sprinkled a handful of peach blossom petals into the water. The delicate pink petals floated on the surface, bobbing gently in the warm water.
Su Luowei stood by the edge of the bath, hesitant to undress.
"Don't worry, Senior Sister. I won't join you," Meng Shuying said with a playful smile. She rolled up her sleeves and sat down by the bath, dipping her hand into the water. "I'll leave after serving you."
The steam clung to Meng Shuying's hair and clothes, making her look even more ethereal. She had already removed her outer robe, leaving only her loose inner garments.
One side of her clothing slipped off her shoulder, revealing a sliver of pale skin.
Su Luowei bit her lip, watching her for a moment before finally untying her sash and removing her robes, revealing her slender frame.
Throughout the process, Meng Shuying didn't lift a finger to help. She simply watched her with a knowing smile. The mist in the air clung to Su Luowei's skin, forming small droplets that slid down the curve of her neck.
It was truly maddening.
Unable to bear the gaze any longer, Su Luowei hurriedly stripped off the rest of her clothes and stepped into the bath, sitting down so the water reached her shoulders.
The water was crystal clear, leaving little to the imagination. Feeling slightly embarrassed, Su Luowei gathered a handful of peach petals to cover herself.
The tantalizing mix of concealment and exposure was mesmerizing.
Without acknowledging her small gesture, Meng Shuying calmly rolled up her sleeves and scooped some of the bath water, pouring it over Su Luowei's shoulders before applying a fragrant balm.
The balm had been specially made by Meng Shuying using dew collected on the first day of spring and the scent of freshly bloomed lilies of the valley, among other precious ingredients. It smelled just like the fragrance Su Luowei naturally carried.
Meng Shuying's movements were slow and methodical, her touch firm but gentle. As she worked, Su Luowei's body gradually relaxed, her earlier tension melting away. Eventually, she leaned back against the side of the bath, her eyes fluttering closed as she allowed herself to rest.
The only sounds were the soft splashes of water as Meng Shuying continued to gently cleanse her.
Sometime later, the motions on her shoulders stopped. The water rippled as someone entered the bath. Half-opening her eyes, Su Luowei saw Meng Shuying gliding toward her through the steam.
Her eyelashes were damp from the mist, making her look like a siren out of legend.
The siren didn't lure people with song and beauty alone—she also ensnared them with her heart.
Su Luowei wanted to ask why Meng Shuying had entered the bath after all, but she stopped herself, not wanting to spoil the mood.
Before she could decide what to say, Meng Shuying had already reached her, wrapping an arm around her waist and planting a kiss on her lips.
Su Luowei lowered her gaze, her lashes trembling, but she didn't push her away.
Her voice was soft as she whispered, "It seems Senior Sister missed me, too."
Even though it had been a while since they had shared such intimacy, Su Luowei's heart still raced with anticipation.
Outside the hall, the night air was cold and heavy with dew, but inside, the warmth of the bath mingled with the scent of blooming flowers.
Like a stream flowing down a mountain, winding and falling in gentle cascades.
Somewhere near the stream, a spirit deer paused to sip from the clear waters.
Sweet.
Su Luowei clung to Meng Shuying, as if she were a drowning person holding onto a lifeline.
She didn't open her eyes again until she was being lifted out of the bath, cradled in Meng Shuying's arms.
Still disoriented, she blinked up at her, her expression dazed.
Meng Shuying lowered her head to kiss away the tear that had escaped from the corner of Su Luowei's eye. Her lips were soft and gentle, just as they had been a moment ago.
"It's too inconvenient in the water."
The path from the bathing chamber to the bedroom was short, just a few steps past the screen. The bed was there, along with a beautifully carved wooden vanity.
The vanity hadn't originally been there, but after learning that Su Luowei occasionally spent the night in Mingguang Palace, Meng Shuying had ordered it to be moved here.
Unlike most vanities, which had brass mirrors, this one was fitted with a silver mirror, polished to a high shine.
Meng Shuying set Su Luowei down on the vanity's bench, her back pressed against the cool silver. Trapped between ice and fire, Su Luowei had no place to escape.
Meng Shuying's hand slid to her waist while the other braced against the mirror. When their eyes met in the reflection, the desire in Meng Shuying's gaze was unmistakable.
"Recently, someone gave me a book," she said suddenly, breaking the silence.
Standing upright, Meng Shuying withdrew the hand that had been on the vanity and placed it flat against the mirror. The heat from her palm contrasted sharply with the cold silver beneath it.
Su Luowei's cheeks were still flushed from earlier, her eyes rimmed with tears and her lips a deep, tempting red.
Utterly mesmerizing.
When no further explanation came, Su Luowei murmured a confused "hmm?" and blinked at her, her eyes misty with unshed tears.
Meng Shuying leaned down to kiss her again, their lips molding together in a gentle but passionate embrace.
Between breaths, Meng Shuying whispered, "I learned a new way to make Senior Sister happy from the book."
The silver mirror reflected the flickering candlelight, each flame burning bright. When the mirror had been forged, it hadn't been this clear, but Meng Shuying had polished it bit by bit until it became pristine.
Her hand pressed firmly against the mirror, gentle yet unyielding. Through the reflection, Meng Shuying saw her own gaze, dark with desire and something more dangerous.
"I wonder if Senior Sister has ever heard of… mirror grinding?"
The moon slipped out from behind the clouds, casting its cool glow across the earth and through the windows, illuminating the beloved figures entwined inside.
What was meant to be a brief indulgence turned into hours of passion. When it was finally over, Su Luowei sat in front of the mirror, fixing her hair. Occasionally, she shot a glare at Meng Shuying over her shoulder. "You messed up my hair."
Meng Shuying picked up the peachwood comb from the vanity, using one hand to hold Su Luowei's hair while the other carefully smoothed it out. She tied it into a simple bun and secured it with a wooden hairpin before reaching out to pull Su Luowei into her arms, only to have her slip away.
"It's too late. We really can't keep this up."
"But you haven't dual cultivated with me today, Senior Sister. You promised me earlier."
Earlier? Earlier, she had been so flustered by Meng Shuying's teasing that she had agreed to everything she said. Now that Su Luowei's rationality had returned, she naturally wasn't going to let Meng Shuying get whatever she wanted.
Realizing she had gone too far today and that any further mischief might actually anger her Senior Sister, Meng Shuying dropped the playful expression on her face. She quietly moved to Su Luowei's side and helped her clean up carefully.
By the time the two of them finished tidying up, it was already past midnight. Meng Shuying opened the window to let in some fresh air, allowing the night breeze to dispel the lingering intimacy in the room. Su Luowei had already returned to her desk, picking up her pen to resume her work.
Meng Shuying pulled a chair to sit across from her, mimicking her actions. She took a pen from the pen rack, dipped it into the inkstone, wiped off the excess ink, and opened a document. After reading it through, she wrote a single "approved" at the bottom.
Su Luowei had personally taught Meng Shuying how to read and write, so their handwriting looked remarkably similar, making it difficult for anyone unfamiliar with them to tell the difference.
After writing her approval, Meng Shuying casually picked up one of the documents Su Luowei had already reviewed and compared their handwriting. Su Luowei's characters were as neat and elegant as her personality, while Meng Shuying's writing, though similar in form, was slightly more unrestrained upon closer inspection.
If she had never met her Senior Sister, Meng Shuying might have perished early or walked a completely different path in life, like an eagle soaring in the sky, a deer wandering in the forest, or an antelope roaming the plains—solitary and detached, with no one to care for.
But she was fortunate enough to have met her Senior Sister. And now, here she was, able to share these midnight hours with her, her heart full, with no trace of sorrow.
Like someone returning home or a swallow returning to its nest, wherever her Senior Sister was, that was where she belonged.