Chapter Ninety-Nine: Black and White Pieces (Second Update)

“It was nothing more than a bug bite…” Ji Wuqing explained indifferently, a pale smile lingering on his lips. “And isn’t it ‘quite’ a good thing? At least, I can be your warm donkey.” With that, he reached out and drew her into his arms.

He looked at Xuexue’s furrowed brows, and for some reason, the sight filled him with delight.

Xuexue didn’t respond. She bowed her head, worry clouding her thoughts over Ji Wuqing’s current state. She didn’t know what had become of the shadow guards, nor when they might find them. If something happened to Ji Wuqing, how could she handle things on her own?

“Ji Wuqing, do you care so little for your own life? Are you a fool?” Just a bug bite?

It was poison—deadly enough to threaten his very life. How could he be so unconcerned?

“I’m no fool. Xue’er, you’re the fool. That moment was so dangerous, why did you intervene? Didn’t I tell you? I can protect you. At worst, I’d take the sword in your place…” Ji Wuqing began to recount the incident.

“Is your way of protecting me by hurting yourself?” Xuexue snorted, lowering her head as she continued wrapping the wound on his wrist.

“Xue’er?” He watched her carefully tending to his wound, taking in her focused expression. His lips curved slightly, teasing, almost petulant, as her deft fingers bandaged him—a pleasing sight.

“Hmm?”

“Have you fallen for me?” He gazed at her with anticipation, not wanting to miss a single change in her expression.

Her hands paused, then she quickly tied a butterfly knot on his wrist and… nestled into his embrace, silent and obedient.

He hadn’t asked much, just if she liked him. But was now really the time for such words?

“Are you trying to disappoint me on purpose?” Ji Wuqing persisted, pulling a mournful face, as if truly wounded.

“You’ve always said you know everything. Do I need to say it aloud?” she murmured.

“Yes, I know everything.” Ji Wuqing lowered his head and kissed her hair. Xuexue frowned slightly. Her answer had been that she was indeed trying to disappoint him, rather than… Or did her words imply consent?

Ji Wuqing held her close, and for a long while, the two sat quietly together. The night was hushed, the only sound the wind stirring outside.

“Ji Wuqing, why do you never ask…” Not even about the forbidden arts others accused her of?

“Why would I ask? I already know, Xue’er.” Her secrets—he knew them all.

But what did he know…

“Then do you know, in that unfinished game of chess, who will be the final victor?” She tugged at his sleeve, recalling their incomplete match. There’d been no chance to finish it—what a pity.

“We’ll settle it once we return to the palace. Don’t worry, I’ll go easy on you,” he promised, holding her tightly, his chin lightly resting atop her head.

“Mm, remember to bring me back,” she murmured, eyes closing with weariness.

These past days, she’d only been holding on by sheer will. The blood-tears in her body still unresolved, her health fragile despite prolonged treatment. The recent exertion, secretly using the soul-capturing art, had drained her further. Now, as she relaxed, all her discomforts became keenly apparent.

“Rest, Xue’er. I’ll keep watch over you.”

The night was cool and lonely. The full moon hung solitary, its reflection shimmering on the water—a moon in the water, unreal and untouchable.

Within the silk-draped canopy, the young woman slowly awoke. The white silk over her eyes concealed any subtle change in her gaze. As her mind cleared, she found her body refreshed, free from discomfort. She reached up, touching her head, uncertain where she was.

The room held the rich, slightly bitter scent of medicinal herbs—strangely comforting.

“You’ve finally awakened, my lady?”

The maid’s voice was hushed and excited at her bedside, careful not to startle her.

My lady?

“Where am I?” Xuexue propped herself up, confused, feeling as if she’d slept for ages. Her lips were dry and chapped, her voice raspy.

“My lady, we’re on the boat returning home. How do you feel?” The maid supported her, accepting a bowl of water from another maid. “You slept through the night. The young master was so worried. Now you’re awake, we can finally breathe easy.”

Young master? She must mean Ji Wuqing.

She remembered leaning against Ji Wuqing and drifting into sleep, then… awakening here.

“How is he? Is he unwell?” she asked anxiously. Ji Wuqing had been poisoned for the sake of the Soul-Leaving Herb—what of him now?

“Don’t worry, my lady. The young master is much better and resting now. Would you like me to—”

“No need. Don’t disturb him,” she replied.

Relieved, Xuexue exhaled, but a strange feeling lingered. Given Ji Wuqing’s temperament, even if he were resting, shouldn’t he be by her side? Upon waking, she should have seen him—so why was he resting elsewhere?

Was there something he was hiding from her?

As she pondered, her keen senses picked up someone approaching. The footsteps were light, almost imperceptible.

“Young master.” The maids’ greetings confirmed her intuition.

He waved them away and moved to her bedside. Seeing her lost in thought, he asked, “What’s wrong, Xue’er? Are you feeling better?” He sat beside her, hand caressing her head with concern.

“Weren’t you resting? Why are you here?” She raised her hand to block his touch, her fingers brushing his injured wrist, which was now tightly bandaged. “Well wrapped,” she remarked, a faint smile on her lips.

“Nothing matters more than you. Why tease me?” Ji Wuqing complained, ruffling her hair and pulling her into an embrace.

“Ji Wuqing…” Xuexue wrapped her arms around his waist, nestling into his arms.

There they held each other, Xuexue’s head resting on his chest. After a moment, she asked pensively, “Where are we headed?”

“To the palace, of course. We’ll arrive in two days. You must rest and recover your strength,” he replied gently, holding her close.

Two days. Just two days left.

“Finally, we’re going back. Has everything been resolved?” Yet a vague unease lingered in her heart, a sense that something was amiss. “Has the poison in you been cured?”

“Well, am I not alive and well before you?” Ji Wuqing’s lips curved in a gentle smile.

“I don’t know why, but it all feels so unreal,” she confessed. Was it merely her imagination, or the unease following illness?

“Silly girl, what’s unreal about it? I’m right here beside you.” Ji Wuqing paused, then placed his hand atop her head, gently stroking her dark hair, down to her waist.

“…Mm.” She nodded, then said, “Do you remember our last game of chess?”

“Hmm? Xue’er, you have the nerve to bring that up? Who snatched my gold medallion and ran out of the palace? Aren’t you afraid I’ll hold that against you now?”

“Tomorrow, let’s settle it for good. You’d better prepare yourself—I wouldn’t want to embarrass His Majesty with your defeat.”

“Boasting, are you?”

That night, Xuexue slept poorly, tossing and turning.

In the dead of night, she sat up, slipped barefoot from her bed, and crept soundlessly to the door. Outside, the maids had just changed shifts; several of them took turns guarding her door. Did they intend to keep her from leaving the room?

She stood barefoot by the door for a while, until the chill forced her back to bed.

At dawn, she ordered her maids to bring a chessboard and set up a game by the window, playing alone.

When he arrived, Xuexue was leaning on her hand, gazing at the blue sky and white clouds outside. “Whoever wins today earns the right to breakfast,” she announced.

“I’d never bully you,” Ji Wuqing agreed readily.

“Don’t underestimate me,” Xuexue retorted, not with confidence but as if stating a fact.

Sunlight spilled through the window, shimmering on the water beyond. Green mountains and trees surrounded them, the scene elegant and serene, a tapestry of blue hills, verdant woods, white grass, red leaves, and yellow flowers.

The sunlight crept onto the chessboard, making the black and white pieces glisten like jewels.

Immaculate and poised, the young woman sat quietly at the board, ethereal as an immortal. The white silk over her eyes lent her an air of tranquil mystery.

Her hand moved unhurriedly, placing each piece with calm elegance.

His hand soon followed, dropping black stones without hesitation.

His broad, cloud-patterned sleeves and purple-blue robes gave him a regal air. His lips curled with the faintest of smiles; a sharp light flickered in his eyes—a force to be reckoned with.

The two played in silence, minds wholly absorbed in the game.

After about half an hour, the match was decided.

“Your Majesty, were you letting me win, or is your skill truly so mediocre?” Xuexue propped her chin, as if studying the board’s intricacies, her tone lightly teasing.

“Xue’er, you’re clever enough—you already know the answer,” Ji Wuqing replied, rising to her side. “You’re still recovering—don’t overexert yourself, understand?” He stroked her head, his voice gentle.

But the air between them had grown cool and distant.

Ji Wuqing ordered the board to be cleared and breakfast served.

Xuexue’s expression remained unchanged. Ji Wuqing—no, he was not Ji Wuqing at all! Or rather, it was just as she’d suspected—not Ji Wuqing.

They sat opposite each other. Xuexue stirred her porridge, appetite surprisingly hearty.

Across from her, the man was motionless, his gaze fixed on her—cold, angry, and resentful, all at once.

Xuexue ate her breakfast, but the fish slices in the porridge made her queasy. She forced some down, but the more she ate, the more nauseated she felt. Halfway through, she set her spoon aside. “Next time, don’t put fish in the porridge. I don’t like it.” She took some pickles to mask the fishy taste.

“Who can say? Your tastes have changed so much. I never understood why you liked fish porridge before—now you despise it,” he replied, his voice cold and proud, stripped of all Ji Wuqing’s former warmth.

A moment ago, he’d treated her with gentle affection. Now, in an instant, his true colors were revealed.