"Since you've recovered, we'll take our leave," a magnetic male voice called from the stairs. As Ye Ziling looked over, Ling Xi had gathered his belongings and was walking towards her.
Observing his indifferent expression, Ye Ziling spoke, "We're setting off today as well. Why don't we travel together?"
Ling Xi's gaze darkened slightly. He immediately averted her eyes and interrupted, "Miss Ye has formidable martial arts skills. We would only be a burden to you."
Ye Ziling's eyes flickered, her expression remaining calm, as if she didn't care. She took a deep breath, her heart churning like a stormy sea, but thankfully, her composure was well-hidden.
Mu Heng pushed the door open and saw everyone gathered. He asked Ye Ziling, "Weren't you planning to stay here for two more days?"
Upon hearing this, Ling Xi looked at Ye Ziling, the haze in his eyes gradually clearing.
"My eyes are healed, and there's no need to delay. We're setting off today," Ye Ziling replied indifferently.
"Changing your mind so quickly..." Mu Heng muttered, but he was startled by Ye Ziling's cold gaze and quickly fell silent, covering his mouth.
Luo Yao saw this and smiled, looking up. "Ling Xi, I think the scenery here is quite nice, perfect for horseback riding. I'm visiting the mortal world for the first time anyway, and you promised to race with me. Let's stay here for a few days. That way, I can also check on Miss Ye's injuries."
Ling Xi readily agreed, chuckling softly, "Alright, I'll listen to you."
A chill ran through Ye Ziling's heart. This step, it seemed, was harder to descend than she had imagined.
"Don't we have two horses? Let's go now!" Luo Yao gently tugged on Ling Xi's sleeve, and they went out together, leaving Mu Heng and Ye Ziling behind.
"Let's go, let's go for breakfast," Mu Heng said, looking at her.
Ye Ziling watched their retreating figures. Though her expression was unreadable, her heart felt a pang.
"Mu Heng, prepare a horse for me," Ye Ziling said to him, her voice clearly displeased.
"What are you talking about? In this wilderness, where am I supposed to get a horse for you? Are you suggesting I take the horse from the carriage?"
Mu Heng looked at her, gesturing animatedly as he explained with a hint of helplessness.
Just then, outside the inn, two men were tying up horse ropes.
"Don't we have horses right here?" Ye Ziling smiled faintly, quickly walking outside. She looked at the fine steeds before her and nodded in satisfaction.
"Gentlemen, would you be willing to sell me these two horses?"
The two men exchanged a glance, then shook their heads hesitantly. "Miss, these two horses belong to our young master. We have no authority to sell them. Perhaps you could ask him? We can't make decisions."
"Where is your young master now?" Ye Ziling asked.
"He should be here soon. He only asked us to wait for him at the inn to meet up..."
Mu Heng followed her out and glanced at the two horses. Suddenly, the horses were spooked, rearing and neighing. Before the men could secure the ropes, their hooves struck the ground, and they bolted wildly!
"Hey! The horses ran off..."
Ye Ziling pulled out her heavy coin purse, tossed it into their hands, lightly touched her toes, and caught up to one of the horses, mounting it.
Her hair whipped around in the wind, her robes fluttering. She turned her head, a smile on her lips. "It seems it's not very fond of being tied up. I'll be sure to bring it back to you unharmed."
With that, she pulled the reins and galloped away.
"Ye Ziling... Come back!" Mu Heng ran a few steps forward, but she was already far away.
The two men looked at each other, holding the coin purse, utterly bewildered.
Seeing her leave, Mu Heng's face turned red with anger. He snatched the coin purse back and said sternly, "Has the warmth of my hand transferred to the purse yet? If it has, you can return it!"
It was early spring. The bamboo forest on the outskirts was a deep, verdant green, and a gentle breeze swept through, carrying the scent of fresh grass.
Ye Ziling rode at a gallop, her whip cracking. The horse bolted joyfully through the woods. Before long, she spotted two figures in the distance, and her lips curved upwards.
She wasn't exactly a good person, so what harm was there in disrupting their private time?
Ye Ziling caught up and rode alongside them, the three horses running in parallel.
"Miss Ye?" Luo Yao exclaimed in surprise as Ye Ziling caught up. She looked back at the road behind them. "We've traveled so far, how did you catch up so quickly?"
Ling Xi's gaze was dark. He subtly glanced at Ye Ziling's face, a flicker of doubt appearing on his features before he quickly composed himself. "Miss Ye's eyes have just healed; it's not suitable for riding, is it?"
Ye Ziling looked straight ahead, her expression calm. Hearing the unfamiliar address, she felt a pang of disappointment. Yes, she was just 'Miss Ye' again.
"Since it's a race, I don't suppose one more person will mind?"
"Do you see that pine tree in the distance?"
"Whoever reaches it first wins."
Before Ling Xi and Luo Yao could react and answer, Ye Ziling pulled on the reins, and her horse sprang forward. As the horse galloped, the weariness in her heart was also released.
Luo Yao's eyes lit up. Seeing Ye Ziling's receding figure, she became instantly enthusiastic and quickly urged her horse forward.
"Miss Ye, wait for me!"
Ling Xi glanced ahead. Watching the slender figure disappear into the distance, an inexplicable emotion stirred within him, and he too spurred his horse forward.
Soon, Luo Yao caught up to Ye Ziling. They looked back and saw that Ling Xi hadn't arrived, so they gradually slowed down.
"Miss Ye, why aren't we going anymore?" Luo Yao asked Ye Ziling, breathing heavily, a fine sheen of sweat on her brow.
"The sun is setting, and by the time we reach our destination, it will be dark," Ye Ziling explained, handing Luo Yao a handkerchief. Her objective had been achieved, so who won or lost was no longer important to her. If she were to be serious, she could even outrun these horses on her own. However, doing so did feel a little unfair to Luo Yao.
"Indeed, it'll be dark and inconvenient to travel. Let's go back for now. We can have another race some other time," Luo Yao took the handkerchief and wiped her sweat. The two turned back.
"Oh, Miss Ye, I found something wonderful!" Luo Yao's eyes widened, as if she had discovered a treasure. She dismounted, skirt in hand, and walked to the side of the verdant path. Reaching out, she plucked a pitcher plant and examined it curiously. "This is a pitcher plant! I've seen it in history books. It eats insects; it's truly amazing!"
Seeing Luo Yao so delighted, Ye Ziling curved her lips slightly and walked closer, her eyes brightening. Truthfully, it was her first time seeing such a plant; she had only encountered them in books before. Perhaps, as a child, she hadn't paid attention to these novelties, which was why she couldn't recall much about her childhood.
When Ling Xi finally caught up to the two of them, only two horses were tied to the trees, and their riders were nowhere to be seen. He scanned the surroundings, his brows furrowed. Strange, these two had stopped their horses here, yet they had vanished.
"There's another one here... Miss Ye, hold these for me. I've spotted some very tender bamboo shoots!"
At that moment, Ye Ziling held a few unfamiliar wildflowers and some pitcher plants, following behind Luo Yao. Watching Luo Yao's lively figure, she felt a sense of bewilderment. These things could make someone this happy? Luo Yao hadn't descended to the mortal world before, so it was natural for her to be excited by these strange plants. But Ye Ziling was different; she had grown up in the mortal world, yet this was the first time she was carefully observing such things.
With their hands full, they returned and saw Ling Xi standing by the roadside waiting for them. He stood with his hands behind his back beneath the green trees, his gaze fixed on the distance, lost in thought. Seeing the two return, Ling Xi let out a sigh of relief.
"Ling Xi! We're here!" Luo Yao waved her arms, shouting excitedly, and stuffed the items in her arms into Ling Xi's hands.