When the Female Lead Becomes Obsessive – Chapter 93

Volume Four: Those Years When I Was a Master

[Rough and not set in stone: Foundation Establishment → Enlightenment → Integration → Temptation → Golden Core → Nascent Soul → Soul Division → Body Integration → Void Glimpse → Mahayana → Void Shattering → Tribulation Transcendence → Supreme Immortal]

Peonies Seal Their Love

When Tan Lin took the Yuheng Pill¹, the commotion he caused was quite significant. After all, the Yuheng Pill was an item that could almost rival divine-grade medicinal pills.

However, because Tan Lin was a Grandmaster-level alchemist, and he had the late-stage Mahayana realm cultivator Wen Nuan standing guard, no one dared to court death by trying to steal the pill.

For an entire day and night, Tan Lin was screaming and yelling in his room. One moment, it was a pained, sharp roar; the next, a low, wanton tremble. It made Wen Nuan suspect that she hadn’t given Tan Lin a Yuheng Pill, but some kind of messy “aphrodisiac.”

Considering the two were friends, Wen Nuan was still worried about Tan Lin’s current state. Although she could detect that his life wasn’t in danger, his cries were so bizarre that she was still left with lingering fears.

“Shizun, don’t worry. Alchemist Tan will be fine.”

Although Yu Wan Zhao looked down on Tan Lin, she still held a shred of respect for him on account of the Six Yang Pill.

That’s right, just a shred of respect.

And that was on the condition that this guy didn’t dare get handsy with her Shizun or act overly intimate in word or deed.

Otherwise, she would slaughter him!

“Shizun, I’ve prepared some food. Please have something to eat,” Yu Wan Zhao said, taking Wen Nuan’s hand and caressing her palm. “You’ve been standing guard here for so long. Let me watch over Alchemist Tan for you now, okay?”

Yu Wan Zhao knew Tan Lin’s situation was critical, but her heart ached for Wen Nuan, who had stood guard for a full day and night without eating or drinking.

Seeing that Tan Lin was out of any serious danger, Wen Nuan retracted her spiritual sense.

Releasing her spiritual sense for a day and a night didn’t harm her body, but her face was now noticeably pale and weak.

She nodded with a faint smile. “It’s fine. Tan Lin has recovered.”

“Good. Shizun, please eat first. After you eat, you should get some proper rest.”

Yu Wan Zhao’s heart ached as she looked at Wen Nuan’s pale face. She wrapped an arm around her waist and led her to another room.

On the table were three dishes and a soup: sweet and sour pork, braised fish, stir-fried greens, and a simple egg drop soup.

Yu Wan Zhao ladled a bowl of soup for Wen Nuan. “Have some soup first.”

“Mm,” Wen Nuan took a sip. The flavor hadn’t changed; it was as delicious as ever.

Seeing that Yu Wan Zhao was only watching her and not eating, she smiled. “Aren’t you eating?”

Yu Wan Zhao propped up her cheek with her hand, a look of pure contentment on her face. “This disciple is happy just watching Shizun eat. As long as Shizun is happy eating, this disciple is happy.”

“Can watching me fill your stomach?” Wen Nuan ladled a bowl for her as well. “You have some soup too.”

“Of course it can,” Yu Wan Zhao said, accepting the soup. She took the opportunity to brush the back of Wen Nuan’s hand with her own. “After all, Shizun… you’re a feast for the eyes.”

Wen Nuan: “…”

I really f#cking want to break character, pin her to the table, and have a good taste.

【Take it slow. Have you forgotten the lesson from last time? Don’t let the female lead pin* you *to the table and slaughter you,】 the system commented, picking its nose figuratively.

Wen Nuan thought for a moment, a glint flashing in her eyes. I can’t take the initiative, but she can.

The system raised an eyebrow: 【You mean…】

The two exchanged a look, and a sleazy, wanton smile spread across both their faces.

Wen Nuan lowered her gaze, a faint blush appearing on her originally pale cheeks.

The world often spoke of Yu Wen Nuan of the Qianyuan Upper Palace. People said that while the Divine Maiden was beautiful, she was stern and unsmiling, as cold as ice, and they felt that a goddess ought to be so pure, noble, and aloof.

But no one knew that when the Divine Maiden smiled, when her eyes held a flirtatious charm, that was when people would truly sigh in admiration, witnessing what it meant to be dazzlingly brilliant and breathtakingly stunning.

Seeing this peerless beauty, Yu Wan Zhao’s eyes darkened. She set down her soup bowl and took Wen Nuan’s hand, slowly leaning closer.

She whispered, “Shizun?”

Wen Nuan’s eyelashes trembled. She murmured, “…Mm.”

“This disciple wants to kiss you, is that okay?”

Wen Nuan’s cheeks flushed crimson. She glanced at Yu Wan Zhao, flustered, before quickly lowering her head again.

Her voice was as faint as the buzz of a mosquito as she softly “mm”-ed in agreement.

A lustful glint appeared in Yu Wan Zhao’s eyes. She cupped Wen Nuan’s face and leaned in to kiss her lips, her own warm and searing lips pressing down firmly.

Wen Nuan closed her eyes, and just as she was about to cup the back of Yu Wan Zhao’s head to deepen the kiss…

Suddenly, a massive sound, one that seemed to shatter the heavens and crack the earth, rang out as if the house was collapsing.

BOOM!

Yu Wan Zhao quickly pulled Wen Nuan into her embrace, glaring at the dust-covered person who had suddenly appeared before them.

Killing intent filled her eyes as she ground out through clenched teeth, “…Tan Lin!”

Tan Lin couldn’t be bothered with Yu Wan Zhao. He yanked Wen Nuan out of Yu Wan Zhao’s arms and hugged her tightly, shouting with joy, “Wen Nuan, I’m better! I’m better!!”

Wen Nuan: “…”

I really f#cking regret giving the Yuheng Pill to this son of a b#tch!

“You f#cker, let go of my Shizun!” Seeing Tan Lin dare to hug Wen Nuan, Yu Wan Zhao flew into a rage and swung a palm strike at him.

The two quickly fell into a chaotic brawl, smashing everything in the room to pieces.

Wen Nuan sighed, walked out of the room amidst the chaos, and went to admire the evening clouds.

It seemed the commotion had been too loud, attracting a wave of nosy onlookers. Wen Nuan persuaded them to leave to avoid any innocents getting hurt, and in the process, she learned that tonight was Ningquan City’s Qiaolü Festival².

The Qiaolü Festival, to put it simply, was a festival for mortal men and women, or male and female cultivators, to find partners and Dao companions³.

The festivities during the day were minor; the real fun of the Qiaolü Festival began at night. The alleys were hung with colorful lanterns and ribbons, the pleasant sounds of silk and bamboo instruments filled the air, and there was joyous song and dance everywhere.

Back in the residence, the two of them fought from one room to the next. Just as they were about to bring the fight into Wen Nuan’s own room, she called out in exasperation, “Stop fighting.”

The moment she spoke, dust and smoke billowed out.

Within the swirling dust, the two stood at opposite ends, poised and on guard.

Wen Nuan said calmly, “The citizens of Ningquan City told me that today is the Qiaolü Festival. I hear it’s very interesting. Shall we go have a look?”

“Okay!” Tan Lin was the first to raise his hand. “I’ll go wash up and change my clothes.”

“Yes, Shizun.”

Yu Wan Zhao cast a cleansing spell, removing all the dust from her body.

She walked to Wen Nuan’s side and quickly took her hand. “Shizun, let’s go first. Don’t wait for him.”

Wen Nuan chuckled helplessly and let Yu Wan Zhao forcibly pull her out the door.

When Tan Lin finished tidying up and was about to leave, he found that Wen Nuan and Yu Wan Zhao were gone.

“…” He cursed furiously, “Yu Wan Zhao, you ungrateful, white-eyed wolf!”

As the lanterns were lit, the city became a scene of exquisite beauty.

At the Qiaolü Festival, men and women would each hold a peony⁴ flower. Men carried white peonies, and women carried pink ones.

If two people took a liking to each other and felt a mutual connection, they could offer their peony to the other.

If the other person accepted the flower, it signified a pledge of love, and they would enjoy the festival together.

If they wished to refuse, they would either politely decline the flower or pluck a single petal from the offered flower as a memento.

The peonies used for the Qiaolü Festival had nine petals arranged in two layers: five on the bottom and four on top.

Walking from one end of the street to the other, Yu Wan Zhao and Wen Nuan politely refused many male cultivators’ peonies, not even keeping a single petal as a memento.

They wandered around for a while, purely joining in the fun, watching other happy couples, and even seeing a male cultivator propose directly to a female cultivator with his peony.

Cultivators never cared for elaborate formalities. If they loved someone, they would declare it boldly, without being coy or pretentious.

The male cultivator, unafraid of public opinion, proposed to the female cultivator in front of everyone. The female cultivator already had feelings for him, so they hit it off immediately, accepted each other’s peonies, and became Dao companions. The crowd cheered, praising this heaven-sent match.

Wen Nuan glanced at Yu Wan Zhao, who was watching, mesmerized. The envy in her eyes was faint, but Wen Nuan caught it all the same.

“You like it?”

Yu Wan Zhao paused. “When lovers can finally be together, it is naturally a joyous thing.”

“Yes, when lovers can finally be together, it is indeed joyous,” Wen Nuan said with a faint smile. She took Yu Wan Zhao’s hand and led her out of the crowd. “Then let’s go be joyous too.”

“What?”

Yu Wan Zhao was pulled along by Wen Nuan, completely bewildered. “Shizun, where are we going?”

Wen Nuan didn’t answer, leading Yu Wan Zhao back to Tan Lin’s residence.

Tan Lin had gone out to have fun, leaving the house for Wen Nuan to do with as she pleased. This was from when Yu Wan Zhao had taken the Six Yang Pill, and Wen Nuan had asked to borrow his residence for a bit.

Tan Lin had pondered Wen Nuan’s intentions for a moment before expressing his speechlessness at this pair of “dog women.”

The residence had been restored by Tan Lin to its original state, as if the great battle just now had never happened.

Wen Nuan led Yu Wan Zhao into her own room. As Yu Wan Zhao stood there in a daze, Wen Nuan said nervously, “Wan Zhao, can you close your eyes for a moment?”

Although Yu Wan Zhao didn’t know what Wen Nuan was planning, she obediently closed her eyes.

“Okay.”

With her eyes closed, Yu Wan Zhao secretly sent out her spiritual sense.

“Retract your spiritual sense.”

“…” Yu Wan Zhao pursed her lips. “Okay.”

Unable to use her spiritual sense and afraid to open her eyes, Yu Wan Zhao could only rely on her other senses to perceive the changes in the room.

She seemed to smell the fragrance of peonies, probably left over from their stroll through the streets.

Her Shizun’s movements were very light; she couldn’t figure out what she was doing just by listening.

“Alright, you can open your eyes now.”

Yu Wan Zhao slowly opened her eyes and was stunned by the scene before her. No wonder she had smelled such a rich fragrance of peonies—her Shizun had filled the entire room with them.

“Shizun?” Yu Wan Zhao looked at Wen Nuan, her gaze shimmering. “This is…?”

An unnatural blush appeared on Wen Nuan’s face. “Wan Zhao, do you know the meaning of giving a peony to your beloved?”

“…I do not.”

“The peony symbolizes sincerity, representing one’s true heart. For a fated person, giving a peony represents a heart that will never change.”

Wen Nuan took out a red peony. In truth, she would have preferred to use a rose, but unfortunately, there were none.

Her eyes shimmering, she said, “Wan Zhao, are you willing to accept your Shizun’s flower?”

Thump-thump—

Thump-thump—

It was like the sound of a heart bursting.

Yu Wan Zhao felt her entire being fill with happiness and joy, overflowing with contentment.

Her heart pounded violently, her breathing grew rapid, as if she were about to suffocate.

Yu Wan Zhao took the flower. Her eyes darkened, and her voice was hoarse and short. “Shizun?”

A subtle, sparkling smile was in Wen Nuan’s eyes. “What is it?”

“This disciple wishes to serve you, may I?” Yu Wan Zhao moved closer to Wen Nuan, wrapping an arm around her waist. “This disciple wishes to touch you.”

Wen Nuan’s eyes deepened, desire welling up within her, yet she feigned ignorance. “How… to serve, how to touch?”

“This disciple is audacious enough to wish to undress you, to share a night of passion with you,” Yu Wan Zhao whispered, capturing Wen Nuan’s lips. “I hope for Shizun’s gracious permission.”

A wicked smile bloomed on Wen Nuan’s lips, like a fox that had caught its prey.

She chuckled softly. “Permission granted.”

Necks entwined like mandarin ducks in the deep of night, the brocade quilt tumbling like red waves.

“…Shizun?” Yu Wan Zhao’s eyes were wet with tears, her voice hoarse and weak.

A tremor ran through her voice as she looked at the whip marks on Wen Nuan’s body, her heart aching. “Shizun, does it hurt?”

“It doesn’t hurt.”

“But it hurts me so much,” Yu Wan Zhao’s eyes misted over. She kissed the scars, each touch filled with pain and guilt. “Shizun, I’m sorry.”

“Since you’re sorry, then beg for my forgiveness, won’t you?” Wen Nuan lowered her gaze, a wicked smile playing on her lips.

Yu Wan Zhao’s eyes became sultry and alluring⁵. She wrapped her arms around Wen Nuan’s neck. “Disciple Wan Zhao… begs for Shizun’s forgiveness…”

Wen Nuan lowered her lashes, her voice a few shades darker, husky and bewitching. “Good girl. Open it yourself.”

“And then..”

Wen Nuan looked down, taking in the scenery before her.

She chuckled, a hint of a threat in her voice. “…you’re not allowed to close it, okay.”

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The author has something to say:

The line “夜深交頸效鴛鴦，錦被翻紅浪” (Necks entwined like mandarin ducks in the deep of night, the brocade quilt tumbling like red waves) is from the Yuan Dynasty poem 《Little Crimson Peach: The Plump Courtesan》 by Wang Heqing.

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