Golden Orchids

Chapter 23

Zi Lan had gone back to Kunlun Mountain. When he came back, he had dump piles of scrolls and scriptures in front of Si Yin. 

"Read up, " he told her.

Si Yin looked up at her sister. Yan Zhi just shrugged. She had no idea how to help her. She was cultivated by learning demon magic, not this self-enlightenment nonsense. 

Zi Lan picked a scroll and rolled it in front of her.  "There you can start with this, " he ordered.

Si Yin took one look at it and growled. After reading for a few minutes, she looked at her senior with her big onyx eyes and rolled over, exposing her belly to him. 

She looked so adorable, Yan Zhi's heart melted. Maybe it's time for a break. Surely Si Yin didn't have to read all these books right? 

"That won't work on me, " Zi Lan said cold-heartedly, "I'm not Shifu, " 

Si Yin snarled at him and rolled back. She slumped her head back to the scroll and continued reading.

"When you turned back, write down a summary of everything you learned today, " he ordered. 

Yan Zhi developed a new-found respect for the man. She had never seen anyone resisting Si Yin's charms before. Ye Hua was a hopeless case. Yan Zhi needed to steel herself to assert her will. This was the man who was so used to her shenanigans, he was immune to her wits. 

Zhe Yan came out of his hut, his hand carried a basket filled with jugs and a hoe. "Princess Yan Zhi, come here, " 

Yan Zhi swallowed, she expected this to happen sooner or later. She's Qing Chang's daughter. Why would he welcome her here? The reason she was able to remain here this long was because of Si Yin. Since everything was settled, Zhe Yan would kick her out. 

Yan Zhi walked up and greeted the High God. He handed her the hoe and led her deeper into the forest.  He pointed to a spot under a tree. Yan Zhi didn't argue much and began to dig.

"For the past few weeks, you had been taking care of my ward, " he said, "For that, I thank you, " 

Yan Zhi's eyes widen, she dropped her hoe. She bowed, "I can't accept this gratitude. Su Su treated me like a sister, therefore I treated her the same, " 

Zhe Yan pushed down her hands, "Don't be modest. This debt must be repaid. What do you wish for? Tell me, I'll grant it,"

Yan Zhi thought for a second, she didn't expect any payment for all of the things she did. All she wanted was to help her sister. 

"Please don't chase me away. I wanted to remain by her side, " Yan Zhi pleaded, "I know that you don't like me much because of my father-" 

The High God raised his hand, "Why do you think I'll chase you out? We had no beef with each other, " 

"But my father…" 

"I don't blame the children for their parent's actions. We both lose people important to us that day, the grievance was already resolved, "

Yan Zhi's eyes widened. She couldn't believe that she was let go that easily. Usually, people would be adamant to get rid of her. 

Zhe Yan picked up the hoe and handed it back to her. "Tell you what. Save the wish for later. In the meantime, you will help me out around the forest. I heard that you have a talent for healing, maybe you get to learn a thing or two, "

Yan Zhi smiled, she couldn't believe what she was hearing. For the first time, she was appreciated by a revered man. No one this esteemed had shown her this courtesy. She bowed down in gratitude."Thank you, High God, "