As soon as the others left, Qiandai quickly went over to close the palace doors. A flash of blue light later, Yun Qingxue transformed back into her human form.
“Master, are you alright?” Qiandai, after securing the door, immediately rushed back to Yun Qingxue’s side, checking her thoroughly for any injuries.
Yun Qingxue looked refreshed and invigorated, stretching her body with a smile. “I’m fine—better than ever!”
“This time, it was my negligence!” Qiandai dropped to one knee, her face filled with guilt as she begged for punishment.
Yun Qingxue quickly reached out to help her up, disapprovingly saying, “Stop kneeling at the drop of a hat. I’m really fine—it’s those three women who should worry! But Qiandai, you acted too rashly. I’m afraid once Tongyun learns of this, she won’t let it go easily.”
“I’m not afraid!” Qiandai’s eyes shone with determination, her expression one of satisfaction. “Those three women have repeatedly disrespected and bullied the Flower King. I’ve long wanted to teach them a lesson, but never had the chance. Now that heaven has granted this opportunity, how could I hold back?
“But don’t worry too much, young master. Though the real power in the Flower and Wood Clan isn’t in your hands, you are still the Flower King, and I am your personal attendant. Even if Elder Tongyun is furious, she’ll still have to maintain appearances. She won’t kill me—at worst, she’ll strip me of my cultivation!”
“You make it sound so simple!” Yun Qingxue glared at her.
Qiandai chuckled. “Knowing that my master cares so much for me, I’d die without regrets!”
Yun Qingxue’s heart sank inexplicably. She frowned and scolded, “Enough with this talk of death!”
“Master,” Qiandai took Yun Qingxue’s hand, her expression turning serious. “I’ve crippled Fenyao and the others. There’s no escaping Elder Tongyun’s punishment. If she truly strips me of my cultivation, I fear no one will be left to protect you.”
Yun Qingxue was deeply moved and clasped Qiandai’s hand in return.
Even now, Qiandai’s greatest concern was still her. No matter what, Yun Qingxue vowed she wouldn’t let Tongyun harm her Qiandai!
“Master! Before Tongyun acts against me, I want to transfer all my magic to you!” Qiandai suddenly proposed.
“No!” Yun Qingxue refused instantly. Though she was new to this world and hadn’t yet had the chance to cultivate, she knew how difficult it was to gain power and how vital magic was to a cultivator.
“Master!” Qiandai pressed urgently. “Rather than let Tongyun strip me of my cultivation, it’s better I give it all to you. At least that way, the power won’t be wasted!”
Yun Qingxue pulled her hand back and stepped away. “I won’t allow it! Qiandai, trust me—I won’t let Tongyun lay a finger on you!”
Her words, however, did little to reassure Qiandai. Instead, the attendant grew even more anxious. “Master, you must never reveal in front of Tongyun that your consciousness has been restored! If she finds out, she’ll surely try to kill you!”
“Mm.” Yun Qingxue nodded, then motioned for Qiandai to lean in and whispered something in her ear.
—
**Golden Phoenix Palace, Elder Tongyun’s residence.**
At that moment, Tongyun reclined against a soft pillow, her expression one of irritation. The blue light that had fallen from the sky that night had become a thorn in her heart.
Lan Xuechen was back! That woman, dead for a thousand years, had reincarnated! Though Tongyun had ruled the Flower and Wood Clan in the Flower King’s stead for the past millennium, wielding all its power, she had never been able to claim the throne openly—all because she had never found the Flower King’s Seal, the symbol of supreme authority.
She had thought that with Lan Xuechen dead, the key to the seal must lie with the new Flower King, Yun Qingxue—a fool, yet one of noble blood.
But now… Lan Xuechen had returned. Reincarnated.
Did that mean the Flower King’s Seal, lost with Lan Xuechen’s death a thousand years ago, had been in her possession all along?
“Elder, Lord Gumou requests an audience.”
As Tongyun brooded, a maid entered to announce.
Tongyun lifted her eyes lazily, a trace of displeasure in her brow. “What is it?”
“Lord Gumou says he has captured assassins in the Flower King’s Palace and seeks your judgment,” the maid replied respectfully, head bowed.
“Oh?” Tongyun frowned. Assassins targeting Yun Qingxue, that fool? How odd.
“Let them in.” She straightened and waved a hand.
The maid withdrew, and soon Gumou entered with a group of guards, dragging five bound figures into the hall.
“Greetings, Elder.”
The group bowed.
“Rise.”
Tongyun’s sharp phoenix eyes swept over the room, lingering on the disheveled prisoners. “Why do they look so wretched?”
Gumou stepped forward awkwardly. “Well… it’s a long story.”
“Then skip it.” Tongyun waved impatiently.
“As you wish.” Gumou nodded. “Elder, how should these assassins be dealt with?”
“Hmm?” Tongyun finally turned her gaze to the bound figures. “Have they confessed why they tried to assassinate the Flower King?”
“No,” Gumou admitted. “After capturing them in the palace, I came straight to you. There was no time for interrogation.”
Tongyun shot him a displeased look before fixing her sharp eyes on the prisoners. “Speak! Who sent you to kill our Flower King?”
The five remained silent.
Already agitated over Lan Xuechen’s return and the missing seal, Tongyun had no patience for defiance. She sneered. “Fine. Let’s see how long your stubbornness lasts. Guards—prepare the instruments!”
At her command, maids entered carrying trays of vials and jars.
Tongyun’s slender fingers, adorned with crimson nails, plucked a small porcelain bottle from the tray and handed it to a guard.
The guard stepped forward, gripping one prisoner’s chin and forcing the contents of the vial down their throat.
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