On the second day of Mo Changxing’s stay in the Flower and Wood Clan, Yun Qingxue encountered another familiar face she hadn’t seen in a century—Shui Liu!
Yun Qingxue couldn’t quite define her feelings toward Shui Liu.
She had long noticed that Shui Liu harbored deep resentment and dislike for her.
In the past, he had even framed her once.
However, Shui Liu was absolutely loyal to Jin Lin!
All his hostility and dissatisfaction toward her stemmed from her failure to reciprocate Jin Lin’s feelings.
But Yun Qingxue couldn’t understand—since Jin Lin was about to marry, shouldn’t Shui Liu, as his personal guard, be busy preparing for the wedding in the Water Clan?
Why did he have the time to come to her Flower and Wood Clan?
Despite her doubts, Yun Qingxue immediately ordered Shui Liu to be brought into the grand hall.
“Greetings, Your Majesty the Flower King!”
Unlike their previous confrontational encounters, Shui Liu actually performed a formal bow this time.
“No need for formalities,” Yun Qingxue said calmly. “May I ask why Lord Shui has graced our Flower and Wood Clan with his presence?”
“Could I speak with Your Majesty alone?” Shui Liu asked quietly.
“Very well.” After a brief hesitation, Yun Qingxue dismissed Dai Se, who had been standing beside her.
Before leaving, Dai Se gave Shui Liu a scrutinizing glance—she hadn’t forgotten how he had treated her Flower King in the past.
“What brings you here, Lord Shui?” Yun Qingxue asked once they were alone.
Shui Liu suddenly knelt before her.
Startled, Yun Qingxue took a step back and frowned. “What is the meaning of this, Lord Shui?”
“Shui Liu presumes to ask Your Majesty not to attend my king’s wedding banquet!” he pleaded solemnly.
“Why?”
“Because His Majesty… he has never forgotten you,” Shui Liu said, lowering his head as he began to explain.
It turned out that Jin Lin had been schemed against by Feng Zihuang, losing most of his dragon energy. Weak and injured, he returned to the Water Clan to recuperate.
Unexpectedly, traitors within the Water Clan seized the opportunity to stage a rebellion, attempting to usurp the throne.
Fortunately, with the covert assistance of Mo Changxing’s men, the rebellion was quelled. However, Jin Lin was poisoned with a deadly toxin.
The antidote could only be obtained from the Merfolk Clan.
At the time, Jin Lin was unconscious from the poison, so Shui Liu went to the Merfolk Tribe to request the antidote. But…
The Merfolk chieftain demanded that unless the Dragon King married his most beloved youngest daughter, he would not provide the cure.
With Jin Lin’s life hanging by a thread, Shui Liu made the decision on his behalf.
When Jin Lin later awoke and learned of this, he was furious.
But the antidote had already been administered, and there was no way to reverse the arrangement…
After recounting the whole story, Shui Liu looked up at Yun Qingxue and said, “Though I hate to admit it, His Majesty… has always held you in his heart.
Now, after delaying for a hundred years, he has finally agreed to marry the Merfolk princess…
So, I beg you, Your Majesty, do not attend this wedding.
I fear… that if His Majesty sees you, he might… waver.
Since Your Majesty has no feelings for my king, please… do not stir his heart again.”
Shui Liu bowed deeply.
Yun Qingxue closed her eyes briefly, feeling a sharp pang in her chest.
Jin Lin had done so much for her, yet in the end, she had hurt him deeply…
“Very well, Shui Liu. I promise you.”
“Thank you, Flower King!” Shui Liu’s face brightened as he stood up. “I have overstepped my bounds today. I shall take my leave now.”
“Go ahead.” Yun Qingxue responded softly, watching him leave with a heavy heart.
Just then, a warm hand gently rested on her shoulder.
She turned to see Mo Changxing, dressed in black, his star-like eyes gazing at her with quiet understanding.
“Senior Brother,” Yun Qingxue murmured, forcing a faint smile.
“If you’re hurting, say it. Don’t keep it inside,” Mo Changxing said gently, offering her a comforting smile.
Yun Qingxue shook her head and sighed. “I think… the person I owe the most in this life is Jin Lin…”
“Qingxue,” Mo Changxing said seriously, “don’t think like that.
I believe Jin Lin would never want his love and sacrifices to burden you…”
“Senior Brother, please… It’s not a burden—it’s guilt.
If he had never met me, Jin Lin would still be the radiant King of the Water Clan, free and unbound…
Because of me, he was schemed against by Feng Zihuang, lost most of his dragon energy, and allowed rebellion to fester in his clan!
And now… he’s forced to marry someone he doesn’t love!
I am his calamity. I ruined him!” Her beautiful face twisted with deep remorse.
“Qingxue!” Mo Changxing grasped her shoulders, his dark eyes locking onto hers. “Do you know what it means to love someone?
When you love someone, you give willingly—without expecting anything in return!
If Jin Lin knew his love only brought you pain, he would be devastated.
Everything he did was for your happiness!”
“Senior Brother… I need to be alone…” Yun Qingxue pulled away and retreated into the inner chamber.
Night deepened.
Lying on her fragrant bed, Yun Qingxue stared blankly at the ceiling.
In her past life, she had given her heart, only to be betrayed by Zhou Dao, the one she trusted most. She had been blind.
That pain had carried over into this rebirth, making her wary of trust and love.
But was detachment truly the answer?
If it was, why had her coldness hurt Jin Lin—and left her so unhappy?
Searching her heart, she wondered—did she feel only gratitude toward Jin Lin? Or had she never truly healed from Zhou Dao’s betrayal?
Lost in thought, she eventually drifted into sleep.
In her dreams, a white-robed elder appeared.
His snow-white robes were embroidered with intricate blue patterns—strangely similar to those on Huanshi’s clothing.
“Ah… for a god to fall into demonhood is truly a sin…” the elder sighed as soon as he appeared.
“Who are you?” Yun Qingxue demanded. “You’re the voice I’ve heard before, aren’t you?
And you were the one in the Divine Clan last time, weren’t you?”
“Do not ask of my origins, Flower King… I am one who should not exist.
But knowing of the impending calamity in the Xuanling Continent, I have tried repeatedly to reach you…”
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