“Your Majesty… I have something to say, but I’m not sure if I should…” Mosu hesitated.
“Speak,” Yun Qingxue replied with a faint smile.
“Your Majesty has found the one you love, and as your subject, I am naturally happy for you.
However…
Our Flower and Wood Clan’s people are spread across countless realms, and the Feather Clan interacts with us frequently.
Most of the Feather Clan’s people live in trees, and all plants—whether sentient or not—fall under Your Majesty’s jurisdiction.
So I worry…”
Mosu’s gaze flickered uneasily. “I worry that the Feather King’s affection for you may not be entirely genuine, and that he might be acting more for the benefit of his own clan.
After all…
Marrying you would mean gaining control over the entire Flower and Wood Clan!”
“Clan Leader Mosu…” Yun Qingxue let out a long sigh.
Mosu immediately bowed respectfully. “I do not oppose Your Majesty’s relationship with the Feather King. I only ask that you remain cautious in all matters.
If, in time, his sincerity proves true, then you may entrust your heart to him without hesitation!”
“I’m not blaming you,” Yun Qingxue said, her voice tinged with frustration. “It’s just… I don’t know how I fell for the Feather King, but it was an overwhelming love—one that made me ache when I couldn’t see him.
To be honest, when he was poisoned last time, it felt like the sky had collapsed. My mind was consumed by a single thought—if Feng Zihuang died, I would follow him in death…”
“Your Majesty!” Mosu’s eyes widened in alarm, and she suddenly knelt. “Your Majesty, I have no right to interfere in whom you love. But I beg you—before making any decision, think of those of us who loyally follow you…
Think of your devoted subjects who adore and depend on you…
You are the Flower and Wood Clan’s only sovereign. Your life cannot be ruled solely by personal love—you must also embrace the greater love of a monarch…”
“Clan Leader Mosu, let me finish.” Yun Qingxue stepped forward and helped her up, then continued, “My feelings for the Feather King came suddenly and intensely…
But they vanished just as inexplicably.
To be honest, ever since the Locking Frost poison was purged from my body and I awoke, I realized…
The love I once felt for Feng Zihuang had completely disappeared!
Moreover, when I see him now, that old sense of wariness resurfaces…
I don’t know what’s happening to me, and it troubles me deeply!”
After hearing this, Mosu frowned in thought before asking, “Your Majesty, when did you first realize you loved the Feather King?”
“After returning from the trial in the Yunhuang Illusion,” Yun Qingxue answered truthfully.
“And before that realization, had you interacted with him?” Mosu pressed.
Yun Qingxue nodded. “I fell from the Yunhuang Illusion into the Endless Abyss and landed in Feather Clan territory.
I stayed there for half a day.”
“Did you consume anything from the Feather Clan? Did anything unusual happen?” Mosu probed further.
Yun Qingxue thought for a moment. “After my master arrived, I felt extremely thirsty and drank a cup of tea.
At the time, my master, Senior Brother Changxing, and Jinlin were also present…”
“Before that? Did you eat or encounter anything strange?” Mosu pressed, her brow furrowed in thought.
Yun Qingxue carefully recalled. “At first, I was very wary of the Feather Clan. I didn’t touch any of the tea or pastries they offered—I even pretended to be ill to avoid them.
Later, Liuying helped me into the inner chambers to rest. She lit an incense stick, and suddenly, I felt unbearably thirsty…
Then my master arrived, and I couldn’t resist drinking a cup of tea!” She recounted the events in detail.
Mosu narrowed her eyes. “So it was after that when Your Majesty believed you had fallen in love with the Feather King?”
“Are you suggesting… my feelings for Feng Zihuang weren’t genuine? That some external force was at play?” Yun Qingxue began to piece things together.
“Your Majesty, are you aware that the blood of the Feather King—the Phoenix—holds a unique power?” Mosu’s expression turned grave. “The Phoenix Blood Curse!”
“What is that? Are you saying I was cursed by the Feather King?” Yun Qingxue’s heart sank.
Mosu nodded. “This is the only explanation for the drastic shift in Your Majesty’s feelings.”
“But now I feel nothing for Feng Zihuang. If he cursed me, why would he lift it?” Yun Qingxue couldn’t make sense of it.
Mosu smiled faintly. “Do you know why I suspect a blood curse?”
Yun Qingxue shook her head.
“The blood of the Phoenix has the power to make those who consume it fall madly in love with him.
This curse is difficult to break—but not impossible. Its counter lies in a potion made from two ingredients: the Red Zhanglan grown by the Divine Clan and the Green Pearl from the banks of the Netherworld’s Naihe Bridge. Combined, they nullify the curse!”
“So… that explains why my feelings for Feng Zihuang changed so drastically before and after my poisoning!” Realization dawned in Yun Qingxue’s eyes.
Mosu nodded. “I suspect the Feather King never anticipated that Your Majesty’s body harbored another toxin—one whose antidote coincidentally contained the very ingredients needed to break his curse!”
“Are you… certain?” Yun Qingxue felt a chill as countless implications flooded her mind.
“Almost certainly,” Mosu affirmed. “Think about it, Your Majesty—wasn’t your sudden, intense love for the Feather King, followed by its complete disappearance, highly unnatural?”
Yun Qingxue closed her eyes, piecing together the sequence of events. Soon, she reached a conclusion.
“Feng—Zi—huang!” When her eyes opened again, they were sharp with clarity. Without another word, she flew from her residence.
“Your Majesty!” Mosu hurried after her, only to see Yun Qingxue already soaring toward Feng Zihuang’s dwelling.
High above, the Azure Sky Sage gazed at the heavens, where faint traces of dark energy swirled. His sword-like brows furrowed as unease settled in his heart.
“Feng Zihuang!” Yun Qingxue landed before the house where Jinlin once lived, her voice laced with fury.
The door swung open, and Feng Zihuang stepped out, confusion on his face. Seeing her, his enchanting features softened with warmth.
“Qingxue, what’s wrong? Who angered you?” he asked gently.
“Feather King! I have words for you!” Her tone was icy.
A flicker of doubt passed through Feng Zihuang’s radiant dark eyes, but he masked it swiftly.
He stepped aside, gesturing toward the entrance. “Qingxue, come inside to talk.”
“No need!” She refused coldly, pointing to a nearby pavilion. “We’ll speak there.”
“Very well.” He smiled and followed her.
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