“In that case, I truly trouble the Phoenix King.” Though inwardly overjoyed at her master’s arrival, Yun Qingxue maintained a calm and composed demeanor on the surface.
No matter what intentions or motives Feng Zihuang harbored toward her, being able to leave safely without causing a scene was undoubtedly a good thing!
At the very least, if they were unfortunate enough to meet again, they could continue pretending to be friendly and playing the diplomatic game!
“Liuying, escort the Flower King to the inner chamber,” Feng Zihuang said with a hint of displeasure, addressing Liuying, who had been standing idly by.
Liuying seemed to have been lost in thought earlier. Only upon hearing Feng Zihuang’s order did she notice the faint displeasure in her master’s gaze.
This realization made her heart tighten, and she quickly responded, stepping forward to support Yun Qingxue.
Feng Zihuang gave Yun Qingxue a faint smile before swiftly exiting.
“Liuying, is something on your mind?” Yun Qingxue allowed Liuying to assist her as they slowly made their way into the inner chamber.
“N-no, nothing at all. What could possibly be on my mind?” Liuying laughed, her bright, curious eyes gleaming. “I noticed my master treats you exceptionally well! Qingxue, do you think you might develop feelings for him?”
“So that’s what you were daydreaming about?” Yun Qingxue teased.
“I wasn’t daydreaming! I was just bored and spacing out! Come on, you still haven’t answered my question!” Liuying pouted.
Yun Qingxue lowered her gaze, her voice calm and measured as she replied with a faint smile, “Counting this time, the Phoenix King and I have only officially met twice. How do you expect me to answer that about someone I’ve only seen twice?”
“But…” Liuying’s eyes dimmed slightly, as if she didn’t quite believe Yun Qingxue’s words.
Her Phoenix King was peerlessly handsome, a ruler of his clan with unfathomable power. It wasn’t uncommon for women to fall for him at first sight—let alone after two meetings!
“Liuying, I’m not feeling well right now,” Yun Qingxue interjected coldly.
“I’ll help you inside,” Liuying pressed her lips together, guiding Yun Qingxue into the inner chamber and assisting her to lie down.
After a moment of hesitation, she added, “I think my Phoenix King seems to like you… Qingxue… don’t disappoint him…”
“Liuying!” Yun Qingxue cut her off sharply once more.
“Are we still friends?” she asked.
“Of course! Why would you ask that… Do you not consider me a friend?” Liuying frowned in displeasure.
Yun Qingxue sighed faintly. “As a friend, must you really discuss this with me when I’m at my most unwell?” she countered, her dislike for Liuying deepening further.
“I-I’m sorry, Qingxue. I was careless. You should rest now,” Liuying forced an awkward smile. “Let me know if you need anything.”
“Alright,” Yun Qingxue replied with a faint smile, closing her eyes.
Liuying stared at her breathtakingly beautiful face, her hands clenching tightly beneath her sleeves.
Taking a deep breath, she turned to the incense burner and quickly lit a stick of fragrant incense.
“Qingxue, I’ve lit some calming incense for you. Rest well.”
“Mmm.” Yun Qingxue responded softly, keeping her eyes shut.
She listened as Liuying’s footsteps faded into the distance. Only when the sound completely disappeared did she reopen her eyes, her clear gaze now icy cold.
Liuying’s behavior had increasingly convinced Yun Qingxue that she wasn’t truly regarded as a friend.
She sensed no genuine care or camaraderie from Liuying—only a hidden dislike and some unspoken agenda beneath her innocent facade.
She still remembered that the first person she met after transmigrating into this world was Liuying.
According to both Liuying and Qiandai, Liuying had already known this body before Yun Qingxue’s soul took over.
Apparently, the original owner—who had been mentally impaired—had somehow saved Liuying, leading to frequent visits and the formation of a friendship.
Even when Qiandai was still alive, she had often expressed disapproval of Liuying.
On the day Yun Qingxue fled the Flower and Wood Clan, Qiandai’s dying words were: “Master, remember—trust others three parts, guard against them seven!”
She had initially thought Qiandai was merely worried about her escaping alone.
But now, upon reflection…
Given the urgency of the situation, entrusting Liuying to aid her escape must have been Qiandai’s last resort.
What Qiandai truly distrusted was likely Liuying herself—the temporary ally hastily enlisted for the escape.
Thus, Qiandai’s final words were a double-edged warning: to be wary of ill-intentioned strangers on the road, but more importantly, to be cautious of Liuying!
If Liuying had indeed approached her with ulterior motives from the very beginning—even before Yun Qingxue regained her senses—then, judging by the current signs, the one orchestrating it was likely Feng Zihuang!
Regardless of Feng Zihuang’s ultimate goal, the mere fact that he had planted Liuying by her side so early, feigning sisterly affection, spoke volumes about his cunning.
Yun Qingxue wondered what Feng Zihuang would have done had she not transmigrated into this body.
Clearly, her arrival had disrupted his plans. The only constant was that both Feng Zihuang and Liuying still had designs on her.
Yun Qingxue continued to analyze the situation in her mind.
Her identity as the Flower King was nothing short of a death sentence for someone whose powers were still far from formidable.
How many were secretly coveting her, seeking to control her, all because of this title?
With a long sigh, Yun Qingxue rose from the bed. The faint, intermittent fragrance lingering in the room was unusually pleasant.
Her throat felt parched. A water jug and cups sat on the table in the inner chamber.
She swallowed hard but resisted the urge to drink.
The door to the inner chamber creaked open. Yun Qingxue lifted her gaze to meet the eyes of the figure standing at the entrance.
“Qingxue…”
Mo Changxing stood tall in his dark robes, his upright posture unable to mask the weariness of his journey.
Seeing a familiar face after so long, Yun Qingxue couldn’t help but smile. She stood and called out softly, “Senior Brother!”
Mo Changxing’s eyes locked onto her, scrutinizing her intently from head to toe.
His stare made Yun Qingxue slightly uncomfortable.
“Senior Brother, what are you looking at? Is something wrong with me?” she finally asked, puzzled.
“Nothing,” Mo Changxing quickly averted his gaze, realizing his lapse. “Master is waiting outside. We’ve all been worried about you.”
“Then let’s go,” Yun Qingxue said with a smile, walking toward him.
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