“Qingxue, why aren’t you drinking?” Seeing Yun Qingxue holding the teacup without moving, Liuying pouted, “Do you dislike my tea-making skills?”
“Of course not.” Yun Qingxue raised her eyes to look at Liuying, the coldness in her gaze instantly fading.
She brought the teacup to her nose and inhaled lightly, smiling in praise, “Excellent tea!”
Liuying’s face brightened immediately, urging, “Then quickly taste it and tell me how my skills are.”
“Alright.” Yun Qingxue brought the cup to her lips, about to drink, when suddenly her expression changed.
“What’s wrong?” Liuying asked nervously.
Even Feng Zihuang tensed, his gaze fixed on Yun Qingxue.
“N-nothing.” Yun Qingxue’s delicate brows furrowed tightly, her hand holding the teacup trembling slightly.
With unsteady hands, she raised the cup to her lips again, but just as she was about to drink, she seemed unable to bear the pain any longer and let out a sharp cry, “Ah!”
*Clang!* With Yun Qingxue’s cry, the white jade teacup in her hand fell to the ground, shattering upon impact, the tea spilling everywhere.
“Phoenix King… I… I apologize for my rudeness…!”
Yun Qingxue bit her lip hard, as if enduring some immense agony.
“Flower King, what’s wrong?” Feng Zihuang’s handsome brows knitted together, his expression turning grave.
He stood up, strode to Yun Qingxue’s side, and took her wrist, carefully checking her pulse.
Yun Qingxue clenched her lips, seemingly struggling to endure some unknown torment.
Feng Zihuang’s brows remained tightly furrowed as he gave her an inscrutable look before asking softly, “Where do you feel unwell, Flower King?”
“I… I feel pain all over, as if… as if thousands of ants are gnawing at me.” Yun Qingxue bit her lip, her clear eyes fixed on Feng Zihuang. “Phoenix King, you checked my pulse—can you tell what’s wrong with me?”
Feng Zihuang released her wrist, his expression unreadable. “My medical skills are lacking. I couldn’t detect any issue with you, Flower King.”
Yun Qingxue frowned, breathing heavily. “How? How could you not tell? What’s happening to me?”
“Why do you say that, Flower King?” A shadow flickered in Feng Zihuang’s eyes.
As the ruler of the avian race, a phoenix who underwent rebirth every five hundred years, he was certain his medical and alchemical skills were among the finest in the Xuanling Continent.
When he had checked Yun Qingxue’s pulse just now, he found it so steady it couldn’t be steadier—a clear sign that there was nothing wrong with her body.
Feng Zihuang’s gaze fell on the shattered white jade teacup on the floor, and he smiled faintly. “Since the Flower King is unwell, perhaps you should rest in the inner chamber for a while.”
Yun Qingxue wrapped her arms around herself, forcing an apologetic smile. “It’s nothing, just an old ailment. I’ll be fine after a moment. But I feel terrible for breaking such a beautiful teacup and spilling such fine tea.”
“Flower King, you speak too formally! To me, nothing is more important than your well-being.”
Feng Zihuang’s eyes shimmered with concern.
“Thank you for your kindness, Phoenix King.”
Yun Qingxue managed a weak smile.
Feng Zihuang bent down, his striking face drawing close to Yun Qingxue’s delicate features. “Given how much pain you’re in, perhaps you should rest in the inner chamber now.”
As he spoke, he extended his hand.
“I truly feel guilty for the trouble.” Yun Qingxue placed her hand in his, allowing him to support her as they moved toward the inner chamber.
“Phoenix King, are you really certain you detected nothing unusual in my pulse?” Yun Qingxue frowned, as if struggling against her discomfort.
Feng Zihuang paused, giving her a thoughtful look before replying, “My skills are limited. I truly found no signs of illness in you, Flower King.”
Logically, if the Flower King had feigned illness to avoid drinking the tea out of caution, his earlier words should have given her an easy out.
So why was she pressing him about her condition?
Was she overcompensating? But that seemed too obvious. Though the Flower King’s cultivation wasn’t exceptional, she was no fool—her actions in the Beast Clan had proven that.
But if she wasn’t overcompensating… was she genuinely unwell?
Feng Zihuang prided himself on his medical expertise.
If the Flower King truly had some ailment, he was deeply curious—what kind of illness could evade his detection?
“Phoenix King, perhaps I should assist Qingxue instead.” Watching the two walk away, Liuying bit her lip and stepped forward with a sweet smile, though her eyes were filled with worry for Yun Qingxue.
“I’ll handle it.” Feng Zihuang frowned slightly, casting a displeased glance at Liuying.
Liuying forced a smile and retreated.
“Report—”
At that moment, a winged guard hurried to the hall entrance, bowing respectfully to Feng Zihuang, who was still supporting Yun Qingxue.
“Phoenix King, if you have matters to attend to, please go ahead. I’ll be fine.”
Yun Qingxue withdrew her hand, offering Feng Zihuang a frail smile before swaying unsteadily toward the inner chamber on her own.
“What is it?” Feng Zihuang asked coldly, his gaze fixed on the kneeling guard.
Yun Qingxue smirked inwardly. Her suspicions were correct—Liuying was no simple figure. At the very least, her feelings for Feng Zihuang were far from ordinary.
Earlier, when Feng Zihuang had been supporting her, Liuying had eagerly tried to take his place.
But now that Feng Zihuang had let go, Liuying made no move to help, leaving a supposedly ill person to walk alone.
What did that imply? A cold glint flashed in Yun Qingxue’s eyes.
Feng Zihuang and Liuying—what exactly were they plotting against her?
“Your Majesty, the Purple Melody Sage requests an audience. He says he’s here to retrieve his disciple!” The guard’s voice carried clearly to Yun Qingxue’s ears.
Yun Qingxue halted mid-step and turned to the guard. “You said my master is here?”
“Indeed,” the guard replied respectfully.
Yun Qingxue then looked at Feng Zihuang, only to find him already watching her.
“Flower King, please rest in the inner chamber for now. I’ll go greet the Purple Melody Sage personally and bring him to you,” Feng Zihuang said in a conciliatory tone.
“Then I must trouble you, Phoenix King.” Yun Qingxue smiled at him, though inwardly she was overjoyed.
Her master’s timing was impeccable!
Given her master’s prestige in the Xuanling Continent, she was certain Feng Zihuang wouldn’t dare insist on keeping her if her master demanded her return.
No more need for this exhausting charade! ^_^
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