“Spare me, Flower King! Spare me!” Xiao Ling knelt on the ground, kowtowing incessantly to Yun Qingxue, yet stubbornly refusing to comply.
Yun Qingxue grew impatient and decided to play her trump card. “Since you’re determined to refuse, I’ll go tell Cang Yan soon that a disloyal maid like you is someone I, Yun Qingxue, cannot afford to keep!”
The moment Yun Qingxue invoked Cang Yan’s name, Xiao Ling’s mind flashed back to the two maids who had served Qing Mei’er—executed by Cang Yan’s own hand in the pavilion the day before. Fear swelled uncontrollably within her.
“Spare me, Flower King! Spare me!” Xiao Ling redoubled her kowtows, her forehead nearly touching the floor.
Though Yun Qingxue felt a pang of guilt, she steeled herself. “As long as you agree to my terms, I won’t make things difficult for you!”
Xiao Ling lifted her head, disbelief flickering in her eyes. “If I promise to obey you in everything… will you truly spare my life?”
Yun Qingxue raised an eyebrow. Why did Xiao Ling seem so terrified of her? Had she done anything frightening? Not that she could recall.
“Exactly. If you swear to obey me, I won’t trouble you further,” Yun Qingxue affirmed.
Xiao Ling kowtowed once more, as if resigning herself to fate. “As long as the Flower King spares this lowly maid, I will obey your every command!”
“Good. Remember your words. If you dare betray me…” Yun Qingxue left the threat hanging, letting Xiao Ling’s imagination fill in the gruesome details.
“This maid wouldn’t dare!” Xiao Ling hastily kowtowed again, pledging her loyalty.
Yun Qingxue smiled, inwardly relieved. At least in this unfamiliar beastkin territory, she had secured an ally.
“Rise,” Yun Qingxue said, stepping forward to help Xiao Ling up. Then she added sternly, “Not a word of our conversation must reach Xiao Yao. Understood?”
Xiao Ling frowned, hesitating.
She didn’t know whether her submission to the Flower King would bring fortune or disaster. She had agreed under duress, planning to consult Xiao Yao later for advice. But now, with the Flower King’s explicit order, she was torn.
“If a third soul learns of our talk, Xiao Ling, don’t blame me for being ruthless.” Yun Qingxue noticed her hesitation and pressed harder.
Xiao Yao was Cang Yan’s confidante. Yun Qingxue couldn’t risk her discovering Xiao Ling’s allegiance. Though she didn’t understand why Xiao Ling seemed so afraid of her, she would exploit that fear to keep the maid in line.
“This maid understands! Every word spoken by the Flower King shall remain sealed in my heart. I wouldn’t dare reveal it to anyone!” Xiao Ling’s legs gave way, and she dropped to her knees again.
Yun Qingxue smirked. Xiao Ling’s timidity was almost comical.
Just then, Xiao Yao entered and frowned at the sight of Xiao Ling still kneeling, assuming Yun Qingxue had kept her there. Behind Xiao Yao, a maid carrying breakfast bowed her head and entered, setting the tray on a table that materialized in the room. After a respectful curtsy, the maid withdrew.
Xiao Yao stood stiffly to the side, lips pressed tightly together.
“Rise,” Yun Qingxue said to Xiao Ling before seating herself at the table and leisurely beginning her meal.
Meanwhile, Elder Leopard escorted Jin Lin into the Beast King’s palace, leading him directly to the prepared Watermoon Hall. “Dragon King, you must be weary from your journey. Please rest here. This evening, our sovereign will host a banquet in the Linyin Hall to welcome you and the Phoenix King.”
“Phoenix King?” Jin Lin arched an eyebrow. “You mean Feng Zihuang of the Avian Clan is here too?”
Elder Leopard nodded. “Indeed. He arrived yesterday.”
“I see.” Jin Lin waved a hand dismissively. After a few more polite exchanges, Elder Leopard took his leave.
Once inside, Jin Lin sprawled onto a plush chair while Shui Liu sat opposite him, scowling.
“Shui Liu, who owes you money?” Jin Lin teased, glancing at his companion’s dark expression.
Shui Liu’s face twisted further. “You’re the supreme ruler of our aquatic kin. I won’t comment on how you behave back home, but now that we’re out here, could you at least act like a leader? Show some dignity?”
“Shui Liu!” Jin Lin lifted his chin defiantly. “What’s wrong with me? What? Tell me!”
Shui Liu rolled his eyes, too exasperated to look at Jin Lin’s infuriating expression.
Undeterred, Jin Lin continued, “I am the Dragon King. My status doesn’t need pomp to prove it. Anyone who disagrees can say so to my face! Besides, do you think I abandoned my duties and traveled all this way just to flaunt my rank? I have important business!”
“Right,” Shui Liu said dryly. “Last time the Flower King visited, not only did you fail to make her your queen, but you also gifted her two of our clan’s treasures. Talk about losing the bride and the dowry! Now that the Beast King is marrying her, may I ask—what exactly are you here for?”
“I’m worried about Xuexue, alright?” Jin Lin snapped.
Shui Liu glared. “So? Don’t tell me you plan to prepare her wedding gifts and congratulate the Beast King while you’re at it!”
Jin Lin’s eyes darkened. “If Xuexue truly loves Cang Yan… then I’ll bless their union.”
“I don’t know what spell that woman cast on you!” Shui Liu stood abruptly, sleeves flaring in frustration. His anger stemmed mostly from seeing Jin Lin’s devotion go unreciprocated.
Their magnificent Dragon King had given his heart to Yun Qingxue, only for her to leave the aquatic realm—taking two of their treasures with her.
As Shui Liu stormed out, his gaze turned icy. He had already resolved that if Yun Qingxue changed her mind and returned with them before the wedding, all would be well.
But if she insisted on breaking Jin Lin’s heart and marrying the Beast King with their treasures in tow… then her wedding day would also mark her death anniversary.
By dusk, Cang Yan arrived at Yun Qingxue’s chambers with a retinue of maids.
Yun Qingxue sat listlessly by the window, lost in thought. Since securing Xiao Ling’s loyalty that morning, she had avoided further suspicion by not isolating Xiao Yao again. Consequently, she remained oblivious to the palace’s recent events—including Jin Lin’s arrival upon hearing of her impending marriage.
Her sole hope of escape now rested with Liu Ying and Feng Zihuang.
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