Taking a deep breath, Yun Qingxue felt the goal of becoming stronger rise within her, fueling her determination.
As for Qiandai, Adai, and even Zhou Dao from her past life, Yun Qingxue buried them deep in the recesses of her heart. They were scars—whether good or bad, they remained wounds she could not bear to touch.
And Huayin, the one who had unexpectedly entered her life yet offered her immense help and protection—Yun Qingxue smiled warmly, wondering how his injuries were healing…
“Miss, there’s a lotus pond not far from here. Perhaps Xiaoling and I could accompany you for a stroll,” Xiaoyao suggested.
Yun Qingxue suppressed all her thoughts and replied indifferently, “I just want to wander aimlessly. As for admiring the lotuses, perhaps another time.”
“As you wish,” Xiaoyao responded with a bow, following closely behind as Yun Qingxue walked ahead.
Unlike the dreamlike, ethereal beauty of the Flower and Wood Clan’s Violet Palace or the crystalline clarity of the Water Clan’s Crystal Palace, the architecture of the Beast Clan’s royal palace exuded a wild and unrestrained aura. Yet beneath this untamed exterior lay a hidden sense of poised grandeur—like a crouching tiger, brimming with latent power yet maintaining an air of calm.
Though the architectural styles of each palace differed vastly, the labyrinthine paths within them were similarly winding and intricate.
Yun Qingxue walked steadily in one direction. While this might not necessarily help her locate the palace gates or the protective barriers of the Beast Palace, it was far better than wandering aimlessly on her first outing.
However, moving in a single direction for too long might arouse suspicion from her human “monitors.” So after walking for a while, she stopped, turned around, and surveyed her surroundings.
As Yun Qingxue paused, Xiaoyao stood silently with her head bowed. Xiaoling, noticing her mistress looking around, couldn’t help but ask, “Miss, are you searching for something?”
Yun Qingxue smiled sheepishly. “I think I’m lost.”
Hearing this, Xiaoling chuckled. “Miss, feel free to explore boldly. With the two of us accompanying you, we’ll ensure you don’t get lost.”
“That’s a relief,” Yun Qingxue replied with a smile, changing direction and continuing her walk. After a while, she shifted course again. She wasn’t truly lost—she simply didn’t want to raise suspicion by walking in one direction for too long.
She had memorized every path she had taken. Knowing that haste would be counterproductive, she deliberately meandered—heading east for a stretch, then turning north, then west, then south.
After wandering in circles, she eventually found herself back where she had stopped earlier.
Xiaoyao and Xiaoling exchanged glances before turning their attention to Yun Qingxue, who stood motionless.
Yun Qingxue murmured, “I feel like we’ve been here before…”
“Indeed, Miss, we have,” Xiaoling confirmed.
Xiaoyao stepped forward and bowed. “Would you like me to guide you, Miss?”
“Yes,” Yun Qingxue nodded, glancing around. “Lead the way. I’m also a bit tired—is there somewhere nearby to rest?”
Xiaoyao quickly replied, “Miss, there’s a pavilion not far from here, furnished with refreshments and tea. You may rest there for a while.”
“Let’s go there, then,” Yun Qingxue agreed.
Xiaoyao led the way, soon arriving near an artificial hill surrounded by lush greenery. The pavilion she had mentioned was partially concealed within the verdant foliage, with the occasional chirp of cicadas in the air.
“Miss, it’s just ahead,” Xiaoyao said, stepping aside to let Yun Qingxue proceed.
“The scenery here is quite pleasant,” Yun Qingxue remarked casually as she walked toward the pavilion. As she drew closer, the structure came fully into view.
The surroundings were quiet, save for the occasional insect song—but the pavilion was not empty.
Seated at the stone table in the center was a woman in a delicate pink gown, holding a peach blossom fan. Her features were soft yet strikingly beautiful. She sat languidly, fanning herself, her bright, liquid eyes fixed on Yun Qingxue and her companions. Behind her stood two green-clad maids with bowed heads.
When Xiaoyao spotted the woman in the pavilion, her expression shifted imperceptibly. She subtly pinched Xiaoling, who was walking behind Yun Qingxue.
Xiaoling’s face also paled at the sight of the woman. Reacting to Xiaoyao’s signal, she immediately clutched her stomach and whispered to Yun Qingxue, “Miss, I… I need to relieve myself.”
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