The sound of steady footsteps approached from a distance.
The door to the room was pushed open from the outside, and Xiao Yao, who had just left, hurried in with quick, small steps, bowing her head and standing respectfully to the side.
Following closely behind was a man with a tall, straight posture like a pine tree, exuding an aura that was three parts roguish and seven parts domineering. He wore a long black robe embroidered with dark patterns, his jet-black hair tied back with a ribbon matching his attire. His brows were sharp, his eyes bright like stars, and his features were strikingly handsome and well-defined.
Most peculiarly, the man’s eyes were identical to those of the white wolf Yun Qingxue had seen earlier. His azure-blue eyes resembled the rarest blue crystal in the world—clear yet veiled with an unfathomable mist.
He looked at Yun Qingxue, his gaze carrying three parts arrogance and seven parts inscrutability.
“Your Majesty.”
Xiao Ling, standing beside Yun Qingxue, immediately curtsied upon seeing the man.
The man waved his hand and commanded, “All of you, leave.”
“Yes,” Xiao Ling and Xiao Yao replied in unison, bowing to both the man and Yun Qingxue before retreating from the room. As they left, they made sure to close the door behind them.
Yun Qingxue frowned, studying the man with her clear eyes. The corners of his thin lips curled slightly, and he allowed her to scrutinize him openly.
“You… were that white wolf earlier?” Yun Qingxue asked after a moment, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
The man smiled, his expression three parts bewitching and seven parts wild. “Yes, I was that white wolf—and also the king of the Beast Clan. You may call me Cang Yan.”
Cang Yan’s blue eyes fixed on Yun Qingxue as he answered with unflinching candor.
“Might I ask why the Beast King has brought me here?”
Since he was speaking frankly, Yun Qingxue saw no reason to beat around the bush and cut straight to the point.
Cang Yan chuckled, leisurely pulling out the chair by the dressing table and sitting down across from her. “To be honest, I’ve long admired the Flower King and wished to see your beauty in person, but I never had the opportunity. Then, just the other day, your Wood Clan suddenly sent a missive to my people, spreading some rather unflattering rumors about you…”
“So, the Beast King brought me here to return me to the Wood Clan in exchange for the benefits Tong Yun promised?” Yun Qingxue finished his sentence calmly.
“No, no, no.” Cang Yan shook his head, his expression unreadable. “The terms that foolish woman Tong Yun offered aren’t nearly enough to tempt me.”
“Then what is your purpose? Let’s speak plainly, Beast King. No need for pretense.”
Cang Yan’s deep blue eyes gleamed as he studied her. “The Flower King is indeed straightforward. It seems my efforts to find you these past days were not in vain!”
“Truthfully, you needn’t be so tense. I swear on my honor that within my territory, you’ll live far more comfortably and safely than you ever could in the Wood Clan.”
“As for the reason…”
“What if I told you it’s because I’ve long admired you, Flower King? Would you believe me?”
Yun Qingxue let out a soft, mocking laugh, her eyes curving with cold amusement. Everyone in the Xuanling Continent knew the former Yun Qingxue had been a fool. Beast King Cang Yan’s lie was utterly unconvincing! “I don’t believe it. I’m not so vain as to think the ruler of the Beast Clan would fall for me before even meeting me.”
“Ah, Flower King, with such peerless beauty, why are you so lacking in confidence?” Cang Yan smiled faintly. “I’m sitting here now because I intend to propose to you in person. Does that convince you?”
“I always thought the Beast King was a straightforward man. Who knew you’d be so insincere and evasive?” Since Cang Yan insisted on circling the issue, Yun Qingxue decided to provoke him. Until she knew his true intentions, she couldn’t rest easy.
“Ah—”
After Yun Qingxue spoke, Cang Yan suddenly sighed, shaking his head with a half-smile. “Flower King, with such a heart-stirring face, why must you be so oblivious to romance?”
Yun Qingxue smiled faintly but remained silent, watching him quietly.
Cang Yan chuckled again. “Fine, fine. If the Flower King refuses to indulge in sweet talk, then let’s discuss cooperation instead. How about it?”
“What kind of cooperation?” Yun Qingxue played along.
Though Cang Yan spoke of “cooperation,” Yun Qingxue knew full well that this so-called partnership would inevitably be an unequal arrangement.
Beast King Cang Yan wouldn’t have abducted her without reason. Aside from her troublesome beauty, the most likely motive was her identity—her status as the Flower King.
Even as a fallen monarch, her innate bloodline advantage remained undeniable. For someone like her—a transmigrator with no power or knowledge—such an advantage was useless. But for a powerful figure like Cang Yan, leveraging her status could be effortless. For instance, holding the puppet ruler to command the vassals!
Cang Yan’s piercing blue eyes locked onto Yun Qingxue. The so-called “useless Flower King” of legend was not only breathtakingly beautiful but also possessed an unexpectedly calm and composed demeanor.
But what could have transformed a fool into someone so sharp-witted?
Had the Flower King been feigning idiocy all along, biding her time under the Wood Clan’s control by Tong Yun, waiting for the right moment to reclaim her throne?
If so, her cunning was truly remarkable. Such patience alone was worthy of admiration.
“Since we’re speaking of cooperation, it must benefit both sides,” Cang Yan said solemnly. “Marry me, and I’ll help you reclaim the Wood Clan’s throne. Once Tong Yun is captured alive, she’ll be yours to deal with. How does that sound?”
Yun Qingxue smiled faintly. “The Beast King’s offer is indeed tempting. But I’m more curious—what do you stand to gain from this? In other words, what do you want from me?”
“Ah.” Cang Yan sighed in feigned distress. “Flower King, your words wound me. I’ve shown such sincerity, yet you still refuse to trust me?”
“Very well. Since the Flower King insists on keeping her guard up, I’ll speak even more plainly. Marry me, and I’ll help you retake the Wood Clan. Afterward, our two clans shall merge as one.”
“Merge as one?” Yun Qingxue let out an ethereal laugh, her gaze fixed on Cang Yan. “Do I even have a choice?”
“The wise know when to yield to circumstances, Flower King,” Cang Yan replied, his expression darkening slightly. His implication was unmistakable.
“Then there’s nothing left to discuss.” Yun Qingxue’s smile remained light. His intentions were clear, and he offered no room for negotiation. A forced transaction? Further talk was pointless.
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