Yun Qingxue did not warn the ghost officer to hide, so when Chen Qing’s gaze swept in, he immediately spotted the female ghost officer in the room!
Naturally, Yun Qingxue had already noticed Chen Qing. Her face still wore that faint, enigmatic smile as she said, “I wasn’t planning to leave. I just heard some noise outside and was worried about potential troublemakers, so I opened the door to check!”
Her words caused the smiles on Chen Qing and the Prince of Ning’s faces to stiffen slightly, though only for a moment before they resumed their composed expressions.
Yun Qingxue paused briefly before continuing with a smile, “But who would’ve thought that opening the door would reveal the Grand State Preceptor and the Prince of Ning? I must thank you both for your ‘concern.'”
“Not at all. The Flower Goddess is our honored guest—it’s only natural to show concern,” the Prince of Ning replied with a refined nod, his gaze shifting curiously to the female ghost officer in the room, his expression puzzled.
Yun Qingxue glanced back at the ghost officer before turning to Chen Qing and the Prince of Ning. “Is there anything else?”
“Ah, seeing that the Flower King is safe and sound, this old man and His Highness the Prince of Ning can rest easy. In that case, we won’t disturb Your Majesty’s rest any longer,” Chen Qing said with a smile, his words suggesting departure, yet his feet remained firmly planted. His eyes still scrutinized the ghost officer inside.
Yun Qingxue subtly shifted her position, blocking Chen Qing’s line of sight. “Does the Grand State Preceptor have something else to say?”
“Has the Flower Goddess received a guest?”
Chen Qing remained silent, but the Prince of Ning spoke up directly, eyeing the ghost officer.
Yun Qingxue glanced back and saw the ghost officer looking trapped and uncertain. She smiled and said to the two men at the door, “She is one of my kin.”
“Oh, I see. Would you like us to arrange another guest room for the young lady?” the Prince of Ning offered courteously.
“No need!” Yun Qingxue refused outright. “If there’s nothing else, I won’t see you out.”
“Then please rest, Flower Goddess. The Grand State Preceptor and I shall take our leave. If you require anything, do not hesitate to ask.”
The Prince of Ning smiled warmly, his demeanor as gentle as jade.
Yet no matter how much he resembled a refined gentleman, Yun Qingxue felt nothing but disgust—a deep-seated loathing that stemmed from her very core.
She knew full well that it was Chen Qing who had killed A’Dai. But… the Prince of Ning was so closely aligned with Chen Qing that they were undoubtedly allies. Thus, her hatred extended to him as well—a case of “hating the crow for the sake of the rook.”
“In that case, I thank the Prince of Ning in advance,” Yun Qingxue said with an exceedingly warm smile.
No matter how much she disliked him, she maintained a facade of gentleness and grace. Not for any other reason than the possibility that the Prince of Ning might prove useful in her quest to kill Chen Qing and avenge A’Dai.
Who said an enemy’s friend had to remain an enemy? With careful maneuvering, such a friend could instead become a weapon in her hands!
Yun Qingxue had long considered this. In terms of sheer strength, killing Chen Qing was impossible. If a direct approach wouldn’t work, she would have to scheme and plot—striking from the shadows.
Moreover, the best opportunity would be before reaching the capital. That way, whether the assassination succeeded or not, her chances of survival would be higher.
If she truly followed Chen Qing and the Prince of Ning back to the capital and entered the palace… on their turf, any attempt would be far more difficult!
After seeing off the Prince of Ning and Chen Qing, Yun Qingxue closed the door and turned to face the modern-era ghost who had tumbled into her room. “What are your plans now?”
“Plans?” The ghost officer blinked, then suddenly recalled something and pointed at Yun Qingxue with a pale finger. “You’re not human either! You’re a ghost too, aren’t you?”
“I’m not a ghost!” Yun Qingxue sighed at the abrupt change in topic but answered nonetheless.
Her response clearly didn’t satisfy the ghost officer. “How can that be? I just saw your feet leave the ground! Normal people don’t do that!”
Yun Qingxue felt that familiar exasperation return. What did she mean, “normal people don’t do that”? What exactly had she done?
“Do you even know what kind of world you’re in right now?” she asked the ghost officer instead.
The ghost officer thought for a moment before shaking her head innocently, carefully enunciating each word: “Isn’t this… just… an ordinary… ancient… time?”
Yun Qingxue shook her head, truly in awe of the King of the Underworld. Just how little did he care about the escaped ghost to send such a clueless girl after it?
Well, never mind. Since she still had questions for the ghost officer, Yun Qingxue patiently explained, “This is the Xuanling Continent—a world different from the ordinary mortal realm. Here, there are gods, demons, spirits, and humans…”
“Xuanling Continent?” The ghost officer suddenly blinked, as if recalling something, and stared at Yun Qingxue in disbelief. “You mean this is the Xuanling Continent?”
Yun Qingxue nodded. “Yes.”
“I… I see.” The ghost officer’s expression turned strange. Clearly, she hadn’t known her location, but she wasn’t entirely ignorant of the Xuanling Continent.
“So, what are your plans now?” Yun Qingxue asked again.
The ghost officer sighed. “Of course, I need to find that evil ghost. But the world is so vast…”
“I’ve actually seen that ghost,” Yun Qingxue offered helpfully.
“You have? Where?” the ghost officer pressed immediately.
Yun Qingxue didn’t answer right away. Instead, she said, “That ghost has already taken several lives.”
“Where did you see him?” The ghost officer’s face flashed with guilt as she urged for details.
“I can give you the information, but… nothing in this world is free,” Yun Qingxue said, seizing the moment to set her terms.
Though the ghost officer was a bit scatterbrained, she wasn’t stupid. She quickly grasped Yun Qingxue’s meaning.
“You still want me to take you back to the modern world?” she guessed, her expression troubled.
Yun Qingxue shook her head. She had been an orphan in the modern world, betrayed by the person she trusted most. There was little left for her there.
“No. I want to be your friend. After all, in this strange world, I’ve been alone since I arrived. And because of my unique status, many people have designs on me. It’s been very lonely and frustrating.”
Her voice was heavy, laden with unspoken sorrow.
The ghost officer’s eyes reddened instantly. She looked at Yun Qingxue with a sense of kinship, as if they were both lost souls in a vast, uncaring world.
“When I was alive, I lost both my parents too. I had an uncle and aunt, but they were very harsh to me. So I understand your loneliness.”
The ghost officer sniffled and thumped her chest in assurance. “Don’t worry! From now on, I’m your friend! My name is Xiao Xiaoxiao. What’s yours?”
P.S.: Thank you to every reader who supports the official release of *Flower King’s Decree*. Thank you for all the recommendation votes for Shaohua. Group hugs! o(n_n)o
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