Chapter 33: Clingy

“Miss, let this servant help you wash and dress.” Shiyu, the maid who had led Yun Qingxue the previous night, entered carrying a basin of water. Following her were two young maids dressed in purple—one holding a set of clothes and the other carrying hairpins and jewelry. After placing the items in Yun Qingxue’s room, the two maids withdrew.

Yun Qingxue walked to the basin and began washing.

“Let me assist you,” Shiyu quickly offered, seeing Yun Qingxue reach for the towel.

“No need, I can manage.” Yun Qingxue avoided Shiyu’s hand, wrung out the towel herself, and dried her face.

“Allow me to help you with your hair and attire,” Shiyu said, taking the towel from Yun Qingxue once she finished washing.

This time, Yun Qingxue didn’t refuse. Though the ancient women’s clothing was elegant and flowing, it was also quite troublesome to put on. Since she hadn’t yet mastered it, having someone else handle it was for the best!

After freshening up, Yun Qingxue’s stomach began to protest. She had only eaten a little the previous evening, and after a night of travel, that small meal had long been expended.

“Miss, the King instructed me to take you to the Pearl Pavilion for breakfast once you’re dressed.”

“Then let’s go quickly.”

Hearing that she could eat soon, Yun Qingxue replied cheerfully.

“Yes.” Shiyu bowed her head and led the way with small, quick steps.

Leaving her room, they crossed a white marble corridor, turned right, and soon arrived at a pure white pavilion. The whiteness of the structure was unlike ordinary painted white—it had a soft, lustrous glow, giving the entire building the warm, smooth appearance of mutton-fat jade.

“Miss, the King awaits you inside.”

At the pavilion’s entrance, Shiyu pushed the door open for Yun Qingxue and then stood respectfully to the side.

Yun Qingxue stepped inside, where a staircase faced the entrance.

“Miss, the King is upstairs.”

As soon as she entered, the door closed behind her. Fortunately, two women in green stood by the stairs. Noticing Yun Qingxue’s hesitation, one of them promptly spoke.

“Thank you.” Yun Qingxue gave them a polite smile, lifted her skirt, and ascended the stairs.

“Hahaha… Adai, you did great!”

Before she reached the second floor, Jinlin’s hearty laughter reached her ears.

Yun Qingxue rubbed her forehead.

Adai…? Wasn’t that the supposedly formidable little venomous snake?

Turning around, she headed back downstairs. She had just parted ways with the little snake and wasn’t eager to meet it again so soon. Though the snake had seemed friendly, she wasn’t particularly fond of reptiles—especially venomous ones.

A blur flashed past like lightning, and Yun Qingxue felt a sudden chill around her neck. Looking down, she saw the tiny creature coiled there.

Adai lifted its small head, its beady black eyes meeting hers.

“Hiss, hiss.”

It flicked its tongue twice and affectionately nuzzled her chin.

Yun Qingxue sighed inwardly, stiffened, and turned back toward the stairs. She needed to find Jinlin and get this little snake off her!

“Ah-Xue, come have breakfast with me.”

Jinlin stood up with a smile and gestured for her to join him.

“Thank you.” Yun Qingxue forced a smile, the cold weight around her neck making her deeply uneasy.

“You’re welcome.” After seating her, Jinlin sat opposite and stared at her intently.

“What are you looking at?” Yun Qingxue frowned.

Resting his chin on his hand, Jinlin grinned. “I just realized how beautiful you are—more so than any girl I’ve ever seen!”

“Flattery.” Yun Qingxue replied dismissively before finally glancing down at the creature around her neck. “Um… could you go somewhere else for a while?”

“Hiss, hiss.” Adai responded in snake language, wriggling slightly.

“I need to eat. I’m hungry.” Yun Qingxue addressed the snake directly.

Adai blinked its round eyes innocently and wriggled again.

“What do you want?” Yun Qingxue suppressed the urge to scream as Adai pretended to go limp.

“Try this chicken leg—it’s delicious.”

Jinlin cheerfully placed one in her bowl.

“Hey! Can you get this thing off me first?”

Since the stubborn snake wouldn’t budge, Yun Qingxue turned to Jinlin for help.

“But Adai likes you! And it doesn’t always listen to me. Besides, it just ate—I can’t bribe it now. This little rascal even bites me sometimes and doesn’t care that I’m the King!”

Jinlin took a bite of his own chicken leg, unfazed.

Who wanted a venomous snake’s affection? Yun Qingxue inwardly lamented, casting a resentful glance at the creature around her neck.

Perhaps sensing her distress, Adai—who had stubbornly refused to leave earlier—suddenly slithered down her arm, pausing every few steps as if reluctant, before settling at the edge of the table to watch them eat.

Once they finished, Adai immediately returned, coiling around Yun Qingxue’s wrist and closing its eyes contentedly.

Exasperated by the snake’s persistence, Yun Qingxue looked at Jinlin and voiced her lingering concern: “Will it bite me?”

“Probably not…” Jinlin sounded uncertain. “Look how much it likes you! Since it hatched, I’ve never seen it this affectionate with anyone!”

“Probably?” Yun Qingxue’s voice rose slightly. “Probably means you’re not sure! You said even immortals struggle to survive its bite. If this little thing gets moody and nips me, I—a Flower King in name only, with no magic—would be done for!”

“You’re afraid Adai will bite you?” Jinlin raised an eyebrow, his naive (or foolish) expression annoyingly oblivious.

“Duh! I have no magic. Didn’t you say even immortals can’t survive its venom? I don’t want to die!”

“You have no magic?!” Jinlin looked as if she’d told him the sky was green. “Seriously?”

Suppressing the urge to smack him, Yun Qingxue gritted her teeth. “That’s not the point! The point is—how do I make sure this little snake doesn’t bite me?”