Yun Qingxue’s face turned deathly pale, not entirely from the fear of death, but more from a deep sense of unwillingness!
A pair of slightly cool hands rested on Yun Qingxue’s shoulders. When she looked up, she met Qiandai’s gentle, watery gaze.
Qiandai’s eyes were beautiful, as bright as the purest spring water in the world. Yet at this moment, Yun Qingxue felt she could clearly see a steadfast emotion called loyalty in those lovely eyes—like two sudden flames rising from calm waters, exuding a sense of reassurance.
“Master, Qiandai will surely protect you unharmed!” Qiandai’s voice was light, yet every word carried undeniable weight.
Yun Qingxue grasped Qiandai’s hand in return. “We must both be safe!”
Qiandai smiled softly at Yun Qingxue, then looked up at Liuying. “When will you leave?”
Liuying pouted, unwilling. “Even if I’m from a different clan, Sister Qiandai, your unfriendliness is a bit too obvious, isn’t it?”
“I didn’t mean to drive you away. I just hope that if you have nothing urgent, you might stay a little longer.”
If one listened closely, Qiandai’s voice carried a faint note of pleading.
“Huh?” Liuying’s lively eyes widened suddenly, looking at Qiandai with a mix of flattery and disbelief.
Qiandai had never liked her, always wary and guarded. Yet now, she was actually asking her to stay longer in the Flower and Wood Clan?!
“Is that okay?” Seeing Liuying hesitate, Qiandai pressed again.
“Of course, of course!” Liuying quickly nodded, grinning. “Since Sister Qiandai is so kind as to invite me, even if I get scolded by my grandfather and clan for returning late, I’ll definitely stay a couple more days.”
“Then stay here with our master. I have some matters to attend to outside.” Qiandai released Yun Qingxue’s hand, turned, and the smile on her face vanished completely, replaced by deep worry.
“Wait for me a moment.”
As soon as Qiandai left, Yun Qingxue hastily said a word to Liuying and hurried after her.
By then, Qiandai had just reached the outer hall’s entrance. Hearing footsteps behind her, she turned to find Yun Qingxue standing before her.
“Does Your Majesty need anything else?” Qiandai asked.
“No.” Yun Qingxue shook her head, pulling Qiandai to a secluded corner and whispering, “Qiandai, do you know the shrinking spell?”
Qiandai looked at her, puzzled, then nodded. “Yes!”
Yun Qingxue’s face lit up with joy. “Then tell me—if you use magic to shrink the two of us and hide us on a fellow clansman leaving the barrier, could we slip out of the Ten Thousand Purple Palace unnoticed?”
“Little master…” Qiandai sighed, and the hope on Yun Qingxue’s face instantly faded.
Qiandai’s sigh meant her idea wasn’t feasible. Yet Yun Qingxue couldn’t understand why Liuying could use this trick to move in and out of the Ten Thousand Purple Palace, while she and Qiandai couldn’t.
“Your idea is good,” Qiandai said with a smile, not wanting to discourage her outright. She first offered some praise before explaining, “No spell is universally applicable. There are always exceptions and limitations. For example, the shrinking spell—other races like the Beast Clan, Feather Clan, Water Clan, or Divine Clan can use it to hide on others. But it doesn’t work for us, the Flower and Wood Clan.”
“Why?” Yun Qingxue frowned. Why was the one spell they needed most now unusable?!
“Because we are born from plants and trees. All flora, except the lowest forms, have roots. If we attach ourselves to someone else, our roots would instinctively cling to them as if they were soil. Ordinary humans might not notice, but anyone with cultivation would sense it immediately.”
“I see…” Yun Qingxue understood, though she couldn’t hide her disappointment.
Qiandai comforted her, “Don’t worry too much, little master. I’ll go out and investigate further. Perhaps I’ll find another way to break the barrier.”
“Be careful.” Yun Qingxue smiled, giving Qiandai a final reminder before turning back to the inner hall.
Though she had crossed into this world, she had no advantages to speak of. Despite inheriting the title of Flower Queen from her predecessor, she was utterly useless, relying entirely on Qiandai. It must be so hard for Qiandai to serve such a worthless master…
Yun Qingxue sighed quietly. When she returned to the inner hall, she saw Liuying staring blankly at the food Qiandai had brought.
“Hungry?” Yun Qingxue asked kindly.
Liuying smiled sheepishly, rubbing her stomach and pouting like a little girl. “Yeah, I haven’t had dinner yet. Mind if I share some of yours?”
Amused by her playful, slightly shameless demeanor, Yun Qingxue chuckled and generously invited, “Let’s eat together.”
“Qingxue, I knew you’d be the best to me.”
With permission granted, Liuying gave Yun Qingxue a flirtatious wink before sitting down unceremoniously. She first served Yun Qingxue a bowl of rice, then helped herself, happily digging in.
Yun Qingxue sat at the table too, though she lacked Liuying’s hearty appetite. Her mind was preoccupied with figuring out how to escape the perilous Ten Thousand Purple Palace with Qiandai, making the meal tasteless.
Meanwhile, the usually chatty Liuying remained completely silent once the meal began, strictly adhering to the rule of “no talking while eating.” For a while, the only sounds in the Flower Queen’s hall were the faint noises of chewing, leaving the space eerily quiet and empty.
After just a few bites, Yun Qingxue lost her appetite and set down her chopsticks, quietly watching Liuying enjoy the meal.
“Qingxue, why aren’t you eating?” Liuying noticed and put down her own chopsticks.
“I’m full. You have more.”
“Okay.” Liuying nodded and resumed eating.
Dark clouds shrouded the full moon and stars outside, as if darkness sought to devour the world. A fierce wind rushed through the open windows, violently shaking the branches of the phoenix tree outside. Gone was its daytime elegance—now it seemed almost menacing.
“It’s going to rain.”
Liuying finished her meal, set down her chopsticks, and muttered at the storm brewing outside. With a wave of her hand, the doors and windows of the Flower Queen’s hall snapped shut, sealing out the darkness. The cold, noble glow of the night pearls illuminated the hall as brightly as day.
*Bang.*
A sudden noise—the door Liuying had just closed flew open and shut again in the blink of an eye. In that brief moment, Qiandai reappeared before Yun Qingxue and Liuying, her clothes slightly disheveled, her face as pale as paper.
“Qiandai!” Yun Qingxue hurried over, surprised at her swift return.
Qiandai seemed dazed for a second, as if her soul had left her body, before gripping Yun Qingxue’s hands tightly. Her eyes locked onto Yun Qingxue’s, wide and unblinking. “Little master, we must leave the Flower and Wood Clan immediately!”
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