Xian Wang Dotes On Wife

A petal of white lotus shrouded in golden light shoots up into the sky, drawing everyone’s gazes .   Then, the second petal follows, and the third, and the fourth until there are nine petals in total .  

“Sang Mo completed Xue Lian Han Gong!” exclaims Qing Ling Xian excitedly .

“My good Mo Er,” Sheng Xue Tian Zun smiles in satisfaction .

Qing Yuan Xian and Qing Yun Xian are also looking at the sacred-looking lotus in appreciation .   This is their lifelong dream and Sang Mo has completed it for them!

Feng Ran and Ji Shu Liu’s faces on the other hand, are solemn .   Gong Sang Mo has succeeded, but what about Yun Qian Yu?

“I wonder what happened to the girl,” asks Sheng Xue Tian Zun in worry .

When the others hear that, the joy on their faces gradually dims down, especially the Three Celestials who personally saw her jump .   They respect her for disregarding her own life for Gong Sang Mo .

Just as they start to worry, another kind of power shoots up from the bottom of the cliff .

Everyone anxiously looks on; does this mean that the girl has also successfully mastered Zi Yu Xin Jing?

A purple petal of lotus shrouded in golden light floats next to the white lotus, answering everybody’s question .   Just like the white lotus, it also has 9 petals in total .   Both lotuses shines magnificently in the night sky .

Everyone are stunned .   At that moment, the view from the cliffside feels like something one can see in paradise .   The two lotuses are surreal and otherworldly that no one can bring themselves to look away .

Feng Ran finally sighs in relief .

The owner of the valley has fully mastered Zi Yu Xin Jing, no one can pose a threat to her anymore .

Ji Shu Liu smiles bitterly as he looks at the two lotuses .   They are match-made in heaven .   Even their inner powers have similar forms .

He slowly turns around and walks away .   As long as she is fine .   He will not wait here for their victorious return .   That is basically twisting the knife on his heart .

Su Huai Feng’s lips curves up, he expected this from his extraordinary Senior Uncle .   Yun Qian Yu on the other hand, has taken him by surprise .

He knows that the painting is in Yun Qian Yu’s hands, he had been waiting for her to use it to recruit him, and yet she actually didn’t even bring it up .   She even said that she cannot promise him anything, unlike the other kingdoms .   This is probably the first time someone has been so straightforward in recruiting someone else .

Qing Ling Xian looks at the lotuses that are slowly fading, “How are they going to come up?”

All of them look at the bottom of the cliff that has been covered by fog .   No one can find the answer to his question .

“Let’s just wait .   They will find a way,” replies Qing Yuan Xian .

He heard that their Senior Ancestor could easily travel up and down the Jue Ming Cliff after mastering Xue Lian Han Gong .

At that very moment, the cohesive array is slowly losing it’s effect .   Gong Sang Mo and Yun Qian Yu who have been floating above the jade platform slowly lands back on the ground .

Both of them open their eyes as they stand in the middle of the platform .   They look at each other and smiles .   Their beautiful faces have that enlightened look, as though everything in this world is but a speck of dust in their eyes .   It is as though they have now transcends humanity .

Gong Sang Mo smiles at Yun Qian Yu, “Did you gain any new ability, Yu Er?”

He knows that Zi Yu Jin Xing is intertwined to her medical skills .   Everytime she progresses in Zi Yu Xin Jing, she will gain a complementary medical skill .

Yun Qian Yu raises an eyebrow .   She cannot feel anything different in her medical ability .

She stretches her hand and positions her fingers in the shape of a lotus .   A petal immediately appears at the tip of one of her fingers .   Not only has it made it easy for her to summon her Zi Yu Xin Jing, the petals are no longer polluted by golden strands .   Instead, the golden strands have turned into a golden light that smoothly shrouds the petals .

The people who were able to master the mysterious art from the previous dynasties were all martial arts geniuses on their own, and yet she and Gong Sang Mo have actually managed to bring it to a whole new level!

Now that she is able to summon Zi Yu Xin Jing at will, it will be more convenient for her to treat people in the future .

Suddenly, Yun Qian Yu’s eyes widen .   She looks at her own hands in surprise .   She can actually see her own bones .   She blinks and the vision is still there, she is not hallucinating .   Is she actually capable of seeing through things now?  Yun Qian Yu is ecstatic, this will be very useful in treating people!

Gong Sang Mo looks at Yun Qian Yu curiously, “What’s wrong?”

Yun Qian Yu looks at Gong Sang Mo and sees through his skin .   The corner of her lips twitches, what a pretty skull!  She lowers her eyes and can see his internal organs as well .   Then, she looks lower, past his waist .   Her face reddens and she covers her eyes, making a surprised noise .

Gong Sang Mo frowns as he inspect himself .   Is something wrong with him?  His robe has some tears here and there, but nothing is afoot .   What is wrong with her?

Gong Sang Mo looks at Yun Qian Yu’s red cheeks .   His eyes flash: don’t tell him… . .

“Yu Er…” 

Before Gong Sang Mo even speaks, Yun Qian Yu waves one hand while the other continues shielding her eyes, “I didn’t mean to see it!”

Correct!  Completing Zi Yu Xin Jing allows Yun Qian Yu to see through things .

Gong Sang Mo is stunned .   Then, he looks at his own waist before laughing, “What did you see, Yu Er?”

Yun Qian Yu peeks through a narrow slit between her fingers .   When she sees that he is completely unruffled, she lowers her hand from her eyes .   Her face remains pink as she refuses to look at Gong Sang Mo .

“It’s okay .   Just look if you want to look, Yu Er .   Besides, I already saw you anyway,” Gong Sang Mo has understood Yun Qian Yu’s new-gain power .

For a moment, Yun Qian Yu forgets about her embarra.s.sment, “When did you see me?”

Impossible!  When?

Gong Sang Mo smiles; his extremely handsome face making everything else pales in comparison, “When you were poisoned the other day . ”

Yun Qian Yu finally knows that he had seen her when she got poisoned back in Xian w.a.n.g’s manor .   She thought the one who fished her out of the hot spring was Chen Xiang, turns out it was Gong Sang Mo!

“But, you are not allowed to look at other men ‘over there . ’”  Gong Sang Mo finally realized a potential problem .   If Yun Qian Yu can see through him, she can also see through other people, other men .   Unacceptable!

Yun Qian Yu pats her warm face as she lowers her head quietly: she is not that obscene alright!

 She looks at her hands, summoning Zi Yu Xin Jing .   Then, she looks at her feet .   Sure enough, her eyes see past through her shoes and right into her flesh .   She can see everything, from her bones to her blood vessels .

She sighs; is this really good?  What if she goes into battle in the future?  If she looks at her enemies, will she be looking at their skeletons instead?  How frightful would that be?  She might vomit out of fear .

She puts her power away, feeling depressed for the first time .   She lowers her head, looking at her own hands .

Gong Sang Mo can sense her downturning mood .   Other people would be happy beyond word if they completely mastered their art, Yu Er on the other hand, is dejected .

“Don’t worry, you will be able to control it,” comforts Gong Sang Mo .

Yun Qian Yu nods; she definitely needs to figure out the way to get over this .   If she can’t control it, might as well not use her inner power from now on!

“What about you?  What has changed now that you mastered Xue Lian Han Gong?” Yun Qian Yu finally remembers that Gong Sang Mo has succeeded as well .

Gong Sang Mo smiles and outstretches his hand .   A petal of white lotus flies out from his palm and strikes one of the pillars ahead of them .   That pillar is immediately covered with ice .

Gong Sang Mo throws another petal to the pillar and the ice slowly disintegrates .

“Ice!  I won’t have to worry about summer anymore!” Yun Qian Yu looks at Gong Sang Mo .   He has practiced so hard, only to become her personal refridgerator .

Gong Sang Mo looks at Yun Qian Yu speechlessly .   He waves his arm again, this time, directing the white petal to one of the eagles .   The eagle immediately becomes immobilized when hit by Gong Sang Mo’s snow lotus .

He throws another petal and the eagle is freed .

The eagle look at his partner curiously, wondering why she is fussing over him .

Yun Qian Yu looks at the eagle in surprise .   He was petrified by ice and is currently running around just fine right now .

“He is fine, he was just immobilized by me,” explains Gong Sang Mo .

Xue Lian Han Gong is a cold-based inner power .   Now, Gong Sang Mo is able to harness that cold inner power and use them to petrify other people’s body .

Yun Qian Yu nods, taking it in .   Why is it so easy for other people to control their inner power upon succession?  Why couldn’t she do the same?

Regardless, she is confident enough in herself to know that she will be able to figure out how to control her new ability .

Gong Sang Mo walks over to the two eagles and pick up the two robes that they dropped on the ground .

He helps Yun Qian Yu put on hers first before putting his robe on himself .

Then, he looks up .   “The sky is dark .   We should go now . ”

“En,” Yun Qian Yu can just feel her inner power bursting within herself, eager to be used .

Both of them wave their arms and shoot up towards the sky .

The two eagles hastily follow them .

The ascend is different from their descend .   Back then, they had nowhere to go but down .   But now, they could actually regulate their own speed .  

Yun Qian Yu is very excited .

Halfway there, Yun Qian Yu looks down and finds that she can no longer see the bottom of the cliff clearly .   The eagles are desperately following them from behind, stumped that these human could actually fly even faster than them .

Yun Qian Yu wants to laugh at them .   She pulls at Gong Sang Mo, slowing them down a little to allow the eagles to catch up to them .

She suddenly feels a little emotional .   Just three days ago, they almost lost their lives because they couldn’t fly over the dark poisonous lake .   But now, they are actually flying high up above the cliff base and are hardly breaking a sweat .

After a moment, the eagles manage to catch up to them .

Yun Qian Yu let go of Gong Sang Mo and lands on the female eagle .   Gong Sang Mo, on the other hand, settles on the male eagle .

“Let them send us back,” says Yun Qian Yu as she pets the eagle fondly .   She feels very reluctant to part with them .

“Sure!” replies Gong Sang Mo without hesitating .   If Yun Qian Yu want something, he will do everything he can to give it to her .

The two eagles soar into the clouds .   Once they break through the clouds, the first thing they all see are the people waiting for them by the cliffside .

The eagles hover mid-air, not knowing where to land .

Gong Sang Mo stands up and launches himself up, landing right on the cliffside .

Then, he turns around to face Yun Qian Yu who is reluctant to part from her eagle, “We are back, Yu Er!”

Yun Qian Yu does not have the heart to jump off from the eagle .   The eagle hoots at her too, seemingly conveying her reluctance as well .

Yun Qian Yu pats her in the back, “I’ll be going . ”

She gets up and flies towards the cliff while the eagle screeches behind her .

Once she lands on ground, the two eagles swoop down and start hovering over everyone, unwilling to part from them .

She waves them over and they happily comply, landing at the very edge of the precarious cliff while watching everyone alertly .

“Shifu!” Gong Sang Mo bows in front of Sheng Xue Tian Zun .

Sheng Xue Tian Zun looks at him, his white hair and beard swaying with the wind, “Mo Er, my good child!  You did not disappoint shifu . ”

“Qian Yu greets Sheng Xue Tian Zun,” bows Yun Qian Yu .

Sheng Xue Tian Zun laughs in delight, “You talented girl!”

Yun Qian Yu raise an eyebrow .   This old man doesn’t seem to dislike her, and his mood seems to be good at the moment; this is the perfect time to ask something from him!

“Are you in a good mood, Sheng Xue Tian Zun?”

“Of course!  For the first time in 100 years, someone from Mount Celestial have managed to master Xue Lian Han Gong!” acknowledges Sheng Xue Tian Zun readily .

“Then, can I make a little request?” asks Yun Qian Yu .

The three celestials look at her vigilantly .   Is she going to ask for Su Huai Feng?

Although Sheng Xue Tian Zun hasn’t known Yun Qian Yu for long, he can see what type a person she is from their first meeting .   He knows she is nothing like what his three oldest disciples have in mind .

“Just say it, this old man promise to give you what you want!  Even if I don’t want to, Mo Er will persuade me to do that anyway,” Sheng Xue Tian Zun laughs while stroking his beard .

The three celestials look at their shifu in surprise .   Who knows what Yun Qian Yu would want, how could their shifu simply promise her like that?

“Can I let them live in Mount Celestial while I am here?” Yun Qian Yu motions at the two eagles obediently waiting for them .

Sheng Xue Tian Zun laughs, “Of course you can!”

“That’s great!” this is the first time Yun Qian Yu has ever been so happy .   She smiles at them, one that comes from her heart .   That beautiful smile of hers affect the crowd greatly .

The three celestials lower their heads discreetly, ashamed for a.s.suming the worst of a little girl .

Yun Qian Yu runs towards the eagles happily, conveying her idea to them .   The eagles nod excitedly .

Everyone who are watching are stumped; the eagles understand human language?

Su Huai Feng is standing at the very back, watching Yun Qian Yu thoughtfully .

Qing Yuan Shan takes one look at their tattered robes before saying, “Go back first .   Both of you need to bath and change . ”

Sheng Xue Tian Zun nods .

The crowd slowly leaves the cliffside .

Yun Qian Yu is at the very front, following the two eagles closely .

Gong Sang Mo is walking with his shifu, but his eyes are trained on the blue silhouette in front, a doting look on his face .

Both of them return to Gong Sang Mo’s residence first .

Chen Xiang and the rest have prepared meals and hot water for them .

Both of them bath separately before going to the dining table .   They haven’t been eating or drinking for the past three days, so they try not to eat too much right now .

After dinner, Gong Sang Mo lets Yun Qian Yu rest first while he heads over to his shifu’s residence .

Chen Xiang begins brewing jasmine tea while lighting up incense to let Yun Qian Yu relax .

Although this action seems small, it means a lot to Yun Qian Yu who had to endure the cave for three days .   Had she not gone through that, she would not have learned to appreciate this .

The two eagles are outside .   They were originally inside with her, but they are too big and leave barely any s.p.a.ce once they are inside .   Yun Qian Yu can tell that they don’t like being indoors as well, so she let them out .   Gong Sang Mo has already instructed the other disciples to not hurt the two eagles if they see them .

And so, the two eagles are now leisurely strolling around the celestial mountain .

Because of the eagles, the cold mountaintop is now lively .

Yun Qian Yu is currently lying on the warm jade bed .

Feng Ran is sitting on a small stool next to the bed, conveying everything that has happened for the past 3 days to her .

First of all, Su Huai Feng has not made any decision yet .   He was supposed to leave the mountain today, but ended up delaying it for Gong Sang Mo and Yun Qian Yu .

Feng Ran can see that Yun Qian Yu does not seem worried at all .   “Aren’t you worried Bei Tang Gu Qiu might s.n.a.t.c.h Su Huai Feng away?” asks Feng Ran .

A confident look flashes on Yun Qian Yu’s beautiful face .

“Neither Long Jin nor Bei Tang Gu Jiu managed to recruit him .   If I fail, that means that he has no intention to enter politics to begin with .   No one will be able to recruit him . ”

“Why?” asks Feng Ran curiously .

“Will he have the courage to be his Senior Uncle’s enemy?” Yun Qian Yu raises an eyebrow .

Feng Ran is rendered speechless .    He has never even considered that .

“But based on Bei Tang Gu Qiu’s brain, he ought to have thought that sooner .   Why is he still here then?”

“If you tell me that Long Jin is here purely to recruit Su Huai Feng, I will believe you .   Bei Tang Gu Qiu, however… . He is only here to make sure I fail to recruit Su Huai Feng . ”  Yun Qian Yu’s eyes are full of confidence .

Feng Ran frowns .   “That day, Bei Tang Gu Qiu was inside Su Huai Feng’s chamber for an entire noon . ”

“Perhaps they were chatting, perhaps they were playing chess .   There are a lot of things people can do for an entire noon,” dismisses Yun Qian Yu .

When she sees the doubt in Feng Ran’s eyes, she says, “He did that on purpose, to make me think Su Huai Feng favors Jiu Xiao Kingdom . ”

Feng Ran has always thought he was a smart person, but after entering the palace and seeing all these political intrigues with his own eyes, he realizes that he is not that smart after all .

“Do you think he will choose Nan Lou Kingdom?” might as well ask straight away .   Thinking is just too tiring .

“He will,” Yun Qian Yu smiles .   If she had not been confident before, her confidence has grown tenfold now .

Feng Ran then begins relaying news about Yu Jian .

Yu Jian has been doing great .   He has been accompanied by the Retired Emperor to court, where he has been receiving Hua Man Xi’s backing .   After the court ends, he has been getting tutored by Lu Zi Hao .   The entire court is stable at the moment .

After chatting with Feng Ran for a while more, Yun Qian Yu leaves the chamber to check on the eagles .

Speaking of the eagles, Yun Qian Yu did not see them from the window, but the moment she steps out of the room, they rush towards her as though they have been watching the entrance all along .

After checking up on them, she tells them to rest as she too wants to go to bed .

The two eagles reluctantly fly away .

Yun Qian Yu does not bother to wait for Gong Sang Mo .   It is very unlikely for him to return tonight .

She returns to the room where Chen Xiang has finished preparing the beddings .

She takes off her outer dress before laying on the bed .   This is the best sleep she’s ever had in a while, not counting when Gong Sang Mo is there with her .   She is just too tired .

In the end, Yun Qian Yu made the right guess; Gong Sang Mo did not return until the next morning .

He has to explain everything that happened in details to his shifu and Senior Brothers .

The Three Celestials who wanted to get pointers from Gong Sang Mo immediately lose hope when they finds out what he had to go through .   Taking the challenge means one thing for certain:  death .   They are so old that it is uncertain if they can succeed, death is more likely .

They can only try to take in more disciples and see if anyone can be like Gong Sang Mo .

Gong Sang Mo suggest to only take people who can reach the 9th level of Xue Lian Han Gong .   He also advised them to take down as few disciples at one time as possible .   If some of them are greedy, they might use their fellow disciples as stepping stones to live .   Wouldn’t that be a big insult to the trial and to their sect?

He and Yun Qian Yu does not count .   They are pretty much one person, hence, them ignoring their own lives to make sure the other lives .

Sheng Xue Tian Zun nods in agreement .   They already took in too many disciples in the recent years, it will be easy for some to hide their true characters .   In order to prevent such things from happening, he will put in the new rules to the engravings at the entrance .   He will also announce the trial of ‘Nine Deaths for One Life’ as the final stage of cultivation for Xue Lian Han Gong .

Upon returning to his residence, Gong Sang Mo looks at Yun Qian Yu who is sleeping sweetly .   His eyes soften .   He quietly takes off his outer robe and takes out a separate quilt to prevent the coldness in his body from stirring her awake .

Then, he lies down and takes her straight against his chest .

By the time Yun Qian Yu wakes up, Gong Sang Mo is sound asleep .

She does not wake him and quietly gets up .   She takes a bath and then puts on her clothes before going out to see the eagles .

When the eagles see her, they eagerly swoop down towards her, causing snow to rain upon her body .

She laughs as she shrugs the snow off her hair and dress .

In her happiness, she finally looks her age .

She takes the two eagles for a stroll around the mountain .   She has been here for 5 days, and yet, she has never seen the mountain in broad daylight .

Other than the palace-like buildings, another landmark catches her eye .   A huge training ground .

All the buildings here surround that training ground .   The ground is made of smooth stone and there are nine large carved lotus structures surrounding the training field .

It looks clean and holy, very awe-inspiring .

At the moment, the training ground is already full of disciples .

Yun Qian Yu is very eye-catching with her two eagles .   Although they have never seen her before, they know that a beautiful celestial-like princess has come to their mountain .   They even heard that she is the love of their Senior Uncle’s heart .   Their Senior Uncle also warned them off harming the eagles yesterday, so now, seeing the two eagles obediently following her, they can safely deduce that she is Yun Qian Yu .

Many of them stares at her out of curiosity .

Due to their distraction, the training ground becomes a big mess, with kicks and punches missing their marks .

“If you watches on, Your Highness, no training will be done today,” Su Huai Feng walks over to her while laughing .

Yun Qian Yu looks at him, “They can’t even concentrate properly, what is the point of practicing?”

She turns around and walks away .

Su Huai Feng rubs his nose awkwardly and follows suit, “Even the iron-hearted Senior Uncle could not resist your allure, much less these people . ”

The corner of Yun Qian Yu’s lips twitches .   Who knew Su Huai Feng could be so laid-back?

“What are you doing here so early in the morning, Young Master Su?” asks Yun Qian Yu .

Su Huai Feng smiles as he looks at her .

“Tell me it’s a coincidence and I will not believe you,” adds Yun Qian Yu, without waiting for Su Huai Feng to speak, effectively killing that excuse .

“You are different from what the rumors say,” laughs Su Huai Feng .

“Rumors are not credible, to begin with!”

“I never knew you are this blunt,” says Su Huai Feng .

“Have you heard this one saying, Young Master Su?” asks Yun Qian Yu while pursing her lips .

“Oh, which saying?” Su Huai Feng raises an eyebrow .

“There is no need to take side-roads with smart people,” replies Yun Qian Yu .

“Huh!” Su Huai Feng is momentarily stunned before he breaks into laughter .

The disciples they encounter along the way are shocked to see Su Huai Feng laughing .   All of them stares at the two people in disbelief .

Yun Qian Yu spares him a look, “Can you tell me what happened between you and Miss Yang?”

Su Huai Feng suddenly stops laughing .

“What is there to tell?  Is there a single person out there who doesn’t know the story?”

“I told you, rumors are not credible,” replies Yun Qian Yu calmly, implying that she will only believe what comes out of Su Huai Feng’s mouth .

Su Huai Feng looks at her, “The story is long; why don’t you join Huai Feng for a cup of tea, Your Highness?”

“Alright!  I love listening to stories .   Sang Mo told me loads of it, during our journey here,” replies Yun Qian Yu good-naturedly .

The corner of Su Huai Feng’s lips twitches .   His Senior Uncle is actually a story-teller?  Love can truly change a person!

When they get to Su Huai Feng’s residence, Fei Qing, his attendant, looks at Yun Qian Yu in surprise .   His master only went out for a while and actually returns with Princess Hu Guo in tow?  He greets them before quickly prepares them some tea .

“Fei Qing, bring the kettle in .   I will personally boil the tea,” says Su Huai Feng .

Fei Qing is stunned .   His master wants to brew the tea himself?  Nevertheless, he calmly brings the kettle in .

There is no other way:  the mountain is too cold .   All guests are to be entertained inside, where it is warm .

Su Huai Feng invites Yun Qian Yu to sit, and instructs Fei Qing to serve her pastries .  

“You haven’t had breakfast, no?  You should eat some snacks . ”

“Thank you,” Yun Qian Yu did not expect Su Huai Feng to be so considerate .

Su Huai Feng sets up everything he needs to brew the tea and sits back down when he is finished .  

Yun Qian Yu slowly eats the pastry; it actually tastes like snow lotus .

“I met Yun Er when I was returning home to visit my family,” begins Su Huai Feng .

Yun Qian Yu expected discrepancies, just she did not expect it so early into the story .   They met when he was visiting his family, not when he left the mountain to cultivate .

“Back then, Yun Er was around the same age as you are right now .   She has just entered maidenhood, she was at the best years of her life .   She snuck out of her house to visit her relative’s house in Wu Ji back then .   On the way there, her money was stolen .   I first met her when she was staring pitifully at me while I was eating noodles . ”  Su Huai Feng cannot help the smile on his lips . “I asked her and found out about her predicament .   She was all by herself, with no money with her .   Since my home was in Wu Ji as well, I decided ro travel with her .   We talked a lot during the journey home .   I found out that she was proficient in art and chess and possessed many opinions which were unheard of from women .   We exchanged many opinions . ”

When he got to that part, Yun Qian Yu realizes that they were destined to fall in love with each other .

“When we reached Wu Ji, I sent her to her family home in the city .   After that, I showed her around the city .   It was then that we confessed our feelings to each other .   Not long later, her family sends people to send her back to her home .   Before she left, I promised her I would visit her in Gu City the next time I was to be allowed home by the sect . ”

Su Huai Feng momentarily stops .

“The next time I left the mountain, which was near the end of the year, I expressed my wish to my parents .   I wanted to go to Gu City to propose a marriage proposal to her family .   My parents agreed .   Nevertheless, our love was destined to crumble .   Yun Er’s uncle was murdered a while before .   When we got to the Yang Residence in Gu City, her aunt saw my father’s jade pendant, which was similar to that of the killer’s .   Not only did they object to the marriage proposal, they were also convinced that my father was the one who killed her uncle . ”  Su Huai Feng’s face was desolate as he hand Yun Qian Yu a cup of tea .

“What really happened?” asks Yun Qian Yu as she takes the cup .

“The jade was one-of-kind .   My father is the only known person who owns it .   It’s impossible for it to be duplicated .   However, my father never killed anyone .   Besides, when the uncle was killed, my father was at home, preparing for my uncle’s wedding .   Her aunt was the witness to her uncle’s murder back then, but other than her, there was no way for us to verify what really happened .   My father told them he was at Wu Ji City during the time of the murder, but they didn’t believe him .   The rest, I believe, is history . ”

Yun Qian Yu sighs as she holds the tecup .

There is no such thing as perfection in this world .   You can love all you want, if the G.o.ds decide against it, you will be apart no matter what .

“Did you ever investigate that matter afterwards?”

“Of course I did .   However, no one really knows what happened back then, other than her aunt . ”

Yun Qian Yu is quiet .

“Is that why you don’t want to work as an official?” asks Yun Qian Yu .

“How did you know?” asks Su Huai Feng in surprise .

“Because you have never sincerely treated everyone who has come to recruit you,” Yun Qian Yu raises an eyebrow .

“Your Highness sure is perceptive . ”  Su Huai Feng laughs bitterly .   This matter is his inner demons .   He always thought that being a genius is pointless; because no matter how smart he is, he still fails to clear his father’s name .   He still fails to marry the woman he loves .

“Would you like to hear my suggestion?” offers Yun Qian Yu .

“I’d be honoured,” replies Su Huai Feng .

“I think, it means that you are better off taking an official post .   It will give you the authority and power to thoroughly investigate the murder .   No one can commit the perfect crime; there will always be traces left behind .   There must be something that you have overlooked .   Something that you cannot do as Young Master Su and Qing Yun Xian’s favourite disciple might be doable if you are Nan Lou Kingdom’s official,” says Yun Qian Yu firmly .

Su Huai Feng’s eyes light up, “Your Highness is very capable .   You can offer someone some comfort while also recruiting them . ”

Yun Qian Yu smiles, “I am just telling you that I am baiting you .   Whether you want to take the bait or not, it is up to only you . ”

“Haha,” Su Huai Feng laughs .   “I must say, your arguments are pretty tempting . ”

“Of course .   I am not only Nan Lou Kingdom’s princess and the owner of Yun Valley, I am also good at medicine; especially at prognosis and diagnosis . ”  Yun Qian Yu is not at all modest .

Fei Qing walks in from outside, “Your Highness, Senior Uncle Gong invites you to go back and have breakfast with him . ”

Yun Qian Yu nods before getting up, “Thank you for your pastry and tea . ”

“No problem . ”

Yun Qian Yu walks out, only to stop at the exit .   She turns around to face Su Huai Feng, “My bait is made of gold and is heart-shaped, I hope you will consider it . ”

The corner of Su Huai Feng’s lips twitches, this is the first time someone has said as much to him .   Good to know that this fish is worthy of gold .

“I will!”

After receiving Su Huai Feng’s rea.s.surance, Yun Qian Yu leaves .

Su Huai Feng is not merely humoring Yun Qian Yu .   He truly is considering her offer .   If he did not get rid of his inner demons, he will not be able to do anything in this life of his .

When Yun Qian Yu leaves Su Huai Feng’s residence, she is greeted by Gong Sang Mo who is standing near the gate .

“Sang Mo!”

“Did you achieve your purpose?” Gong Sang Mo fixes Yun Qian Yu’s cloak .

“It should be . ”

“Huai Feng is not someone one can easily acquired,” Gong Sang Mo raises his eyebrows .

“Well first, you have to look at who the recruiter is,” replies Yun Qian Yu haughtily .  

Gong Sang Mo laughs as he pinches her nose .   Then, he frowns, “Huai Feng gave you pastries made of snow lotus?”

Yun Qian Yu blinks at him, “What is your nose made of?”

Gong Sang Mo cannot believe his ears .   He looks at her in grievance, “Yu Er just gave me a backhanded compliment!”

“I was praising you . ”

“Why didn’t it sound like one?”

“Every single word was uttered to praise you . ”

“Say it again…”

“Haha,” Yun Qian Yu laughs before running from him .

Gong Sang Mo runs after her while smiling brightly .   Yun Qian Yu looks more and more happy nowadays, a far cry from her previous ice-maiden countenance .   She looks more real, more approachable .

When they return to Gong Sang Mo’s residence, breakfast are already served on the table .   Yun Qian Yu sits down before appreciatively saying, “It smells so good . ”

Gong Sang Mo hands her a pair of chopsticks, “If it smells good, eat more . ”

Chen Xiang and Yu Nuo are shocked by Yun Qian Yu’s words, “This is the first time Your Highness ever said that . ”

Feng Ran cooly replies them from the sideline, “If we don’t feed you for three days, you will praise even the smell of porridges . ”

The girls roll their eyes at him, “Can’t you let us be happy for a while longer?”

“I was just scared that you two will consider yourselves to be on Hong Su’s level,” retorts Feng Ran .

“Hmph!” It is rare for Chen Xiang and Yu Nuo to be rendered speechless .

Yun Qian Yu eats while listening to their little squabble, her face lighting up in a smile .

Ying Yu whispers to Man Er, “Look, Mistress is smiling more and more lately . ”

Man Er nods, “En, Xian w.a.n.g is indeed capable .   I truly look up to him . ”

“Right!”

The two girls secretly put Gong Sang Mo on a pedestal .

Somewhere on the mountain, Qing Yun Xian finish his breakfast and visits Su Huai Feng in his residence .   n.o.body knows what the two have been chatting about, but what they do know is that Qing Yun Xian leaves the residence with a pleased smile on his face .

As for Qing Yuan Xian who is keeping Sheng Xue Tian Zun company, he asks his shifu, “Shifu, you really like that Yun Qian Yu girl?”

Sheng Xue Tian Zun pats his beard, “Why?  You don’t like that girl?”

“That girl is likeable, sure, but this disciple cannot understand why shifu likes her so much .   After all, she has only been here for five days . ”

“Did you see the two eagles’ affection towards her?”

“Yes, but what does that has anything to do with everything?”

“Animal are perceptive creatures, they can easily see through people’s masks .   It has only been three days and yet the eagles are already so fond of her .   It means that her heart is truly clean and kind .   She is the type that will never mistreat people .   Once she takes you in, she takes you into her heart .   Mo Er has good taste,” explains Sheng Xue Tian Zun .

Qing Yuan Xian nods in understanding, somehow feeling he has learned to read people better from this conversation alone .

Just as Yun Qian Yu and Gong Sang Mo finish their breakfast, Su Huai Feng comes to visit .

Yun Qian Yu looks at him, “You have come to your decision so quickly?”

“Huai Feng have considered Your Highness’ words carefully and has finally come to a decision,” replies Su Huai Feng .

“What will it be?” asks Yun Qian Yu curiously .

“Your Highness told me that I might be able to do more as an official of the Kingdom than when I am not .   Then, can you do something that Huai Feng always thought was impossible?  If you can, then Huai Feng will believe everything you said . ”

Su Huai Feng ignores Gong Sang Mo’s angry face as he says all that .

Yun Qian Yu is interested now, “I am always under the impression that there are only things that one does not want to do, and not things one cannot do .   Say it, what is it that you want me to prove?”