Chapter 134: The Waters Of The Capital Run Deep

Chapter 134: The Waters Of The Capital Run Deep

The demure young woman was named Zhao Qiuyu, and she was Zhao Yueyan's half-sister from the same father. Both of them had similar backgrounds and experiences, having lost their mothers at a young age. Despite their age difference, they had become each other's pillars of support and were inseparable during their childhood. Even though they had less contact as adults, they still cared deeply for each other.

Zhao Qiuyu looked at her sister Yueyan with curious and sparkling eyes. She softly asked, "Sister Yueyan, how did you meet him? And how did he know about our relationship?"

"It's not that I don't want to tell you," Zhao Yueyan replied softly, "but it's because... because..." She didn't want to involve Qiuyu in her own complicated affairs. Although she had the support of the millennium-old demoness Immortal Miao Feng, the power struggle for the throne was still dangerous. One misstep could lead to irreversible consequences. Furthermore, Qiuyu was pure and innocent, not suited for the turbulent politics of the palace.

"Alright."

"Since Sister Yueyan doesn't want to say, Qiuyu won't ask further." Zhao Qiuyu was considerate and didn't press for more information. Instead, she began to recount her encounter with the man, saying, "At that time, the man was with a girl. He was carrying her while watching a play. Xiao Hong and I were standing nearby. During the middle of the performance, Xiao Hong realized that her purse was missing."

"Then..."

"I used my own jade pendant to exchange for fifty taels of silver with him." Zhao Qiuyu lightly moistened her lips and spoke in a sweet, melodic voice, "As a result, I was arrested the next day."

Zhao Yueyan's eyes flashed with interest. She whispered to her, "You mentioned that he was with a girl at the time. Was that girl beautiful? Approximately how old did she look?"

"Well..."

"She seemed like a delicate beauty," Zhao Qiuyu tilted her head, mumbling, "Very beautiful and cute. I don't know why, but I felt like that girl had a natural charm."

That was undoubtedly the kind of woman who could stay by his side, most likely a bewitching demoness.

Zhao Yueyan pursed her lips, lifted the teapot in front of her, poured herself a cup of tea, and took a small sip. She then softly inquired, "Did Big Brother and Second Brother come to see you?"

"They didn't," Zhao Qiuyu shook her head. There was a hint of melancholy and helplessness between her brows. She sighed, "But Father found me yesterday. He... He hopes I can marry the youngest son of General Zuo. Sister Yueyan, can I refuse? I've heard about that young man. He's not only ugly but also known for bullying others. I don't like him."

"General Zuo has a good relationship with the northern clans. If he were to rebel, it would lead to war in the north, affecting the safety of the capital," Zhao Yueyan sighed with frustration. She said, "Being born in the imperial family, neither you nor I have much choice."

Zhao Qiuyu bit her lip and muttered to herself, "If Father forces me again, I'll hang myself."

"You foolish girl!"

"Ending your life over this matter, isn't that too childish?" Zhao Yueyan scolded her sister angrily, giving her an annoyed look. She continued, "And besides, I have a way."

Zhao Qiuyu was momentarily surprised. She looked at her sister with urgency and asked, "Sister Yueyan, do you have a way to change Father's mind?"

"Not right now, but I'll think of a way in the future," Zhao Yueyan said with seriousness. "Qiuyu, don't worry. I'll shield you from the storm, but you also need to endure as much as you can."

"Okay."

"I understand," Zhao Qiuyu nodded and reached out her hand, gently holding Zhao Yueyan's hand. She whispered, "Sister, Qiuyu has always known your intentions. If there's ever a need for me, please don't hesitate to ask. I'll do my best to help, even if it means sacrificing myself. I won't frown."

Zhao Yueyan couldn't help but laugh and playfully rolled her eyes at her. She scolded, "You little troublemaker, what nonsense are you saying? How could I ever let you die? Alright, just focus on your embroidery, and don't worry about other things."

In the time that followed, the two sisters chatted about various matters, eventually returning to the topic of the man.

"Sister Yueyan."

"Can you take me to meet him? I want to thank him in person," Zhao Qiuyu said.

"No!"

Only a little bit? That's a huge understatement!

Immortal Miao Feng rolled her eyes at him playfully, twisted her slender body, and draped her legs over his waist. At the same time, she gently held onto his waist, seeking the most comfortable position in his embrace. Her understanding of these matters had long surpassed that of the little fox and the little demoness.

"Little thief. Listen to my advice, don't provoke the sisters in the palace," The big demoness said softly.

"I won't, I won't. You and Xuan Yin are already my limit. If there were two more... I wouldn't be able to handle it," Lu Xun answered with a smile.

Immortal Miao Feng pressed her body against his, whispering, "Don't think I don't understand your so-called ‘limit.' It's only the limit of your physical body, not your thoughts. If your body could handle it, I bet you'd want to conquer all the beautiful women in the world."

Ah, Lu Xun awkwardly chuckled, hastily and seriously saying, "Sister, don't make wild assumptions. I'm not that kind of scoundrel."

"Hmph!" Immortal Miao Feng let out a cold snort and said in a coy tone, "You are!"

"Alright, alright. I'm a scoundrel, but there are different categories of scoundrels. I belong to the good scoundrel category," Lu Xun grinned, starting to put on a front of humility.

Immortal Miao Feng rolled her eyes at him, nestled in his arms, and arched her body slightly. She said in a faint tone, "Tomorrow, I'll go meet an old friend to catch up. You stay in the inn and don't go anywhere. The waters of the capital run deep, and I'm afraid you'll drown."

"Old friend?"

"Is it a man or a woman?" Lu Xun asked curiously.

"Of course, it's a woman. How could I possibly meet a man?" The big demoness blushed and pretended to be angry, but there was a hint of sweetness in her heart. She said coyly, "I'm going to see Su Jingyi."

"Oh." Lu Xun nodded, then asked cautiously, "Can you take me with you?"

"No way!" The big demoness felt her heart tremble. She glared at him fiercely, and angrily said, "You'll never see her in your lifetime."

Did I just hit a nerve?

Lu Xun didn't expect such a strong reaction from the big demoness. Was this Su Jingyi, the worldly immortal, truly so captivating? The big demoness seemed so wary of even letting me catch a glimpse of her. It was as if she thought I'd fall in love with her at first sight.

"Alright. I won't go," Lu Xun said, hugging her seductive body tightly. He whispered in her ear, "But staying alone in the inn is quite boring. I just want to go out for a walk. Don't worry, I'll behave."

As he spoke, he suddenly slipped under the blanket.

After a while...

"Sister?"

"Did you hear any noises?" Lu Xun poked his head out from under the blanket, looking a bit puzzled.

Immortal Miao Feng gazed deeply at him, gently wiping the sweat from his forehead. She whispered softly, "Just a group of ants, don't let the outside world affect you, little thief."

"Uh..."

"I'll go check it out!" Lu Xun lifted the blanket and got out of bed, picking up his clothes and darting out frantically.

"Come back! You come back to me!"

Behind him, the urgent voice of the big demoness carried a hint of pleading and anger.