Chapter 110
Chapter 110: Why Did Junior Sister Zhi Rou Lose Her Balance and Fall?
Chu Zhi Rou stood there, utterly bewildered, her thoughts a storm as the voice of the heroine system echoed within her spiritual sense.
[The most dangerous place is often the safest place.] System 003 observed with a tone of certainty before continuing, [The spatial storage ring is a divine artifact, capable of hiding things by its very nature.]
Chu Zhi Rou grasped the unspoken meaning behind the words. While the detection might not be perfectly accurate, that fine silver ring she had glimpsed was highly likely to be a spatial storage ring!
She tilted her head back slightly, her pale, innocent face radiating an air of both timidity and sorrow—a truly heart-wreanching sight.
Ye He Qi glanced down at her, his gaze seemingly oblivious to the pleading look in her eyes.
“I’ll find a way to handle the matter of your personal disciple,” he spoke softly, though his tone carried an unspoken warning. “But if you act on your own again…”
“I won’t dare!” Chu Zhi Rou immediately promised.
“Then go.” With that, Ye He Qi dismissed her.
Chu Zhi Rou, with no choice but to obey, stood and began to leave. As for the fine silver ring, now in Big Brother’s possession, she was confident that one day she would have a chance to reclaim it.
Just as she was about to step out, Ye He Qi spoke again. “I’ll take care of the gu venom matter for you.”
She froze, her gaze snapping back to him in shock.
Ye He Qi’s elegant and refined features were softened further by the flickering candlelight, only adding to his already captivating charm.
Feeling a wave of shyness, Chu Zhi Rou lowered her gaze and murmured, “Thank you, Big Brother.”
She had known, deep down, that Big Brother wouldn’t truly blame her. After all, they were blood relatives.
Once she had left, Ye He Qi tossed the azure luan tail feather onto the table. His previously gentle expression twisted into one of clear distaste.
Thud, thud, thud.
Ye He Qi raised his gaze, the cold, thin line of distaste still lingering in his brows.
Shi Zi Chu stood in the doorframe, a bright smile on her lips as she observed him.
“Did you not encounter her?”
Ye He Qi motioned for her to enter as he spoke.
“I did,” Shi Zi Chu replied with a smirk before stepping inside. “I met her at the courtyard gate on my way here.”
She sat down, her gaze falling on the shimmering azure tail feather, which sparkled like a rare gemstone. “An azure luan tail feather?”
Ye He Qi nodded and then raised a sound-isolating barrier.
Shi Zi Chu’s eyes lit up with delight. “A big profit indeed.”
An immortal-ranked heavenly treasure—Chu Zhi Rou’s luck truly seemed impeccable.
Her gaze lingered hungrily on the beautiful feather, unashamed in her desire. “Can I just take it?”
“Bandit,” Ye He Qi muttered, waving his hand and swiftly retrieving the feather.
While others might speak such words in jest, Shi Zi Chu was one who could truly act on them.
Seeing Ye He Qi protectively clutch the feather, Shi Zi Chu scowled playfully, as though pretending to be displeased.
“What’s the deal with this ring?” Ye He Qi asked, lifting a hand and getting straight to the point.
Shi Zi Chu feigned innocence, her wide eyes practically saying, I know nothing about this!
Ye He Qi lowered his hand, his tone turning slow and warm. “You’ve tricked me again.”
“You haven’t tricked me any less,” Shi Zi Chu shot back.
Chu Zhi Rou must have been holding a bottle of spirit pills—something Ye He Qi likely gave her. Their renewed sibling bond had to involve using her as a pawn.
Ye He Qi briefly explained the situation, preventing Shi Zi Chu and Chu Zhi Rou from crossing paths and revealing too much.
Shi Zi Chu, in turn, shared her earlier scapegoating scheme with Ye He Qi.
Once they had both finished explaining, an awkward silence settled in the room.
“You see, you see!” Shi Zi Chu broke the quiet first. “You’ve been tricking me so much, and I’ve been so gentle with you!”
Gentle?
Ye He Qi gestured with his hand, silently urging Shi Zi Chu to leave.
Shi Zi Chu turned her head, pretending not to see. “So, what’s your task?”
Ye He Qi rephrased his response before answering. “To stop you from becoming empress.”
Shi Zi Chu narrowed her eyes, a glint of realization flashing across her face.
“No, wait.” She fixed her gaze on him, a sudden idea striking her. “Is your task to make me fall in love with you?”
The tasks of the farm girl and the Seventh Prince were at odds—the Seventh Prince aimed to become emperor, while the farm girl’s goal was to become empress. If the Seventh Prince could win her heart, the farm girl might abandon her claim to the empress position in the name of love.
Ye He Qi’s gaze glimmered with admiration for Shi Zi Chu. “Clever.”
“You’re clever too,” Shi Zi Chu praised him in return.
A single task, achieving two goals.
It forced her to develop feelings for him, while also allowing her to take the azure luan tail feather from Chu Zhi Rou.
What a cunning fox!
Ye He Qi arched an eyebrow, his voice playful. “Isn’t it just that I know myself?”
Make Shi Zi Chu fall for him? He wasn’t mad.
Besides, if the task wasn’t a failure, how else could he challenge Chu Zhi Rou for the azure luan tail feather?
Shi Zi Chu opened her mouth to speak, but Ye He Qi raised a hand, silencing her. “I just got disgusted.”
He could already guess the nonsense she was about to spout.
“…” Shi Zi Chu closed her mouth and then opened it again. “As my reliable ally, now that I’ve reached Nascent Soul, don’t you think Clan Chief Ye should give me a gift?”
A gift wasn’t difficult to provide—the azure luan tail feather would suffice.
Ye He Qi dispelled the barrier and ushered her out firmly. “It’s late, and as a man and woman, it’s improper to keep you here.”
“Cheap!” Shi Zi Chu shot him a glare.
Ye He Qi smiled back. “Am I cheap, or are you just asking too much?”
He feared that once Shi Zi Chu got her hands on that feather, her greed would know no bounds.
Once Shi Zi Chu left his quarters, she only took a few steps before reaching her own.
Before she could cross the threshold, she saw Chu Zhi Rou kneeling in the yard.
What was this about now?
“Second Senior Sister.” Chu Zhi Rou’s voice was soft and trembling.
Shi Zi Chu’s face softened, her expression full of kindness as she walked over. She extended her hand, speaking gently, “Get up, don’t kneel.”
“Second Senior Sister.” Chu Zhi Rou clung to Shi Zi Chu’s hand, her voice filled with desperate pleading. “Second Senior Sister, I know I’ve done many things wrong, but I only wish to pay my respects to the Master and Peak Master.”
Shi Zi Chu easily helped her up, retracting her hand with a sigh. “The Master has his reasons for not seeing you. Go back.”
“Second Senior Sister!” Chu Zhi Rou grabbed her hand desperately, like a lost child. “Just consider it for the sake of you and Big Brother’s marital bond…”
Creek.
The door opened with a sound of spiritual power, interrupting Chu Zhi Rou’s pleas and halting Shi Zi Chu’s movements.
“Come in.”
The cold, deep voice from within the room was filled with displeasure.
Chu Zhi Rou released Shi Zi Chu’s hand, her eyes flashing with challenge.
The Master’s tone had been clearly upset. Shi Zi Chu was done for!
With a victorious smile, Chu Zhi Rou walked confidently into the room.
Trying to scheme against her?
Shi Zi Chu smiled softly.
In the next moment, she grabbed Chu Zhi Rou by the hair, yanked her back with a slight force, and turned her around. With a swift motion, Shi Zi Chu slapped the innocent-looking, delicate face.
“Ah!”
Chu Zhi Rou stumbled to the ground, her cheek burning with the sting.
Shi Zi Chu, standing calmly, elegantly adjusted her flowing sleeves. Her face radiated gentle warmth as she smiled at the fallen girl.
Meeting Chu Zhi Rou’s venomous, angry glare, Shi Zi Chu’s smile only grew brighter, her voice laced with mock concern. “Oh no! Junior Sister Zhi Rou, why did you lose your balance and fall? Let me help you up.”