Chapter 202
Chapter 202: Seeking Daoist Shi’s Forgiveness
As Shi Zi Chu stepped out, holding two books from her spatial storage ring, the protective array at the main gate was triggered.
Leaning lazily on a beauty couch, Shi Zi Chu expanded her spiritual sense and saw Ye Qing Zi’s figure, a mocking smile curving at her lips.
The main hill was silent, save for the sound of the frail Ye Qing Zi being helped by a maid.
A sickly beauty, so pitiful she was almost heartbreaking.
Ye Qing Zi cast a glance at the empty main hill, her eyes briefly flickering with irritation.
“Elder Ye, why didn’t you inform me of your visit beforehand?” A soft, gentle voice asked, tinged with friendliness.
Ye Qing Zi turned her gaze, spotting Shi Zi Chu slowly descending the stairs in a flowing pale purple gown. Her long hair cascaded like a waterfall down her back, her demeanor both relaxed and regal.
Shi Zi Chu walked straight to the main seat, and after a moment, she moved her hair to the front to avoid it trailing on the floor.
“Please, Elder Ye, take a seat.”
Ye Qing Zi sat with all the grace and poise of a noble lady, while Shi Zi Chu sat with her legs casually crossed, resting her elbow on the armrest, her fingers gently propping up her chin.
“I assume Master sent me back before visiting the Ye Clan again. How is Elder Ye Cheng?” Shi Zi Chu asked, her smile full of playful provocation.
Trying her best to maintain her dignified appearance, Ye Qing Zi’s composure cracked under the weight of Shi Zi Chu’s teasing.
She clenched her teeth, nearly biting through them in frustration.
“Daoist Shi! My father may be weak, but he is still an elder of the Ye Clan, a cultivator at the great ascension stage!” Ye Qing Zi’s voice was icy with barely restrained fury. “Remember to leave room for reconciliation, so we may meet again in peace.”
Shi Zi Chu smiled as she supported her cheek with her hand, her delicate features giving nothing away. Beneath her gentle exterior, however, a touch of mockery sparkled in her eyes.
She only believed in one thing: cut the weeds down by the root, for if you leave even the smallest trace, they will grow back with the wind.
“Before you came here, Elder Ye should have spoken with Nan Rong Wen Jin,” Shi Zi Chu remarked, her voice sweet but her eyes sharp with hidden meaning.
Ye Qing Zi was taken aback, confused as to why Shi Zi Chu would suddenly bring up Nan Rong Wen Jin. Her face grew even more rigid, and her tone grew colder. “Daoist Shi, you are indeed a clever one.”
Shi Zi Chu had expected Ye Qing Zi to be sharp, but after their conversation, she was thoroughly disappointed. Since she was not sharp, it was time to get straight to the point.
“Elder Ye is trying to take advantage of the chaos to become the Clan Chief’s madam. What do you think Clan Chief Ye will do?” Shi Zi Chu asked, the mockery in her voice evident.
Ye Qing Zi’s expression darkened immediately, the color draining from her face as her pulse quickened. Shi Zi Chu watched with satisfaction, as though seeing a clown dance before her.
“Do you think Clan Chief Ye will take this opportunity to eliminate all threats?” Shi Zi Chu continued, her voice full of warmth, yet carrying a cruel edge.
It seemed that Ye Qing Zi had finally realized what kind of danger she was in.
The Clan Chief was nothing less than a snake in the skin of a gentle scholar, charming and reserved on the surface, but with a venomous heart capable of revenge at the slightest provocation.
Seeing Ye Qing Zi now visibly uncomfortable, Shi Zi Chu’s tone turned even more biting. “Elder Ye, you attempted to harm me before, and now you still come here acting so arrogantly. This is not the posture of someone apologizing.”
Ye Qing Zi realized, with an icy shiver down her spine, just how serious her situation was. She could see in Shi Zi Chu’s expression a reflection of the Clan Chief—calm, calculating, and with an arrogance that seemed to control everything.
A terrifying realization struck her, and without warning, she jumped to her feet.
“You…”
Shi Zi Chu raised a delicate eyebrow, enjoying the spectacle with amusement.
With a “thud,” Ye Qing Zi, fully aware of her precarious position, knelt in front of Shi Zi Chu, her voice full of sincerity as she spoke: “It was my ignorance. Please forgive me, Daoist Shi.”
She handed over a storage pouch with both hands. “Please, Daoist Shi, forgive me.”
Shi Zi Chu’s lips curled into a smile. Compared to Chu Zhi Rou, Ye Qing Zi was far more flexible and willing to lower her pride.
“Since Elder Ye is so sincere, I shall not hold grudges,” Shi Zi Chu said with a smile. “I forgive you, Elder Ye. Please, rise.”
Ye Qing Zi was unsure whether Shi Zi Chu was truly forgiving her or just toying with her. As she looked up, she saw Shi Zi Chu’s face—radiating sweetness, her eyes sparkling with what seemed like genuine forgiveness.
After a brief hesitation, Ye Qing Zi slowly stood.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed from outside.
“Elder Ye, what brings you here?” A soft and elegant voice caused Ye Qing Zi’s back to stiffen.
She didn’t need to look back to know who had arrived.
Ye He Qi entered, bypassing Ye Qing Zi and directly sitting in the seat beside Shi Zi Chu.
Ye Qing Zi’s eyes widened as she saw him. Her pupils constricted in shock.
“Elder Ye has come to ask for forgiveness,” Shi Zi Chu said, her smile widening as she glanced at Ye He Qi. “I assume you have finished dealing with matters at the Ye Clan?”
“Madam is well-informed even when staying indoors,” Ye He Qi teased, his tone light and flirtatious.
Realization hit Ye Qing Zi like a thunderclap—Shi Zi Chu and the Clan Chief were allies!
The Clan Chief would never let her father off, and Shi Zi Chu would never forgive her either. Everything up to this point had been a cruel game.
With this realization, Ye Qing Zi, unable to confront the humiliating situation, squeezed out a strained smile, one that was more painful than crying. “Clan Chief, Madam, I shall take my leave.”
Before either Ye He Qi or Shi Zi Chu could speak, Ye Qing Zi quickly left with the maid, her steps hurried and fraught with disgrace.
Shi Zi Chu chuckled softly to herself.
With the outsider dealt with, it was time to address the lingering issues from the night before.
Ye He Qi, unhurried, rolled up his sleeve. “Madam, don’t be too smug just yet. Come, look at your handiwork.”
A few dark, bloody bite marks marred his well-defined arm.
Shi Zi Chu glanced at them briefly before turning her gaze away, her voice soft and unapologetic. “Husband, you must understand, I was in too much pain at the time to think clearly.”
“Wasn’t it Madam who wanted me to understand your pain?” Ye He Qi responded, a teasing smile curling at the corners of his lips.
His calm tone belied the fact that even Venerable Xing Lan had not escaped her sharp teeth.
Shi Zi Chu feigned offense, “How could you think such a thing of me?”
So what if she had done it on purpose? As long as she didn’t admit it, Ye He Qi could do nothing about it.
Ye He Qi extended his hand gracefully. “Since Madam has caused me such trouble, I expect some compensation.”
“None,” Shi Zi Chu snapped, her neck stiffening, as if offering her life in exchange for the lack of compensation.
Unsurprised, Ye He Qi flipped his fingers and produced a few folded sheets of paper.
Shi Zi Chu’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as she eyed the papers.
“These will surely pique Madam’s interest,” Ye He Qi said, a confident smile on his lips.
After thinking for a moment, Shi Zi Chu placed two heaven-ranked magic artifacts on the table.
Ye He Qi shook his head with a smile, as if to say, “Is this all you have?”
With a pained expression, Shi Zi Chu added a third heaven-ranked magic artifact to the pile.
“Madam, are you like a pixiu? Always wanting more?” Ye He Qi teased.
Shi Zi Chu clicked her tongue, then swiftly snatched the papers from his fingers.
The sheets unfolded in her hands, and her playful expression became far more serious.
Ye He Qi carefully put away the three magic artifacts and spoke. “In the candy shop, there’s an image recording stone. Though we didn’t catch Chu Zhi Rou poisoning someone on film, it’s clear she had a hand in it.”
Shi Zi Chu nodded, her attention fully focused on the papers in front of her.