Chapter 27: The Serpent Queen’s Threat
The Serpent Queen walked alone through the city streets, her two Serpent Guards following discreetly.
She looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar surroundings.
She often stood atop the highest point of the palace, overlooking her city, but she rarely walked among her people, experiencing their daily lives.
Using the information from the Serpent Guard who had been monitoring them, she easily found their location.
They were in a clothing store. As she reached the entrance, she saw Yun Xiu draping a dark robe over Yan Zhen’s shoulders, then, her hands on his shoulders, adjusting the garment, her beautiful face beaming with a sweet smile, drawing the attention of the other customers.
He stood there patiently, like a mannequin, allowing her to dress him.
Their intimate behavior made it clear they were a couple. And he was clearly younger than her, a classic “older woman, younger man” pairing, their height difference also quite noticeable. They were a perfect match.
“…”
A surge of jealousy, like a vat of aged vinegar overturned, filled her heart.
— She should be the one standing beside him, his lawfully wedded wife!
She clenched her fists, her slitted pupils filled with a sense of injustice, then turned and left without a word.
Yan Yan panicked.
Mother? Wait, don’t go!
She ignored her daughter’s plea, continuing to walk away.
…
Inside the store, they both sensed a familiar aura, turning towards the entrance, but they didn’t see anyone they recognized.
…
Yun Xiu purchased two new outfits for him, and he, in return, bought her a new dress. Then they left the store.
As soon as they stepped out, two women, their gazes sharp, approached them, flashing their identification tokens. “Serpent Guard Eight” and “Serpent Guard Nine.”
Yun Xiu immediately stepped in front of Yan Zhen, her expression wary.
She had noticed the Serpent Guards monitoring them, but they had kept their distance, seemingly only reporting their location. So she had ignored them.
But now they were confronting them directly…
“What do you want?”
The guards, however, didn’t attack.
“Her Majesty requests your presence. Please, come with us.”
She was startled, then she understood. The Serpent Queen was impatient.
He, however, was puzzled.
“Why does she want to see us?”
“Please ask Her Majesty directly. We are merely messengers.”
“Fine…”
He and Yun Xiu exchanged glances, then nodded, following the guards to a teahouse on the next street.
…
The guards opened the door to a private room on the top floor, gesturing for them to enter, then closed the door, standing guard outside.
…
Inside the room, the Serpent Queen, dressed in a long, crimson dress, sat gracefully at a low table, preparing tea.
Her veil was gone, her beautiful face calm and composed, her lips pressed together in a thin line.
She looked up as they entered, her voice indifferent.
“Sit.”
They were both puzzled. Why had she come here in disguise, requesting a meeting in such a place?
Her face was powdered, her lips painted, her hair adorned with ornate and expensive hairpins, her dress elegant and striking… Yun Xiu instantly recognized that she had dressed up, and it didn’t take a genius to figure out who she had dressed up for.
Yun Xiu felt a surge of unease, her hand tightening around his.
He, however, didn’t think much of it, simply finding her more beautiful in this attire than in her usual queenly garb, her mature charm alluring. He wanted to call her…
“Wife!”
But that was for the future. Now, she was simply the ruler of the Water City, the Serpent Queen, a powerful Ninth Star Mystic Lord. Anyone who disrespected her would likely end up dead.
…
The atmosphere in the room was tense. No one spoke. She continued preparing the tea, while they watched her.
The hot water, poured over the tea leaves, released a fragrant aroma, filling the room, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.
She poured them each a cup, then one for herself.
“Try it. See how my tea-making skills are.”
They each took a sip, their eyes widening in surprise.
“Excellent tea~” Yun Xiu sighed. “Its fragrance is refreshing, its taste mellow, its texture smooth, its aftertaste lingering. Truly a masterpiece.”
How does Yun Xiu know so much about tea? He blinked, impressed, then also praised her tea-making skills.
“Mmm, it’s delicious! I didn’t know you were so skilled at this, Your Majesty.”
She looked at him strangely. Didn’t you drink enough of my tea in our past life? And you always gulped it down like a barbarian, never appreciating its subtleties. Now you’re pretending to be a connoisseur?
“It’s just a minor skill.” She fixed her gaze on him. “I learned it to… calm my mind… when dealing with… irritating people.”
— Is she referring to me? Probably not.
He tried to appear innocent.
Yun Xiu set down her cup.
“You didn’t ask us here just to serve us tea, did you, Your Majesty?”
She also set down her cup, her slitted pupils fixed on Yun Xiu, as if trying to see through her.
“The Cloud Heaven Sword Immortal of the Gallo Kingdom… becoming lovers with an unknown boy… how surprising. I wonder how Cloud Heaven Palace would react if they knew.”
— Uh… is she threatening us right off the bat? That’s not good…
He felt a bit speechless.
Yun Xiu frowned.
“This is my personal matter. It’s none of your concern, Your Majesty.”
The Serpent Queen smirked.
“I’d like to make a deal with you, Palace Master Yun.”
“A deal?”
“If I’m not mistaken, the Sand Scorpion army will be attacking soon. I’d like you to assist us, to help us fight the Crimson Sand Scorpion King.”
“And if I refuse?”
“Then… your… affair… will become public knowledge. Not only will Cloud Heaven Palace’s reputation be ruined, but your little lover will also face… retribution.”
“You–”
Yun Xiu hadn’t expected her to be so shameless, using Yan Zhen as leverage even after being reborn.
“And… I also know that this little lover of yours… is actually your disciple’s fiancé, isn’t he?” The Serpent Queen’s tone was mocking. “A master stealing her disciple’s man… how… interesting.”
Her words struck a nerve, silencing Yun Xiu.
After Cloud Heaven Palace’s destruction in her previous life, she and Huangfu Wenqing had relied on each other, their bond deepening. For her, there were only two important people in the world: Yan Zhen and Huangfu Wenqing.
After being reborn, she had intended to be their guardian, their elder, but under Jiu Youyue’s influence, she had somehow become… this. She had always felt uneasy about it.
“Yun Xiu…”
“It’s fine.” She shook her head, then, after a moment of hesitation, said, “Yan Zhen, wait outside. I need to talk to Her Majesty… alone.”
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