Chapter 29 p1
While Ming Jian Su was away, Feng Chiyue had been too busy to pay attention to anyone else. Chu Yi wasn’t that important. Faced with Ming Jian Su’s question, she simply said, “I don’t know.” She didn’t let Ming Jian Su change the subject. She used the jade ruyi to tease the loose collar of her robe, glaring at her. “I’m asking you.”
The cool jade against her skin sent shivers down Ming Jian Su’s spine. She took the ruyi away and frowned. “I don’t know what she’s thinking either. The Emperor’s Daughter has always been unpredictable,” she said.
“Oh,” Feng Chiyue said, melting into Ming Jian Su’s arms. “Just ignore her,” she said lazily. Ming Jian Su naturally agreed, but a hint of doubt lingered in her mind. The Emperor’s Daughter often bullied her junior sister. She wasn’t a good person. Why had her attitude changed so drastically? Who was she really interested in?
“Why are you distracted?” Feng Chiyue asked, sensitive to Ming Jian Su’s subtle shift in mood. She nibbled Ming Jian Su’s collarbone, leaving a red mark on her creamy skin.
“I’m not,” Ming Jian Su denied, her gaze fixed on Feng Chiyue. The faint light from the treasures and candles in the hall, combined with the moonlight streaming through the window, illuminated Feng Chiyue’s face, making her beauty even more breathtaking. Ming Jian Su tucked a few strands of hair behind Feng Chiyue’s ear and asked, “Did you miss me while I was gone, Junior Sister?”
“No,” Feng Chiyue snorted. “I was busy. I didn’t have time to miss you.” After Ming Jian Su left, one problem after another had crashed down on her like relentless waves. She hadn’t thought much about it before, but now, prompted by Ming Jian Su’s question, her anger grew. If Ming Jian Su hadn’t left without a word, she wouldn’t have had to suffer so much! Her eyes quickly reddened, tears welling up. The tears she hadn’t shed upon hearing of Ming Jian Su’s “death” now flowed freely, her expression pitiful.
Seeing this, Ming Jian Su panicked, her heart melting. She wiped Feng Chiyue’s tears and said soothingly, “It was all my fault. I won’t do it again.”
“Liar. Everyone’s bullying me,” Feng Chiyue complained, hitting Ming Jian Su lightly. “It’s your fault.”
Ming Jian Su withdrew her hand, replacing it with a series of soft kisses on Feng Chiyue’s face. Feng Chiyue hummed softly, clutching Ming Jian Su’s robe, passively accepting her affection. Her emotions were as fleeting as the wind. Her grievances vanished after a few tears. She found Ming Jian Su’s pace too slow and pushed her down, reversing their positions.
“Elder Sister, shouldn’t you make up for that missing month?” she asked.
Ming Jian Su: “…” She had her answer. Feng Chiyue did miss her, but she wasn’t sure if it was her as a person or just her body.
—
The next day.
Feng Chiyue still didn’t want to go to the Celestial Feather Ministry.
Now that her Elder Sister was back, why should she work herself to death?
But even if she didn’t move, Que Chen Yi thoughtfully brought a stack of documents to Dong’e Mountain, diligently reporting on the current situation in the Celestial Feather Ministry.
“The artifact from the Dragon Cauldron Palace has been installed in the Carriage Hall. It’s called ‘Celestial Feather Express.’”
“The Celestial Feather Hall has verified the population numbers of the various lineages and found significant discrepancies compared to the previous records. There are many unregistered ‘black households,’ but they’re still providing labor. The flow of funds is unclear.”
“Several lineages still haven’t reported their numbers.”
Que Chen Yi chattered incessantly.
Feng Chiyue covered her ears, not wanting to hear a single word.
Que Chen Yi: “…” She looked pleadingly at Ming Jian Su, who stood beside them, her presence as sharp as a sword. According to the Chaos Mirror, although the East Abode Master was cold and ruthless, she was also dedicated to her duties, a rare example of diligence in the Immortal Realm. Perhaps… the East Abode Master could persuade the Minister to actually do some work?
“There’s no point in investigating the unclear flow of funds,” Ming Jian Su said, her voice devoid of emotion. The Celestial Feather Ministry had been controlled by Danxue Mountain in the past. Where else could the funds have gone besides their pockets and the Heavenly Emperor’s? “Which lineages haven’t reported their numbers?” she asked.
Que Chen Yi, relieved that someone was taking charge, quickly listed several lineage names.
Ming Jian Su nodded, pondered for a moment, then summoned Undefeated. “Go,” she said.
Que Chen Yi was confused. “What’s this?” she asked cautiously.
Ming Jian Su replied calmly, as if it were obvious. “If they haven’t reported their numbers, it means their lineage is extinct. My sword will go pay its respects.”
Que Chen Yi: “???”
She finally understood who Feng Chiyue had learned from! Was the East Abode Master’s good reputation in the Immortal Realm due to her strength masking her flaws? Or had… the Minister been taking the blame for her? Que Chen Yi had a vivid imagination. She quickly painted Ming Jian Su as a villain, dropped the documents, made an excuse, and fled, as if chased by tigers and wolves.
As soon as Que Chen Yi left, Feng Chiyue uncovered her ears and asked casually, “What did she say?”
Immortals had sharp ears and eyes. How could she not have heard a single word? It was clear that her junior sister’s laziness was acting up again. Ming Jian Su was both amused and exasperated.
“The Celestial Feather Ministry is a mess, Junior Sister. Are you sure you want to take on this responsibility?” The Heavenly Mechanism Department managed the registry of the Immortal Realm, but only the section for Human Immortals was complete, as they ascended through the various heavenly gates. But Heavenly Immortals… if they didn’t report it themselves, who would know if they had children? It wasn’t just Human Immortals who disdained the Heavenly Court and chose to be wandering immortals. There were many Heavenly Immortals who did the same.
“No,” Feng Chiyue said without hesitation. It wasn’t her choice. The Star Monarch had forced her into this position. The Star Monarchs of the Immortal Realm were all villains, jealous of her carefree life. She tugged Ming Jian Su’s sleeve and asked curiously, “Why aren’t you on duty, Elder Sister?”
Ming Jian Su: “…”
After tasting freedom and ease, who would want to return to the drudgery of work?
“I resigned from some of my positions.”
“When?” Feng Chiyue asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Just now,” Ming Jian Su replied. The moment she said she had resigned, she had resigned.
“Will your salary be significantly reduced then?” Feng Chiyue asked with concern.
“I’m afraid you won’t be able to afford me.” Seeing Ming Jian Su’s puzzled expression, she added, “To support me.”
Ming Jian Su: “…”
Those were the shameless words of her beloved junior sister. What an ungrateful little wretch! Despite knowing Feng Chiyue’s nature, Ming Jian Su couldn’t help but laugh. She gritted her teeth and said, “Don’t worry. Even if I have to sell everything I own, I’ll still be able to support you.”
Feng Chiyue blinked. Had Dong’e Mountain already reached the point of selling everything they owned? She should have kept quiet about her debts. After all, time could heal all wounds.
Ming Jian Su’s decision to “resign and retire” wasn’t just talk. She took the time to visit the Heavenly Court. It only took two hours. When she returned, Feng Chiyue was gone!
“Master, perhaps Immortal Monarch Feng went to the Celestial Feather Ministry?” Zhu Wan said, not as worried as Ming Jian Su. After experiencing so much, she had learned to remain calm in the face of adversity.
“Impossible,” Ming Jian Su said, but she still went to the Celestial Feather Ministry to inquire. Que Chen Yi was busy running around, greeting the numerous feathered immortals who came and went, but none of them were Feng Chiyue.
For a moment, Ming Jian Su suspected that Jing De Immortal Monarch, Si Lu Star Monarch, or those feathered immortals from Danxue Mountain had done something. Her aura darkened, and she wanted to send those suspicious immortals to the cycle of reincarnation with Eternal Calamity. It was Zhu Wan who, steeling herself, persuaded her to wait a little longer.
In this short month, not only had Feng Chiyue become a stranger, but even her Master seemed like a different person, radiating a murderous aura. It was too much for her.
Ming Jian Su’s face was devoid of any warmth, her eyes filled with a bone-chilling killing intent. A month ago, when she had decided to leave the Immortal Realm for a while, she had believed that even if there were conflicts among the immortals, they wouldn’t escalate to life-or-death battles.
But the subsequent events had surprised her, especially Danxue Mountain’s audacity. In Heaven in a Pot, she could have persuaded Feng Chiyue to stop and minimize the damage, but she hadn’t. She had chosen to eliminate them all, erasing all traces of the ambush. She had spent many years training in the mortal realm and understood that when rules were useless, only absolute power could ensure justice.
She and Chang Li were both among the Four Generals of the Heavenly Court. Their relationship wasn’t particularly good or bad. But from now on, Danxue Mountain and Chang Li were her enemies.
It wasn’t until sunset that Feng Chiyue finally returned to Dong’e Mountain.
Before she could even catch her breath, Ming Jian Su appeared before her like a bolt of lightning, pulling her into a tight embrace, her grip so strong that it felt like she wanted to merge their bones and blood.
Feng Chiyue was always willing to be intimate with Ming Jian Su, but this wasn’t the right time. She had traveled a long distance and was exhausted. She pushed Ming Jian Su away and said, “Elder Sister, let me catch my breath.”
Ming Jian Su frowned, her face cold. “Where have you been? Did someone ambush you on the way?”
Feng Chiyue broke free from her embrace, her eyes sparkling with joy. She grabbed Ming Jian Su’s wrist and said excitedly, “Come with me.” Without waiting for a response, she dragged Ming Jian Su back to the Dharma Hall. She made a hand gesture, and a series of thuds echoed through the hall. Over ten Qiankun bags landed on the couch.
“Look!”
The openings of the bags loosened, and a dazzling multicolored light, brighter than the ornate decorations in the hall, filled Ming Jian Su’s vision. She had experienced her own moments of glory, but even then, she had never seen so many treasures, never been so wealthy. She gasped, her previous worries vanishing completely.
“Junior Sister, who did you rob?” she asked cautiously. With so many treasures, it couldn’t be just one person, right? Had she plundered the Heavenly Emperor’s treasury?
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