48. Are You Close with Miss Yan?
It was Yan Chuyue who healed the Grand Elder of the Heartflame Empire in the novel.
This marked the beginning of the female protagonist’s rise to prominence.
However, given Yan Chuyue’s current status and reputation, it was practically impossible for her to treat someone of the Grand Elder’s standing.
Therefore, in the novel, the Grand Elder was tormented by the Myriad Souls Heart Erosion Finger, his cultivation almost completely crippled.
When he was on the verge of death, during the year-end sacrificial ceremony, Yan Chuyue made a bet with the First Prince, the wager being the Grand Elder’s treatment.
Yan Chuyue succeeded, gaining fame in a single stroke.
Unfortunately, the Heartflame Empire was plagued by internal conflicts at the time, and the First Prince, colluding with the demonic sects, later launched a rebellion.
In the end, to repay Yan Chuyue’s kindness, Shangguan Ziyuan sacrificed herself, taking a fatal blow for her. The Grand Elder also perished, taking the corrupted prince and the mastermind down with him.
Hundreds of loyal imperial guards also fought to their last breath.
Brave warriors, defending their home and country, unafraid of death.
But after this battle, the Heartflame Empire, although still one of the Four Heavenly Kingdoms, was greatly weakened. Later, Gong Yiling would massacre the entire royal family.
Yes, it was her, her, and her.
The one who almost single-handedly destroyed the Heartflame Empire was Gong Yiling.
So, Yan Chuyue’s confrontation with Gong Yiling was partly due to this.
However, that was the original plot.
She had no intention of causing trouble for the Heartflame Empire now. Besides, she could advance Daoist Huaiyuan’s treatment by a whole year.
This way, when the First Prince rebelled, Daoist Huaiyuan would have recovered much of his strength, preventing the chaotic situation.
Of course, this was all based on the premise that the princess would believe her.
“Yan Chuyue… General Yan’s daughter?”
Shangguan Ziyuan had indeed heard of this name.
When General Yan was still alive, he had brought Yan Chuyue to the palace, and they had met once.
However, after the general’s death, all the news about the girl was negative, and she gradually lost interest.
Unexpectedly… she would hear this name again here?
Shangguan Ziyuan frowned, then looked at her guards and dismissed them with a wave of her hand.
Then, she asked, puzzled, “Why can Yan Chuyue cure my master’s illness?”
“If you sincerely seek her help, you will naturally understand that I’m not joking,” Miss Gong said mysteriously. “As for why, everyone has their secrets. Doesn’t the Fifth Princess have any?”
Hearing this, Shangguan Ziyuan was startled…
Did this girl know?
But that shouldn’t be possible. Only her father and her master knew about that matter. She had never mentioned it to anyone else.
How did this senior know…?
“Don’t mind me, Fifth Princess. I was just speaking casually.”
Noticing the subtle change in Shangguan Ziyuan’s expression, Gong Yiling didn’t press the matter, dispelling her doubts with a simple sentence.
“If you still intend to find a cure for the Myriad Souls Heart Erosion Finger in this secret realm, please do as you wish.”
“When you decide to seek Yan Chuyue’s help, just mention that someone with two disciples recommended her.”
After a moment of thought, Shangguan Ziyuan nodded. “I wish to obtain something from this secret realm. After that, I will seek Miss Chuyue.”
“If she can truly cure my master, I will forever remember your guidance, Senior.”
“You’re welcome.”
Gong Yiling was always willing to help those she favored.
Whether it was Daoist Huaiyuan or Shangguan Ziyuan, from a reader’s perspective, she didn’t want them to die the same way.
If she could save them, her rebirth in this world wouldn’t be in vain.
Before leaving, Shangguan Ziyuan added,
“The Hehuan Sect seems to harbor ill intentions towards you, Senior. Please be careful.”
“I’m aware.”
“Then Ziyuan will take her leave.”
Shangguan Ziyuan called back her guards and left in a different direction.
“Um…”
After the princess left, Qiu Shui suddenly asked, “Master… are you… close with Miss Yan?”
“Close?” Gong Yiling didn’t understand why Qiu Shui would ask this.
But if you had to say they were close… they were very close. Wasn’t a reader always close to the protagonist?
“I guess… a little bit,” Gong Yiling finally settled on a vague answer.
“Oh…” Qiu Shui unconsciously displayed a hint of girlish behavior—she stuck out her tongue slightly.
“Why would you ask such a question?”
“Because…”
Because why? Qiu Shui herself wasn’t sure.
Perhaps it was an instinctive reaction, a feeling akin to jealousy towards a woman who seemed close to her master.
But it wasn’t jealousy, more like… curiosity?
But it was slightly more complicated than mere curiosity.
Ahhhhh… it was hard to describe.
Qiu Shui shook her head and asked seriously, “Because I’m curious.”
“Really just curious?”
“Yes! Curious!”
“What’s there to be curious about?” Gong Yiling smiled and ruffled her hair. “Alright, before we enter, Qiu Shui, get some rest. You didn’t listen to me earlier, did you? You kept cultivating, didn’t you?”
“Yes…”
“I know you’re talented, but you need to balance work and rest. Or should we find a place to take another bath?”
“Wha!?”
Hearing this, Qiu Shui immediately recalled the events from a few days ago.
Those scenes wouldn’t fade from her memory anytime soon, and every time she thought about them, her face would flush.
“If you don’t want to, then go to sleep.” Gong Yiling glanced at the people still trying to break the outer seal. “At their pace, it will take a few more hours. Use this opportunity to get some rest, don’t think about anything.”
“Okay…”
Although she agreed, actually…
When Gong Yiling said “If you don’t want to, then go to sleep,” she instinctively wanted to say “I do.”
But she couldn’t… at least, she shouldn’t…
So, after agreeing, she whispered softly, “I do.”
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