Chapter 330: Chapter 290: Yes, I Really Hate Him So Much

「The next morning, at the National Preceptor’s Mansion in the Zhou Royal Palace.」

Jiang Qingyi slowly opened her eyes.

The woman pushed herself up into a sitting position on the bed, a lock of hair brushing against her pale cheek.

As she gazed out the window, the sleepiness in her eyes gradually faded, leaving them clear.

After getting out of bed, changing her clothes, and washing up, Jiang Qingyi walked out of her room.

She sat in the courtyard, just as she always did, feeling the spring breeze as she stared blankly at the sky.

Here in the National Preceptor’s Mansion, not a single palace maid waited on Jiang Qingyi, mainly because she preferred to be alone.

Whether at the Wanjian Sect or in the National Preceptor’s Mansion, Jiang Qingyi would often sit like this for an entire day.

However, since coming to the Zhou Royal Palace, Jiang Qingyi found herself frequently wandering through the palace grounds.

When he practiced his sword, Jiang Qingyi would go to the Wendao Platform and often watch from the side.

It was just like three thousand years ago, when he used to watch her practice her sword.

The only difference was that three thousand years had passed, and she and he were no longer master and disciple.

"Sect Leader... you were looking for me..."

Just as Jiang Qingyi’s thoughts were drifting far away, the Sword Attendant Qiu Ye approached, saluting with her sword in her arms.

Jiang Qingyi had summoned Qiu Ye today.

"Mm," Jiang Qingyi nodded and said slowly,

"If things go as expected, the Zhou Kingdom’s empress investiture ceremony won’t be held for the time being. There’s no use for you and Elder Huang to stay here. You two should return first.

For the past thousand years, you have always been by my side, and you’ve handled many of the Wanjian Sect’s affairs.

After you return, you will act as the Sect Leader of the Wanjian Sect in my stead.

All matters will be managed by you. If there is anything major you are uncertain about, then you can come find me."

"..." Qiu Ye lowered her head, remaining silent.

"What is it? Is there a problem?" Jiang Qingyi turned her head to look at Qiu Ye.

Qiu Ye organized her thoughts, bit her lip, and slowly asked, "Sect Leader, are you truly not returning to the Wanjian Sect?"

"There are two troublesome women. I won’t be going back for now," Jiang Qingyi said, shaking her head.

"Women that even the Sect Leader finds troublesome?" Qiu Ye asked in surprise.

"Don’t ask what you shouldn’t," Jiang Qingyi glanced at Qiu Ye. "Besides, after you return to the Wanjian Sect this time, you need to do three things for me."

"Please speak, Sect Leader. I will do everything in my power."

"First, I want a Three Lives and Three Worlds Pill. This pill can only be refined by the Nine-tailed Country of the Demon Race’s World. Go find the sovereign of the Nine-tailed Country. Whatever conditions she demands, fulfill them if you can. If you can’t, send me a message by flying sword, and I will handle it. Do you understand?"

"I understand," Qiu Ye said with a nod.

But inwardly, Qiu Ye was muttering to herself. She fidgeted with her sleeve, and her downcast eyes darted from side to side, giving her the appearance of someone who wanted to speak but was hesitating.

Although Qiu Ye was a Sword Attendant, after following Jiang Qingyi for so many years, her perspective was far broader than that of an ordinary person.

This Three Lives and Three Worlds Pill could awaken all the memories of a person’s three lifetimes.

’The question is, whose memories does the Sect Leader want to awaken?’

’Could it be the Sovereign of Zhou’s?’

The more she thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.

’After all, the Sect Leader is so good to the Emperor of Zhou, even taking the initiative to enter the palace and become the National Master.’

’The Sect Leader even gave him a longsword she forged with her own hands!’

’But who exactly is the Sovereign of Zhou to the Sect Leader?’ 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

’Is he really that important to her?’

"Second, I need you to collect all records concerning Bai Ruxue, the Lord of the Four Seas. I want everything, whether it’s official history or anecdotal tales," Jiang Qingyi continued.

"And the last thing. I remember reading in an ancient text that for two hundred thousand years after the Ancient Times, all emperors of the Human Race were able to cultivate.

This period of two hundred thousand years was known as the Human Emperor Era.

During that time, there was an ancient kingdom, also called Qin.

The Ancient Qin Kingdom produced an Empress who brought a complete end to the Human Emperor Era. After her, no emperor of the Human Race could ever cultivate again.

I want you to find all the legends and records about that Empress, organize them, and bring them to me."

"Yes, Sect Leader."

Although Qiu Ye had no idea why the Sect Leader wanted historical materials on the Lord of the Four Seas and legends about the Empress of the Ancient Qin Kingdom, she could only do as she was told.

"Alright, you may go," Jiang Qingyi said faintly.

"Qiu Ye will not fail the trust you have placed in me, Sect Leader!" Qiu Ye gave a deep bow, cast a reluctant glance at her Sect Leader, and turned to leave.

After Qiu Ye left, Jiang Qingyi remained seated.

She looked toward the Wendao Platform and noticed that Xiao Mo wasn’t practicing his sword today. She didn’t know what he was doing.

He had promised to bring her an osmanthus cake, but noon passed, and he still hadn’t delivered it.

Without her realizing it, the sun gradually sank in the west. The evening glow faded, night fell, and still, Xiao Mo had not come.

’Hmph! Men!’

Just as Jiang Qingyi, now thoroughly annoyed, was about to go find Xiao Mo and ask him why he had broken his promise, a knock sounded at the gate of the National Preceptor’s Mansion.

"Enter!" Jiang Qingyi called out, her voice tinged with displeasure.

The mansion gate swung open.

Wei Xun respectfully handed a box the size of a millstone and a jar of wine to his liege.

Once Xiao Mo had stepped into the National Preceptor’s Mansion, Wei Xun quickly closed the gate behind him and hurried away, not daring to disturb them.

"I was beginning to think Your Majesty had forgotten," Jiang Qingyi said, turning her head to the side.

Knowing Fairy Jiang was likely upset, Xiao Mo smiled. "Since I made a promise to you, Fairy Jiang, I would naturally not forget it. It’s just that an osmanthus cake for you cannot be an ordinary one. That is why I am a little late. I hope you can forgive me, Fairy."

"How is it any different?" Jiang Qingyi still didn’t turn her head.

But in truth, the moment Xiao Mo had stepped into the courtyard, half of her anger had inexplicably vanished.

"I invited the most famous pastry chef in the Imperial City to personally teach me how to make this," Xiao Mo said with a smile, cutting a piece for Jiang Qingyi. "Care to try some, Fairy?"

"I’m sure it’s terrible," Jiang Qingyi said, but she took the osmanthus cake anyway and took a small bite.

"How is it?" Xiao Mo asked.

"It’s terrible," Jiang Qingyi said, turning her head away.

Xiao Mo: "..."

"But it’s barely edible, I suppose," Jiang Qingyi added, taking another bite.

Seeing her say one thing while meaning another, Xiao Mo chuckled, poured her a cup of wine, and sat down beside her.

The two of them ate the osmanthus cake and drank wine, gazing up at the vast expanse of stars.

Although they didn’t speak, there wasn’t the slightest feeling of awkwardness between them.

"Miss Jiang, are you very fond of osmanthus cakes?" Xiao Mo asked curiously after a long while.

"I don’t," Jiang Qingyi said. "But someone else liked them. I ate them with that person and gradually got used to the taste."

"This friend of yours, Fairy Jiang, what kind of person are they?" Xiao Mo asked, trying to make conversation.

"This person often acted without any regard for their appearance and couldn’t even take care of themselves properly. They were always thinking of others and never once for themselves. And they were a liar—the biggest liar in the world."

"It sounds like you don’t like him, Fairy Jiang?"

"Don’t like him...?"

Jiang Qingyi gazed at the stars in the night sky, her eyes shimmering faintly.

After a long moment, the woman retracted her gaze and turned her head, looking directly into Xiao Mo’s eyes.

"Yes, I really, truly hate him!"