Chapter 406: The Spurned Long Qingyue (3^rd Update)

However, little did Gu Xiangsi know that she would beat herself up for sending that carrier pigeon two hundred years later…

Ye Wenxin remained completely unaware of all this. The emergence of the jiangshi army made everyone even busier. By the time she realized what was happening, she had already spent another three days with Xiao Zhang.

After sending Xiao Zhang, Long Qingyue disappeared again. It wasn’t until the fifth day, when everyone gathered to encircle and eliminate the jiangshi army, that Ye Wenxin saw Long Qingyue once more.

Long Qingyue was dressed in an exquisite outfit that was simple and elegant, yet unable to conceal her inherent nobility. She was as majestic as a tree peony, smiling in a way that made it impossible to discern the deeper emotions hidden in her eyes. To everyone, the legendary Eldest Princess Long Qingyue evoked a sense of reverence.

“Your Highness, I hope everything is well with you?” Seeing that everyone else had greeted Long Qingyue, Ye Wenxin could only muster up the courage to approach and engage in the simplest of exchanges.

In public, their relationship was only slightly more than ordinary, so Ye Wenxin couldn’t bring herself to call her Yue’er.

Long Qingyue smiled lightly and said, “It is, thanks to you. And you?”

Ye Wenxin nodded. “I’m well too. I really appreciate Your Highness bringing Xiao Zhang; otherwise, I wouldn’t have known what to do.”

Upon hearing this, Long Qingyue’s pupils narrowed slightly. In that instant, Ye Wenxin saw a blood-red lion aura emanating from Long Qingyue, as if she were trying to forcibly extract her memories.

Ye Wenxin had suspected that Long Qingyue wouldn’t follow the usual patterns, but this sudden unexpected shift nearly resulted in her memory being seen.

Ye Wenxin took a small step back, steadied herself, and gave Long Qingyue a faint smile. Long Qingyue, realizing she couldn’t act against Ye Wenxin for the moment, continued, “Xiao Zhang, come here.”

Ye Wenxin was relieved, thinking she had once again avoided Long Qingyue’s probing. Over the past few days, she had been constantly working alongside Xiao Zhang, with no time for any romantic pursuits. Even if Long Qingyue read Xiao Zhang’s memories, she wouldn’t find anything noteworthy.

Xiao Zhang very obediently stepped forward at the command. She felt a momentary daze, and in the next second, Long Qingyue had accessed the memories of Xiao Zhang with Ye Wenxin from the past few days. Her expression turned peculiar, but with so many people around, she refrained from asking directly.

However, one thing was certain: Long Qingyue now knew that Ye Wenxin was not a casual person. Ye Wenxin had hoped that these memories would improve her image in Long Qingyue’s eyes, but was surprised when Long Qingyue suddenly said to Xiao Zhang:

“Your efforts are insufficient.”

Xiao Zhang was taken aback. She didn’t know that Long Qingyue could read minds, let alone memories. Hearing Long Qingyue’s sudden comment, she really didn’t understand her meaning and could only humbly seek clarification.

“Your subordinate is dim-witted. Please enlighten me, Your Highness.”

“If you do not put in the effort, there will be no place for you in anyone’s heart,” Long Qingyue said cryptically while adjusting her sleeves.

Xiao Zhang understood Long Qingyue’s meaning with just that one sentence, but her expression was filled with confusion. She couldn’t fathom why Long Qingyue, who had always been indifferent to her subordinates’ personal lives, suddenly took an interest in matters concerning her and Ye Wenxin.

However, Long Qingyue’s unexpected concern made Xiao Zhang even more cautious, feeling that there might be some hidden motives at play.

“Your subordinate dares to ask, why does Your Highness help me?”

Long Qingyue’s response was straightforward and simple: “I am just bored. Is this answer satisfactory?”

Xiao Zhang listened with a wry smile, feeling even more intimidated by Long Qingyue and reluctant to have any notions about Ye Wenxin. Although Long Qingyue didn’t say much or show any unusual behavior, Xiao Zhang could sense that Long Qingyue had a certain peculiar interest in Ye Wenxin.

If Ye Wenxin were not the child born from Long Qingyue and Demon Lord Gu Qingcheng’s dual cultivation, Xiao Zhang only had one more daring speculation. She imagined that Long Qingyue, unable to win the Demon Lord’s affections, might be using Ye Wenxin as a substitute, and employing Xiao Zhang as a tool in her schemes.

Long Qingyue had nearly scared away the affection Xiao Zhang had finally evoked within Ye Wenxin.

“I have a hobby. I enjoy seeing lovers eventually come together.” Long Qingyue easily heard the protests in Xiao Zhang’s mind. She showed a hint of displeasure, but soon adjusted her mood with a gentle adjustment of her sleeves. Long Qingyue was perplexed as to why her concern for Ye Wenxin, had turned into her harboring intentions for Ye Wenxin.

She and Ye Wenxin were originally mere bystanders in this world. Ye Wenxin had become an active participant, and Long Qingyue had tolerated that. However, Long Qingyue could not accept that Ye Wenxin didn’t follow the script she had set. Instead of the person she had chosen for her, Ye Wenxin settled for a ghost with a bad temper.

The image of Ghost Mother’s provocation replayed in Long Qingyue’s mind, further fueling her anger. It almost caused the surrounding animals to lose control again. But she reacted quickly and looked at Xiao Zhang’s face. Instead of showing gratitude, Xiao Zhang appeared incredulous about Long Qingyue’s words.

For the first time, Long Qingyue began to doubt if she had made some mistake in her approach. She used her mind-reading ability once more and heard Xiao Zhang’s inner thoughts.

Not only did Xiao Zhang doubt Long Qingyue’s sincerity, but she also questioned whether Long Qingyue had ulterior motives.

Everyone knew that Ye Wenxin didn’t love Xiao Zhang; their relationship was merely one of allies. However, if Xiao Zhang continued to press the issue, Ye Wenxin might get fed up with her. In such a scenario, Long Qingyue could take advantage of the situation and win Ye Wenxin’s favor more easily.

Xiao Zhang’s petty thoughts surprised Long Qingyue. Xiao Zhang had completely misunderstood her good intentions. Yet, on second thought, she had done many similar things before. Nevertheless, all these stories usually ended with lovers becoming brothers and sisters instead…

Long Qingyue silently fiddled with her sleeve, and didn’t attempt to explain further to Xiao Zhang. Given Long Qingyue’s usual behavior, she suspected that even if she did explain, Xiao Zhang might not believe her.

Reflecting on it, Long Qingyue recalled a similar incident from long ago. It was something so minor that she had almost completely forgotten about it. However, connecting it to the current Jiangshi King, her resentment toward Gu Qingcheng, and those final words, she finally realized that the root cause of the jiangshi king’s appearance wasn’t Gu Qingcheng but rather herself.

This incident had occurred after Long Qingyue and the Demon Lord went their separate ways. Due to her striking appearance and lack of self-defense skills, Long Qingyue had disguised herself in men’s clothing and roamed various places.

She was searching for women more beautiful than Demon Lord Gu Qingcheng, wanting to know the limit of what this world had to offer.