Chapter 157: Is this Still a Human?

Fairy Fengya: Zhu Ling, why do I suddenly feel like punching Ye Wenxin?

Zhu Ling: Congratulations, Mistress; it seems you’ve taken the first step into the Tribulations of Emotions.

Fairy Fengya naturally did not believe Zhu Ling’s nonsense. Sometimes this necklace pretended to understand, but if it were not for Zhu Ling, perhaps Fairy Fengya would have starved to death in the wilderness over a decade ago.

Not to mention her achievements today.

It was useless to confide her frustrations in Granny Zhu Ling. Fairy Fengya continued forward, still able to hear the faint sigh.

“Is this still a human?”

Fairy Fengya was taken aback. She had long lost track of the answer to this question. But she… wanted to become immortal…

The night was not over yet. Meanwhile, lights were still on in Long Qingyue’s room.

Xiao Zhang accompanied Long Qingyue respectfully, constantly tense, as if she could die at any moment.

In Long Qingyue’s hand was a small piece of parchment; as she read its contents, she only showed her usual smile, but Xiao Zhang’s nervousness intensified.

They said accompanying a sovereign was like accompanying a tiger, but Long Qingyue gave the impression of being the dragon that was her family’s namesake, able to control the situation effortlessly.

“Still going to kill, huh?”

Xiao Zhang lowered her head even more, her mind whirling, until she saw the fair hand extend the note to her.

“This Subordinate does not dare, Your Highness.”

“What’s there to fear? I’m just sharing a little story with you.” Long Qingyue smiled gently, maintained her posture, showing no intention of retracting her hand.

Hearing Long Qingyue’s words, Xiao Zhang reluctantly reached out to take the note, her fingers trembling even more when she read its contents.

“Tell me: should this person be killed or not?” Long Qingyue’s tone was casual, as if discussing a trivial matter, but seeing the note’s contents, a chill ran down Xiao Zhong’s spine.

She knew it was not an ordinary note, but she did not expect that, in the distant Azure Wings Sect, Long Qingyue would casually eliminate the prime minister, the second highest-ranking official who ruled over tens of thousands.

The situation in the Golden Age Dynasty had changed again, yet Long Qingyue seemed so relaxed. Xiao Zhang became increasingly puzzled as she looked, but she kept her head down, not daring to judge Long Qingyue’s words and actions rashly.

She was the true master of the Secret Guard and the greatest ruler of the Golden Age Dynasty.

If Long Qingyue had not been reluctant to become the Empress, the dynasty would probably have changed hands long ago.

“How boring. It’s more interesting to chat with her.” Long Qingyue shook her head in disappointment, arousing Xiao Zhang’s curiosity.

“Eldest Princess, are you talking about the Demon Lord?” Xiao Zhang could not help but ask. Everyone knew that Eldest Princess Long Qingyue was on good terms with Demon Lord Gu Qingcheng. But this year, Long Qingyue had left the palace for the first time, as if she had forgotten about the Demon Lord’s existence.

“Hehe, yes.” Long Qingyue smiled, and there was a hint of emotion in her eyes, as if she could not fully control that feeling from leaking outward.

“I heard that the Demon Lord has been missing for a long time. Does Your Highness need me to…” Xiao Zhang continued to ask for Long Qingyue’s opinion, having heard rumors about Demon Lord Gu Qingcheng.

She had never seen the legendary Demon Lord before, only heard of her beauty, which seemed to surpass even Long Qingyue’s.

“She’s already here.” Long Qingyu’s eyes filled with intrigue as she looked at Xiao Zhang. Those eyes were as beautiful as ever, as if they could see through everything in the world.

Xiao Zhang felt a tingling sensation from being stared, not realizing that Long Qingyue was actually trying hard to restrain her curiosity.

She wanted to ask Xiao Zhang how it felt to like the Demon Lord, that silly melon, but instantly remembered Liu Churan and too many other women who liked Ye Wenxin. She felt like she had been too mean.

She knew how popular her friend was, but she never told her about it.

Thinking about it, perhaps her friend also knew how popular she was. Long Qingyue’s lips curled into a smile, suddenly wanting to go out and see Ye Wenxin’s current residence, listen to her talk about what had happened during the past year of her disappearance. But after looking at the wheelchair she was sitting in, she ultimately gave up.

She was still the Eldest Princess Long Qingyue, not the Cuihua¹ who accompanied Gu Qingcheng on adventures in the Martial World.

As if realizing how boring Long Qingyue’s life was, a Secret Guard’s voice came from outside the door: “Your Highness, there’s a woman outside seeking an audience.”

At first, Long Qingyue felt a sense of excitement, but upon using her Divine Sense to probe, she discovered that the person outside was not Ye Wenxin, which slightly disappointed her, and she furrowed her brow.

“Let her in.”

The Secret Guard did not leave, hesitating to speak.

“Come in and speak.” Long Qingyue immediately picked up the Secret Guard’s meaning. The Secret Guard cautiously pushed open the door and approached Long Qingyue, reporting the situation.

Long Qingyue’s eyes showed a hint of surprise, then she said, “Let her in.”

The Secret Guard immediately left, and soon, a graceful woman walked in. She was dressed like an Azure Wings Sect disciple, and turned out to be Su Mei.

Su Mei, currently replacing Ye Wenxin as the antagonist, was dressed meticulously to meet Long Qingyue. Seeing the idol she had always dreamed of, she respectfully kneeled down.

“Greetings, Your Highness, the Eldest Princess.”

“Speak; what is it?” Long Qingyue did not put down the book in her hand, only casting a sidelong glance at the woman before her.

She had naturally heard the conversation between Ye Wenxin and Su Mei yesterday, but she had not expected this woman to be much more ordinary than she had imagined. Long Qingyue felt somewhat disappointed, but she did not show it.

Su Mei’s heart was still in turmoil as she felt Long Qingyue’s gaze upon her. Nervous, she forgot some of her words. She had rehearsed this moment countless times in her mind, but now, in the presence of Long Qingyue’s formidable aura, she found herself at a loss.

Long Qingyue glanced at Xiao Zhang beside her, who immediately understood and lowered her voice to say, “Miss, if you have no important matters to discuss, please leave.”

Su Mei found this cold voice strangely familiar but could not place where she had heard it before. Seeing Xiao Zhang beginning to dismiss her, she quickly spoke up, “Of course I do!”

Her voice was somewhat loud, even noisy, to Long Qingyue’s ears.

Su Mei, feeling her own lapse, continued somewhat awkwardly, “Your Highness, the Eldest Princess, may I rise?”

“Just stay kneeling.” Long Qingyue’s voice grew colder, and any trace of interest that had arisen just moments before vanished completely with Su Mei’s terrible performance.

“Your Highness, the Eldest Princess, I have come to pledge my allegiance to you,” Su Mei finally stated her purpose, her face filled with determination to pledge her life, and the belief that her sincerity would move Long Qingyue.

However, Long Qingyue remained expressionless, starting to find this situation rather dull. She waved her hand at Xiao Zhang.

“Miss, please leave.” Xiao Zhang beckoned, and immediately, a coercive pressure filled the room. Su Mei staggered back three steps, spitting out blood, but stubbornly remained kneeling.

“Your Highness, I have an Iceborn Constitution,” Su Mei blurted out her biggest secret in desperation, hoping to gain Long Qingyue’s favor.

Originally, Su Mei had used her Iceborn Constitution as a lifeline, but realizing that her eloquence and her existence were utterly insignificant in front of Long Qingyue, her only advantage was her Iceborn Constitution.

Long Qingyue paused, her expression unchanged, but it was evident that this gift had sparked a bit of interest in her.

Xiao Zhang, however, was slightly surprised. She remembered that Ye Wenxin had mentioned her Iceborn Constitution. But there was another person with the same ability, making Xiao Zhang wonder if the Iceborn Constitution was as common as cabbages.

Regardless, as a subordinate, she remained silent.

“Oh, an Iceborn Constitution,” Long Qingyue repeated, hinting at Xiao Zhang to bring Su Mei forward.

Su Mei was overjoyed. The legendary Long Qingyue got closer and closer to her. The more she thought about it, the more excited she became, until she saw Long Qingyue’s gorgeous face up close.

Such refined beauty, made the somewhat pretty Su Mei feel like an ugly duckling in comparison. She felt ashamed, even thinking that her makeup was an insult to Long Qingyue. But when she thought that she could become one of Long Qingyue’s subordinates, Su Mei felt a hint of jubilance.

“Extend your hand,” Long Qingyue continued, her tone flat but with an undeniable command.

Su Mei immediately complied, extending her wrist, revealing her true appearance under the fair makeup. Long Qingyue infused some Qi and probed a bit, then shook her head in disappointment.

“Just a low-grade one, not worth it.” Her disappointment was genuine.

Compared to Ye Wenxin’s Iceborn Constitution, Su Mei’s was far inferior and not enough to pique Long Qingyue’s interest.

“Your Highness, the constitution can be improved and my body is still intact. I will definitely make something of myself,” Su Mei pleaded anxiously, bowing her head in earnest. She knew this was her best and last chance.

If she did not win Long Qingyue’s approval at all costs, she would lose her greatest reliance and ultimately become nothing more than a plaything for the wealthy.

Recalling the various troubles caused by her Iceborn Constitution, Su Mei begged Long Qingyue desperately for a chance at redemption.

Long Qingyue paused, but seemed to have lost her patience; after some thought, she said to Xiao Zhang, “Ask which Secret Guard hasn’t settled down yet and arrange for this woman to be taken care of.”

Su Mei’s heart sank. She knew that Long Qingyue was not as simple as she appeared on the surface, but she did not expect her to be so ruthless. Su Mei trembled and still, plucked up the courage to plead, “My current strength is not enough, and my body cannot be touched. I beg Your Highness to give me a chance.”

“A chance? If I give a chance, to someone with a low-grade Iceborn Constitution like you, how can my Secret Guards operate?” Long Qingyue turned away, deliberately mocking Su Mei, just to make her realize that her so-called pride was worthless in her eyes.

If Su Mei had a high-grade Iceborn Constitution like Ye Wenxin, perhaps Long Qingyue would have been willing to discuss with her. However, this was not the case, and Long Qingyue had already given her enough time. Su Mei had completely missed this opportunity.

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Footnotes:

1. – “翠花” (cuì huā) is a common nickname in Chinese, often used to refer to a girl or woman. It can be translated as “Green Flower” in English. It’s a term of endearment, similar to calling someone “sweetheart” or “darling.” ↩︎