Chapter 266: Natural Beauty (2nd Update)

As for Jin Xiaoqin, Ye Wenxin thought that as long as she shamelessly threw the blame onto the Demon Lord, everything would be perfectly fine.

Most importantly, she was afraid that Liu Churan would come back again. By then, no matter how cautious she was, she would still reveal flaws while interacting with Liu Churan.

So, after much consideration, Ye Wenxin decided to leave Green Isle Manor.

Madam Yu pondered for a moment at the hint in Ye Wenxin’s words, then continued, “Alright then, tonight we will continue the treatment, and tomorrow you can return to the relay station.”

Ye Wenxin was a bit surprised. “Isn’t this inappropriate? You look dressed for a rendezvous, Madam Yu.”

Madam Yu’s expression changed slightly, showing some sadness as she continued, “Don’t worry, there’s no one. This is just a habit I have every year.”

As she spoke, she stepped forward, leading Ye Wenxin towards the adjoining boudoir.

This was Ye Wenxin’s first time entering Madam Yu’s room. The room draped in purple gave it a somewhat dreamy atmosphere. There wasn’t much of a lived-in feel, but from the furnishings, it seemed like only one person resided there.

“Madam Yu doesn’t live with Ni Ni?” Ye Wenxin was quite surprised. However, recalling Qiao Ni’s mysterious description of Madam Yu’s life—that she hadn’t shared a room with the Manor Lord for a long time—she couldn’t help but have some crooked thoughts.

It was obvious that Madam Yu did this to facilitate meetings with her lover. And Ye Wenxin’s previous remark hadn’t just provoked Madam Yu, but rather, Madam Yu felt guilty and hence, reacted with sudden anger.

“I have weak health, and I don’t know when I might die, so naturally I want Ni Ni to become independent sooner,” Madam Yu responded.

She closed and quickly locked the door, then took out the key to the Soul Sealing Ring from her bag of holding.

“I see; no wonder Ni Ni is different from other children.” Ye Wenxin suddenly realized. She always felt that Qiao Ni, at twelve, had a different demeanor compared to others.

Now it made sense—Madam Yu, fearing her own demise, had raised Qiao Ni to be independent in every way, though the result was a somewhat skewed upbringing.

However, Ye Wenxin didn’t dare voice this thought. She could only pretend to be very admiring, continuing to chat with Madam Yu about trivial matters.

Madam Yu seemed to sense the awkwardness. She gently lifted Ye Wenxin’s chin, aligned the key with the lock, and continued to inquire, “I’ve heard that Ni Ni hasn’t been coming to see you recently.”

Ye Wenxin felt a bit uncomfortable but still responded with a nod. As the key turned, she felt a sudden lightness around her neck. Touching her now bare neck, she felt a bit strange.

Seeing Madam Yu still looking at the Soul Sealing Ring, skillfully folding it, she couldn’t help but ask, “Madam, do you enjoy locking people up?”

She thought this remark would anger Madam Yu, but she only responded calmly, “I don’t like it as much as she does.”

Ye Wenxin was speechless, but she roughly understood that ‘she’ referred to Liu Churan. Suddenly, she wasn’t sure if she should continue asking. Madam Yu, however, was still looking at the Soul Sealing Ring and continued, “I made this.”

Ye Wenxin gasped. Madam Yu smiled lightly. “Now, are you scared?”

“No, it’s just strange. Madam Yu can’t cultivate, so why do you like making spirit artifacts?” Although the Soul Sealing Ring had a bizarre use, it still counted as a spirit artifact.

Thinking about the formations and traps at the relay station, along with the various books on Qimen Dunjia in Madam Yu’s room, Ye Wenxin suddenly realized that Madam Yu was indeed not as simple as she appeared.

“Because I can’t cultivate, I naturally had to tinker a bit,” replied Madam Yu. She carefully examined the Soul Sealing Ring and continued, “It seems you made some effort yourself.”

She touched the scratches near the keyhole, and Ye Wenxin felt her scalp tingle but didn’t deny it. “Yes, who knew Madam Yu’s Soul Sealing Ring would be so intricate? Ahem, I couldn’t open it no matter what I tried.”

Madam Yu finally smiled lightly, unaware that Ye Wenxin had unlocked it countless times. She had even unlocked the upgraded version of the Immortal Sealing Ring Liu Churan created.

Ye Wenxin felt that if this secret was revealed, her survival would become much more difficult.

“Alright, the Soul Sealing Ring is off. Prepare for the treatment,” said Madam Yu. Seeing that Ye Wenxin seemed about to ask more questions, she deliberately changed the subject and sat on a chair nearby.

Ye Wenxin nodded compliantly. She then took out two spirit woods from her bag of holding and wrote a few lines on them with a brush.

This was a Buddhist cultivation method, specifically designed to combat evil spirits and naturally effective against Yin energy.

Knowing that Madam Yu was her benefactor, Ye Wenxin couldn’t continue playing around with her, so she compromised and chose a relatively conservative method.

“Miss Wenxin, you really are full of tricks. I wonder what you’ll come up with next time.” Madam Yu’s expression changed slightly. She was already aware that Ye Wenxin had deliberately teased her in the carriage last time.

“Probably candles,” Ye Wenxin said and, fearing that Madam Yu would become furious, quickly added, “Originally, whips would have been more effective, but Madam Yu, your body might not be able to withstand it, so I can only use this method.”

Ye Wenxin spoke with great frankness, as if this was the proper way to conduct treatment.

The mention of whips scared Madam Yu a bit, but this spirit wood didn’t look much better. She couldn’t shake the feeling she was being duped.

“Alright, Madam, please start undressing,” Ye Wenxin said, maintaining a facade of propriety. Madam Yu felt deeply humiliated but ultimately had no choice but to remove her long robe.

The purple dress fell to the ground, revealing her graceful figure in full splendor.

Under the candlelight, the sense of decadence was even more intense. Every inch of her was a masterpiece, making it hard to believe this woman was almost forty years old.

Ye Wenxin moved a bit closer, noticing how good her skin was, and couldn’t help but ask, “Madam, have you been taking Beauty-Preserving Pills?”

Because ordinary humans aged differently than cultivators, many wealthy families took Beauty-Preserving Pills to maintain their youthful beauty, remaining as fresh and lovely as young girls even at eighty.

Looking at Madam Yu now, Ye Wenxin thought she maintained her appearance with such pills.

“Why should a dying person bother with appearance?” Madam Yu shook her head, covering herself modestly, feeling very embarrassed under Ye Wenxin’s gaze.

Ye Wenxin was quite surprised, thinking that the Liu family’s genes were truly remarkable, producing Liu Churan and naturally creating someone like Madam Yu.

“Alright, this time it won’t be too uncomfortable, but the process might still look a bit unpleasant.”

Ye Wenxin, noticing that Madam Yu seemed already displeased, quickly busied herself.