Liang Yun listened nearby and nodded deeply in agreement.
Yes, from the description, it sounded like something was wrong with her—like she had gone mad.
Di Xiulan asked, “Liang Yun, what do you think?”
After careful consideration, Liang Yun replied, “Master, I believe there are two possibilities. First, her mind might indeed be unwell, and her desire for your belt is due to her condition… As for repeatedly jumping onto the roof, she might simply be venting her joy at successfully obtaining the belt!”
“The second possibility is that she is actually perfectly normal and is merely pretending to be mad to seduce you! She is taking an unconventional approach, using a unique method to capture your attention… From what we’ve seen, she seems to have succeeded, as you have indeed taken notice of her.”
“…”
After hearing this, a shadowy glint flashed in Di Xiulan’s deep eyes.
He had already discerned her origins, but her actions remained a mystery.
What did this soul from another world, who had taken over a body that had lost its immortal vein, intend to do after arriving in the Glazed Continent?
…
Ye Piaoling, with dark circles under her eyes, sat at the table having her meal.
She had suffered from rare insomnia the previous night.
A bathrobe, as the name suggested, was a robe worn after bathing.
A mask, a belt, a bathrobe…
Each item was more intimate than the last.
What could the final item possibly be!
Ye Piaoling couldn’t figure it out, especially since by the bathrobe stage, the Regent King would already be undressed…
[System, I think I won’t be able to complete the mission…] Ye Piaoling said dejectedly. [I have a feeling that the final item will be very difficult…]
[Dear host, please don’t lose heart. It is recommended that you first obtain the Regent King’s bathrobe… Once you have the bathrobe, you will receive a mysterious grand prize even more surprising than martial arts skills!]
Hearing this, Ye Piaoling perked up. [You’re right. I shouldn’t worry about the future. Long-term planning isn’t my style. For now, I just need to focus on the bathrobe…]
After a moment’s thought, she smiled. [Actually, the bathrobe is simple too. He didn’t feed me to the dragon, which means he knows his Slumber Curse will flare up again. When Chonghua Palace comes to me for help with Curse Breaking, I can simply demand the bathrobe as payment!]
Even though Chonghua Palace would surely think she had some perverse fetish, what did it matter?
As long as she could complete the mission and receive the reward, others’ opinions were irrelevant…
Having made up her mind, all that was left was to wait for the opportunity.
Days passed in the blink of an eye.
One day, there was a sudden knock on the door from a maid outside.
“Miss, are you there? Second Miss has come to see you.”
It was the original host’s half-sister, Ye Xiangxiang.
This younger sister was quite peculiar.
After the original host lost her Spiritual Power, Ye Xiangxiang often visited the Fallen Blossoms Courtyard. Her behavior during these visits was strange—she always seemed to look around restlessly, as if she had something to say but hesitated…
It was unclear what she was really up to.
Ye Piaoling opened the door.
Ye Xiangxiang stood at the entrance, holding a box of pastries.
“Sister,” Ye Xiangxiang greeted with a curtsy.
“No need for formalities!” Ye Piaoling smiled and pulled her inside.
Once they were seated in the room, Ye Xiangxiang placed the pastries on the table and said, “I made these myself. I hope you won’t find them unworthy.”
Ye Piaoling replied with a smile, “Of course not! Thank you!”
“You don’t need to thank me.”
Ye Xiangxiang lowered her head and murmured, “Actually, I came today because there’s something I need to discuss, but I’m too embarrassed to bring it up…”
Ye Piaoling urged, “Just say it!”
She could sense that Ye Xiangxiang had been holding this matter in for at least three years—today, she was finally willing to speak up!
Ye Xiangxiang bit her lip, hesitated for a long time, and then whispered softly:
“It’s… it’s Fox Shadow. Could you give Fox Shadow to me?”
“What?” Ye Piaoling was taken aback.
Ye Xiangxiang seemed to have mustered great resolve, lifting her head as she said, “Actually, I was the one who brought Fox Shadow into the Ye Manor. He was originally a wandering martial artist. Three years ago, I encountered bandits outside the city, and he saved me…”
“He had no fixed home, so I brought him back to serve as a Shadow Guard for the Ye Manor. But I never expected that after passing the Shadow Guard screening, he would be assigned to the Fallen Blossoms Courtyard…”
“Not long after that, you lost your Spiritual Power, and Fox Shadow became the only Shadow Guard left in the Fallen Blossoms Courtyard. I couldn’t bring myself to ask for him back, so I’ve waited until now…”
After listening to her, Ye Piaoling finally understood.
—So the reason this second young lady had repeatedly visited the Fallen Blossoms Courtyard was because she had feelings for Fox Shadow!
With Fox Shadow’s looks, in modern times he would undoubtedly be a top-tier celebrity. It was no surprise that Ye Xiangxiang had fallen for him.
Ye Xiangxiang suddenly grabbed Ye Piaoling’s hand and pleaded, “Sister, now that you’re about to regain your Spiritual Power, you’re clearly on the path to success. You can have any Shadow Guard you want—you don’t need Fox Shadow at all… For the sake of our sisterhood, please give Fox Shadow to me!”
Ye Piaoling sighed.
She could understand Ye Xiangxiang’s feelings, but her emotional manipulation was rather uncomfortable.
Besides, Fox Shadow was a living person, not an object to be given away so casually. Given his temperament, he might not even be willing to go elsewhere…
After a moment of thought, Ye Piaoling said, “Fox Shadow is actually quite an odd person. The only reason he stays in the Fallen Blossoms Courtyard is because it’s peaceful here.”
“If he comes to my courtyard, I’ll treat him well… I can even raise his pay and make him the head Shadow Guard of my courtyard!”
Ye Xiangxiang urged anxiously, “Sister, please grant us this wish!”
Hearing this, Ye Piaoling pondered for a while.
It was clear that Ye Xiangxiang genuinely cared for Fox Shadow. He had saved her life, and if he could accept her feelings, it might indeed make for a good match…
Ye Piaoling said, “Alright, I’ll call him over now. If he’s willing, I’ll speak to Father and have him transferred to your courtyard.”
“Good, good,” Ye Xiangxiang replied, both happy and anxious. “With your order, he’s sure to agree!”