Shu Qing entered through the back door, bypassing several rooms, and made his way to a small room behind the main hall. Through the wall, he could hear the King of the Underworld conversing with others. Shu Qing had no interest in the affairs of the Underworld and sensibly retreated a bit, finding a chair to sit down. He hadn’t felt tired while walking around, but once he sat down, he felt lazy all over and didn’t want to move.
Today, accompanying Shu Qing was not only Chun Li but also another young maid, a new face. The King of the Underworld had replaced all the people who used to serve him. Shu Qing glanced at Chun Li, “I’m a bit hungry. Do we still have those pastries from before?” Chun Li shook her head, “…Seems like they’re gone.” “Then go buy some. I want to eat them when we get back.” Chun Li nodded, “Yes.”
Shu Qing then looked at the other maid, “Massage my legs.” “Yes.” Shu Qing showed no signs of nervousness about plotting something bad behind the scenes, remaining calm and composed, not shortchanging himself in the slightest. Supporting his chin with his palm, Shu Qing closed his eyes, and before long, he started to feel drowsy. In a daze, the faint voices seemed to disappear, and the maid stopped her hands, leaving the surroundings very quiet. His palm gradually began to feel numb, and suddenly, unable to support it, his head fell, and Shu Qing instantly opened his eyes—
A tall figure stood before him, almost enveloping him. It was the King of the Underworld. “Did you come here specifically to sleep?” The drowsy little butterfly’s eyes were filled with a bit of confusion, lacking all the sharpness of the past. Today, he was dressed plainly, and the King of the Underworld had never seen him in such a low-key outfit, without a single accessory on him. Yet, it made him appear even more elegant and refined, with an ethereal aura, truly resembling a sacred and pure fairy untouched by the mortal world.
“Your Highness… finished so soon?” “Hmm.” In fact, he hadn’t expected the little butterfly to come here. After catching a whiff of Shu Qing’s fragrance, the King of the Underworld became distracted. If there was some noise, it would be fine. Like usual, making some clinking sounds would at least let the King of the Underworld know he was active. But this time, Shu Qing made no sound at all, so quiet it was as if he didn’t exist. If it weren’t for the fragrance, the King of the Underworld would have suspected it was his imagination. Then, as time went on, the fragrance became faint, and Shu Qing still made no sound. The King of the Underworld became restless, and to verify the truth, he let a few subordinates leave first.
This was very wrong. How could the dignified King of the Underworld be distracted by a mere fragrance, putting important matters aside? But when facing the little butterfly, the King of the Underworld found himself more easily swayed by fleeting emotions. As he stepped towards the small room at the back, he even found an excuse for himself—actually, it was nothing, since there were no urgent matters today. Besides, he was the King of the Underworld. The dignified King of the Underworld could do whatever he wanted, right or wrong, all decided by him.
Looking at the sleepy and tired little butterfly, the King of the Underworld stood straight, his voice lacking much emotional fluctuation. “You haven’t said, what are you doing here?” “This is my council hall, where important secrets of the Underworld are discussed. No one is allowed to enter without permission. Do you know the consequences of trespassing?” The maid beside him, upon hearing this, was already standing uneasily. The King of the Underworld might not do anything to Shu Qing, but if something happened, he definitely wouldn’t let her off. Yet Shu Qing still sat lazily, facing the King of the Underworld’s stern questioning without a hint of panic.
“But waking up and not seeing Your Highness, I felt a bit scared…” “…” Sweet words of acting coy. But as they passed through his ears, his entire chest seemed to ripple with waves. And being closer, Shu Qing’s fragrance became even clearer. Perhaps because he had smelled it many times, the King of the Underworld not only got used to this scent but also started to like it. Smelling it made him feel at ease. It always inexplicably calmed him down.
“Heh, you’re good at pretending.” But when he responded, the King of the Underworld remained calm and unfeeling, not easily believing such sweet words. “I’m not pretending. I’m really scared. I don’t want to stay in a place without Your Highness…” Shu Qing pinched his throat a bit, making his voice sound weak. “Besides, Your Highness replaced everyone around me. I don’t know any of them…” Very smoothly and naturally, he introduced the topic. The King of the Underworld glanced at the young maid and asked, “What about Chun Li? Didn’t I return her to you?” The new young maid was untrustworthy, definitely one of the King of the Underworld’s people. Shu Qing couldn’t lie, so he had to speak vaguely. “I wanted some pastries, so I sent her to buy them.”
“What about that timid coward?” The only ones left by Shu Qing’s side were these two, either Chun Li or Xiao Cao. Shu Qing was worried the King of the Underworld wouldn’t ask, but everything went smoothly. Shu Qing said, “He is indeed timid. What happened yesterday scared him. He came to bid farewell this morning, saying he wanted to leave the Underworld, so I sent him away.” The more you say, the more mistakes you make, so Shu Qing tried to say as little as possible, speaking vaguely, just letting the King of the Underworld know about this matter.
The King of the Underworld snorted coldly. Although he could tell it was a joke and not serious, his tone remained authoritative. “You made decisions on your own again?” Shu Qing blinked, “He’s not from the Underworld.” “Once he comes to the Underworld, he is a person of the Underworld. Whether he lives or dies, stays or leaves, is all up to me.” Shu Qing’s breath tightened suddenly. In that instant, he realized his own situation—although he was punished to come to the Underworld, as the King of the Underworld said, once here, unless the King of the Underworld allowed it, who could leave? The thought of escaping only deepened. Perhaps the longer he stayed, the harder it would be to get away.
But Shu Qing’s mind worked quickly, swiftly changing the topic: “Then since I let him go, Your Highness should punish me.” The King of the Underworld pinched his face, chuckling, “You should be punished. Just a little better, and you’re already daring again?” The incorrigible little butterfly. “First, you let someone leave the Underworld, then you trespassed into my council hall… Tell me, how should I punish you?” Shu Qing opened his arms towards the King of the Underworld, “Then… punish me by letting me hug Your Highness.” “…” The maid lowered her head, silently retreating. The King of the Underworld raised an eyebrow, “Does that count as punishment?” Shu Qing answered off-topic, “I still feel dizzy. Leaning on Your Highness makes me feel more at ease.”
The King of the Underworld didn’t hug him, but he also didn’t let go of his face, so Shu Qing took the initiative to wrap his arms around the King of the Underworld’s arm. He didn’t stand up, remaining seated, but pulled the King of the Underworld closer bit by bit, finally wrapping his arms around the King of the Underworld’s waist, pressing his face into the King of the Underworld’s stomach. The fragrance filled his embrace, and the King of the Underworld took a breath, his chest cavity filled with the little butterfly’s scent. It seemed like a kind of seduction. But today, the little butterfly looked so immaculate and pure, seemingly just feeling unwell and wanting to act coy with him.
“Your Highness really… won’t hug me?” The King of the Underworld’s throat inexplicably tightened, but he said, “Do you know the consequences of trespassing here?” “If others had discovered you just now, what do you think they would say about me behind my back?” Infatuated with a male concubine, losing his mind. Blinded by lust. Shu Qing said, “It would be good if they found out. Before, Your Highness neglected me, so someone dared to poison me. If the lords knew I was here, then everyone would know I have Your Highness’s favor, and at least no one would dare to harm me.”
The King of the Underworld was speechless, then directly amused. To be able to say such things so confidently, probably only Shu Qing in the whole world. “Why don’t I just take you here, then the rumors would be even more exciting, and everyone would think the King of the Underworld is infatuated with you.” Shu Qing sneered inwardly, he didn’t want that. Would such a thing be glorious if spread? Would anyone think it was the King of the Underworld’s fault? No one would blame the wise and mighty King of the Underworld. Everyone would only think he was a lowly seducer, distracting the King of the Underworld from his duties. But Shu Qing couldn’t speak his true thoughts.
“…Then wait until I’m feeling better. I’m still dizzy now.” The King of the Underworld couldn’t guess Shu Qing’s thoughts, nor see his expression at the moment. He just felt this answer was typical of Shu Qing. “Alright, you don’t care about face, but I do. If this gets out, where would my face go?” But as he finished speaking, the King of the Underworld still reached out and picked Shu Qing up horizontally, then walked outside. Shu Qing was startled, wrapping his arms around the King of the Underworld’s neck, his eyes wide open, blinking, “…Your Highness?” He really picked him up? He just said it casually, how did the King of the Underworld take it seriously?
But Shu Qing’s dumbfounded and surprised expression always pleased the King of the Underworld. The King of the Underworld liked seeing him show such expressions, it improved his mood. “Didn’t you ask me to hold you?” “…” But he just said it casually, never thought the King of the Underworld would really hold him. “I’m personally carrying you back, isn’t that enough to show you’re favored?” The King of the Underworld, tall and strong, held Shu Qing steadily, his steps large, walking out in just a few strides. But while Shu Qing came through the back door, he was carried out the front door by the King of the Underworld openly.
The guards and attendants at the door were, of course, puzzled about where he came from, but who dared to ask? They could only follow silently behind. Shu Qing curled up in the King of the Underworld’s arms, clearly feeling the King of the Underworld’s strong and powerful arms, and the warm chest to lean on. Behind them followed a group of people. They proceeded grandly forward. Wherever they went, no one dared to look up, all previous malice vanished, leaving only respectful kneeling and saluting.
Power. This was the supreme status and power in the Underworld. It could instill fear, making people bow and submit. It could also make people flock to it, losing themselves. Even just being held in the King of the Underworld’s arms, enjoying the treatment of a fox borrowing the tiger’s might, was enough to make Shu Qing feel a bit elated. Who doesn’t like having power in their hands? Who wouldn’t admire strength? If Shu Qing were completely banished to the Underworld, never to return to the Immortal Realm, then being like this would definitely be his best choice. Unfortunately, compared to the power he could enjoy in the Underworld, Shu Qing still needed the freedom to stay away from the King of the Underworld.
He cherished his life. He only wanted to return to the Immortal Lord’s side. The King of the Underworld, seeing him silent, was a bit displeased, “Why aren’t you speaking? Is my personally carrying you not satisfying? What more do you want?” Shu Qing rarely missed any opportunity to make a request. “Then I want to replace the Head Butler… He’s definitely the one who secretly poisoned me this time!” The King of the Underworld really didn’t expect such an answer. How much did he dislike the Head Butler? How could he seize every opportunity to bite, never letting go?
“Without evidence, don’t speak recklessly.” “But it’s a fact he dislikes me. He not only mocked me before but also withheld my monthly allowance… If he dares to treat me like this openly, only he would have the guts to poison me!” The King of the Underworld pondered for a moment, then said softly, “I’ll have someone investigate this matter.” The two guards following behind exchanged a silent glance. Luckily, they hadn’t openly offended this little butterfly, or they’d be blown to death by his pillow talk sooner or later.
[Author’s Note] There’s no helping it, just a very vengeful little butterfly [heart eyes].