Chapter 26: Was I Too Arrogant Before?

Very well, she was taken back by Xuan Yuan Jue Temple just like that, and when she dismounted, she nearly threw up the sourness in her stomach. That bastard—one day, she would have to deal with him. Just wait, just wait.

After returning, Si Nuosang lay sprawled across her bed, unmoving, like a dead fish, breathing quietly but saying nothing at all.

Xuan Yuan Jue Temple knew the woman was angry, but it was the kind of anger one kept to oneself, never spoken aloud.

Si Nuosang wanted to voice her anger, but if she did, this man would surely end her. Why torment herself? The wheel of fortune turns, and someday it would turn to her side. Si Nuosang waited, waited for the day Xuan Yuan Jue Temple would meet his downfall.

“Rest well and don’t overthink things. I know you don’t want to talk right now, so I’ll give you time to sort yourself out—but don’t take too long. My patience is limited, and I have a thousand ways to deal with you.”

Even as he urged her to rest, he couldn’t help but threaten her—truly an interesting man, or rather, a despicable one.

Si Nuosang didn’t answer, only continued to lie there in silent protest. Yet for a man like him, silent protest was meaningless.

Even the best temper could be ignited by him. In truth, he was nothing like Wen Shu'an. Wen Shu'an was always elegant, even when angry; that was the distance between them, which she had only just realized.

So many things had happened later, and he chose not to believe her. Thinking of it now, her heart ached.

Si Nuosang lay on the bed for hours, eventually falling asleep. When she awoke, it was already the next day. She heard men’s voices discussing outside; it sounded like Xuan Yuan Jue Temple and Mo Qianli.

Occasionally, she caught the name Liu Bailian—was there a clue at last? She hurriedly and quietly got out of bed, tiptoeing to listen to their conversation.

“It seems this matter is quite troublesome.”

“Yes, she actually ran to the residence of Scholar Li. If we barge in recklessly, it would be impossible. Besides, Scholar Li may not even be aware of this—most likely, it’s his son’s doing.”

Xuan Yuan Jue Temple pondered, looking at Mo Qianli.

Scholar Li? Who was that? She pressed her ear against the wall, straining to hear.

“Scholar Li is usually indifferent to women, but his son Li Ming is a notorious libertine in the capital. It’s plausible that Liu Bailian would infiltrate his circle. I suspect Li Ming’s life is in danger.”

Because every man Liu Bailian approached met a disastrous end.

“Should we warn him?” Mo Qianli looked at Xuan Yuan Jue Temple. After all, Scholar Li had a son late in life; if something happened to the son, the father would surely be devastated.

Xuan Yuan Jue Temple shook his head, indicating there was no need.

“Liu Bailian wouldn’t dare make a move yet. Her goal is likely revenge. If she got answers from Po Ming…”

“But the case of her family’s murder years ago wasn’t because of that secret,” Mo Qianli said, shaking his head.

If so, revenge would not be justified.

“What does Liu Bailian really want? It’s still a mystery. Whether it’s revenge or not is unknown. I’ll have my people keep watch over Scholar Li’s residence, see what happens next.”

For now, that was all they could do. Storming into the scholar’s residence was not wise. Mo Qianli agreed with Xuan Yuan Jue Temple’s plan.

“Agreed,” Mo Qianli said, then changed the subject. “And what about the matter of Fifth Zero Leaf? You don’t intend to resolve it? Sooner or later, Si Girl’s issue will be exposed. If the Emperor finds out, you know he’s wanted to eliminate you for some time. If you don’t handle this, he might seize the opportunity.”

Si Nuosang overheard this and realized Xuan Yuan Jue Temple keeping her here was all he could do—he truly had no other options. If she left without clarifying Fifth Zero Leaf’s origins, and the Emperor didn’t see her, Xuan Yuan Jue Temple would have no way out.

Yet, thinking about all the silver he’d swallowed from her, she felt uneasy. But she had saved enough herself—when the time came, she would have enough to survive.

“I’ve already sent people to Fusang; anyone who deceives me will pay the price. The struggle between the Emperor and me has always been a matter of life and death. Win, and survive; lose, and die. I’ve long known the outcome, so you needn’t worry about me.”

Xuan Yuan Jue Temple was prepared; Mo Qianli shook his head.

“How did you two brothers come to this?” he asked, looking at Xuan Yuan Jue Temple. Once, their bond had been so strong.

“Sometimes power makes people lose themselves. And sometimes, to safeguard it, one must abandon everything,” Xuan Yuan Jue Temple said sadly.

Si Nuosang listened, perplexed, but one thing was clear: Xuan Yuan Jue Temple had sent people to Fusang to investigate Fifth Zero Leaf. Apparently, last time’s analysis had raised his suspicions as well.

If so, perhaps the truth would be found soon, and things might be resolved at last.

This thought made her quite happy.

“Come out,” Xuan Yuan Jue Temple suddenly shouted in her direction.

Si Nuosang realized she’d been exposed and stepped forward.

“Is there something you need, Your Highness?” she asked, averting her gaze, refusing even to look at him.

“What were you doing hiding back there?”

“I was behind the wall, but not hiding! And I wasn’t doing anything!” Si Nuosang replied leisurely, inwardly warning herself again and again: don’t lose your temper, don’t lose your temper.

Because if she did, this man would surely discipline her. According to him, she was not allowed to resist. But as someone from a free land, not resisting was impossible—so she had to resist, though resistance came in two forms: spiritual and practical.

Right now, hers was spiritual, for practically, she could not resist at all.

Poor her—was it because she’d been too arrogant before, that now Xuan Yuan Jue Temple was tormenting her? The thought chilled her heart.

“Don’t play games with me. What are you thinking?”

Xuan Yuan Jue Temple stared at her. Caught off guard by his sudden question, Si Nuosang flinched.

“What could I possibly be thinking? Nothing at all.” How could she have any thoughts in an instant? Especially after his sudden outburst—what thoughts could she possibly have?