Yi Xin Xue watched the play of emotions on Ling’er’s face, understanding more than she let on.
"Sister Ling’er speaks with such grace..." she said, setting the tea aside.
"But do enlighten me, what is it that fills your heart with such fervor?"
Yi Xin Xue wants a friendly relationship, but if someone sees you as an enemy, see them as an enemy too, the flowing river will return one fateful day anyway.
Ling’er’s gaze flickered, but she held her ground, her voice steady as she replied.
"Only the desire to walk the proper path, Dao Yin Sister. To be as refined and worthy as those who have captured the Young Master’s favor..." As someone from a noble family, how can she back off, let alone from someone like her?
But She doesn’t seem so off, her aura, and mannerisms, are off the chart like a graceful elegant swan.
Maid Yi’s lips curved into a subtle smile. "Ah, but worthiness is not measured by capture, but by the strength of one’s character. Tell me, what strengths does Sister Ling’er possess that makes her worthy of such favor?"
Zhao Fan remained silent, observing the exchange between his maids with keen interest, the one deemed superior shall thus be promoted to be a concubine.
Ling’er’s breath caught, her hands clasping together tightly beneath the folds of her robes. "This one... I am but a humble maid," she began, her voice soft but carrying a thread of steel beneath.
"My worth lies not in capture, but in the depth of my devotion and the purity of my spirit. I offer not my body, but my heart, my soul, my every waking thought to the Young Master’s service..."
Maid Yi inclined her head slightly, acknowledging Ling’er’s words. "A noble sentiment, indeed," she mused, her fingers trailing along the edge of the lacquered tea table.
"But tell me, what makes you think others didn’t?" Indeed, how can Ling’er be sure that other women didn’t offer their heart and soul?
Is that a self-validation? They say a crow watches its reflection thousands of times in a pond, believing other crows are just his replicas, feeling proud he is the only real one.
A fool is forever trapped in it’s fake view of life.
Zhao Fan sipped the enlightenment tea, and looked at Ling’er with a cold stoic face.
"I wonder why would the Holy Maiden bless this Zhao with her presence," He asked not letting these women start a heated discussion.
Let’s call it a day, and keep both of them as maids, promotion to concubine can be discussed later.
[Ding: Qi Luck corruption detected! Target: Yi Xin Xue ]
[Possible path: sabotage female leads, constantly fight with female lead/s seeing them as enemies. ]
[Ding! Would you like to use 1000 points to remove Qi Luck corruption from Maid Yi?]
No, let her be, it’s not a good idea to spend too much on her.
Of course, Zhao Fan is aware of her submission, woman like her have nothing else, so they try to live happily on what they have.
But on second thought, it’s better to cleanse her mind unless some catastrophe happens.
[Ding! 1000 points have been consumed, the Qi Luck corruption has been cleansed ]
Yi Xin Xue felt strange as she looked left and right, she realized it was stupid of her to talk to Ling’er like that, a young woman, that has yet to see the other side of vast mountains.
Ling’er’s attention snapped to him, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink.
"This one had hoped to discuss the upcoming Celestial Assembly, Young Master. The Grace of the Holy Lord has tasked this Holy Maiden with preparing a tribute to the Jade Emperor, and I... I wished to seek your counsel,"
Zhao Fan’s gaze met hers yet, his expression was unreadable.
The tribute to the Jade emperor is the reason, he had graced this lowly Supreme Holy peak with his presence.
"Is that so?" he murmured, setting his cup down.
"And what makes you think this Zhao is qualified to offer such counsel?"
Yi Xin Xue watched the exchange, her expression serene but her eyes sharp with understanding.
"Perhaps, Young Master, Sister Ling’er values your unique perspective on such matters," she said, her voice as smooth as silk.
She just wants to build a good connection with Ling’er so, she wants to help her.
As for why, despite being the Immortal master of Ye Chen, she isn’t a female lead then, the council of the constellation has described her fate to be tragic, forced to burn her soul completely to save Ye Chen from calamity.
A noble sacrifice, yet unnecessary, blinded by Qi Luck, the autumn wind hardly knows the grace of heaven.
She was never meant to walk beside the son of heaven, Ye Chen, only to be left behind and forgotten over the course of time.
Certainly, the tragic fate could have been avoided if only Ye Chen had half the intellect of Young Master Zhao.
"Please have a sit..." Zhao Fan said with a tone as gentle as jade water.
Ling’er sat on the soft cushion, her back valley stretching wide, as she sat in seiza position.
Yi Xin Xue poured her a cup of tea, Ling’er accepted with a warm smile like spring sunlight despite the venomous feeling in her heart like that of a snake.
Ling’er spoke about the Celestial assembly, her voice was as soft as jade water, and her words flow as smooth as a river.
Zhao Fan watched with amusement, his lips curved into a faint smile.
As the conversation came to a end, Ling’er’s gaze lingered on Zhao Fan, her voice carrying a trace of wistfulness.
"If only all women could be as fortunate as I, to bask in the radiance of such divine presence..." she murmured, her cheeks flushed with emotion.
Zhao Fan turned his gaze to her, his expression unreadable.
"Perhaps," he said, his voice low and resonant.
"But remember, not all who bask in this radiance are prepared for the burn that comes with it."
The room fell silent, the weight of his words hanging in the air like a challenge waiting to be accepted.
"Umm... I believe in Young Master, it would be my first time in the Celestial assembly, I hope Young Master can guide me,"