Don't Move

However, halfway through wiping her face, she suddenly thought of something and froze.

Wait a minute.

Something was off.

She had drunk some wine yesterday and completely forgotten about the very real possibility that Zhu Zhao might have recognized her.

She had even pulled her close and asked if she wanted to take a nap together...

Wasn't she just courting death?

Zhu Zhao had sat by her side all night. Could she have been hesitating over whether to strangle her to death?

The more she thought about it, the more horrified she felt, and her movements slowed to a crawl.

Having waited in the room for a long time, Zhu Zhao turned around and saw her still dawdling. Seeing no progress, she simply stepped forward and reached out to gather her loose, hanging hair.

Song Yao instantly froze. Dodging half a step back as if shocked by electricity, she coughed in a poor attempt to cover up her panic. “I—I can do it myself.”

Zhu Zhao clicked her tongue. “Don't move.”

Song Yao had no choice but to stand there obediently.

So fierce.

She wondered how much her current cultivation differed from Zhu Zhao's.

If they fought, would she be able to escape?

Wait, no.

What was Zhu Zhao doing right now?

Styling her hair?

What kind of situation was this?

While she was lost in confusion, Zhu Zhao had already neatly and efficiently put her hair up into a tidy style, securing it firmly with the plain jade hairpin. “There.”

The moment the words left her mouth, the girl in front of her dashed toward the door like a streak of smoke. “Let's go, it's getting late!”

Zhu Zhao: “...”

She had been taking her sweet time just a moment ago, but now she was suddenly in a rush.

She silently followed.

Jiang Jin was waiting outside. When he saw Song Yao run out like a gust of wind, bringing a faint scent of herbs with her, he touched his nose self-consciously and said, “Let's go. The Beiyao Sect disciples are already waiting.”

Song Yao turned and continued walking outward. “Okay.”

The last time she came to the Beiyao Sect, it was to participate in the Myriad Bones Forest realm. This time, it was actually for Chen Qingqiu's wedding day.

Several pageboys were waiting outside the spirit vessel. They bowed respectfully and said, “You must all be exhausted from your journey. The ceremony won't begin until tonight. Would you like to rest in your guest rooms first, or head to the front hall for some tea?”

This time, Zhu Zhao and Jiang Jin showed a rare understanding, turning their gazes toward Song Yao in unison. “You decide.”

Avoiding Zhu Zhao's gaze, Song Yao spoke in a soft voice, “I want to go to the guest rooms.”

Going to the front hall meant socializing.

What was there for her to socialize with? Every step she took was an enemy, and every ten steps was a mortal foe. It was better to just go back and rest.

Besides...

She didn't know what Zhu Zhao was actually up to. Keeping her distance was naturally for the best.

“Very well, please follow me.”

However, before they could take more than a few steps, someone blocked their path.

It was Chen Qingqiu's personal pageboy, dressed in a pinkish-gold robe. He bowed to Song Yao and said in a warm, respectful tone, “Immortal Lin, our Saintess would like to invite you to the Saintess Hall. She said she wishes to speak with you.”

Song Yao was startled.

She had assumed Chen Qingqiu would send her a letter or something to explain how they would execute the escape, but she hadn't expected to discuss it face-to-face.

But on second thought, it shouldn't be a problem. Chen Qingqiu would be interacting with plenty of people today, so even if she ran away, suspicion wouldn't fall on her.

She nodded in agreement. “Sure.”

Beside her, Zhu Zhao frowned slightly, her eyes filled with scrutiny. “Are you that close with the Saintess of the Beiyao Sect?”

Before Song Yao could speak, the pageboy explained warmly, “Immortal Zhu, there is no need to worry. Ever since our Saintess first met Immortal Lin, she has taken a great liking to her and felt a strong connection. With the wedding close at hand, the Saintess is feeling a bit anxious, so she specifically requested Immortal Lin's company to help ease her mind.”

Zhu Zhao: “?”

A great liking?

A strong connection?

She said flatly, “Then I will go with you.”

Song Yao immediately waved her hands, feigning composure. “No need, no need! I trust the Saintess, so it's not like I'm wandering off. Second Senior Sister, Sixth Senior Brother, don't worry. I'll be back early.”

With that, she turned and followed the pageboy, walking away quickly.

Zhu Zhao's gaze lingered on the retreating figure for a moment, her brow twitching almost imperceptibly.

...

Inside the hall, all the servants had already been dismissed. The surroundings were dead silent, save for a wisp of cool fragrance slowly drifting through the air.

Chen Qingqiu sat before a carved bronze mirror. Her bright red bridal gown was spread out around her, the embroidered sash draping softly. The phoenix crown on her head was adorned with glittering pearls and emeralds that swayed gently with her subtle breaths.

Her usually cold and indifferent features were softened by the rouge, a splash of crimson blooming at the corners of her eyes, making her pale skin look even more fair.

The moment Song Yao entered the hall, she was completely stunned by her beauty. She offered praise without holding back, “Sister Saintess, you are truly beautiful. What a pity you aren't marrying me.”

Chen Qingqiu had barely grown accustomed to her outrageous remarks. This time, only the tips of her ears flushed slightly as she whispered, “Why... why do you always say such things?”

Song Yao casually picked up a grape and popped it into her mouth. “What's wrong with saying things like that? Do you not like hearing it?”

Chen Qingqiu: “It's not that I don't like it. It's just... it's too easy for others to misunderstand... Let's not talk about this anymore.”

Awkwardly changing the subject, she picked up a carved wooden box from beneath the dressing table and pushed it toward Song Yao. “Aside from the property deeds and spirit stones I gave you before, there is also this. Inside are the jewels and jade I've accumulated over the years. They are useless to me, so I'm leaving them all to you.”

Song Yao hefted it. It was very heavy.

Such a grand gesture, such absolute determination.

Giving up everything just to make a trip to the Earth Realm.

She didn't stand on ceremony, putting the box away and pulling her sleeves together as she sat opposite her. “I'll keep them safe for you first. Once you return from the Earth Realm, I'll give them back.”

Chen Qingqiu's eyes dimmed slightly. Lowering her gaze, she murmured, “Even someone as capable as your Third Senior Sister couldn't return safely. I... I might not make it out of the Earth Realm alive...”

Song Yao smiled and said, “That's different. Third Senior Sister was thrown into the Earth Realm. No one wanted her to return, so it's only natural she couldn't make it back.”

Hearing this, Chen Qingqiu suddenly looked up and eagerly retorted, “Who says no one wanted her back!”

She dreamed of the day Song Yao would appear before her again, as high-spirited as she had been back then.

But these feelings were too heavy and private, so she could only bury them deep in her heart.

Song Yao was slightly startled, but her eyes quickly curved into a smile as she lazily gave in. “Alright, alright, I get it.”

It was rare for someone to miss her so much.

It was quite a unique feeling.

Realizing her slip of the tongue, Chen Qingqiu felt a pang of annoyance at herself.

Why was she saying this to a child?

This child had never even met that person.

Composing herself, she unrolled a beast-skin map on the table and pointed her finger at a hidden mountain valley. “The Beiyao Sect's ceremonies usually don't start until evening. At that time, my master will be hosting the banquet outside. I won't have to show my face during that period, so I can slip into the treasury to extract the mother parasite.”

She looked up at Song Yao, her eyes filled with a trace of anxiety. “When the time comes, can you wait for me here?”

Song Yao agreed. She tried to memorize the location, but after staring at it for a few moments, she started to feel sleepy. She had no choice but to put the map away, planning to consult it more when the time came.

A rare trace of eagerness and excitement shone in her eyes, and the corners of her lips curled upward.

After tonight, the marriage alliance between the Beiyao Sect and the Taiqing Pavilion would fall through. It would undoubtedly plunge them into chaos.

Just thinking about it was fun.