Chapter 34 (1/2)

This chapter 34 of Lost You Forever is the start of the third and final volume of the three-part epic novel. It’s called Missing You Without End or as the English translation cuts right to the chase and calls it simply Missing You Forever. I’ve enjoyed every minute of translating this novel mostly because I like all the main characters. Xiao Yao’s emotional scars and coldness is intriguing and becomes compelling when she tried so darn hard to make it work with Jing while being completely affected by Xiang Liu all the time. She has the best of both worlds, the prototypical super sweet second male lead type and the bad boy who everyone’s momma would warn shouldn’t be touched with a ten foot pole. She’s lucky Xiang Liu friend-zones her and Jing has enough patience and eternal commitment to her that he’s forever around just waiting for the opportunity to make it work for them.

Volume 1 was about Xiao Yao getting back to her Princess roots and Zhuan Xu in trouble while volume 2 was Zhuan Xu becoming emperor and Xiao Yao’s emotional woes, volume 3 ties it all together and sends all the characters down the final stretch of their journey together. Will Zhuan Xu conquer Gao Xing and become a true emperor to the entire world? Will Xiao Yao save Jing from the machinations of Fang Feng Yi Yang and Hou, and if she succeeds does that mean they can finally be together? Will Xiang Liu realize friend-zoning Xiao Yao isn’t enough and has to actually become her enemy in order to sever all ties with her? Who will find happiness together, and who will be missing who forever? The laughter and playfulness of the novel has gradually seeped away as the story got more serious and volume 3 ups the ante on tears. Xiao Yao’s birthright will finally be revealed and her desire for the simplest of ordinary life remains so elusive to her. This chapter is sooooo long translating my arms almost died on me in the process. Thanks for enjoying this lovely novel with me and let’s head down the final narrative arc from this point on.

Chapter 34 – The Malevolent East Wind, the Fleeting Pleasure:

“Please cut out my eyes so that my blood covers your clothes, like a peach blossom branch, so that you have me in your eyes.

Please scoop out my heart so that my blood drenches the land, like a peach blossom tree, so that you have me in your eyes.”

When Zhuan Xu came to Xiao Yue Summit to see Xiao Yao, she was sitting in the corridor embroidering a black pouch using gold thread to create little magnolia flowers. Each needle was intricate and precise and she was nearly done.

Zhuan Xu waited until she finished the final thread and asked “When did you get the interest to make such things?”

Xiao Yao said “Two birds, one stone. Needle work is good medical skill practice since I can sew up a wound so the more practice I have to make my movements more fluid the better for my patients.”

“What’s the second benefit?”

Xiao Yao smiled “When I’m done I’ll give this to Jing.”

Zhuan Xu was stunned and after a moment asked “You……..you got back together with him?”

Xiao Yao shook her head “No.”

“Then that….what’s that for?” Zhuan Xu pointed to the embroidered pouch in Xiao Yao’s hand.

“Last time I went to Qing Qiu, I learned that he was quite ill and if he wasn’t treated promptly then he might not live more than a hundred years. I’m simply his doctor now.”

Zhuan Xu silently sat there and didn’t have any expression on his face and appeared very calm.

Xiao Yao felt something odd and asked “Gege?”

Zhuan Xu smiled and gently said “When you’re done embroidering this pouch, I want one as well. I want it with the phoenix flower, our favorite flower.”

Xiao Yao happily replied “Sure.”

Xiao Yao went to check on Jing and found he was getting better and said to Hu Zhen “Very good!”

Hu Zhen explained “These past days the clan leader is looking better and the clan elders even compliment my medical skills so I had to accept it.”

Xiao Yao said “You did do half the work.”

Xiao Yao handed the magnolia embroidered pouch to Jing and inside was a pill sealed in beeswax. Xiao Yao said “This pill is for an emergency and at such time it can preserve your final breath.”

With Xiao Yao’s position and medical skills and she could still only make one such pill, Jing knew how rare and precious it was.

Jing carefully put it away “Don’t worry, I’m very careful.”

Xiao Yao sighed “With the danger looming for one day is one day I can’t relax.”

Jing said “I’m mostly in Zhi Yi Castle and only go back when there are clan matters to handle.”

Xiao Yao forced a smile “That’s good.”

Jing didn’t want Xiao Yao worried about such things and asked “Did you have fun in Five G.o.ds Mountain?”

Xiao Yao smiled “My dad couldn’t have been a good kid when he was young, his fis.h.i.+ng and cooking skills even I have to bow down to. It’s clear he’s an expert at anything fun.”

Xiao Yao spoke with Jing a bit longer and then left. Jing was loathe to part but didn’t stay her since this was already more than he could wish for and he didn’t dare push for more.

Xiao Yao returned to Xiao Yue Summit and remembered agreeing to make Zhuan Xu an embroidered pouch so started to draw phoenix flowers on a silk handkerchief.

When Zhuan Xu arrived he saw Xiao Yao’s room covered in various phoenix flowers and he couldn’t help but smile.

Xiao Yao said “I really have no drawing ability. Help me draw a few flowers.”

Zhuan Xu was too happy but teasingly groused “I don’t want to. When you made the pouch for Jing did you ask him to draw the flowers? Since you’re making it for me, then you need to do it from beginning to end.”

Xiao Yao was frustrated and amused “You’re so picky! Fine, I’ll draw it!”

Zhuan Xu stood behind Xiao Yao and watched for a bit before sighing “You! You’re so stupid!” He grabbed Xiao Yao’s hand and taught her how to draw “Why can’t you be softer here, relax your wrist and be lighter with the touch. You’re drawing a phoenix flower, not a phoenix tree…..”

Zhuan Xu taught Xiao Yao and lectured her and initially Xiao Yao listened with a joking smile but later she got annoyed and decided to smear the ink on Zhuan Xu’s face.

Zhuan Xu laughed and ducked while attacking Xiao Yao back “Look at you being so useless, since you were a kid and couldn’t do something you wouldn’t let anyone talk about it!”

“Oh, you’re totally useful then? Other older brothers help their sisters out and let them win. Only you’re so petty that you blame me for being stupid. Why don’t you blame yourself for being so stupid that you can’t teach me well?”

The two of them bickered until it was just laughter in the room.

The Yellow Emperor walked by and stopped to smile at them. It felt like yesterday he watched two little kids chasing each other under the phoenix tree.

Since Chang Yi died in battle and his daughter-in-law committed suicide in front of Zhuan Xu, his grandson was forced to grow up overnight. There was a sharp coldness in his eyes and he was careful not to reveal emotion like an adult would. Only when he was with Xiao Yao did he act like a child. All these years later after even more hards.h.i.+p and pain, Zhuan Xu securely locked up all his emotions so that the world only saw someone who never had any strong feelings. He was calm and mellow at all times. Except with Xiao Yao, then he was just like a child laughing and being unreasonable.

The Yellow Emperor sighed, Zhuan Xu and Xiao Yao were like his palm and the back of his hand, both sides were his flesh. If either hurt he would hurt, but this world didn’t allow things to always satisfy both ends. He wondered if he really was too old, the leader who led his forces to conquer castles never seemed to be stuck in this quagmire.

The Yellow Emperor sighed and walked off.

That night Xiao Yao laid in bed and thought about Hou and Yi Yang while unconsciously playing with the fish amethyst.

Under the lamp light it glowed a warm soft brilliance. Shan Hu helped Xiao Yao arrange her blankets and secretly smiled. Xiao Yao glared at her “What are you smiling about?”

Shan Hu quickly explained “No, I’m not smiling about anything. I just think this fish amethyst is so rare. I once saw a fish ruby that wasn’t as big or as crystal clear as this one.”

Xiao Yao said “I once saw a fish ruby too but it was bigger than this one without a speck of imperfection. It was beautiful.”

Shan Hu suggested “If Princess likes it, have the Tu Shan clan leader buy it for you!”

Xiao Yao glared at Shan Hu who smiled “Princess want to sleep? Then I’ll dim the lights.”

“Yup.”

Shan Hu closed the clamsh.e.l.l nightlight and the room darkened.

Xiao Yao held the fish amethyst and closed her eyes and remembered that day out at sea……..

That sea outing, she spent the night alone with Jing on the boat but no one noticed other than Zhuan Xu. Come to think of it, Feng Long never noticed any romance related matter; Xing Yue was focused on flirting with Zhuan Xu; Hou and Yi Yang……that night they likely had a private date as well. Back then Jing had just returned so Yi Yang was likely in a pique with Hou and to upset him would purposely be extra nice to Jing.

Xiao Yao sighed, that day the entire s.h.i.+p, other than Feng Long, everyone had their secrets so no one noticed anyone else’s oddness.

That day Hou was the last to return and he rode the monster fish in the waves and circled the s.h.i.+p a few times before killing the fish in front of everyone to grab the fish ruby. That fish ruby was bright red and so sparkling, even Xing Yue who was used to seeing expensive baubles wanted it and asked for it. But the normally very generous Hou didn’t agree to give it to her.

Xiao Yao didn’t want it but couldn’t help but look at it as well. She curiously asked what it was and Jing noticed she was interested which is why he gave her the fish amethyst later.

Of the three ladies on the s.h.i.+p, only Yi Yang never showed any interest in it from beginning to end. She didn’t even spare it a glance and that wasn’t like her personality, Yi Yang not being interested wasn’t because she didn’t like the fish ruby, it was because she knew Hou would give her the fish ruby.

Hou killed the monster fish in front of everyone to extract the fish ruby, that was like a male beast killing a prey before the female in a form of courts.h.i.+p. His powerful form riding the monster fish under the sun was filled with a man’s strength and vigor, and Hou was actually shaming Jing right in front of his face. He wanted to show Jing’s fiancee how much stronger he was and conquer Jing’s woman.

Hou’s torment and shame didn’t topple Jing and he also didn’t win in the power struggle with Jing. He could only use winning away the women around Jing, such as making Jing’s maid Lan Xiang betray Jing and also cause Jing’s wife to like Hou over Jing.

Xiao Yao suddenly sat up “b.a.s.t.a.r.d!”

The next day Xiao Yao rushed to find Jing who was leaving and Hu Ya driving the carriage looked upset.

Seeing Xiao Yao, Jing had Hu Ya wait and asked “What happened? Why are you here?”

Xiao Yao took off her veiled hat “I’m not here to see you, I want to talk to Jing Ye.”

Jing said “Jing Ye is inside, I’ll go with you to see her.”

Xiao Yao “You handle your matters, I want to speak with her alone.

“Then I’ll come back as soon as I can.”

Xiao Yao smiled and said nothing before walking in.

Jing Ye was speaking with Hu Zhen and when Xiao Yao walked in she quickly curtsied “Princess you are here! Where is the master?”

Xiao Yao asked “I noticed Hu Ya’s expression was odd, what happened?”

“Last night a personal guard of my master secretly poisoned his medicine but luckily Princess you warned us so we are extra careful and he didn’t succeed. The guard committed suicide before he could be interrogated but the guard grew up with Hu Ya so Hu Ya feels terrible.”

Jing Ye sighed “This feeling is so scary, one second it’s someone you trust and the next is someone with a sword aimed at you. Hu Zhen said the enemy wants to make us all uneasy and start suspecting even our closest family. Thankfully master is very kind and isn’t affected, he keeps comforting Hu Ya.”

Xiao Yao’s expression darkened, so Hou and Yi Yang have started taking action!

Hu Zhen said “I didn’t tell anyone about the clan leader’s health but the two of them are not stupid so they likely already knew. They have been waiting for him to fall gravely ill but in the last few months the clan leader looks so much healthier so they know that method won’t work which is why yesterday’s poison attempt is just the beginning.”

Hu Zhen stared at Xiao Yao without blinking and she knew what he wanted to say. She said “Don’t worry, I won’t let anyone harm my patient.”

Hu Zhen was relieved and bowed “Thank you to the Princess.”

Xiao Yao said “I have something to talk to Jing Ye about.”

Hu Zhen looked at Jing Ye before retreating from the room.

Xiao Yao sat down at Jing’s usual seat and stared at Jing Ye who felt her gooseb.u.mps rise and asked “Does Princess want to take me to task?”

Xiao Yao said “I have to ask you things and if you tell me the truth then I won’t do anything to you.”

Jing was gentle and polite and never harsh with Jing Ye so right now she felt unhappy but knew how important Xiao Yao was to Jing so she accepted it “Whatever I can say I will answer.”

Xiao Yao asked “Tell me, has Hou ever given you presents, been nice to you, tried to seduce you?”

Jing Ye’s face flushed red “Does Princess suspect that I betrayed my master? I didn’t!”

“Answer my question, has Hou tried to seduce you? Tell me the truth!”

Jing Ye bit her lip and after a moment slowly nodded her head.

“Has he touched you?”

Jing Ye’s eyes were filled with tears “One time almost but I vowed death in denying him so he let me go.”

“Were you ever moved by him?”

Jing Ye immediately said “After Master went missing, I always suspected Hou did it. How could I be moved by him? Only Lan Xiang that idiot could have taken Hou’s fake affection as real and ruined her life over him.”

“If you weren’t moved by him, why didn’t you tell Jing about it?”

Jing Ye held back her tears “I may seem capable on the outside but I’m still a maid in the Tu Shan clan. If Hou liked me then I need to treat it as my lucky day. How dare I complain? Plus…..how can I tell Master this since I’m a woman?”

Xiao Yao stared at Jing Ye who added “I swear that I never did anything to betray Master. I…..I already have someone I like. I could never like Hou.”

“Who is it?”

“Hu Zhen. When Master was asleep for 37 years because of the Princess, Hu Zhen and I took care of him together. He was with me in enduring the pain of watching Master wasting away. He’s not like Hou…..full of honeyed words, he’s dense and stupid. But he makes me feel safe, with him beside me, I know even if the Heavens fell he would hold it up with me.”

Hu Zhen dense and stupid? Xiao Yao never got that impression, he seemed quick-witted and sharp. Only a woman who really liked a man would describe him as dense and stupid and still say it in an affectionate way.

Xiao Yao asked “Does Hou still hara.s.s you?”

“No, ever since Master became clan leader, he stopped hara.s.sing me. Later he knew I liked Hu Zhen and wasn’t even upset about it. He even gifted me a future wedding accessory.”

Xiao Yao smiled “I believe you. Actually I never thought you could betray Jing. I just wanted to find out because it wasn’t right that you kept this from Jing. But you’re also right, this isn’t stuff you can talk about. And with the Grand Madam around back then, she might’ve just married you off to Hou.”

Jing Ye let out a sigh of relief and wiped her tears “Thank you Princess for understanding my difficult position.” That was also her worry back then that she would become the next Lan Mu which is why she never said anything.

Xiao Yao put her hands under her chin deep in thought. Jing Ye softly called “Princess?” Xiao Yao waved her off “You go do your thing, I’m mulling through some stuff.”

Jing Ye quietly left the room.

Xiao Yao was mulling over what Hou was thinking. Jing Ye’s rejection told Hou that he wasn’t as good as Jing so that enraged Hou and he kept on hara.s.sing her. But when he knew she liked Hu Zhen, he stopped because winning Jing Ye meant winning over Hu Zhen and not Jing. Hou wasn’t interested in Jing Ye after that. Hou used conquering Jing’s women to prove he was better than Jing! Hou actually having that thought meant he would have set his eyes on Yi Yang from the beginning. Compared to maids like Lan Xiang and Jing Ye, Yi Yang was way more meaningful a conquest.

Based on what she saw, Yi Yang genuinely liked Hou but how much Hou was sincere towards her versus conquering her to win over Jing was unclear.

Jing wanted to lessen Hou’s anger but didn’t know that Hou’s entire soul was twisted. He tortured Jing, tried to win the clan leader position, stole Jing’s women, all of that was to prove he was better than Jing. But the one woman he could never win the affection of was already dead. He could never show her his victory over Jing.

Xiao Yao sighed, if Jing’s mother knew that the poison wine she brewed with her own hands would be drunk sip by sip one day by Jing, would she have treated Hou better? Xiao Yao still couldn’t agree with Jing in not killing off Hou already, but Jing had already stepped aside too much and Xiao Yao couldn’t let Hou keeping harming Jing.

Jing walked into the room and saw Xiao Yao with her head lowered and brow furrowed as if deep in thought. The sunlight s.h.i.+ned on parts of her and illuminated her face like an orchid waiting to bloom.

Jing quietly looked at her and felt that the sunlight s.h.i.+ning on Xiao Yao s.h.i.+ned right into his heart. It was like he had drunken wine and felt this warm buzz.

Jing slowly walked over and Xiao Yao was still thinking until Jing walked up to her before she realized he was there. She raised her head and smiled at Jing, and that smile was from deep inside and brightened her face.

The moment her smile came and showed her teeth like a crescent moon, she was so beautiful and the smile was all for him. Jing felt his heart filled full with happiness and called out “Xiao Yao.”

Xiao Yao asked “Back so early? Are you all done?”

“I did the urgent matters already and the rest can wait.” Jing sat across from her “What were you thinking about?”

Xiao Yao mocked herself “What can I think about? A person like me, when I think it’s all messed up and all I come up with are a bellyful of bad ideas. Jing, can you promise me something?”

“Just say it.”

“Trust me! No matter what happens, trust me completely without reservation!”

“I promise.”

Xiao Yao was still wary and reminded him “No matter what you see, what you hear, close your eyes and ask your heart.”

Jing said “Don’t worry, the things I promised you before that I didn’t do, this time I will do this no matter what!”

Xiao Yao smiled “Great, I look forward to seeing you do it.”

That night when Zhuan Xu came to Xiao Yue Peak, Xiao Yao asked him “Are any of the consorts having parties or celebrations soon? Like a birthday? Or someone in their family getting a promotion?”

“What are you thinking of doing?”

“I want a party on the water. Best if it’s on a boat in the middle of a big lake.”

Zhuan Xu called “Xiao Xiao.”

Xiao Xiao walked over and Zhuan Xu asked “Princess wants a water banquet. Anyone suitable to hold one?”

Xiao Xiao replied “The Wan Lei Consort grew up by the water and every banquet likes holding it by the water. In ten or so more days will be when the water lilies bloom on the Great Mirror Lake. She can hold a flower viewing banquet on the lake as a reason to invite guests.”

Xiao Yao smiled and nodded “That’s perfect and no one will have reason to suspect.”

Xiao Xiao asked “Who does Princess want to invite?”

Xiao Yao said “Jing, Fang Feng Yi Yang, Tu Shan Hou, Li Jie Chang. I don’t care about anyone else but those four people have to attend.”

Xiao Xiao said “I understand.”

Xiao Yao replied “Xiao Xiao, thank you.”

“Princess you are too kind.” Xiao Xiao quietly retreated.

Zhuan Xu asked Xiao Yao “I thought you didn’t want to see Fang Feng Yi Yang? What are you planning?”

“I’m planning to do some bad stuff and it’s only stuff I can do secretly so I can’t tell anyone.”

Zhuan Xu smiled “Fine. If I’m free that day I’ll come see what you’re up to.”

Days later, the Wan Lei Consort held a flower viewing banquet on the Great Mirror Lake in Sheng Nong Mountain. She invited guests to admire the water lilies and enjoy the scenic vistas.

Xiao Yao was now infamous in the vast wilderness but she rarely went out so when she arrived at the party, she was the center of attention as everyone wanted to see what the Princess who ran off with a dissolute rake on her wedding day looked like.

The Wan Lei Consort had all the guests brought onto various s.h.i.+ps, and likely to lessen Xiao Yao’s discomfort, her s.h.i.+p had few people with only close friends and family – Jing, Fang Feng Yi Yang, Li Jie Chang, Xi Ling Chun and his fiancee Ji Yen Ran, the Wan Lei Consort and her little sister Wan Lei Yun.

The Wan Lei Consort and Yi Yang sat on the pallet catching up while Wan Lei Yun stuck by her sister’s side. She spoke little and took in everything, a very quiet and polite young lady. Ji Yen Ran was also a gently bred young lady who smiled and sat beside Fang Feng Yi Yang. That left Jing, Chang, Hou, and Chun, the four men talking in the rear of the s.h.i.+p and fis.h.i.+ng.

Only Xiao Yao was alone standing by the railing admiring the view.

Chang saw Xiao Yao and kept poking Jing with his elbow but Jing had no reaction. Chang walked over to Xiao Yao and spoke loudly “Princess, will you consider my buddy?”

Xiao Yao leaned against the railing with a smile and said nothing.

Chang said “You left Feng Long, your reputation is ruined because of Fang Feng Bei, you can’t find a decent man to marry you now. My buddy is true to you, why don’t you just go with him!”

Xiao Yao flipped her hair and laughed “He’s true to me? I can’t feel that.”

Xiao Yao was wearing a gossamer thin Spring robe that billowed in the wind and outlined her pet.i.te figure, giving her an aura of innocent seductiveness like one of the blooming water lilies ringing the s.h.i.+p.

Chang was gritting his teeth “How does Jing need to treat you so that you feel his true heart?”

Xiao Yao bit her lip and said “I want a water lily.”

Chang said “That’s a piece of cake.” But Xiao Yao added “No using powers though. I want a hand plucked water lily, and I want it right now.”

Chang was startled, it seemed simple but sometimes the simplest things in the world are the hardest to do. Chang glanced over at Yi Yang and the Wan Lei Consort, and then over at Hou and Chun, before looking around at all the s.h.i.+ps in the lake. He sighed “Princess, you are clearly being difficult.”

Xiao Yao said nothing and just smiled at Jing.

Chang was about to say something when with a plop Jing dived off the s.h.i.+p and swam towards a water lily.

The sound startled the other four ladies and everyone stood up.

The Wan Lei Consort asked in dismay “The Tu Shan clan leader, what is going on?”

Xiao Yao grinned “The Tu Shan clan leader went to pluck a water lily.”

Since Chang dragged Jing over to Xiao Yao, Hou had been keeping an eye on them while still fis.h.i.+ng with Chun. He heard every word Chang said to Xiao Yao. He already knew Jing liked Xiao Yao but he didn’t realize Jing was willing to do anything for her.

The rest of the folks on the other s.h.i.+ps didn’t know why Jing suddenly jumped in the water but they could tell this was a very strange occurrence so everyone stopped laughing and stared at Jing.

Someone called out on another s.h.i.+p “Tu Shan clan leader, do you need some help? I’m happy to oblige.”

Jing swam and calmly answered “No need, I need to do this myself.”

Everyone was gossiping “What needs the clan leader to do personally?’

Jing candidly replied “Plucking a flower.”

Everyone paused and then started laughing uproariously.

Chang leaned on the railing and covered his eyes wearily with his hands, not having the heart to look anymore. He viciously chewed out Xiao Yao “You little witch, are you happy now?”

Jing swam to the sh.o.r.e and plucked the most beautiful water lily before swimming back.

He vaulted onto the s.h.i.+p dripping wet and everyone saw that he was holding a gloriously bloomed water lily in his hand. He handed it to Xiao Yao and she accepted it with a smile. She plucked the two prettiest blooms and tucked it in her hair and put the rest around her wrist as a bracelet.

Everyone thought the Tu Shan clan leader was plucking a flower for Fang Feng Yi Yang but seeing him hand it to Xiao Yao caused silence to descend as all eyes focused on Xiao Yao.

Li Jie Chang purposely loudly laughed “We made a bet with the Princess and we lost. The bet was to not use powers to pluck a water lily. I wanted to welsh on the bet but the much too serious Jing actually made good on the bet!”

Everyone knew Li Jie Chang was a prankster so laughed along with him and then went back to their own pleasures. But everyone on Xiao Yao’s s.h.i.+p knew this wasn’t some bet.

Xiao Yao raised her arm and asked Jing “Is it pretty?”

Jing nodded and all the women on the s.h.i.+p had to agree that it was gorgeous. Ji Yen Ran even glanced at Chun with a realization that the most beautiful accessory in this world wasn’t jewels but was instead a wild flower plucked by a lover.

Xiao Yao said to Jing “Take care of yourself and quickly dry your clothes.” She finished and acted like nothing had happened and sauntered away.

Yi Yang’s express was thunderous and everyone awkwardly stood there. Xiao Yao was nonchalantly standing at the front chatting with Shan Hu and enjoying with the view.

The Wan Lei Consort composed herself and smiled “Everyone try the dishes which are all local specialties from my hometown. If you don’t like it at least you’ve now tasted it before. Later there will be main courses and if you like it then have more.”

Everyone awkwardly sat down and dutifully ate the dishes brought by the maids.

Hou smiled and observed Xiao Yao. Likely due to her living in the common world for hundreds of years, she may be royal but was very different than the other n.o.ble ladies. She was like a wildflower growing in the countryside, brazen and free. No wonder she publicly discarded Feng Long, and now that Fang Feng Bei was dead, she didn’t seem all that upset and was flirting with Jing.

The perfect Jing was always cool and calm with no desires and no wants. Everyone’s dream position as the clan leader was something he didn’t even want. The beautiful Fang Feng Yi Yang didn’t even merit an extra look from him. Even an aphrodisiac couldn’t get him to sleep with Yi Yang. But Jing’s heart was captured by that wildflower, there was finally something he wanted and he desired now.

Hou liked hunting since he was small, the more dangerous the beast the more he liked it. The more dangerous it was, the more he got a thrill out of conquering it.

Another s.h.i.+p pulled up alongside but no one noticed until Feng Long and Empress Xing Yue walked out. Everyone on the Wan Lei Consort’s s.h.i.+p stood up and bowed as Feng Long and Empress Xing Yue boarded. Xiao Yao’s head started hurting and she shrank behind others.

Xing Yue said to the Wan Lei Consort “I heard you were having a party on the lake so decided to come join the fun. I hope I didn’t intrude on the festivities.”

The Wan Lei Consort laughed “The arrival of the Empress will only add to the festivities.”

Xing Yue’s eyes moved over everyone until she landed on Xiao Yao “What a surprise to see the Princess here as well.”

Xiao Yao didn’t know how to answer so didn’t reply.

Xing Yue said to Feng Long “Gege, this is the first time you’ve seen Xiao Yao since that ridiculous wedding ceremony, right?”