Chapter 080: Breaking the Siege

Northern Huahua Kingdom, Imperial Palace, Imperial Garden.

After leaving the back mountain, Xuezhe and Gao Hai returned briefly to their quarters before heading straight to the Imperial Garden. Xuezhe suspected that there might be some lingering information here, for the aura of this place was somewhat similar to that of the cave.

Speaking of auras, disciples of Tianshan were exceptionally sensitive to scents, though only when it involved their own kin. Xuezhe had always been puzzled as to why she was so familiar with the scents of the mortal world; perhaps it was because she was half mortal herself. That was what she’d always believed.

By late morning, the Imperial Garden was nearly deserted—an ideal setting for her investigation.

Gao Hai needed to return and report to Liu Li, so he did not accompany Xuezhe.

“This Young Master Gao is truly busy—disguising himself as a wanderer to investigate with me, and constantly relaying messages to His Majesty. The exchange of news in the mortal world is nowhere near as swift as on Tianshan; it’s a great inconvenience.”

As she was thinking this, a sudden waft of floral fragrance drifted by. Glancing around, she noticed a pavilion surrounded by roses in a myriad of colors, lush and dewy with beauty.

Though Xuezhe did not particularly favor such gaudily vibrant blossoms, the delicate scent drew her in. Having just emerged from the eerie, shadowy forbidden grounds of the back mountain, she naturally longed for the brightness and beauty of such a scene.

The sun shone brilliantly, its dazzling rays lending the flowers and grasses an exceptional radiance and charm. The rose petals were dusted with a shimmering phosphorescence, as though gilded with gold dust or overlaid with silver glaze—this was the famed shining rose of Northern Huahua.

“These roses truly deserve their reputation; the fragrance is delightful indeed. They are certainly fine flowers,” she mused as she moved towards the pavilion, intent on admiring their form.

But before she could reach it, she heard the sound of approaching footsteps. Glancing sideways, Xuezhe immediately averted her gaze; to her rear, a group of concubines strolled leisurely. She hadn’t intended to pay them any mind, but they seemed determined to catch up with her, muttering comments obviously meant for her to hear.

“Who is this young lady, that she fails to pay her respects upon seeing me?”

“Sister, isn’t that the demon slayer who won the golden crown yesterday? I heard she just returned from the back mountain. Best not to get too close and risk catching her bad luck—or we’ll have nightmares!”

“Hmph, I want to see who dares defile my flowers!”

Xuezhe found herself at a loss, unsure whether to leave or stay. As the women drew within a few steps of her, she turned to face them.

The imposing group was startled by her sudden movement, then further unsettled by her cool gaze and celestial grace. They froze in place, as if before a goddess.

Fortunately, she wore a veil; otherwise, these imperial consorts might have died of shame.

“Is this…?” A woman in green hesitated, tugging at the sleeve of Lady Xian.

Lady Xian swallowed hard, casting a cold glance at the woman beside her. “Lady Liu, why have you brought me here?”

“Sister, I only wanted to show you the flowers. I heard your roses were in full bloom and hoped to share their beauty.”

Lady Xian’s gaze was icy, her tone dissatisfied. “With others present, my enjoyment is ruined. What do you propose we do?”

Lady Liu dared not look either at Lady Xian or Xuezhe, keeping her head bowed. “Sister, it’s so hot today. Perhaps we should return to the palace?”

Lady Xian shot Lady Liu a glare, her voice low and dangerous. “Return? How can I swallow this insult while she goes unpunished?”

“Sister… what do you intend to do?”

“I don’t know. Think of something for me!” Lady Xian’s eyes were sharp as blades.

Wiping sweat from her brow, Lady Liu crept toward Xuezhe, her steps reluctant, as though approaching the sun itself.

Seeing this, Xuezhe took a step back, intending to give her a wide berth.

But Lady Liu, steeling herself, deliberately fell at Xuezhe’s feet. Startled, Xuezhe stepped even further back, only for Lady Liu to scoot closer, clutching at her skirt.

“Ow! That hurts! Young lady, what are you doing?” Lady Liu clung to Xuezhe’s skirt, moaning loudly in pain.

Xuezhe was taken aback; she tried to help her up, but Lady Liu brushed her hand aside. “What is the meaning of this?”

Ignoring the burning ground beneath her, Lady Liu gripped Xuezhe’s skirt more tightly, refusing to relent. “What do you think? Why did you block my way, making me fall, and then refuse to apologize?”

“What?” Xuezhe was stunned, at a loss.

“Lady Xian!” Lady Liu turned pitifully to Lady Xian. “Sister Xian, this girl tripped me and won’t admit it. Please, you must see justice done!”

Xuezhe stepped back, tugging her skirt free, a hint of displeasure in her voice. “Please, have some self-respect. Do not malign others—get up at once.”

Lady Xian smiled with satisfaction and approached, pleased.

“Though you are a sage invited by the Empress Dowager, you must not mistreat the palace consorts. If Lady Liu has done wrong, it is for me to discipline her; if she has erred, I shall bear the consequence. Now, what do you mean by this?”

“Then you may take responsibility!” Before Xuezhe could speak, a familiar voice rang out. Turning, she saw Liu Li and Gao Hai approaching.

The concubines paled and immediately knelt. “Greetings, Your Majesty!”

Liu Li ignored their bows, letting them remain kneeling while he and Gao Hai came straight to Xuezhe.

“Young lady, what has Lady Liu done? Why is she lying at your feet?”

Xuezhe shook her head. “I do not know, Your Majesty.”

Liu Li smiled and looked at Lady Liu, who still showed no sign of rising. “Is there gold beneath you? Why are you lying there, refusing to get up?”

Lady Liu looked at Liu Li, feigning a pitiful air. “Your Majesty, my leg hurts terribly! I think someone tripped me!”

“Oh? Yet you walked without care, perhaps you bumped into someone else,” Liu Li said, then turned to Xuezhe with gentle concern. “Did Lady Liu, unsteady on her feet, injure you in any way?”

Xuezhe replied calmly, “I am unharmed.”

“Your Majesty!” Lady Xian rose and moved to stand beside him. “Lady Liu and I are both consorts. It is bad enough that we seldom see you, but now we must also endure such pain. My heart cannot bear it—please, grant us justice!”

“Have you forgotten palace protocol, Lady Xian?” Gao Hai interjected coldly, casting her a sidelong glance. “His Majesty only intervened because you failed to resolve this dispute. Instead of feeling shame, you behave with such disrespect and arrogance!”

“Your Majesty, forgive me! I… I know my fault, I will take Lady Liu back at once and discipline her.”

Lady Xian crouched to help Lady Liu up, the two exchanging long, unwilling glances. Dissatisfied with the outcome, their movements were slow.

“Wait!” Liu Li stopped her and looked down. “Since you are both consorts and share a sisterly bond, and since the ground is just the right temperature for healing and beauty, why not lie here together? Sun above and warm stones below—surely you will absorb the essence of sun and moon.”

Lady Xian was taken aback, quickly releasing Lady Liu and standing up. “Your Majesty, I… I do not care for sunbathing.”

Liu Li chuckled softly. “I thought you used to enjoy it. Do you find my suggestion lacking?”

“I dare not question Your Majesty’s wisdom.”

Gao Hai nodded approvingly. “I agree; ancient texts praise this remedy. It is sure to bring beauty and health. With such rest, one’s appetite is lessened, saving a meal—both economical and slimming!”

Liu Li nodded. “Then, as Master Gao suggests, I decree that Lady Xian and Lady Liu are to enjoy a day of sunbathing.”

“Your Majesty—” Lady Xian began.

“Is that not enough?” Liu Li’s smile was gentle. “Perhaps you would like another day?”

The two women exchanged glances, not daring to utter a word, sitting dumbly on the ground.

“Young lady, you haven’t eaten yet. Why not join me for a meal?” Liu Li asked.

Xuezhe returned to herself and shook her head. “That’s not necessary, Your Majesty. Thank you for your kindness. But these two ladies are delicate, and the sun is fierce. Will they not be burned?”

Liu Li gazed at the two consorts with a piercing look, then back at the calm Xuezhe, thinking to himself, You are still so kind—looks like I must play the villain for you, just as I did in the past.

“It’s nothing. This is a secret palace beauty treatment, tried by many. Besides, Lady Liu claims her leg is hurt; the warm stones will heal her like a poultice. Lady Xian is pale and rarely exercises—this will help her sweat and improve her health.”

Xuezhe looked at Liu Li in surprise. “Is that truly so?”

Knowing she did not believe him, Liu Li smiled and turned to the two consorts, asking quietly, “Isn’t that right? Normally, you both talk of losing weight and enhancing beauty, loving sun and moon essence, dew and flowers, and often seek closeness with nature… Is that so?”

Lady Xian was momentarily speechless, glaring at Lady Liu. “Lady Liu enjoys lying on the ground, but I—”

Gao Hai, seeing through the farce, strode over and cut her off. “Your Majesty, as Lady Xian says, I often see her lead the other consorts in sunbathing and moonbathing. Today, seeing an honored guest here, perhaps they wished to bask in some of her radiance!” Gao Hai thought to himself, These two are truly foolish, to dare anger His Majesty and try to frame the lady—utterly ridiculous!

“Hahaha, then enjoy yourselves!” Liu Li laughed. “If the sun is not enough, you may skip your meal and continue with moonbathing tonight!”

The two women quickly accepted the decree. “Thank you, Your Majesty. We will gladly enjoy the sunbath!”

Liu Li and Gao Hai smiled at Xuezhe, who humbly bowed her head.

“In that case, I must be far less knowledgeable than I thought.”