# Chapter 1900: Journey (IV)
Sure enough, Ruiyi's words made Yun Wuxin's beautiful eyes widen in astonishment.
The "Jadeite Heart Lotus Soup," which was hailed as "number one" throughout the vast Southern Divine Realm and had completely overturned Yun Wuxin's understanding of fine cuisine, was being called... crude?
"Father took me to taste the Jadeite Heart Lotus Soup a month ago," Yun Wuxin spoke. "From what I experienced, it truly lived up to its reputation. Aunt Cang Shuhe... is she really even more skilled?"
When facing Yun Wuxin, Ruiyi's gaze and demeanor were noticeably softer: "After receiving the news, my lady set aside everything and personally prepared tea and snacks for you. If Your Highness doesn't believe me, you can judge for yourself."
With that, she moved directly to Yun Wuxin's tea table and lifted the jade cover on it.
The jade cover was also layered with a thin barrier, used to prevent the dissipation of aroma and external contamination.
A cup of tea, a plate of three-flavored milk cake, and a small dish of delicate pastries.
Extremely simple yet elegant.
And for entertaining a figure as great as Emperor Yun, it seemed—at least visually—far too simple.
But before Yun Che's gaze even reached it, his nose twitched sharply.
Yun Che was not a connoisseur of tea, but that faint fragrance that drifted over seemed to possess an unknown magic, silently entering through his nose and into his heart—an indescribable freshness, an ineffable fragrance, blending with the sweet aroma it carried, causing his senses, from ears, eyes, mouth, and nose to every nerve in his body, to involuntarily relax.
This indescribable pleasure and comfort was like being gently lifted by an invisible soft cloud, floating through a valley of ethereal rain.
"..." Based on this alone, Yun Che realized that Ruiyi's words might not be an exaggeration.
"So... fragrant."
Yun Che's state of mind was hard to shake, and his emotions did not show on his face. But Yun Wuxin was far from being as calm as he was. With a faint, almost soul-lost murmur, she walked slowly to the tea table, her footsteps drifting as if pulled by an invisible gentle hand.
"Please, Your Highness, have a taste, and you will understand what this maidservant just said." Ruiyi set out the bamboo chopsticks for Yun Wuxin, eagerly awaiting her reaction... while also casting a sidelong glance at Yun Che.
Yun Wuxin unconsciously pursed her lips, then parted them. She picked up the chopsticks, lifted a small piece of milk cake, and following the gradually approaching and intensifying exotic aroma, she placed it into her mouth very slowly and carefully.
"..." Then, her whole person stood frozen there.
The chopsticks left her lips, Yun Wuxin's cheeks moved slightly, as if chewing with very small motions. Beyond that, she had no other movements or expressions, even her gaze fixed for a long time, as if her soul had suddenly been drawn away.
Yun Wuxin's strange reaction made Yun Che smile: "Is it really that exaggerated?"
"How is it? Does it suit your taste?" Cang Shuhe asked gently.
Yun Wuxin's lips moved slightly, and after a long moment, she softly said, "Father, you should try it once. Then you'll know."
But Ruiyi turned her face away with a "whoosh," refusing to lift the jade cover on the tea table in front of Emperor Yun.
Yun Wuxin had already picked up her chopsticks again, lifting another piece of milk cake...
Seeing this, Yun Che instinctively leaned back and quickly waved his hand: "No, no, I'll do it myself..."
But Yun Wuxin's snowy hand was already right in front of his lips: "Quick, taste it! Otherwise, you'll really regret it for the rest of your life."
As the Divine Emperor of the God Realm, one must maintain proper dignity. It was fine in private, but being fed in public... what kind of behavior was that?
But in front of Yun Wuxin, what dignity did he have? Compared to losing his imperial prestige, he was even less willing to refuse his daughter's request. After hesitating slightly, he half-reluctantly opened his mouth.
The milk cake entered his mouth, instantly smooth and fragrant. Then, his taste buds seemed to be gently struck and fully ignited. An overwhelmingly rich pleasure and satisfaction rapidly radiated through his entire body.
His five senses floated in supreme delight. His blood flowed joyously. Even his soul seemed to become light, as if it wanted to dance.
Although he had already held high expectations, his heart still trembled violently.
It was only then that Yun Wuxin exclaimed in surprise: "Oh my god~ oh my god~ How can there really be something this delicious in this world? It tastes like a dream... How is it even made?"
"Then that's good." Yun Wuxin's overflowing admiration made Cang Shuhe smile with delight. "The time was too short, so I could only hastily prepare these simple tea and snacks. If Wuxin likes them, I'll make all my best pastries and dishes for you in the coming days."
"Mm!" Yun Wuxin happily responded, then picked up a piece of pastry. When it entered her mouth, she let out another almost exaggerated cry of delight.
"What does His Imperial Majesty think?"
Her beautiful eyes hid a trace of anticipation and nervousness. Compared to Yun Wuxin, she was undoubtedly more concerned about Yun Che's evaluation.
"It's good." Yun Che's face was expressionless as he nodded slightly.
Those two bland words made Ruiyi so angry she nearly ground her jade teeth to pieces.
"Heartless man! Always putting on airs!"
This was originally just her inner curse, but she was so furious that she inadvertently let a few words slip through her lips.
The divine senses of the mighty Emperor Yun, whose divine power shook the world, were incredibly sharp. His eyes narrowed slightly as he said calmly, "To be honest, this tea's fragrance and these pastries, based on my experiences over the years, deserve the words 'unmatched in the world.'"
"But!" His gaze suddenly turned icy cold. "Your skill at training maidservants leaves much to be desired!"
"Have you even forgotten to teach her how to write the word 'death'?"
When Emperor Yun's wrath descended, heaven and earth trembled. Yun Wuxin was greatly startled, holding half a pastry she hadn't even swallowed yet, staring blankly at Yun Che.
Cang Shuhe's usually gentle and serene face finally showed panic. She quickly rose: "Your Imperial Majesty, please calm your anger. Your servant and Ruiyi have always treated each other like sisters in private, so I've been lax in discipline, offending Your Imperial Majesty."
"Ruiyi! Quickly apologize to His Imperial Majesty!"
As she scolded, her eyes shifted repeatedly, terrified that Ruiyi would act willfully.
The intimidating pressure bearing down from Yun Che made Ruiyi's whole body cold, and she shrank back half a step. But then she gritted her teeth, and from between her teeth squeezed out words stubborn to the point of desperation: "I... will not!"
"Ruiyi!" Cang Shuhe scolded again urgently.
Facing Yun Che's cold gaze, Ruiyi forced herself forward another step, furrowed her brows, and shouted loudly: "Yun Che! Whether you're a Demon Lord or Emperor Yun, I don't care! I just don't like you! I just hate you!"
Yun Che: (Oh?)
"Ruiyi, have you gone mad..."
"Miss! Since I'm going to die anyway, let me finish what I have to say! Otherwise, even if he doesn't kill me, I'll die from anger and suffocation!"
Ruiyi had already thrown all caution to the wind. She stepped forward again, her voice rising several notches: "Miss was forced to become the Canglan God Emperor because of you, and was forcibly sealed as Consort Shuhe by you. And now it's been over a full year, and you've never set foot in the Canglan Realm, not even once summoned Miss to the Imperial Cloud City!"
"Southern Divine Realm... the entire God Realm, countless people are laughing at Miss! Almost everyone thinks Miss is just a tool you use to conveniently control the Southern Divine Realm!"
"..." Yun Che frowned deeply.
"..." Yun Wuxin's beautiful eyes widened.
Having grown accustomed to everyone's extreme reverence for her father, this was the first time she had seen someone point at his nose and rage at him.
"Ruiyi, get out! Get out immediately!" Cang Shuhe was thoroughly panicked. In her urgency, she moved directly to push Ruiyi away.
But Ruiyi was already on guard. She instantly teleported, dodging Cang Shuhe's push, and continued shouting angrily: "Miss has been lonely and bitter her whole life. I thought she had finally seen the clouds part and the sun shine, but instead, she's just been ignored, humiliated, and treated as a tool by you!"
"And this past year or more, Miss has been working so hard she barely gives herself a moment to breathe! She... she is the best person in the world. In my heart, even if you are Emperor Yun, you're not worthy of her! What qualification do you have... mmph!"
Yun Che raised his hand, and the suddenly frozen space, a killing intent that pierced to the marrow, forcibly cut off Ruiyi's voice.
"It seems you're working very hard to seek death." Yun Che said coldly.
"Your Imperial Majesty... no! No!" Cang Shuhe rushed over, grabbing Yun Che's arm desperately, her eyes filled with pain and pleading.
"Death... what's there to fear!" Defying Yun Che's killing intent, she still managed to utter resolute words: "Miss's lifespan is nearly gone, you know that better than anyone! If Miss dies, I will absolutely not live on! Would I be afraid of death!?"
Yun Che: "..."
"Let my death make you understand that even if you are the so-called Emperor Yun, not everyone will let you bully my lady!"
"Heh!" Yun Che let out a very faint, cold laugh. "I didn't expect a little girl like you to be quite..."
"You're the little girl!" Ruiyi shouted angrily. "Don't think I don't know! You're only half a Jiazi old! In terms of age and experience, compared to me, you're nothing but a little brat!"
"Pfft!"
The half-chewed pastry in Yun Wuxin's mouth sprayed out.
"Ah! Such precious snacks!" After spraying it out, came Yun Wuxin's cry of dismay. For the first time, she so clearly understood the meaning of "gilding the lily." Her heart ached to the point of being at a loss.
And it wasn't just the pastry that suffered—Yun Che's killing intent was mostly dispersed by Yun Wuxin's sudden outburst.
Lifting her skirt corner, which had been stained by the sprayed-out pastry, she said pitifully, "I'm sorry, Aunt Cang Shuhe, for wasting your delicious snacks..."
Then, she suddenly thought of something, and her beautiful eyes brightened: "Aunt Ruiyi, could you take me to change my outer garment? Father said that the Ten Directions Canglan Realm has a 'Flowing Water Wave Garment' that is a gift from the endless Canglan Sea. I've been longing for it for a long time."
"Eh?" Ruiyi, who had been ready to be killed by Yun Che's palm so Cang Shuhe would give up, was stunned, not knowing how to react.
"Ruiyi! Quickly take the Princess to change clothes!" Cang Shuhe was still tightly gripping Yun Che's wrist, urgently commanding. "Go now!"
"Let's go!" Yun Wuxin was already pulling at Ruiyi's sleeve.
Ruiyi was half-dragged away by Yun Wuxin, staggering step by step, until she disappeared from Yun Che's sight.
Yun Che's hand was still half-raised in the air, but he did not strike.
Cang Shuhe's taut nerves finally relaxed. She let out a long sigh of relief, then knelt before Yun Che: "Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty, for your mercy. Your servant will certainly discipline her more strictly in the future... If Your Imperial Majesty dislikes it, I will never let her come near Your Imperial Majesty's sight again."
Yun Che's expression did not change. Instead, he slowly said: "Back then, when I first met you, it was when my murderous aura was at its heaviest and my reputation at its worst. From mortals to Divine Emperors, including your elder brother, everyone feared me to their very souls."
"And that day, whether when you saw me or when I was healing you, I could hardly feel any fear in your heart at all."
"Including later, when I forcefully aligned you with the Canglan divine power. You endured immense pain throughout, and could clearly sense the heavy loss of lifespan, yet your heart remained like a calm lake, without a ripple."
He looked into Cang Shuhe's eyes: "So, until yesterday, I always thought you were a person of extremely thin emotions—so thin that it seemed all feelings had stiffened to death in ten thousand years of solitude and coldness."
Cang Shuhe: ""
"But just now, when I revealed killing intent toward your maidservant, I sensed your intense panic and terror..." He looked down: "Your heart rate hasn't calmed down yet."
Clearly, he had judged wrongly.
Cang Shuhe lifted her eyes: "Is that why Your Imperial Majesty has been neglecting me all this time?"
"..." Yun Che did not respond.
Cang Shuhe lowered her gaze and said softly, "In ten thousand years of cold hardship, it was Ruiyi who was always by my side. Without her, I could not have held on until meeting Your Imperial Majesty."
"She is called my maidservant, but in truth, the bond between us runs deeper than that of birth sisters—deeper than others can understand."
"I can probably understand that." Yun Che said. "Seeing how she looked like she wanted to devour me, she really can't bear to see you suffer the slightest grievance. Hmph!"
Yun Che's words made ripples in Cang Shuhe's beautiful eyes: "So Your Imperial Majesty does not hold it against her?"
"I, the great Divine Emperor of the God Realm, would not stoop to the level of a little girl..." He paused, then said coldly, "I would not stoop to the level of an old woman!"
Cang Shuhe broke into a smile: "If the Empress or Consort Mu heard that, I'm afraid Your Imperial Majesty would be sleeping alone on the imperial bed for several days."
Cang Shuhe's smile was extremely gentle, carrying a kind of infectiousness like evening wind and flowing clouds.
The moment he blurted out that thoughtless remark, Yun Che regretted it. Not just Chi Wuyue and Mu Xuanyin, but the Cang Shuhe before him was also directly affected.
That damned little... maidservant! Although her mind was troubled, considering her wholehearted loyalty to her master was at least a little touching, capital punishment could be spared. But if I just let it go like this, where would my imperial dignity and face be?
Just you wait and cry!
"How could my Empress and Consorts be lumped together with her?" Yun Che said, then added casually, "You... wouldn't tell them, would you?"
Cang Shuhe neither nodded nor shook her head. Her soft smile was like a secluded spring containing infinite, exquisite illusions, drawing one's gaze and thoughts into silent immersion—until complete indulgence: "Throughout history, the biggest mistake many men have made is believing that women can keep secrets."
Yun Che couldn't help but smile.
And at that moment, he suddenly realized that facing Cang Shuhe's gaze and listening to her words was actually such an enjoyable experience.