Chapter 1902: Journey (Six)
That short sentence left Ruiyi frozen in place, her face, which had been filled with determination, quickly turning into shock and confusion.
Yun Wuxin, who had been wondering how to plead for Ruiyi, was also stunned. Then, a strange sense of excitement and anticipation began to stir in her heart...
Here it comes!
Father's "other side"!
Cang Shuhong, on the other hand, had a faint smile on her lips and shook her head slightly.
"This... I... I... how can this... be possible..."
Clearly never having faced such a situation, Ruiyi, who had been so articulate moments ago, was now completely at a loss, stammering incoherently.
"This is not a request, but an order. It's not a matter of whether you are willing or not, only whether you obey or disobey." Yun Che said in a deep voice.
Forcing herself out of her daze, Ruiyi didn't dare meet Cang Shuhong's eyes. She shook her head vigorously: "No... no! The lady hasn't even... how can I... how can I..."
"Hmph! Just now you said that for the sake of your lady, you would accept any punishment without complaint. Yet now, when faced with this favor that is a punishment in name but a blessing in reality, you cower and refuse. Is this what you call atonement, and your loyalty to Madam Hong!?"
Yun Che's voice suddenly turned harsh.
Ruiyi, who had remained unyielding even in the face of Yun Che's killing intent, now truly looked on the verge of tears.
Although Cang Shuhong had been enfeoffed as Madam Hong for over a year, she had never shared a bed with Yun Che.
If Ruiyi were to be favored by Yun Che before Cang Shuhong... how could she face Cang Shuhong in the future?
"Emperor Yun, you... you can punish this maidservant in any way you wish, but... this one thing... truly cannot... truly cannot!"
She shook her head desperately, tears of panic finally welling up in her eyes.
"Your Majesty, she has already admitted her mistake. Please let her off for now." Cang Shuhong spoke up, her voice gentle.
"Hmph, she brought it upon herself." Yun Che snorted lightly. Catching sight of Ruiyi's tearful expression, he felt immensely satisfied inside.
The more stubborn a woman, the deeper her soft spot. Ruiyi's soft spot was undoubtedly Cang Shuhong... poking it once was enough to make her cry.
"Ruiyi, you may withdraw first."
Cang Shuhong's gentle words were like a pardon for Ruiyi. She quickly took her leave and fled as if escaping.
But even until she exited the bedchamber, she didn't dare to meet Cang Shuhong's gaze.
Yun Wuxin watched Ruiyi's fleeing back... and felt deep sympathy.
"The more stubborn a woman, the more she arouses a man's desire to bully. It seems even His Majesty is no exception." Cang Shuhong said with a smile.
She used the word "bully" instead of "punish," which carried a subtle implication.
"Her? Hah!" Yun Che said disdainfully. "Can she be any more stubborn than Qianying?"
"Speaking of Consort Ying, there is one thing I am quite curious about." Cang Shuhong turned her beautiful face, a hint of inquiry in her eyes. "Between Your Majesty and Consort Ying, who is the hunter and who is the prey?"
"That goes without saying, of course it's..."
Yun Che stopped mid-sentence, then froze, lost in thought, suddenly unsure how to answer.
Without waiting for Yun Che's answer, Cang Shuhong picked up a small covered jade bowl and turned to Yun Wuxin. "Wuxin, come and taste this soup."
Yun Wuxin immediately took it, her anticipation turning into uncontrollable excitement. "Did Aunt Shuhong just make this? Just now, Aunt Ruiyi said that Aunt Shuhong's soup is so delicious it can make your soul float away."
Her pink lips curved into a beautiful arc. Cang Shuhong smiled gently. "You have to taste it yourself to know how it really is. Make sure to drink it slowly, okay?"
Yun Wuxin could no longer contain herself. She lifted the jade bowl. Just as it was about to touch her lips, she sensed her father's gaze on her, carrying an unusual intensity and... nervousness?
"..." Yun Wuxin paused slightly. Then, she tilted the bowl slightly, and the warm liquid entered her mouth.
Yun Che was about to ask how it tasted, but he noticed that after a small sip, Yun Wuxin didn't stop. Instead, she raised her snow-white neck slightly and drank it all down slowly.
Only after finishing did she let the bowl linger on her lips for a moment before slowly setting it down.
There was not a single drop left in the jade bowl.
"Hmm..." Yun Che's gaze was calm, his expression composed. He asked casually, "How does it taste?"
Yun Wuxin lightly pressed her lips together, as if savoring the aftertaste. "It's very good, but there's a... strange flavor."
"A strange flavor?" Yun Che's eyebrows twitched. "What kind of strange flavor?"
"Let me think..." Yun Wuxin pondered seriously for a moment, then suddenly broke into a smile. "Let's call it... the taste of father."
Yun Che was startled, then laughed as well. "Haha, of course. The difference is so obvious, it was easy to guess."
"No," Cang Shuhong said softly, "It took only two or three hours of trial to achieve this level. Your Majesty is already the most remarkable man in the world."
"..." Yun Wuxin kept her smile, but there were so many things she wanted to say, yet she couldn't utter a single word.
In that bowl of soup, besides the "taste of father," there was also a faint... salty bitterness that came from herself.
She knew her father's doting affection for her, and she also knew the deep guilt and self-blame in his heart.
Knowing everything her father had been through in those years, how could she possibly bear any blame or anger? Only deep, heartfelt sympathy... But he himself could never seem to let it go and forgive himself.
Even though he was already the supreme emperor, he always tried to make amends, to become a more perfect father, and spared no effort in any form of attempt and sacrifice.
Father, I am already the luckiest and happiest daughter in this world... I have yet to glimpse the full picture of the world, but of this, I am utterly certain.
————
Eastern Divine Region, Brahma Emperor God Realm.
A golden barrier parted, and Qianye Ying'er stepped out. The light shone upon her cold, soul-stirring yet enchantingly beautiful face. Her long golden hair swayed with the twist of her waist, outlining her graceful curves. She was so breathtakingly beautiful that she seemed unreal, and even the celestial light seemed to dim in shame at her appearance.
A young girl in yellow robes hurried over and knelt in reverence. "Welcome, Master, from seclusion."
Qianye Ying'er had clearly just finished her training. Her skin was like white porcelain and snow, and a thin layer of sweat on her body seemed to coat her in a moonlit glaze, making the girl's heart pound wildly, not daring to look too long.
This seclusion was not long, a mere two months, but the progress was acceptable.
Although she was already at the Tenth Level of the Divine Lord Realm, she bore the blood of the Demon Emperor, so there was still considerable room for improvement. The upper limit she could reach in the future would surely surpass Qianye Fantian.
"Yue Ying, have there been any major events in these two months?" Qianye Ying'er asked.
"All is peaceful and well." Yue Ying replied. "Several Brahma Kings have selected six outstanding talents from the younger generation who show promise of receiving the divine power of the Brahma Emperor. They await Master's approval before beginning training..."
"...The old master's condition is also better than expected. Last month, he said in person that in another year or two, his profound strength would return to its peak. But the loss of seventy percent of his lifespan is destined to be irreversible."
"...There is one more matter. Four days ago, a group of rebels rose up in the west. They were remnants of the Saint Universe Sect. They have all been subdued. Originally, we intended to hand them over to the Glazed Light Realm, but since Master has come out of seclusion, we will await your decision on how to deal with them."
"Saint Universe? Hmph, that sect is truly a breeding ground for jokes and fools." Qianye Ying'er sneered coldly. "Cripple them all, then exile them to an uninhabited star realm and let them fend for themselves."
"Ah?" Yue Ying was taken aback.
"What? Do you have a problem with that?"
"No, this servant wouldn't dare." Yue Ying quickly bowed her head. "This servant will convey the order immediately."
When Qianye Ying'er was still the Fandi Shennü, Yue Ying was her close attendant. In the past, not to mention rebels, even those who had outlived their usefulness were often instantly killed by Qianye Ying'er without hesitation.
Now, she was merely crippling them and exiling them.
Just as Yue Ying was about to leave, Qianye Ying'er suddenly called out, "Wait."
"Does Master have further instructions?" Yue Ying quickly turned back.
"Where are Yun Che and Wuxin now in the Western Divine Region?" Qianye Ying'er asked. It had been four months now. According to their planned itinerary, they should be in the Western Divine Region now.
"Reporting to Master, Emperor Yun and the Princess are currently in the Southern Domain." Yue Ying replied.
"Southern Domain?" Qianye Ying'er frowned slightly. "Why are they still in the Southern Domain? Has something happened?"
Yue Ying quickly explained, "Emperor Yun's divine might is unparalleled; how could anything happen? It's just... Emperor Yun has been staying in the Ten Directions Canglan Realm for a rather long time... over a month now, and he still hasn't left."
"..." Qianye Ying'er was puzzled at first, then her golden eyebrows, curved like crescent moons, suddenly sank.
"Could it be... Cang... Shu... hong!?"
"Yes..." Yue Ying answered nervously. "According to reports from the Ten Directions Canglan Realm, for the past month, it has been... Madam Hong sharing the bedchamber with Emperor Yun..."
Krrrr!
A distinct sound of gritting teeth, along with a sudden chill in the air, frightened Yue Ying into immediately stopping.
"I knew it..." Qianye Ying'er's cold eyes gnashed. "That woman... is no good person!"
She was angry at Cang Shuhong, but even more furious at Nan Wansheng, that useless fool! Known as the number one Divine Emperor of the Southern Domain, yet he couldn't even handle the woman of Canglan, leaving her behind to steal her man now!
To keep Yun Che for over a month without being willing to leave, she couldn't imagine what kind of seductive methods Cang Shuhong had used.
In the past, in Yue Ying's eyes, Qianye Ying'er's mind was full of schemes and interests, and everything she did was to become the powerful Brahma Heaven Divine Emperor.
But now, Qianye Ying'er had become the Brahma Heaven Divine Emperor, yet her mind was full of Yun Che. Often, when major events occurred in the realm, the Divine Emperor was nowhere to be found... No need to guess, she must have gone to see the Cloud Emperor again.
The few remaining Brahma Kings were all miserable but helpless.
"Master need not be concerned." Yue Ying carefully comforted. "In terms of appearance and the bond with Emperor Yun, how could that Madam Hong compare to you? Emperor Yun is probably just temporarily intrigued by the novelty..."
"Scram!" Qianye Ying'er said coldly. "This is between me and that woman. You have no business here."
"This... this servant overstepped... this servant takes her leave." Yue Ying hurriedly apologized and quickly retreated.
"Wait!"
Qianye Ying'er called her back again, her words still gritting through her teeth: "Kill all those Saint Universe rebels, and throw their bodies into the Cold Brahma Mountains to feed the profound beasts!"
"...Yes!"
It was a long time before Qianye Ying'er's lingering jealousy subsided.
"That damn man... if he doesn't stay with me for a full three months, he won't leave my side even half a step!"