26 Chapter Twenty-Six
How did you know it was my birthday today?
The cold and beautiful woman stared menacingly at the rude underling who had been rude to her. The underling was clearly new to the Demon Realm and unaware that she had once been the master of this palace.
Ayao sneered, "How come I don't know there's such a beauty?"
The little demon puffed out her chest and said smugly, "You must be new here. His Majesty cherishes Xueji the most, nourishing her body with Blood Demon Lotus every day and even personally feeding her medicine."
On one occasion, he even personally witnessed the Venerable One feeding the aloof and beautiful Little Immortal Lord medicine in the courtyard, carefully feeding him spoonful by spoonful, which must have been the envy of countless men in the Demon Realm.
"Nonsense."
Ayao didn't believe that Luyue would be so gentle to anyone. Those so-called beauties only wanted Luyue's gentleness; only he pampered her. He personally took care of her trivial matters. Xueji wasn't missing a hand; how old was she that Luyue still had to feed her medicine himself?
His pride prevented him from going back in, yet he was unwilling to leave. This was the palace reserved for the Demon Queen; what was this Snow Princess who had been living here all this time? He could only find another place to stay and quietly observe Snow Princess's true nature.
But just as the little demon said, Lu Yue went to the palace three times a day to see Xue Ji, each time personally carrying a bowl of medicine. A Yao wanted to go in and take a look, but found that there was a protective array inside. He tried several times but couldn't get in, so he could only go to that old fox spirit Wen Ruo to ask what was going on.
Since His Excellency said he didn't want children, Wen Ruo has become well-behaved. For some reason, his health has also improved a lot. After taking off his usual thick robes, his supple and handsome body is revealed, and his face is flushed.
It's as if it has transformed from a warm jade suitable for handling into a vibrant red jade.
Ayao coldly glanced down at her and said, "Is that Xue Ji one of our Chunhu's?"
"Heh, you're joking. Does His Majesty only favor beauties of the fox clan?" Wen Ruo's smile was faint as she carefully examined the self-important little fox prince. Decades had passed, and he was still so ignorant of his place, thinking that his innate beauty allowed him to freely enjoy Lu Yue's favor. Nothing more than a pretty face; beauty fades and love wanes. Before his time is over, he'll be discarded by His Majesty.
“Perhaps you are an exception, but His Majesty just likes us to hold warm foxes.” A Yao firmly believed this, after all, Lu Yue had said many sweet words to him. As for the old guy’s hairless body, Lu Yue definitely had never held him.
Wen Ruo stood up unperturbed, looking at the radiant beauty with composure, and said, "Xue Ji is a prize obtained by His Majesty in attacking Shangqing. He dotes on her so much, and she has yet to serve him in bed."
Ayao was stunned. What did that mean? He had never served her in bed, yet he was allowed into her palace.
"Your Excellency is no longer the Your Excellency you know. Everyone gets tired of you eventually. Even a great beauty like you was banished from the Demon Realm."
"you……"
Ayao firmly believes that he is special to Luyue. He sacrificed one of his tails to win Luyue's love, and no one can compare to him.
Wen Ruocai was unwilling to waste her breath on him and turned around to accept the summons from the Emperor in the main hall.
Several demon lords had sat in this vast palace, but only Lu Yue was Wen Ruo's favorite. The previous ones were too ancient for him to remember. Qun Qing was too mysterious and unpredictable, and Chong Li was too arrogant and unruly. Lu Yue's cold and indifferent attitude, his detached and world-weary demeanor, was what he desired most.
"Your Majesty, what brings you to my presence?"
Lu Yue said slowly, "Xue Ji's birthday is coming soon. How does the mortal world celebrate it?"
Wen Ruo didn't understand why the Venerable One had developed the habit of celebrating birthdays for people. Lifespan in the Demon Realm was very long, unlike those fragile mortals who needed to use birthdays to look forward to the next year.
He bowed and touched his chest with one hand in response: "Of course, we eat more longevity noodles. If Your Majesty likes, you can invite the Ten Directions Palace Master to come and offer your congratulations, just like last time."
"That's fine too. Since it's Xueji's birthday, we should have a grand celebration. Send word that they should all come to celebrate Xueji's birthday the day after tomorrow." Lu Yue's expression was indifferent, but the smile on her lips showed that she was in a very good mood.
"Yes, I will take care of it immediately."
Upon hearing that they were to celebrate the Demon Lord's beauty's birthday again, the Ten Directions Palace Master felt deeply insulted. Why should a beauty sent by the Shangqing to sue for peace receive such an honor? Weren't they all powerful demon lords? They were actually groveling and bowing down to celebrate the birthday of such a lowly human.
The former Young Master Bai was one thing, after all, he was the Venerable's beloved beauty, so it was considered giving Lu Yue some face. But once is never enough, so the Southern Domain Palace Master stood up and said first, "We are not things that can be summoned and dismissed at will."
Wen Ruo, who came to deliver the message, looked at the troublemaking Palace Master, raised her eyebrows and smiled faintly: "This is His Majesty's decree. I only obey her. If you don't go, I don't mind replacing you with another Palace Master. Anyway, anyone can take your position, but there is only one His Majesty."
The Lord of the Southern Region Palace gritted his teeth and sat down.
"I've already made my intentions clear. Whether you go or not is up to you. The Demon Realm welcomes you. Remember to bring some gifts, after all, His Majesty dotes on our Shangqing beauty."
Wen Ruo left it at that; whether they could grasp the meaning behind his words depended on their own fate.
It's important to understand that whenever His Majesty throws a grand celebration for a beauty's birthday, it doesn't necessarily mean he genuinely likes her. Wasn't it just that he killed Young Master Bai on his birthday? He even made a leather jacket for him, yet His Majesty didn't seem particularly disappointed.
Those so-called beauties always think they are different from others because of their beauty, but in His Majesty's eyes they are nothing more than skeletons. Only he will forever accompany her on her high position, enjoying the worship of all living beings.
Xue Ji was completely unaware that Lu Yue was holding a grand birthday celebration for him in the Demon Realm. He only noticed that besides the Blood Demon Lotus, there was also a bowl of noodles today.
He said coldly, "I haven't eaten grains for a long time. You can take this noodle dish away."
Looking at his face, Lu Yue smiled faintly and said, "Today is your birthday, and I specially asked the Demon Realm to make longevity noodles for you according to mortal customs. If you don't like them, I'll kill them and find another chef to make them for you."
"Birthday?" Xue Ji was stunned, her expression flustered. "How did you know it was my birthday today?"
Why wouldn't I know your birthday?
Xueji had never had his birthday celebrated before; this was the first time. His face flushed, and just as he was about to pick up the noodles to eat, Luyue started feeding him again.
He said awkwardly, "I want to eat by myself, I don't want you to feed me."
"All right."
Lu Yue watched Xue Ji eat slowly, a hint of satisfaction in her eyes.
The main hall was in complete chaos. The Southern Domain Lord stared at the noodles before him, wishing he could simply flip the table and walk away. What did this mean? Last time, at least there had been singing and dancing, countless delicacies, and the aroma of fine wine permeating the entire Demon Realm. This time, there was only a bowl of noodles. He had never eaten vegetarian food before; was this an insult?
The other temple lords exchanged glances, but naturally dared not complain. After all, Lu Yue never argued; she would simply kill without hesitation. Only the rabbit clan seemed pleased, since their chieftain had felt unwell for a long time after eating so much meat last time.
"Lord of the Southern Region, this is His Majesty's idea. If you don't eat it, wouldn't that mean you're disrespecting her?" Wen Ruo looked down at the underlings with an unfriendly tone.
The Southern Domain Palace Master could only swallow his anger and eat the first bite of vegetarian food. Only then did Wen Ruo feel relieved enough to take a bowl of longevity noodles to the secret realm.
Hearing the commotion outside, Yan Qing assumed it was the Venerable One and happily ran to the cave entrance to greet him, obediently calling out, "Mother."
Upon seeing that it was Wen Ruo, his expression darkened, and he took several steps back: "Father, it's you."
Wen Ruo was surprised that the child was willing to agree, and said softly with a smile, "Try it, this was specially ordered by His Majesty."
"Was it made for me?" Yan Qing's eyes brightened slightly, and the child who had been dejected for many days came alive again. He knew that the Venerable One still had feelings for him, so how could he ignore him?
"No, today is the birthday of His Majesty's most beloved beauty, Xueji, so he specially made longevity noodles for him. He also invited the Ten Directions Palace Master to celebrate his birthday, and everyone gets a share."
"I see." Yan Qing didn't know there was a custom of celebrating birthdays. His Venerable One had never celebrated his birthday, not to mention his father. His father's gaze was especially terrifying, as if he were looking at something he loathed. As a result, Yan Qing almost dared not see Chong Li when he was young.
He slowly picked up the bowl of longevity noodles and began to eat them. The taste was very bland, with nothing particularly special. But Yan Qing felt a bitter taste in his heart, a sharp ache in his chest. He envied Xue Ji; the Venerable One must really like him. The other must be prettier and more obedient than him, and healthier too.
As Yan Qing ate his longevity noodles, tears streamed down his face. He didn't know why he had to be punished like this. If only His Majesty could love him a little more.
Wen Ruo looked at Yan Qing, who was crying silently, and found it all laughable. Was she in pain? Was she suffering? The fact that you were still alive was already an immense blessing. You innocent and naive people who always waited for the Venerable One's love were really boring. You always thought you were special beings, only asking the Venerable One for elusive love, completely unaware of the loneliness and pain in her heart.
He noticed it was getting late and thought he should let His Majesty and Xueji meet everyone.
Xue Ji ate his noodles very slowly, even finishing the broth. He looked at Lu Yue, who was staring intently at him with her purple, vertical pupils, and felt his face flush. He turned his head and asked, "Why are you so good to me?"
"I want your heart." Lu Yue didn't understand why Xue Ji kept asking this, even though he had told her about it when he first arrived in the Demon Realm.
"If I give it to you, will you treat me well?" Xue Ji also had his pride. He knew that Lu Yue was a flirtatious and amorous person. Since he entered the Demon Realm, he had not spared any of the rabbit, fox, snake, or even his long-time subordinates.
He didn't mind her past romantic affairs, but from now on she had to belong to him alone.
"If you give it to me, I will cherish it like a precious jewel." Lu Yue's expression was calm as he intently observed Xue Ji's complexion. So many days had passed, and his body had almost fully recovered; he could indeed give her his heart.
"Then you must treat me well."
Xue Ji couldn't tell if Lu Yue's words were true or false, but she was the first to celebrate his birthday. Seeing the longevity noodles, he even felt that having his cultivation destroyed by Shang Qing wouldn't be so bad. He would stay by Lu Yue's side and persuade her not to fight Shang Qing again.
Lu Yue felt the time was right, so she stood up and said, "The Ten Directions Palace Master has also come to celebrate your birthday today. Let's go see him."
"Alright."
Xue Ji remained calm, but looked at Lu Yue, who was walking forward on his own, with a hint of anger. Shouldn't she be holding his hand?
Xue Ji walked behind Lu Yue and arrived at the bustling main hall. The last time he saw them was on Young Master Bai's birthday, and today it was his own. But when he saw the longevity noodles on the table, he asked in confusion, "What's going on? Why are they eating longevity noodles too?"
Lu Yue's eyes darkened: "Isn't what I ordered interesting?"
"Longevity noodles are only eaten on someone's birthday."
However, Xue Ji was willing to tolerate Lu Yue's mistake. He didn't choose his previous seat but sat to Lu Yue's left, where Wen Ruo had been. He didn't feel wronged at all and smiled lightly as he stepped back.
Below the banquet table, A Yao stared in utter shock at Xue Ji's cold and beautiful face, gritting his teeth as he asked, "Who is he?"
The Southern Domain Palace Master, standing nearby, quickly added gloatingly, "That's His Majesty's Snow-Clear Beauty, whom he specially snatched from Shangqing."
Impossible! What happened?
Ayao's fingers trembled, cold sweat broke out on his body, and his mind was filled with that beautiful face.
Why does Xueji look exactly like Yanqing?
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