Chapter 10 First Entry into the Ice Palace
Su Yuyao was covered in sweat from running and finally couldn't run anymore. She pulled off her warm hat, her head steaming with white mist, and ran towards Xuanfeng, calling out, "Xuanfeng! I'm hungry! Let's eat something before we go!"
"You brat! Be careful not to catch a cold!" Xuanfeng quickly took off his warm hat and put it on Su Yuyao's head.
Su Yuyao was lifted onto the carriage by Xuan Feng, who then roughly wiped her sweat.
"Xuanfeng! Why did you use so much force! You hurt me!" Su Yuyao said indignantly.
"I'd love to give you a good beating! How can you be so disobedient? What kind of palace matron would tolerate your bad habits?!"
"Do you have any experienced matrons in your palace?"
"I am the Heavenly Emperor! What do I need to do with this old woman?!"
"That settles it then. You don't have any experienced maids in your palace, so what am I afraid of?" Su Yuyao said with a smile, her eyes wide.
"Aren't you afraid of me?" Xuanfeng asked, looking at the innocent-looking Su Yuyao.
"I'm scared! But I'm not afraid of you hitting me or scolding me. I'm afraid you'll throw me away. As long as you don't throw me away, I'll treat you however you want!" Su Yuyao clumsily kicked off her shoes and stretched her cold, damp feet in front of Xuanfeng. "My feet are wet too!"
Xuanfeng looked at the feet with soaked socks in front of him and said with a helpless smile, "Aren't you afraid I'll get angry and really throw you away if you're so presumptuous?"
"Huh?" Su Yuyao was taken aback, looked into Xuan Fengzhanqing's eyes, and asked worriedly, "Then will you abandon me because of my insolence?"
The image of Su Yuyao gradually emerged in Xuanfeng's deep eyes. After a while, he whispered, "No."
Su Yuyao breathed a sigh of relief and said happily, "I knew you wouldn't throw me away. You bought me so many things, how could you bear to throw me away?"
Qimen lifted the curtain and handed over the warmed food and wine, smiling as he asked, "Are you relieved, Yao'er?"
"Yes! Uncle, I knew Xuanfeng wouldn't throw me away!" Su Yuyao picked up a pastry and said while eating.
Xuanfeng helped Su Yuyao remove her damp socks, dried her wet, chubby feet with a handkerchief, then opened his own clothes and pressed her cold feet against his chest. "Are you still cold?"
Su Yuyao playfully rubbed the soles of her feet against the warm chest and said, "I'm not cold anymore!"
Xuanfeng felt ticklish from her rubbing against him and said with a smile, "Behave yourself! If you keep moving around, I won't warm your feet anymore!"
"Okay!" Su Yuyao replied, and finally started eating obediently.
Xuanfeng had no appetite, so he took the warm wine and drank a sip. He looked at Qimen and asked, "Immortal Master Qimen, was what I did right?"
Qi Men smiled to himself, thinking to himself, "Mr. Su Yuan once said that following your heart is the right path."
...
In the Never-Night Lodge, Xianming's injuries had not yet healed. He leaned against the tea table, looking at the cold cups and saucers, and the image of Chaoxi, both domineering and tender, floated before his eyes again.
He glanced at the royal blue robe draped over the screen; the bloodstains and marks were still clearly visible.
That was his shame, his humiliation, yet he couldn't help but reminisce about it, and even felt a slight fascination with it. He didn't know if this contradictory feeling was right or wrong, but he had no other choice.
Besides this physical body, what else do I have? Xianming gave a bitter smile and said weakly, "Longjing, take the teacups away..."
"You've already taken it all away? Aren't you going to invite me... for a cup of tea?"
Xianming's eyes widened, and he straightened up slightly as a woman in a magnificent robe slowly approached. He raised his eyes slightly and thought, "Hmph! It really is that woman!"
He lowered his eyelids again, leaned back on his elbow pillow, rubbed his temples, and said, "What brings you here, Mother Yi? I'm afraid my tea is not to your liking, so I won't offend your palate."
Yi's mother smiled and said leisurely, "Xianming-jun's Never-Night Abode is always filled with the aroma of tea. Why is it so quiet today? I can't smell the tea at all. Even Xianming-jun doesn't feel like drinking tea anymore?... Hmm?!"
Yi's mother's tone changed slightly. She saw the blue robe on the screen, the robe of the man she made love with almost every day!
Xianming raised her eyelids and looked in the direction of Yi's mother's incredulous and puzzled gaze. Oh, she found it.
"Immortal Tea," Mother Yi said calmly, "Xuanfeng has sent word that he has decided to return to the Wuji Dao Sect and retire to the Immortal Mountain. I don't care what you're planning, you'd better stop immediately!"
Xianming's heart trembled slightly. Was Xuanfeng going to return to the Wuji Dao? To retire to the immortal mountain?
The mother walked to the screen, gently took off the soiled long robe, and said softly, "You must have found this. I recognize its owner, so I'll take it away."
Holding her long robe, Yi's mother stepped out of the Nevernight Pavilion, then stopped and turned to look at Xianming, smiling slightly, and said, "Oh right, I forgot the important matter. I came here today to tell you that Zeyuan's investiture ceremony is in a few days, and I have come specifically to invite you to attend..."
Xianming glared angrily at Yi's mother without responding.
"Oh, I forgot again. You didn't even show up for your own son's investiture ceremony, let alone the son of Lord Tide."
Yi's mother deliberately emphasized the words "Tide Lord," and looking at Xianming's trembling eyes, she said coldly, "Xianming Lord, take good care of your health, and next time... don't steal food again."
The magnificent robes, though beautiful, are like a poison...
"Smash!" A cup of cold tea was smashed against the door of the Nevernight Lodge.
"Please calm down, Immortal Lord. Since Lord Zeyuan's investiture ceremony has been decided, it means that Lord Xuanfeng has relinquished control of the Wuji Dao..."
"What's the situation with Xuanfeng right now?"
Longjing said somewhat awkwardly, "Lord Xuanfeng... has not yet arrived at Lüshuang Peak."
"What?! He's not here yet? What has he been doing all this time?!" Xianming said, somewhat annoyed.
"Reporting to Immortal Immortal, it's because of that girl named Su Yuyao. Lord Xuanfeng seems to be very fond of her; I've heard he grants almost every request she makes..."
Xianming was somewhat surprised, "Su Yuan's daughter?"
"yes."
Xianming thought for a moment, then took a deep breath and said, "Xuanfeng isn't a brainless person. He won't ruin his plans because of Su Yuyao. He must have his own plans."
Xianming narrowed her eyes in deep thought. Just what kind of girl was this Su Yuyao...?
...
Inside the palace of the female mother, the curtains swayed incessantly. The mother rode on top, controlling every frown and movement. Tide's legs were already trembling, but the mother still refused to stop.
Only when blood gushed forth did Mother Yi turn over and lie down, pulling the limp Tide onto her body.
Although Chaoxi had taken the pills beforehand, she hadn't expected Yimu to be so proactive today, pushing her to the peak every time. The first few times, Chaoxi could barely keep up, but later, she became somewhat powerless and was eventually drained of her essence by Yimu.
Tide lay on top of her mother, too exhausted to even give her a deep kiss, and could only gasp for breath.
“Tide,” Mother Yi said coldly, stroking Tide’s wet back with her fingers, “I’ve found your long robe. Do you know where you’ve lost it?”
Tide was startled. Since Mother Yi had already retrieved the long robe, she must have discovered something.
He said cautiously, "Last time, when Lord Ruixin beat me to it, I was annoyed, so I went to the Ice Pool to clear my head. I suppose I left it there..."
Mother Yi smiled slightly and said, "That's right. I found out about it when I went to talk to Xianmingjun today. You know what? Xianmingjun's injury still hasn't healed..."
Chao Xi shuddered, inwardly alarmed, "Immortal Tea isn't ready yet?"
"Immortal Tea? Not ready!" Mother Yi helped Tide Lord up. "Tide Lord, are those islands in the South China Sea still peaceful lately? I wonder if there have been any storms or waves. If the storms are too big, the islands might be gone!"
Tide Lord trembled slightly. He had been sent to the Heavenly Palace as a companion immortal lord, all to protect his home in the South Sea. He had gone to such lengths to finally allow Ze Yuan to take over the Wuji Dao, all so that the islands of the South Sea could grow and prosper! Otherwise, what were those few small islands in Yi Mu's eyes...?
Mother Yi pressed Tide-kun's head down to his navel. After a short while, her eyes gradually became hazy, her face flushed, her waist swayed, and her sweet voice returned, "Tide-kun... if you want to eat... I'll let you... eat your fill... but... don't even think about sneaking a bite outside..."
...
"Xianmingjun!" Longjing ran into the Nevernight Lodge.
"What's the matter? Why are you in such a hurry?" Xianming asked, fiddling with a purple clay teapot in her hand.
"Immortal Lord Ming, I heard that Lord Tide has been carried out of the Female Mother Palace!"
"Oh?!" Xianming was somewhat surprised.
"I heard that when Tide Lord was carried out, he smelled incredibly foul, his face was ashen, and his eyes were unfocused..."
Xianming stood up, walked to the door, leaned against the doorframe, and looked at the palace gate in the distance...
Thousands of years ago, Yi Mu used a pill to force herself on me, draining my essence and damaging my very being. I never imagined she would be so cruel, using the same method to harm Chao Xi. I wonder how Chao Xi is doing now…
"Xianming-jun?" Longjing asked, watching Xianming's retreating figure, "What should we do next?"
Xianming calmed herself down, thought for a moment, and said, "Wait..."
...
“Xuanfeng,” Su Yuyao stared at the wine pot in Xuanfeng’s hand and asked cautiously, “What kind of wine are you drinking? Can I have a sip?”
Xuanfeng glared at Su Yuyao, "You're too young to drink." Then he said to Qimen, "Please, Immortal Master, heat up the goat milk for the girl."
"It's still warm," Qimen replied with a smile. "Yao'er, how about we drink some goat milk later?"
Su Yuyao was a little disappointed. She pointed at Xuanfeng's chest with her toe. "Just one bite. I want to taste how this is different from osmanthus wine. Besides, I'm not a child anymore. I'll be getting married in a few days!"
"No." Xuanfeng's tone left no room for doubt.
Su Yuyao dared not insist any longer.
"Yao'er, drink your milk!" Qi Men said, handing over a warm water bag.
"Okay!" Su Yuyao picked up the water bag, leaned back against the object behind her, and gulped down the water.
After eating and drinking her fill of milk, Su Yuyao started yawning and soon dozed off.
Qimen dried her shoes and socks, and Xuanfeng warmed her feet. The two of them kept Su Yuyao warm and cozy before they felt at ease and continued on their way.
Binglun Palace is built along the mountainside. From bottom to top, it is cold and solemn. The entire mountain is covered with gray bricks and blue tiles, without a single green plant.
Sleepy-eyed Su Yuyao was carried off the carriage by Xuanfeng and placed on the ground.
Su Yuyao rubbed her eyes, looked at the gray mountainside, then at the endless steps leading upwards, and asked, "Hmm...where is this?"
"This is Binglun Palace. We've come to pay our respects to Lady Qingyue." Xuanfeng helped Su Yuyao take off her fur coat and straightened her leather jacket.
"You've arrived?" A cold female voice came from behind.
Su Yuyao looked in the direction of the sound and saw a fairy maiden standing on the platform. She was dressed in a blue robe, with her hair tied in a crescent-shaped bun, and had light eyebrows, delicate eyes, and a serious expression.
Xuanfeng and Qimen stepped forward, lifted their robes, and knelt down, saying...
"Nephew Xuanfeng greets Aunt."
"Your subject Qimen pays respects to Lady Qingyue."
Su Yuyao quickly followed suit, kneeling down and kowtowing to the ground.
Qingyue slightly raised her eyes and said softly, "Get up quickly. I heard from Dandelion that you were coming. Why did it take you so long?"
Xuanfeng stood up, bowed his head and said, "On the way... I was delayed by some things."
"Oh?" Qingyue glanced at Su Yuyao and asked coldly, "What's your name?"
Su Yuyao had just stood up with Xuanfeng and Qimen when she heard Qingyue's question, so she knelt down again with a thud and replied, "Your Majesty, my name is Su Yuyao."
Qingyue looked her over and said, "Is this the girl?"
Xuanfeng bowed his head and replied, "Yes!"
"Come with me." Qingyue turned and walked up the steps.
Xuanfeng reached out and lifted Su Yuyao up, whispering, "Stay close, and don't say anything out of line."
"Oh, I see." Su Yuyao looked at Qingyue's icy face and was a little scared, so she tugged at Xuanfeng's sleeve and followed behind Qingyue.
Looking at the tall, long steps, Su Yuyao asked in a low voice, "With so many steps, how is Bai Migao going to get up?"
"The white rice cake won't go up; there's room for it down below."
"What about my things?"
"I'll help you carry it up."
"Isn't it cold up there?"
"It's not cold."
"Then why was it so cold just now?"
"This is the Ice Palace, so it's not cold."
Why isn't the Ice Palace cold?
"Girl, don't be so presumptuous."
"Okay, I understand."
“Xuanfeng.” Qingyue stopped and turned to look at the two whispering people, her eyes flashing slightly.
Xuanfeng quickly lowered his head, not daring to speak again.
Looking at Qingyue's face, Su Yuyao thought to herself, "This woman is terrifying, a thousand times more terrifying than this bastard!"
Xuanfeng frowned and glanced back at Su Yuyao, while Qimen also looked at Qingyue's expression with slight nervousness.
Qingyue's expression grew even colder. She looked at Su Yuyao and asked in a detached tone, "Am I a thousand times, ten thousand times more terrifying than any bastard?"
"Huh? How did you know..." Su Yuyao asked in surprise, covering her mouth.
Qingyue ignored Su Yuyao and turned to Xuanfeng instead, "Are you still going to take this child back to the Heavenly Palace? In her condition, if she makes a mistake and is caught by the Mother Goddess, will she still live?"
Xuanfeng lowered his head and said, "Auntie, although she is a bit willful and naughty, she is still quite obedient, so..."
“Obey her? She probably only listens to you.” After saying that, Qingyue turned around and continued walking uphill.
Xuanfeng frowned and glanced at Su Yuyao.
Su Yuyao blinked, tugged at Xuanfeng's sleeve, and asked softly, "How did your aunt know what I was thinking?"
Xuanfeng sighed helplessly and said in a low voice, "Silly girl! Why haven't you thought it through yet? We can hear what you're thinking!"
"Huh?!" Su Yuyao's eyes widened in surprise, thinking to herself, "This bastard can hear my thoughts?"
Xuanfeng glanced at her again.
"Huh? You heard that?" Su Yuyao raised her eyebrows and asked tentatively.
Xuanfeng rolled his eyes and said, "If you call me a bastard again, you'd better wait to be beaten!"
"Huh?!" Su Yuyao pouted, sticking out her belly, and said, "Can't I even curse in secret?"
Seeing Su Yuyao's disappointed look, Xuanfeng suppressed a laugh and said, "No! Just because I don't mind doesn't mean that Lady Qingyue won't mind, understand?"
"Mm." Su Yuyao nodded, thinking to herself, it's good to have someone to back me up. If my father and mother were here, they could also support me.
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