Questioning

Qin Gou’s wailing disrupted countless peaceful dreams and ruined more than a few intimate moments. Even Ye Qishuang, who had been restless and unable to sleep, heard every word loud and clear.

—

“I’ll kill you!” Gu Caihe stormed out of her room, her face flushed and her body drenched in sweat. Her movements were erratic, the effects of the Lover’s Laugh drug fully taking hold.

Qin Gou feigned despair. “Sister Caihe, even if you kill me, it won’t matter. You can have my body, but you’ll never have my heart! Fine, I’ll stand here and let you kill me!” With that, he darted away in a flash.

“You’re dead, Qin Yue!” Gu Caihe panted, trying to summon her life-bound spiritual tool.

—

“Really? Sister Caihe, are you truly so heartless? I don’t believe it. If you really wanted to kill me, you wouldn’t have gone through the trouble of drugging my tea. You’d have just pushed me down!” Qin Gou shouted righteously.

By now, several nearby female disciples had “happened” to pass by, but none dared intervene. Most didn’t even linger to watch, hurrying away with the knowledge that the Saintess had claimed a new favorite.

—

Gu Caihe’s life-bound spiritual tool began to manifest—a pair of long, unstable rabbit ears atop her head. Qin Gou recognized the beast-soul type artifact and decided it was time to run.

“Die!” Gu Caihe lunged at him, her jade-like finger aimed directly at his forehead.

“Sister Caihe, calm down!”

—

A massive, soft-looking cat paw appeared between them, blocking her attack. Yi Chengying, with cat ears atop her head, hugged Gu Caihe tightly from behind.

“Let go of me, Chengying! I must kill this beast with my own hands!” Gu Caihe’s face was filled with fury, her eyes sharp and menacing.

“Sister Caihe, it’s the Palace Master’s order to stop,” Yi Chengying said firmly.

—

“What?” Gu Caihe turned sharply, her anger fading into fear as she saw Ye Qishuang’s cold, furious gaze. Terrified, she dropped to her knees. “Palace Master, it’s not what you think! I’ve been framed! It’s all Qin Yue’s doing!”

—

“An Enlightened Body is indeed tempting for someone skilled in dual cultivation like you,” Ye Qishuang said, her tone icy. “I’ve never forbidden the Saintesses from indulging in pleasure. In fact, I was touched by your decision to remain pure out of respect for my unique constitution. But you’ve crossed the line by forcing yourself on a guest of the Mystic Maiden Palace. You knew how much I value these new male disciples, yet you’ve disgraced me.”

—

Gu Caihe trembled, her voice panicked. “Palace Master, I swear I would never disobey your orders! This is all a misunderstanding!”

Qin Gou glanced at her indifferently. So as long as you don’t act personally, it doesn’t count as targeting me? Did you ever think I’d dare fight back?

—

“Silence!” Ye Qishuang’s gaze turned colder. “Look at yourself—your face is red, you’re drenched in sweat, and your legs are shaking. What are you rubbing against? Have you lost your mind? Do you think I don’t understand matters between men and women just because of my constitution?”

—

Gu Caihe was on the verge of tears. “It’s because I accidentally consumed a drugged tea! Qin Yue spiked it! If you don’t believe me, you can have it tested. I’m still untouched!”

—

Ye Qishuang turned her attention to Qin Gou, her eyes flashing with curiosity. “Is what she says true?”

—

“Utter nonsense!” Qin Gou exclaimed. “The Saintess remains untouched only because I resisted her advances. I understand her admiration for me, but her actions were unacceptable. If you don’t believe me, you can check her room. The tea, teacups, teapot—all her personal belongings!”

—

For some reason, Ye Qishuang’s lips curled into an amused smile. She stared at Qin Gou, her expression playful. “How about this: I’ll forbid Gu Caihe from targeting you again. If she disobeys, she’ll be executed. Let’s consider this her first offense and move on. Does that sound fair?”

—

Qin Gou nodded, cupping his hands. “I’ll leave it to the Palace Master’s judgment.”

—

Turning to the kneeling Gu Caihe, Ye Qishuang said, “You heard him. Out of respect for our past relationship, I’m letting you off lightly. Don’t argue further.”

Gu Caihe had hoped Ye Qishuang’s questioning of Qin Gou might turn the situation in her favor. Instead, the Palace Master had decisively ended the matter. Tears of frustration rolled down her cheeks as she prostrated herself. “Thank you, Palace Master, for your mercy.”

—

“Good. That settles it,” Ye Qishuang said, stretching lazily. She turned back to Qin Gou, her smile radiant. “Are you satisfied now?”

“Of course,” Qin Gou replied, though he couldn’t shake a sense of unease.

“Excellent. Now, may I ask you a question?” Ye Qishuang said, her tone light yet commanding. Around them, countless Mystic Maiden Palace disciples knelt, their reverence making her seem like a goddess.

“I’ll answer to the best of my ability,” Qin Gou said, his heart sinking.

—

Ye Qishuang’s lips curved into a mischievous smile, a stark contrast to her usual regal demeanor. Her voice was teasing as she asked:

“When you saw me, why didn’t you kneel?”