Chapter 49: A Night Talk
Luo Yingying’s biggest obstacle to marrying Ye Changsheng was their status. The Young Palace Mistress of the dignified Wuhua Palace, the future heir, falling in love with, and even marrying, a mere Cultivation Cauldron would undoubtedly become a huge joke across Qixia Isle and a disgrace to the Wuhua Palace. This was also one of the main reasons for the Wuhua Palace higher-ups’ strong opposition. Even Cults understood the meaning of ‘a suitable match’.
“Changsheng, did Elder sister personally promise your chance to become an Elder?” Luo Yingying’s eyes saw a glimmer of hope for the future.
“Yes, I don’t think Palace Mist would joke with a mere Cultivation Cauldron like me, would she?” Ye Changsheng knew what Luo Lihong was plotting. “As long as I follow her instructions, infiltrate the White Emperor Sword Sect, and complete the task, I will be able to attain the status of a Wuhua Palace Elder.”
“Changsheng…” Luo Yingying’s beautiful eyes were filled with emotion. “Even though you’ve always been perfunctory towards me and always seemed indifferent, you’ve always put me first, even risking your own life for me.”
“Becoming an Elder wasn’t my idea,” Ye Changsheng said. “Palace Mist said it. I was surprised too.”
“Elder sister actually took the initiative to help?” Luo Yingying was stunned. “Yingying, you know I’m just a Cultivation Cauldron. It’s very difficult to become an Elder of Wuhua Palace… no, even to become an Inner Disciple.”
“I know, there has never been a precedent for this in the history of Wuhua Palace.”
“Therefore, Palace Mist also considered this when assigning me such a dangerous mission. The higher the danger level, the stronger her confidence in promoting me to Elder.”
“But why? Why would Elder sister specifically help you like this?” Luo Yingying was quite puzzled. Every time the topic of her Elder sister came up, her mood would dampen.
Ye Changsheng raised a finger and poked Luo Yingying’s soft cheek. “Do I even need to say? Palace Mist isn’t doing it for me, but for you.”
“Huh?” Luo Yingying couldn’t understand the reason behind it.
“Because Yingying is Palace Mist’s Younger Sister, and she likes you very much.”
“How is that possible! Elder sister always hated me. She barely spoke to me and never even looked me in the eye!” Luo Yingying denied it vehemently, her excited speech sounding like a vent of resentment. “And she never praised me, reacted to me with extreme coldness, only maintaining the minimum level of communication! Most importantly, she felt I was a disgrace and never wanted to introduce me to the outside world. See, even that Zhou Bujue doesn’t know me, even though I’m the Young Palace Mistress of Wuhua Palace!”
*She was actually afraid you’d be snatched away.* Ye Changsheng didn’t explain, not wanting to ruin Luo Yingying’s grand image of her Elder sister.
“If she really hated you that much, she could have killed me with a slap back then, and everything would have been solved. Why would she help me indirectly? Palace Mist devised this plan out of consideration for your feelings. As the Palace Mistress of Wuhua Palace, she has to maintain her prestige. It’s not like you think, where she can do whatever she wants in all matters.”
“But…” Luo Yingying couldn’t find a reason to refute him.
“Yingying, do you like Elder sister?”
“I do.”
“Have you ever told her you like her?”
“No, I wouldn’t dare,” Luo Yingying shook her head.
“Has Palace Mist ever said she likes you?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Has she said she hates you?”
“…No, even when she was very angry, she never said that.”
“Now you understand, don’t you? Some things can’t be said directly. You need to use someone else to convey them,” Ye Changsheng said. “Although Palace Mist didn’t say it explicitly, she hopes you can understand her good intentions.”
“So, Elder sister actually went to such lengths for me.” Luo Yingying looked relieved, as if a long-standing knot in her heart had untangled.
“So, you understand now? This was Palace Mist’s idea from the start. It has little to do with me,” Ye Changsheng shrugged. “On the contrary, I’ve misunderstood Elder sister and even acted so Willful.”
“It’s okay, Yingying. An emperor once said, ‘A person’s growth is overcoming their immature past,’” Ye Changsheng added. “It’s good that you understand. But remember, don’t say these things in front of Palace Mist, or she’ll get angry.”
“Mm, I understand. It’s embarrassing when people see through you,” Luo Yingying nodded, completely convinced now.
*Okay, blame-shifting successful!* Now Luo Yingying’s affection would be transferred to Luo Lihong. Besides, these two awkward sisters originally wanted to improve their relationship, so giving them a push wasn’t a bad thing.
“That’s great, Changsheng! An elder sister is like a mother. This way, Elder sister is acknowledging Changsheng as her Brother-in-law, which is equivalent to receiving maternal recognition!”
“…Hmm? Huh?”
“As long as the mission is completed, nothing can stop us from becoming Husband and Wife,” Luo Yingying said.
Analyzing Luo Yingying’s words, Ye Changsheng felt like there was nothing wrong with them. Was he really walking into the grave of his life?
Luo Yingying changed the subject, her smile suddenly overly bright. “Oh, right, right! Junior Sister Xiao Xing seems to have a little fondness for Changsheng—”
*Warning! Warning! Warning!* Ye Changsheng smelled danger and decisively acted.
“Alright, let’s sleep together!” Ye Changsheng gave Luo Yingying no chance for any yandere elements to surface, picked her up, and tossed her onto the bed.
…
“Changsheng, are you asleep?”
In the dead of night, on the bed in their room, Ye Changsheng and Luo Yingying slept together. Soft warmth was pressed against Ye Changsheng’s side, her gentle breaths clearly felt. *She must be growing lately, right?* Ye Changsheng remembered Luo Yingying had started drinking milk some time ago. If he wanted to, he could just turn over and pull this beautiful woman into his embrace and pamper her. But he didn’t want to.
“Mm, I’m asleep,” Ye Changsheng replied ruthlessly.
“You’re clearly not,” Luo Yingying pouted in dissatisfaction. “Isn’t Cultivating Together with me more appealing?”
“I have a mission and cannot act freely. I regret I cannot comply.”
“Or is Changsheng also a shy person~”
“Yingying, why are your hands wandering?”
“They’re just wandering. It’s dark, I can’t see very well. Hey, did they land somewhere they shouldn’t have?” Luo Yingying feigned ignorance, making a mischievous face.
“You really are asking for it…”
*Get a handle on yourself.*
“Okay, okay, stop messing around. If the Cults of White Emperor Sword Sect discover that I practiced Demonic Path Cultivation Together upon entering the sect, how will I explain it?” Ye Changsheng used a justifiable reason to shut Luo Yingying up.
“…Mm, alright.” Luo Yingying was extremely disappointed. “But, just thinking about Changsheng leaving me makes me feel so lonely.”
“It’s okay, I’ll come down the mountain to see you when I get the chance.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“That’s great, I love Changsheng the most,” Luo Yingying said her catchphrase. Ye Changsheng didn’t dislike such a degree of clinginess.
“What’s gotten into you all of a sudden today? You’re usually not this clingy.”
“…Changsheng, did you forget? Today is your birthday.”
“Is it?” Ye Changsheng himself had forgotten.
“You told me yourself,” Luo Yingying replied. Ye Changsheng remembered that Luo Yingying had asked him about his birthday before, and he had casually said it had already passed. When she asked for the specific date, saying she wanted to celebrate next time, he had casually made up a date. So Luo Yingying had remembered it all along. A warmth flowed through Ye Changsheng.
“As a birthday present,” Luo Yingying climbed onto Ye Changsheng, “Changsheng can use me now!”
Ye Changsheng, as if hearing a cold joke, pushed the annoying little pixie off him. “I’m going to sleep. No night surprises allowed!”
