The night was thick. Tang Youyou rubbed her drowsy head and got up. But a pair of arms wrapped around her waist from behind. She immediately sprang far away and stared warily at the person on the couch.
"You'er, come here."
The voice of the speaker was deep and gentle, as if it held a magical power when it reached her ears. Only then did Tang Youyou feel at ease.
"How did you find this place?" She walked towards the couch and was immediately pulled tightly into the person's embrace. The familiar faint fragrance reached her nose, calming her nerves.
Rong Xun let out a soft laugh and whispered in her ear, "Is there any place I can't find? Wherever You'er is, that's where I am."
His lazy voice showed a bit of exhaustion, which made her heart tremble. Rong Xun never voluntarily mentioned his whereabouts, and she never asked either. It seemed that even if she did ask, she wouldn't get the truth from him.
"Rong Xun." Tang Youyou called out softly.
"Hmm?"
"Never mind. Go back to sleep."
The two hugged each other and fell asleep in the deep twilight.
In the morning, the warm sunlight filtering through the window slits shone on the ground, and the tree shadows swayed in patches. Tang Youyou slowly opened her eyes. The person beside her was already gone, and even the lingering warmth had disappeared. She raised her hand to support her forehead.
"He really comes and goes as he pleases. Not being an emperor anymore, he's truly carefree." Her words were full of sarcasm.
The maid outside came in to help her dress and wash up. But Su Ran was nowhere to be seen. "Where's Su Ran?"
"Reporting to the Saintess, Protector Su is in the main hall preparing for the Saintess's coronation ceremony."
She thought it was just a hassle and would surely be tiring. "Take me to him."
Inside the Blood Clan, rare flowers and strange plants could be seen everywhere. The ones planted in the courtyard were not available on the outside market at all. Tang Youyou became interested and stood aside watching the maids in the flowerbed pollinating the flowers.
"What kind of plant is this?"
Hearing her voice, the maid stopped what she was doing. Seeing a strange woman with red lips, white teeth, a charming and delicate appearance, wearing a light fur and precious belt, and elegant brocade clothes, she guessed this must be the Saintess everyone was talking about. She immediately walked over quickly on small steps and bowed.
"Reporting to the Saintess, this is the Tianbao Luo, a plant unique to the Blood Clan. It blooms once every three years and bears fruit once every five years. Taking its fruit together with the Suiyan Pill can keep one youthful, while taking its flower together with the Huixuan Pill can make one old and haggard."
"What a miraculous plant."
Tang Youyou squatted down and looked at the indigo - purple leaves. She was about to reach out and touch them when the maid stopped her loudly.
"Saintess, you mustn't. The leaves are poisonous. If they come into contact with human skin without proper treatment, it will cause unbearable itching."
She withdrew her hand. This rare flower and strange plant was truly multi - functional. The leaves, flowers, and fruits each had their own uses. It was truly a rare find. But this kind of poison was no match for her.
"Got it. Let's go."
In the main hall, rare flowers and strange plants were everywhere. On the altar, there was a row of nameplates engraved with various names. The candles were brightly lit, and incense was burning for the sacrifice. Above the high hall, the sacred fires on both sides were burning vigorously, crackling. There were black - clothed men wearing strange masks standing guard on each side.
When Tang Youyou arrived, Su Ran came over and showed her around. "Tomorrow, the Saintess's coronation ceremony will be held here. Do you think there's anything else that needs to be prepared?"
"You can handle it as you see fit."
Tang Youyou told him to go about his business and wandered around by herself. When she was tired, she leaned against a stone to rest. Just as she was taking a nap, out of the corner of her eye, she saw a figure flying by.
She tiptoed after it and found that the figure was talking to Su Ran. Although she couldn't hear clearly, she could faintly hear the name Su Bai.
Su Bai had been captured by the Ink Clan a few days ago, and now his life or death was unknown. According to Su Ran, the Ink Clan was extremely powerful, with countless elite guards and strict defenses. Not even a fly could get in. Rescuing someone from there was simply out of the question.
But after all, they were brothers, and Su Ran couldn't let it go.
"Are you sure he's being held in the water prison?"
"Yes. The water prison is located in a hidden place, and there are layers of elite guards both inside and outside. It's extremely difficult to get in."
Su Ran felt a chill in his heart. Just finding out his location was already very difficult. If they wanted to break into the water prison, it would be even more so. Should they just give up?
"Okay, I understand. Draw a map of the location of the water prison for me."
Su Ran knew that a rescue was impossible. But as twins, they had a telepathic connection, and he could always feel the torture his younger brother was suffering at the moment.
Hearing bits and pieces, Tang Youyou roughly understood what was going on. Seeing Su Ran frowning tightly, although she didn't want to take risks, after all, Su Bai was captured by the Ink Clan because of her, and she felt sorry for him.
"I can help you with this."
Tang Youyou's sudden appearance really startled Su Ran. "Saintess! Why are you here?"
She gave a charming smile and ignored his question. She just said to herself, "This matter also started because of me. After the map is drawn, I can go to the Ink Clan with you."
"Absolutely not! The Saintess is of noble status. How can you take such a risk?"
Tang Youyou was annoyed by this kind of talk and directly gave an order. "This is an order from me as the Saintess of the Blood Clan. Do you dare to disobey?"
Hearing this, Su Ran trembled all over. This seemingly delicate woman's words were enough to intimidate people. "Yes." He had no choice but to agree.
"But this matter has to wait until after the coronation ceremony."
"Of course."
On the day of the coronation ceremony, Tang Youyou wore a golden crown and embroidered clothes, with golden hairpins and silver hairpins on her head. A yellow bead lightly dotted her forehead. She had a pair of willow - leaf eyebrows and a pair of amorous phoenix eyes. If one were to ask which woman was so radiant and beautiful, it would surely be Tang Youyou.
The maids and servants on both sides all stole glances at her, admiring the Saintess's holy appearance. Everyone was amazed and sighed.
Su Ran closely followed her to ensure her safety. On the stage of the coronation ceremony, the four elders were already seated.
As Su Ran had told her in advance, the first step of this ceremony was to walk on the Flower God's Path. The so - called Flower God's Path was a path paved with various rare flowers and strange plants of the Blood Clan. It seemed simple, but it was full of toxins. She had already taken the pill given by Su Ran, which could block the invasion of toxins.
She walked to the end of the Flower God's Path and stepped onto the red steps. The second step was to seal the holy seal on the head of the Blood Clan's dragon statue. In front of her stood a huge dragon statue, looking fierce and sacred.
One of the dragon's eyes on the head was intact, while the other was empty. Immediately, she took off the bloodstone on the holy seal, compared it in front of her, and embedded it into the empty eye socket. It fit perfectly.
Then she turned the token to the dragon's tail and placed it in the corresponding shape. Only then was it completed. When she turned around, she heard a sound behind her. The dragon statue actually came to life, as if a real dragon had appeared.
Seeing this, everyone below knelt on their knees and bowed their heads to her.
"Welcome the Saintess to her rightful position!"
The grandeur of this scene was no less than that of the queen - crowning ceremony that day. It made her heart flutter.