The next day.
Yaohua stretched and sauntered into the flower hall.
"Did the little princess sleep well?" Qihua asked with a smile. He stood respectfully in front of Chongming. Despite his gentle and elegant looks, there was an air of insincerity about him.
Yaohua shook her head, fearing that her thoughts would show on her face.
"Very well, Uncle Qihua. What delicious food do we have today?" Although she was speaking to Qihua, her eyes kept darting towards the table.
Chongming waved her closer. "If you're hungry, go ahead and eat."
With Chongming's permission, Yaohua didn't hold back.
As she ate, she pricked up her ears to listen to their conversation.
"Any news today?"
"Some clan members claim to have spotted Dianzhu in the south, but we're not sure if it's true." Qihua hesitated. "My lord, do you want to check it out?"
He's trying to get rid of us again.
If there's nothing fishy going on here, who would believe it?
Yaohua stuffed a steamed bun into her mouth.
She had to admit, the food here was really good.
"Master, there's no rush to find the person. After all, big brother hasn't shown any interest in love for years. A day or two more won't matter. I haven't had enough of the delicious food here yet."
The innocent-looking girl tugged at Chongming's hand and shook it from side to side, afraid that he wouldn't agree.
Chongming frowned at her, looking extremely displeased.
"Master!" Yaohua's voice took on a dozen twists and turns. She clung to his sleeve, and out of the corner of her eye, she saw the barely concealed joy in Qihua's eyes. She almost burst out laughing.
Trying to get them to leave?
She wouldn't let him succeed!
Qihua kept his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart. He couldn't wait for the master and disciple to leave. Why would he try to keep them?
The God Chongming was known for his strictness. He surely wouldn't delay his journey because of his disciple's gluttony. Then Qihua could just go with the flow...
"Very well."
To Qihua's surprise, after a brief standoff, Chongming suddenly nodded with a cold look on his face.
"Since you like it, do as you wish."
Qihua started to panic.
No one had told him that the God Chongming would dote on a little phoenix like this!
If he had known, he should have asked the kitchen to serve some unpalatable food!
"Uncle Qihua, why do you look so unhappy?"
"How could I be?" Qihua forced a laugh. "The little princess likes our clan's food. I'm happy enough."
"Uncle, you don't have to be so formal. Just call me Yaoyao." Yaohua's smiling face looked like a demon to Qihua.
He had to find a way to get rid of this little thing!
"Alright, go out and play. I have some business to attend to. Don't bother me."
Yaohua let out an unwilling grunt. Then, she had an idea. She walked up to Qihua and asked, "Uncle, why does sister cry every day?"
The woman's sobs had disturbed her last night. Her master had told her to go and check it out, but unexpectedly, the clan leader had appeared and stopped her. Fortunately, the woman was crying again today, giving Yaohua an excuse to ask.
Qihua's expression changed slightly. "She's Dianzhu's older sister. She had a bad experience in love and gave birth to a stillborn baby. That's why she cries every day."
"What does 'having a bad experience in love' mean?" Yaohua looked confused. "Does it mean that the people the sister met were all bad guys?"
As she spoke, she took two steps back and looked at Qihua warily.
Qihua was taken aback for a moment, then he smiled bitterly. "Little princess... this phrase doesn't mean that."
He explained the meaning of the phrase to Yaohua. She suddenly realized and said, "If that's the case, why don't we introduce more people to sister? Then she can find someone better."
Her carefree words made the others laugh.
"The little princess hasn't fallen in love yet, so she doesn't understand this feeling." A graceful young woman walked into the flower hall. She first bowed to Chongming, then walked up to Yaohua with a smile.
"Although I don't understand the feeling, the fact is the same." Yaohua sat on the chair with her legs crossed and her arms folded. She sat up straight and said confidently, "If someone bullies or betrays me, I'll just find someone else to like. Is there only one person in this world?"
"If you've seen the most precious jade, how can other things catch your eye?"
Yaohua sneered. "If it's really a precious jade, how could it bully or betray me? Sister, your words are contradictory."
Hearing the word "sister", the young woman laughed heartily. "The little princess's words are reasonable, but you should call me auntie."
"Auntie?" Yaohua was stunned.
"Yes, this is my wife." Qihua said with a smile.
Yaohua scratched her head awkwardly. She was no longer as confident as before. "I'm sorry, auntie. I was being rude."
"It's okay." The clan leader's wife smiled. "The little princess is so straightforward and cute. I like you very much."
"Auntie is so beautiful. Yaohua likes auntie too."
Yaohua took the opportunity to flatter her, and the clan leader's wife seemed to enjoy it.
"Very well. Yaohua is so young but has such unique insights. Why don't I take you to meet Dianyu? I think with your comfort, Dianyu will be able to get over it soon."
Dianyu must be the woman who cries every day.
"Madam, this..." Qihua hesitated. He didn't want Yaohua to meet Dianyu.
"Husband, no one has been able to comfort Dianyu for the past few years. Let Yaohua give it a try."
The clan leader's wife spoke generously, which made Yaohua feel a little uncomfortable. "I was just joking, auntie. You don't have to take it seriously."
"Don't feel pressured." The clan leader's wife took her hand. "If Dianyu could be like Yaohua, your uncle and I wouldn't have to go to so much trouble to comfort her these years."
The clan leader's wife's hand was warm and soft, completely different from the feeling when her father and brothers held her hand. Yaohua was a little dazed.
She looked at Chongming in a panic.
Chongming, who seemed to be lost in thought, had a slightly dim look in his eyes. When he noticed Yaohua's gaze, he came back to his senses and nodded at her.
Yaohua felt relieved. But being held by the clan leader's wife, her heart kept pounding. She didn't know why she was so nervous.
The clan leader's wife smelled so good and felt so soft.
Yaohua took a deep breath.
Before she knew it, they had arrived in front of a palace.
The woman's sobs were clear and distinct, just as Yaohua had heard.
"Yu'er, mother is here to see you." The clan leader's wife knocked on the door. Her voice was even softer than when she was talking to Yaohua.
Yaohua suddenly felt a little envious.
If she had a mother, maybe she would be like the clan leader's wife.
There was a rustling sound inside. A maid opened the door. She was a little surprised to see the clan leader's wife. "Madam, you're here so early today?"
"This is Princess Yaohua of the Phoenix Clan. Yu'er should make some new friends."
The maid quickly bowed to Yaohua. "This servant is Sanyue. Princess Yaohua, this way please."
Yaohua followed her, looking around.
Apart from anything else, the decoration here was much more elegant than the place she lived in. It seemed that the clan leader and his wife doted on their daughter very much.
She walked into the inner room. At a glance, she saw Dianyu tied up with ropes, her hands hanging down unnaturally on both sides.