After Being Certified by the Immortal Lord on the Path of Ruthlessness - Chapter 39

“Go to the north of the city?” Ye Qingge slightly furrowed her brows, suppressing a fleeting impatience. “Can’t we see it from here?”

 

Jiang Mianhao didn’t notice the subtle disdain in her eyes.

 

The girl clasped her hands together, her expression bright with excitement, her jade-green eyes sparkling with anticipation.

 

“Yes! To the north of the city!” Jiang Mianhao exclaimed. “I heard the fireworks display there was specially arranged by the daughter of the Prime Minister’s household. It’s only in the north of the city!”

 

The daughter of the Prime Minister’s household?

 

Ye Qingge suppressed the surge of displeasure rising in her chest, keeping a smile on her face.

 

“Alright, if you want to go, then we’ll go.”

 

Her words were gentle, but her eyes were icy, revealing no trace of anticipation.

 

Lost in that gentle tone, Jiang Mianhao completely failed to notice the other’s perfunctory attitude.

“Then I’ll go ask Lanlan!” Jiang Mianhao beamed and was about to leave.

 

Upon hearing Ling Lan’s name, Ye Qingge finally showed some reaction. “Why call her?”

 

Jiang Mianhao was taken aback by the question and hummed in response.

 

Ye Qingge’s expression remained indifferent, her tone cold. “Am I not accompanying you? Why do we need to invite Ling Lan?”

 

Jiang Mianhao was stunned by her words and secretly glanced up at her.

 

Is Lu Jiu angry?

 

But why would she be angry?

 

Jiang Mianhao asked softly, “Are you angry, Lu Jiu?”

 

Ye Qingge hummed in acknowledgment and said nothing more.

 

In truth, Ye Qingge wasn’t truly angry. This budding affection was still fragile and unstable. If they became too entangled with Ling Lan at this point, there was a risk that the feelings might shift.

 

Who knew how long it would take to break the love tribulation then.

 

The two stood facing each other, each lost in their own thoughts and emotions.

 

Although Jiang Mianhao didn’t understand why she had upset Lu Jiu, she instinctively softened her voice to coax her. “I’m sorry, Lu Jiu. Do you… not want to go with Lanlan?”

 

A mix of emotions surged within her—nervousness, anxiety, confusion.

 

Ye Qingge cleared her throat. “No. Ling Lan is your friend. It’s only right to watch the fireworks together.”

 

Though her words were gentle, her tone remained stiff.

 

Jiang Mianhao immediately sensed it, and the tension in her heart melted away.

 

She smiled brightly. “Lanlan is my friend, but she’s your friend too! And Xiu Xiu—we’re all good friends!”

 

Ye Qingge looked up at her and said, enunciating each word clearly, “But they have nothing to do with me. I only acknowledge you.”

 

“You are my destined partner, so everything I do is only with you.”

The words were straightforward, causing Jiang Mianhao’s ears to flush a faint red. Her heart softened, as if wrapped in honey.

 

For some reason, even though the words were filled with possessiveness, Jiang Mianhao found them deeply satisfying.

 

“Then will you come with me, please?” Jiang Mianhao coaxed gently. “I invited Lanlan because, first, she’s my best friend and she hasn’t seen the fireworks either; and second, the fireworks are said to be arranged by the daughter of the Prime Minister’s household. The same young lady who invited Lanlan to watch the opera last time. So~”

 

Ye Qingge looked at her blushing face and guessed her intention.

 

“I see,” Ye Qingge nodded. “Then go ahead and invite Ling Lan to join us.”

 

The news of the fireworks display had spread throughout Taibai City.

 

But Ling Lan wasn’t particularly interested. Especially after hearing that Lu Jiu would also be attending, she felt even more reluctant to go along.

 

“Lanlan~” Jiang Mianhao clung to her sleeve, swaying back and forth. “We’ve never seen fireworks before! Aren’t you curious?”

 

Ling Lan looked at the hopeful expression on the face beside her and swallowed the words of refusal she had intended to say.

Her original plan to practice swordplay was set aside as she allowed Jiang Mianhao to lead her out the door.

 

As the two reached the bottom of the stairs, they bumped into someone returning from outside.

 

“Xiu Xiu?” Jiang Mianhao was taken aback. “Are your injuries completely healed?”

 

Mi Xiu pretended to have just noticed them and exclaimed, “Ah! All healed! I heard there are fireworks in the northern part of the city and was just about to go invite you both.”

 

“Fireworks! That’s wonderful. Let’s go together!” Jiang Mianhao couldn’t contain her excitement.

 

Seeing her take the bait, Mi Xiu slowly moved closer. “Really? It’s crowded. Let’s all go together.”

 

Ling Lan’s eyes darkened slightly as she glanced at the purple-clad figure approaching Jiang Mianhao.

 

Gripping the wooden sword at her side, she abruptly stepped forward.

 

The wooden sword swung straight out, halting Mi Xiu’s advance and startling her.

 

“Ah!” Mi Xiu feigned anger, scolding, “Are you trying to scare me to death?”

 

Ling Lan retracted the sword and stood in the spot she had just cleared, her expression indifferent.

 

“Is this a new move you’ve learned?” Jiang Mianhao’s face lit up with admiration. “Lanlan, you’re amazing! So cool!”

 

Ling Lan stood firmly by her side, clearing her throat softly without saying a word.

 

Seeing that the spot she had intended to take was now occupied by Ling Lan, Mi Xiu finally understood the meaning behind the sword strike.

 

She curled her lips coldly and shifted direction.

 

A surge of powerful internal force struck her squarely in the back, sending her stumbling forward a few steps.

 

“Damn!” Mi Xiu, who had nearly managed to grab Jiang Mianhao’s hand, was furious. She gritted her teeth and spun around. “Who was that?!”

 

Standing behind her was Ye Qingge, who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere.

 

Dressed in flowing white robes, her brow carried a frosty chill, and her entire presence radiated an aloof, untouchable aura.

Looking at the person, she had just pushed aside, Ye Qingge half-closed her eyes, her expression cold.

 

“Lu Jiu!” Mi Xiu laughed awkwardly. “Y-you’re going too?”

 

Ignoring her attempt at conversation, Ye Qingge took Jiang Mianhao’s arm and led her forward.

 

Left behind, Mi Xiu felt awkward and glanced at Ling Lan.

 

But Ling Lan didn’t even spare her a glance, simply lifting her foot to follow.

 

Biting her lip in frustration, Mi Xiu hurried to catch up.

 

The fireworks display was scheduled for the evening, but Jiang Mianhao hadn’t known this beforehand.

 

Only after being dragged all the way there by Lu Jiu did she realize the lawn was completely empty.

 

After repeatedly asking passersby, she finally got the answer.

 

“Ah, so it’s actually at midnight.”

 

Jiang Mianhao felt a bit disheartened and leaned closer to whisper, “Sorry, Lu Jiu, Lanlan. I got the time wrong.”

 

Ye Qingge, who had never been particularly interested in the fireworks to begin with, felt even less inclined to stay now that she had the answer.

 

“It’s fine.” Ye Qingge reached out and patted her head reassuringly. “Since it won’t start for a while, why don’t we go get something to eat? Are you hungry?”

 

Jiang Mianhao, who had expected to be scolded, was surprised by the other’s gentleness.

 

The hand resting on her head stroked softly, the tone and gesture incredibly tender.

 

Biting her lip, Jiang Mianhao looked up. “Thank you, Lu Jiu. You’re so kind.”

 

“Idiot.” A gentle smile tugged at Ye Qingge’s lips as she tried to soften her expression.

 

Ling Lan stood behind the two of them, clutching her wooden sword.

 

She watched Jiujiu’s tender movements and Jiang Mianhao’s shy expressions. Though the two were right in front of her, and people were coming and going around them, their eyes held only each other, their gestures and gazes so intimate.

 

Ling Lan felt a dull, needle-like ache in her heart, a subtle, throbbing pain.

 

She didn’t make a sound to disturb them, nor did she step forward to join them. She simply stood there, watching from behind.

 

“Then let’s go eat together.” Jiang Mianhao lowered her head shyly and spoke softly. “I’ve never been to the north side of the city before. Can we explore a bit and come back to watch in the evening?”

 

The words of refusal stuck in her throat, but Ye Qingge nodded and hummed in agreement. “As you wish.”

 

Jiang Mianhao couldn’t handle such tenderness and consideration. Blushing, she took a few steps forward and linked arms with Ling Lan.

 

“Lanlan, are you hungry? Let’s go eat.” Though she was addressing Ling Lan, Jiang Mianhao couldn’t help glancing back at Jiujiu.

 

As she turned, she met Jiujiu’s gentle gaze and smile.

 

Jiang Mianhao grew even more flustered, pulling Ling Lan along as she quickened her pace.

 

Ling Lan opened her mouth to speak but ultimately said nothing, only tightening her grip on Jiang Mianhao’s hand.

 

The streets in the north of the city were vastly different from those in the south.

 

Southerners preferred savory foods, with street vendors mostly hawking meat-based dishes.

 

In the north, however, people had a sweet tooth, and a dessert shop could be found every few steps.

 

It was the dry, crisp season of autumn. A bowl of chilled white jelly, topped with a few bright red yangmei berries, looked incredibly appetizing.

 

Jiang Mianhao’s attention was captured. She tugged Ling Lan along and hurried toward the stall.

 

Before they reached the vendor, someone appeared behind Jiang Mianhao and raised a hand, as if to pat her.

 

But before the hand could land, a golden light wrapped around it, yanking the person backward and sending them tumbling to the ground.

 

Hearing the commotion, Jiang Mianhao and Ling Lan turned to see the person sprawled behind them.

 

“Xiu Xiu!” Jiang Mianhao couldn’t hide her surprise. “How did you fall? Didn’t you say you weren’t coming with us?”

 

Mi Xiu, still on the ground, gritted her teeth and didn’t answer Jiang Mianhao’s question, her gaze fixed on the person behind her.

 

“Get up quickly. Did you hurt your hand?” Just as Jiang Mianhao moved to help her, Ling Lan grabbed her arm.

 

Ling Lan stared coldly at the person on the ground and pulled Jiang Mianhao behind her.

 

The one who had struck from behind approached leisurely.

 

“Jiujiu, do you hate me?” Mi Xiu sniffled, tears welling at the corners of her eyes. “You’ve been so harsh to me all day.”

 

Jiang Mianhao forced an awkward laugh to defuse the tension. “No, Jiujiu is just like this by nature. She doesn’t hate you.”

 

“Yes.”

 

A voice cut Jiang Mianhao off.

 

Ye Qingge lifted her cold gaze, her golden eyes devoid of emotion and filled with disdain. “Since you know I hate you, stay away from her.”

 

Such direct words stunned Mi Xiu. She hadn’t expected the other to be so blunt.

Mi Xiu’s expression faltered. She pursed her lips and said, “I don’t know why Jiujiu hates me so much. Have I done something wrong?”

 

Jiang Mianhao, who had been about to mediate, was momentarily speechless. Her eyes darted between the two.

 

Unsure how to intervene, she could only turn her gaze to Ling Lan.

 

Ling Lan simply stood firm, shielding Jiang Mianhao, her wooden sword at her side to prevent her from stepping forward.

 

Ye Qingge looked at the demon putting on a show before her, recalling the curse mark that had been placed on Jiang Mianhao last time.

 

Her eyes lifted coldly as she said with disdain, “You don’t need to do anything. Just standing here…”

 

“Is enough to disgust people.”