After Forgetting Two Exes - Chapter 17

The dinner that night ended following Xuan Huai’s inexplicably cold face.

When Shi Yuan and Ji Xun Yue bid each other farewell, no particular emotion could be seen. Ji Xun Yue tentatively asked about the conflict between them, but Shi Yuan only brushed it off with vague answers. Before leaving, Shi Yuan kindly asked her if she wanted him to guide her cultivation while Xuan Huai was in seclusion. Ji Xun Yue was touched but politely declined.

With her Master in seclusion and her Junior Sister in confinement, the vast Cangxing Province suddenly grew lonely. Ji Xun Yue realized that having nothing to do was not necessarily a good thing; usually, she felt exhausted and overslept, but now that she was truly free, she remained frighteningly awake. She could only wait until Yu Qian Chan was free and chat with her friend to relieve some of the boredom.

On this day, she went to the God Realm again. The celestial maidens of Qionghua Palace had likely seen Ji Xun Yue more times this month than in the previous thousand years combined. Her friend was still discussing administrative affairs with the God Sovereign, so Ji Xun Yue waited in the palace.

When Yu Qian Chan returned, her face was written with exhaustion. Upon meeting, Yu Qian Chan cheered up and teased, “Didn’t you used to come only in the middle of the night? Why so early today?”

Ji Xun Yue took up the conversation, “Is it possible there is no wine to drink during the day? Then I shall return at midnight.”

“Aren’t you afraid of being seen reeking of alcohol in broad daylight?”

“It is just a few small cups. Why do you make me sound like a drunkard?”

After the joking, Yu Qian Chan said seriously, “I have consulted my Father God regarding the affairs of the Immortal Realm. Father God has decided to let me handle it with full authority.”

Ji Xun Yue smiled, “With you backing me, I can play my hand as I please.”

Among the God Sovereign’s children, Yu Qian Chan’s knowledge and divine power were both second to none, and her power of spiritual vision made her especially favored by the Sovereign. Although it was never explicitly stated, the affairs of the Immortal Realm were basically handled by Yu Qian Chan; it was both an act of trust and a form of grooming.

Just as Yu Qian Chan was about to speak, the celestial maiden Lan Xi entered to report, “Imperial Princess, Immortal Lord Xuan Huai seeks an audience.”

Ji Xun Yue had just taken a sip of tea and immediately choked. If she remembered correctly, today was only the sixth day. Why had Xuan Huai ended his seclusion early?

Was it because the flowers of Shen Yuan would bloom tomorrow? He was indeed well-prepared. However, she was now more worried about how to make excuses if Xuan Huai discovered she was not at the sect.

Yu Qian Chan instructed Lan Xi to lead Xuan Huai to the assembly hall first, then turned to Ji Xun Yue and smiled, “It seems today’s wine will not be tasted?”

Ji Xun Yue stood up and sighed, “You are busy. I shall head back first.”

The assembly hall was in another palace; Yu Qian Chan deliberately gave her some extra time to respond. Ji Xun Yue rushed back but encountered Lan Xi at a fork in the road. Lan Xi stood there, looking toward a certain spot from time to time with a rather helpless expression.

Seeing her, Lan Xi performed a bow, “Greetings, Demon Sovereign.”

Ji Xun Yue asked curiously, “Weren’t you leading Xuan Huai to the assembly hall? Why are you standing here?”

Lan Xi looked troubled and glanced again in the direction she had been looking. Following her gaze, Ji Xun Yue saw Xuan Huai in the distance with his back turned to her, and in front of him was a woman in emerald clothing.

“Yu Han Shu?” Ji Xun Yue frowned as she spoke the woman’s name. She was Yu Qian Chan’s aunt. As the youngest sister of the God Sovereign, Yu Han Shu had enjoyed every favor since her youth; she was arrogant, unruly, and treated others with utter disdain.

Ji Xun Yue asked, “What does Primordial Goddess Han Shu want with him?”

Lan Xi shook her head, “I do not know. She happened to run into the Immortal Lord and called him aside to speak.”

Ji Xun Yue thought for a moment; it was better not to meddle in others’ business. Just as she was about to leave, she saw Yu Han Shu cross her arms, lifting her head haughtily as if she were lecturing Xuan Huai. As she spoke, she reached out her hand, intending to touch his face. Xuan Huai reacted quickly, turning his face away so she missed.

Ji Xun Yue’s brows knit together. The man she hadn’t even been able to teach a lesson was being touched by Yu Han Shu first? Although she and Xuan Huai had no real master-disciple sentiment, seeing him nearly harassed—combined with her existing dislike for Yu Han Shu—made the Goddess feel especially eyesore. Thinking further, if she helped intervene using her identity as the Demon Sovereign, she could even bestow a small favor upon Xuan Huai.

Having made her decision, Ji Xun Yue walked toward them. Lan Xi whispered anxiously behind her, “Demon Sovereign, why, why are you going over there?”

Ji Xun Yue waved her hand at her, signaling her not to worry.

Seeing someone arrive, Yu Han Shu withdrew her hand resentfully. Her brows knit as she said crossly, “Ji Xun Yue? It has truly been a long time.”

“Primordial Goddess Han Shu, I trust you have been well,” Ji Xun Yue replied coldly.

Xuan Huai turned at the sound, his indifferent expression appearing to relax when he saw her. This was the first time Ji Xun Yue had met Xuan Huai using her identity as the Demon Sovereign; there was an unexplainable awkwardness.

“Greetings, Demon Sovereign,” he lowered his eyes and performed a bow to her.

Even when meeting his enemy, he had no reaction. Ji Xun Yue nodded, and unable to think of what to say, she ignored him and addressed Yu Han Shu, “I saw that A-Chan went to the assembly hall early. As I passed by, I noticed the guest she was waiting for had not arrived yet, so I came to take a look.”

“It is just a few words; it won’t take much time,” Yu Han Shu stared intently at Xuan Huai. “I simply cannot stand people who don’t know their place and act high and mighty.”

She then turned to smile coquettishly, her tone gaining a hint of flirtatious petulance, “Xuan Huai, why is it that you never refuse when Qian Chan asks for help, yet you make every excuse when I ask? You truly know how to flatter the high and trample the low. Do you look down on me because I have no power?”

Xuan Huai said coldly, “The Goddess speaks too harshly. It is merely that my skills are insufficient, and I am unable to refine the medicine you require.”

Ji Xun Yue had seen Xuan Huai refuse visitors from the God Realm several times before; it turned out they were people sent by Yu Han Shu. Yu Qian Chan was Xuan Huai’s savior, but by what right did you, Yu Han Shu, order people around?

Ji Xun Yue smiled, “Can the vast God Realm truly not find anyone to help the Goddess? If it really won’t work, let me try?”

Yu Han Shu said disdainfully, “Thank you for the Demon Sovereign’s kindness, but I still remember the way you used to run to the God Realm every day begging for medicine. When did you learn to refine medicine?”

Ji Xun Yue’s expression grew cold. When she had begged for medicine for her mother years ago, Yu Han Shu had obstructed her in every way, claiming her motives were impure and that she was an enemy of the God Realm.

“I remember that years ago, the Goddess was researching medicine to cover scars. It seems that after four thousand years, there has still been no progress,” she retorted, looking at a scar on Yu Han Shu’s neck.

Yu Han Shu’s face changed, and she instinctively covered her neck. She had been wounded by Ji Yao years ago, and even healing the wound had required countless spiritual pills and medicines. She cherished her beauty immensely; this single flaw had caused her to hate Ji Xun Yue for thousands of years.

As the tension between the two reached a breaking point, Xuan Huai spoke, “Goddess, I still have important matters to report to the Imperial Princess. Please allow me to take my leave.”

Yu Han Shu did not want to let him go, “Xuan Huai, now that we are in front of an outsider, I will ask you one more time: will you or will you not refine medicine for me? Weigh your options carefully. If you cause me to lose face, you know what your end will be.”

An outsider? She had used a harsh move, but it likely would not succeed. Indeed, Xuan Huai’s tone was polite yet distant, “The Goddess should know that the Imperial Princess manages the Medicine Pavilion. The tasks assigned to me are all in the name of the God Realm. If the Goddess has personal requirements, she may consult with the Imperial Princess first.”

Yu Han Shu was furious, “Fine! I cannot even order you around? A fox demon who receives the grace of the God Realm truly thinks himself someone important!”

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere turned frozen. Following the impulse, Yu Han Shu realized she had said something she shouldn’t have; she hurriedly tucked a stray hair behind her ear to hide the embarrassment. Xuan Huai’s identity had been exposed, yet he did not panic; he remained indifferent.

Ji Xun Yue feigned surprise, “He is of the Yiu Race?”

Even Yu Han Shu knew about Xuan Huai’s secret? It was lucky she was the one who heard it; had it been anyone else, there was no telling what trouble it would bring Xuan Huai.

Yu Han Shu gave a cold snort, “You heard incorrectly.”

Ji Xun Yue raised an eyebrow, “No matter what his identity is, since he has been recognized by the God Realm, why must the Goddess hold onto it?”

“Correct, this is an affair of the God Realm, so it is not your place to interfere,” Yu Han Shu covered her lips and laughed softly. “Is the Demon Sovereign protecting him so much because she has taken a fancy to his face?”

Ji Xun Yue responded readily, “And what if I have?”

How could this not count as a form of revenge against Xuan Huai? Feeling Xuan Huai’s gaze fall upon her, she looked back defiantly, only to be stunned. His eyes were gentle, and even held a hint of… disappointment?

Before she could investigate, Yu Han Shu mocked, “The Demon Sovereign’s words should truly be heard by Shi Yuan.”

Ji Xun Yue was puzzled, “Shi Yuan?”

Surely it wasn’t the Shi Yuan she knew?

Yu Han Shu grew even more triumphant, “Speaking of which, Shi Yuan also came to the God Realm today. Won’t you go see him?”

Ji Xun Yue was even more bewildered, “Why should I see him?”

“I cannot say any more, or I shall let something slip again.” Yu Han Shu was in an excellent mood. She gave her a coquettish and provocative glance before leaving on her own.

Were there multiple people named Shi Yuan in this Immortal Realm? But no matter how many there were, she hadn’t known a single one before coming to the Immortal Realm. She was just being mysterious. Ji Xun Yue looked at Yu Han Shu’s back with disdain; perhaps she was just making things up to intentionally annoy her.

Behind her, Xuan Huai spoke first, “Thank you, Demon Sovereign, for resolving the situation.”

Ji Xun Yue turned to look at him, “A small matter. Just remember to repay the favor.”

A faint smile hooked at the corner of Xuan Huai’s mouth, “I shall naturally keep it in my heart.”

Was this the attitude toward an enemy? Was he deliberately misleading her while actually planning how to destroy the flowers?

Ji Xun Yue changed the subject, “You are of the Yiu Race?”

“Yes.”

“Rest assured, I shall keep your identity a secret for you. By the way, have we met before?”

If they had met, she couldn’t possibly not remember this face.

Xuan Huai paused, “No.”

They hadn’t even met, yet he could hold a grudge against her? She was standing right in front of him, yet he could remain so calm. Ji Xun Yue suddenly wished she could dig up all the past events and settle the accounts with him. But likely, before long, the news of the Demon Sovereign lecturing an Immortal Lord in the God Realm would spread to every corner of the heavens. Forget it, she had already decided not to hold a grudge against him anyway.

Speaking of which, Xuan Huai’s life was not easy either. Fang Qingchen, Yu Han Shu—none of these people could be easily offended.

Ji Xun Yue kept a cold face and deliberately provoked him, “Why are you so proficient in refining medicine? You do nothing but constantly offend people.”

Xuan Huai’s gaze swept lightly over her face, “To save people.”

He truly had saved someone. The probing felt like hitting cotton, which made her a bit annoyed. On one hand was the Xuan Huai who constantly provoked her, and on the other was the Xuan Huai she saw with her own eyes. Which one was the real him?

She was deep in thought and didn’t notice someone approaching.

“Xuan Huai? I just ran into Primordial Goddess Han Shu and heard you were here as well. This is—”

A familiar voice sounded behind her, warm and mellow. Ji Xun Yue turned to look at Shi Yuan. Shi Yuan was stunned for a moment, then frowned, “Ji Xun Yue?”

It really was this Shi Yuan.

Ji Xun Yue was confused, “We know each other?”

Shi Yuan’s expression became extremely ugly, “Of course you do not remember.”

With that, he actually turned and left.

Being snubbed by Shi Yuan did not make Ji Xun Yue angry, she was just puzzled, “Wait!”

Shi Yuan did not stop. Ji Xun Yue nodded to Xuan Huai as a sign of farewell and went to chase after Shi Yuan, wanting to find out the truth. In that moment she locked eyes with Xuan Huai, his expression was somewhat strange.

At this time, seeing the conversation end, Lan Xi ran over hurriedly. Ji Xun Yue then remembered that Yu Qian Chan was still waiting for Xuan Huai, and she herself should return to the Yunxing Sect early. She lost her sense of direction for a moment, and her footsteps paused.

How annoying.