After Provoking the Mad Beautiful Deity - Chapter 13

She Had No Memory.

After Hongchen left, the small cottage held only Yanlai. Puzzled about where to find water for a bath, she didn’t dwell on it, nor did she take Hongchen’s words to heart. She remained lying on her recliner, surrounded by tranquility, feeling a sense of ease. But that ease was short-lived someone knocked at the door. Curious, she opened the courtyard gate as usual.

Standing before her was a young man carrying a large tub. The tub was wide and deep, spacious enough to hold two or three people. Frowning, she heard the young man say, “I’m here to deliver the tub. Where would you like it placed?”

Yanlai pointed toward the bedroom, and the young man promptly entered.

Following him was an elderly woman, around fifty years old. The woman stepped forward and bowed. Yanlai raised an eyebrow but said nothing. The woman continued, “This humble servant was hired by Miss Hongchen to do laundry and cooking.”

Yanlai could only nod and gesture toward the kitchen. The young man set down the wooden tub and left, while the elderly woman went to the kitchen to heat water.

With nothing else to do, Yanlai returned to her recliner to rest.

Half an hour later, the hot water was ready. The elderly woman carried bucket after bucket of steaming water into the room, pouring it into the tub. After testing the temperature, she invited Yanlai to bathe.

The tub contained only water, no flower petals, no soap pods for bathing. Yanlai wrinkled her nose in distaste, and the elderly woman left. Just as Yanlai was about to refuse the bath, she turned and saw Hongchen return, dusty and tired, carrying a large bundle.

Without pausing to rest, Hongchen began pulling out garments one by one, laying them on the bed. They came in various colors, but none were red.

The fabrics from the palace differed from those in the mortal world stylishly cut, smooth and soft to the touch, incredibly comfortable. Next, Hongchen produced a small pearwood box. When she opened it, the fragrance of flowers filled the air. She had even managed to steal flower petals and soap pods.

“Go ahead and bathe. But remember, in the mortal realm, don’t use your spiritual power recklessly it disrupts the natural order,” Hongchen chattered on, pulling out a stream of stolen palace furnishings.

A landscape floor screen, a small hollowed incense burner, a white-glazed porcelain vase even the cloud-patterned pillow from the sitting platform, all were pilfered. The small room was instantly transformed, elegant and timeless.

Yanlai glanced around and suddenly felt a homely atmosphere, inexplicably soothing. Yet Hongchen remained standing, not leaving. Yanlai reminded her, “I’m going to bathe.”

“Of course, go ahead,” Hongchen nodded, then turned and climbed onto the sitting platform, showing no intention of giving her privacy.

Yanlai was displeased. “Do you enjoy watching people bathe?”

“Not others, but I enjoy watching you,” Hongchen replied with utter frankness.

Yanlai said nothing, flicking her sleeve to shoo Hongchen out. To prevent the shameless woman from barging back in, she cast a barrier around the small cottage, leaving Hongchen stomping her feet outside in frustration.

After a couple of stomps, Hongchen left, calling out, “I’m going to buy groceries. We’ll have meat for dinner.”

As her words faded, Yanlai slipped into the water. The warm liquid enveloped her body, soothing her muscles and bones. Time in the mortal realm flowed slowly, with days and nights following a steady rhythm. Though seemingly monotonous, the cycle of day and night kept life from growing too dull.

Yanlai sat in the water, eyes lightly closed, when suddenly the barrier trembled. She immediately began reinforcing it, but the intruder barged right through.

“Yanlai, it’s me, Sanmeng! Stop fixing it. You’re bathing, it’s not like I’m watching.” Muttering, Sanmeng positioned herself outside the screen, grumbling at Yanlai, “Why did you sneak off to the mortal realm without a word? I’ve been searching for you for three years and two months, combing through countless dreams.”

“Get to the point.” Yanlai had no patience for her muttering.

Separated by a screen, Sanmeng couldn’t see anything. She pulled up a stool and sat down. “Your wedding with the Crown Prince is approaching; it’s time to return to Phoenix Mountain to prepare. Secondly, while I was searching for someone on your mountain, I discovered your clan registry.”

In the past, Phoenix Mountain was home to thousands of phoenixes, and countless seekers of immortality flocked to its slopes. The elders of that time would select disciples based on the innate potential of these seekers. Those chosen would become disciples of Phoenix Mountain, and even if they weren’t phoenixes, they would still have a place among the peaks.

After the phoenixes fell, Yanlai found herself struggling alone and eventually abandoned the old rules, cultivating her path in solitude.

Sanmeng hesitated, on the verge of speaking but holding back. Yanlai quickly finished bathing and chose a light purple robe to wear. The person behind the screen spoke again, “I’ve uncovered some secrets.”

Yanlai showed little interest and didn’t even bother to ask. She finished dressing, stepped around the screen, and emerged.

Seeing this, Sanmeng let out a sound of surprise. Yanlai had changed into fresh clothes. In the dimly lit room, with only a sliver of light filtering through the window, the illumination fell upon her face, highlighting her jade-like complexion. She exuded an aura of elegance and grace, resembling a precious painting of a beautiful woman.

Sanmeng teased, “Three years apart, and you seem even more beautiful. Tsk, tsk, tsk. When the Crown Prince sees you, he’ll surely be utterly captivated.”

“Speak plainly,” Yanlai retorted coldly, her expression aloof.

“You should go back to Phoenix Mountain and investigate for yourself. I’m telling you, it will be a secret that shocks the three realms.”Sanmeng pretended to be mysterious, yet Yanlai’s face remained unreadable, not even a flicker of emotion in her eyes.”

Just then, there was a commotion outside, it was Hongchen returning from buying groceries. Yanlai shot Sanmeng a glance, waved her sleeve, and sent her floating off the ground, saying, “Don’t reveal my whereabouts.”

With the barrier broken, Hongchen walked straight in, carrying chickens, ducks, fish, meat, and fresh vegetables. She waved at Yanlai, “Look, we’ll have a feast tonight.”

Fresh from her bath, Yanlai was enveloped in a misty aura, her skin glowing. Hongchen took a step forward, her gaze lingering on the porcelain-white skin revealed by Yanlai’s slightly open collar, which added a delicate, almost fragile quality to her demeanor.

Hongchen stared wide-eyed, then pointed at Yanlai’s chest. “There it looks quite nice.”

Yanlai glanced down, noticed the exposure, and instinctively turned her back to Hongchen. Hongchen burst into laughter, bending over with amusement. “It really does look good, honestly.”

“Shut up,” Yanlai snapped, hastily adjusting her collar as Hongchen’s laughter made her flush with embarrassment.

At that moment, the maid entered to clean up, carrying out buckets of water one by one. Hongchen tugged Yanlai toward the kitchen to prepare the meal.

Yanlai sat to the side, unmoving, while Hongchen bustled about. Then the maid brought out a garment, a belly band.

The two exchanged glances. “What is this?”

Hongchen had stolen clothes quite comprehensively, matching all sorts of outfits to the bed, but she had no idea what this particular item was for. She looked at Yanlai, who blushed furiously, took it, and tossed it into the stove to burn.

Hongchen leaned in to peer into the stove. “Why did you throw away the clothes I got for you? Were they too small? Next time, I’ll get you a bigger one.”

Yanlai: “…” It was exhausting to converse with someone so shameless.

The maid gave Hongchen a strange look, silently picked up a broom, and went outside to sweep the fallen leaves.

Hongchen prepared a table full of dishes for the evening meal chicken, duck, fish, and meat, all present. She opened a jar of wine, its aroma filling the air. Pouring a cup for Yanlai, she took a small sip herself. Yanlai watched her, her gaze deep and contemplative.

Seizing the rare opportunity, Yanlai asked, “Aren’t you worried about your Demon Realm?”

“Why worry? Yanguang will handle it. I never managed it anyway. I only care about fighting; if something happens, they’ll come find me. Besides, the Immortal Clan only has a few people, and they’re not particularly capable.” Hongchen narrowed her eyes slightly, looking utterly content, her cheeks flushed red from the wine.

Yanlai picked up her cup, glanced at the wine, but didn’t drink. She set it down silently. “Have you ever fought the Heavenly Emperor?”

“No, but I’ve heard he’s not a good person. Sooner or later, I’ll kill him and unite the Immortal and Demon Realms.” Hongchen drank another cup, propping her chin on her hand as she looked at Yanlai. “How about your Phoenix Mountain submitting to our Demon Realm?”

Yanlai didn’t answer. Instead, she picked up her cup and took a small sip. The wine was intoxicating. Setting it down, she remembered Sanmeng’s words and decided to speak up in advance. “You should rest. I’ll return home for a while and come back quickly.”

“According to the storybooks, you should leave secretly and never return,” Hongchen muttered to herself, her eyes curving into a smile. She asked Yanlai, “Have you finished reading the storybooks I gave you?”

“No.” Yanlai recalled something, and a golden light flashed in her hand, revealing a red paper cutout.

“Oh, is that me?” Hongchen picked up the paper cutout, examining it from all angles, confirming that the little figure was indeed herself. She laughed happily. Yanlai stood up. “If I don’t return, you can come to Phoenix Mountain to find me.”

Hongchen quietly tugged at her sleeve. “If you don’t come back, I’ll storm Phoenix Mountain.”

Yanlai sneered. “Your abilities are only good for stealing clothes in the mortal realm. When you encounter the Immortal Clan, you’d better hide. If you get beaten to the point of soul dispersion, it’ll be exactly what the Heavenly Emperor wants.”

Hongchen frowned. “How about we dual cultivate? Our spiritual energies could merge. My injuries would heal, and your cultivation would advance.”

Dual cultivation? Yanlai shot her a sharp glare, waved her sleeve, and drifted away gracefully. Hongchen chased after her a few steps. “Let’s give it a try. Neither of us would lose out.”

Returning to Phoenix Mountain, the immortal attendants were overjoyed. “Where have you been, Great Deity? The Crown Prince has come several times, frantic with worry.”

“I was merely wandering. Has Sanmeng the Immortal been here?” Yanlai headed toward the study, knowing the clan registry must be there.

“Yes, he left something for you.”

Hearing this, Yanlai made her way to the study. A barrier surrounded the study, preventing others from entering. As Yanlai approached, the barrier dissipated naturally.

Inside the study, a yellowed, ancient-looking book lay on the table, the Phoenix Clan’s registry, spanning tens of thousands of years. After the clan leader perished ten thousand years ago, the registry had vanished, and she had never seen it since.

Curious, she flipped through the pages one by one. The names of past elders appeared before her eyes. As she continued, the name “Hongyan” suddenly stood out.

In the column for Hongyan’s master, her own name, Yanlai, was written.

Hongyan was her disciple.

But why did she have no memory of it at all?