I Need To Find A Way To Make Her Love Me Again - Chapter 31

Early in the morning, seeing the group hurriedly preparing to leave, Jiao Yan asked in confusion, “Why the sudden departure?”

Jiao Yu didn’t want to tell her sisters that it was due to Guan Fei’s family matters, so she replied vaguely, “There’s some business. We’ll be back once it’s handled.”

Jiao Yue, standing aside, added, “Sister Guan, you just finished repairing Sister Yan’s spiritual pulse and your body hasn’t fully recovered. It might be better to rest for two more days before setting off.”

Guan Fei replied, “No need, sisters. I’m actually fine. We’ll be back as soon as we settle things.”

Seeing their minds were made up, the sisters didn’t insist. Jiao Yan noticed one person was missing from the group and asked, “Where is Sister Yi?”

Yan Xingyu chimed in quickly, “She had business too and left first. Don’t worry, sisters, we’ll be back once we’re done.”

Jiao Yan nodded. “Is that so? I had something to tell her, though it probably won’t affect her much.”

“What did you want to tell her?” Yan Xingyu asked curiously.

Jiao Yan pulled out a folded piece of paper, opened it, and handed it over. “Jiao Yue and I often visit the human cities. A few days ago, we happened upon this portrait. It looks very much like Sister Yi.”

Yan Xingyu took it, and the large words “Wanted Poster” jumped out at her. Looking at the familiar rows of accusations, she realized the portrait had been changed from her own face to Yi Rong’s.

Jiao Yu leaned in to look. “How did it become Yi Rong?”

Yan Xingyu broke into a cold sweat. She was speechless, so this was how Liu Ruoni “helped” her swap the bounty. She really had to “thank” her for her kindness.

However, now wasn’t the time to bicker over it. She said, “Thanks for the warning, sister. I’ll let Yi Rong know.”

Jiao Yan replied, “Just stay safe out there.”

Jiao Yue added, “If there’s anything you can’t handle, remember to come back and ask us for help.”

Seeing the chatter continue, Jiao Yu frowned. “Alright, if we keep talking, we’ll never leave.”

Guan Fei said, “Sisters, just wait for our return in peace.”

Arrival at Lingluan Palace

After bidding farewell, they quickly left the Demon City. Guan Fei summoned a map into the air to show Yan Xingyu the location of Lingluan Palace. With Yan Xingyu leading the way, they set off immediately.

Through a hurried journey, they finally reached their destination just before sunset.

The rows of glazed tiles reflected the evening glow, bathing the palace in golden light. The carvings of emerald birds on the arched gates seemed to come alive, their eyes sparkling with vitality.

As the heavy gates slowly opened, a line of maidservants emerged. Their colorful ribbons fluttered, and their footsteps were silent as they approached Guan Fei, bowing respectfully. “Little Palace Master.”

Yan Xingyu and Jiao Yu glanced at each other, both becoming inexplicably nervous.

Guan Fei didn’t notice their tension and said to the maids, “These are my friends. Arrange for them to stay in the side hall of my quarters and treat them well.”

The lead maid replied, “Yes. Would the Little Palace Master like to rest first or see the Palace Master?”

“I’ll see my mother first,” Guan Fei said, then turned to Jiao Yu. “Yuyu, follow the maids to rest. I’ll be back after seeing my mother.”

“Okay.”

The Oppressive Atmosphere

Yan Xingyu and Jiao Yu followed the maids. Looking at the jade-carved towers and pavilions, they noticed the maids moved with weightless grace and perfectly straight backs.

Unconsciously, the two lightened their own steps, walking in silence. Upon reaching a small side hall, the maid said, “Ladies, please enter.”

Yan Xingyu stepped inside. The room was relatively simple, containing only a small bed, bookshelves filled with scrolls, and a low table with a tea set. Seeing a side door, she asked, “Where does that lead?”

“Behind is the hot spring. If the ladies need to bathe, you may do so there,” the maid replied.

“I see. Thank you.”

“You are welcome. If you have any further needs, you may call for us directly.”

Once the maid left, the two finally exhaled. Jiao Yu sat by the low table, her face pinched. “Why is this place so oppressive?”

“When those maids came out, they brought a chill with them,” Yan Xingyu agreed. “I was afraid to move.” She couldn’t help but wonder if people living here were normal.

Jiao Yu frowned. “When Guan Fei gets back, let’s see if we can leave quickly. I don’t like it here.”

“I agree,” Yan Xingyu said. “This palace is eerily quiet.”

“How long do you think she’ll be?”

“Who knows? Definitely not a short visit.”

“Fine.” Yan Xingyu looked toward the side door. “Well, we’re staying the night anyway. Do you want to wash up first?”

Jiao Yu shook her head. “I’ll sit for a bit. You go ahead.”

“Alright. I’ve been flying all day and I’m covered in dust. I need a soak.”

An Unexpected Encounter

Yan Xingyu entered the inner room. A long carpet led directly to the hot spring. She closed the door, noticing the spring was fed by a natural source, bubbling softly with rising mist.

She hung her clothes on the screen and stepped into the water, letting it submerge her shoulders. As the fatigue began to melt away, her mind wandered.

Guan Fei’s home was massive and luxurious, but the atmosphere was cold. It reminded her of the memories of Yulan Palace, which felt warm and happy, unlike the icy feeling here. This led her thoughts to a certain someone. She looked at the black ring on her finger. That person always came and went like a ghost.

Thinking back, she regretted the harsh words she had said. Yi Rong was also a victim of what happened at Yulan Palace, yet she had remained kind and protective. She stroked the ring with a sigh, wondering when they would meet again.

The spring was large, filling almost the entire room. Because of the thick mist, she didn’t notice a dark shadow silently emerging at the far end of the pool.

It wasn’t until the figure was within three feet that Yan Xingyu sensed something wrong. Her eyes sharpened. “Who is it?”

A woman rose from the water, revealing the very face Yan Xingyu had been thinking about a moment ago. Wet black hair clung to her pale skin, and water droplets slid down her sharp jawline as she stepped closer.

Startled and realizing she was completely unclothed, Yan Xingyu shielded herself with her arms. “Yi Rong! Don’t come over here!”

The visitor paused. “Why?”

Why? Because I’m naked! Yan Xingyu screamed internally. Aloud, she stammered, “Why did you suddenly appear?”

Yi Rong glanced at the black ring. “I thought you wanted me to appear.”

Yan Xingyu realized she had been rubbing the ring unconsciously. “I just touched it by accident! I didn’t mean for you to show up.”

“Oh.”

But Yi Rong kept approaching. “What are you doing? Get out!” Yan Xingyu panicked.

Yi Rong looked at her. “Why are you so nervous? Didn’t you say it was happy to soak in a hot spring with a friend? Do you not want to be with me?”

Yan Xingyu was floored. She had said that offhandedly before, she didn’t think Yi Rong would remember it. “I say a lot of things! If I told you it’s happiest if you took off your clothes and soaked with me, would you do that too?”

Yi Rong’s eyes flickered. “I can.”

Before Yan Xingyu could process that, Yi Rong actually started to reach for her own clothes. Yan Xingyu lunged forward to grab her hands. “Are you crazy? I was joking! Do you have no brain?”

In the struggle, water splashed everywhere. Since she was using her hands to stop Yi Rong, she couldn’t cover herself. They stood there, meeting each other in “sincere nakedness.”

Yan Xingyu’s face and ears flushed a deep crimson. She tried to push Yi Rong away, but her hands were caught. She lowered her head to hide her blush, gritting her teeth. “Yi Rong, what do you actually want?”

“I… I am sorry for what I said before.”

Hearing the low apology, Yan Xingyu looked up to see Yi Rong pulling out a pearl the size of a fist and pressing it into her hand.

“I won’t force my thoughts on you anymore. Whatever you want to do, I will help you. Take this sea pearl.”

Yan Xingyu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Who apologizes like this? Her head was spinning. “Can you… can you let go of me first?”

Yi Rong turned stubborn. “Do you forgive me?” She took another step closer.

“I forgive you! I forgive you! Just let go!”

“Then keep the pearl.”

Yan Xingyu looked at the glowing pearl and accepted it out of sheer desperation. “Fine! Is that enough?”

Seeing her accept the gift, Yi Rong gave a soft, uncharacteristic smile. Behind the mist, her wet, stunning face was dangerously alluring. Yan Xingyu felt an unusual flutter in her heart. She turned her head away, desperate to leave.

But Yi Rong asked, “Why are you leaving? Aren’t we soaking together?”