Queen of Ten Thousand Demons Insists on Marrying Me - Chapter 40

“Men, arrest Lu Xiaoxiao and lock her up.” Dong Qinglan knelt over Dong Shuo’s body, her face bathed in tears.

“Yes!” Dong Qinglan’s guards drew their swords and moved toward Lu Xiaoxiao.

“Wait!” Tantai Jing stepped in front of Lu Xiaoxiao and shouted: “The matter is not yet clear. I ask Princess Youlan to investigate thoroughly before making a final judgment.”

Dong Qinglan stood up and demanded: “There are only three people in this room: one is my deceased brother, one is my brother’s maid, and the third is the wielder of the bloody Chaoyuan Sword—Lu Xiaoxiao of your Yaoxia Palace!”

“I don’t understand what’s unclear about this! Is the Yaoxia Palace so tyrannical now? Killing the host in his own home and still protecting your disciple?!”

The numerous guests began whispering and pointing fingers at the people from Yaoxia Palace.

Lu Xiaoxiao frantically defended herself: “It’s not like that! There was someone else inside when I entered. As soon as I came in, that person flew out the window, and then Dong Shuo suddenly charged out of the room. I drew the Chaoyuan Sword only for self-defense.”

Dong Qinglan: “Nonsense! The moment I received the message that you had broken into my brother’s study, I rushed over immediately. I saw no one leave, and there is only one way to enter. Perhaps you fabricated this person.”

“Princess Youlan, may I examine your brother’s body? There might be another hidden cause,” Tantai Jing asked.

Dong Qinglan was uncompromising: “My brother is dead! What more do you intend to do to his corpse?”

Tantai Jing: “What if the City Lord has another fatal wound? I believe the Princess would also want to know the true cause of the City Lord’s death. After all, it took less than a zhancha (time to brew a cup of tea) to rush over from the banquet. We cultivators are naturally strong and healthy. Even the Chaoyuan Sword wouldn’t cause death so quickly. He couldn’t even say a word of farewell. Doesn’t the Princess find this suspicious?”

“This young friend has a point. Perhaps the Princess should check the City Lord’s corpse for anything unusual.”

“Exactly. We arrived the moment we got the news. No matter how powerful the Chaoyuan Sword is, one strike should not be able to kill a Dujie (Tribulation Crossing) cultivator and leave him speechless.”

Dong Qinglan glared fiercely at Tantai Jing, then stepped aside to make way. Watching Tantai Jing approach Dong Shuo’s body, she involuntarily clenched her hands.

“Xiaoyu, tell me, what exactly happened? Who killed my brother?” Dong Qinglan turned and asked the maid who had been hiding in the wardrobe.

The maid, Xiaoyu, flinched when her name was called. Trembling, she walked to Dong Qinglan and knelt: “Pr… Princess, the rain suddenly became heavy. I was serving the City Lord while he read in the study. Just as I was about to retrieve a tinderbox to light the candles, I heard a knock on the door. The City Lord’s face looked displeased, and he told me to go to the cabinet to get the tinderbox to light the candles.”

“Just as I walked over there, I heard the door open, and then I heard her say…”

Xiaoyu quickly glanced at Lu Xiaoxiao, stammering, unable to continue.

“Say what! Speak the truth, quickly!” Dong Qinglan urged sternly.

“She said: ‘So you’re here. Today… today I am determined to kill you.'”

“Then I heard the sound of a blade plunging into flesh, followed by a thud as he fell. I was so terribly afraid that I hid in the wardrobe. Then this person opened the cabinet, and then you all arrived.”

After finishing her shaky testimony, Xiaoyu immediately knelt and repeatedly kowtowed to Dong Qinglan: “Princess, I know I was wrong, but I am not a cultivator, just an ordinary person. If I had been killed by her too, no one would have known the truth. Please, Princess, don’t blame me.”

Dong Qinglan slapped Xiaoyu hard: “What use is a servant like you? You can’t even serve your master, and you expect your master to take a blade for you! Men, drag her away and beat her to death with sticks.”

Xiaoyu’s eyes widened. She seemed shocked that the Princess would say such a thing: “Princess…” She tried to speak, but the guards covered her mouth and dragged her away.

Hearing Xiaoyu’s absurd testimony, Lu Xiaoxiao was both anxious and enraged: “That’s not true at all! I never opened my mouth to speak after entering! She’s lying!”

The rain outside intensified. Savage winds raged into the room. The faint candlelight flickered precariously in the wind, making the silhouettes within the room look distorted and absurd.

Lu Xiaoxiao’s weak defense was drowned out by the thunderous rain.

At this moment, Tantai Jing also stood up and shook her head at Ban Cheng.

Dong Qinglan: “With human testimony and physical evidence, Lu Xiaoxiao, what more do you have to say?”

Lu Xiaoxiao naturally had nothing to say, only blaming herself for running around recklessly tonight and falling into someone else’s trap.

“The fatal wound was indeed inflicted by the Chaoyuan Sword, but the killer is not necessarily Lu Xiaoxiao. I suspect Dong Shuo died earlier and was stored in a cold room. He was brought out today specifically to frame Lu Xiaoxiao, making her stab into the pre-existing wound,” Tantai Jing said to Dong Qinglan with a composed expression.

Dong Qinglan’s eyes flickered: “Utter nonsense! Xiaoyu just said she was in the room serving my brother while he read. Tell me, how can a maid serve a corpse while it reads?”

Saying this, Dong Qinglan walked over to Dong Shuo, picked up his hand, and her expression suddenly darkened: “You took my brother’s storage ring, too? It contains the key to my Dong family’s treasury. Hand it over immediately.”

Lu Xiaoxiao started to feel a pounding headache: “What storage ring? I haven’t left this room since I entered! If you don’t believe me, come see for yourself.”

Tantai Jing shook her head at Lu Xiaoxiao, then turned to ask Dong Qinglan, “How does the Princess intend to handle this matter?”

“A debt must be repaid, a life for a life. Lu Xiaoxiao must die to atone for her crime, to comfort the soul of my deceased brother,” Dong Qinglan did not back down.

Lu Xiaoxiao gripped Tantai Jing’s sleeve and whispered, “I’ve been framed.”

Tantai Jing felt a pang in her heart, seeing Lu Xiaoxiao was close to tears. She quickly held her hand and said, “I know.”

“Then we will hand the person over to your City Lord’s Mansion. However, you cannot simply execute her just because you say so. We need to invite Palace Lord Wan to come here first. After all, Lu Xiaoxiao is not just an ordinary disciple of the Yaoxia Palace; she is the Palace Lord Wan’s goddaughter. Once Palace Lord Wan has been notified to come collect her goddaughter’s corpse, you can do whatever you wish with her.”

Upon hearing Tantai Jing’s words, not only Dong Qinglan but also Lu Xiaoxiao was stunned. Lu Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but shake Tantai Jing’s hand, wanting to ask how she could say such cold words.

Dong Qinglan paused before agreeing, then ordered people to lock Lu Xiaoxiao up.

The guests dispersed. Lu Xiaoxiao was confined alone in a side room. Perhaps thanks to Tantai Jing’s intervention, although the room was simple, it was well-equipped.

However, Lu Xiaoxiao couldn’t care less about her current surroundings. With such a huge accusation hanging over her and being seemingly abandoned by Tantai Jing, she couldn’t fathom Tantai Jing’s true intentions.

Tantai Jing couldn’t possibly not know that I wouldn’t kill anyone.

Lu Xiaoxiao’s mind raced with countless thoughts.

Is Tantai Jing really going to abandon me?

Meanwhile, outside the City Lord’s Mansion, the people of the Yaoxia Palace gathered.

Wan Qingyi said angrily: “Elder Ban! Why didn’t you say a single word in there? You just let Dong Qinglan keep Lu Xiaoxiao inside?”

Ban Cheng pondered for a moment: “Didn’t you also remain silent, Young Palace Lord?”

Upon hearing this, Wan Qingyi first glanced at Lu Wanbai: “It’s not that I don’t believe Lu Xiaoxiao, but the evidence and witness were complete. There was nothing I could say. Tantai Jing was very clever, knowing to use my mother to pressure Dong Qinglan. I suppose she won’t seriously harm Lu Xiaoxiao now.”

Lu Wanbai sighed, her eyebrows tightly furrowed. She naturally believed Lu Xiaoxiao, but she was always poor with words. Thinking of this, she looked at Tantai Jing gratefully: “Thank you, Miss Tantai Jing. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have known what to do. I hope the message sent to Palace Lord Wan can be delivered quickly so she can come and rescue Xiaoxiao.”

Everyone’s true thoughts were hidden in their hearts. Lu Wanbai knew well that perhaps only she and Tantai Jing truly believed Xiaoxiao did not kill anyone.

Tantai Jing had been lost in thought since leaving the City Lord’s Mansion and hadn’t heard what they were discussing. She turned, bade farewell to Ban Cheng, and hurried away. The others chased after her, asking where she was going, but she ignored them.

Tantai Jing walked a long distance along the road and stopped in front of a private residence. This residence was told to her by Huang Xiuzhu. Huang Xiuzhu had not died that day but was instructed by her to deliver a message to Yan Gengshen.

She felt somewhat fortunate now that she hadn’t killed Huang Xiuzhu back then.

She knocked three times on the lion-head knocker on the large door. She immediately heard footsteps, and when the door opened, it was indeed Huang Xiuzhu.

Huang Xiuzhu looked surprised: “I sent someone to deliver the message, but I haven’t received a response yet.”

Tantai Jing pushed the door open: “I’ve come to see you about something else.” Tantai Jing stepped in quickly, closed the door, and turned to look at Huang Xiuzhu: “Do you know why Yan Gengshen wants to form a marriage alliance with the City Lord of Dongchang City?”

“I don’t know, but Dongchang City has an abundance of spirit stones and people, and it also has a large-scale teleportation array. The Demon Venerable can’t possibly be interested in Dong Qinglan’s looks.” Huang Xiuzhu replied respectfully. Since witnessing Tantai Jing’s methods, and with those two unknown insects still inside his body, he no longer dared to show disrespect as he had before.

Tantai Jing asked calmly: “Did you go to the City Lord’s Mansion today? Did you see anything?”

Huang Xiuzhu was shocked: “How did you know I went to the City Lord’s Mansion?” Then, fearing that his question might upset Tantai Jing, he quickly added: “Today was supposed to be the day I met with Dong Shuo to inform him that the Demon Venerable’s arrival date had been moved up, so he should prepare. I went to the study where we usually meet. However, just as I entered, before I saw Dong Shuo, I was assaulted by a little maid. As I left, I saw a shadow on the door and knew someone was outside, so I jumped out the window and ran. So the person outside the door was you.”

“When will Yan Gengshen arrive in Dongchang City?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Dong Shuo is already dead.”

“Ah?”

Tantai Jing had gathered the information she needed. She turned and rushed out the door, hurrying back to the City Lord’s Mansion.

In the dead of night, the door that should have been locked was suddenly opened from the outside. Lu Xiaoxiao got up and saw that it was Tantai Jing who had entered.

“How did you get in? Wasn’t I locked up? Did Dong Qinglan let you in?”

Tantai Jing placed a food box on the table: “I knocked out the guards to get in, of course. You must be hungry. I brought you some food to fill your stomach.”

Lu Xiaoxiao opened the food box and saw four dishes and one soup, all her favorite. She laughed: “Did you forget? I’m already in the Golden Core stage; I can fast now.”

“Of course I know, but you didn’t eat well tonight, so you must be craving something. The City Lord’s Mansion’s food is quite good. I thought I’d bring you some when I came to see you,” Tantai Jing said while arranging the dishes one by one.

Lu Xiaoxiao would be lying if she said she wasn’t touched, but remembering how Tantai Jing had abandoned her to Dong Qinglan earlier, she asked with a touch of bitterness: “Is this my last meal?” She then put the chopsticks back down.

Tantai Jing placed a piece of meat in her bowl and looked at Lu Xiaoxiao with a gentle smile: “How could it be? I felt this whole thing was suspicious. Dong Qinglan probably doesn’t want to kill you; she just couldn’t openly release you without evidence, so she detained you temporarily.”

Lu Xiaoxiao finally felt relieved and eagerly picked up her chopsticks: “I think I saw Huang Xiuzhu today. I don’t know if I was seeing things, which is why I chased after him. Who knew I would run into this mess? Did you actually kill Huang Xiuzhu or not?”

Tantai Jing didn’t answer that question, changing the subject instead: “Do you know who Princess Youlan is going to marry?”

“Who?”

“Yan Gengshen.”

Lu Xiaoxiao was shocked: “Why is he involved in this too?” She paused and then said, “Wait! Dong Qinglan is the sister of the Dongchang City Lord. How could she possibly marry Yan Gengshen? They are clearly from two different factions.”

Tantai Jing: “Exactly. Based on the previous incident where she kidnapped you back to the City Lord’s Mansion, we can deduce that she doesn’t want to marry Yan Gengshen.”

“Plus, Dong Shuo lost his temper at her that day, so it’s highly likely her brother forced her to marry Yan Gengshen, right?” Lu Xiaoxiao asked: “Could it be that Dong Qinglan killed Dong Shuo and then framed me?”

Tantai Jing shook her head: “We don’t know yet, but it’s not impossible.”

Lu Xiaoxiao sighed: “That woman is far too cunning. Even if she didn’t kill him, she probably can’t escape responsibility. You must rescue me quickly.”

“Alright, I promise you,” Tantai Jing said, looking at her dotingly.

“So, did you kill Huang Xiuzhu or not?” Lu Xiaoxiao looked into Tantai Jing’s eyes and asked word by word.

Tantai Jing instinctively looked away and stammered, “No…”

Lu Xiaoxiao’s eyes darkened: “But you promised me? Why did you change your mind after only talking to him?”

“He is still useful to me for now. I will definitely kill him when I’m done with him,” Tantai Jing assured Lu Xiaoxiao.

Lu Xiaoxiao looked at the food in her bowl and quietly asked: “Are you going to cooperate with Yan Gengshen? But we already killed Yan Siying. If he finds out you lied to him, what will you do then?”

“He won’t find out.”

Lu Xiaoxiao didn’t want to reply. She felt a surge of irritation, and the food no longer tasted good. She just stabbed the rice with her chopsticks. She felt that Tantai Jing was hiding too many things from her, things she could clearly tell her.

Perhaps Tantai Jing doesn’t really see me as a friend.

Just as she was feeling sad, she suddenly felt a warmth press against her face, then quickly fly away like a dragonfly touching the water.

Lu Xiaoxiao’s body went taut, and her eyes widened slightly. She raised her head blankly, then stiffly turned to look at Tantai Jing’s flushed face.

“You… why did you kiss me…?”

Tantai Jing quickly turned her face away, her flowing long hair hiding her flaming red profile. She whispered, “Don’t be unhappy. I just wanted to keep him around to deliver a message to Yan Gengshen. I will deal with him the next time we meet.”

Lu Xiaoxiao’s mind was a complete blank. She didn’t care about Huang Xiuzhu anymore, just stared blankly at the person opposite her.

That was the first time anyone has ever kissed me.

Her face looks like a ripe cherry.

So does her mouth.

Not hearing Lu Xiaoxiao speak, Tantai Jing felt a little flustered. She didn’t know if the other person was dissatisfied with her answer, or… dissatisfied that she had kissed her.

With her back to Lu Xiaoxiao, she timidly asked, “You… you didn’t like it?”

“….I liked it, I liked it very much…”

I like Tantai Jing as my friend, right…

Lu Xiaoxiao cautiously lifted her eyes and quickly glanced at Tantai Jing’s back. When she saw her slender figure, she felt her heart was scalded by the girl’s flushed cheek.

I like Tantai Jing, right… as a friend…

Tantai Jing quietly exhaled upon hearing the response. She lowered her head and turned around, resting her forehead on Lu Xiaoxiao’s shoulder: “Do you blame me for treating you so poorly before…?”

Tantai Jing’s small head rested on Lu Xiaoxiao’s shoulder, and the stray hairs on her forehead tickled her slightly.

“N-no. I… I don’t remember it anymore.”

Tantai Jing raised her head upon hearing this, a gentle smile curving her lips.

“You really are a fool.”

Lu Xiaoxiao looked at her reflection in Tantai Jing’s eyes, then at the fine hairs on her forehead, the imperceptible blush on her earlobe, and her mouth that looked like a ripe cherry.

Tantai Jing felt like she was drowning in Lu Xiaoxiao’s eyes.

She tilted her head slightly, attempting to lightly conceal the faint blush with her hair, but the action only made her appear more delicate.

“Why don’t you ask me for the antidote to the Golden Money Gu anymore?”

“…I know you prepared for a long time to save people. As long as it puts your mind at ease, I’m fine even if I don’t get the antidote right away. I believe you would never harm me.” Lu Xiaoxiao squeezed Tantai Jing’s hand and replied softly.

However, such a sincere response only added to Tantai Jing’s guilt.

“Actually, in the Demon Locking Tower, when you were unconscious, I already removed the Gu poison. The things I have to do are too dangerous after all. I’m afraid that one day I might… I was afraid I wouldn’t have time to remove the Gu for you later.” She stretched out her finger and drew circles in Lu Xiaoxiao’s palm as she spoke.

Lu Xiaoxiao remembered how she had blamed Tantai Jing for lying to her back then. Right after leaving the Demon Locking Tower, she went to Tantai Jing’s room to look for the three months’ worth of antidote she had promised. When she didn’t find it, she blamed Tantai Jing for deceiving her and sulked for several days.

Her heart filled with regret.

Seeing her suddenly silent, Tantai Jing cupped Lu Xiaoxiao’s face with both hands, her eyes smiling: “I don’t blame you.”

Perhaps the deep night after the rain was a bit chilly, for Lu Xiaoxiao suddenly longed for the warmth of Tantai Jing’s palms.

Did she just hear my thoughts…?

She slowly raised one hand and placed it over Tantai Jing’s left hand, which was cupping her face.

So warm. I want more…

She subconsciously squeezed Tantai Jing’s hand and pressed it more tightly against her face.

Feeling Lu Xiaoxiao’s movement, Tantai Jing’s body subtly trembled, as if an invisible current had run through her.

Tantai Jing felt like her heart was being held in Lu Xiaoxiao’s hand.

Tantai Jing slowly leaned forward until their noses almost touched, their breaths mingling.

“Fire!!!”

“Quick, someone put out the fire!!!”

The two broke apart abruptly and looked toward the door.

Sometime during their talk, the entire area outside the side room had caught fire. The flames devoured every inch of the surrounding space.

Thick smoke billowed upward, carrying a pungent smell of burning, and quickly filled the entire room. Everything within sight was chaos and blur.