Two Women Break Down

An unknown amount of time passed.

The eastern horizon began to pale with the first light of dawn.

The two women separated, panting heavily, each hovering on one side.

At this moment, how could they still retain even the slightest demeanor of powerful experts?

Wu Lingxiao's phoenix crown was crooked, her hair was as messy as a chicken's nest, and several scratch marks marred her face.

Zi Yao's dharma robes were torn, exposing large patches of skin, and one of her eyes had been beaten black and blue.

A draw.

Wu Lingxiao spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva and spoke coldly.

Hmph, I'll let you off for today.

Zi Yao rubbed her bruised eye socket and gritted her teeth.

They were both Half-step True Immortals, their strength on par with each other, neither able to do anything to the other. If they continued fighting, it would only end in mutual destruction, letting that unknown Destined Heroine reap the benefits.

It is dawn.

Wu Lingxiao glanced at the sky, adjusted her appearance, and instantly returned to the image of a submissive embroiderer.

Let us go back.

Remember, do not give yourself away in front of Ye Xuan.

I do not need you to teach me!

Zi Yao shook her body, and the wounds on her vanished instantly, turning her back into that pitiful, distressed maiden who needed protection.

The two exchanged a glance, snorted coldly, and transformed into streaks of light, rushing toward the Emperor Boat.

The Emperor Boat, early morning.

Sunlight filtered through the window lattice, spilling into the corridor.

Creak!

The door opened.

Ye Xuan walked out looking refreshed, a satisfied and lazy smile hanging on the corners of his mouth.

He stretched his back, the bones all over his body popping and cracking.

Behind him, Ying'er followed out shyly, her face flushed red.

Her walking posture was a bit awkward, but her brows and eyes carried a hint of spring. She held a basin of water for washing up, and the love token bracelet on her wrist sparkled brightly in the sunlight.

Master, mind the steps, Ying'er said in a delicate voice.

This scene was witnessed perfectly by Wu Lingxiao and Zi Yao, who had just returned.

The expressions on their faces were indescribably twisted.

That smile...

That posture...

That bracelet...

What had happened last night was self-evident.

I am going to kill her!

Zi Yao's eyes instantly turned as red as a rabbit's, and her fingers spasmed uncontrollably into a claw-like shape, a precursor to murder.

She had blown in the cold wind up in the sky all night and fought all night.

And as a result, this cheap maid had slept all night in bed holding her husband?

Calm down!

Wu Lingxiao grabbed Zi Yao's hand tightly, roaring through voice transmission:

Are you crazy?!

Have you forgotten our agreement from just now?

She is a scapegoat! A scapegoat! Let her be smug for a few days!

Although Wu Lingxiao was trying to stop the fight, her own teeth were grinding loudly, and the fists hidden in her sleeves were clenched white.

Endure.

I must endure.

For the big picture... for the long term...

Oh, you two ladies are up so early?

Ye Xuan saw the two women standing at the end of the corridor and greeted them with a smile.

His gaze swept over the two of them, a trace of amusement flashing in his eyes:

Ling'er, Miss Zi Yao.

Your hair... why is it a bit messy?

And these clothes... why do they look like they have been torn?

Wu Lingxiao and Zi Yao were startled and hurriedly adjusted their clothes.

Ah... well...

Wu Lingxiao squeezed out a stiff smile:

To answer the young master, this servant saw that Sister Zi Yao was homesick last night and could not sleep, so I accompanied her on the deck to... spar and exchange martial arts pointers.

Yes, sparring, stopping before any real harm was done.

Zi Yao also nodded hastily, showing a look of overwhelming gratitude:

Yes, benefactor, thanks to Sister Ling'er's guidance... I... I feel much better now.

Ye Xuan looked at these two clowns with their clumsy acting.

Of course he knew what they had gone to do.

The commotion in the astral wind layer last night was so loud that he could feel it even under his blankets.

Oh? Sparring.

Ye Xuan smiled meaningfully, his gaze falling on Zi Yao's slightly swollen left eye:

It seems this sparring was quite intense.

Since you have such a good relationship, that is good.

Ye Xuan turned around and very naturally took Ying'er's hand, his fingers gently rubbing that love token bracelet:

Ying'er, let us go eat breakfast.

What do you want to eat today? Master will feed you.

Ying'er was overwhelmed by the favor: Ah? Master... this is against the rules...

I am the rules. Ye Xuan fondly tapped her nose.

Watching the loving figures of the two walking away.

Behind them.

Wu Lingxiao and Zi Yao stood side by side.

The two originally irreconcilable love rivals actually developed a bizarre resonance at this moment.

They stared at Ying'er's back, the resentment in their eyes almost solidifying into something tangible.

That back... Zi Yao ground her teeth: I really want to poke a hole in it.

That hand... Wu Lingxiao pinched the center of her palm: I really want to chop it off.

The two exchanged a glance.

Happy cooperation? Zi Yao said coldly.

Only until we kill the Destined Heroine. Wu Lingxiao replied coldly.

While up ahead.

Ye Xuan, whose arm was being held by Ying'er, saw the gentle smile on his lips gradually turn into an unfathomable coldness and mockery.

Fight.

Battle.

The more you focus your attention on that so-called Destined Heroine, the more you use Ying'er as a shield...

The safer I am.

As for that pure and flawless Destined Heroine...

Ye Xuan looked up at the sky.

Lord knows if that person even exists.

Anyway... as long as it can torment you, that person will always exist.

The following days were a long and exquisite death by a thousand cuts for Wu Lingxiao and Zi Yao.

The Emperor Boat traveled through the sea of clouds, the scenery as beautiful as a painting, but the atmosphere on the boat was so bizarrely stifling.

Ye Xuan no longer treated them with cold indifference like before, but he also showed absolutely no warmth.

On the deck.

Ye Xuan lay on a soft couch, holding a crystal-clear spirit grape in his hand.

Ying'er, open your mouth.

Ying'er knelt obediently beside him, opened her rosy little mouth, and caught the grape. Her tongue inadvertently brushed against Ye Xuan's fingertips. Ye Xuan did not pull away; instead, he took the opportunity to tap her nose and smiled fondly:

So sweet.

Is it you who is sweet, or the grape?

Ying'er's face flushed with shyness. She nestled into Ye Xuan's embrace and said delicately: As long as Master likes it, Ying'er is sweet.

Ye Xuan laughed heartily, his fingers running through Ying'er's hair. He toyed with the love token bracelet that had once belonged to Zi Yao, his eyes so tender that water could practically drip from them.

Meanwhile, in the shadows not far away.

Wu Lingxiao held a broom in her hand, pretending to sweep the deck.

Zi Yao held a plate of spirit fruits, preparing to deliver them.

Both of their movements froze at the same time.

Crack.

The broom handle in Wu Lingxiao's hand, made of thousand-year ironwood, was actually squeezed so hard that her fingerprints were left on it before it turned into fine powder.

Her eyes were fixed on Ye Xuan's hand caressing Ying'er, staring at the position that originally belonged to her.

Jealousy.

A maddening jealousy felt like ten thousand ants gnawing at her heart.

That is my Consort Xuan...

He only used to smile at me like that...

That cheap maid... how dare she... how dare she look at Consort Xuan with that kind of gaze!

Wu Lingxiao's breathing grew heavy, bloodshot lines spreading madly across her eyes. If it weren't for the so-called bigger picture, to prevent Ye Xuan from committing suicide, she would have rushed up right now and ripped that charming face right off Ying'er's skull!

On the other side, Zi Yao was trembling with rage.

She stared fixedly at the betrothal bracelet on Ying'er's wrist.

That was her Lifebound Artifact! That was her yearning of several millennia!

Yet now, it was worn on the wrist of a lowly maid, swaying back and forth with Ying'er's movements and letting out a clear, jingling sound.

Every single chime felt like a resounding slap across Zi Yao's face.

Slut... you slut...

Zi Yao cursed madly in her heart. Her fingernails had already gouged deep grooves into the spirit fruit platter she was holding.

Ye Xuan seemed completely oblivious.

Or rather, he was doing it on purpose.

As he fed Ying'er a piece of fruit, he nonchalantly glanced at the two women standing nearby and said flatly,

What are you standing around for?

Can't you see Ying'er is thirsty? Pour the tea.

Wu Lingxiao and Zi Yao shuddered.

Make them pour tea?

Make a dignified Empress and a Half-Step True Immortal pour tea for a maid born as a beggar?

What? Unwilling? Ye Xuan's voice turned cold.

W-willing.

The two answered in unison through gritted teeth.

Zi Yao stepped forward, pouring a cup of tea with trembling hands and handing it to Ying'er.

In her mind, she was frantically thinking of poisoning the tea with Soul-Devouring Powder, a poison that would make one wish for death, but reason told her she could not.

Ying'er took the tea. Without even saying thank you, she took a sip as if it were her absolute right, then frowned.

It is too hot.

Clatter!

The teapot in Zi Yao's hand nearly crashed to the floor.

Too hot?

This Venerable One used spiritual energy to precisely control the temperature, and you are telling me it is too hot?

I am sorry... sister. Zi Yao squeezed the words out through her teeth, her expression uglier than if she were crying. Big sister will go change it right away.

Watching Zi Yao's wretched retreating back, the smile on Ye Xuan's lips deepened.

He turned his head to look at Wu Lingxiao, who was sweeping the floor.

Sweep it cleaner.

Ying'er likes to walk barefoot, do not let anything prick her feet.

Wu Lingxiao took a deep breath, lowered her head, and said in a hoarse voice,

Yes... Young Master.

This kind of life continued for three whole days.

For three days, they watched Ye Xuan and Ying'er act as close as glue, watched Ying'er enjoy the doting affection they had dreamed of, and watched the betrothal bracelet sparkle on Ying'er's wrist.

Finally, Wu Lingxiao could not take it anymore.

Night fell.

At the end of the corridor.

Wu Lingxiao intercepted Ying'er, who was just preparing to return to her room.

Sister Ling'er? Ying'er blinked, her face the picture of innocence. It is so late, is something the matter?

Looking at this innocent face, Wu Lingxiao forcefully suppressed the killing intent in her heart. She forced out an extremely strained smile and handed over an incredibly precious jade bracelet.

Sister Ying'er, these past few days... you must be exhausted, right?

Big sister sees how hard you work serving the Young Master, so I am giving this bracelet to you.

Ying'er's eyes lit up, and she accepted it without any polite refusal. Thank you, Sister Ling'er! It is so pretty!

Seeing Ying'er accept the gift, Wu Lingxiao lowered her voice, a trace of humble pleading in her tone.

Sister, there is something I want to beg of you.

You see... the Young Master has only let you serve him these past few days.

Sister Zi Yao and I... are also the Young Master's servant girls. We also want... want to share the Young Master's burdens.

Wu Lingxiao bit her lip. That face, which had once belonged to an imperious and unexcelled Empress, was now full of fawning subservience.

Could you put in a good word for us with the Young Master?

Tonight... could you let us attend to his bed?

Even if it is just standing by the side pouring tea and fetching water, we are willing.

Ying'er froze for a moment, then revealed an expression of sudden realization.

She sighed, looking at Wu Lingxiao with some sympathy, and then glanced at Zi Yao, who was hiding in the shadows eavesdropping.

So it is about that.

Actually... I already asked the Master for you.

Really? Wild joy burst from Wu Lingxiao's eyes. What did the Young Master say?

In the shadows, Zi Yao pricked up her ears, her heart racing.

Ying'er scratched her head and said with pure innocence,

The Master said... no.

Why? Wu Lingxiao grew anxious. Is there something we are doing wrong? We can change!

Ying'er shook her head, using the most innocent tone to deliver the most soul-crushing words.

It is not that you are doing anything wrong.

The Master's exact words were—

Ying'er cleared her throat, imitating Ye Xuan's cold and disgusted tone.

Those two women... are too dirty.

Just smelling the stench on them makes me feel sick.

Trash like that thinks they are worthy of climbing into my bed?

These words were like a heavy sledgehammer, ruthlessly smashing Wu Lingxiao and Zi Yao's final shreds of dignity.

The smile on Wu Lingxiao's face instantly froze, followed by uncontrollable fury and humiliation.

Dirty?

Sickening?

Unworthy?

I have kept myself pure as jade for you for eight hundred years! I am the most exalted Empress in this world!

How dare you call me dirty?