SWNOVELXO chapter 412
The elders of the Ye family had long departed, and the juniors dispersed, respecting the silence.
Qin Shiming briefly explained Xiao Huan’s condition, signaling to Ye Yong not to worry.
“I’m sorry, Young Master Ye, for disappointing your expectations. Perhaps I truly am not suited for cultivation.” Whether as a novice cultivator or a maid, Xiao Huan could not bear the consequences of making a divine being wait, and her failure to break through had left her feeling disheartened, especially with her mistress needing to care for her.
“Xiaoxue, you tell her,” Ye Yong suggested. As fellow maids and friends, he felt that having Wu Xue offer guidance would be more effective here.
—
No, Wu Xue truly had much to say to Xiao Huan: “Have you forgotten what you said after successfully forging your body? You would cherish the opportunity given by the young master, no matter how arduous the path of cultivation ahead, you would persevere, repay the young master, and strive to assist Sister Shi Meng, becoming her strong right arm. Now, because of a minor setback, you wallow in self-pity and deny yourself—was your resolve really so shallow?”
10. Anxious
Xiao Huan lowered her head, silent, her hands clenched tightly, revealing her deep distress.
Ye Yong exchanged a glance with Qin Shi Meng, intending to give them time to speak. After all, with their similar status, there was often more resonance; some heartfelt words Xiao Huan might not share with Ye Yong and Qin Shi Meng.
Thus, Ye Yong cradled the snow-white Huaying Yan, while Qin Shi Meng walked beside him, the two of them approaching the front of the ship.
The guards at the bow of the deck, observing for any approaching enemies, quickly stepped aside upon seeing them. They had no desire to be third wheels, not daring to even glance at Qin Shi Meng, fearing to provoke the displeasure of Young Master Ye Yong. Although Ye Yong no longer exuded the same violent aura as before, now polite and courteous, even if he bore no grudge, the elders of the Ye family would surely intervene—who would dare gamble their life for a jest?
“So this is the spirit fox you brought back from Lingyou Mountain,” Qin Shi Meng remarked, gazing at the fluffy Huaying Yan in Ye Yong’s arms. She tentatively reached out to stroke it, its fur incredibly soft, like cotton. Moreover, she sensed it was unlike ordinary foxes; while undeniably cute, it also exuded an air of nobility and beauty. Surely, when it transformed into a human, it would be a stunning fox maiden: “Can you tell me about your experiences on this trip?”
In truth, Qin Shi Meng was primarily curious about why Ye Yong had chosen it, for she had heard others say that Ye Yong had saved the entire spirit fox clan. She did not believe that all spirit foxes possessed the same grace as Huaying Yan.
Huaying Yan was equally curious about the breathtaking human woman before it, wanting to understand her relationship with its master. It discreetly observed Qin Shi Meng, thinking that if it were to transform, it should aspire to be like her, standing beside its master without diminishing his stature.
Ye Yong could not read minds, unaware of the women’s thoughts. He assumed Qin Shi Meng was interested in his experiences, so he recounted everything in detail, of course omitting the truth, sticking to the usual narrative.
“I see, fate is indeed an elusive thing, something to be encountered but not sought,” Qin Shi Meng mused. Based on Ye Yong’s description, everything had unfolded so naturally; she could never have imagined that such so-called fate could truly be forced, provided one knew what would happen in the future, along with a sprinkle of luck and a dash of system assistance.
“What is the relationship between the master and this Miss Shi Meng?” After Qin Shi Meng asked, it was Huaying Yan’s turn. It was no fool; although Qin Shi Meng had maintained a cold demeanor since boarding, her gaze towards Ye Yong was not as frigid as it was towards others, but rather laced with a hint of tenderness. Moreover, the elders of the Ye family had treated her with great kindness, far from the casual attitude they held towards their own descendants.
“This might be a bit complicated,” Ye Yong replied with a wry smile. The initial annulment of the engagement was meant to sever any ties with the protagonist, Long Tian. Little did he know that while he had cut those ties, it also granted Qin Shi Meng another chance to know him.
Whether it was the engagement forged by “Ye Yong” or the annulment, both were unilateral decisions, never considering Qin Shi Meng’s feelings. Ye Yong felt he owed her much. Offering her heart techniques and opportunities was not truly compensation, for he had gained many turning points from her. Qin Shi Meng was destined for greatness; even without Ye Yong, she would still ascend to the heavens and become an immortal emperor. Strictly speaking, it was Ye Yong who had benefited from her.
Qin Shi Meng was at a loss for how to explain their relationship. If Ye Yong had not annulled the engagement, they would be betrothed. Yet for her at that time, the engagement was a painful shackle, whether from the pressure of the Qin family or the vague threats from “Ye Yong,” both had caused her immense distress. With the annulment, the shackles were broken, allowing her to reassess Ye Yong.
Some matters, with just a slight change,
—
This was the best answer Ye Yong could come up with for the moment. After all, saying that Qin Shiming was once his fiancée would create a sense of distance, as if it were merely a thing of the past.
“Hmm…” Upon hearing Ye Yong’s words, Qin Shiming lowered her head shyly, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks.
The term “red-faced confidante” was used quite cleverly; it indicated a close relationship between them without fully entangling it in matters of romance. It could imply a beloved, or, stepping back a bit, a good friend. However, given the hints of ambiguity that had passed between them, it was clear they were moving in a forward direction.
Hua Ningyan listened, utterly bewildered, feeling like an outsider in a conversation only they understood: “How exactly did you two meet?”
“Children shouldn’t ask so many questions.” Ye Yong ruffled Hua Ningyan’s hair playfully.
The name “Ye Yong” was a part of his dark history; his encounter with Qin Shiming was certainly not a beautiful coincidence, but rather a one-sided, frenzied pursuit by Ye Yong. After crossing over, he bore the weight of it all. Their first meeting had been during the annulment of their engagement, hardly a charming encounter.
“By the age calculation of the human race, I’m also 16 years old, so I’m not a child!” Hua Ningyan shot an indignant look at Ye Yong, unsure whether to be upset about being called a child or because her fur had been tousled.
“You’ve lived too comfortably among your kind, never experiencing the dangers and harshness of the world. To me, 16 is no different from 6.”
The little fox had no retort, knowing further questioning would yield no answers. She decided to inquire privately, leaping down from Ye Yong’s arms, shaking out her fur, and pretending to take a stroll, all the while planning to ask the elders of the Ye family.
In Ye Yong’s eyes, Hua Ningyan was the epitome of a well-behaved and sensible child, completely unaware of her own intentions. Yet, even good children possess curiosity and a thirst for knowledge. Still, even if he knew she was off to ask someone, Ye Yong wouldn’t hold it against her; it was simply her way of wanting to learn more about herself.
Once Hua Ningyan left, only Ye Yong and Qin Shiming remained, and the atmosphere grew somewhat delicate. Especially after Ye Yong had mentioned the bonds of life and death, and the term “red-faced confidante.”
What to do when the air turns silent? One shouldn’t force a topic to break the awkwardness, as that would only suffocate the conversation further, making it even more uncomfortable.
Indeed, Qin Shiming felt a pressing need to shatter the silence but couldn’t think of anything to say, so she asked Ye Yong how his recent cultivation was going.
What else could Ye Yong say besides that it was going smoothly? Cultivation was inherently a dull affair; cultivators all did much the same—sitting in meditation, circulating their inner methods, absorbing spiritual energy, and enhancing their cultivation level. To elaborate on the cultivation process was impossible unless he revealed the methods he practiced, or mentioned the pills he had taken, artificially inflating the conversation. But then what? They would still be left in a state of silence.
Soon, Qin Shiming realized she had only made the atmosphere more awkward, anxiously rubbing her hands together. Ye Yong found her flustered demeanor quite refreshing; it turned out that even the aloof Empress had a cute side.
—
11 Priceless
To liven up the atmosphere, Ye Yong, influenced by novels, comics, and evening soap operas, had a few tricks up his sleeve as a modern person.
—
He gazed into the distance, for as the year drew to a close, the air turned frigid, and the landscape was cloaked in white, snowflakes dancing like lost spirits. Were it not for the ship’s protective barrier unfurled above, the deck would have long been buried beneath a thick layer of snow.
Such a scene was ripe for poetry.