Chapter 302: Sheer Fabric, Skirts
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Compared to the barren mountains where Lingxian Hall stood, the scenery of the Sacred Mountain was far more beautiful, exuding a sense of embracing nature.
Her crimson robe trailed along the ground as she stepped in brown boots upon moss-covered stone steps. The morning air felt refreshingly crisp.
This was the maid responsible for attending to Li Shiyu, possessing a cultivation level of Qi Refining and being two years older than her.
Following Li Shiyao's instructions, the maid fetched clean water and now assisted her with her morning ablutions.
For cultivators, such assistance was clearly unnecessary, but for Li Shiyao, it was part of her morning ritual.
Beyond that, she would have breakfast. Aside from the ever-present goat's milk, the rest depended on the whims of Yu Lan and Su Cheng—whatever they prepared, she would eat.
After finishing the goat's milk, she would take a couple of sips of wine to rinse her mouth. Once she felt slightly tipsy and in the right state, she would begin her morning exercises.
This sword technique she had secretly observed her master practicing each morning—not the Frostblade Manual, but an unnamed style. It appeared ordinary, yet she believed it must be formidable since her master practiced it daily!
"Your Highness, the Holy Maiden, you are to meet with that Lord today. These garments were sent by the Second Elder. Allow me to assist you in changing."
Li Shiyao's jade-like fingers lightly pinched the sheer silk robe, but she only gave a cold laugh.
Her jade-like fingers gently lifted the gauze skirt. Sunlight filtered through the fabric, casting a soft glow upon her snow-white arms, adding a hazy beauty to the scene.
As if searching for something within, she lifted the garment with both hands, stretching it taut, and gazed at it for a long time against the sun that had risen only recently.
The sunlight piercing through the gauze was particularly blinding.
"What did you call me?"
"Your Holiness…"
"What is this place?"
"Your Holiness, this is the Sacred Mountain. This is Your Holiness's bedchamber."
"Heh, Second Elder… Take this skirt to the Second Elder's daughter and tell her—Shiyu believes she'll look absolutely stunning in it."
The maid froze. Though Li Shiyu never played by the rules,
"Your Holiness, this… this might not be appropriate… it was the Second Elder's request…"
But the maid didn't know that the Holy Maiden before her was no longer the naive Shiyu of old.
The Desire-Severing Bracelet severed others' desires, and the Heart-Confusing Bell would not confuse Shiyu either.
"Go summon the elders—all of them! Tell them Shiyu is quitting!"
Though terrified, the maid obeyed Li Shiyu's command.
Watching the clumsy maid's retreating figure, Li Shiyu felt a twinge of sympathy for her senior sister for the first time…
Li Shiyu sat on the stone table, dangling her feet as she nibbled on pastries and murmured to herself, "Master, do you like Shiyu? Or do you like the Holy Maiden?"
Before long, Shi Mingyi arrived first, rushing in with great urgency!
"Shiyao, what's wrong? Did something happen?"
Li Shiyu remained silent, just swaying her little feet as she waited, driving Shi Mingyi absolutely frantic!
Soon, most of the elders had arrived, yet Li Shiyu still hadn't uttered a word. The elders were nearly driven mad with worry!
After all, the Lord was already on his way. This was a meeting requested by the Holy Maiden herself, who had even claimed to have a solution!
Everyone had assumed Shiyu had everything under control, which had finally eased their worries.
But before that relief could fully sink in, the young lady started throwing another tantrum!
"Elder Shi, what's going on here?"
"How should I know? What did you do to upset her?"
"Nothing! She was perfectly fine last night! She was fine this morning too. Why did she suddenly throw a tantrum?"
"What's that on the table? Is it a dress? Is the dress not to Shiyu's liking?"
"Then just change it out! What's the big deal?"
The elders chattered away, speculating wildly!
Seeing everyone gathered, Li Shiyu dropped a bombshell!
"How dare you all conspire to deceive Shiyu when she loves you so dearly! You can have this Holy Maiden title! Shiyu is done with it!"
"Shiyao will call the eldest senior sister to come get her soon!"
"You don't love Shiyu at all! You're all liars! Shiyu won't be friends with you anymore!"
"Elder Shi, you! Give back the grasshopper Shiyu gave you! She spent the whole afternoon catching it!"
"And you! What are you grinning about? Grand Elder, give Shiyu back the pillow she gave you—the one embroidered with a white rabbit!"
"And the chickens in the yard, Shiyu's carriage, the half-eaten duck—Shiyu wants it all back!"
"Shiyao is never coming back!"
At these words, the elders' faces all turned pale!
"Oh dear, my precious Shiyu, this won't do! Who has upset our Holy Maiden?"
"Indeed! Shiyao, the elders cherish you more than their own daughters. How could they deceive you?"
"Exactly! I can't sleep without the pillow Shiyu gave me. How could I rest without it?"
"Exactly! If Shiyu has any grievances, just speak up. Fourth Elder will see justice done for you!"
"Exactly! Just tell us, and we'll stand up for you!"
Li Shiyu was a pampered princess raised in a honey pot. Before, she never held grudges or even imagined such things!
But things were different now. Li Shiyu was no longer the naive girl she once was!
Li Shiyu knew, but she didn't want her master to find out. What if he still loved that naive girl?
Watch as Li Shiyu snorts coldly!
"Hmph!"
Then she gave a cold snort…
"Eh? Shiyu, you know I cherish you most of all. Did a maid speak back to you? Or did someone bully you?"
"Someone, fetch that little green one! Find out what's going on with the Holy Maiden!"
"Summon everyone who saw the Holy Maiden this morning!"
With that, Li Shiyu no longer held back!
"No need. Summon the elders instead. Shiyu has matters to discuss with them."
The Holy Maiden spoke, and all the elders lifted their heads in eager anticipation of her divine decree.
"Shiyu—is she the Holy Maiden, correct?"
"This place is the Sacred Mountain, correct?"
"This title of Holy Maiden—it wasn't Shiyu who insisted on it. It was you who declared Shiyu the daughter of the gods, the Holy Maiden, correct?"
"You want the Holy Maiden to wear such garments to flatter that lord, is that it?"
As she spoke, Li Shiyu flung the tray holding the garments—dress and all—to the ground.
The elders exchanged stunned glances, inwardly cursing whoever had sent this.
Shiyao was their precious treasure. Not only did they rely on her, but the entire Holy Mountain depended on her to lead them toward prosperity and flourishing!
"If any of you elders harbor such thoughts, feel free to speak plainly. After all, you have nurtured Shiyu—how could she refuse?"
"If it is the elders' request, even if it means becoming that lord's vessel, Shiyuo would do so willingly, considering it repayment for your kindness in raising her."
"But Shiyu never imagined you would deceive her! You claimed to love her—it was all a lie!"
Du Changsheng was furious! He spun around and demanded an explanation!
"Have you all grown tired of living? How dare you offer such filth to the Holy Maiden! You may have no shame, but I still have mine!"
Truth be told, the Second Elder was utterly dumbfounded. He had no idea about this at all!
"No! No, no! I… I'm done for! Shiyu, listen to the Second Elder! I didn't mean it like that!"
Li Shiyu now seemed beyond consoling, appearing resigned as she spoke calmly.
"Second Elder, don't you like Shiyu?"
This made the Second Elder jump up in panic. Glancing at the other elders, their gazes felt like they were looking at him as if he'd killed their fathers!
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