CHAPTER 37
The Princess's Game
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"Is that true?"
Dongfang Jue looked utterly astonished. Cheng Liang knew his father? And had held him as a child? That was bad enough!
Su Cheng was even more astonishing—he named me?
"Back then, my understanding of the heavens was far less than it is now. Seeing how General Dongfang cherished you and your mother, I bestowed upon you the character 'Jue'."
Dongfang Jue had completely forgotten why he was here—he was hooked on this story!
"What does it mean?"
"Jue means two jade pieces—you and your mother. You are the two most precious jade treasures in General Dongfang's life. Jue also carries the meaning of gathering together, signifying that you will be united for all eternity, never to be separated."
This was the first time Dongfang Jue had ever heard such a thing in her entire life!
She must admit, she never imagined her very name had been bestowed by Ye Qinghan's own master!
If that was the case, could she persuade her father to let Su Cheng accept her?
Logically speaking, if Ye Qinghan—a woman with no familial ties—could become his direct disciple, surely she could too!
"Master Su, this is the first time Jue'er has heard that her name carries such profound meanings."
Su Cheng smiled. While it was all true, it had indeed been many years ago.
The Eastern Shuo of today was no longer the man he once was—he had become the Human Emperor, and that child had transformed into a princess.
"But your mother wasn't too pleased back then. She called me a penniless Taoist and even told your father to kick me out!"
"Huh? That happened too?" Dongfang Jue scratched his head. Seems he shouldn't get too excited just yet…
"But General Dongfang treated me well, often hosting banquets and treating me as a brother."
"This time when I return, I must…"
Su Cheng waved his hand, cutting Dongfang Jue off.
"It matters not. I have no desire to meddle in worldly affairs. Now that I've taken Qinghan as my direct disciple to pass on my lifetime's knowledge, I truly have no time to concern myself with matters outside the palace halls."
"This…"
"Qinghan, keep Dongfang company while I go buy groceries."
Huh?
Dongfang Jue froze again, another statement she couldn't comprehend!
Is Ye Qinghan the head of Lingxian Hall?
You're the headmaster! You're my master!
Now you're brewing tea and buying groceries?
"Alright."
Ye Qinghan had intended to go in his master's place, but upon reflection, his master had already been chatting for quite some time.
It was his turn now!
Ye Qinghan tilted her head, glancing at Dongfang Jue beside her. She was certain this Dongfang Jue never came empty-handed!
She was definitely up to something!
"Spill it. What brings you here? Who sent you?"
Dongfang Jue froze. You really are the master, aren't you!
"I was curious, so I came to take a look."
"Curious about what?"
"Curious about what kind of master could make you grow so much stronger in just a month."
Dongfang Jue didn't beat around the bush, choosing instead to speak plainly.
"Are you some kind of sticky gum? How…"
Before Ye Qinghan could finish speaking, Su Cheng, now dressed in fresh clothes, hurried over.
"Qinghan, fetch some silver for your master. I'm off to buy groceries."
Ye Qinghan casually pulled out five taels of silver and a few copper coins.
"Hey, Qinghan, give your master a little more. We have guests coming."
"Alright, Qinghan will give Master another five taels. Master, please spend it sparingly."
"Alright, alright, I understand."
Dongfang Jue stood nearby, his expression now more astonished than when he'd seen Ye Qinghan wield over a dozen immortal-grade artifacts…
Noticing Dongfang Jue's expression, Su Cheng smiled and explained.
"Miss Dongfang, please don't take offense. Qinghan handles all the expenses for the Lingfrost Hall."
"Not at all… not at all…"
Dongfang Jue just wanted to say she was already used to it!
After Su Cheng left, Dongfang Jue tentatively asked.
"You seem more like the head of Lingxian Hall. Master Su looks more like the disciple."
In an instant, Ye Qinghan's aura shifted. Dongfang Jue could feel the temperature around her grow noticeably colder…
"Miss Dongfang, please watch your words. Even as a guest, Qinghan's patience has its limits."
"My apologies." Dongfang Jue could sense Ye Qinghan's profound respect for Su Cheng. She wasn't Li Shiyao—just a single glance was enough for Dongfang Jue to understand how deeply Ye Qinghan revered Su Cheng.
Her movements and demeanor while serving tea, along with this cool, light dress, were all prepared for her master.
A mix of reverence and apprehension…
"I know what you're thinking. Master handles most daily matters himself—Qinghan rarely makes decisions on trivial matters."
At this point, Dongfang Jue found herself curious.
"What kind of matters qualify as major decisions?"
"When I act, I only consider whether it pleases the Master. Matters where I cannot ascertain the Master's stance are major matters."
"So you didn't kill me because you weren't sure about Master Su's stance?"
"Because you still have some use alive." Ye Qinghan smiled, feeling a surprising delight at finally conversing with someone of normal intelligence after so long.
Shangguan Rou was like that, Li Shiyao too—everyone he'd encountered lately seemed to be brainless fools.
"I see." Dongfang Jue surmised it was likely due to his father's influence; otherwise, Ye Qinghan would surely show no mercy.
"I thought you'd be like those fools and ask what use I am."
"Thanks for the compliment."
"So you're curious about my master?"
Ye Qinghan chuckled lightly, his eyes brimming with the contempt of a superior.
"I'm curious about the method you used to secure this position as a direct disciple."
Dongfang Jue considered it, then decided to get straight to the point. Ye Qinghan wasn't one for idle chatter, and neither was she.
"What method do you think could possibly deceive the Master?"
Ye Qinghan's gaze was as if she were looking at a fool. Dongfang Jue actually believed she had used some trick to deceive her way into this position.
She had knelt there honestly for an entire day, staking her immortal path and future on a gamble!
But luck had been on his side—he'd won the gamble.
"I heard that Master Su hasn't taken any disciples in all these years."
Of course not. If he had, how could I be the First Disciple?
"Now you're talking nonsense. Never mind. You probably think I used some despicable trick to secure my position as the Master's direct disciple."
"You misunderstand. As you said, I never believed any trick could deceive Master Su."
"Then why did you ask?"
"I want to know—what makes you so special compared to others? How did you get so lucky to be chosen by Master Su?"
Ye Qinghan felt like laughing. Back when the Master was picking vegetable scraps, why didn't you think joining Lingxian Hall was a stroke of luck?
"Hmph. Because back then, joining Lingxian Hall wasn't seen as fortunate—it was seen as a laughingstock."
As if clouds parted to reveal the sun, Dongfang Jue's mind cleared. So that's how it was.
It was the timing!
Just before that sword strike, Su Cheng had been nothing but a worthless废物 in everyone's eyes—a worthless master with no cultivation at all.
"Thank you, Miss Xie Qinghan, for clearing up my confusion."
"Wait, you…"
Ye Qinghan suddenly sensed something amiss. This fellow's demeanor today was somewhat…
"Are you here to scout the place?" Ye Qinghan's brows furrowed slightly, anger already creeping onto her lovely face. Yet it was different from before—less fury, more a hint of worry.
"You're scared?" Dongfang Jue chuckled, surprised to see such an adorable expression on Ye Qinghan's face. Weren't fox spirits supposed to be deeply hidden and inscrutable?
"If I were you, I wouldn't do something this foolish."
"Why?"
Because Lingxian Hall's First Disciple, Ye Qinghan, is still alive.
Ye Qinghan poured herself more tea, beginning to ponder her countermeasures.
"What? Are you afraid your master might fall for me?"
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