Chapter 540: Tea Time
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This was completely beyond her control. Her tail would wrap itself around her master's wrist to beg for affection, and her feet would involuntarily drift closer to him!
She tried to restrain herself, to appear less…
But her body simply wouldn't obey. Seeing her Master set her body ablaze…
Her lower body felt like insects crawling over it—a sensation no fox could endure!
If she was to practice abstinence, she'd need to find a place of pure, untainted seclusion!
It was fine when Master wasn't home recently—out of sight, out of mind. She wasn't so starved then.
But now, with the Master running about the courtyard like this, from Li Shiyao's perspective, he was nothing less than a walking, divine-tier meat sandwich!
Ye Qinghan felt her master was being cruel. Asking her to abstain was worse than killing her!
Besides, she was a fox demon! If she wasn't scheming to tie her master down and devour him whole, what else was there to think about? For a fox demon, this was the most natural thing in the world! It was her primal instinct!
"Master, I've always been quite sensible, it's just that my body feels a bit… uncomfortable…"
Su Cheng couldn't bear to watch! Ye Qinghan's eyes were overflowing with love right now—visibly brimming with affection!
Su Cheng sighed helplessly, stepping forward to casually tug up Ye Qinghan's slipping shoulder-baring top before speaking.
"Qinghan, we've known each other for quite some time now. You've always been so informal, even crawling into my bed. So, I won't beat around the bush with you."
Ye Qinghan nodded, her expression growing serious as she watched her master's earnest demeanor.
"With my abilities, imparting immortal techniques to help you achieve the Great Way is no difficult task. You need only take one step at a time, progressing steadily, and you will naturally attain the Great Way with ease."
"But I believe that guiding you through both words and deeds—helping you discover life's meaning, fulfill your aspirations, and shape your character—is far more important."
"I trust Qinghan has likely heard much about my past from Xiao Ai or others."
"I have traversed countless ages. Victory has never been my ambition. My sole wish is to protect those around me—and that is why I fight."
"This so-called world may well be a false prison. The sky is an illusion, and the universe itself is a deception—a dome erected by those scum to isolate mortals."
"This world has many rules. So far, it's either rule or die. The strong define the rules, while the weak delude themselves into thinking they can control them."
"This process is a sieve, a natural selection, and the very law of domination."
"Have some tea. My story is long, and this lesson will likely run over. Don't be impatient, Qinghan. More than conclusions, I hope you gain your own insights."
"As for whatever answer you ultimately arrive at, I shan't inquire. So long as you search your heart and find no regret, that is enough."
With that, Su Cheng pushed the teacup toward Ye Qinghan before waving Yulan away.
Though they shared a bed, Yu Lan wasn't meant to hear everything.
But Yulan wasn't upset either. Knowing her place was the first lesson any woman must learn.
Status was undeniably crucial—from access to information to equal dialogue, it was nearly synonymous with capability. Though most believed ability outweighed status, words were one thing. Yet, in public, Lady Gu Ai still curtsied before Ye Qinghan, a gesture of respect for the young lady and her standing.
Ye Qinghan didn't bother with pretense. She accepted the teacup with proper decorum and said solemnly, "Master, please speak. Qinghan will listen attentively."
Su Cheng smiled. While he suspected Ye Qinghan's mind was likely filled with nothing but nonsense, whether this earnestness was feigned or the formality was genuine, it showed a measure of reverence.
A sense of reverence was a good thing. What Ye Qinghan lacked was precisely that reverence.
"Truthfully, I've forgotten many things—promises of eternal devotion, vows to protect others…"
"I've seen many people—some dull and simple-minded, others twice as capable. The meaning of existence varies for everyone."
"Qinghan, I ask you: what is the meaning of your existence?"
Ye Qinghan looked dazed and confused, wondering if this was her master's test.
How should she respond?
"Qinghan believes she was born for Master. The meaning of Qinghan's existence is to serve Master."
It was the kind of answer superiors loved to hear. But Su Cheng wasn't a master in the traditional sense, and Ye Qinghan wasn't a disciple in the traditional sense either.
"Heh, such words won't please your master either. Qinghan lives for herself. Your master is able-bodied and of sound mind. Even without someone to dress or feed me, I can live normally."
"If anyone else said that, I'd only think they were spouting empty flattery to placate me."
"But Qinghan, you… I truly fear this is your genuine sentiment."
"I do have expectations for Qinghan. I hope you can live safely and happily."
Ye Qinghan thought to herself: If he wants her to be happy, then Master should sleep with her every single night!
But the master always slept alone—how could she be happy?
Being happy with Master every night—that was her true desire~
"Actually, Qinghan, you can ask Xiao Ai about me. Even I feel she understands me better than I understand myself."
"She claims to be the most outstanding personal attendant, and I agree—she truly deserves that title."
"She also says I'm the most perfect master she's ever encountered, but I don't see it that way."
"Before meeting Xiao Ai, I was just a petty tyrant—a bit of power, indulging in wine and women daily, living my own little life. Calling me a昏君 wouldn't be an exaggeration."
"But she says that was the past. With her guidance, I will become the most exceptional ruler."
"You've seen it too. Perhaps she truly has made it happen. At least on the surface, I do appear to be that most outstanding ruler."
Su Cheng paused for a long moment, his gaze fixed calmly upon Ye Qinghan before him.
Ye Qinghan, equally composed, poured her master another cup of tea. After passing it to him, she didn't forget to warm the teapot again.
Her master preferred hot tea—a habit she'd learned from Xiao Ai. Love was ever-present, and Xiao Ai never stinted on her affection. If Xiao Ai's love were divided into ten parts, her master alone claimed eight, leaving the remaining two to be shared among everyone else.
"Aren't you curious? I clearly said I'd tell you about myself, yet I've been talking about Xiao Ai the whole time."
Ye Qinghan nodded. "Yes, Master. Didn't you say you'd tell Qinghan about yourself?"
"Heh. Let's continue. The most recent instance was roughly six thousand years ago. Your Master suffered another crushing defeat—utterly routed, one might say."
"Simply because of a single word from me, millions had to pay the price for my mistake."
"If it were merely deciding what to eat for lunch today, I could have casually chosen one option or simply followed someone else's suggestion."
"But my decisions often have far-reaching consequences. One misstep, and everything collapses. Countless lives would be lost because of me—perhaps even the entire world."
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