Chapter 96: Actual Appearance: The Image of a White Lotus Flower
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
As Ye Jiuge looked at the black fat rat, she had a feeling that she’d been deceived. Its arrogant and pampered vibe was completely different from its soft and cute appearance back in the cave.
Did she bring back a little devil? It doesn’t matter, she will tolerate the local rodent tycoon for its treasure! Ye Jiuge was not in the mood to remain in the Demonic Beasts Forest. She placed her fingers in her mouth and whistled for the large black horse that had brought her there.
Clatter clatter clatter! A wave of human noises followed the clatter of the horse’s hoofs. Ye Jiuge leaped onto a tall tree and saw countless torches lighting up in the distance. It was clear that someone was searching the mountains. Ye Jiuge was startled. Could it be that the Empress had shed all pretense of cordiality and dispatched a group of troops to get rid of her?
At that moment, a familiar voice rang out, “Eldest Miss Ye, where are you?”
Ye Jiuge recognized it as Bai Songling, and she jumped down from the tree. She saw that he was leading her large black horse by the nose and asked,
“What are you doing here?”
“Qing Mama asked us to look for you,” Bai Songling said.
“Why would she look for you?” Ye Jiuge was surprised. Qing Mama did not usually step out of the Ye Residence for anything insignificant.
“Something must have happened at the Ye Residence. Qing Mama suddenly rushed over to find me.” Bai Songling sighed and looked helplessly at Ye Jiuge.
Qing Mama had been startled to see him. She repeatedly questioned him regarding why he was at home instead of gathering medicinal herbs with her Eldest Miss. It was as though he had discarded Ye Jiuge after having made use of her. Bai Songling had to explain needlessly before Qing Mama finally believed that he knew nothing about Ye Jiuge wanting to enter the mountains with him to gather medicinal herbs. After the Dongling Prince had heard about this, he immediately dispatched some men to follow them into the mountains to search for Ye Jiuge.
“I apologize. Qing Mama has got used to worrying. She would not have rested easy if I hadn’t told her that I was out with you,” Ye Jiuge said, embarrassed. She knew well how long-winded Qing Mama could be, and Bai Songling must have suffered gravely.
“It’s okay as long as you are fine. However, the next time you want to use me as a shield, please tell me in advance. I will definitely cooperate,” Bai Songling said light-heartedly.
“Thank you.” Ye Jiuge laughed awkwardly.
Then, Wan Ziyang arrived together with some Spiritual Guards from the Dongling Prince Mansion. Obviously, Dongfang Que considered Ye Jiuge to be someone important. Immediately after hearing that Ye Jiuge had suffered an accident, he’d dispatched the most outstanding Spiritual Guards from his residence.
“Eldest Miss Ye, you…” Wan Ziyang walked toward Ye Jiuge while holding a torch. However, he was stunned before he could finish speaking, and a hint of astonishment flitted past his eyes.
“Eldest Miss Ye, what happened to your face?”
Bai Songling’s eyes widened as he stared at Ye Jiuge. His expression was as though he had seen a ghost. Earlier, the color of the sky had been too dark for him to see, and Ye Jiuge had been standing under a tree. He had been so preoccupied with talking that he had not realized that something about Ye Jiuge’s face had changed.
“What’s wrong?” Was her face disfigured from her fall in the Demonic Beasts Forest?
She remembered that her face had been hurting badly. Ye Jiuge immediately reached for her face; it felt as smooth as silk. She immediately had a bad premonition, and she hurriedly asked, “Does anyone have a mirror?”
But they were all men, so none of them carried mirrors. In the end, a Spiritual Practitioner with a Water Spiritual Root conjured a small puddle of water for Ye Jiuge. When Ye Jiuge saw her reflection in the puddle, she momentarily felt as though she’d been struck with a bolt out of the blue.
A stunning beauty appeared on the surface of the water. She had long, shapely eyebrows, an elegant and pretty nose, as well as long eyelashes. Her fair and flawless skin had a hint of color, and her delicate, ruby-lipped mouth was as tender and plump as a rose. Her eyes were especially alluring and exquisite. They were as bright and clear as the spring waters.
F*ck, why do I look like a white lotus flower? Ye Jiuge was unwilling to accept her new appearance.
“Eldest Miss Ye, what’s wrong?” Bai Songling felt strange seeing Ye Jiuge so grieved. Isn’t she supposed to be joyous about becoming beautiful? Why is she behaving like this?
“Nothing. I am just not used to it.” Ye Jiuge shook her head.
When she lifted her face, she saw that all the male Spiritual Practitioners were awestruck. In that instant, Ye Jiuge felt despondent. No matter which world one is in, looks are everything!
“Eldest Miss Ye, it is not early anymore. Qing Mama must be anxious for you, and we should head back now!” Bai Songling said.
If they were to head back immediately, they would return just as the city gates opened.
“Sure.” Ye Jiuge put on her curtain hat, climbed onto the large black horse, and followed Bai Songling and the others back to the capital.
It was early in the morning when they reached the capital. The guards on duty walked out drowsy-eyed and yawning. When they saw the Justice Department badge, which Wan Ziyang displayed, they immediately and respectfully welcomed the group into the city. Astride her horse, Ye Jiuge followed Bai Songling and Wan Ziyang back to their residence. The rest of the Spiritual Practitioners returned to the Dongling Prince Mansion to report on the completion of their mission.
At that moment, Qing Mama, who had not slept the entire night, was pacing up and down in Wan Ziyang’s residence. When she saw Ye Jiuge, she cried out emotionally, “Eldest Miss, where have you been? I have been so worried.”
“Didn’t I tell you that I was going into the mountains to gather medicinal herbs?” Ye Jiuge said as she climbed off her horse.
“It’s fine if you were in the mountains. However, why did you have to lie to me that Lord Bai was accompanying you?” Qing Mama began to harp on unhappily.
What an embarrassing question! Bai Songling is right next to them! Ye Jiuge quickly pulled Qing Mama along with her toward the house. With a soft voice, she said, “I will explain to you later.”
“Fine!” Qing Mama realized that it was inappropriate to pursue the issue in front of outsiders, so she said nothing further.
When they entered the house, Ye Jiuge asked Qing Mama, “Why did you rush here in the middle of the night?”
“Not long after you left in the morning, the Old Master came to the Zilin Residence and asked to see you. I said that you were recuperating from your injury and could not attend to visitors, but he did not believe me. He was yelling furiously, and he even smashed in the door. I realized that something was wrong, and as such, I rushed out to find you.”
Qing Mama had wanted to ask for Wan Ziyang’s help, but Bai Songling had opened the door! She’d thought that the Eldest Miss had been duped by Bai Songling, and she’d even wanted to kill him.
“How did Father know that I wasn’t in my residence?”
Ye Jiuge frowned as she recalled how Elderly Lady Xu, who was hiding in the Demonic Beasts Forest, had ambushed her. It was clear that someone in the Ye Residence was monitoring her secretly; whoever it was, the person was very good at it.
“I am unsure as well. However, we should head back quickly. I fear that the Old Master will seek Zhen Zhu and the rest in the Yaoguang Residence to vent his anger.” Before Qing Mama had left the Ye Residence, she had instructed Zhen Zhu to bring the other maids to the Fourth Miss to take refuge.
“Sure, let’s go back now.” Ye Jiuge nodded, then said to Bai Songling and Wan Ziyang,
“Can I trouble the two of you to help me deliver a message to His Highness? Tell him that I have found the Spiritual Herb and that I will go and find him once I have dealt with the matter at the Ye Residence.”
Having said so, she led Qing Mama home.