Chapter 192   Soup with Aphrodisiac Powder

After returning to the capital, the company rested and practice, waiting quietly for Venerated Supreme Devil to emerge from his retreat.

Chou Tianhen had been killed. This meant one fewer powerful helper for the Venerated Supreme Devil. Upon their return, Hua Qiyue discovered that some members of the Divine Eyes Organization had joined the alliance.

Yun Shimo to grab time to refine his pills. He tried his best to refine more Qi-gathering Pills and Recovery Pills. Everyone had one Heaven and Earth Revitalizing Pill—in other words, they each had only one chance to recover from the brink of death.

If there was a second time, the Heaven and Earth Revitalizing Pill would not work like in the first. Its effect would be greatly diminished.

On the other hand, Princess Qianyang’s heart was aching for Yun Shimo. She decided to see him once every three days. In other words, they would have a rendezvous every three days.

Although it was so, she still missed Yun Shimo very much. That man was one out of a million. No one could match up with his brilliance.

“Junior Apprentice Sister, why did I hear Yun Shimo was very close to Hua Qiyue during their expedition?”

This day, Princess Qianyang was in the pavilion playing chess with Fifth Venerable Master. Hongyi, who had just returned from a stroll outside, said this with a smile.

Hongyi had experienced so many upheavals that she had matured. She was now very adept at schemes.

She had been bored in the Princess’s palace, so she put on a veil and went outside for a stroll. She had obviously heard many rumors circulating outside.

Princess Qianyang’s countenance sank but recalling Yun Shimo’s tenderness last night, she gave a cold sneer. “His Highness treats everyone well. Outsiders will think he is nice only to Hua Qiyue.”

“Hey, which man isn’t a flirt? Junior Apprentice Sister, you must guard your man well. Everyone will like to get close to a fine guy. And men could take several wives and concubines. What if he marries you and still wants Hua Qiyue?”

Hongyi sneered. She took the opportunity to deal Princess Qianyang a blow. The latter was so fortunate—she was a rediscovered Princess now, feasting on delicacies every day. And her would-be spouse was Yun Shimo! How could she not envy her?

Fifth Venerable Master frowned. “Hongyi, don’t talk nonsense. Yun Shimo isn’t such a man.”

Even Fifth Venerable Master had stood on Yun Shimo’s side. Hongyi’s heart sank. Even Fifth Venerable Master had acknowledged Yun Shimo’s perfection. So, what kind of a man was he?

“You see, even Venerable Master says he’s not such a man! Humph!” Princess Qianyang felt quite complacent. She could not believe Yun Shimo would get close to that wretch, Hua Qiyue.

After all, since they started their relationship over a month ago. Yun Shimo had rarely appeared with Hua Qiyue together.

There were spies from the Princess at Feng’s Yard.

“But... the ensuing battle won’t be too easy!” Fifth Venerable Master lifted her eyebrows. “I heard that our Sect Leader isn’t joining the alliance. Our Heaven Sect doesn’t have anything to fear. It’s just the question of whether Yun Shimo will get back alive... ”

Princess Qianyang heard her and her face instantly turned pale. She stared desperately at Fifth Venerable Master, imploring her. “Venerable Master, you must save His Highness!”

Fifth Venerable Master’s face was solemn. “Qianyang, it isn’t that I’m heartless, but their enemy’s too strong. Even if I go, I’ll be just fodder for that devil.”

“You mean when that time comes, everyone in the world will have to submit to the Gnawing Devils Sect?” Although Hongyi did not like Hua Qiyue, she also did not wish to become a plaything of the Gnawing Devils Sect.

“However... Hua Qiyue has the Drunken Flower Fan. Plus, many lethal skills. Besides... many orthodox sects have arrived these few days with almost all their disciples, preparing to join the alliance and exterminate the Gnawing Devils Sect. They’ll have their chances,” the Venerable Master said. She was right. In the past four days, many orthodox sects were sending their disciples to the capital.

Since they had suffered no casualties in the last battle, everyone had thought highly of Hua Qiyue and her allies.

“Who does Hua Qiyue think she is? Isn’t it all thanks to Prince Nan?” Princess Qianyang said, a tinge of bashful joy arising in her brows.

“The truth is that Hua Qiyue’s a remarkable woman. But Prince Nan is more famous and more powerful,” Fifth Venerable Master said, nodding.

Hongyi blinked her eyes. She found the joyful smile lingering by Princess Qianyang’s lips quite unpleasant.

“Junior Apprentice Sister, I will be out in the evening again. Would you like me to pass Prince Nan anything?” Hongyi smiled. Actually, Princess Qianyang could easily let someone else deliver items to Yun Shimo.

But she thought about it and realized that Hongyi was more trustworthy. She nodded. “Yes, I’ve got the maids to brew him some good soup. Please take it to him later.”

Princess Qianyang had been confined for three months. She could not go out of her palace. So, she could only remain in her palace, playing chess to alleviate her boredom.

Naturally, Hongyi agreed. But a mysterious cold light flitted across her eyes.

In the evening, Hongyi did indeed arrive with her two maidservants at Feng’s Yard. The doorboy led them in. She saw everyone busy in the hall.

Hua Qiyue was not in Hua’s Mansion but at Feng’s Yard. Yun Shimo was there too. Hongyi’s eyes brightened as she strode into the hall.

Hua Qiyue found time to come to Feng’s Yard to see the results of their practice. Then, quite unexpectedly, a red figure drifted in. She raised her eyes and found that it was Hongyi.

The company saw Hongyi and looked displeased. Such a wilful girl would be unwelcome anywhere.

But when they saw Hongyi’s maidservant carrying a soup basket, they all felt somewhat surprised.

“Hey, isn’t Prince Nan in? Princess Qianyang has asked me to bring him some soup!”

Hongyi said generously, as if she did not at all bear Hua Qiyue a grudge.

Hua Qiyue gave her a quiet, cursory glance. She did not react to her provocation, continuing to look down on her maps.

They were the maps of the Gnawing Devils Sect site. Hua Qiyue and her allies had decided to visit the sect personally and attack them.

If they waited for the Gnawing Devils Sect to attack the capital, a town or a village, more people would get implicated.

To strike first might reap more benefits for them.

“What do you have for me?” By chance, Yun Shimo had come in from the backdoor, carrying a few bags of herbs in his hands.

He was taking the opportunity of bringing them herbs to see Hua Qiyue.

If they could not get close, they could at least meet. This alone would make him quite satisfied.

“Princess Qianyang has got me to bring you some soup.”

Hongyi started to laugh, her laughter extremely raucous. “Tsk, tsk. I didn’t expect an unmarried couple like Princess Qianyang and His Highness to be so loving. You make us all green with envy!”

Hua Qiyue’s expression looked unruffled, as if she did not hear anything.

Ji Feng and Ouyang Youche both glanced at her and were quite displeased.

Huangfu Xuan was the son of a feudal lord. He could not stand Hongyi’s conceited attitude.

“You bitch, just give us the soup. Shut your bloody trap, you noisy girl!” Huangfu Xuan was extremely blunt, just like the first time he saw Hua Qiyue.

Although he had a hot temper, he also had a kind heart.

Hongyi heard him and her face immediately flushed. “What lowborn rascal are you? How dare you reprimand me!”

“Humph, you’re not qualified to merit a glance from me. How dare you utter such wilful profanities here! Scram at once!”

Huangfu Xuan growled bluntly. The other disciples stared coldly at Hongyi. Although some of them did not witness the confrontation between Hongyi and Hua Qiyue, they had heard about it.

No one would like such a woman, no matter where she was.

“You... you... ” Hongyi was so infuriated that her bosom started to heave frantically. Yun Shimo only stared at her indifferently. “Put it there and you may go.”

Then, Yun Shimo put his herbs to one side, walked over to Ji Feng and started discussing with him.

Hongyi made her maidservants put the soup basket to one side and strutted over to Hua Qiyue’s front. She slapped the table coldly. “Hua Qiyue, tsk, tsk. You still have the mood to study maps here, huh? Haha, a jilted woman really needs to be distracted. Otherwise... you would go crazy from rage, eh?”

Hongyi’s eyes were clearly gloating over her misfortune. They carried in them a deep derision.

Hua Qiyue did not raise her head, continuing to study the maps quietly.

Ji Jing was now impatient. She reprimanded Hongyi coldly. “Hongyi, please get away at once. Don’t holler here and disturb us! Don’t you know you are a nuisance?”

Hongyi saw the surrounding company all showing their antipathy. She realized that her loud voice had really disturbed them.

However, she was not remorseful at all, merely proud.

“Hohoho, Hua Qiyue, you old hag who no one wants. So many people are shielding you. Well, your schemes have succeeded, tsk, tsk!”

Hua Qiyue only regarded her words as the barkings of a mad bitch. She did not at all want to react.

Arguing with a woman like Hongyi would be a total waste of time.

Hongyi saw Hua Qiyue ignoring her and the hatred in her heart intensified. The accumulating hatred was like a huge mountain, making her erupt on the spot.

Unfortunately, Hongyi also knew that her powers were far inferior to hers. If she continued to provoke her, it would mean death!

But... she would have her chances. After Hua Qiyue and her allies fought the Venerated Supreme Devil, she would get badly injured. Then... it wouldn’t be difficult to slay her!

The moment she thought about this, Hongyi smiled sinisterly.

“I’m a very magnanimous person. I won’t argue with the likes of you. Humph! Let’s go, Lvyi!”

Hongyi said, turning around and leaving like a conceited peacock.

Ji Jing saw her departing figure and said, quite puzzled, “How strange. Hongyi used to be so relentless. Why has she retreated so easily this time?”

Hua Qiyue quietly pursed her lips. “She means to settle scores with me after our great battle. Then, I will be badly hurt and will be slain.”

Ji Jing and the company were thoroughly shocked. “How do you know that, Sister Qiyue?”

“Humph, she’s such a despicable person. All she needs is a chance. Think about it and you’ll get it,” Huangfu Xuan said coldly. “Unfortunately, some people are thick-skinned enough to seek connections in higher places. As if being a Prince Consort is that great!”

Huangfu Xuan was being sarcastic. Yun Shimo’s countenance sank a little, but he said nothing.

He only looked meaningfully at the unruffled Hua Qiyue, his heart trembling slightly.

It was night. Everyone had returned to their compounds to rest. Hua Qiyue had returned to Hua’s Mansion to take her supper. After playing with Tianci, she started to practice.

In Mysterious World, Tianpi was sitting there silently, as if musing. When he saw Hua Qiyue’s jade phoenix hairpin, his facial color changed a little and he looked even more downcast.

Hua Qiyue did not detect the change in him. She was seizing the opportunity, trying to cultivate.

Prince Nan’s mansion.

“Bingyi, drink this soup.” The soup brought back from Feng’s Yard had been rejected by Yun Shimo. He gave it to Bingyi instead.

Bingyi paused for a while. “But... Your Highness, it’s not nice, is it? This was made by Princess Qianyang for you... ”

Yun Shimo gave a cold snicker. “In Heaven Sect, she was treated like a young mistress. In the Princess’s palace, she feasted on great delicacies. You really think she would make soup for me personally?”

Bingyi started to grin embarrassedly. He had always been frugal and would not like to waste the soup.

And so Bingyi took the soup out and drank two bowls of it. It tasted quite good.

But soon, he started to feel hot all over and his face turned crimson. His eyes started to blur.

“Your Highness... the soup’s... been laced!”