From Cold Palace Princess to Celestial Empress Ch. 23

In the dim forest, a campfire burned brightly.

A grill was set over the fire, with neatly cut pieces of meat sizzling and releasing a rich aroma that whetted one’s appetite.

However, Ye Ruoshui, who was closest to the barbecue, had no appetite despite her stomach growling.

Without Her Highness here, even the barbecue doesn’t taste good. Ye Ruoshui listlessly fiddled with the grill, ensuring the delicious ingredients didn’t burn before Her Highness returned.

“It’s been almost an hour. Why isn’t she back yet? Did she encounter some bad people?” But then she thought, Her Highness was already a powerful martial artist at the fourth level of Qi Refining, one of the top figures in the entire Great Xia Empire.” Who could possibly threaten her Highness?

Ye Ruoshui gazed at the firelight, hoping to catch a glimpse of Her Highness’s stunning beauty.

The sound of snapping branches came from nearby, and two auras rushed over. The stronger and more familiar one belonged to Xiao Minghuang, whom she had been longing for.

As for the weaker aura, Ye Ruoshui paid it no attention.

Sensing Xiao Minghuang’s presence, she immediately stood up, wearing a composed yet slightly joyful smile.

But.

“Wanqiu, go find a place to rest. I’ll check if the barbecue is done.”

“Okay!” Ye Ruoshui looked up and saw Her Highness walking with a graceful and beautiful woman, and Her Highness was smiling gently at her.”

The scene before her eyes left Ye Ruoshui’s mind almost blank, and she stood rooted to the spot, unable to speak for a long time.

Xiao Minghuang glanced around the camp and immediately noticed Ye Ruoshui standing by the bonfire, staring at her in a daze, as if lost in thought.

She walked over and offered a slightly apologetic smile.

“Ruoshui, I’m sorry to have kept you waiting. I’ll explain everything in detail during the meal. Shall we start eating now?”

Ye Ruoshui nodded unconsciously.

After receiving her response, Xiao Minghuang called Lin Wanqiu over to join them for the meal.

Even as the three of them sat down, Ye Ruoshui still felt her mind was a complete blank.

During the meal, Xiao Minghuang briefly explained the reason for her late return and introduced Lin Wanqiu to Ye Ruoshui.

However, Ye Ruoshui didn’t take in a single word of it.

She never expected that in such a short time, her mistress would bring back a strange woman from outside.

Moreover, this woman, except for having a slightly smaller chest, was in no way inferior to her in any other aspect!

A sudden sense of crisis rose in Ye Ruoshui’s heart.

While eating, Xiao Minghuang noticed that Ye Ruoshui hadn’t touched her food and reminded her, “Ruoshui, hurry up and eat. You’re at an age where you need to grow!”

Hearing her mistress remind her to eat, Ye Ruoshui felt a sense of comfort, thinking that her mistress still cared for her.

But in the next moment.

“Wanqiu, you should eat more too. Both you and Ruoshui are at the Body Tempering Realm and need plenty of meat to replenish your qi and blood. It will help you advance your cultivation.”

This last sentence instantly sent Ye Ruoshui’s slightly warmed heart plummeting back to the depths.

Due to Ye Ruoshui’s low spirits, the meal was rather dull and uneventful.

After the meal.

Fearing that Lin Wanqiu might cause more trouble, Xiao Minghuang forcefully ordered her to go to the tent and sleep.

Lin Wanqiu gave her a charming look before gracefully walking into the tent.

Ever since returning to the camp, Xiao Minghuang had noticed Ye Ruoshui’s low mood. With Lin Wanqiu present earlier, she hadn’t been able to ask about it. Now that Lin Wanqiu was gone, she could finally inquire about what had happened.

Ye Ruoshui was sitting on a stone by the bonfire, her cheek resting on her hand. Even the dazzling flames couldn’t reflect any brightness in her eyes.

Xiao Minghuang walked over to her, wrapped an arm around Ye Ruoshui’s slender waist, and asked softly, “Sister brought you a gift this time. Do you want it?”

Xiao Minghuang took out a crystal-clear Water Lingzhi and a fiery red spirit fruit, placing them in front of Ye Ruoshui.

“These are century-old spirit medicines. After consuming them, you should be able to advance two minor realms.”

“Thank you… Sister!”

Hearing this, Xiao Minghuang felt puzzled. Why had Ye Ruoshui suddenly changed her address?

She had always treated Ye Ruoshui as a younger sister, but the girl had never addressed her as such before.

Now, with this sudden change, although Xiao Minghuang didn’t understand the reason, she was pleased.

She habitually patted Ye Ruoshui’s soft hair and responded gently,

“Mhm!”

This time, instead of addressing Xiao Minghuang as “Mistress” as she usually did, Ye Ruoshui called her “Sister.”

She was beginning to realize that someone as outstanding as Xiao Minghuang would inevitably attract more and more girls in the future. If she remained just a little maid, always following obediently behind Xiao Minghuang, she would surely be left far behind.

Even though Xiao Minghuang harbored affection for her, Ye Ruoshui could no longer occupy the most important place in Xiao Minghuang’s heart.

Therefore, she had to change her strategy.

She even had to take the initiative!

Ye Ruoshui took the water spirit mushroom and suddenly raised her little face, her beautiful big eyes staring directly into Xiao Minghuang’s eyes.

The next moment.

She abruptly straightened up and gently kissed the corner of Xiao Minghuang’s mouth, like a dragonfly skimming the water, fleeting and transient.

After doing this, instead of shyly running away, Ye Ruoshui threw herself into Xiao Minghuang’s arms, burying her little head in Xiao Minghuang’s chest, greedily inhaling the fragrance of her embrace, and murmured in a muffled voice:

“Sister, I like you! Don’t drive Ruoshui away, okay?”

Hearing this, Xiao Minghuang was momentarily stunned, then after a while, she gently stroked Ye Ruoshui’s soft hair and said softly:

“Sister also likes Ruoshui and won’t drive Ruoshui away.”

Hearing the word “like,” Ye Ruoshui felt at ease and immersed herself in Xiao Minghuang’s embrace, as if that moment could last forever.

At this moment, she wished time would stop forever, not continue to flow, making this moment eternal.

But.

The image of that unfamiliar woman surfaced in Ye Ruoshui’s mind, and she couldn’t help but ask:

“Sister, who is that woman?”

“Didn’t I introduce her to you during dinner?”

Ye Ruoshui nuzzled her little head against Xiao Minghuang’s chest and said sheepishly:

“Ruoshui was so sad just now, thinking Sister was going to drive Ruoshui away, and didn’t listen carefully…”

As she spoke, a hint of a sob crept into Ye Ruoshui’s voice, making Xiao Minghuang’s heart ache.

She knew that Ye Ruoshui had lost both parents at a young age and had only her as a relative, valuing her more than anything else.

So, in Ye Ruoshui’s eyes, her attitude was truly crucial.

She gently stroked Ye Ruoshui’s slender back, feeling the smooth and warm skin through the thin fabric.

“Her name is Lin Wanqiu, the daughter of the city lord of Beiyang City. The reason I came back late was because I happened to save her… Also, before I was born, she was betrothed to me, so we have a bit of a relationship.”

PS: Finally signed the contract, congratulations, congratulations!

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Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu

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