Chapter 853: What a Fiancee Ought to Do

Chapter 853: What a Fiancee Should Do

Faced with such a question, even Zhao Changhe began to wonder if the Blind Woman was lending him a hand. The timing was simply too perfect, happening right after Huangfu Qing had suggested playing the hero saving the damsel in distress.

Even her performance in battle seemed a bit like she was holding back; she clearly held the absolute upper hand and could have easily pressed her attack, but she had retreated directly, as if giving him face.

If one had to explain it, it could be reasoned that she did not want to draw the attention of Piaomiao and Sixiang, so she fled far away after a single failed strike. But wasn't that explanation a bit too forced? What kind of figure was that dead Blind Woman? Before the main forces arrived, she should have had enough confidence to instant-kill anyone. Was there any need to be so wary and cautious?

Therefore, there was likely only one truth: this was a conspiracy between Ye Wuming and Zhao Changhe to act out a hero saving the damsel.

Zhao Changhe, having arrived at this answer, was utterly dumbfounded. So the dead Blind Woman wasn't giving him an assist; she was driving a wedge between them!

This provocation was hard to explain... He and the Blind Woman had indeed been partners in the past. In several battles, the Blind Woman was responsible for suppressing Ye Jiuyou while he handled the others, and Ye Jiuyou was extremely well aware of this. Even more damningly, Ye Wuming had indeed shown a great interest in Zhao Changhe behaving loosely toward Ye Jiuyou before. She had every motive to help him put on a show!

Once Ye Jiuyou suspected that they were still secretly partnering up and acting today, his emotional offensive over the past few days would instantly collapse.

In fact, if it weren't for the Blind Woman's intervention, Ye Jiuyou's forced analysis of the inscriptions would have backfired and injured her. His timely appearance to help would have been enough to make his progress bar skyrocket; there was absolutely no need to paint feet on a snake. With this interference, it was like mud falling into his pants—it wasn't dung, but it looked like it. How would someone as solitary and suspicious as Ye Jiuyou see this?

What should he do?

Seeing Zhao Changhe looking dumbfounded by her single sentence, Ye Jiuyou's gaze lingered on his face for several turns before she finally burst into a laugh. "What is it? You've been so glib and silver-tongued these past few days, and now you're mute?"

Zhao Changhe was drenched in sweat. "It really isn't..."

"How can you speak for her and say whether it is or isn't? Did you discuss it with her?"

"I fucking..."

"Alright." Ye Jiuyou placed a finger against his lips and said softly, "I know it wasn't a conspiracy."

Zhao Changhe froze, overcome with wild joy. "You believe me?"

"At least that strike of yours was full of frantic anxiety. Whether there was any acting involved, my eyes aren't blind." Ye Jiuyou said languidly, "Besides, such a superfluous act is completely unnecessary for you. You..."

She paused, tilting her head slightly before continuing, "You have been progressing step by step, and you have long since thrown my heart into chaos. The results are excellent. Why would you needlessly link yourself to Ye Wuming and make me suspicious?"

Zhao Changhe asked, "Has it thrown your heart into chaos?"

"Why ask when you already know?" Ye Jiuyou sighed. "Sometimes I feel you are much more terrifying than Bo Xun. I have never been as restless and distracted as I have been these past two days."

Zhao Changhe fell silent, silently channeling his Spring Renewal Technique to help soothe her energy.

As expected, Ye Jiuyou did not resist his power and allowed him to treat her. After a period of silence between the two, Ye Jiuyou continued, "If Ye Wuming is driving a wedge, it shows she is afraid that you and I might truly become of one mind. To think that Ye Wuming would actually have moments of fear..."

By the time she finished, her voice had faded to a near whisper. Anyone could feel that the words "Since she is afraid of us being of one mind, we might as well truly be together" were likely hidden behind her breath. But such words were obviously too impulsive, and their feelings had not reached that point yet. Ye Jiuyou ultimately swallowed the phrase back into her stomach.

A bizarre feeling arose in Zhao Changhe's heart. Could it be that the Blind Woman was playing 3D chess, and this was exactly the effect she wanted? Then what was she aiming for?

Forget it, how could there be so many layers of deception? What the Blind Woman was thinking was fundamentally unimportant. What truly mattered was that this was the first time Ye Jiuyou had chosen to believe him under circumstances that highly warranted suspicion.

The feeling of being trusted by someone was wonderful, yet it carried a heavy weight.

Especially since this trust came from Ye Jiuyou, who had never trusted anyone.

"Thank you," Zhao Changhe suddenly said those two words.

Ye Jiuyou turned her head back to look into his eyes, a distinct trace of amusement in her gaze. "You helped me, yet you're thanking me instead?"

"Mm... thank you for your trust." Zhao Changhe smiled. "Since we began cooperating, I have always tried to make you trust me, but the results were always minimal. You still made many plans behind my back, preparing to turn against me at any moment. Up until this very moment, can it be considered that a small obsession of mine has been fulfilled?"

Ye Jiuyou let out a soft huff but said nothing.

In the beginning, Zhao Changhe hadn't necessarily trusted her either, so there was nothing much to say.

Ye Jiuyou's foundation was too powerful, and her injuries were not severe. With the aid of medicine and the Spring Renewal Technique, it didn't take long for her to be mostly recovered, though she still felt slightly weak. Zhao Changhe ceased his technique, helped her sit up straight, and said, "As for helping you, I have no right to take credit. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have suffered this injury."

Ye Jiuyou's eyes rippled with emotion. "Because of you?"

"Because of my advances, you wanted to break free and took a desperate risk... Don't do such foolish things in the future. I would rather give up on pursuing you." Zhao Changhe stuffed all the remaining texts decoded by Piaomiao into Ye Jiuyou's hands and stood up. "Rest and recover first. We will talk about everything else tomorrow."

Zhao Changhe left the Jiuyou Abyss, but he did not return to the Heavenly River. Instead, he sat cross-legged to guard the snow mountain canyon at the entrance of the abyss, seemingly worried about her condition.

Ye Jiuyou could clearly perceive this. She pursed her lips and looked down at the silk cloth recording the text in her hand. Clearly, she should have been able to truly decipher the entire text at this moment, but she seemed to have forgotten about it, remaining motionless for a long time.

It was indeed her first time trusting someone like this.

It was also her first time being rescued and guarded by someone like this.

If the feeling of being trusted by someone was good, then what about the feeling of having someone care for you?

Ye Jiuyou stood up, glanced into the mirror, and wiped away the trace of blood from the corner of her mouth. The person in the mirror appeared even paler and bloodless due to the injury, making the blush and lip rouge she had applied earlier seem meaningless. Ye Jiuyou looked for a long time, then slowly took out her cosmetics to touch up her makeup.

Since he liked to look at this more human appearance... then so be it.

Unknowingly, the sky was about to dawn.

Ye Jiuyou left the abyss and arrived directly on the surface. Just as she appeared upon the earth, the sun revealed its first glimmer of faint light in the distance.

This was not a martial intent phenomenon, but rather her calculating exactly when dawn would break. To meet at dawn—to him, that meant a proper and serious discussion, didn't it?

When she appeared before him, Zhao Changhe also opened his eyes from his closed-eyed cultivation. Seeing her touched-up makeup, he smiled radiantly. "Morning."

This was the first time she had actively dressed up nicely to see him... In human society, this action seemed to have a dedicated expression: a woman dolls herself up for the one who pleases her.

Ye Jiuyou sat before him very calmly, handing over her portion of the translation. "Give this to Piaomiao."

Zhao Changhe tucked it into his robe without even looking at it, asking, "How is your injury?"

"No matter."

"Then shall we go have breakfast?"

Ye Jiuyou: "?"

Zhao Changhe said, "Are you about to say you have no need to eat?"

Ye Jiuyou was expressionless. "Are you about to say that I originally had no need to wear makeup, yet I wore it for you to see anyway, so even though I have no need to eat, I can still accompany you for a meal?"

"You've learned to anticipate my answers..." Zhao Changhe laughed. "Though that's not entirely it."

"Then what is it?"

"Always sitting cross-legged facing each other like this to talk is far too serious and rigid... Ordinary friends chat over morning tea when discussing matters. With our current relationship, we are still..."

"Friends?"

"What do you wish for us to be?"

Ye Jiuyou remained expressionless.

Zhao Changhe stood up and smiled. "Even friends don't sit facing each other like this, and couples certainly don't. So whether it's friends or whatever you wish it to be... come, let's go get some breakfast."

Ye Jiuyou said very calmly, "It is what you wish for."

Zhao Changhe laughed. "It is what I wish for."

But you didn't object.

Ye Jiuyou also thought of this second half of the sentence... She had almost forgotten what excuse he had used to divert her from objecting back when he straightforwardly declared, "I have designs on you."

But today's Ye Jiuyou did not have the obvious emotional fluctuations of the past two days; she was still calm. "Chang'an again?"

"Anywhere is fine this time. You choose."

"...Then Chang'an."

"Then use an illusion to conceal your inner garments a bit, like you did before. This appearance of light gauze obscuring a camisole is something only I can look at in this world."

Ye Jiuyou's expression turned strange, feeling that men were simply plagued by illness, truly having nothing better to do than be utterly tedious. But obviously, she didn't want to be looked at by others like this either, so she silently altered her inner lining with an illusion.

Zhao Changhe took Ye Jiuyou's hand, and with a simultaneous flicker, space twisted, and they arrived in Chang'an.

The morning market had just opened, and the streets were still sparsely populated. They casually found a restaurant on the second floor, sitting at a table by the railing. Zhao Changhe ordered some pastries and two glasses of milk, while Ye Jiuyou merely tilted her head to gaze at the street scene below.

"Not eating? Shall I feed you?" Zhao Changhe sat beside her, reaching out to place a pastry at her lips: "Try it, human food is delicious—it's not just cotton candy."

Ye Jiuyou seemed lost in thought, and as the pastry reached her lips, she instinctively took a small bite.

It was soft, sweet, and sticky in the mouth—truly tasty.

Her mind finally returned a little, and she looked at Zhao Changhe sitting beside her, feeding her the pastry, while the waiter nearby grinned.

Just then, several more people came upstairs. The story of the Prince of Zhao and Lady Li strolling through Chang'an hand in hand two days ago was now known to all, and based on the descriptions of their appearance, they were quickly recognized again: "Isn't that the Prince of Zhao and Lady Li over there?"

"It must be—they say she bought that purple dress that very day."

"They're so sweet..."

"Who would have thought the legendary Prince of Zhao, so fierce in battle, could be so tender and affectionate?"

"Lady Li is truly fortunate."

Zhao Changhe glanced at Ye Jiuyou, who showed no reaction.

Zhao Changhe then said in a low voice: "You chose to come to Chang'an, so you must know that if this continues, the betrothal will become reality whether you like it or not. At the very least, this identity of Lady Li belongs to me, Zhao Changhe, and with it, Guanlong surrenders without a fight."

"Yes," Ye Jiuyou said coolly. "In return for your help last night, I give you Guanlong."

"Even if others look at you with the eyes meant for my wife?"

Ye Jiuyou said nothing, picking up her glass of milk and drinking slowly.

Two days ago, such glances and murmurs had displeased her greatly, her tone icy. But today, she felt not a trace of displeasure... As for whether she came to Chang'an today truly to give him Guanlong, or to bask in the "tenderness of the Prince of Zhao" in others' eyes, Ye Jiuyou did not know.

Lost in thought, she set down her cup, a smear of milk lingering at the corner of her mouth. Beside her, Zhao Changhe reached out with utter naturalness to wipe it away.

Ye Jiuyou turned her head and met Zhao Changhe's gentle gaze.

"Ahh~" The whispers of the people around them reached her ears, seeming distant, as if from far, far away.

Zhao Changhe's voice softly sounded in her ear: "If you're only acting as Lady Li... shouldn't you do what Lady Li ought to do? Otherwise, in others' eyes, you're too cold, and I lose face..."

Ye Jiuyou hesitated, then picked up a pastry and held it to Zhao Changhe's lips.

Zhao Changhe took a bite with a smile, then said in a low voice: "Thank you, my lady."

Though his voice seemed low, it carried precisely to everyone present. Ye Jiuyou knew he was playing this little trick, but she said nothing, only rolling her eyes at him.

Thus, the people's soft laughter was no longer concealed: "So sweet..."

Beyond the indulgent smiles of watching a young couple on a date, their expressions held something else—a longing for the unification of the land, a weariness of the chaos that once was. If these two truly united, the countdown to ending the era of turmoil would begin directly.

Otherwise, no matter how famous an ordinary couple in love might be, they could never receive such universal blessings and affection, nor the subtle nudges from everyone to help them along.

Two days ago, Ye Jiuyou hadn't grasped this layer, but today, the people's mindset was as clear as day to her.

Someone, emboldened, even shouted, "Kiss her!"

Ye Jiuyou shot a cold, fierce glare in that direction, and the shouter felt a chill run through him as his friend quickly pulled him back, signaling him to shut up. At the same time, Ye Jiuyou felt a sudden tightness at her waist—Zhao Changhe had pulled her close, also restraining her from acting out.

In truth, Ye Jiuyou had no intention of causing trouble; the cold glare was merely instinct. With Zhao Changhe's control, she naturally gave face and didn't press further, only snorting softly before lowering her head to continue drinking her milk.

But she forgot—this was an arm around her waist... She didn't even have the awareness to break free.

Was it because she had been injured last night and held in his arms like this?

Suddenly, a commotion arose from downstairs, interrupting everyone's thoughts. They both turned to look below, where a lean young man strode down the long street, stopped outside a nearby tavern, clasped his hands in salute, and announced in a clear voice: "Lin Yongle of Minzhong, I seek instruction from Brother Wei Zhijie!"

Laughter from another young man came from within the tavern, and someone leaped down from the building: "My pleasure."

Zhao Changhe looked nostalgically at this scene of a street challenge in the martial world, feeling it seemed so distant.

He had heard of these names—figures on the new Hidden Dragon List, rising stars of the new generation. In less than three years, one generation had replaced another, and he was already an "old-timer."

Beside him, Ye Jiuyou's voice came: "You like this scene?"

"Yes... I loved the martial world back then. I once felt disappointed, but now the memories are beautiful."

"So you don't like the demon god, not even the one you've become. What you've always loved is the heroic spirit of the martial world, not the schemes and calculations of a demon god."

Zhao Changhe finally withdrew his gaze from the flashing blades and shadows below, turning to look at Ye Jiuyou: "It's not so different, really—just a different battlefield... To put it plainly, daring to set my sights on you is itself a lawless heroism..."

Ye Jiuyou couldn't help but laugh: "That can only be called the lust of a reckless heart."

"This is what you call reckless lust." Zhao Changhe tightened his arm around her waist, and Ye Jiuyou instinctively lurched forward, leaning into the hollow of his shoulder.

"You..." She was about to push him away, but Zhao Changhe timely whispered in her ear: "Right now, your identity is my fiancée. Unless you say your offer of Guanlong doesn't count, even if it's just an act, you have to play it for the people to see."

Ye Jiuyou's push began to weaken—he always provided an excuse just in time, because she only needed an excuse, one to convince others and to convince her own pride as a top-tier demon god.

"Who do you think will win?" Zhao Changhe wouldn't let her dwell on it, quickly giving her a topic.

Ye Jiuyou, too lazy to dwell, simply leaned against his shoulder and answered languidly: "That Wei Zhijie has stronger cultivation, but weaker practical experience... In the long run, I favor the one surnamed Lin."

Zhao Changhe nodded. Wei Zhijie was likely a skilled fighter from Wei Changming's clan, perhaps even his son... The greatest flaw of such aristocratic youths was rarely venturing into the martial world alone, like Tang Buqi's choice back then, which made him weep until he became Tang Buku. This was one reason these great families were gradually declining in the tide of the era—they had heritage and resources but lacked the courage to face life-and-death trials.

People said Zhao Changhe advanced quickly, but how many scars and how many brushes with death had accompanied that path of advancement?

The timid starve, the bold thrive—combat was just one aspect of it. Daring to court even Ye Jiuyou—wasn't that putting his head on the line, defying all laws?

Yet in this moment, holding her truly in his arms, what sense of achievement could be more satisfying?

Even if she still only acknowledged intimacy within the bounds of Lady Li's identity... Since she had taken the step, sooner or later they would reach the top; it wouldn't take long.

But no matter where they went... scenes like the battle on the street below still stirred such nostalgia.

"Should we go back and have a fight?" Zhao Changhe said, and as Ye Jiuyou's gaze turned instantly strange, he quickly explained: "I don't mean in bed..."

Ye Jiuyou: "..."

Zhao Changhe said seriously: "I want to truly fight you... I aim to break through to the third level of the Imperial Realm, but I lack sufficient real combat, especially against an opponent of your caliber."

Ye Jiuyou chuckled softly: "Fine... but you'd better be careful. If it's truly for real combat insight, I won't hold back... And if I don't hold back, you might die. I'll take the opportunity to kill you and be done with it."

"Afraid you'll fall in love with me?" Zhao Changhe smiled. "But I don't think you can."