Zanxing (Retranslated)

Chapter 312 - Enemies (1)

In the shadowy depths of the Yao Ming Hall, Xiao Shuang, who was waiting by the door, took the green umbrella from Bu Jiang’s hands, opened it, and hung it on the long table.

Bu Jiang pulled Zanxing’s hand and led her to sit down in front of the soft couch, then instructed the maid to prepare some wooden spirit ginger soup.

“You just came out of the Demon Energy Pool, and I immediately dragged you to Heishi Mountain. It was still raining outside this morning,” Bu Jiang smiled gently. “Later, drink some ginger soup. I asked them to add some spirit herbs to replenish your qi and warm you up.”

Zanxing replied, “I can just use a warming spell when I get back. No need to go through all this trouble.”

“It’s just making some soup, how is that trouble?” Bu Jiang glanced at her reproachfully, her eyes full of affection. “You child, when you went to Yue Mountain, you had me worried sick. I didn’t even know if you were eating or sleeping well. Now that you’re back, of course, I need to take good care of you. Today, you’ll stay here and have a meal with me. I know your taste is the same as a mortal’s. There’s a chef in the city who used to work in the imperial kitchen of the royal palace in Duzhou. You’re in for a treat today, so stay and dine with me.”

“Mother, it’s really not necessary.”

“It’s a must.”

“It’s not worth the trouble.”

“It’s no trouble at all.”

Xiao Shuang smiled as he watched the two of them. Zanxing sighed and looked at Bu Jiang. “Mother, are you intentionally holding me back, so I don’t go back to see Gu Baiying?”

Bu Jiang answered with a bright smile, “Yes!”

Zanxing: “…”

She was helpless. “Gu Baiying didn’t offend you, did he?”

“He hurt your heart. That’s an offense to me and an insult to the dignity of the entire Heishi City.”

Zanxing was taken aback. “Is it that serious? Besides, wasn’t he suffering from amnesia at the time?”

“You sure know how to make excuses for him.” Bu Jiang tapped her on the forehead. “So easily appeased, how will he ever take you seriously in the future? If we don’t teach him a lesson, won’t the people in the sect look down on Heishi City? If anyone dares hurt my daughter’s heart, I will definitely pay them back double.”

“Mother, what did you do?” Zanxing became wary, then suddenly remembered the few ‘favorites’ in her hall and spoke in realization, “You didn’t have them say something ridiculous to Gu Baiying, did you?”

“And if I did?” Bu Jiang raised her chin. “Although you didn’t inherit my unmatched beauty, in the cultivation world, you’re still one of the most alluring enchantresses. As a demon princess, if a few men aren’t fighting over you, it’s quite embarrassing. That little Martial Uncle of yours is treated like some precious treasure in the sect, but what’s so special about him? If one admirer bothers you, then show him seven—let’s see whose heart gets more upset.”

Zanxing: “…”

Bu Jiang clapped her hands and leisurely stood up, smiling at Zanxing. “This hall is sealed by a barrier. It won’t release for another three hours. So, you drink your ginger soup, have a meal, and then take a good nap here in my hall. You haven’t rested properly for days, and with nothing happening in Heishi City, you should take care of yourself. As for that Martial Uncle of yours,” she snorted, “You’ve waited for him for two whole years. If he’s not willing to wait even three hours, or if he’s so angered by Lantern Ghost that he leaves in a huff, it can only mean that he’s not broad-minded enough and doesn’t love you deeply enough. Why would you cling to someone like that? You should just give up on him.”

With that, she didn’t bother looking at Zanxing’s reaction and headed into the inner hall, yawning along the way. “I’m a bit tired as well. I’ll take a nap first. You rest here.”

After Bu Jiang left, Zanxing sat alone in the hall. Before long, the maid brought the ginger soup.

Indeed, a barrier had been placed over the hall, and there was no way out for the time being. Outside, the rain pattered softly. After sitting for a moment, Zanxing picked up the ginger soup from the table and took a sip.

The ginger soup was warm, with a rich aroma. As she drank, she let out a heavy sigh. What a situation this had turned into.

In the inner hall, Bu Jiang removed her bright red outer robe, which Xiao Shuang took and carefully placed in a chest nearby.

After tidying up, Xiao Shuang hesitated for a moment, standing at the door of the inner hall. “Your Majesty…”

Bu Jiang glanced at him. “If you have something to say, say it.”

“Your Majesty intentionally had Lantern Ghost and the others provoke Young Immortal Gu and make things difficult for him. But it wasn’t really because he forgot about the young princess, was it?” Xiao Shuang paused before continuing, “Isn’t it because of Young Immortal Gu’s father?”

As soon as these words were spoken, the air grew noticeably colder.

For a long moment, no one spoke.

After what felt like an eternity, Bu Jiang stood up and walked to the small table beside the soft couch. There was a pot of clear wine on the table. She casually picked up a small cup, poured herself a drink, and stared into the clear liquid for a while. Then she let out a soft snort. “So, you figured it out.”

Xiao Shuang smiled faintly. “After all, Young Immortal Gu and that immortal lady from years ago… their expressions and mannerisms are just too similar.”

Before marrying Gui Diaotang, Demon Queen Bu Jiang had lived quite a wild life in the demon realm. Of course, even now, she remained the same. Back then, as the most beautiful woman in the demon realm—or rather, the most beautiful woman in the three realms—Bu Jiang had suitors as numerous as the fish in the river. She was proud of her allure, flirtatious and passionate, with lovers from both the demon and human clans.

Naturally, the demon clan had always been promiscuous, falling in love with one person one day and another the next. Lovers would enjoy each other’s company for a time, and if one lost interest, they’d part ways and find someone new. Bu Jiang had high standards, and every man she set her sights on was a renowned beauty of Duzhou.

Gu Caiyu was one of them.

“The first time I met him, he had an outstanding appearance, a rare and unmatched elegance. That’s why I brought him back to Heishi City. Who knew… hmph!”

Back then, Bu Jiang had stumbled upon a young man in a secret realm. The man seemed to be a wandering cultivator and was locked in battle with a demon python. When Bu Jiang passed by, she noticed the man’s striking features and decided to lend him a hand, helping him slay the python. Along with the python, she brought the man back to Heishi City.

The man’s name was Gu Caiyu.

At the time, Bu Jiang wasn’t yet involved with Gui Diaotang. She had planned to start a romantic affair with Gu Caiyu after bringing him back to Heishi City. However, although the man was polite, gentle, and had no particular prejudice against demons, whenever it came to matters of love, he would act oblivious, playing the fool and avoiding any advances.

Bu Jiang had encountered plenty of mortal men who enjoyed playing such games of push and pull. She didn’t take it seriously, thinking it was merely part of the fun. After all, she had time to play along, and it added a bit of excitement.

She was confident that the man would eventually fall into her hands. A woman like her, with beauty unparalleled in all of Duzhou, was bound to make any man fall for her. It was only a matter of time before Gu Caiyu became hopelessly infatuated with her.

But what Bu Jiang didn’t expect was that Gu Caiyu secretly sent out a message for help behind her back.