Su Su returned to Old Madam's side and recounted everything that had happened.
She worried Old Madam would refuse, for women from military families often valued dignity more than life itself.
After listening, Old Madam shook her head with a grim expression: "I'd rather die in Liuzhou than let you go to his side."
Her trembling hand caressed Su Su's face: "Silly girl, you were immature two years ago. He holds grudges over the smallest matters—how would he let you off? What chance of survival would you have in Zhou Kingdom? I've seen countless humiliating tactics in my life, none of which you could endure. I'm old and have lived enough. Don't worry about me—find an opportunity to escape on the way to Liuzhou."
Su Su froze for a moment, her eyes stinging.
She grasped the withered hand and whispered in Old Madam's ear: "Don't worry, I'll be fine."
A sly smile appeared on Su Su's face: "He's negotiating terms with me, not capturing me."
Hearing this, Old Madam paused slightly, realizing something.
Her scrutinizing gaze swept over Tantai Jin under the tree, a preposterous idea forming in her heart.
But... if it really was as she thought, why would Tantai Jin ask Emperor Xia for Ye Bingshang?
Seeing Old Madam had been persuaded, Su Su bent down and carried her on her back.
On Tantai Jin's side, the Taoist had already completed the teleportation array.
Nian Bai Yu said: "Miss Ye, let me carry Old Madam."
Su Su shook her head: "No need."
Nian Muning felt somewhat conflicted. She hadn't thought highly of Su Su before, but now by comparison, she disliked Ye Bingshang in the Jade Lotus Palace even more.
Both were daughters of the Ye family—one staying with Old Madam, willingly going to the harsh lands of Liuzhou.
The other, whose husband hadn't been dead half a year, was already willing to submit beneath the man who killed Prince Xuan. She came willingly yet put on a sorrowful, pitiful face as if someone had forced her.
After the array distorted space, Su Su opened her eyes to find herself in Zhou Kingdom's imperial palace.
The imperfect array, not being orthodox immortal magic, caused dizziness. Old Madam couldn't withstand it and fainted.
Tantai Jin's black banner spun in the air. Su Su looked up at the soul-summoning banner, her eyes turning cold.
The curved jade said: "That's the soul-summoning banner! The Taoist's soul hasn't dispersed. He was likely behind the Puppet Technique you fell victim to last time."
Su Su had guessed as much.
This Taoist practiced evil arts. Previously supported by Tantai Minglang, he used numerous human lives and demon inner cores to build his Cultivation. Having lived for many years, it wasn't surprising he knew the Puppet Technique.
Nian Muning said: "Third Miss Ye, let me take Old Madam Ye."
Su Su hesitated briefly before handing over her unconscious grandmother: "I beg you, my grandmother is in poor health. Please find a physician to treat her."
Nian Muning nodded expressionlessly and disappeared with Old Madam Ye.
Su Su knew they would save and treat her grandmother, but simultaneously, Old Madam would undoubtedly become Tantai Jin's leverage against her.
When Su Su looked back, she found Tantai Jin had disappeared.
A maid said: "His Majesty said you should clean yourself up and go to Chengqian Palace."
Night had completely fallen. After Su Su bathed, the maid brought her a palace maid's uniform.
The curved jade snorted indignantly.
If it weren't for knowing the Soul-Extinguishing Pearl Tears had reacted—proof Tantai Jin had developed different feelings—it would truly believe he intended to treat Su Su as a maid to repay the humiliation "Ye Xi Wu" had once inflicted on him.Su Su changed into the pink-and-white palace maid attire as a maid came to search her.
Learning from past experience, the search was conducted meticulously this time. All sharp objects and talisman papers on Su Su's person were confiscated.
Su Su didn't attempt any tricks either, for she clearly understood her purpose in returning this time—
To transform the Soul-Extinguishing Pearl Tears into Soul Extinguishing Nails and drive them into Tantai Jin's heart.
She needed him to feel intense emotion.
Whether it was joy, anger, or sorrow—when any emotion reached its peak, she would have her opportunity.
Su Su speculated that at the moment his emotions were most intense, the Soul-Extinguishing Pearl Tears would grow hot enough to melt, eventually transforming into nine nails, at which point the Evil Bone could be extracted.
Everyone treated Su Su as if facing a formidable enemy. Su Su looked at them innocently, feeling somewhat amused inside.
After the body search confirmed her harmlessness, Su Su was finally led into the Chengqian Palace.
The Zhou Kingdom palace favored extravagance. Su Su glanced up at the glazed lanterns under the night sky before stepping inside.
An elderly eunuch came out to greet her, scrutinizing Su Su with a critical gaze.
Su Su stood properly with perfect decorum. Finding no immediate faults, the old eunuch finally spoke in a shrill voice: "Now that you've come to Zhou Kingdom, you are no longer the Third Miss of the Ye family. Perform your duties properly and serve His Majesty well."
Su Su replied: "Yes."
Recalling the look in the Emperor's eyes when he was sent out, the old eunuch added: "His Majesty has already retired. Starting tonight, you will keep watch inside."
Su Su: "Yes."
The old eunuch began listing various precautions. While Su Su maintained a calm expression, she wasn't really listening—she hadn't come to please Tantai Jin, so there was no need to heed these instructions.
Satisfied with having "tamed" Su Su, the old eunuch nodded approvingly and allowed her to enter.
Carrying the glazed palace lantern, Su Su stepped into the Chengqian Palace.
Tantai Jin preferred black. The imperial bed featured black curtains—when used skillfully, this color could appear even more magnificent than bright yellow.
Unable to see the person behind the curtains clearly, Su Su immediately noticed a simple bedding roll placed beside the imperial bed.
She guessed his intentions—a year ago she had slept on the bed while Tantai Jin slept below, and now the roles were reversed.
Setting down the palace lantern, she naturally lay down on the bedding.
What did it matter? It couldn't be worse than during the journey to Liuzhou. Just days ago she had to sleep directly on the ground—now the blankets were fragrant, soft, and thick, much better than before.
Resting her head on her slender arm, she paid no attention to whether the person on the bed was asleep and simply closed her eyes.
The sudden sound of a whip cutting through the air came. Su Su's body reacted quickly, instinctively rolling away to avoid the whip.
The black curtains parted as a young man in black robes descended barefoot.
Half a year apart had made the aura around his eyes and brows even sharper and colder. Having experienced battlefields, though he remained as exquisitely handsome as before, he now carried additional killing intent.
"Ye Xi Wu, do you know how to behave as a servant?"
The Soul-Extinguishing Pearl Tears in her bosom grew warm.
Su Su gave him a strange look, suddenly suspecting that his anger stemmed from her complete disregard of him. Perhaps kicking him a few times upon entry would have satisfied him more?
She nimbly rose from the floor: "Shall I help you change clothes?"
Tantai Jin remained silent. After a long pause, he spread his arms and looked at her coldly.
Understanding his meaning, Su Su walked over to untie his sash. Aware of Tantai Jin watching her, she kept her eyes lowered, roughly removing his clothes as if plucking feathers from a chicken.
When only his inner garments remained, her fingernail accidentally scraped across his chest. Tantai Jin trembled slightly.
"An accident, my apologies. Do you need help with your trousers?"
"You should refer to yourself as 'this servant'.""Oh, do you need help with your trousers?"
"Get out!"
Su Su gave him a cold glance and released her grip.
She picked up the palace lantern and was about to leave.
The young man grabbed her hand and said coldly, "You're angry with me."
Su Su paused in her steps. Tantai Jin continued, "You're still holding a grudge over Xiao Lin's matter. Because of him, you want to kill me."
When he spoke the last sentence, his tone rose, and his grip on her hand tightened.
Su Su turned back. Tantai Jin was pursing his lips in displeasure, staring at her unblinkingly, waiting for her answer.
Su Su said, "Yes."
His expression immediately turned icy, as if he were about to lunge over and strangle her.
Su Su said, "Prince Xuan was a good man. Even if he had to die, it should have been on the battlefield, not through despicable tricks."
"The victor becomes king, the loser a bandit. All's fair in war," Tantai Jin said coldly.
Su Su stared at him, then suddenly smiled as if reminiscing about something. "His Highness said the same back then, so there's nothing to hold a grudge about. Let go. Didn't you tell me to get out? It's not good for an emperor to go back on his word."
Tantai Jin's expression darkened further. After a long moment, he released her hand.
He rubbed his fingers, his face gloomy as he glanced outside.
Su Su opened the door, only to find a massive tiger blocking the entrance with its body.
It was that annoying tiger demon.
This tiger could grow larger or smaller at will. Since following Tantai Jin, its diet had clearly been excellent—its fur glossy and sleek. It threateningly bared its teeth at Su Su.
Forcing her to go back inside.
Su Su grabbed one of its Tiger Whiskers and expressionlessly plucked one out.
The tiger yowled in pain, nearly biting her. It glanced warily inside the hall and only dared to push Su Su back inside with a paw.
Su Su took the opportunity to pluck another Tiger Whisker.
The tiger: "...Damn."
Su Su walked back in. The man on the bed said icily, "Weren't you leaving? Why come back? I'm not like your 'His Highness,' a good man. If you provoke me again, I won't mind letting you taste..."
Ignoring his sarcasm, Su Su lifted the black bed curtains and immediately saw the young man sitting with his legs bent.
Perhaps surprised by her boldness, Tantai Jin hadn't yet retracted his mocking expression.
When Su Su suddenly leaned close to his face, his expression froze, his dark pupils fixed. She was so close that if she moved just a little further, her lips would touch his cheek.
"You..." Tantai Jin instinctively tried to lean back.
He had only uttered one word when Su Su suddenly bound his hands.
She used two sturdy Tiger Whiskers to tie his wrists together.
It all happened in the blink of an eye. Just as Tantai Jin, enraged, was about to call for the Night Shadow Guard, Su Su abruptly pinned him to the bed. She covered his mouth with one hand, propped her chin, and looked at him.
"Shh, don't speak, or I'll knock you out," she said irritably. "Either sleep, or I'll beat you up and then you'll sleep."
Her slender legs casually rested over his.
Her dark hair cascaded down, spilling across his half-bare chest.
Su Su stared at him.
Whether out of fear of death or something else, Tantai Jin remained silent for a moment.
His neck gradually flushed red, but his eyes still glared coldly at Su Su.
Su Su was furious inside. The mention of Xiao Lin made her wish she could slice him into a thousand pieces, but now wasn't the time. She knew what mattered most.
She thought, I can't kill him, but I can do other things.
So she simply reached out and pinched his waist hard.Tantai Jin let out a muffled groan, his eyes glistening with moisture.
Even the corners of his eyes took on a faint peach-blossom hue. He tried to move his hands, but the Tiger Whisker was too sturdy, more pliable yet tougher than rope. Tantai Jin curled his body slightly, seemingly in great distress.
Seeing him like this, Su Su finally felt some of her anger dissipate.
Only the curved jade sensed something amiss; it cast a suspicious glance at Tantai Jin.
The young man’s chest was coated in a layer of sweat, his fingers clenched tightly.
It didn’t quite seem like pain...
For someone like Tantai Jin, who had endured beatings as a matter of routine and experienced all kinds of suffering, how could a hard twist from Su Su reduce him to this state?
Yet with his eyes lowered, even the curved jade couldn’t discern what he was feeling.
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