42: Chapter 42 Chen Zilong Emerges from Seclusion

After much deliberation, Ye Xishui finally settled on the nightgown she would wear that evening.

An exquisite black spaghetti-strap nightgown that made her skin appear even fairer than snow.

She immediately instructed Ye Bingli to prepare a lavish feast.

Although her master, Liu Mei, had clearly stated that Chen Zilong would not emerge from seclusion until tomorrow, what if...

...what if he came out early?

She had to be prepared for every possibility.

A flutter of anticipation stirred in Ye Xishui's heart as she fantasized about Chen Zilong returning sooner.

That way, she could truly become his Dao Companion in every sense.

Soon, dusk fell, and a crescent moon, hook-like, quietly climbed into the deep blue sky.

Though it wasn't a full moon, Ye Xishui was filled with joy.

She sat at the table laden with delicacies, all of Chen Zilong's usual favorites.

Tilting her graceful neck slightly, she gazed at the crescent moon, a captivating faint smile playing on her lips.

Her eyes held unconcealable anticipation; she appeared both beautiful and lovesick in the cool night breeze.

Meanwhile, the scene within Liu Mei's private chambers was quite different.

Clothes were scattered on the floor, a testament to the disarray following an intimate encounter.

Not far from the white jade bed, the hot spring pool was shrouded in mist.

Chen Zilong leaned lazily against the pool wall, while Liu Mei straddled his sturdy thighs.

The two were locked in an intimate kiss, the warm spring water rippling and producing seductive, gentle sounds...

The next morning, as the first rays of sunlight appeared.

Ye Bingli and Ye Yun were silently clearing away the sumptuous feast from the previous night, which remained completely untouched.

Ye Xishui sat nearby. Her beautiful eyes were slightly reddened and glistening with moisture, her thick eyelashes lowered—clear signs she had been secretly crying.

The two maids exchanged a knowing glance.

They knew the Young Master had not emerged from seclusion early last night.

The lady's master, Immortal Venerable Liu Mei, had clearly said he would emerge today, yet last night, the lady had been so restless and full of eager anticipation...

Alas!

The two women sighed softly in their hearts.

Once everything was tidied up, Ye Bingli and Ye Yun meticulously attended to their lady's grooming and dressing.

Soon, Ye Xishui was made to look radiantly beautiful, her attire opulent yet elegant.

However, beneath the carefully applied eye makeup, the red veins in her beautiful eyes were still clearly visible. Ye Bingli gently consoled her:

'Miss, please cheer up. Didn't Immortal Venerable Liu Mei say that the Young Master will definitely emerge from seclusion today? He will surely appear at the Disciple Recruitment Ceremony.'

Hearing 'Chen Zilong will appear today,' the gloom in Ye Xishui's heart dissipated considerably, and her eyes brightened a little.

Yes, why be disheartened?

It was agreed he would emerge today.

Last night...

...was simply her being too impatient.

She took a deep breath, suppressing her chaotic emotions.

As a cultivator, one should prioritize cultivation; how could one indulge solely in romantic entanglements?

Ye Xishui rallied her spirits and straightened her back.

Today, she would definitely show her husband her most beautiful side.

Gently lifting the hem of her skirt, she took graceful, lotus-like steps, leading Ye Yun and Ye Bingli out of her chambers.

However, the moment she stepped outside the palace gates, the forced smile on Ye Xishui's face instantly froze.

Outside the gates, Tu Shan Xiaoxiao happened to be preparing to leave as well.

She wore a charming pink dress that perfectly accentuated her delicate, shapely figure.

Upon seeing Ye Xishui, she immediately curved her fox-like eyes.

A sweet yet clearly mocking smile bloomed on her face. Her red lips parted, and her voice came out soft and sticky:

'Oh my, good morning, Eldest Senior Sister! I wonder if Senior Brother... is up yet?'

She deliberately drew out the last syllable, her eyes scanning Ye Xishui's face inquisitively.

Over the past three years, she had learned something that greatly pleased her.

Ye Xishui was still a virgin!

Although she didn't know what had happened on their wedding night three years ago.

Her Senior Brother had not been defiled by the hussy before her.

Ye Xishui's pretty face darkened, instantly understanding that Tu Shan Xiaoxiao was mocking her for waiting alone in an empty room all night for nothing.

She gritted her teeth inwardly, suppressing the fury in her heart, and forced a dignified, proper smile onto her face, retorting sharply:

'Good morning, Junior Sister. To be thinking of another woman's husband so early in the morning...'

'...such behavior truly shows your fox spirit nature.'

'You!' Tu Shan Xiaoxiao's sweet smile instantly fell.

Her pretty face darkened, her beautiful eyes glaring at Ye Xishui with a dangerous, cold glint.

Ye Yun and Ye Bingli stood behind Ye Xishui.

They felt two powerful, clashing auras spreading, making the air feel stagnant.

The two women nervously swallowed, not daring to breathe loudly.

Tu Shan Xiaoxiao gave a cold laugh, her voice carrying a bone-chilling coldness:

'Hmph, no wonder Senior Brother refuses to share a room with you. Perhaps he finds it... dirty?'

'Because you, Eldest Senior Sister, are simply an out-and-out...'

*Slap—!*

A crisp slap suddenly rang out, cutting off Tu Shan Xiaoxiao's biting words!

In her towering rage, Ye Xishui directly raised her hand and slapped Tu Shan Xiaoxiao hard across the face.

A clear palm print immediately appeared on Tu Shan Xiaoxiao's fair, delicate left cheek, and a glaring streak of crimson blood seeped from the corner of her mouth.

She covered her face, eyes wide with disbelief.

'Since you have no upbringing and shamelessly covet your Senior Sister's Husband!'

'Then I, as the Eldest Senior Sister, will teach you a proper lesson in manners today!'

Ye Xishui's willow-leaf eyebrows shot up as she berated her sternly.

Tu Shan Xiaoxiao's cheek was red and swollen, her eyes blazing with fury as she stared fixedly at Ye Xishui!

But the next second, an almost imperceptible trace of sly satisfaction flashed through her angry gaze.

Immediately after, her beautiful fox-like eyes instantly welled up with tears, which fell like broken pearls, rolling down her cheeks in large drops.

Her delicate frame trembled slightly as she wept, looking utterly heartbroken and pitiable.

Seeing Tu Shan Xiaoxiao's dramatic change in demeanor, Ye Xishui's brows subconsciously furrowed, and her heart gave a sudden jolt.

'Not good!' Alarm bells blared in her mind.

Ye Xishui almost immediately turned around, looking in the direction Tu Shan Xiaoxiao's gaze had just been directed—

There stood Chen Zilong, who had appeared at some point, not far from them.

He looked utterly shocked, staring dumbfounded at the scene before him!

What was he seeing?

Ye Xishui had actually hit Tu Shan Xiaoxiao?

Weren't these two as close as sisters in the original story, later even following Ye Wushuang together?

How come now...

Plastic sisterhood?

A broken bond?

Chen Zilong once again felt he might have read a fake novel.

'Waa... sob sob sob!'

'Senior Brother! Eldest Senior Sister... she bullied me!'

'She hit me! It hurts so much! Waa waa waa...'

Tu Shan Xiaoxiao's crying suddenly intensified, carrying a heart-wrenching tremor.

Like a startled fawn, with tear-stained cheeks,

she recklessly, with a waft of fragrant breeze, threw herself into Chen Zilong's arms.

Clutching his lapels tightly, she buried her tear-streaked, red and swollen little face against his chest.

Crying until she was breathless...