novelraw Chapter 413: Mere Plaything, Serving with Beauty
Chapter 413: Mere Plaything, Serving with Beauty
“Shao Yan!”
The cold voice came from the other side, accompanied by the dark blue robes that perfectly outlined the man’s tall and upright figure.
As he approached, he grabbed Huo Shao Yan by the collar. “If you dare run wild again, I’ll break your legs!”
“Cousin,” Huo Shao Yan mumbled, his earlier arrogance instantly crushed under the man’s icy aura.
“My apologies,” the man murmured to Yu Zhao, before dragging Huo Shao Yan away by the collar.
Huo Shao Yan dared not resist but shouted back at Yu Zhao, “Remember the name Huo Shao Yan!”
Yu Zhao turned to Li Yun with a questioning glance. “Who is that man?”
Li Yun’s cheeks, now faintly flushed, betrayed her emotions. “That is Shui Qiu Bai, the young master of the Shui family. His mother and Huo Shao Yan’s mother are sisters.”
Watching the two figures disappear, Yu Zhao mused quietly. Whether it was Huo Shao Yan or Shui Qiu Bai, they clearly knew much about the Feng family’s layout. It seemed the ties between these prominent families ran deeper than they appeared.
Yu Zhao etched this observation into her mind before returning to her room with Xing Yu and Li Yun. When word came that the auspicious hour had arrived, she proceeded to the grand venue where the ceremony was to be held, accompanied by the two.The gathering today was far more crowded than yesterday, and those seated at the head table were all figures of significant influence. Even with all she had endured, Yu Zhao couldn’t help but feel her heartbeat quicken in the face of such an overwhelming occasion.
Fortunately, Feng Jiu Si had warned her in advance that the dual cultivation ceremony would be exceedingly simple. After a few pleasantries from Feng Jiu Si on stage, he led Yu Zhao to toast and thank the esteemed guests.
It was during this procession that Yu Zhao finally met Feng Jiu Si’s father, Feng Hao, the current head of the Feng family.
Though Feng Hao bore little resemblance to Feng Jiu Si in facial features, their temperaments were remarkably alike—warm and gentle, like a spring breeze. Feng Hao greeted Yu Zhao with great enthusiasm, generously presenting her with several precious gifts, including elixirs to enhance her cultivation and spiritual herbs.
Caught in the spotlight, Yu Zhao could not refuse and graciously accepted them with a smile.
“Time flies so fast—my son is already wed,” Feng Hao said with a wistful smile. “If only A Xu were still here, how joyful she would be.”
Feng Jiu Si’s expression shifted slightly, his smile fading as he murmured, “Father…”
“The Feng Family Master and Madam were truly devoted,” someone nearby commented. “It’s a pity fate was unkind.”
“Indeed, everyone knows they were the model of a loving couple,” another chimed in. “Fairy Liu Yun is fortunate. The young master is bound to be just as steadfast in love as his father.”
As the father and son shared a moment of quiet sorrow, whispers rippled through the crowd. Yu Zhao, who had guessed Feng Jiu Si’s mother might have passed upon seeing Feng Hao alone, now found her suspicion confirmed by the murmurs.
“Enough!” Feng Hao suddenly declared. “Today is a day of joy—no need for such talk!”
At that, a robust man stepped forward with a hearty laugh. After appraising Yu Zhao, he grunted approvingly, “Not bad,” and proceeded to pull out a lavish gift—more rare elixirs.
Yu Zhao looked to Feng Jiu Si, who nodded faintly. “This is the head of the Huo family, Uncle Huo.”
“Thank you, Uncle Huo.”
“Had I known you would grow up to be such a beauty, I should’ve arranged for you to marry my rascal boy!” The Huo patriarch sighed regretfully.
Yu Zhao maintained her composure, though something about his comment unsettled her.
Before she could dwell on it, other elders followed suit, each presenting her with extravagant gifts. It seemed customary in these parts to bestow such treasures, most of which were meant to aid in cultivation.
Yu Zhao estimated that just these gifts alone could likely propel her to the Divine Transformation stage. By the time she and Feng Jiu Si had greeted all the elders, her arms ached from holding so many gifts, and her face was stiff from constant smiling.
At last, she escaped the elders’ table, hoping for a moment’s respite, only to feel a contemptuous gaze pierce her like a blade. Turning toward it, Yu Zhao found herself facing a woman of extraordinary beauty, her features glowing like peach blossoms. Though seated, the woman radiated an air of superiority. Seeing Yu Zhao’s attention, she sneered openly, making no effort to hide her disdain.
“Mere plaything, serving with beauty.”
Her voice, though soft, carried far enough for those nearby to hear.
Feng Jiu Si, who had been chatting amicably moments before, froze. His expression darkened as he barked, “Jin Yuan!”
Jin Yuan glared at him, unyielding. “Am I wrong?”
“Today is Feng Jiu Si’s big day. Don’t make trouble,” warned Shui Qiu Bai coldly.
Jin Yuan snorted in defiance. “I grew up with you two. And now, you scold me for an outsider?”
Huo Shao Yan twirled his folding fan lazily. “You’re wrong there, Jin Yuan. Now that Fairy Liu Yun is married to Feng Jiu Si, she’s no longer an outsider—she’s family! Ha!” He laughed heartily at his own joke, only to stop when no one joined in.
Humiliated, Jin Yuan stood abruptly. “She’s nothing but a pretty face with no substance. If you all want to fawn over her, fine, but don’t drag me into it!”
With that, she stormed off, leaving the others to exchange hesitant glances. No one dared to comfort her, given her formidable background and talent.
“Let her be,” Feng Jiu Si said coldly, his rare display of temper silencing any objections.
Yu Zhao, ever the picture of composure, quietly fulfilled her role as Fairy Liu Yun, saying nothing throughout the entire ordeal.
As night fell and the toasts concluded, Yu Zhao retired to her room, while Feng Jiu Si and Feng Hao remained to entertain guests. Despite the mildness of the fruit wine served, Yu Zhao, unaccustomed to drinking, felt slightly tipsy. She dismissed Xing Yu and Li Yun, choosing to sit alone in a pavilion to clear her head.
Just as sleep threatened to claim her, a surge of sharp hostility tore through the air behind her. Instinctively, she teleported away, just as the stone bench she’d been sitting on shattered into dust.
Her senses sharpened as she turned to face her attacker—none other than Jin Yuan.
“You don’t belong here. Leave!” Jin Yuan’s eyes glittered like icy blades in the moonlight.
“This is none of your concern,” Yu Zhao replied evenly.
Jin Yuan’s gaze hardened further. “If you don’t leave, I’ll kill you.”
“You’re welcome to try.”
“So be it. This is on you,” Jin Yuan sneered, forming a talisman mid-air. The space around Yu Zhao instantly constricted, saturated with a deadly aura that gnawed at her nerves.
Sweat beaded on Yu Zhao’s brow as scenes of slaughter overwhelmed her mind.
“Jin Yuan! You’ve gone too far!”