All The Female Disciples Want To Kill Me

Chapter 379 - 239 Li Zijun and Su Dudu_1

After the rain, sunlight slanted through the small courtyard, spilling into the garden’s golden-threaded nanmu trees.

It rendered one half of the grove bright and sunny, the other cool and serene.

A Glazed Triangular Cup rested beneath the corner of the eaves, and Li Zijun knelt on a rush cushion.

One delicate hand gently supported her head. She quietly watched the crystal-clear raindrops fall from the roof’s eaves, then roll, perfectly straight, into the cup.

There was no one else in the room. It was so silent one could hear the maidservant’s breathing.

And the PLINK of each water droplet.

CRISP—

With every drop that fell into the cup, the smile on her face widened by a fraction.

The maidservant watched her mistress silently, not daring to speak, lest she shatter the beautiful tranquility.

Li Zijun gently set aside the cup collecting the rainwater. After the rain, the courtyard was utterly tranquil, as if one had stepped into an ink wash painting.

Rising, she walked along the white jade-like water corridor, gazing at the shimmering surface of the water before speaking:

"Duo’er, is there anything further?"

The young woman named Duo’er bit her thin lip, then took a deep breath before speaking, "Mister Liu Zizhan has gone to the An Nan Palace."

Li Zijun’s expression remained unchanged. She nodded and walked into the bamboo pavilion.

Raindrops gently pattered against the bamboo pavilion, creating a soft PITTER-PATTER and RUSTLE.

Duo’er’s expression was clearly indignant. Her small face tilted up as she looked at Li Zijun and said, "Miss Zijun, aren’t you angry?"

"You are clearly the one in charge of this diplomatic mission to Dongfeng! What right does that Liu Zizhan have to be so presumptuous?"

"He went to the An Nan Palace at such a critical juncture without even informing you. He clearly has no regard for you."

"You are..."

Li Zijun, however, seemed unconcerned. She turned around.

Her eyes were bright, her long eyelashes fluttering. She offered a slight smile. "Duo’er, ah, so this is what you’re upset about?"

Saying this, she plucked a fruit from a nearby tree and gently placed it into Duo’er’s palm.

Duo’er paid it no mind, taking the fruit and biting into it with a loud CRUNCH. Her eyelashes fluttered. Suddenly, her brow twitched, and she shot up, complaining, "Miss, this is so sour!"

Li Zijun’s moon-white, flowing purple-trimmed gown billowed with a gust of fresh, moist air, her curled hair dancing with it.

She then winked at her. "Yes, it’s very sour!"

"Picking fruit to eat without the courtyard owner’s permission—of course, it will be very sour."

"That’s what they mean: act without permission, and you’ll get no good fruit to eat!"

Duo’er was somewhat puzzled as to why her mistress had suddenly uttered such a sentence.

Li Zijun turned away, gazing out at the courtyard. The fine rain seemed to gradually spread, forming curtain-like layers.

Her gaze held a profundity beyond her years, piercing through the layers of the rain curtain. As if to enlighten Duo’er, she murmured, "Of the Twenty-One Provinces, the Dongfeng Ancient Country possesses the Nine States north of the Cang River. Hua Province, located on its upper reaches, also belongs to them, making a total of ten states for Dongfeng."

"The South Wind Ancient Country has coveted Hua Province for a very long time. Since ancient times, it has been said: Heaven has no two suns, a nation has no two rulers."

"Due to certain matters, the conflicts arising from the power of the two countries were destined to be difficult to resolve. It’s just that long ago, before the two countries had separated, they could still maintain a thread of shared heritage, passed down through generations."

"With the passing of who knows how many generations of old emperors, this thread of shared heritage has become exceedingly faint. Thus, they are no longer willing to maintain this harmonious relationship. Although they might consider some of their ancestors’ wishes, this consideration and tolerance ultimately have a limit."

"This is especially true between the Eastern Emperor and the South Emperor. If not for the Sacred Land situated between them, perhaps the world would have long since descended into chaos."

Although Duo’er listened in a daze, she still sat obediently beside Li Zijun, her large eyes sparkling like stars.

"But Miss, what does this have to with the sour fruit you gave me?"

Li Zijun glanced at Duo’er, the corners of her lips curving slightly upwards.

"During our journey here, rumors have been rife in the common quarters that the Eastern Emperor has disappeared. At this critical juncture, the South Emperor dispatches us to visit the Dongfeng Ancient Country, still intending to negotiate the return of Hua Province..."

"So, you’re saying—"

Duo’er seemed to understand something instantly. Her eyes lit up, and she took a deep breath: "Miss, are you saying the Eastern Emperor was set up? That his disappearance is related to the South Emperor?"

"By... the South Emperor?!"

Although these were all baseless rumors, and many aspects were illogical, Li Zijun, however, did not answer her question. She bypassed the topic, her tone calm as she said, "The Eastern Emperor has disappeared. And Zizhan, as soon as he entered Luo City, couldn’t wait to go to the An Nan Palace."

"He is acting under instructions from someone. Our current visit is merely using my status as a cover..."

"It’s just that—"

Li Zijun smiled faintly and returned to her rush cushion. She placed the Glazed Triangular Cup on the low table at its center. Under Duo’er’s gaze, she skillfully tended the small brazier for tea, her movements as smooth as drifting clouds and flowing water.

When fine wisps of steam began to rise steadily, the sight of tea vapor blooming like a thousand blossoms filled the air.

The room was exceedingly quiet; only the GURGLE of boiling water could be heard.

"Do they truly believe the Eastern Emperor won’t return?"

Though Duo’er was still muddled, she vaguely understood. Miss Zijun was subtly implying that Liu Zizhan would not get any ’good fruit’ from his actions.

Her eyes shone brightly as she looked at her mistress, full of admiration: "Miss, it’s like you know everything!"