Volume 1, Chapter 160 – Qingxuan, Master of Green-Tea Tactics

The first light of dawn filtered through, but the thin mist had yet to lift.

Inside the main hall, Gu Han sat on the cloud couch, her expression indescribably complicated as she thought back to what had happened the night before.

“Master Mama!”

A clear voice rang out from beyond the hall. A small figure came skipping inside, carrying a plate of delicately made spirit cakes.

“A-Yao prepared these especially for Master Mama!”

Gu Han came back to herself, her heart softening. She reached out and stroked the little girl’s head.

“Has A-Yao eaten yet?”

“I have! Third Junior Sister took me to the Spiritual Cuisine Hall just now, and I ate lots of delicious food!”

A-Yao said happily, then suddenly blinked her big eyes.

“Oh, right, Master Mama. On my way here, I saw the two new sisters over in the Eastern Courtyard!”

Gu Han’s fingers stilled.

“They’re… together?”

“Mhm!”

A-Yao nodded vigorously.

“They looked like they were talking, but they both seemed so serious! A-Yao didn’t dare go near them!”

Gu Han’s heart tightened at her words.

Qingxuan and Lingshuang were together? In the Eastern Courtyard’s guest quarters?

Given how fiercely the two of them had been clashing…

This was Yaochi Immortal Palace. If those two actually came to blows, the entire palace might suffer for it!

She set down the spirit cakes and said gently to A-Yao, “Be good and go play with your Second Junior Sister for now. Master has something to take care of.”

“Oh… all right…”

Though A-Yao was a little reluctant, she obediently left.

Once A-Yao was gone, Gu Han sighed quietly, rose to her feet, and headed for the Eastern Courtyard.

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In the courtyard outside the guest quarters, Empress Qingxuan was dressed in her usual flowing purple gown. She lounged against a stone chair in the pavilion, idly toying with a jade pendant between her fingers.

Empress Lingshuang stood a short distance away, her blue palace dress making the chill around her seem even more intense.

“Lingshuang, you certainly know how to make yourself at home.”

Empress Qingxuan spoke first. Her voice carried its usual languor, but her eyes were sharp as blades.

“Lurking here at Little Sister Gu’s place, aren’t you afraid of damaging your reputation as the Empress of the Northern Region if word gets out?”

“I do as I please. Why should I care what others think?”

Empress Lingshuang gave a cold snort and swept her gaze over Qingxuan.

“You, on the other hand, are the exalted ruler of the Eastern Region, yet you dressed like that and sneaked out in the middle of the night for a private rendezvous. If word gets out, yours is the reputation that will truly suffer.”

The corners of Empress Qingxuan’s lips curved upward, but the smile never reached her eyes.

“Little Sister Gu and I are hardly strangers. What’s wrong with being a little intimate?”

“As for you, you spend all day here. Anyone who didn’t know better might think you harbored improper intentions toward Little Sister Gu.”

“You…!”

Empress Lingshuang’s breath caught, and the chill around her intensified.

“Qingxuan, stop spouting nonsense!”

“Oh my, why are you getting angry?”

Empress Qingxuan covered her lips with one hand and laughed softly, though there was no amusement in her eyes.

“It was only an offhand remark. Why are you getting so worked up?”

“Could it be… that I struck a nerve?”

She slowly rose to her feet, her purple skirts spilling down like water. She stopped three paces from Empress Lingshuang, tilted her head slightly, and put on a concerned expression.

“Actually, I can understand.”

“Anyone would be drawn to someone as breathtaking as Little Sister Gu. It’s just…”

She paused, her tone suddenly turning earnest.

“You’re too blunt, and you have no idea how to sweet-talk anyone. I’m afraid you’ll only frighten Little Sister Gu.”

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“Unlike me. I know how to be considerate and exactly how to make her happy.”

On the surface, her words sounded like well-meaning advice, but every sentence belittled Empress Lingshuang while elevating herself.

Empress Lingshuang could hardly miss the implication. Her face darkened at once.

“Qingxuan, spare me your hypocritical act!”

“I conduct myself openly and honorably, unlike certain people who act one way to someone’s face and another behind their back!”

“Openly and honorably?”

Empress Qingxuan blinked in feigned surprise.

“Then why did I hear that you insisted on giving Little Sister Gu a gift a few days ago?”

As she spoke, she raised a hand and lightly stroked the Linked Hearts Bracelet around her wrist, a smug gleam flashing through her eyes.

“If word got out, anyone who didn’t know the circumstances might think you were forcing yourself on her.”

“You’re talking nonsense!”

Empress Lingshuang flew into a rage, the phantom of the Frostheaven Sword flickering into view behind her.

“I gained some insight while discussing the Dao with Fellow Daoist Gu and merely wanted to give her a gift. How could that possibly count as forcing her?!”

“Does discussing the Dao require an exchange of gifts?”

Rather than retreating, Empress Qingxuan took another small step forward. She lowered her voice, adopting the intimate tone of someone sharing a secret.

“Lingshuang, listen to your elder sister’s advice and return to the Northern Region.”

As she spoke, she even shook her head slightly, her expression saying, I’m only doing this for your own good.

“Given Little Sister Gu’s temperament, what she needs most is someone gentle, considerate, and mindful of boundaries.”

“Someone like me…”

Empress Qingxuan seemed to notice something and abruptly turned toward the courtyard entrance.

A tender smile instantly blossomed across her face, and her voice rose slightly with just the right amount of delighted surprise.

“Little Sister Gu? What brings you here?”

Gu Han had barely stepped into the Eastern Courtyard when she was greeted by this scene.

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Empress Qingxuan was smiling radiantly, while Empress Lingshuang’s face was livid and frigid air roiled around her.

The tension in the air was almost explosive.

“Fellow Daoists…”

Gu Han’s brows drew together, and she was just about to speak.

But Empress Qingxuan had already walked over and slipped her arm through Gu Han’s with perfect ease. The gesture was intimate without seeming at all abrupt.

She tilted her head to look at Gu Han, her eyes full of tenderness and just the right touch of concern.

“Did you hear the commotion and come because you were worried?”

“Oh dear, this is all my fault. Little Sister Lingshuang and I were talking, and perhaps I was a little too blunt and upset her.”

As she spoke, she gently shook Gu Han’s arm, her apologetic tone tinged with coyness.

“You won’t blame your elder sister for meddling, will you?”

“I only spoke up because Little Sister Lingshuang is so straightforward. I was afraid she might overstep and trouble you, so I couldn’t help saying a few words.”

The entire sequence of gestures and remarks flowed seamlessly, displaying the art of being a “green tea” to perfection.

First came the preemptive explanation, distorted though it was.

Then she took the opportunity to make physical contact with Gu Han and flaunt their intimacy, all while neatly sidestepping responsibility under the guise of acting for Gu Han’s sake.

Finally, she turned the tables by implying that Lingshuang had no sense of boundaries.

Watching from the side, Empress Lingshuang felt her qi and blood roil with fury.

“Qingxuan! Stop putting on an act!”

Empress Lingshuang ground out through clenched teeth, flames of anger burning in her eyes.

“What happens between Fellow Daoist Gu and me is none of your concern!”

“Don’t be angry, Little Sister Lingshuang.”

Still clinging to Gu Han’s arm, Empress Qingxuan turned and gave Lingshuang a tolerant, helpless smile.

“Your elder sister knows you’re blunt by nature. I don’t mind.”

As she spoke, she gently patted the back of Gu Han’s hand and murmured reassuringly,

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“Don’t take it to heart, Little Sister Gu. That’s just Little Sister Lingshuang’s temperament. She doesn’t really mean any harm.”

Gu Han: “…”

Qingxuan’s rapid barrage had left her somewhat dazed.

“Fellow Daoists,”

Gu Han collected herself and tried to pull her arm free of Qingxuan’s embrace, keeping her tone as even as possible.

“Since you have both come here, I hope you will value harmony above all else. Do not make a spectacle of yourselves in front of the palace disciples.”

Empress Qingxuan felt Gu Han’s slight struggle, but instead of releasing her, she tightened her hold. Two soft curves pressed firmly against Gu Han’s arm as Qingxuan put on an innocent expression.

“You’re right, Little Sister. Your elder sister failed to think things through. I was simply too worried…”

As she spoke, she released one hand, only to use it to gently smooth a stray lock of hair beside Gu Han’s ear. Her movements were tender and meticulous, as if she had done it a thousand times before.

“You came over so early, so I imagine you have no other pressing business.”

“If you have time, why not come sit with your elder sister?”

“I brought some spirit tea and pastries from the Eastern Region especially for you.”

Gu Han could clearly feel Qingxuan deliberately pressing closer, along with her astonishing softness.

Her arm seemed to sink into fragrant warmth and supple curves.

Worse still, Qingxuan’s fingertips casually brushed the rim of her ear, sending a tingling shiver through her.

A faint blush crept uncontrollably across the tips of Gu Han’s ears.

She could even clearly feel the difference between their figures.

Qingxuan’s figure was mature and voluptuous. Gu Han’s was quite impressive too, but in certain areas, there was clearly…

The instant the thought surfaced, Gu Han startled herself.

Why had she suddenly started caring about a comparison like that?!