Clack, clack, clack, clack, clack…
The sound of a kitchen knife hitting a cutting board echoed incessantly.
Lifting the lid of a steaming pot, a burst of fragrance wafted through the air.
Blue Ling’er, wearing an apron, used a ladle to scoop out some soup.
She gently blew a breath of cold air to bring the liquid to the perfect temperature.
After taking a small sip, she held her slightly flushed face and whispered to herself, “I’ve improved again. Master will definitely like it this time~”
Then, Blue Ling’er glanced out the window at the sky.
“Oh dear, Master should be back soon.”
She temporarily set aside her work, untied her apron, and prepared to head down the mountain to greet Yu Yi.
However, right at that moment, Su Cheng happened to walk in from outside.
Seeing Blue Ling’er preparing to leave, she asked, “Second Senior Sister, where are you planning to go?”
“Su Cheng, you’re asking something you already know,” Blue Ling’er replied coldly.
Ever since Su Cheng returned from Cangzhou and told Blue Ling’er about witnessing Yu Yi’s sexy and exposed state, Blue Ling’er had nearly “lost it” on the spot.
This led to a “discord” between the two of them.
“Leave the mission of greeting Master to me. It’s more appropriate for you to finish making the meal as quickly as possible, Second Senior Sister. Master’s trip to Cangzhou was destined to consume a lot of energy. How disappointed would she be if she returned and couldn’t eat a piping hot meal?”
Su Cheng said to Blue Ling’er with great respect.
Blue Ling’er saw the slight curl at the corner of Su Cheng’s mouth and knew she must be calculating something, but her words were seamless and flawless.
Thus, Blue Ling’er could only bite her lip and answer with a single word, “Fine.”
The two of them turned away, unable to see each other’s expressions.
Blue Ling’er bit her fingertip, her face contorted.
The more she thought about Su Cheng’s intentions, the more concerned she became.
On the other hand, Su Cheng had an expression of having everything under control.
Since the most “troublesome” one, Blue Ling’er, had been tied down by other matters, Su Cheng’s subsequent plans would proceed smoothly.
***
Su Cheng arrived at the foot of the mountain and saw that Ye Qingluan was already waiting.
She was the same as always, her feet never touching the ground.
“Third Disciple, did you prepare ‘that thing’?”
Su Cheng asked.
“Yes,” Ye Qingluan responded.
The two didn’t wait long before they saw the Fengshen Litter flying in from the horizon.
It appeared above them and slowly descended.
“We welcome Master’s return. May Master have eternal peace,” they saluted respectfully.
Yu Yi stepped off the Flying Chariot.
Seeing the two people waiting for her, she had no particular reaction.
She merely said indifferently, as she usually did, “Let us head up the mountain.”
“Master, you look quite tired. Has the situation in Cangzhou been resolved?”
Su Cheng stepped forward to wrap her arm around Yu Yi’s, showing her concern.
“Yes, it has been successfully resolved.”
Yu Yi nodded, then said to Su Cheng, “Su Cheng, your Master’s body isn’t so weak that I need you to support me like this.”
“Master, you are wrong to say that. During this period, you personally traveled across Yunzhou, Cangzhou, and other places. With all that hard work, you should let your disciples do something to reward you.”
As she spoke, Su Cheng took Yu Yi’s jade-like hand—the one that haunted her dreams—into her own.
“When the ladies of The Palace travel, their maids always support them carefully like this.”
“Master, please have some tea.”
A branch carried Ye Qingluan to Yu Yi’s side.
She controlled a vine to coil around a cup of black tea and delivered it before Yu Yi’s eyes.
“This is?”
Yu Yi looked at the black tea in front of her and asked in confusion.
“This is Mountain Tea that I personally prepared for you, Master. It is exceptionally effective for restoring energy,” Ye Qingluan explained seriously.
“I did use some strength, but I only need a little rest. There is no need to restore my energy this way.”
Yu Yi patted Ye Qingluan’s head.
“I have received your kind intentions.”
“But Master, since Third Disciple has been alone for years, her various skills have surely improved. By offering this tea, she must be trying to show you the results of her cultivation,” Su Cheng spoke up on Ye Qingluan’s behalf.
“Qingluan, is that so?”
Yu Yi looked at Ye Qingluan.
“I… I indeed wanted to take this opportunity to have Master praise my skills, but my concern for Master’s health and my wish for Master to recover quickly are also real!”
Ye Qingluan answered honestly.
Yu Yi looked at the black tea in front of her and then at these two disciples.
She thought silently, ‘These two working together… I feel like they’re up to something…’
Although Yu Yi was indeed tired, her mind remained sharp.
She faintly sensed that the goal of these two was definitely not as simple as it appeared on the surface.
‘Is there something strange added to this black tea?’
‘But Qingluan doesn’t seem like the type of rebellious disciple to have wicked thoughts. Could she have been used by Su Cheng?’
Based on the resolve Ye Qingluan had shown when she previously took the Everlasting Tribulation Sword, Yu Yi was exceptionally confident in her character.
Therefore, Yu Yi believed it was likely Su Cheng who was plotting in the shadows and using Ye Qingluan.
‘I’ll see what kind of tricks you’re trying to play this time,’ Yu Yi thought.
Last time in Cangzhou, Yu Yi had been outmaneuvered by Su Cheng, resulting in her showing herself in an extremely exposed state.
This time, no matter what, she had to reclaim her dignity as a Master and make Su Cheng remember her status as a disciple!
“Since Qingluan has been so diligent, I will properly taste your tea artistry.”
Yu Yi took the black tea and drank it with full confidence.
The fragrance of the tea bloomed in her mouth, rich and full.
The taste was strong but not bitter, warm and sweet.
The texture was delicate and silky, truly first-class.
While it was good tea, it didn’t give Yu Yi any other sensations.
She felt a wave of confusion.
‘Could it be… that I was too sensitive and misunderstood Su Cheng?’
Yu Yi furrowed her brows slightly.
Under Ye Qingluan’s expectant gaze, Yu Yi prepared to speak and give her evaluation.
However, in that very instant…
Thump-thump!
Yu Yi suddenly felt her entire body go soft, and sweat began to pour from her skin.
There really was a problem with this black tea!
But with her body of a Martial Emperor, how could she fall for a trick so easily?
Before she could think further, Su Cheng noticed Yu Yi’s abnormality and quickly asked with concern, “Master, what’s wrong?”
“Third Disciple, what is going on with this black tea? Why is Master suddenly sweating so much after drinking it?”
She then questioned Ye Qingluan.
“This Mountain Tea is a tea, but it’s also a fine medicine. After taking it, the body enters a soft, light, and relaxed state. After a while, all fatigue will be swept away, and your energy will be completely restored~”
Ye Qingluan answered.
Yu Yi finally understood why she had been caught.
She might be immune to a hundred poisons.
But she couldn’t escape “good medicine.”
Yu Yi also realized at this moment that the idea of the black tea being drugged wasn’t quite right.
Ye Qingluan had known the effects of this tea from the beginning; she had intentionally hidden them until Yu Yi drank it!
Oh, Ye Qingluan, I thought you were my good disciple! It turns out you’re in on it too!!
“I see. But it’s not good for Master to keep sweating like this. Third Disciple, we must wipe the sweat from Master’s body and change her into new clothes.”
“Yes. In that case, let’s act without delay.”
Yu Yi’s body became soft and limp, nearly unable to move, but her consciousness remained clear.
After hearing their words, Yu Yi was supported up the mountain by the two of them and brought into a pavilion.
Yu Yi knew what this pavilion was.
This was Su Cheng’s residence.
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