But she didn’t really want to refuse.
A eunuch—that role in ancient times was a palace attendant. Bringing a eunuch along was still better than bringing a normal man. Her Tianxiang sisters couldn’t take any risks.
So why not find a female guard instead?
That didn’t seem to work either.
In the real world it might be fine, but in the game, Chong Chong stuck to her all day. By then, the amount of jealousy she’d generate in one day would be enough for hundreds of people to eat for several years.
Couldn’t handle it. Couldn’t handle it.
A girl with that kind of possessiveness and clinginess had her advantages and disadvantages.
Shen Qingqing didn’t even bother to respond to Chong Chong. She was waiting for Chen Xiaoyan’s answer. Seeing the girl hesitate, she didn’t force the issue.
“Let’s talk about this later. If you change your mind, just tell me.”
“Okay. Thank you, Shen Elder Sister.” Chen Xiaoyan politely thanked her.
Shen Qingqing looked at her with some helplessness, a hint of reproach in her eyes.
‘Didn’t I tell you not to be so formal?’
‘Sigh, this stubborn girl, you didn’t listen to a word I said.’
Since Chen Xiaoyan didn’t want to accept a guard, Shen Qingqing naturally let Yu Shangneng off the hook.
Yu Shangneng, that old man, stood there wide-eyed, finally realizing that this Fairy Shen was looking for a bodyguard for her disciple.
Never mind why she didn’t use her own sect’s disciples—just the job itself made people envious. It was a sweet gig.
Too bad that little fairy had refused. It made Yu Shangneng anxious, like an ant on a hot pan.
But he couldn’t rush to throw himself at them. That would make them think he had ulterior motives.
“You may withdraw.” Shen Qingqing lightly waved her hand.
Yu Shangneng sighed. Such a great opportunity, but heaven didn’t grant his wish. If he missed it today, who knew if there would ever be another chance?
No!
A sharp gleam suddenly burst from Yu Shangneng’s wrinkled eyes.
‘I must seize this opportunity—not just for myself, but for His Majesty, and for the Great Tang.’
“Fairy.” Yu Shangneng parted his knee-length robe and knelt on one knee, cupping his hands. “I have admired the Tianxiang Sect my entire life. I only regret not being born a woman, so I never had the chance to ascend Tianxin Mountain. Now that I’ve met two fairies, I am overjoyed. If the Fairy ever needs me, I will serve you with utmost devotion, even if it means sacrificing my life.”
“Eunuch Yu, what are you doing? Get up quickly!”
Chen Xiaoyan was startled by Yu Shangneng’s sudden kneel and hurried over to help him up.
“You’re getting on in years. Don’t go kneeling all the time. You might hurt your back.”
He looked at Chen Xiaoyan with a smile, finding it a little funny, but more than that, he felt moved.
‘This little fairy may be weak in strength, but with her identity as a Tianxiang disciple, she could easily crush me, especially as Fairy Shen’s apprentice. Yet instead of being arrogant and looking down on others, she’s teaching me to take care of myself.’
‘Interesting.’
Yu Shangneng grew a bit interested in Chen Xiaoyan. If Shen Qingqing weren’t present, he’d definitely have some fun with this amusing girl.
No, definitely not in that sense.
“Thank you for your concern, Fairy.”
“It’s nothing, Eunuch Yu. The wound on your shoulder… do you need treatment?” Now that she was close, she noticed the bloodstains on his black clothes.
“No need. It’s just a minor injury. As a martial artist, I’m used to such wounds. They’ll heal on their own soon enough.”
“Impressive.” Chen Xiaoyan sincerely gave him a thumbs-up. Such self-healing ability was almost as good as their healers.
Then, a thought struck her, and she asked, “Eunuch Yu, are you familiar with Shangjing City?”
“Like the back of my hand. What instructions does the Fairy have?”
“Since you’re from the Imperial Palace, you must know Prime Minister Mo, right?”
The smile on Yu Shangneng’s face instantly froze, and a flicker of unease flashed in his eyes.
‘Was he discovered meeting with Mo Ruhui just now?’
‘No, with this girl’s strength, she couldn’t have hidden it from me. The only possibility is…’
Shen Qingqing.
Yu Shangneng glanced at Shen Qingqing but didn’t notice anything off about her reaction. ‘Am I overthinking this?’
“Eunuch Yu, why aren’t you saying anything?” Seeing him silent for so long, Chen Xiaoyan urged him impatiently.
Yu Shangneng let out a long sigh and decided to come clean.
“Fairy, I just ran into Prime Minister Mo and his daughter.”
Chen Xiaoyan’s lips curled upward.
‘As expected!’
Shen Qingqing had said this old man’s eyes weren’t clean, meaning he had been spying outside the Prime Minister’s residence, likely witnessing Mo Ruhui and his daughter fleeing.
She had thought of asking on a whim, but it turned out to be a lucky break.
“Where are they?”
“Fairy, before I answer, I sincerely beg you to spare Prime Minister Mo. The Great Tang truly cannot do without him right now.” As he spoke, Yu Shangneng cupped his hands and prepared to kneel again.
But this time, Chen Xiaoyan didn’t let him. She stopped him first.
After pulling him up, she explained with a mix of amusement and exasperation: “Oh, I’m not looking for Mo Ruhui. I’m looking for his daughter.”
“And I don’t kill people! I DON’T KILL PEOPLE! Important thing, I’ll say it twice.”
Yu Shangneng furrowed his frost-covered brows and looked up at her half-doubtfully. “Fairy, is that true?”
Chen Xiaoyan rolled her eyes at him. “What benefit would I get from lying to you?”
That left Yu Shangneng speechless. Why had Prime Minister Mo said they were fleeing for their lives earlier?
Combined with Ouyang Shaoqing’s account, it had to be that Mo Nichang had stirred up such public outrage that a passing Tianxiang disciple witnessed it.
That led to what happened next.
The Tianxiang disciple came to confront them. To protect his daughter, Mo Ruhui had to order Mo Jiuchi to attack the Tianxiang disciple.
The disciple was no match, so the master came to the rescue.
That chain of reasoning seemed reasonable enough.
But what if this girl was just lowering his guard, planning to eliminate Prime Minister Mo and his daughter once she found them?
After much deliberation, Yu Shangneng decided to tell Chen Xiaoyan the truth.
“Chaolong Street.”
For nothing else but that shred of trust.
Besides, this girl had no killing intent in her eyes. He could still see that.
Chaolong Street was the street closest to the Imperial Palace’s main gate.
Every inch of land there was worth a fortune, occupied mostly by high-ranking officials, wealthy merchants, and the filthy rich.
The Mo Clan had many properties on Chaolong Street, and they were quite familiar with the area, making it easier to hide.
“Chaolong Street?” Chen Xiaoyan rubbed her chin and immediately decided to have Yu Shangneng lead the way.
Hearing he had to guide them, Yu Shangneng let out a bitter laugh. He hoped this little fairy wouldn’t break her word.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t know how to face Noble Consort Mo in the palace from now on.
“Chong Chong, follow me.”
“Sister Xiaoyan, my feet hurt.” Chong Chong was sitting on a flower bed, lifting her delicate little foot, wiggling her toes, looking at her pitifully.
Chen Xiaoyan helplessly slapped her forehead. “Fine, then just stay here. I’ll be right back.”
“Huh?” Chong Chong was dumbfounded. Seeing that trick didn’t work, she immediately gave up, quickly put on her embroidered shoes, and ran over.
“Suddenly I’m better again.” She grinned cheekily.
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