Chapter 201: Future

　　Do you still remember why you became the queen of Zhongzhou?

　　The queen replied, “Qingqing, what do you plan to do with this question? Plant a thorn in the King’s heart, or to make me feel guilty?” She stared at Ding Qingqing, the pity once in her eyes gone. “Psychological attacks are not always useful against everyone. You think too highly of yourself.”

　　The queen took out an item and threw it in the air.

　　Huge fireworks burst forth in the air, forming a ball before shooting away.

　　After a short period of time, rumbling could be heard from their surroundings. The barrier was breaking down.

　　Lu Mingshu’s eyes widened in surprise. She had a totally new opinion of the queen.

　　Watching the barrier breaking down, she saw that, even though the queen wasn’t aware of when the king of Yijun would take action, she was well-prepared since the start.

　　Both of them were absolutely no match for her.

　　There was also no chance of them turning over a new leaf.

　　The king of Yijun sat by the tree trunk with dishevelled hair, looking into space lifelessly.

　　He didn’t even spare Ding Qingqing a glace.

　　Ding Qingqing felt bitter and astringent. She laughed at herself in pain.

　　As soon as she finished laughing, she shot out a ray of light, going toward Xie Lianzhen.

　　Her actions were too secretive, and there wasn’t even any killing intent. Even the queen couldn’t react in time.

　　“Xing’er…!”

　　Suddenly, a sword-light shot toward them. Lu Mingshu dodged, creating a ray of sword-light and defending Xie Lianzhen.

　　However, this was Ding Qingqing’s absolute attack, and she was a realm lower. How could she be able to block this attack?

　　Pop! The sword-light shield lit up and disappeared.

　　Lu Mingshu felt pain in her chest, and everything around her seemed to turn grey.

　　Xie Lianzhen opened his mouth to say something, but he couldn’t speak, as if his brain had exploded.

　　He watched her drop to the ground, watched blood flowing out of her chest, just watched….

　　Xie Lianzhen could remember what happened afterwards. He vaguely remembered how the queen lost her mind in fear.

　　Actually, the queen does love me! It’s such a good feeling, that somebody cares about me, misses me. I’m not all alone by myself as if the whole world has abandoned me.

　　…

　　Tan Yubing just finished packing her luggage. She stood at the door, hesitating.

　　“What’s wrong, Senior Aunt Tan?” Shao Zhengyang saw her standing there and came to ask.

　　Tan Yubing sighed. “Junior Nephew Shao, do you think we should head to the main palace?”

　　“Erm… weren’t we just sent back from there?” Shao Zhengyang hesitated.

　　“But we’re leaving soon. I can’t go in east if I don’t get to see her.”

　　“Yeah.” Shao Zhengyang nodded. “I don’t even know how to explain to Senior Uncle Liu!”

　　They wanted to go and take a look, but the main palace wouldn’t budge a bit from their rules, so both of them were now in a dilemma.

　　Finally, Tan Yubing made up her mind. “Let’s go take a look. Even if they block us again, at least we went.”

　　“Yeah….”

　　Both of them once again went to the main palace and requested that the imperial bodyguard help them make a request to meet Lu Mingshu. While they were doing so, a servant girl came out.

　　“Eh? Are both of you guests from Nine Jade Palace?” The servant girl smiled.

　　Tan Yubing immediately went up to her. “Indeed. Miss is…?”

　　“This servant is now attending to Miss Lu.” She then took out a letter. “I assume that you’re Miss Tan?”

　　“Yes.”

　　“Miss Lu asked this servant to pass this letter to Miss Tan and convey a message to you.”

　　Tan Yubing took the letter. Seeing the words “For dearest master,” she knew that it was for Liu Jizhen.

　　“Please speak, Miss.”

　　“Miss Lu said, ‘I’ll need to trouble Senior Aunt Tan to pass this to my master, for him to at least be at ease. Secondly, Senior Aunt Tan need not to worry. I’m fine.’”

　　The servant girl mimicked how Lu Mingshu spoke. The 80% similarity made Tan Yubing laugh. “Sorry to trouble Miss. Please tell her that I’ll pass the message to her master on her behalf, and rest well and be at ease.” After pondering for a while, she put a piece of jade in the servant girl’s hand. “Junior Niece Lu has nobody here in Zhongzhou. Please take care of her well, Miss.”

　　The servant girl smiled and gave it back to Tan Yubing. “Please be at ease Miss Tan, the queen has already given me instructions. This servant will be sure to serve her well. If I do well, the queen will reward me.”

　　Tan Yubing saw that she wouldn’t take the jade, so she roughly knew what was going on. This should be the queen’s workers’ principal? She stopped insisting.

　　At noon, the various sects left the Flying Imperial Palace with their disciples.

　　This marked the end of the Qilin Festival. The Flying Imperial Palace that was bustling with life quieted down quickly.

　　The servant girl who came to pass a message to Tan Yubing walked back to the palace.

　　In the Flying Imperial Palace, decorated with flowers and trees, a conversation could be faintly heard from the servant’s corridor.

　　“Older sister, I heard that you have been posted at the queen’s side? You really do have great fortune!” The voice was filled with envy.

　　“Younger sister has good fortune too!” The second voice laughed. “Serving Miss Lu will bring you a great future.”

　　“How could I compare to elder sister? I heard that Emissary Ding has been transferred away. If elder sister does a good job, you may…”

　　“There are so many talents around Her Highness, how would I get the chance?” she said modestly. “Contrariwise, it’s a good opportunity for younger sister, seize the chance!”

　　“Elder sister is being too polite. Miss Lu…. No matter how good I do, I’ll need to leave the palace too, haish!”

　　“What’s bad about leaving the palace?” the elder servant girl said. “To be honest, if Miss Lu leaves the palace, it will still be a good future for you. Please do not have the idea of slacking off.”

　　“Elder sister is too flattering….” It was obvious that the younger servant didn’t believe her words.

　　“I’m not joking around with you,” the other said in a serious tone. “Think about it; she saved Young Master’s life! Even if she commits a crime in the future, Her Highness will surely defend her. Because of Young Master, as long Her Highness is here, Lu Mingshu can do whatever she wants. Staying beside her will guarantee you a good life.”

　　“That’s what you say, but Young Master’s condition seems to have worsened, right? Miss Lu’s only injured, but it has been days and there still isn’t any news about Young Master. ”

　　“Shh!” The elder servant warned her seriously. “Don’t talk nonsense! Young Master is just tired and went back to the Seventh Truth Platform first.”

　　“Elder sister, we are only talking privately. It’s not like I’m going to tell any others, so it doesn’t matter. Tell me the truth, what illness is Young Master down with? He’s in this situation, and Miss Lu’s future… haish. If I was her, I wouldn’t wish to exchange the queen’s view of me for that….” It was unknown from her tone whether she was envious or taking joy in calamity.

　　The elder servant girl pulled the vines that were hanging. “Xiangcao, just say it if you don’t wish to serve Miss Lu.”

　　The little servant girl jumped in shock and kneeled immediately. “Have mercy on me, elder sister! Younger sister dares not shoot my mouth off again!”

　　The servant girl groaned. “If you don’t want to live, it’s fine, but don’t drag others down with you too,” she said, ignoring the other’s apology and leaving quickly.

　　At the side hall, Lu Mingshu was already awake. She leaned against the headboard and looked at the flowers blooming in the courtyard in silence.

　　“Miss Lu.” The servant girl bowed. “Your letter has been passed to Miss Tan.”