"It's effortless to deal with smart people," Wuhuan had the bowls and chopsticks cleared away. He watched the satisfied Xiao Man and said in a low voice, "I want you to accompany me to the Demon Realm forbidden grounds."
"I won't," Xiao Man refused without hesitation. Was it that easy to go to the Demon Realm forbidden grounds? If it were that easy, why would the dignified Ghost King flatter her like this!
"I'm afraid you have no choice," Wuhuan poured tea for Xiao Man and handed it to her. "The people who entered with you have no news yet. They are likely trapped in the forbidden grounds, and it's a place full of dangers. Outsiders cannot get out."
Xiao Man's expression shifted slightly, "How do I know you're not lying to me?"
"When have I ever lied to you?"
"You, the dignified Ghost King, not staying in your own palace, you came to the prison to trick me into talking, wasn't that lying?"
"That's my personal preference," Wuhuan said unhurriedly. "As the King of the Ghost Domain, I must always know the movements of the Ghost Domain. If I stayed in the royal palace all the time, do you think I could know what the people below are doing?"
"But you didn't have to go to the jail, did you?"
"If I hadn't gone, you would likely be dead by Cangfeng's hand."
Xiao Man rolled her eyes. "I didn't die by Cangfeng's hand, but I almost died by yours!"
Wuhuan touched his nose with some guilt. "That was an accident."
"An accident almost cost me my life! If it weren't an accident, wouldn't I have died without a burial place?" Xiao Man said slowly, "Don't give me any of that nonsense. First, tell me what benefits I'll get for going to the forbidden grounds."
"I will let you and your friends leave the Ghost Domain safely," Wuhuan said in a low voice. "Are you satisfied with this deal?"
"This doesn't count as a benefit."
"This still doesn't count as a benefit?" Wuhuan found it amusing. "Then what would count as a benefit?"
"First, the people of the Demon Race must not harm me and my friends in the future," Xiao Man said, counting on her fingers. "Second, you have to promise me three requests." Sudane Novel Network
"As long as it's within my ability, I can do it."
"Good, I like dealing with straightforward people." Xiao Man held up her palm. "Let's seal it with a clap."
Xiao Man stayed in the palace to recuperate with peace of mind, while Wuhuan went to prepare for entering the Demon Realm forbidden grounds. Miao Shao followed Xiao Man wherever she went, never leaving her side.
"Your name is Miao Shao."
"Squeak."
"What do you mean 'squeak'?" Xiao Man inquired.
"As a response," Miao Shao answered earnestly. Therefore, for every question Xiao Man asked, he replied with "squeak," which made Xiao Man very helpless, as she couldn't get any information out of him!
"You are really boring!" Xiao Man lay back on the stone, plucked a lotus leaf, and handed it to Miao Shao. "Shade me from the sun."
When Geng Xinyu arrived, she saw Miao Shao holding a lotus leaf above Xiao Man's head, while Xiao Man was lying on the stone, sleeping. Geng Xinyu walked towards them.
Miao Shao's eyes lit up when he saw Geng Xinyu approaching, then he composed himself and nodded slightly in greeting.
Geng Xinyu's gaze fell on Xiao Man. "Ahem."
Xiao Man rolled over and continued to sleep.
Geng Xinyu stepped forward and nudged Xiao Man. "Wake up, talk to me."
Xiao Man sat up listlessly, looking at the beautiful young woman before her, resting her chin on her hand. "Beautiful lady, what do you want to talk about?"
"Who are you?"
"Xiao Qin."
Geng Xinyu leaned closer to Xiao Man, staring into her eyes for a moment. "What is your relationship with His Majesty?"
"You like Wuhuan?"
"How can you call His Majesty by his name so casually?"
"Names are meant to be called," Xiao Man lazily lay down again, her gaze falling on the lotus leaf shading her, which had now moved to Geng Xinyu's head. She couldn't help but sigh. Miao Shao ignored Xiao Man's protest.
"You still haven't told me, what is your relationship with His Majesty?"
"I am his male consort."
Miao Shao's expression contorted for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. Geng Xinyu, however, was stunned. "You are His Majesty's male consort? His Majesty likes men?"
"If he didn't like men, why would he ignore a delicate beauty like you and pester me?" Xiao Man teased. "Wouldn't you say so, beautiful lady?"
Miao Shao slapped away Xiao Man's hand reaching for Geng Xinyu and separated them. "Young Master Xiao Qin, it's time to go back to your room!"
Xiao Man glanced at her reddened hand, then at Miao Shao's face, and then at the conflicted Geng Xinyu. She couldn't help but shake her head, another case of unrequited love.
"Are you really His Majesty's male consort?"
"Do you think I am?" Xiao Man leaned closer to Geng Xinyu and asked with a smile.
Geng Xinyu immediately recalled Wuhuan's meticulous care for Xiao Man, so considerate, so detailed, so gentle. If he didn't like him, His Majesty would surely not act that way.
"Xiao Qin, do you like His Majesty?" Geng Xinyu grabbed Xiao Man's sleeve and asked earnestly, "Will you always stay by His Majesty's side and accompany him?"
"No."
"How can you betray His Majesty's good intentions?" Geng Xinyu was angered by Xiao Man's answer.
"What does his intention have to do with me?"
"You... you are simply ungrateful!" Geng Xinyu pointed at Xiao Man's nose and scolded, "I won't give His Majesty to you!"
"Then, beautiful lady, you'll have to use all your might to snatch him away. Otherwise, your King will be tricked away by me."
"You wait, I will absolutely not give His Majesty to you!" Geng Xinyu stamped her foot in anger and ran off. Miao Shao watched Geng Xinyu leave, then relaxed his hand, and the lotus leaf in his hand fell onto Xiao Man's head.
"Are you heartbroken?"
"You shouldn't have teased her," Miao Shao frowned.
"Teased?" Xiao Man smiled. "The flowers are willing, but the water is indifferent. In the end, it will be like drawing water with a bamboo basket – all for naught."
"His Majesty doesn't like men!"
Xiao Man glanced at Miao Shao. "I was just spouting nonsense."
"His Majesty will be angry."
"I'm not afraid."
Xiao Man flicked her sleeves and walked back. As soon as she rounded a corner, she saw Wuhuan approaching. She immediately stopped. Wuhuan walked over and reached out to remove a blade of grass from Xiao Man's hair.
"What did you say to Geng Xinyu? Her face is full of tears and snot?"
"I didn't say anything," Xiao Man said with a forced smile. Geng Xinyu could be teased, but she couldn't afford to offend this one.
"But I heard people saying that you've been going around claiming to be my male consort?"
Xiao Man gave a sheepish laugh. "I was just teasing the little beauty, just kidding..."
Wuhuan suddenly put his arm around Xiao Man's waist and pulled her into an embrace. "I thought it was my one-sided affection, but it turns out you and I are of the same mind. You knew my feelings and took the initiative to tell others that you like me. I am very happy."
Xiao Man felt as if she had been struck by lightning. Had she brought this trouble upon herself?
"This is a misunderstanding..."
"There is no misunderstanding." A hint of a playful smile flashed in Wuhuan's eyes. "Tomorrow, I will announce to the world that I will confer you as my Queen, alright?"