Chapter 256 - 109: It’s Alright, He Could Tell She Wasn’t That Kind of Frivolous Woman

There were Elixir Pills, Exotic Spirit Stones, rare Celestial and Earthly Treasures that could repair one’s Divine Soul, and a good number of Demon Crystals—items considered forbidden in Great Xia.

The Demon Crystals were piled there, each the size of a fist. They were crystal clear, with wisps of purple mist swirling around them, as magnificent as stars and without a single flaw.

Ye Shiyin had been lying low in Jingyang City for many years, not daring to reveal her identity as a member of the Demon Race, let alone inquire about any news related to her kind.

According to the laws of Great Xia, regardless of the reason, any connection or collusion with the Demon Race was treated as treason.

Therefore, Ye Shiyin could only cultivate by absorbing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi and Spirit Stones, which resulted in her progress being extremely slow.

After all, she was of the Demon Race. The best way for her to cultivate was to absorb Demonic Qi from the Demon Realm, or to cultivate using Demon Crystals.

Unfortunately, anything related to the Demon Race was classified as a forbidden item in Great Xia and would be destroyed on sight.

It had been a long time since she had seen something like a Demon Crystal...

And these Demon Crystals before her—their color was deep, their texture flawless, and their clarity crystalline. Even in the Demon Realm, they would be considered extremely rare, Top-Grade Demon Crystals.

’Given Jiang Lan’s status and position, it must not have been easy to get his hands on these things.’

"It seems you don’t like them. Never mind, then. I carefully selected all of these, thinking you’d find them useful."

Seeing Ye Shiyin standing there, stunned, Jiang Lan smiled faintly and reached out to take back the Sumeru Ring and Sumeru Bag.

"Young Master Jiang is being so kind, how could I refuse..."

Seeing this, Ye Shiyin immediately put her hand out to block him, preventing Jiang Lan from taking them back.

’She’d pretty much figured it out. Jiang Lan hadn’t just come tonight to make her send a message to Xiao Teng; he’d also come to give her these things.’

’The Elixir Pills, Exotic Spirit Stones, and Demon Crystals among them were exactly what she needed most right now.’

’If she hadn’t voiced those few complaints and grievances earlier, this probably wouldn’t be happening...’

"Saying one thing and meaning another," Jiang Lan said, gently shaking his head.

With a composed expression, Ye Shiyin took the Sumeru Ring and Sumeru Bag, then looked at him and said, "These Demon Crystals... Young Master Jiang, where did you get them?"

"You want me to continue providing them for you?" Jiang Lan didn’t answer, but asked a question in return.

The Prime Minister’s Mansion’s Treasure Vault contained nearly every kind of Celestial and Earthly Treasure imaginable.

While Demon Crystals were scarce and considered forbidden, the vault wasn’t entirely without them.

In addition, there were many other items related to the Demon Race.

On the surface, Great Xia might despise the Demon Race, but that didn’t mean items related to them didn’t exist. It was just that no one dared to bring them out into the open for fear of public condemnation.

"Demon Crystals are very important for restoring my cultivation level. The stronger I become, the better it is for you, isn’t it, Young Master Jiang?"

"I can also do more for you," Ye Shiyin said, looking at him. Her face, with its faint air of noble indifference, held a very earnest expression.

She truly did care about and desperately needed the Demon Crystals.

In all of Great Xia, probably only Jiang Lan would dare to so brazenly bring out so many Demon Crystals.

’Before this, she wouldn’t have even dared to dream of such a thing.’

"That makes sense. As it happens, I know of quite a few items related to the Demon Race, and even some of their Ancient Artifacts..." Jiang Lan nodded as if in agreement.

Ye Shiyin’s bright eyes stared intently at him.

"But if I were to search for these things so blatantly, I’d probably be accused of keeping a Demon..." Jiang Lan shook his head again.

’Isn’t that exactly what he’s doing right now?’ Ye Shiyin thought.

But she also knew that if one deliberately collected items related to the Demon Race, it would indeed be very easy to arouse suspicion.

"So what you’re really saying is, this all comes down to whether or not I’m obedient, right..." she murmured.

"Yes. And tonight, you were... barely obedient."

"..."

Ye Shiyin felt her fate was now completely in his hands.

...

「The next day, at 7:00 PM.」

Night fell.

Dressed in practical attire, Xiao Teng used the cover of night to hide his presence and quietly slipped out of Prince Zhenbei’s Mansion.

His handsome face could hardly conceal his excitement and joy.

After several days, Xie Jianjia had finally sent him a message. Fearing that he would continue to worry, she had invited him to a private meeting at the Garden of Osmanthus to soothe his longing, and had instructed him not to tell anyone.

Though Xiao Teng knew Xie Jianjia was safe, a part of him was still worried, not having seen her with his own eyes.

And Xie Jianjia was indeed exceptionally clever and considerate, taking the initiative to suggest they meet to allay his fears.

For this reason, Xiao Teng had found the location of the Garden of Osmanthus ahead of time. Following Xie Jianjia’s instructions, he didn’t tell a soul, planning to go to the rendezvous alone.

He was also aware of Xie Jianjia’s currently sensitive situation.

According to the laws of Great Xia, she was supposed to be at the Canglan Sword Sect undergoing punishment, washing swords day and night, so any news about her could not be spread publicly.

Before long, Xiao Teng smelled the faint scent of osmanthus blossoms drifting through the air.

Ahead, a large courtyard with high walls appeared before him.

He confirmed that no one was following him, pushed open the gate and walked straight in, passing through a covered walkway and an archway into the inner courtyard.

"COUGH COUGH..."

The sound of a light cough came from the courtyard ahead.

Xiao Teng followed the sound and saw Xie Jianjia, the one he had longed for and hadn’t seen for days, sitting there as if waiting for his arrival.

She wore a long gown of pure white gauze. Her beauty was breathtaking: eyes as dark as lacquer, a fine, jade-like nose, and dark hair that cascaded like a waterfall, styled in an ethereal updo and secured with a Cyan Jade hairpin. She exuded an aura of cool, noble elegance.

However, it seemed she had choked on her tea, as her eyes held a hint of vexation, and her cheeks were flushed.

"Jian Jia..."

Xiao Teng spoke first and walked over, his face full of excitement and joy.

Ye Shiyin had already noticed his arrival. She had been on the verge of spitting out her tea, but now she couldn’t help but swallow it down.

"Xiao Teng..." she stood to greet him, a faint smile on her face.

"I’m just glad you’re safe. I was so worried after seeing you get abducted that day," Xiao Teng said as he sat down on the stone stool opposite her.

Ye Shiyin poured him some tea, a small smile on her face. "I’m sorry for making you worry, Xiao Teng. It was wrong of me."

Xiao Teng waved his hands repeatedly. "Jian Jia, what are you talking about? I’m the one who failed to protect you. It’s my fault, not yours."

Ye Shiyin just smiled, not pursuing the topic any further.

"I invited you here today, Xiao Teng, just to let you know I’m safe."

"The Naxian Alliance rescued me. For now, I can’t show my face in public. I hope you can understand, Xiao Teng," she said.

Xiao Teng nodded. He was well aware of all this.

’The fact that Xie Jianjia would contact him for a private meeting was, in his eyes, a sign of her complete trust.’

"Jian Jia, if you run into any trouble or need help with anything, just say the word. I’ll definitely help you." His gaze was filled with love and tenderness.

With a bashful look on her lovely face, Ye Shiyin hummed softly in agreement. "Hearing you say that, Xiao Teng, puts my mind at ease."

Watching her face flush a deep crimson, Xiao Teng was momentarily stunned. He subconsciously reached out, wanting to grasp the delicate, pale hand she had placed on the stone table...

Seeing this, Ye Shiyin hastily stood up and pulled back, causing Xiao Teng’s hand to grasp at empty air.

"Xiao Teng, I’m sorry..."

Looking abashed and awkward, Xiao Teng quickly apologized, "I’m sorry, Jian Jia. I got carried away. I forgot you’re not a frivolous woman..."

’He had known Xie Jianjia for so many years, yet they had never shared a single intimate moment.’

’He had hoped to take this opportunity to hold her delicate hand, to grow closer to her, but it seemed the time was not yet ripe.’

"I’m sorry, Xiao Teng," Ye Shiyin said apologetically. "My father, my brother, and all my relatives in the Xie Family... they’re still exiled to the borderlands. We don’t even know if they’re alive or dead. I simply don’t have the heart to think about romance right now..."

"I was too forward. It’s not your fault," Xiao Teng said, showing his understanding.

"Xiao Teng... will you wait for me? Just for a little while?" she whispered. "The Naxian Alliance has already promised me that as long as I work for them, they’ll help clear the Xie Family’s name and have our positions restored in the future..."