THE LEGEND OF SHENLI

CHAPTER 27

A murderous aura prickling his flesh made Fú Róng stop talking and retreat a step. His forehead broke out in a cold sweat. This woman . . . I’m absolutely not bringing her home as wife! Any delusions he may have had about her instantly evaporated.

He cleared his throat and spoke, “This lord, this lord heard that the ya shou had escaped from the Ruins, that miasma was overflowing and contaminating the areas nearby. Therefore . . . out of kindness, this lord came to offer assistance in purifying the air. So therefore, Your Highness . . .” After trailing off he changed his tone and enthusiastically said, "there’s no need to stand on ceremony with one another!”

Shěn Lí narrowed her eyes and gave him a once over: Effeminate face, gaudy clothes, coiled mane bound with blindingly flashy hairpin made of gold and jade. With her assessment complete, Shěn Lí sneered. "Assist? Your Highness must be joking.”

Apart from his imperial grandfather, who often ignored him, few would dare treat him so dismissively. Anger roared in his heart.

“What do you mean by that?! Do you understand this lord?! Are you mocking this lord’s sincerity? No other immortal would dare say what you’ve said. Furthermore, with the exception of Immortal High God Xíng Zhǐ, who else even bothered to come and offer assistance?!”

“Please stop making such a scene.” Xíng Zhǐ broke in with a look at Fú Róng. “Does the Immortal emperor know Your Lordship is here?”

Fú Róng glanced at Xíng Zhǐ. It was a tricky situation. He was normally treated with indifference, with an occasional smile here and there. It was just that whenever Xíng Zhǐ spoke to him, he would unconsciously tense up, feeling as though he needed to be on his best behavior. “Naturally. Imperial Grandfather gave permission. This lord is to stay and assist the people of the Demon realm.”

Of course that was just an excuse to get him and Shěn Lí together in the hopes they would get closer. Those present knew this, but didn’t bother revealing the truth.

Shěn Lí rubbed her forehead. To think a day like this would come. There was no other choice but to allow Fú Róng to continue staying under her roof.

Suddenly Xíng Zhǐ spoke from behind. “It so happens the day is still early and Your Lordship just finished bathing. Being refreshed from head to toe, Your Lordship is in excellent condition to help the people.” He pointed a finger at the courtyard gates. “Shouldn’t Your Lordship build on this moment and leave immediately?”

“Ah!” uttered Fú Róng with a blank look on his face.

Shěn Lí also turned a surprised gaze at Xíng Zhǐ. Everyone here was fully aware helping the common people was just an excuse. Immortal High God . . . was bullying Fú Róng!

“On my way here I noticed a dense patch of miasma in the southeast corner of the capital. Your Lordship, why not start by looking there?” Xíng Zhǐ pointed in the direction.

Fú Róng, unable to stop what he started, could only nod in resignation. “Of course, Immortal High God . . .”

Shěn Lí waited until Fú Róng left before asking, “Did he offend Immortal High God somehow?”

“Why would Your Highness ask such a thing?”

“It . . . seemed like Immortal High God was bullying him just now.”

Instead of answering, Xíng Zhǐ laughed at her question, making it awkward for her to ask again. She went back inside to take a bath after telling Ròu Yā to prepare some hot water.

Xíng Zhǐ stood alone in the yard rubbing the space between his brows muttering to himself. “Every time I look at him, I can’t help but want to bully him.” Xíng Zhǐ sighed, a smile on his lips. “I wonder why."