Release the Heroine, Let Me Handle This

Chapter 173: Calm Feng Ya vs. The Advancing Xiao Zhang

Hearing Chubby's deliberate words, ‘Ye Meijing’ pinched his side, causing him to yelp in pain, his eyes filled with evident grievance. Yet, Chubby noted that ‘Ye Meijing’ showed only a hint of embarrassment instead of anger at being exposed, prompting him to press on, "Big Sis, why are you hitting me? Do you not love Sister-in-law Xiao Zhang anymore?"

‘Ye Meijing’ gritted her teeth, not because Feng Ya heard this, but because Xiao Zhang seemed more like the Big Sis than she did. Looking at her underling, who seemed more like Xiao Zhang’s lackey, she asked, "How much did Xiao Zhang give you to say these things?"

It was true; Xiao Zhang was kinder, more caring, and wholeheartedly supported the Wenxin Gang. In fact, Xiao Zhang played a significant role in establishing the group.

Reflecting on this, ‘Ye Meijing’ felt increasingly inadequate. Besides alchemy and teasing her underlings, she hadn't contributed much.

"Not at all, Big Sis, I genuinely think you two are a perfect match. You wouldn't believe how popular Sister-in-law is—many people see her as their dream girl!" Chubby tried to explain, seeing the disdain in ‘Ye Meijing’s’ eyes.

‘Ye Meijing’s’ wry smile deepened, and Chubby mistook it for guilt, ready to embellish further when ‘Ye Meijing’ sighed, "I’ll let Xiao Zhang talk to you herself."

Chubby was momentarily confused, then eagerly turned to ‘Ye Wenxin,’ thinking she was the Xiao Zhang they all admired. He fidgeted, wiping his hands clean in anticipation of shaking hands with ‘Ye Wenxin.’

After all, Xiao Zhang was the goddess of the Wenxin Gang!

Seeing this, Feng Ya, mistaken for Xiao Zhang, frowned slightly and stepped behind ‘Ye Meijing’ to avoid him.

"Sister-in-law, why so shy?" Chubby wondered aloud, only to hear a familiar voice.

"Chubby, who are you calling Sister-in-law?" His confusion deepened. Today, ‘Ye Wenxin’ wasn’t Ye Wenxin, and ‘Ye Meijing’ wasn’t ‘Ye Meijing.’ So, where was his Sister-in-law?

Turning, he saw a woman dressed in black, wearing a slightly menacing mask. Chubby’s pupils shrank, and he took a step back, recognizing the attire of an imperial guard.

Moreover, the patterns on her mask indicated her high rank within the guards. Yet, the familiar voice calmed Chubby's racing heart as he tentatively asked, "Sister-in-law Xiao Zhang?"

Fearing another mistake, he watched as the newcomer confidently removed her mask, revealing her true identity.

Her beauty was breathtaking, even more so after her injuries healed. She exuded a mature charm that left Chubby momentarily dazed. This was Xiao Zhang, the key figure in the Wenxin Gang’s success.

Now, Xiao Zhang had joined the Shengshi Dynasty’s imperial guards. Seeing Chubby’s puzzlement, Xiao Zhang offered no explanation, instead scrutinizing ‘Ye Wenxin’ and the bothersome ‘Ye Meijing.’

"And who might this be?" Xiao Zhang’s tone suggested she hadn’t recognized ‘Ye Meijing’ as Ye Wenxin.

As for Feng Ya, disguised as ‘Ye Wenxin,’ she was unfamiliar with Ye Wenxin’s social circle. Hearing Chubby call out to Xiao Zhang, she glanced her way. Xiao Zhang, filled with affection, met Feng Ya’s gaze, which was met with Feng Ya’s icy indifference.

"Who are you?" Xiao Zhang quickly realized this ‘Ye Wenxin’ wasn’t the one she knew, prompting her to raise her guard.

"Relax, Xiao Zhang, this is a helper I hired," ‘Ye Meijing’ interjected with a laugh. She had hoped Feng Ya’s poor acting could last at least three chapters, but Xiao Zhang identified the imposter with just a glance.

"A helper? No wonder something felt off." Relieved Ye Wenxin was safe, Xiao Zhang relaxed, leaning affectionately toward ‘Ye Meijing’ while casting another look at Feng Ya.

Was it Ye Wenxin’s imagination, or was Xiao Zhang subtly challenging Feng Ya?

‘Ye Meijing’ sighed, "There’s nothing between us."

She tried to pull her hand free, but Xiao Zhang held firm, so she let it be. After all, there was nothing between her and Feng Ya, so Xiao Zhang needn’t look at Feng Ya as if she were a rival.

"Really? Sorry, I’m a bit possessive. Since you’re not competing, take this." Xiao Zhang said, pulling a bottle of dan yao from her robe and offering it to Feng Ya.

Feng Ya remained aloof, puzzled by this stranger’s hostility. Though she shouldn’t have felt anything, watching ‘Ye Meijing’ approach her left Feng Ya displeased.

Seeing Xiao Zhang’s gesture of giving her dan yao as an insult, Feng Ya frowned, about to refuse when ‘Ye Meijing’ swiftly accepted the bottle, inspecting the contents.

"Not bad, Xiao Zhang, a level six healing dan yao!"

‘Ye Meijing’ was impressed by the quality of the pills, realizing Xiao Zhang had gone all out for her participation in the Immortal Sect Gathering.

Despite Ye Wenxin’s alchemical skills, level six pills were incredibly rare, even for someone of Xiao Zhang’s rank, who might only receive a few a year.

"Yes, all for you," Xiao Zhang replied, ruffling ‘Ye Meijing’s’ hair affectionately. Unlike others, she was used to ‘Ye Meijing’s’ various appearances.

‘Ye Meijing’ didn’t mind, feeling she had benefited greatly from Xiao Zhang. She allowed the head pat, but after a moment, Xiao Zhang’s gaze shifted to Long Qingyue on the distant platform, and she seriously said, "His Highness requests your presence."

‘Ye Meijing’ was surprised, given Long Qingyue’s usual demeanor, it seemed unlikely she’d act so urgently.

Long Qingyue loved toying with emotions, preferring to see Xiao Zhang struggle for days. Her sudden invitation left ‘Ye Meijing’ puzzled about her friend’s intentions.

"Now?"

Xiao Zhang shook her head, clarifying, "No, after the Immortal Sect Gathering." The two spoke privately, away from Chubby and Feng Ya. While Chubby couldn’t hear, Feng Ya’s keen hearing caught every word.