Release the Heroine, Let Me Handle This

Chapter 174: Another Wild Rival Appears

‘Ye Meijing’ understood that Feng Ya couldn't avoid the situation, yet instinctively lowered her voice to ask, "Why tell me so early?"

"Oh, Her Highness thought you might be too busy," Xiao Zhang replied, feeling puzzled by their lady’s recent odd behavior.

“Hahaha, then let's follow Her Highness’s plan,” ‘Ye Meijing’ laughed, eager to reminisce with Long Qingyue but ultimately deciding to adhere to Long Qingyue’s arrangement given her three-day commitment with the emotionally blunt Feng Ya.

Xiao Zhang nodded, ready to leave, but inexplicably leaned closer, gesturing for ‘Ye Meijing’ to do the same.

‘Ye Meijing’ was curious but complied, seeing Xiao Zhang’s seriousness. Xiao Zhang whispered, “Watch out for this bodyguard. She has ulterior motives for you.”

‘Ye Meijing’ nearly laughed, about to reassure Xiao Zhang that there was no romantic rivalry, when she felt something wet graze her ear, sending a shiver down her spine.

“You’re so oblivious, you wouldn’t know if you were being sold off. Her gaze towards you isn’t right,” Xiao Zhang continued warily, wondering if she should heed Long Qingyue’s advice to take more drastic action. However, fearing it might traumatize young Ye Wenxin, she hesitated.

“She looks at me like she’s looking at a dead person—oh, no... I shouldn’t curse myself. Don’t worry, we won’t have that kind of relationship in this lifetime,” ‘Ye Meijing’ said, pulling back and clarifying her platonic relationship with Feng Ya. Joking aside! That was Feng Ya, a martial arts fanatic, unlikely to develop feelings for a human.

“But who is she?”

“Feng Ya.”

‘Ye Meijing’ shrugged, noting Xiao Zhang’s exasperation as she lightly poked her cheek, warning, “Behave and don’t flirt around.” With a meaningful glance at Feng Ya, Xiao Zhang finally headed toward the platform.

‘Ye Meijing’ watched Xiao Zhang’s teasing with amused exasperation, “I already said no!”

She raised her voice, unbothered by the crowd around, but Xiao Zhang seemed not to hear, quickly returning to Long Qingyue.

“How did it go? Any threats?” Long Qingyue asked before Xiao Zhang could report.

Though the Shengshi Dynasty’s princess, Long Qingyue had an insatiable curiosity, much like a gossip-loving girl.

“Reporting to Your Highness, Wenxin says no threats.”

“Oh, and you believe that blockhead Ye girl?”

“Of course not, I gave her a little reminder.” Xiao Zhang responded, her voice tinged with helplessness.

Earlier, Xiao Zhang had observed Ye Wenxin and the unfamiliar ‘Ye Meijing’ from afar, and Long Qingyue’s words had spurred her anxiety about Ye Wenxin’s emotional vulnerability. Long Qingyue’s casual remark about inviting Ye Wenxin led Xiao Zhang to take immediate action.

Seeing Xiao Zhang’s dejection, Long Qingyue’s playful spirit was satisfied. Yet, she maintained her regal demeanor, inquiring further, “Who is that person?”

She referred to the current ‘Ye Wenxin.’

“I don’t know. Wenxin said she hired a bodyguard.”

“What an extraordinary bodyguard. Do you think it could be Feng Ya?” Long Qingyue mused, her eyes sparkling with intrigue. While others missed the anomaly at the Immortal Sect Gathering, she had noticed.

Long Qingyue speculated that her friend had aligned with Feng Ya, leading to an intriguing dynamic. If Xiao Zhang’s opponent were Feng Ya—or rather, if all women faced Feng Ya as a rival—defeat was inevitable.

Contrary to expectations, Xiao Zhang smiled, “Your Highness, sometimes you and Wenxin are alike.”

“Oh? In what way?”

Intrigued, Long Qingyue encouraged Xiao Zhang to elaborate on her comparison to Ye Wenxin.

“Well, you both have a penchant for telling cold jokes and are quite humorous.”

Xiao Zhang awkwardly admitted, leaving Long Qingyue momentarily at a loss. Unlike Ye Wenxin, Long Qingyue took the comment with a light smile, not reacting excessively...

Meanwhile, the scene shifted back to ‘Ye Meijing,’ who noticed Long Qingyue and Xiao Zhang’s interaction, realizing Xiao Zhang’s appearance was orchestrated by Long Qingyue.

Unfortunately for Long Qingyue, no gossip would come from ‘Ye Meijing.’ As she mused on this, a cold gaze caught her attention.

“Master, why are you glaring at me? Look at the platform; your match is soon!” ‘Ye Meijing’ whispered to the Feng Ya version of ‘Ye Wenxin,’ feeling that Feng Ya was ruining her carefully constructed friendly persona.

Just as ‘Ye Meijing’ thought Feng Ya would glare at her until the match started, Feng Ya suddenly asked, “Who is she?”

‘Ye Meijing’ took a moment to realize Feng Ya meant Xiao Zhang and naturally replied, “Oh, you mean Xiao Zhang, my friend.”

Feng Ya raised an eyebrow, finding ‘Ye Meijing’s’ lies increasingly bold. Even with her present, ‘Ye Meijing’ dared to spin such tales.

“A friend would call you Sister-in-law? Even I, with my limited understanding of social interactions, know what that means.”

“It’s because you don’t understand social nuances that you got caught in three seconds,” ‘Ye Meijing’ retorted, blaming Feng Ya’s poor acting for the recurring troubles. As she spoke, a familiar figure caught her eye.

With time before the match, ‘Ye Meijing’ regretted arriving early, allowing everyone to greet her.

She contemplated fleeing, but Feng Ya, sensing her intent, gently pressed her shoulder, keeping her seated.

‘Ye Meijing’ felt a suppressive force, her body weakened as if under a softening spell. Observing the approaching figure, she recognized the wild arrival—not a monster, but Gu Xiangsi, accompanied by her teacher, Jin Xiaoqin, one of the three elders of the teaching hall.