Chapter 143: Chapter 142: The Pilgrim’s Dream Message
"That won’t do. Even if the end result is being devoured whole, I would be the one to swallow you first."
Yu Nianzhao instinctively uttered something aggressive, unaware of its impact, but it made Xie Jiuxiao slightly uncomfortable.
He smiled warmly, "Alright, only you can devour me."
"..."
Yu Nianzhao wasn’t sure why that felt off.
The atmosphere in the carriage inexplicably heated up.
But ever since she became King Yan, her heart has been filled with great love, without desire for small loves and affections.
Seeing Yu Nianzhao’s bright big eyes, clear and devoid of any passion.
Xie Jiuxiao’s heart sank like a stone; he hesitantly said, "Zhaozhao, the imperial order for marriage has been announced, and my royal brother’s intention is to have the Grand Astronomer select a date for the wedding soon."
Yu Nianzhao casually replied, "Oh, that’s good."
Seeing her indifferent attitude, a flame of anger rose within Xie Jiuxiao, "Are you sincerely willing to marry me?"
"What? Is there sincerity and insincerity in this too?"
"Yes!"
"How do you say... Are you sincerely willing to marry me?"
Yu Nianzhao blinked her beautiful eyes, turning the question back to him.
Xie Jiuxiao pursed his lips, gazing at her with meaningful eyes, sincerely saying, "At first, it wasn’t so sincere; I wanted you because you could change my fate. Now... marrying you feels like my great fortune."
"I see..." Seeing him answer with such sincerity, Yu Nianzhao was embarrassed to change the topic, so she said, "Xie Jiuxiao, I am a person without emotional threads."
"What?"
Her unusual reply stunned Xie Jiuxiao for a moment, confusion swirled in his eyes, "Emotional threads?"
"Yes, the seven emotions and six desires are common human emotions, ultimately due to possessing emotional threads. Others have them, but I alone do not," Yu Nianzhao spoke lightly.
She became King Yan after death, forgetting past experiences.
Only remembering that she was chosen as the successor by the old King Yan due to her lack of emotional threads and great talent.
Xie Jiuxiao’s heart trembled slightly; he gently asked, "If you lack emotional threads, does it mean you cannot love?"
"There is only great love in my heart."
"How can emotional threads be born?"
"Oh? Can that be regenerated? Anyway, I don’t know. It feels irrelevant whether one has emotional threads or not, still living just the same," Yu Nianzhao remained calm.
Xie Jiuxiao ground his teeth, "Irrelevant?"
The carriage stopped in front of Prince Su Mansion, Xie Jiuxiao descended with pent-up frustration.
"Hey, why so angry?" Yu Nianzhao, puzzled, followed into the mansion, noticing that Xie Jiuxiao, usually glued to her side, was sulking in his room.
He even declared he wasn’t sleeping with her tonight.
Haha, always sleeping together tirelessly, yet someone is heartless.
Yu Nianzhao shrugged, only feeling Xie Jiuxiao’s recent irritability, without a clue about herself.
Calmly, she went to rest in her own room, letting Xie Jiuxiao cool off.
One must give others some space to be alone.
Night came, Yu Nianzhao dreamed...
In the Yan King Temple, a wealthy-dressed woman kneeled at the Buddha statue, tears streaming, hands clasped, earnestly saying, "I have visited all the temples within a hundred miles, yet my daughter remains in a deep sleep, not getting better, her breath weakening every day. Desperate, someone told me of the powerful Yan King Temple, so I came to pray. King Yan above, please protect my daughter; she was my blessing in old age. I vow to faithfully offer incense daily to repay your temple."
The noblewoman sincerely bowed, incense was lit, blue smoke enveloped the statue; Yu Nianzhao’s golden statue seemed to stare at her, startling her with a sense of being watched.
"Madam, it’s late, if you don’t return soon you’ll be scolded by the old lady." A maid’s voice came from outside.
The noblewoman wiped her tears, slowly rising, glancing back thrice, feeling an unmistakable premonition, murmuring, "My daughter’s name is Yao Jing’er, please remember it. If you manifest, I will definitely repay with incense."
Finally, the noblewoman left, unaware of the statue slightly moving as if to watch her departure.
Sleeping till late morning, Yu Nianzhao awakened, stretching, recalling yesterday’s dream.
"Once the incense is thriving, indeed, visions from devotees arise."
Yu Nianzhao murmured, calculating, "Yao Jing’er? There are too many people with that name!"
Finding no leads, she didn’t force it and went to the Yan King Temple after lunch.
"Miss, finally you’re here."
Seeing Yu Nianzhao, Jing Rui rushed over with a book, "Recently, that fox has been sneaking into the temple. Last night I saw it boldly walking on the walls; its arrogance is so irritating."
"Hmm, I know." Yu Nianzhao touched her nose, "Didn’t I tell you I allow it here to gain some incense and spiritual affinity?"
Jing Rui was shocked, "Miss, you never told me! No wonder it could freely come and go lately despite fearing the statue before."
"It’s fine, relax! It won’t harm you. If it dares to harm here, I’ll skin it for you."
Reassured by Yu Nianzhao, Jing Rui happily showed her the book, "Miss, the incense offerings have been non-stop recently. Look at the book; it’s impressive, even neighboring temples are curious, wondering how this single statue surpasses theirs."
"Great, keep it up!"
Yu Nianzhao patted Jing Rui’s arm, freely absorbing the temple incense, remarking, "By the way, did anyone offer incense last night?"
"Ah? Yes, a master-servant pair came, seemed wealthy, donated a thousand taels of silver for incense. Rarely see such generous patrons, and they’re new faces too."
"Do you know who they are?"
"I don’t know, let me check the book."
"The patron’s name is Yao Jing’er, right?"
"Oh? It is that name, Miss, you’re amazing, foresight!"
Jing Rui flipped the book, finding the last page with the name ’Yao Jing’er’ written.