Asked About The World Of Mortals

Chapter 30: Silk Flowers

At this so-called banquet, Qin Yi initially felt uncomfortable.

Because across from him, Mang Zhan was always glaring at him with a pair of leopard-like eyes, his expression as if he wanted to devour him. Anyone who was stared at like that while eating would lose their appetite, and on top of that, Donghua Zi would occasionally glance at him, making Qin Yi's whole body break out in goosebumps.

Liu Su sneered, "Stupid."

Qin Yi couldn't retort, so he quietly flicked the handle of his stick with his finger to express his protest.

Liu Su said, "What's the point of only flicking me? Why don't you go flick that wild man?"

Qin Yi rolled his eyes. Did she think he didn't want to drag Donghua Zi out and flick him to death? But he had to consider the occasion.

As if hearing his thoughts, Liu Su continued to sneer, "Mortal socializing is pretentious and boring, hypocritical and laughable. He glares at you, why don't you glare back at him? If he doesn't provoke you, why don't you provoke him first? Even if we have to follow the rules, we can also consider how to use them. The mortal world is just a game. You're not like ordinary people burdened with family and responsibilities. You clearly have no attachments, so why not seek a free and unrestrained state of mind? What's the point of living?"

Qin Yi's heart was touched. He had thought that his previous response to Donghua Zi was quite appropriate, but after being told by Liu Su like this, he felt that what he had done before was dull and tasteless.

People really live like Liu Su said, treating the mortal world as a game... Either end up in prison or become an immortal.

But the instigation was so strong... Qin Yi admitted that something inside him was ignited. Who wouldn't long for such an attitude towards life, being free and unrestrained, with a clear state of mind?

At this moment, Li Qingjun leaned over and whispered, "I feel like something is not right..."

"Hmm?" Qin Yi didn't react at first. "What's not right?"

"It seems..." Li Qingjun blushed slowly. "It seems like they think you're that person, that person of mine."

My silly girl, you only realize this now? That wild man has probably killed me a thousand times in his heart! Qin Yi couldn't help but laugh and cry, but he also knew that his relationship with Li Qingjun hadn't actually reached that level. It was normal for Li Qingjun to be upset about this, but he didn't want to make this impulsive girl lose her friends. He replied in a low voice, "For the time being, I'll deal with Mang Zhan. Afterwards, I'll find a way to explain to your father."

Li Qingjun moved away slightly, her gaze filled with a hint of anger. "Is it embarrassing for them to mistake you for that person of mine?"

Huh? Did I say something wrong again? Qin Yi hurriedly remedied, "To be honest, I'm secretly happy... Isn't it because I'm afraid of tarnishing your reputation?"

"Secretly happy?" Li Qingjun moved away a bit more, her gaze turning into that of someone looking at a rogue. "What are you up to?"

Qin Yi was really about to vomit blood. Weren't you the one who used to be so reasonable? Are you on your period?

But Li Qingjun's gaze didn't last long. It quickly became somewhat hazy, and she lowered her voice, "You... you have a calm temperament and don't like to fight. Originally, I thought you were just living leisurely in your brother's guest house, and we could come to you when we needed something... But today, because of me... you can't avoid the troubles of this mundane world anymore."

Qin Yi felt fortunate and answered directly, "I'm willing."

Li Qingjun's gaze became even more hazy, and she looked into his eyes, not saying a word.

Perhaps their feelings hadn't reached the level of mutual love yet, but after experiencing today's events, this bond had already begun to entangle them. It was no longer just pure admiration or a faint liking.

Liu Su sighed in the stick.

Qin Yi heard it and felt a bit like the sighs of his parents when they watched soap operas at the most dramatic moments.

With a loud "crack," Qin Yi thought the director had called "cut," but when he turned his head, he saw Mang Zhan on the opposite side crushing his wine glass, his angry eyes bloodshot.

Qin Yi was stunned. He had originally thought that Mang Zhan wanted to marry Li Qingjun for political reasons, but it seemed like there was some truth to it?

Li Qingjun also turned to look at Mang Zhan, coldly snorting with a gaze full of disdain and resentment. In her heart, Mang Zhan was not just someone she didn't want to marry; he was the killer of her brother.

Qin Yi remembered Liu Su's instigation and his heart stirred. He whispered, "Isn't it good to see him angry?"

Li Qingjun turned to look at him, as if understanding his meaning, and smiled ambiguously. "What do you want to do?"

"I want..." Qin Yi tentatively reached out his hand.

Li Qingjun pursed her lips and obediently placed her hand in his palm, gently holding it.

It's strange to say that being embraced by Qin Yi several times before, even in the underground cave, was more romantic, but it didn't feel as serious. But this time, just holding hands lightly, it felt like an electric current surged through her, making her cheeks burn. She couldn't maintain direct eye contact with him anymore, slightly tilting her head, and the pink color spread from her cheeks to her neck, even turning her neck red.

"Bang!" Mang Zhan slammed the wine jug heavily on the table.

The loud noise attracted everyone's attention. The king, who was originally talking about local customs with the attendants brought by Mang Zhan, turned his head in surprise and his expression turned serious. "The ceremony of the Western Wilderness, I am aware of it."

Mang Zhan was so angry that his whole body trembled. Qin Yi wondered if he would drop dead on the spot if he were a weak person.

"Indeed, one should always consider the consequences." Qin Yi sighed comfortably to himself.

Li Qingjun also felt at ease, holding Qin Yi's hand even tighter.

Only Liu Su knew that Qin Yi's "self-talk" was meant for it to hear. It smiled and didn't say anything more.

................

"Qin brother." At the end of the banquet, Li Qinglin directly stopped Li Qingjun and Qin Yi, who were trying to slip away through the side door.

Li Qingjun quickly withdrew her hand that was holding Qin Yi's and lowered her head, rubbing the tip of her shoe against the floor.

Qin Yi awkwardly rubbed his hands and said, "Well, I was just trying to provoke Mang Zhan."

But Li Qinglin wasn't here to deal with that. Instead, he said with a serious expression, "I came to ask you to return to the mansion with me. If you go alone or meet with my sister somewhere, I'm afraid you won't see the sun tomorrow."

Qin Yi's heart skipped a beat and he solemnly said, "Thank you, I lost control."

Li Qinglin called a team of guards over and said, "Escort the princess back to the mansion. If anything happens, use signal arrows to communicate."

Li Qingjun looked at Qin Yi and felt a bit reluctant. They saw each other every day, so why did she feel this way?

She wasn't a clingy person, so she didn't express this emotion. She just took a deep breath and whispered, "See you tomorrow." Then she turned and left.

Watching the guards surround Li Qingjun as they left, Li Qinglin led a team of people and walked back to the mansion with Qin Yi.

"The king goes to bed early now. If it were usual, you would probably be facing him at this moment." After walking for a while, Li Qinglin slowly brought up the topic, "He will definitely summon you tomorrow, so be prepared."

"I understand." Qin Yi asked, "Is there anything specific he mentioned?"

"Don't directly advise him to stop taking the elixir, it will only make him unhappy. As for the rest, you have to handle it yourself. After all, I'm an outsider when it comes to Daoist arts." Li Qinglin suddenly smiled and said to himself, "I saw your political awareness when you faced Donghua Zi today, so I don't need to remind you."

"What political awareness do I have..." Qin Yi was helpless, "You forced me into that situation and made me face Donghua Zi. I had to be extremely cautious and think for a long time before speaking, you know?"

Li Qinglin laughed, "Isn't it because of this situation that your relationship with Qingjun has progressed?"

"Um..." Qin Yi paused and sighed, "Actually, Li Xiong, although I should thank you, I still want to say that Qingjun never thought about the consequences of bringing a man into the palace. If I weren't her lover, wouldn't you have put her in a difficult position?"

"As long as she doesn't marry someone from the Western Wilderness, that's the most important thing. As for the rest, I don't have the energy to consider it."

"So, you're not really concerned about Qingjun's happiness, but only about the Western Wilderness?"

"Exactly, I'm doing it for Nanli." Li Qinglin said calmly, "For certain things, Qin brother should be as clear as a mirror and shouldn't ask such childish questions like Ye Ling."

Qin Yi sighed, "Because I know some things, I wanted to confirm whether you truly care for Qingjun or if it's just a superficial sibling relationship. Now that I know, there's nothing more to say."

Li Qinglin asked curiously, "What do you mean by superficial?"

"Um..." Qin Yi thought for a moment and explained, "It's like those fake flowers made of silk."

"Silk flowers?" Li Qinglin looked up at the sky, lost in thought for a while, then suddenly smiled, "That's also good. Such flowers are still beautiful and don't wither easily."

(End of this chapter)