Chapter 343

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Main Character:

Shen Yao

Shen Yao lived comfortably in the Liu Residence; in contrast, Liu Jingyan's time in the Secret Realm could only be described as a fate worse than death.

That description is somewhat inaccurate; it should be said that ever since Liu Jingyan entered the Secret Realm, he has been plagued by a streak of bad luck — even if he avoids places that are clearly dangerous, he still ends up in the same predicament for inexplicable reasons.

Case in point: he has once again attracted the pursuit of a Xuan Rank inferior Strange Phenomenon, and Liu Jingyan can only flee for his life.

It is not that he cannot win; rather, just before this, he had provoked a Di Rank inferior Strange Phenomenon, which consumed ninety percent of the Mana in his body.

The fact that Liu Jingyan can still keep running now is already due to his rapid recovery; any other person would have long since perished, their entire flesh and blood offered up to the Strange Phenomenon.

Bang bang bang—

The continuously sounding rock fragments made Liu Jingyan's dodging somewhat stiff, and the elongated Strange Phenomenon behind him pursued relentlessly.

It had no human form; it resembled a fierce beast from the wild, its huge mouth gaping as it repeatedly lunged at the human figure ahead.

Liu Jingyan encountered quite a few fellow travelers on the road, and could only call out to warn them to be extra careful.

Once you enter the Secret Realm, life and death are up to fate; it all depends on one's own fortune.

"I wonder how Liu Jingyuan is faring?" Liu Jingyan thought to himself; he feared he would fail his Grandfather's teachings — the two of them were separated by the crowd when they entered, and they have not met since.

Whether Liu Jingyuan is alive or dead now, Liu Jingyan has no clear idea. He only hopes that person's luck holds and he does not lose his life in the Secret Realm; they wouldn't even be able to catch the murderer.

Toes touching the ground, he leapt up; Liu Jingyan rose into the air toward the treetops.

But he had barely steadied himself when he struck backward twice; light blades appeared, slicing away the dense mist on the Strange Phenomenon.

Liu Jingyan swiftly fished a Jade Pendant from his sleeve, activated it, turned, and threw it at the Strange Phenomenon's position.

Only a bang was heard; the Strange Phenomenon exploded, scattering like fireworks across the sky, accompanied by a piercing, sharp shriek.

Without furrowing his brows, Liu Jingyan turned and left, not even resting despite his unsteady body.

The Secret Realm here is still too dangerous; if possible, he had best hide and wait until the time is up, then leave swiftly.

Liu Jingyan's state of mind changed extremely quickly; one cannot deny his Cultivation Realm has advanced considerably, but having to tread carefully every moment, heart in mouth, the physical and mental fatigue is also torturous.

Now he has no great ambition; he only hopes the Secret Realm ends soon and he can return home safely.

…………

"Master, this servant has brought you soup; you haven't eaten all morning, hurry and have a taste."

Qing Shui held a white porcelain bowl in her hands, inside was clear, translucent soup.

To simmer this bowl of soup, Qing Shui stayed in the Kitchen for several hours without moving, doing everything personally from start to finish, just afraid she might accidentally mix in sand.

Shen Yao leaned against the Bedside flipping through the book in her hand; the content was also very simple, all unsubstantiated rumors.

She raised her head and smiled at Qing Shui, signaling her to place the soup on the table.

"How have things been in the courtyard lately? How many were driven out? Are the rest in a panic?"

Shen Yao's methods were decisive; once she uncovered a problem, she directly threw them outside.

The Mistress of the House has been paying close attention to their Small Courtyard recently; those Servants who were driven out and punished a second time often meet no good end.

Shen Yao doesn't dwell on these matters either; ultimately they are the Servants' own problems — if they can't do their own duties properly, are they still supposed to blame her for not being magnanimous enough? What kind of dog-shit logic is that?

Qing Shui set down the white porcelain bowl in her hand and mentioned in a low voice that the courtyard was very peaceful.

Because Shen Yao acted without nonsense, catching those people completely off guard.

In an era where deeds of sale are held as leverage and Servants have not a shred of freedom, even if the Servants had the guts of a giant, they would not dare to openly rebel against their superiors.

"Master, they're all sharp; they know you're an adult who doesn't hold grudges against small people, so right now they're putting their all into currying favor — this servant sees they're even more respectful than before."

Qing Shui is now a Servant who bullies others by virtue of her master's power; her smug look makes one's teeth itch.

Shen Yao picked up the white porcelain bowl, gripping the spoon and sending it into her mouth bit by bit.

Mm

Not to mention, the soup's taste is truly good — including the ingredients and the heat control, everything is spot on.

Having happily finished the soup, Shen Yao picked up a Handkerchief and wiped her Mouth corner.

On the table there were also several plates of Delicate Pastries, paired with the Floral tea Beverage to one side; these were Shen Yao's little snacks to relieve boredom.

Waving her hand to bestow them on the busy Qing Shui, Shen Yao asked how the Secret Realm outside the city was.

The Secret Realm outside the city is the Imperial Secret Realm; once opened it can last over half a month — currently there is no news from inside, after all a Secret Realm opening lasts two to three months, and before the time is up no one will come out at all.

Qing Shui could only relate some common news: similar to heavy troops guarding the outside of the Secret Realm, no worry that Strange Phenomena or fierce beasts might appear and bring a threat to Luojing behind them; as long as the people inside have a breath left, the doctors outside can save them.

Shen Yao gave an "mm" and nodded, her expression weary as she let Qing Shui go out, and she herself returned to the made-up Bed to rest.

The longer the Pregnancy Time, the more taxing on the body; Shen Yao has Pills for Protection, so her condition is still considered good, but her Belly growing larger and larger still frightened the Mistress of the House into eating and sleeping poorly.

Right now she has obvious dark circles under her eyes, and besides that a fatigued complexion.

The Mistress of the House covered her Mouth corner with a handkerchief, gently persuading Shen Yao to take things to heart.

No one knows the Internal situation of the Secret Realm; Liu Jingyan staying inside will certainly prioritize protecting himself.

Although the Mistress of the House has a bad relationship with Master Liu, she still cares about her two sons.

Given Liu Jingyan's Capability, as long as he isn't deliberately targeted by certain people, he will definitely return safely.

Shen Yao: ……

How to put it — what she worries about is not Liu Jingyan but others? Liu Jingyan still has the Talisman Paper she prepared on him; one could say the Probability of an accident is extremely low.

Whatever she thinks in her heart, on the surface she still plays along with the Mistress of the House with a grateful air.

This is the Harm of marrying into a Great Clan; even opening your mouth to speak requires thinking several times over.

The Mistress of the House does not know Shen Yao's heart is pondering such Complex matters; this period of time she has lived very willfully and self-indulgently, basically a one-woman show.

It's a pity her deadbeat husband is still alive; his simply leaving would make her even happier.

Ever since she married, Madam Liu has never had many peaceful and happy days; now that the two children are grown, she wants even less to be bound together with Master Liu.

Helpless that Master Liu lives on, Madam Liu cannot murder her own husband, so she can only mutter a few curses in her heart to vent her anger, and must endure in silence most of the time.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law did not spend much time together; seeing the hour was late, Madam Liu rose and left.

Of course, she spoke many words upon leaving, all to the effect that Shen Yao must be well taken care of.

Not only Qing Shui, even Shen Yao felt calluses growing on her ears from hearing it.

"Pay more attention to the mansion on ordinary days," Shen Yao watched Madam Liu leave, then turned and instructed Qing Shui on what needed doing.

No matter how vast the Liu Fu's grounds, Shen Yao could walk a full circuit in less than half a month; her current relationship with Madam Liu is rather complicated, and she does not rule out clashing over interests in the future.

Don't be fooled by their present closeness — that's only because no entanglements exist between them.

Once the day comes that Liu Jingyan and Liu Jingsheng, the two brothers, turn against each other, Madam Liu will surely stand on Liu Jingsheng's side — that is a person's choice.

…………

Liu Jingyan went to the Secret Realm for two months, and not a shred of news was sent back.

Shen Yao is eight months pregnant; because she has been well-nourished during pregnancy, she is very likely to give birth early. The small courtyard where she stays has taken in quite a few midwives and wet nurses, and even famous physicians from Luojing City have been paid silver to reside long-term in the Liu Fu.

Shen Yao is now like a precious rare creature under protection, extremely precious.

At the slightest stir, Madam Liu brings people to Shen Yao's side personally.

Though Shen Yao finds it tedious, she understands Madam Liu's good intentions and simply accepts everything earnestly.

Another half month passed, Shen Yao gave birth, laboring for two double-hours, and delivered the dragon-phoenix twins in her womb.

The moment the dragon-phoenix twins hit the ground, Liu Xiuwen directly named the two children.

Liu Mingxuan, Liu Mingfei.

This is not the first time Liu Xiuwen has seen great-grandchildren; before this, the Liu Fu had seen younger generations born, but the two born to Shen Yao are different.

Whether it is Liu Xiuwen's prophetic dream or the two children's identities, both fill Liu Xiuwen with boundless anticipation for them.

To catch the children's birth, Liu Xiuwen specially returned from outside the city; after attending the Washing Third Ceremony he will leave again.

People have been trickling out of the Secret Realm, but unfortunately Liu Jingyan and Liu Jingyuan are nowhere to be found.

Liu Xiuwen arranged for Liu Fu's people to keep watch day and night, hoping any news would be relayed back as soon as possible, yet until today there is still not a whisper.

"No news is good news," the outside of the Secret Realm isn't absolutely safe either.

Madam Liu looked at the two children in swaddling clothes and quietly complained to Shen Yao about the violent unrest occurring outside the city.

It was truly violent unrest; when it happened no one could have predicted it, only that many died, including scions of great clans who had emerged from the Secret Realm.

It seems to have been a premeditated, planned affair, and all participants were of the Demon Race.

Madam Liu hates the Demon Race; if not for the Strange Phenomenon being the most severe threat to them, the Human Race and Demon Race would still have room to wrangle, not merely face off without coming to blows.

Shen Yao lies in bed doing postpartum confinement; beside her sits a small wooden bed, inside which are two exceedingly adorable children.

Because her body has not yet recovered, all Shen Yao can do now is honestly rest and recuperate.

The two children currently only eat and sleep, sleep and eat; occasionally Madam Liu comes over to look, then stays to chat with Shen Yao about outside news.

The system in her mind is still half-dead, half-alive; calling for ages elicited no response.

Shen Yao has given up hope; currently in confinement, the news she hears all relies on Madam Liu and Qing Shui investigating.

Once Madam Liu leaves, Qing Shui, waiting at the doorway, enters to bring her soup and rice.

The kitchen prepares nothing but foods Shen Yao loves, then carefully combined by physicians and wet nurses, ensuring Shen Yao recovers at the fastest speed.

Her body improves day by day, and more and more people emerge from the Secret Realm outside the city.

Liu Jingyan and Liu Jingyuan still have no news, and those who came out from inside all claim they never saw the two of them.

This, this feels a bit off!

Just as Liu Xiuwen could bear it no longer and wanted to enter personally to search, Liu Jingyan stumbled out covered in blood and flesh.

He didn't even get to say a word before collapsing unconscious, and was carried back by familiar government personnel.

Shen Yao learned the news only because she noticed Qing Shui's expression was wrong, deliberately put on a cold face to press her, and thus discovered Liu Jingyan was gravely wounded.

Gravely wounded?

"Is the young master in mortal danger? I must go visit him," Shen Yao rose to go, but was stopped by Qing Shui's outstretched hand; even Madam Liu came running, choking back tears, to persuade her to recover her health first.

Shen Yao has just given birth to two children; even with her heart cut like a knife, Madam Liu cannot let this young couple both meet with mishap.

"You take care of yourself; Eunuch is with Jingyan, nothing will happen."

Liu Xiuwen immediately entered the palace to summon Imperial Physicians into the mansion; strictly speaking, Liu Jingyan's life is not in danger.

Only Liu Jingyan has not woken up, and the physicians at his side are busy nursing his body, so it's unknown just how severe the injuries are.

"Mother, the young master he—" Shen Yao wept before speaking, her heartbroken appearance making Madam Liu feel even worse.

Madam Liu's tears fell pattering down, far more genuine than Shen Yao's.

"He's back, that's good; some people still have no word at all," and are more likely doomed than not, like Liu Jingyuan.

When people encounter trouble, feeling sad, if they think more of others they can always find some psychological comfort.

Madam Liu has more affairs than Shen Yao; she still must handle the mansion's trivial matters.

Shen Yao begged Madam Liu to inform her promptly if there was news; in the end she still could not step out the small courtyard's gate.

Qing Shui gazed worriedly at her own master, heart in a tangle like a ball of hemp thread.

Aiyo

Who could have imagined, the young master brought many protective treasures when he left, yet emerged covered in wounds — proof the Secret Realm inside is truly dangerous.

"Master, the young master is a fortunate person blessed by heaven; he will surely turn peril into safety."

Qing Shui coaxed while speaking comforting words, and by the way kept an eye on the Eldest Misses' affairs, to prevent anyone from fishing in troubled waters.

Don't take her Qing Shui for a Stupid Person; at no time can she be careless about the capital she relies on for survival.

Qing Shui constantly reminded himself, his whole person like a spinning top, without a moment of rest.

After Liu Jingyan returned home he passed out for several days, until Liu Xiuwen entered the palace and refined a Spiritual Herb, only then did this person fight his way back from the gates of hell.

The person finally opened his eyes, Liu Xiuwen let out a breath of relief, then turned his gaze onto Liu Jingyuan who still showed no movement.

"Grandfather, Jingyuan, cough cough cough" Liu Jingyan spoke with three coughs per word, only after a long while did he manage to speak out what he wanted to say.

It's not really his fault, who let his body still not be healed, forcing himself to open his mouth is just delaying the progress of his injury healing.

Liu Xiuwen felt heartache for his own child, the Spiritual Herb he sought not only cost favors, but also cost money.

Having barely saved the person back, how could he let the two of them be lost inside the home.

"Jingyan, this matter is not urgent, wait until you nurture your body well then speak slowly."

Liu Jingyuan and Liu Jingyan are different, Liu Jingyan at least is a person who came out, can be seen and touched, Liu Jingyuan however is born not seeing people, dead not seeing a corpse.

The Imperial Secret Realm is not open year-round, after half a year it will automatically close.

The first four months count as their welfare, the remaining two months are arranged by the Imperial family itself.

Liu Jingyuan has never come out, even if alive he can only turn into a dead person.

Liu Jingyan coughed and cleared his throat, "Grandfather, I only saw him from afar, by Jingyuan's side is the Eighth Prince."

The Eighth Prince, the current Holy Emperor's son, is also a clever and ambitious ruthless person.

The Emperor is old, the Crown Prince undecided, the Princes each have their own ideas.

Liu Jingyan fears that Liu Jingyuan has that kind of ambition, which would trap himself inside unable to get out.