After transforming from a heavenly scholar into General Jun Lan, Ling Xi's original elite squad did not rejoin Jun Lan's unit.
Besides Ye Ziling and Emperor Qingbai, no one else knew about the lost military seal, and the heavenly realm remained outwardly peaceful.
Upon General Jun Lan's return, the troops were reassigned.
Emperor Qingbai's military seal accounted for one-third, Jun Lan for one-third, and Bai Yu and Ling Xi's forces for the remaining third.
Ling Xi's former military authority then fell into Ye Ziling's hands, which she found strange.
Since it was the same person, why not seize this military authority as well?
With the military seal now in her possession, the worst outcome if she were to rebel would be a draw.
She wondered if the Heavenly Emperor would intervene. He always believed in natural order and did not excessively interfere in matters of the human or heavenly realms, so she was unsure if he would get involved.
However, with Bai Yu absent, if she were to take his share of military authority, it would likely tip off the enemy and earn her the charge of rebellion.
If Bai Yu were present, she could have forcefully taken it.
But for Jun Lan, he would likely prioritize the greater good of the heavenly realm. Even if he and Qingbai were not on the same side, he would not tolerate her causing chaos in the heavenly realm and forcing Qingbai out of power.
Ye Ziling stood by the window, gazing out at the boundless, desolate night sky, her eyes filled with confusion.
"Goddess, the Heavenly Consort requests an audience," a celestial maid interrupted her thoughts, reporting in a low voice.
"Heavenly Consort? Is that the Emperor's newly acquired concubine?" Ye Ziling raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement flashing in her eyes.
Yesterday was the first day of Shen Yueru and Qingbai's wedding, and now it was the second day. Why was she in such a hurry to find her?
"Announce her," Ye Ziling commanded.
As soon as she spoke, the door opened, and Shen Yueru walked in. Upon seeing Ye Ziling standing by the window, her expression suddenly changed.
Ye Ziling had assumed she was coming to flaunt her marriage, but unexpectedly, she was here to "confide" in her.
The door closed, leaving only the two of them inside.
"The Heavenly Consort is new to the heavenly realm and doesn't know many people, so you've come to chat with me?"
Ye Ziling leaned on her hand, reclining lazily on the chaise lounge, her phoenix eyes half-closed, a faint smile on her lips.
"Not entirely." Shen Yueru slowly sat down at the table and poured herself a cup of tea.
Outside the window, the moon was bright, the stars were brilliant, and the night breeze rustled the branches, making them sway gracefully.
"Then why?" Ye Ziling asked with a smile, a flicker of curiosity in her eyes.
Shen Yueru picked up her teacup, took a sip, and set it down.
She looked up, her eyes clear, "This is my first time seeing the night scenery of the heavenly realm. Goddess, would you accompany me for a walk?"
Ye Ziling's eyes lit up at her words, "Certainly."
She still had to settle accounts with Shen Yueru regarding the Ji Xin Flute anyway, so this was a perfect opportunity.
The two walked along the corridor towards the back mountain.
In the back mountain of the heavenly realm, there was a pavilion with a jade table, two carved jade chairs, and snow-white fox fur spread on the stone stools. Various pastries were placed nearby.
As they sat down, the atmosphere was serene.
"What? I didn't settle accounts with you for the matter of the Ji Xin Flute last time, and yet you've come to my doorstep yourself?"
Ye Ziling got straight to the point, casually popped a pastry into her mouth, and stared indifferently at Shen Yueru.
"I am the Heavenly Consort now. Goddess, you wouldn't want to be accused of murdering the Heavenly Consort at such a crucial moment, would you?" Shen Yueru chuckled lightly, her expression arrogant. "Besides, Senior Brother Ling is now General Jun Lan of the heavenly realm, and I am considered his fellow disciple. If you wish to do anything to me, you'll have to ask him first."
Ye Ziling hadn't expected that the usually prickly and witless Shen Yueru would bring up two patrons and speak so righteously. She truly dared not underestimate her.
It was just a pity that she wasn't anyone else and naturally knew that Qingbai was the most unreliable.
As for Jun Lan, if he valued the twenty-odd days of their fellowship, then she would say no more.
But if Shen Yueru intended to use this to threaten her and then press her advantage, she was likely mistaken about the person.
"The pastries in the heavenly realm are exquisite, but they are hard to swallow," Ye Ziling said disdainfully, glancing at the pastries on the plate and shaking her head with a sigh.
"I recall that in the mortal world, Miss Shen brought me a plate of chestnut cakes."
Ye Ziling's words caused Shen Yueru's face to stiffen abruptly. She tightened her grip on the silk handkerchief in her hand, her expression filled with anger, "Ye Ziling, what exactly do you want?"
Ye Ziling curved her lips, "Have you forgotten about the Ji Xin Flute incident?"
If Shen Yueru hadn't tampered with the jade flute, how could she have failed to save Bai Yu?
With a bang, the pastries on the table scattered across the floor. Shen Yueru, as if possessed by a bear's heart and a leopard's gall, swept everything off the table and sneered, "So what if it was me?"
"If it weren't for Emperor Qingbai stopping me, do you think you would be alive?"
Immense hatred surged in Shen Yueru's eyes. She stood up, glared fiercely at Ye Ziling, wishing she could pounce and tear her face apart.
Ye Ziling watched Shen Yueru approach her. She thought Shen Yueru would attack her, but instead, she ripped open her own clothes.
Her collarbone was covered in dense red marks, some of which had already scabbed over, faintly showing traces of blood.
These scars, some from whip lashes, others from sharp objects, crisscrossed and extended down from her collarbone.
The scars on her upper body were already unbearable to look at, and it was easy to imagine that the scars on her lower body were equally horrific.
"...What is this?" Ye Ziling had anticipated that Qingbai would look down on Shen Yueru, but she hadn't expected him to be so brutal and torment Shen Yueru so severely.
Shen Yueru wrapped herself up, stepped forward, and grabbed Ye Ziling's sleeve, her eyes gradually turning bloodshot, "Ye Ziling, do you know what it feels like to be stripped naked and wantonly humiliated?"
"Do you know what it feels like to be ravaged and still have to humble yourself and curry favor?"
"Yes, I approached Qingbai at the banquet and drugged him."
"That night, although he was sober, he still touched me."
"Everyone thought becoming the Heavenly Consort was a blessing, saying how honored a mortal like me was."
"Only I knew... this was pity, this was charity!"
"I was merely a tool for him to vent his anger."
As Shen Yueru spoke, she unexpectedly began to laugh, but the laughter was wretched and eerie, "...I thought he hated you."
But how could someone who hated another person think of protecting her?
It was merely love turned into hate.
Ye Ziling frowned slightly. Shen Yueru's expression seemed quite frantic, as if she had been provoked.
She had warned Shen Yueru not to provoke Qingbai. Now, what was this show of victimhood in front of her?
Shouldn't she be crying to her Senior Brother Ling a few times?
"So...?" Ye Ziling looked coldly at Shen Yueru, her voice icy, "Your fate is your own doing."
"My own doing, huh, my own doing..." Shen Yueru's pupils suddenly constricted, and she let out a sharp laugh.
Ye Ziling stood up, walked around Shen Yueru, and said in a low voice, "I have matters to attend to in my palace. Farewell."
Before Ye Ziling had walked a few steps, Shen Yueru grabbed her arm.
Ye Ziling flung her hand away. She had no time for such petty squabbles.
Yet, with just that light touch, Shen Yueru fell heavily to the ground.
"Ye Ziling... don't go." Ye Ziling had only taken a few steps when Shen Yueru scrambled to her feet and blocked her path.
"Get out of the way." Ye Ziling's displeasure was evident, her voice deepening.
But Shen Yueru deliberately grabbed her sleeve with one hand.
"Isn't the Heavenly Consort losing her decorum?" Ye Ziling stiffly pulled Shen Yueru's hand away.
"...Ye Ziling, Senior Brother Ling was once deeply in love with you, and yet you still wanted to destroy Shao Lin?"
"Don't think I don't know about your affair with Emperor Qingbai..."
Upon mentioning Qingbai, Ye Ziling's eyes narrowed coldly, "What exactly do you want to say?"
Shen Yueru grabbed her wrist, and the cold hilt of a sword was suddenly placed in her hand. Warm liquid flowed along the hilt into Ye Ziling's palm, causing her to tremble.
Shen Yueru pulled her hand closer to the sword sheath, a sinister smile on her lips, "I want to make you... like me, lose everything."
Shen Yueru smiled, blood trickling from the corners of her mouth, and collapsed onto the ground.