Chapter 42

Ye Qing was taken aback, sizing her up but remaining silent.

Xiao He knelt on the snowy ground, listening to the faint, distant sounds of people, her heart filled with anxiety. As the adopted daughter of the clan leader, if she were discovered in this state, it would bring immediate disaster. Even if she were punished according to the clan's rules, she might be beaten to death.

But as things stood, death didn't seem too terrifying. She gritted her teeth, kneeling on the ground, thinking to herself, "If Young Master Ye doesn't want me, I might as well die here."

As the voices drew closer, Ye Qing pondered for a moment and finally said, "Get up, brush off the snow, and don't reveal your presence."

He paused for a moment and then asked, "Are you really not afraid of death?"

Xiao He stood up, carefully brushing off the snow, and with a furrowed brow, her voice bitter, she replied, "How could I not be afraid? I'm terrified."

A hint of pity flashed in Ye Qing's eyes, but he asked coldly, "Then why are you so bold now?"

"I just want to live a better life. Sometimes, living is worse than dying. When I think about it this way, I find the courage."

"Perhaps Young Master Ye doesn't remember, but your father was once a remarkable man. As a scholar, he traveled through various counties, making many connections and attracting many followers. My own father was one of them. In a way, my family is still connected to Young Master Ye!"

Ye Qing nodded, his expression heavy, but he remained silent.

Xiao He, with her bright eyes, felt a chill in her heart and sighed inwardly. But she continued, "My father, like your father, was taken by fate at a young age, leaving my mother and me. In the Ye clan, I have no roots, like a floating weed, with no control over my own fate."

"Though I am the clan leader's adopted daughter, with a low position but significant power, the benefits go to the clan leader, while the drawbacks fall on me. Despite being cautious, I have offended many and accumulated many enemies. I enjoy this life of luxury, but I bear the corresponding responsibilities and dare not complain."

"But the clan leader is old and can protect me for how many more years?"

"Before, Young Master Ye's talents were hidden, and the people's hearts were scattered. Even I didn't recognize your true self. Now, you have become a scholar, and the Dragon Lord has praised you as a fellow scholar. You are about to take the examination for the title of Xiucai. I am here to seek your favor."

"But I am still human and want to live. Though I enjoy this life of luxury, I am always worried, counting the days."

"Once the clan leader is gone, the affection will fade. Then, will I be left to the mercy of the so-called brothers in the clan, to be played with in turn, or be given to some lowly household as a concubine?"

At this, Xiao He covered her face and sobbed uncontrollably, her usual reserve swept away. The accumulated resentment and pain of over a decade poured out, but she suppressed her voice.

Though the sound was faint, anyone could feel the pain and despair in it. Ye Qing, who had not expected Xiao He to understand her fate so clearly and to be so perceptive of human nature, was moved by her helpless sobs. He knew her fate was in his hands.

After a moment, Ye Qing handed her a towel to wipe her tears, easing the tension, and said, "Last Mid-Autumn Festival, all the families played various games, such as backgammon, arrow throwing, and card games. Everyone participated, but you did not. The whole household knew this."

"I didn't expect that your usual abstinence from gambling was just for one big bet... But the national examination is full of uncertainties. No one can guarantee success, even with the Dragon Lord's assistance. It's only a support, not a guarantee. The title of 'fellow scholar' is just a nice-sounding name, a mere gimmick. Are you really willing to bet on it?"

Xiao He, who had been tense, smiled. "I thought Young Master would say something else, but this is what you're worried about."

She smiled sadly and said, "Then I must have chosen the wrong person and misjudged you. I deserve to sink, what else can I say?"

At this, Ye Qing admired her resolve. He thought back to his previous life and couldn't recall any mention of her, realizing she must have been overlooked. He thought, "Indeed, there is always a fragrant flower within seven steps."

He then responded, "Since you have this determination, how can I refuse? Xiao He, rest assured, once I become a Xiucai, I will claim you."

Xiao He, hearing this, lowered her head in silence. Ye Qing noticed her small ear, half-hidden by her black hair, gradually turning red, looking very cute.

"Master, that day at Lou Wai Lou, the clan leader wanted to give Xiao He to County Magistrate Lu, but fortunately, he was interested in your poetry and didn't take her..."

"My thoughts are not as pure as Miss Qianqian's, but my body is still pure and can be preserved for Young Master. I look forward to the day you become a Xiucai."

Struggling to finish these words, not only her ears but her neck turned red. She turned and covered her face, rushing out the door. Despite her intelligence, she was still a sixteen-year-old girl, and saying this much was her limit.

Ye Qing watched the white fur figure disappear down the courtyard corridor, sighed, and reached into his chest to pinch the envelope. He took it out and opened it. Besides the official proof of his scholar status, there was a silver ticket wrapped in red paper, with the words: "As a token of respect."

Three ink circles were circled, hinting at a hint of destiny!

Ye Qing had heard of the clan's rules and instantly understood. This was the clan's full support. Recalling his previous treatment, he couldn't help but smile, "They all come at this time, but it's not too late. I'll accept it all..."

Ye Qing turned around, and at that moment, Qianqian's voice came from inside the room, accompanied by the aroma of meat porridge. During their conversation, she had quietly returned to the room.

"I'm here," Ye Qing responded, pushing the door open.

The young girl bent her slender waist, holding a bowl of porridge with both hands and placing it on the table. She looked back and smiled, saying softly, "Master, don't delay your breakfast. It's not good for your stomach."

Her gentle, almost coquettish words softened Ye Qing's heart. He reached out with one hand, pulled her by the waist, and embraced her tightly.

Qianqian blushed, her long lashes fluttering, her body exuding a watery quality that, combined with her icy skin and jade-like bones, made her beauty impossible to hide even in simple clothes.

Though he didn't know what had changed in Qianqian, Ye Qing saw it and felt a mix of love and pity. Recalling the past, he felt a sense of sadness and wanted to hold her tightly, never letting go.

Qianqian struggled slightly, feeling the tightness, but seeing his thoughtful expression, she didn't move, allowing him to hold her tightly.

Feeling her softness in his arms, Ye Qing thought of her cold body in his nightmares and then of the changes in his destiny.

His gaze grew distant, and he said, "I really want a home without storms."

Qianqian didn't speak, quietly resting in his arms. After a while, she felt Ye Qing looking at her and asked with a smile, "Were you eavesdropping just now?"

Qianqian blushed and said, "I wasn't... Don't laugh, I wasn't eavesdropping!"

Seeing her adorable pout, Ye Qing touched her eyelids, making her close her eyes, and said with a smile, "Eavesdropping is normal. I'd be sad if you didn't. Qianqian, do you know why I agreed to her? It's because we share the same fate."

"What?" Qianqian opened her eyes, looking at him in disbelief.

Ye Qing's expression was serious as he said, "Xiao He has her skills, but even in this small Ye clan courtyard, her life is not in her control."

"No matter how skilled she is, if one day she is no longer needed, she could be played with by the so-called clan brothers or given to some lowly household as a concubine."

"The aunts and cousins who are friendly with you, if you ask them about their future, they might have been as prominent as Xiao He decades ago. Now, they are just busy with trivial matters, trying to gain a little favor from you."

"In this courtyard, I, Young Master Ye, am now a person of some importance. To be honest, Xiao He's life and honor are in my hands. If I take her, she will have a bright future."

"If I don't, do you think today's incident can be hidden for long? Her disaster will come soon, and she might not even be able to die."

Ye Qing's eyes darkened as he spoke, and Qianqian's body trembled.

"But in the whole world, my status, Young Master Ye, is no better than Xiao He's, perhaps even worse. Seeing her like this, isn't it the same fate?"

From the moment his destiny changed, the sensitivity of his second life made Ye Qing feel a mysterious force. This force was both faint and omnipresent.

The words "Heaven's will is high and unfathomable" flashed through his mind, and Ye Qing showed a faint, bitter smile. Before it could spread, he felt a sense of foreboding.

Carp, golden-backed carp, green-silk dragon whisker carp.

Dragon, two-horned dragon, thunder and rain-riding true dragon.

These six stages have eliminated countless people, sacrificing many to achieve greatness. But in this world, even if one becomes a true dragon, what then?

A moment of glory, commanding the world, even the gods and immortals might give way, but what is the result?

Once the foundation is lost, immediate regression follows.

In his previous life, Ye Qing had a chance to see the residence of a true dragon from the previous dynasty. It was not in the underworld or in heaven, but in a blessed land.

The emperors were either green, yellow, or red. In their decline, they had only white and yellow auras, and the last emperor had only a white aura, with a tiny bit of yellow acknowledging him as an emperor.

Such a position is not even as good as a true immortal.

Ye Qing was not willing to end up like that. Unless he could achieve great deeds like the Red Emperor, ascend to heaven in broad daylight, and enter the celestial court as an emperor.

Not to mention the difficulty of this, and the celestial court already has five emperors, with no vacant positions.

Even if a great calamity brings a glimmer of hope, Ye Qing was not optimistic. In his previous life, he lived through the calamity for ten years and witnessed the world's collapse, but he was still not optimistic.

The Daoist Lord and the Five Emperors have deep roots in the Dao, not easily uprooted.

Ye Qing's wish was to first seek immortality and then gradually achieve his goals.

He was unwilling to pursue kingship and hegemony at this time.

Thinking of this, Ye Qing frowned, determined to pass the Xiucai examination, then the provincial examination, and next year, the imperial examination.

If he misses this opportunity, it will be like his previous life, waiting three years, and then the calamity will come, shattering everything and leaving him unable to keep up with the trend!