Chapter 54
Chapter 54
Life as a Divine Envoy was, in a word, exceedingly comfortable.
It was far better than playing the role of a starving refugee.
The only annoyance was that people traveled from territories thousands of miles away merely to gaze upon her.
Yet if Shengsheng showed the slightest displeasure, the city lord harshly punished the servants assigned to her.
Therefore, in addition to pretending to be mute, she had to keep her face completely expressionless.
The burden of responsibility weighed heavily upon her.
Zhiyu, by contrast, lived with perfect ease.
Every day, a crowd followed her everywhere, playing with her and coaxing her to smile.
As for the bird on Shengsheng’s shoulder, she had no idea why he insisted on following her.
Perhaps the scent of Pecky clinging to her made her seem familiar?
One day, the city lord’s residence became unusually chaotic. According to Shengsheng’s attendants, the guards were searching for someone.
When he learned that the disturbance had alarmed the Divine Envoy, the city lord came to explain in person.
Jierge was a remarkably handsome young man. Healthy wheat-colored skin, deep-set eyes, and a high nose gave him an exotic appeal.
By sheer coincidence, he was precisely Shengsheng’s type.
“Revered Divine Envoy, an outsider has broken into the residence. I am conducting a search and will capture him shortly. I sincerely apologize for disturbing you.”
His voice was deep as well. Every sentence sounded like a declaration of love.
Shengsheng shook her head to indicate that no harm had been done.
But an outsider?
Could someone have come to find her?
The thought made her shake her head mockingly.
Impossible.
After offering his explanation, Jierge hurried away. He appeared extremely busy and rarely came to see Shengsheng without an important reason.
Dusk descended.
Shengsheng dismissed her attendants, removed her clothes, and entered the bathing pool behind her room.
She dared to bathe only when everyone was gone.
Otherwise, the pigment would wash from her skin, and she would have no way to explain it.
Soaking comfortably, Shengsheng released a long sigh.
A noise suddenly came from the tightly closed window.
Startled, she seized a nearby bath towel and wrapped it around herself.
No.
If she had guessed correctly, this had to be that plot.
A handsome man with a secret, noble identity disguised himself as a common thief. While carrying out some mysterious business, he was discovered and fled into this room. There, he encountered Shengsheng bathing. When the pursuing guards arrived, desperation forced him to ignore her resistance and hide beneath the water–
She knew this one!
Shengsheng turned away and smoothed her hair.
When she looked back, her face held exactly three parts surprise, three parts seductive charm, and four parts languid grace.
Perfect.
Then she met a pair of teasing, upturned eyes overflowing with allure.
Shengsheng’s mind crashed.
“Your… Your Grace?!”
*What… the hell?*
Her carefully maintained mute persona shattered on the spot.
Chaotic footsteps sounded outside.
Fusheng strolled over to the couch beside the bathing pool and reclined lazily. He plucked a piece of fruit from the tray as though he owned the place.
“Go. Send them away.”
Shengsheng stared at him.
This plot was not developing correctly.
Wrapped in the bath towel like a thief, she rushed outside. She hastily reapplied the potion, dressed, and dismissed the soldiers at the door.
When she returned to the room, Fusheng had already chosen a different place to lounge.
Fusheng wore men’s clothing.
Had his face not remained exactly the same, Shengsheng might not have recognized him.
“Your Grace, why are you here?”
Frowning at the dust on his shoulder, Shengsheng instinctively dampened a handkerchief and began wiping it away.
She had no clothes he could change into, so this would have to suffice.
*At least you possess a conscience. You traveled thousands of miles to find me!*
“I came to play.”
Fusheng smiled lazily. His long lashes fluttered as though brushing directly against her heart.
For one instant, panic stirred inside Shengsheng.
Why did Fusheng feel different in men’s clothes?
Using the excuse of rinsing the handkerchief, she turned away and touched her burning cheek with the back of one hand.
“It seems you have no intention of returning,” Fusheng remarked as he studied her darkened skin.
Shengsheng shook her head.
“This servant wants to return, but the city lord has stationed guards all around me. Your Grace saw them. I cannot leave.”
What Divine Envoy?
They had simply found a more elaborate way to imprison her as a living good-luck charm.
“Your Grace, did you see a yellow bird on your journey from Zhen?”
At some point, the white bird had landed on Fusheng’s hand. He affectionately pecked at Fusheng’s fingers, wearing an ingratiating expression entirely unlike the cold face he showed Shengsheng.
Fusheng arched a brow.
“No. Do you not already have a bird here?”
Shengsheng shook her head. “He is different.”
*My Pecky may be irritable, lazy, gluttonous, vain, and fond of biting people, but he…*
She considered the matter for a long time.
Apparently, Pecky possessed no redeeming qualities.
If she absolutely had to name one…
*His reproductive equipment is more impressive than that of an ordinary bird?*
Qingbai’s white feathers exploded outward.
He launched himself from his master’s hand.
The sudden pressure rolling from Fusheng nearly crushed the little bird beneath the force of his bloodline. Qingbai’s legs almost gave way.
What had happened to his master?
Unable to understand, Qingbai flew to the perch Shengsheng had prepared for him and tilted his head.
Shengsheng also sensed something wrong. She looked at Fusheng in confusion.
“Your Grace?”
Fusheng stood.
“You seem to live well enough here. Remain and serve as their Divine Envoy, Tail. Farewell.”
He turned to leave.
Shengsheng threw herself forward and wrapped both arms around his leg.
“Your Grace! You cannot abandon this servant! I do not want to be a Divine Envoy! I want to go home!”
*If I cannot return, the plot will be ruined!*
With a cold, false smile, Fusheng pulled his leg free and vanished.
Had Shengsheng not known he was a villain, his uncanny martial skill would have astonished her.
*How unfair. Everyone else practices diligently every day. Fusheng Duan does nothing but eat and sleep. Where did he get such incredible martial arts? Has he secretly cultivated some technique for transforming into a gluttonous beast?*
Fusheng, who had been waiting outside for her to repent, fell silent.
This time, he truly left without hesitation.
When Shengsheng opened her eyes the next morning, she instinctively spread her arms for the attendants to dress her.
Her hand swung outward.
Smack.
She had struck something.
Her eyes flew open.
The sight before her left her completely stunned.
What the hell?!