Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 477: The Play That Continues to This Day

The blind woman felt that Zhao Changhe shamelessly calling her arrangement of having Sisi accompany him in his bath as the “will of the heavens” was both cheesy and awkward.

Zhao Changhe himself even regretted saying it.

Aren’t I basically implying that the blind woman is the heavens by saying that? Ugh... It’s more like you’re orchestrating a play with me as a mere actor.

But, to be fair, leaving aside the blind woman’s arrangements, this really feels quite fateful. At least every time I’ve dragged Sisi into the bath that couldn’t possibly have been planned by the blind woman!

Sisi bit her lip, staring at him for a long moment before muttering, “Are you still not letting go? Are you going to use force?”

Zhao Changhe released her slender wrist, and Sisi immediately raised her dagger as if she were about to strike.

Zhao Changhe gave her a warning glare.

“Sacred envoy! Sacred envoy?” The panicked voices of the maids came from outside. “What was that noise?”

Someone pushed the door open and then froze in shock. Somehow, Sisi’s dagger had disappeared, and Zhao Changhe was holding her close while she obediently leaned against him.

“What, are you unhappy that your saintess is serving me?”

“N-no, of course not...”

The maid quickly turned around and fled, closing the door behind her as fast as she could.

Silence filled the room.

Both Zhao Changhe and Sisi found their breathing had quickened, and for a moment, their minds went blank. They had no idea what to say in this situation.

Sisi remained leaning against his bare chest, and he held her by her slender, soft waist. Neither thought of letting go, nor did they consider getting out of the tub to talk.

He had to admit, Sisi’s body was soft... and smelled wonderful...

After a long silence, Zhao Changhe finally found something to say, even if it was not exactly relevant: “So, where did you suddenly get a storage ring? Did the Thief Saint just give his treasured disciple a gift?”

Sisi rolled her eyes as she replied, “I’ve always had a storage ring; I just never showed it to you. It may be rare in the outside world, but among the Spirit Tribe, it’s not uncommon. We even have records on how to make them, though unfortunately, no one’s skilled enough to create one anymore, so we have to make do with the ones that are passed down.”

Zhao Changhe’s eyes lit up.

Sisi gave a coy smile, her voice teasing, “Does the sacred envoy wish for me to present it to him?”

Given their current position, the question could imply offering the storage ring’s manufacturing process or something else entirely.

Zhao Changhe swallowed and, trying to sound righteous, replied, “How dare you even attempt to assassinate an envoy? You’re lucky it was me. What would have happened if you fell into someone else’s hands?!”

“Heh...” Sisi laughed. “What difference does it make falling into your hands? My situation doesn’t seem much better.”

Zhao Changhe: “...”

Sisi looked up at him with a smile in her eyes. “Are you reluctant to let go of me?”

Zhao Changhe pursed his lips, not responding.

Sisi felt a bit disappointed and sighed. “You have the desire but lack the courage. Is it because the honorable lady envoy is Big Sis Yue?”

Zhao Changhe replied, “I... I don’t! Stop talking nonsense. Who has what desire? And anyway, I’m asking you where you got the nerve to try and assassinate an envoy. Can you stay on topic?”

Sisi said, “Do you seriously not see yourself as a strong fighter? You’ve already cut down those ranked in the thirties and forties on the Ranking of Man with one stroke. Those in the outside world already believe your true strength to be among those at the top of the Ranking of Man. What’s so surprising about hitting a wall when trying to kill you? Did you think that just any envoy would be that strong?”

Zhao Changhe asked, “But shouldn’t the forbidden land be filled with all kinds of hidden experts?”

“You’re overthinking it. There aren’t that many masters,” Sisi said. “Past envoys were about the same level as me.”

“Even if they were, you shouldn’t take such a risk.”

“And if I got caught, what’s it to you? Am I yours?”

The room fell silent once more.

They held each other, dripping wet, and Sisi looked up at him, her eyes misty and unreadable.

Zhao Changhe dreaded that misty look, as he still did not understand what was behind Sisi’s constant flirtation. Back then, it had probably been a sort of protective mask, or just her being bold. But now? In reality, they did not have that kind of relationship, and yet she kept playfully extending her little feet...

Just what is she thinking?

He knew that he did not want Sisi to end up with anyone else, yet why did he feel that way?

Is she mine?

A subtle smile slowly appeared on Sisi’s face. She could sense that the last time he had pulled her into the bath, Zhao Changhe had been on guard. This time, he was not. In his demeanor, there was a rare tenderness, and... desire.

She could not tell if it was lust, protectiveness, possessiveness, or all three. But for the first time, that desire was clearly on display.

Sisi did not realize that Zhao Changhe’s change in attitude stemmed from learning more about her, which stirred his compassion. Honesty would have been the key to breaking the ice, but she was just too accustomed to hiding her feelings.

Zhao Changhe was frustrated by all that secrecy, constantly guessing at her thoughts and never knowing what she really felt. It seemed as though he could devour her any moment, but would she turn on him if he actually did?

No one knew.

Zhao Changhe finally spoke slowly, “No matter what, right now, you’ve been caught.”

Sisi blinked a few times, then slowly closed her eyes, murmuring softly, “So what should I do...”

Zhao Changhe replied, “Don’t get any ideas.”

Sisi: “?”

He relaxed his slightly tense muscles, leaned leisurely against the edge of the tub, and said casually, “Come help your master bathe.”

Sisi glared at him, biting her lip in frustration. Zhao Changhe looked up at the ceiling, “As far as your people know, you’re the saintess who came here to serve the envoy... This role has to continue, so what else can we do?”

Sisi retorted, “There’s no one else around now. Why should I keep up the act?”

Zhao Changhe’s expression turned stern, “Then why should I play along when there are people watching?”

Sisi gave him a surprised look, then tilted her head thoughtfully and asked, “You wanted me to bring you into the secret realm. What are you hoping to gain from the Spirit Tribe?”

Her meaning was clear: he needed to keep up appearances as much as she did.

Zhao Changhe was direct. “Originally, I wanted to trade for a few things, things like the Heavenly Blood Jade, Solaris Nimbus Leaf, and possibly Night Flowing Sand if you have it here. Recently, I came to need one more thing, a way to cure Wubing. While I need the Spirit Tribe’s assistance, I’m here to trade for it, not to beg.”

Sisi understood what he meant.

Even if he had come with requests, they were trivial compared to what the Spirit Tribe sought. What he wanted were external treasures, not matters of life and death, and he could likely find alternatives. But her situation, on the other hand, was truly dire, as it was a matter of survival for her entire tribe.

He was not threatening her. He was merely telling her to be more open, wanting to know what she needed and what he could do to help.

After thinking for a moment, Sisi said quietly, “Are you willing to help me? Even if my Spirit Tribe has none of what you need?”

Zhao Changhe responded, “Didn’t I already help you when we were outside?”

Sisi nodded.

While he had helped the Xia people of Miaojiang, and the Spirit Tribe had just benefited as a result, it was a win-win situation. Sisi was not going to debate that with him.

What mattered was that he had made it clear he was willing to help her.

Sisi began washing him in silence, her hands moving gently over his body.

Zhao Changhe was surprised. “Why the sudden change of heart?”

Sisi shook her head, a hint of melancholy in her eyes, but she said nothing.

While Zhao Changhe remained uncertain about why she flirted with him, Sisi understood her own reasons perfectly well.

She did have genuine feelings for him, but not to the extent of throwing herself at him right away... The reason she flirted with him was because she understood, better than anyone, Zhao Changhe’s importance to Tang Wanzhuang and the influence he held over the power dynamics in the Central Plains.

She believed that if she could get him completely infatuated with her, it could mean a great deal for her tribe.

With that in mind—and her own feelings, of course—she was willing to test the waters and see how he’d react.

But unfortunately, due to the catastrophic outcome of their first encounter, Zhao Changhe remained guarded despite his desire. While he did desire her, he was not captivated by her, and that was useless for her goals.

In truth, it might be better to say that she wanted him, and he wanted her, but neither of them was willing to be led by the other. They both wanted to take control.

He might think things were ambiguous, but to Sisi, it was perfectly clear—this was simply a game of master and maid, a dance of conquest and submission.

Regrettably, she was at a disadvantage in many ways. Especially now, with him appearing almost as if by divine intervention on the sacred mountain just before the Dragon Boat Festival, being hailed as a sacred envoy by her tribe... Sisi could almost see a glimmer of hope that the Spirit Tribe’s century-long struggle might finally be coming to an end.

But how could she be willing to accept that?

After all the hardships, her goal had been nothing more than to avoid being a servant, yet the price for that was finding herself in the role of someone else’s maid? What sense did that make? How could she accept that?

You’re so lustful; eventually, you’ll end up in the palm of my hand.

As Sisi continued washing him, she finally collected herself and purred seductively, “Master, is your little maidservant serving you well?”

It was as if, from the moment they met in Gusu when she first played the role of his maid, they were destined to act out this scene today.

This chapter upload first at NovelBin.Com