Beast World: The Crazy Female Is Chased by Five Beast Husbands - Chapter 19

The reason was simple the Crane Clan relied on the crimson patch atop their heads to absorb spiritual energy from heaven and earth.

If their red crowns were harmed, it would undoubtedly deal a severe blow to their cultivation.

What did the Hundred Clans value most?

Naturally, it was cultivation. Who would want to remain livestock forever?

Everyone was striving to climb higher. If Li Xuanyue were to send people to plunder the red crowns of the Crane Clan now, how would that be any different from taking their lives?

It might even spark conflict between the two clans.

“Go rest for now, Physician Liu.”

Li Xuanyue understood the difficulty of this matter.

She said nothing more to Physician Liu, merely waving her hand dismissively before sinking into deep thought.

Yin Xin, noticing Li Xuanyue’s silence, suddenly spoke up.

“Your Highness, don’t overthink it.”

She poured a cup of tea and handed it to Li Xuanyue. “There must be a solution to this.”

After all, Lord Zhōng was the princess’s consort.

Now that the princess was ill, it was only right for him to step forward and share her burden without hesitation.

“Mm.”

As the saying went, beyond mountains and rivers, a village appears when willows cast shadows and flowers bloom.

Since fate had granted her rebirth, it surely wouldn’t let her die so soon.

She would find a way to satisfy both sides.

“Xiao Han, send two groups one to keep an eye on Li Qinghe, and the other to the Crane Clan. Investigate whether any adult male Crane clansmen are willing to offer their red crowns.”

Whether successful or not, she had to seize this last glimmer of hope.

Only then could she survive unscathed.

–

Wutong Palace.

Zhōng Hè had just finished breakfast when he sneezed twice in a row.

“My lord, have you caught a chill?”

A nearby attendant quickly draped a dark blue robe over his shoulders. “Though early spring has passed, the temperature still fluctuates greatly between morning and night. You must take care of your health.”

Zhōng Hè paid little attention to the attendant’s words and instead asked, “Has there been any reply from my mother?”

In the three months since arriving in the Phoenix Clan, apart from their wedding night, he had not seen Princess Xuanyue again she had remained in Fenghe Palace all this time.

This suited him perfectly.

He held no affection for Princess Xuanyue.

The only reason he had agreed to this political marriage was for his mother’s sake in the rear courtyard.

Among the Hundred Clans, aside from the Phoenix Clan, which was matriarchal, all others were ruled by males.

The Crane Clan was no exception.

Though Zhōng Hè’s mother was the primary wife, she could not escape the fate of aging beauty.

Moreover, men were lustful creatures.

Facing the same face day after day would inevitably breed weariness.

Over time, Zhōng Hè’s mother retained only the title of primary wife her husband’s affection was long gone.

It was precisely for this reason that when the Phoenix Clan proposed the marriage alliance, Zhōng Hè’s father had pushed him forward without hesitation.

And the leverage used to force his compliance was his mother.

Zhōng’s father knew well the importance of Zhōng’s mother in his son’s heart. He had promised that if Zhōng Hè obediently agreed to the marriage and secured a position of power for the Crane Clan, he would treat his mother well. Otherwise, he would make her life a living hell.

To ensure his mother’s comfort in the rear courtyard and to spare her further suffering, Zhōng Hè had agreed.

But this didn’t mean he wouldn’t bring Zhōng’s mother to his side someday in the future.

In his eyes, the moment Zhōng’s father chose to disregard his son’s feelings and threatened him using Zhōng’s mother, their father-son bond had already been completely severed.

Now, the only one he still cared about was Zhōng’s mother.

Naturally, he couldn’t allow Zhōng’s father to keep using her as leverage.

Long before he left the Crane Clan, he had already arranged for Zhōng’s mother to be quietly taken from his father’s backyard.

Now, she was safely placed under his watchful eye, constantly protected by him.

“Not yet,” the attendant replied. “But our people are guarding the place. Even if the master’s men come after her, they won’t get anything good out of it.”

“Your Highness, Princess Qinghe has arrived.”

Just as the attendant finished speaking, a guard hurriedly entered the hall from outside.

Zhōng Hè frowned. “What does she want?”

He wasn’t familiar with this Princess Qinghe.

As he pondered, Lí Qīnghé had already strode into the Wutong Hall with her attendant Ruyue following closely behind.

“Greetings, Princess.”

Though puzzled, Zhōng Hè still raised his hand in a respectful salute.

Lí Qīnghé smiled faintly, her eyes crinkling. “No need for such formalities, Lord Zhōng. Please, take a seat.”

This was Wutong Hall Zhōng Hè’s residence.

Yet, it somehow felt like the roles were reversed.

Lí Qīnghé’s tone was so familiar that it almost seemed as if she were the host here.

This perception made Zhōng Hè frown slightly in discomfort.

Unaware of his displeasure, Lí Qīnghé sat down and gestured for Ruyue to present the gift she had prepared.

“This is a gift from me to you, Lord Zhōng,” Lí Qīnghé said lightly. “I should have given it to you on the day you married my elder sister.”

“But at the time, too many things happened, leading to misunderstandings with Her Majesty. That’s why I’ve only now come to present gifts to all the consorts.”

Her words sounded like an attempt to extend goodwill or perhaps to forge connections with the consorts.

It made Zhōng Hè feel an inexplicable sense of revulsion.

Yet, his expression remained indifferent, betraying nothing.

“Princess Qinghe is too kind.”

Zhōng Hè first expressed his gratitude politely, then proceeded to decline.

“However the wedding day has already passed over three months ago. It would be inappropriate for me to accept this gift now. Perhaps the Princess should take it back?”

He didn’t particularly care for the gift.

He had no desire to form any ties with this Princess Qinghe lest it invite suspicion.

After all, wasn’t Consort Wen a perfect example of what could go wrong?

Lí Qīnghé stiffened internally, though her smile never wavered.

“My gift may seem small, but it is still a token of my sincerity. Does Lord Zhōng look down on it?”

Never before had a gift she offered been refused.

Zhōng Hè’s rejection stung her pride, stirring both embarrassment and displeasure.

“Princess Qinghe overestimates me.”

In truth, Zhōng Hè did look down on her gift.

However, he did not state it outright but expressed it tactfully: “I have long appreciated your kind intentions, but I truly cannot accept this gift. Please forgive me, Princess Qinghe.”

These repeated rejections made Li Qinghe feel as if a fire was about to ignite in her heart.