Beast World: The Crazy Female Is Chased by Five Beast Husbands - Chapter 21

Looking back now, Li Qinghe must have regarded her as a complete fool at that time.

Li Qinghe’s hand, which had been covering her face, froze mid air.

She couldn’t decide whether to lower it or keep it there, eventually letting it drop when Li Xuanyue wasn’t paying attention.

But inwardly, she was utterly humiliated.

What on earth had gotten into Li Xuanyue today?

Why did she keep undermining her and making her lose face at every turn?

Was she truly on death’s doorstep, and this was her final flash of clarity meant to torment her?

Li Qinghe was so furious she dug her nails into her palms until they bled.

“Since you’ve prepared gifts for all my consorts, you surely wouldn’t be stingy with your gravely ill elder sister,” Li Xuanyue said nonchalantly.

No one could demand gifts as shamelessly as she did.

Yet Li Qinghe, who had been at a disadvantage all along, couldn’t find a way to counter.

She had no choice but to comply.

“I’ve heard your collection of rare treasures is beyond count. Given our relationship, I wouldn’t mind receiving eight or ten items just send whatever you deem appropriate.”

Anyone listening would think these priceless treasures were mere cabbages the way Li Xuanyue spoke of them.

As if they could be handed out so casually.

These were treasures hard to come by in the mortal realm, yet from Li Xuanyue’s lips, they sounded worthless.

Li Qinghe’s expression was the picture of humiliation.

“Elder Sister, I only have three or four such treasures in my possession nothing compared to the abundance in your palace,” she said through gritted teeth.

Asking for eight or ten items? She might as well rob her!

Li Qinghe was nearly driven mad by Li Xuanyue’s outrageous demand.

Pretending not to catch the subtext, Li Xuanyue put on a conflicted expression.

“Is that so? Then just send whatever you have.”

With an air of magnanimity, she added, “After all, it’s the thought that counts. Your elder sister won’t hold it against you.”

Li Qinghe nearly spat bl00d at these words.

If not for Ruyue supporting her at the side, she might have collapsed from rage.

Li Xuanyue acted oblivious to her mortified expression.

Truth be told, most of the items in Li Qinghe’s palace had originally come from her.

Now that she no longer wished to maintain their relationship, it was only right to take them back.

She refused to let Li Qinghe continue flaunting her gifts to others, using them to gain face it was nothing short of nauseating.

Doing so would only serve as a constant reminder of how foolish she had been in her past life.

“Xiao Han, I leave this matter to you.”

The sheer determination in Li Xuanyue’s tone sent a chill down Li Qinghe’s spine.

“Elder Sister!”

She wanted to say more, but Li Xuanyue cut her off without hesitation.

“Enough, Qinghe. I know how deep our sisterly bond runs. Since you can’t part with eight or ten treasures, you’ll surely make up for it in other ways. Your kindness warms my heart.”

“Rest assured, when the time comes to select the new Beast Monarch a year from now, I will personally recommend you to Her Majesty.”

Li Qinghe’s lips twitched violently. Did she need Li Xuanyue’s recommendation?

Not in the slightest.

In her view, whether Li Xuanyue lived for another half year or not made no difference when the time came, the selection of the new ruler would naturally fall into her hands.

What need was there for her rotten kindness?

Yet these words could never be spoken openly in front of Li Xuanyue.

Helpless, she could only grit her teeth and silently swallow this bitter pill.

Though this war of words ended in Li Qinghe’s defeat and retreat,

it allowed those present, including Zhōng Hè, to witness Li Xuanyue’s sharp-tongued ferocity.

Li Qinghe had been utterly unable to retort in front of her.

Instead, she had been outmaneuvered by Li Xuanyue.

It was indeed an eye opening display.

“Everyone, take a seat. No need to stand.”

Earlier, in order to overpower Li Qinghe with her presence, Li Xuanyue hadn’t had the chance to attend to Zhōng Hè and the others.

Now that Li Qinghe had left, there was naturally no reason for her to continue ignoring them.

“Thank you, Your Highness!”

Zhōng Hè hadn’t forgotten proper etiquette. After bowing, he took a seat to the side.

“I’ve just received word from Her Majesty that the families of the five consorts will arrive in the Phoenix Clan the day after tomorrow to visit you all.”

Li Xuanyue took a sip of tea from the table and spoke calmly, “No doubt they fear I’ve treated you poorly.”

Past precedents were laid bare before them.

No wonder they were uneasy.

If she were the one marrying her son off to a woman with a notorious reputation, she’d probably be even more worried than they were.

Zhōng Hè frowned but remained silent.

“When the time comes, I may need your help in putting on a performance.”

Zhōng Hè gave Li Xuanyue a strange look.

As the esteemed Phoenix Clan princess, countless people would jump at the chance to assist her why go out of her way to seek their help?

Didn’t it seem unnecessary?

Though he didn’t voice these thoughts, the expression on his face made his feelings clear to Li Xuanyue.

“Though I hold the title of Phoenix Clan princess, there are few around me whom I can truly trust.”

Li Xuanyue was revealing her vulnerable side to Zhōng Hè.

Only this way could she quickly gain his trust.

At present, she deemed this the most reliable approach.

A flicker of surprise passed through Zhōng Hè’s eyes.

“From what just happened, you should be able to see that my standing within the Phoenix Clan isn’t as untouchable as the outside world claims where I command the wind and rain at will.”

Li Xuanyue dismissed the attendants with a wave. “It’s all the work of those with ulterior motives.”

As for who these schemers were,

Zhōng Hè had a rough idea.

His gaze darkened slightly.

What truly caught him off guard was Li Xuanyue baring her vulnerabilities before him.

Previously, rumors painted her as domineering, unreasonable, and cruel someone who took out her frustrations by abusing her consorts and attendants.

Yet in the three months since Zhōng Hè had married into the Phoenix Clan, aside from the wedding night and a staged performance with the other consorts for the princess’s sake,

there had been no further interaction between them, let alone any mistreatment.

This alone proved that most of the rumors were false.

Perhaps they had been spread deliberately to tarnish the princess’s reputation.

“Then… what would Your Highness have me do when the time comes?”

After a brief hesitation, he finally spoke.

Zhōng Hè wasn’t offering his help for free his agreement came with his own considerations.

The Crane Clan currently had no place for him, yet he couldn’t let his mother continue suffering outside. He needed to find the right opportunity and justification to place her somewhere safe and secure.

This arrangement would require Li Xuanyue to personally intervene on his behalf in private.

Even if Lord Zhōng later investigated the matter, there would be no grounds for him to cause trouble over it.