CHAPTER 44: YUE LIANHUA

The journey to Crimson Lotus City took three days.

During that time, Princess Yue Lianhua recovered steadily under Xian Tiandi’s care.

Her cultivation base stabilized, her injuries healed, and her spiritual energy gradually returned to normal levels.

But more significantly, a rapport developed between them.

It started with simple conversations. Lianhua was curious about the young man who had saved her life.

She asked about his background, his cultivation, his goals. Xian Tiandi answered selectively, revealing some truths while keeping his deeper secrets hidden.

In turn, he learned about her. She spoke of growing up in the royal palace, of the political pressures and expectations placed on princesses.

She described her cultivation journey and her acceptance into the Blue Rain Sect, one of the few places where she could be judged by her abilities rather than her birth.

"The palace is a gilded cage," she said one afternoon as the carriage rolled along.

"Beautiful but suffocating. Everyone watches you constantly. Every word, every action is analyzed for political meaning. I joined the Blue Rain Sect partly to escape that."

"But you’re still a princess," Xian Tiandi pointed out. "That doesn’t change even in a sect."

"True," Lianhua admitted. "But at least in the sect, I’m judged by my cultivation and my contributions. Not just by whose daughter I am or which faction I might support."

Xian Tiandi understood that sentiment well. In his past life, he’d been judged and found wanting many times before proving his worth.

As the days passed, their conversations became more comfortable.

Xian Tiandi discovered that Lianhua had a sharp wit beneath her refined exterior. She could be surprisingly funny when she relaxed.

On the second day, she told him a story about a pompous sect elder who had tried to lecture her on proper cultivation methods, only to have his own technique backfire spectacularly during a demonstration.

"His robes caught fire," she said, barely containing her laughter. "Not just a little fire either. His entire backside was ablaze. He ran around the training ground shrieking while junior disciples chased him with water buckets. He never lectured anyone about fire techniques again."

Xian Tiandi couldn’t help but smile at the image. "I assume this elder still holds a grudge?"

"Oh, definitely," Lianhua confirmed with a grin. "He glares at me every time we cross paths. But he can’t say anything because technically I didn’t do anything wrong. It was his own carelessness."

These moments of levity helped ease the tension from the assassination attempt. Lianhua was healing not just physically but mentally as well.

Ying Yue noticed these interactions with mixed feelings. She served meals to both Xian Tiandi and the princess, maintaining her professional demeanor.

But internally, she felt a strange unease watching them talk and laugh together.

The princess was beautiful, refined, and shared similar cultivation interests with the Young Master.

They seemed to connect naturally. Where did that leave a former herb gatherer like herself?

One afternoon, as Ying Yue was serving tea in the carriage, Lianhua looked at her thoughtfully.

"You seem very dedicated to Xian Tiandi," the princess observed. "How long have you served him?"

"Not long, Your Highness," Ying Yue replied politely. "Perhaps three weeks."

"Only three weeks?" Lianhua looked surprised. "You seem much more loyal than a typical servant after such a short time."

Ying Yue’s hands paused briefly in their task. "The Young Master saved my life and my brother’s life. He also taught me cultivation and alchemy. I owe him everything."

"I see," Lianhua said with understanding. "Then we have something in common. We both owe him our lives."

She gestured to the seat beside her. "Please, sit and join us for tea. I’d like to know more about you."

Ying Yue hesitated, glancing at Xian Tiandi uncertainly. She thought itwasn’t proper for a servant to sit with a princess.

"Go ahead," Xian Tiandi said with a nod. "Ying Yue is not just a servant. She’s also my friend."

While he said this, he thought to himself, ’I might need to do something about her self esteem and status. This isn’t the Ying Yue she should be.’

Both Ying Yue and Lianhua looked surprised at his statement, though for different reasons.

Ying Yue’s heart warmed. The Young Master considered her a friend, not just a subordinate.

Even though he kept saying that to her. She kept seeing herself more of his maid who ought to serve him with her life.

Lianhua studied Xian Tiandi with renewed interest. "You consider your maid a friend? That’s unusual, especially among nobility."

"Status is temporary," Xian Tiandi replied calmly. "Character is permanent. Ying Yue has proven her character. That makes her worthy of friendship regardless of her background."

Ying Yue sat down carefully, still uncertain but following his instruction. She accepted a cup of tea that Lianhua poured for her.

"I used to think the same way," Lianhua said quietly. "When I was younger, I befriended several palace servants. We would sneak away to play together when I could escape my tutors."

She smiled sadly at the memory. "But the palace rules didn’t allow such associations. My father’s advisors said it was inappropriate for a princess to have commoner friends. Eventually, those friendships were... discouraged. The servants were reassigned to distant posts. I learned to keep my distance after that."

"That sounds lonely," Ying Yue said softly before she could stop herself. Then she quickly added, "Forgive me, Your Highness. I spoke out of turn."

"No, you’re right," Lianhua replied. "It is lonely. The palace is full of people, but few of them are genuine. Everyone has an agenda. Everyone wants something."

She looked at Xian Tiandi. "That’s why I find your attitude refreshing. You don’t seem to care about social hierarchies."

"I care about competence and loyalty," Xian Tiandi said. "Everything else is secondary."

The three of them spent the next hour talking over tea. Lianhua asked Ying Yue about her experiences learning alchemy. Ying Yue, gradually relaxing, shared some of her struggles and successes.

It was a pleasant afternoon. By the end of it, Ying Yue’s initial wariness of the princess had faded considerably. Lianhua was kind and genuine, not at all like the haughty noble ladies she’d imagined.

As evening approached, a shout came from outside the carriage.

"Young Master! We’re approaching Crimson Lotus City!"

Everyone moved to the windows to look. In the distance, massive walls rose against the skyline.

Crimson Lotus City was several times larger than Xianling City, with defensive walls that stood at least thirty meters high. Guard towers dotted the walls at regular intervals.