In another guest chamber, ornamental stones dotted the room and soft light filtered through. Biluo propped her chin in both hands, her expression one of deep melancholy.
He was back! That man had actually returned. And the very first thing he did upon arriving was make Her Majesty cry—how infuriating. Now that he was back, she probably wouldn't stand a chance anymore. But… why didn't she feel the slightest twinge of jealousy? Instead, she was happy for Her Majesty. And perhaps… there was even a tiny flicker of anticipation in her own heart.
She shook her head, banishing the stray thoughts, and only then remembered that she had brought a little guest back with her.
Turning her head, she saw the young girl sitting on the other side of the table, perfectly still, so quiet it was almost unnatural. Her black-and-white eyes were crystalline and clear, like the surface of a pristine spring, gazing at nothing in particular, unfocused.
What a refined child. She had no idea which woman that man had fathered her with. He certainly had good genes.
Not wanting to be rude to her guest, Biluo forced a smile, rummaged through her storage ring for a moment, and produced some small berry-like spirit fruits, placing them in front of the girl. "Try one. They're very sweet."
Liuyan lowered her gaze to the spirit fruits, then looked back up at her and said solemnly, "I'm not a child."
Biluo let out a laugh and patted the girl's head. "A child is a child. Why deny it?"
Liuyan brushed her hand away in annoyance and snapped, "Do that again and I won't be polite." Despite her attempt at an angry expression, her small frame and exquisitely doll-like face only made her more endearing.
Biluo said, "Small in stature and big in temper. Fine, fine, I won't touch you."
Liuyan shifted in her seat, pressing herself back into the chair until her whole body was nearly swallowed by it.
Biluo made idle conversation. "Is your father good to you?"
"He's not my father!"
"Hm? Weren't you just calling him 'Father' a moment ago? How quickly you disown him. Oh, I see—you must be standing up for your mother. You really are small in stature but wise beyond your years. But that won't work, you know. Your father has several women; Her Majesty is just one of them." She suddenly realized it was absurd to be discussing this topic with a little girl and quickly changed the subject. "How old are you? What's your name? Where is your mother? How did your parents meet?" A woman's insatiable curiosity burned within her. She consoled herself that she was gathering intelligence on Her Majesty's behalf—a preemptive effort to know the enemy and know oneself.
Liuyan slowly turned her head and gazed at her in silence.
Biluo asked, "Is there something on my face?"
"You're really annoying. Can you shut up?"
Biluo blinked.
She had… been scolded by a little girl! She could hardly believe her ears, and her face flushed crimson.
"Your mind is restless. You want to know what they're doing, don't you?" Liuyan said.
"No such thing!" Biluo's face reddened further, as though she'd been caught dead to rights.
Liuyan's pointed ear twitched slightly as she listened, then said, "Oh, quite intense. Your Her Majesty really does let herself go. That position is rather interesting."
"You… you…!" Biluo shot to her feet as though she'd sat on a needle, staring at Liuyan as though she'd seen a ghost, her beautiful eyes wide as saucers.
Was this something a child should say? What those two were doing in the adjacent chamber, even she could figure out with half a brain. And this girl was putting on an act of eavesdropping—talking about *positions*, no less?
Being wise beyond one's years was one thing, but this was beyond all reason. Biluo felt that her moral compass, built over many years, had taken a devastating blow and was on the verge of shattering.
Liuyan reached both hands out and made grasping motions in the air.
"What are you doing now?" Biluo asked, suspicious.
Liuyan said, "This is how he grabs your Her Majesty. And now your Her Majesty is like this…" As she spoke, her small head swayed back and forth, her silky hair fanning out.
Biluo's jaw dropped open in an instant, her body freezing in place as though someone had cast a immobilization spell on her.
Did she have to describe it in such vivid, colorful detail—as though she had witnessed it with her own eyes? Listening to her account, Biluo could practically picture the scene next door. What made it worse was that Liuyan wore a perfectly straight face and a solemn expression throughout, which only added a layer of the bizarre. Despite herself, Biluo felt a chill run down her spine.
This child was far too strange. Did Yang Kai know? Or was some primordial beast concealed within that tiny body of hers? No child in the world should be like this.
She suddenly snapped back to her senses and smiled through pursed lips. "What nonsense are you spouting?"
She had nearly been fooled. The chamber where Her Majesty rested was layered with restrictions—even she, a Void King First Stage cultivator, couldn't peer through them in the slightest. How could a little girl possibly manage it?
"If you don't believe me, fine." Liuyan lost interest in describing further. She lounged languidly in her chair, her two small hands folded over her stomach, two fingers idly spinning in lazy circles.
Silence settled over the room. After what had just happened, Biluo didn't dare speak casually to this child anymore, afraid she might blurt out some shocking statement that would send her reeling.
"Hey…" Liuyan suddenly spoke.
"You calling me?" Biluo turned to look at her.
"Is there anyone else in the room?" Liuyan wore an expression of exaggerated disbelief, as if to say, *"Are you stupid?"*
Biluo drew a deep breath, barely restraining herself from rushing over to strangle the girl. Such a beautiful little thing—why did she speak in the most infuriating way possible? Granted, one shouldn't judge by appearances, but this contrast was simply too extreme, truly hard to accept. She squeezed out a smile and struggled to maintain her composure. "My name is Biluo. You can call me Aunt Biluo, or Sister Biluo—either is fine."