I used to think I was teasing a little snake, but now I realize it's a thousand-year-old snake demon, and I've been played between the palms of my hands.

Seeing her smiling and playing with the children, Zhao Changhe finally sighed, "Sister Pig..."

"What?" Huangfu Qing lazily replied.

She actually didn't object to this title anymore.

Zhao Changhe found it funny and said, "You said before that the venerable didn't give me a woman because it's impossible to give such an important role as a concubine to someone else, right?"

"Right."

"But you've been explaining to me that your concubine status doesn't really count... Sister, does this mean that it doesn't matter what the venerable thinks, and this status is only about how we see it ourselves?"

Huangfu Qing blinked her eyes and smiled even more charmingly, "Your reasoning seems to make some sense."

More than just making sense...

Why did she have to explain the concubine's secrets to him when he hadn't even joined the sect yet? This was a major secret within the sect... If it weren't for the fact that she was the Rosefinch herself, and not just a winged fire snake, she wouldn't even have the right to reveal the secret without permission...

Was she explaining in a hurry because she was afraid he would keep his distance from her and there would be no more cute moments between them?

Huangfu Qing knew that the period when she laughed most freely and joyfully was when she wore the pig mask. It was likely that she had never been so relaxed in her whole life, and she didn't want it to end and turn into a relationship as fragile as walking on thin ice.

That would be a shame.

But Zhao Changhe sighed, "Now I understand why a concubine can leave the palace for so long... I originally thought you were in a hurry to come back because you were afraid no one could find you. But now it seems that no one in the palace can control you at all. It doesn't matter if you're there or not. It's just that you don't want to be away for too long, because you have important matters in the palace. Missing these two months of observation may have caused a lot of crucial things to be missed..."

Huangfu Qing was taken aback. Why did he suddenly bring this up? "That's right. Although I can leave at any time, it's not advisable to be away for too long."

"But I will leave soon. Are you sure you want to continue following me?"

Huangfu Qing fell silent.

Observing the affairs in the palace was very important. But observing the strange constellation of Zhao Changhe was equally important. In a sense, it might be even more important...

Zhao Changhe said, "You followed me originally to figure out the secret of my constellation, right?"

"Yeah..."

"I think, it's useless for you to follow me in this matter. I can't figure it out myself, so it's probably a waste of time for you to follow me for a year or so. I promise you, if I figure it out, I will tell you without reservation, okay?"

Clearly, it seemed like a good thing for her, but Huangfu Qing's eyes once again revealed the hostility belonging to the Rosefinch, "Are you tired of me?"

"No, I just don't want you to follow me for this reason... Just as I don't want to always feel itchy because I think the venerable gave you to me..." Zhao Changhe said seriously, "When I'm just Zhao Changhe, and you're just Huangfu Qing..."

Huangfu Qing interrupted, "Childish."

Many things require an excuse, a step to convince oneself.

When the step is taken away, it doesn't lead to a more real and calm heart, but rather to a break.

Just like when she wore the pig face, she could laugh freely, even though she was still the same person.

"Childish?" Zhao Changhe walked to the balcony, leaned on the railing and looked out at the rain falling into the lake, and said softly, "In fact, there's not much difference. If you need a reason to get along, I can find another one at any time."

Huangfu Qing found it interesting, "Oh?"

"For example, based on your political position as a concubine, you support me as the prince and openly compete with the queen. This kind of relationship is more open and aboveboard. You can tell your brother, and I can tell Chancellor Tang. I don't even need to live in the secret location of the Four Elephant Sect, I can openly live in the Huangfu family."

Huangfu Qing smiled slightly, "The premise of doing so is that this prince belongs to the Four Elephant Sect."

"Is an alliance relationship not possible?"

"No."

"I don't believe it. You can ask the Rosefinch Venerable."

Huangfu Qing wanted to say there was no need to ask, but she closed her mouth and just smiled.

"If joining the Four Elephant Sect is mentioned, I'm not against it. It's just that the Rosefinch Venerable is not in a position to make a decision right now. She still needs to consult with the Basalt Venerable. After all, the sect is not like a sect, and my situation is too special."

"Right."

"You know, if the Basalt Venerable also agrees, and I join the sect, becoming a fire pig or something, we will openly and boldly be together. Do you think there's a problem with that?"

Huangfu Qing was stunned for a moment and found no problem.

The only problem might be that the White Tiger Saintess would kill you.

Zhao Changhe turned around, smiled brightly, "You see, there are reasons to be together everywhere."

At this moment, Huangfu Qing was no longer angry and asked strangely, "Why be so boring? Does it make a difference what reasons there are?""Because my visit to the capital was only to clarify the emperor's condition, and now I've pretty much done that, I feel that the deeper situation is not something I can grasp at the moment. I've put on a big show at the restaurant, and there was no reaction from the various parties before, but now there should be one, and I should make a run for it before they make a move. Especially the empress, if she really pulls something, I'm afraid I won't be able to handle it."

Huangfu Qing twitched the corner of his mouth, thinking you were stirring up trouble, but it turns out your plan was to hit and run!

Zhao Changhe continued, "So I'm leaving, will you come with me right away? Is it a bit difficult for you? Actually, there's nothing to be troubled about. Compared to divining the stars and such, I'd rather you continue to investigate the emperor's affairs."

Huangfu Qing couldn't help but laugh, "The way you put it, you sound like the Rosefinch Sovereign, assigning me a mission."

"Do whatever you want, don't feel tied down by the reason of 'clarifying the stars.' I'll figure it out myself and tell you, so why waste your effort?" Zhao Changhe winked, "Saying I'm assigning you a task, it's more like I'm concerned about you..."

"Please, save it. That might work on Tang Wanzhuang, she's the one who needs someone to care for her."

Zhao Changhe didn't engage in that banter and added, "There's another reason, not sure if you want to hear it."

A quick look at "paw𝑟ead.com" will leave you more fulfilled.

Huangfu Qing smiled, "Go ahead."

"Because that way, there's no Rosefinch mission between you and me, it's just you and me. Then I can be sure, when you tease me, whether it's because a Sovereign instructed you to flirt, or if it's your own intention. You say I'm childish, but I think this is very important!"

Huangfu Qing blinked rapidly three or four times in a second.

Still denying being childish.

Some things need the right atmosphere, and with you laying it out so plainly, all the atmosphere is gone, what's there to flirt about!

How do you have so many romantic rumors with such a lack of savvy?

The two looked at each other, the atmosphere suddenly awkward, both faces expressionless.

Zhao Changhe then realized, not only had the other stopped teasing, but now even he couldn't utter a flirtatious word, the natural atmosphere from before was completely gone.

Indeed, some things really can't be laid out so openly.

Huangfu Qing sighed, shaking her head as she turned to enter the room, "Thought you were so smart, turns out you're just a fool..."

Before she finished speaking, a breeze stirred across the lake.

A fairy gliding over the water, walking on the moonlight.

Seeing Zhao Changhe standing on the balcony looking out over the lake, Tang Wanzhuang exhaled a breath, her voice carrying from afar, "This woman is full of secrets, no matter what promises she has made to you, you must not take them lightly..."

Before she could finish, she saw Huangfu Qing, who had been about to walk away, suddenly stop, and instead wrapped her arms around Zhao Changhe's neck, pretending to kiss him.

Tang Wanzhuang's eyes widened, "Seductress, let him go!"

"Whoosh!" The Autumn Water Sword's light shot straight through.

Huangfu Qing, who was just making a gesture and not really going to kiss, dodged in response, smiling, "Oh, the pure and noble Tang chancellor, are you here to steal a man?"

Zhao Changhe's face twitched, unable to speak for a long time.

It turns out that to recreate the atmosphere, you don't need to rack your brains; just bring in an atmosphere group...