Food Fairy Lord

Chapter 765 Night Stroll with a Candle
The night was clear inside the Xiuwen Hall, but it wasn't until he returned to the bustling street and stepped out of the hall's door that Pei Ye took a deep breath, as if the air he had been breathing in the previous hour was not the kind of gas that could sustain life.

Li Piaoqing stood to the side, watching him with a smile: "You insisted on going in yourself."

Pei Ye didn't speak, glanced at her, and took a step forward, with Li Piaoqing following beside him.

The two walked along the courtyard wall of Xiuwen Hall. At this time of year, the grass at the base of the wall was sprouting small buds, bathed in the silvery moonlight.

"You two really didn't fight?" Pei Ye said softly, her head down.

Li Piaoqing laughed: "What do we have to argue about—because of you?"

"..." Pei Ye looked at her.

“…Alright, we did have a little bickering.” Li Piaoqing turned her head to look ahead and smiled. “But it’s nothing. Although Your Highness said a few sarcastic things to me, I returned the favor. I didn’t even realize it when I came here. Do you know what Your Highness cares about most?”

"what?"

“It’s the Sword Master Ming,” Li Piaoqing said with a smile. “When she mentioned it, I thought she was adorable.”

The girl paced back and forth, her smile gazing up at the night sky: "Because when she sent me those letters, she always seemed so confident and in control. At that time, I was a little worried—do you know why I wanted to meet her? It's because I thought that a princess like her, taking a fancy to a boy from a small town like you, might have some other ulterior motives... And I also felt that you might be deceived and bullied by her."

She was a little embarrassed after saying that, and smiled, "But from what I see now, she still cares about you a lot."

When Li Piaoqing smiled, her eyes curved like crescent moons, and her pupils seemed to be studded with stars. Pei Ye stared at her blankly, then lowered his head and whispered, "Um... Li Xizhou said something that was a bit harsh to you... That's just how she is, I'm sorry, don't take it to heart."

"..." Li Piaoqing paused for a moment, her smile disappeared from her face, and her lips pursed into a hard shape. "Just tell me, and I won't be angry with anyone else... You, you don't need to apologize to me on her behalf."

She looked at him with her clear eyes, her voice very soft.

“…Oh.” Pei Ye responded blankly. It wasn’t because she didn’t understand that she was blank; rather, she understood, so she could only be blank.

Li Piaoqing pursed her lips and turned her head away.

"Don't cry," Pei Ye said urgently.

Li Piaoqing chuckled in exasperation, then turned around and glared at him, saying, "Who's crying?"

"..."

The courtyard wall of Xiuwen Academy was left behind. This long street had no shops or markets and was not bustling. At night, it was mostly quiet, with scholars returning to or leaving the academy.

“The capital city is really big,” Li Piaoqing said.

"Yes."

"Do you remember when we met at Yanwu?" She tilted her head.
“…I really didn’t expect you to be there.” Pei Ye paused, recalling her “Little Seven” attire and how freely she moved among the Water Gang members. He had once thought that she had grown up there.

“I have the ‘Mind-Communicating Candle,’ so it’s easy for me to make people think I’m a certain kind of person,” Li Piaoqing laughed. “Back then, I waited there for several days, and finally they said an assassin would come, but I didn’t know who it was. As soon as that small boat came by, I recognized you at a glance.”

"I was disguised too."

"Your disguise can only prevent strangers from recognizing you, but it cannot fool those who know you well."

"It was drawn by the people from Xianrentai, who also said they were experts in disguise."

"It's not a problem with the person who painted it."

"Whose problem is that?"

"Your question."

"...I didn't touch anything while he was drawing."

Li Piaoqing raised her hand and slapped him.

"It's not a problem with the disguise itself, it's a problem with the disguise itself." Li Piaoqing strolled along, her voice light and dreamlike. "Do you remember the first time I taught you how to do makeup back in Bowang?"

"...I remember. Back at the Nagado Martial Arts School."

“Yes, I taught you how to do this eye makeup back then, but you were so clumsy,” Li Piaoqing said. “I told you back then that disguise should be tailored to different situations, not rigid, but you said…”

“I said I act openly and honestly, and I don’t need such methods.”

"good."

They both laughed.

"I did learn it in the end." Pei Ye paused for a moment, pursed her lips, "I haven't forgotten this makeup, I remember how to do it."

"Hmph, but you didn't dare say it just now," Li Piaoqing chuckled.

"..."

Li Piaoqing also seemed to miss that autumn day in the small town. Although they each carried heavy grudges and grievances, neither of them had yet encountered a larger world, and they had met or known very few people.

With wolves in front and tigers behind, the boy and girl seemed to forget everything else on that morning when they sat in the hut painting their eyebrows.

"In short, disguise can change your appearance, body shape, and even the shape and color of your eyes, but it cannot change your speech, behavior, or the emotions in your eyes," Li Piaoqing said softly. "And the latter is something that people who know you well will never forget."

"..."

"So if you ever want to impersonate someone else, remember, the most important thing isn't makeup, but the act itself," Li Piaoqing said. "You need to observe carefully in your daily life. Some people have lively eyes, while others have restless eyes. Although both have pupils moving, they are different. Some are calm, some are indifferent, and some are dull... The same applies to behavior. Faced with the same situation, different people react very differently. If you want to impersonate someone, you have to become a completely different person."

“And it has to be thorough and natural,” she added.

"...That's really difficult."

"Of course, I told you before that disguise is a very profound art. Although it is not something that can be presented in public, it is still taught by masters and has secret techniques in the martial arts world."

Pei Ye thought for a moment: "Then you do this skill so well, is it because the Mind-Transmitting Candle makes it easy to observe others? I didn't recognize you at the time."

"...You're completely stupid!"

"what?"

“I didn’t hide my words or actions from you, and you didn’t even recognize me… and you still say that.”

"..."

"I guess I've changed a lot," Li Piaoqing said. "It's not entirely your fault."

“…You’ve become even better, Piao Qing,” Pei Ye blurted out.

"Ok?"

“This is what I feel after meeting you this time,” Pei Ye said. “You seem to be able to handle everything, and you know everything… Managing the sect by yourself must be very tiring for you.”

Li Piaoqing smiled, her face slightly flushed: "Don't suddenly start praising people like that."

"real."

“You’ve grown up a lot too.” Li Piaoqing returned his bow. “Today, when you dealt with Yun Lang in the garden, you were very measured and tactful. You not only spoke your mind with passion, but you also showed the beginnings of a heroic spirit.” “…Is that so?” Pei Ye was a little embarrassed.

"Mm." Li Piaoqing nodded.

Pei Ye laughed: "I'll be eighteen after the New Year, we'll both be a year older."

"What have you been doing in the capital these past few days? I've only heard some rumors." Li Piaoqing strolled along, and the two walked out of the long street of Xiuwen Hall. The evening liveliness of the capital began to greet them, with tourists everywhere, carrying swords and fans, and lanterns and candles forming a long dragon.

Pei Ye thought for a moment: "Actually, I didn't do much. In October, I eliminated the Taiping Canal Gang. In November, I entered the Illusion Tower and witnessed the Two Heavens Theory. In December, I fought the Vermilion Bird Gate Sword Bet. Then, after the New Year, I went to the palace."

"What are you going to do in the palace?"

"..."

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Li Piaoqing smiled.

"Entering the palace... I helped His Highness kill Yu Sicheng, and then there was the matter of the Eight Waters Spirit Realm. That's when I met you," Pei Ye said. "And you, Piao Qing, I heard that Jade Jade Mountain is thriving now. What are your plans for the future?"

"Do you remember that night on the boat, when we talked about our ambitions with Layman Qi and Young Hero Yang? I vowed to make the Emerald Feather Sword Sect the best in the five states." Li Piaoqing laughed. "You insisted that I repeat it, so I said the best in eight states, but you were still not satisfied. You grabbed my arm and said, 'The Emerald Feather Sword Sect should be famous throughout the fifty states of Shaolong.'"

“Young Master Pei Ye has always been farsighted since childhood. This year, he should be the best jadeite in the five northern states.”

Pei Ye smiled: "When you set your goals, you should aim high. Whether you succeed or not is another matter. Back then, I noticed that you were different from others. You were clearly younger than me, and even when you were in dire straits, you could always laugh so cheerfully. That's why I liked you—that's why I believed in you."

"Don't talk nonsense, Young Master Pei. Be careful that His Highness doesn't question you about your philandering." Li Piaoqing tilted his head and smiled. "This autumn, I plan to unite all the major and minor sects in the five northern states to govern the martial world and recruit talents as the foundation for our next stage of development. My trip to the capital this time is to contact the Immortal Platform for this very purpose."

"...If you need any help, be sure to tell me. I can help you with a lot in Shenjing." Pei Ye pursed her lips.

“Telling you is the same as telling His Highness Jinyang. Tell Young Hero Pei, and then Young Hero Pei can go and beg her.” Li Piaoqing smiled and wrinkled her nose. “I won’t do such a thing.”

"No, you tell me, and I'll have her do it."

"..."

"..."

"Young Master Pei is so domineering."

Pei Ye blushed slightly: "Anyway, I don't rely on her entirely, and we're not in that kind of relationship. I have other friends in Shenjing, and I'm also a Hejian myself... If you have any difficulties, just tell me. Didn't I often ask you for help when we were in Bowang?"

Li Piaoqing feigned curiosity: "What kind of relationship are you talking about?"

Pei Ye took a deep breath and glared at her.

The girl smiled very happily.

They wandered among the tourists and became a couple among them. Although it was late, it was still early. Whether intentionally or not, neither of them was in a hurry to return to the villa.

A cool breeze brushed against my face, and the lights were dazzling. The brightest spot in the capital city was the south bank of the West Pond.

“It’s much bigger than Zhuoyue Lake.” Li Piaoqing pounced on the railing, gazing at the shimmering water. “It was right here that you and Yan Feiqing publicly killed that Body-Turning Master, and you didn’t even stop when the Golden Guards lined up to stop you.”

Pei Ye laughed: "How do you know so clearly—actually, you need to go a little over there, closer to the center of the lake."

“How magnificent. This place is also very beautiful, with its overlapping pavilions and swaying willows.” Li Piaoqing sighed softly, but quickly changed the subject, “However, the candied hawthorns in Shenjing are not good. I bought three skewers in different places these past few days, and each one was bad in its own way.”

Pei Ye also leaned against the railing: "There are many tourists in Shenjing, so there is no worry about the flow of customers, and naturally the work is perfunctory. Bowang does not have that many customers, and there are only two or three places that can do it for one or two decades. So who will run these two or three places depends on their skills."

“Young Master Pei Ye is right.”

“But I know a good place to eat,” Pei Ye smiled. “There’s a place here that serves delicious roasted pigeon. Wait here, I’ll go buy some for you to try.”

"Okay."

Li Piaoqing watched the boy's figure disappear into the crowd, smiled quietly for a while, then stretched and looked back at the river.

Before long, the boy returned, carrying two skewers of fresh, steaming meat wrapped in oil paper.

Pei Ye intended to give her two skewers, but the girl insisted on sharing one with him, so the two ate together, leaning against the railing and enjoying the river breeze. A kitten lay between them, and Li Piaoqing smiled as she gently stroked its ears.

“This place is really fun. If you want to have some fun at night, just come here.” Looking at the throng of people, Pei Ye said, “There are lots of good food ahead. There are often poetry and sword gatherings on Green Flower Terrace and Maple Shadow Terrace. You can sit down and chat with everyone. The people of Shenjing are very friendly. Now that Lord Di Jiu is the Prefect, the laws are very strict. Come on, let me take you for a walk ahead.”

As they walked along the riverbank, the more they went, the more tourists they encountered, their laughter and chatter filling the air. Pei Ye, who had been here many times, pointed out familiar sights to the young woman.

However, the two who were watching with smiles suddenly froze, only to see a drunken young man in brocade robes sway in front of them, staring intently at the girl: "Miss, haven't we met before?"

He casually waved his fan aside, followed by a swordsman who looked to be about four or five years old.

Pei Ye was first taken aback, then felt it was absurd, and then suddenly realized that it was a scene from a storybook appearing before his eyes.

The young man in brocade robes laughed drunkenly: "Is this your brother or your lover...? Let him stay here for a while, how about we go up to the Green Flower Terrace for a drink?"

Li Piaoqing smiled and looked up at the boy, indeed resembling a helpless younger sister or a lover.

This opportunity was even more rare than uncovering some powerful figure's conspiracy. Pei Ye took a breath and composed himself: "Do you know who I am?"

The young man in brocade robes was taken aback, then looked him up and down again: "Who are you?"

Pei Ye raised his hand and took out the waist token from under his clothes. He lowered his eyes and said calmly, "Imperial Terrace Inspector He Jian is here. How dare you be so presumptuous?"

"..." The young man in brocade robes was taken aback, then laughed, "Who knows you, some crane inspector or bird inspector, or even the Immortal Platform? I'm just an imperial guard!"

The martial arts figures behind him were initially taken aback when they saw the sign, but upon seeing the young man's youthful face, they burst out laughing.

"..."

Pei Ye was taken aback, then her face flushed: "You don't even recognize the Crane Inspection badge? Don't you have any knowledge?"

The young man in brocade seemed to have forgotten about the girl as well, shaking his head and saying, "I'll give you another chance. Have you prepared any other brands?"

Pei Ye was stunned. He had many identities, each of which shook the martial arts world, but at this moment, what he wanted most was Xie Chuantang's arrest warrant.

Ideally, it should be before the promotion.

Li Piaoqing burst out laughing, rested her head on his shoulder, and was overjoyed.

"..."

The girl's smile remained unchanged as she leaned on the boy's shoulder and looked at the two of them. She casually took out a jade token and said gently, "Under the Heavenly Mountain Court, would you like to see this?"

The young man in brocade robes was stunned again, but the martial artist's face had turned deathly pale. He suddenly raised his hand and grabbed the young man's arm tightly, the force of which made him let out a loud "howl".

The girl smiled: "Do you often help this person bully men and women? Break the hand that holds the sword yourself, reflect on your sect's teachings, and break the arm that holds the fan. Go back and rest for two months. No need to be crippled."

After saying that, she pulled the boy along and continued forward.

The girl couldn't help but chuckle as she looked at Pei Ye. Pei Ye looked at her silently, then sighed softly and reluctantly put the Crane Inspection token back inside his clothes, tucking it even deeper.

(End of this chapter)