After being reborn, all I want to do is run away.

Chapter 490 Don’t look at anything inappropriate

When the golden rays of the warm spring sun pierce through the thin mist that shrouds Goddess Peak and shine upon Hundred Flowers City.

The Jade Belt River, which had been bustling all night, finally revealed the splendor and hidden tension that it had accumulated during the day.

During the day, the Jade Belt River gradually regained its "mirage" appearance.

The river water is crystal clear, reflecting the blue sky and flowing clouds, the colorful flowers and trees on both banks, and the huge flower boats of various styles on the water.

A gentle breeze ripples across the water, softly wrinkling this magnificent tapestry of land and water, only to smooth it out again—a scene of unparalleled beauty.

The flowing river of lights from last night has been extinguished, and the hundreds of enormous flower boats upstream of Hundred Flowers City, like beauties stripped of their heavy makeup, reveal their true charm.

The Moon-Viewing Boat remains elegant and aloof, its white gauze curtains fluttering gently in the wind.

The ship of Tianyin Pavilion is like a giant resonating box, with colorful musical note-shaped light bands swirling around it, accompanied by ethereal celestial music.

The dark hull of the Dark Fragrance Pavilion appeared even more secluded, with strange vines entwined around its body blooming with flowers that looked eerie even in broad daylight, emitting a faint, mesmerizing fragrance.

Other pleasure boats were also vying for attention. The flower-covered platforms on the hull of the Qihualou boat were vibrant with life under the sunlight, the Qingyuzhu boat of Shuyufang was warm and elegant, and the sword-shaped reliefs decorating the side of the Xingjiange boat gleamed coldly...

The water's surface is no longer filled with the noisy music of the night; instead, it is serene and tense.

On the decks of each pleasure boat, shadowy figures moved swiftly and in hushed tones.

The Envoys of Fragrance and the Envoys of True Splendor directed the Envoys of Spiritual Essence to carry out the final cleaning and preparation.

The flowers were replaced with the freshest and most vibrant varieties, carefully cleaned, and every decoration was polished until it shone.

The graceful figures of the Xuan Yun Envoys occasionally appeared on the top-floor observation deck with the best view. They would either lean on the railing and gaze into the distance with calm expressions, or talk quietly with others with solemn expressions between their brows.

The banks of the Jade Belt River were already filled with dense crowds.

The cultivators quickly secured advantageous positions, whispering amongst themselves and their eyes darting eagerly between the ten pleasure boats.

The air was thick with anticipation, and a barely perceptible tension—everyone knew what kind of turbulent waves were hidden beneath the calm surface.

As the Guiyun Pavilion slowly approached Flower Goddess Mountain, along with the ten other flower pavilions surrounding it, Shen Xu couldn't help but remark, "It seems your Guiyun Pavilion holds a very high status!"

"It's all thanks to our ancestor. I was originally going to study at the Chiyuan Sect, but because of the Song family, our ancestor made me stay at Guiyun Pavilion. As long as she's there, no one dares to interfere with Guiyun Pavilion's affairs."

"Why does the Song family insist on marrying you? With your status, marrying Song Han is already a step up for you!" Shen Xu lay on the soft chair and picked up a white fruit to eat.

"I don't know either. Anyway, the first time Song Han saw me, he wanted to marry me, but the old lady immediately refused him and told me that I could not marry anyone from the Song family."

"May I meet your ancestor?" He keenly sensed that Ji Ling Shuang's ancestor might know a lot, which was exactly what he needed.

Ji Ling Shuang's eyes instantly turned cold. "If our ancestor were still alive, would I need to come looking for you?"

"If our ancestors were still alive, how would they dare to force me like this!" Ji Ling Shuang choked up as she said this.

"Did your ancestors say anything to you?" He didn't care about Ji Ling Shuang's feelings; his relationship with her was purely transactional.

"Even if my ancestors really told me something, I won't tell you, you cold-blooded bastard!"

Seeing that Ji Ling Shuang seemed genuinely angry, Shen Xu awkwardly touched his nose. "Sorry! If you don't want to talk about it, then don't!"

The two fell silent.

As the ship gradually came to a stop, Shen Xu asked, "When will the delegation arrive? Should we wait here, or go somewhere else?"

"Around noon, we're going to Zuixianju, which is the pre-selected winner in this competition. The delegation will also go to Zuixianju first."

"There's something fishy going on! I thought it was really elected!"

"The judging panel has the right to make decisions, but Baihuacheng also has the right to make suggestions. Under normal circumstances, the judging panel will give Baihuacheng this face."

Just then, there was a soft knock on the door. "Miss, the boat from Zuixianju has arrived. Would you like me to help you change your clothes?"

Ji Ling Shuang looked at Shen Xu.

"I'm going out!" Shen Xu threw the fruit pit out the window, got up, wiped his hands with the soft silk curtains, and then pushed open the door and went out.

The girl in the yellow dress at the door widened her eyes when she saw Shen Xu come out, but seeing the young man's kind smile, she suddenly calmed down for some reason.

"I am your young lady's personal bodyguard. She is waiting for you. Don't waste any more time."

"Yes, ma'am!" The girl bowed respectfully and then went into the room.

Shen Xu leaned against the wall, pondering Ji Ling Shuang's words, feeling that her ancestor might be a key figure, but unfortunately, he was no longer there.

Clearly, the opinions of the Ji family's higher-ups and Ji Ling Shuang's ancestors differed.

Furthermore, it's strange that Song Han insisted on marrying Ji Ling Shuang. Although Ji Ling Shuang is incredibly beautiful, according to her, the two of them had only met no more than three times.

Song Han certainly had better options, but his unwavering stance makes it hard not to suspect that the Song family has ulterior motives.

The most cunning person in Hundred Flowers City is the Goddess of Hundred Flowers.

Could the turmoil in the previous life be related to the Red Yuan Sect?

If that's the case, even with Qingyun's protection, he probably wouldn't be able to escape unscathed.

Just as Shen Xu was pondering how to obtain more information, the carved door beside him suddenly opened, and Ji Ling Shuang slowly walked out, her chin slightly raised.

Her moon-like skin had a cool, luminous sheen, her curves were hazy, and she was flawless and radiant.

Her eyelashes trembled slightly, and a thin layer of pink rouge trailed at the corners of her eyes, making it seem as if water mist was flowing through them.

The long, smoky purple brocade dress was stained with dark patterns, and the thin silk hanging from the shoulders shimmered with a moonlit glow. Gold-embroidered epiphyllum flowers spread from the cross-collar to the hem of the dress.

Her smooth, dark hair was piled up in a cloud-like bun, adorned with two lapis lazuli and jade hairpins, while two pure white flowers by her ears added a touch of innocence to her look.

Seeing the slightly dazed expression on the young man's face, Ji Ling Shuang smiled gently, her beauty breathtaking.

"Young Master Shen, let's go!" Ji Ling Shuang's crimson lips parted slightly, like cinnabar sealed in thin ice.

"Feel sorry!"

Shen Xu couldn't help but sigh that such a woman seemed to be very attractive to men. Perhaps that young master of the Song family was really just after Ji Ling Shuang's beauty.

"Why apologize? Young Master Shen wasn't this friendly to me before."

“There’s a saying in my hometown: ‘Don’t look at what is improper.’ I’ve been staring at you for so long, so naturally I need to apologize.”

Furthermore, I don't believe my words or actions were unfriendly to Miss Ji.

"Is that so? Then let's see what Young Master Shen can do." Ji Ling Shuang raised her arm and placed her palm in front of him.

As she raised her arm, the breeze on the river lifted half of her sleeves, revealing the cool, gleaming gold inlay on her wrist.

"I have always treated the Nourishing Essence Pill with respect." Shen Xu gently took Ji Ling Shuang's hand, and the soft, smooth feel of it surprised him.

The last time he experienced this sensation was when he was with Guan Bi.

I wonder how she is now? Is she still worried about him? Has she made peace with herself after receiving the inheritance...?

Feeling Shen Xu's hand gradually tightening its grip, Ji Ling Shuang's face flushed red, but she did not pull away.