Chapter 34 The Outcome Is Irrelevant

"I know you are still angry with me. It is true that I lacked patience with you before, but that will not happen again."

"Furthermore, I have given it some thought. Given your status and your current abilities, you are worthy of the position of my secondary consort."

"Rest assured, the Emperor will consent to this as well. If there is an opportunity for us to enter the sect together in the future, I will look after you and will never let anyone bully you."

He spoke with an air of entitlement, as if he were certain she would agree, even rambling on to himself.

"Xiao Jinghuai! One ought to have a little self-awareness. Look at yourself—what part of you is worth me debasing myself for? Stop dreaming! Do you truly think everyone is clamoring for that position of yours?"

"I cannot speak for others, but as for me, I truly disdain such a thing. After all, I do not even desire the position of primary consort, let alone a secondary one. Furthermore, just being in your presence makes me feel disgusted!"

"What makes you so sure I would accept? I am not some puppy you can summon or dismiss at will. I am a human being! As for why I liked you in the past, it was purely because I was blind. Now that my vision has cleared, I no longer have any regard for you, so stop trying to disgust me!"

Now, she did not even wish to grant him the most basic respect, for he was the type to take a mile if given an inch.

Xiao Jinghuai had not expected her to speak in such a manner. His expression shifted instantly, and he said coldly, "Are you still playing this game of 'hard to get' with me? You should know that my patience is limited. It would be best for you to quit while you are ahead!"

Su Yunqing was utterly speechless. She felt there was no reason to argue with him, nor was there any need for communication, as he was incapable of listening regardless.

"Get lost!" she said simply and directly, then turned and walked away.

Xiao Jinghuai originally wanted to pursue her, but he thought that one should not spoil women, or they would become arrogant and presumptuous. It might be good to give her the cold shoulder for now, lest she lose sight of her place.

Soon, the first round of the competition ended. In the second round, the opponent she drew was none other than Su Yunyue. As she stepped onto the stage, the other woman said coldly, "Su Yunqing, don't think your luck will last forever. Today, I will ensure your defeat right here!"

She possessed a magical artifact, given to her by her father, and she was very confident that she could defeat her.

Even if she had defeated Zhu Shishi in the first round, so what? She would still have to fall by her hand; after all, Zhu Shishi was incomparable to her.

Thinking of this, a sneer touched the corner of her lips, though it vanished a moment later, replaced by a gaze filled with icy malice.

Su Yunqing did not care what she was thinking. At this moment, she only wanted to end the battle quickly, as she needed to save time to adjust her state for the upcoming match against Xiao Jinghuai.

She began to mobilize her spiritual energy, waiting only for the match to begin. The next moment, the signal for the start of the match was given.

She immediately channeled her energy and went into action, her gaze intense. Before her opponent could react, she moved first, intercepting the hand with which Su Yunyue was about to strike.

Su Yunyue frowned at her, attempting to create distance to launch a further attack, but things did not go as she had planned. Every time she retreated, Su Yunqing stepped forward, sealing off any opportunity for her to strike.

"If you have the ability, back off and let me finish gathering my energy before we fight!" she said, naturally looking annoyed, her eyes clearly revealing her impatience.

"In a real battle, how can one simply say 'stop'? One relies on genuine skill. If your skills are inferior, then don't come at all. Admitting defeat early is better for everyone." As she spoke, she kicked Su Yunyue’s joint. Caught off guard and losing her balance, Su Yunyue’s body tilted forward uncontrollably.

Su Yunyue realized something was wrong and desperately tried to regain her composure, but she found that she was no longer in control of the situation. She could only knit her brows, her expression darkening.

"You despicable wretch!" Su Yunyue shouted, not caring about anything else.

But her words did not stop Su Yunqing; on the contrary, the assault became even more ferocious.

She was completely suppressed, with no room to counterattack. She did not even have the chance to use the magical artifact in her hand, remaining trapped in a passive, defensive state.

The surrounding spectators witnessed the scene: Su Yunqing continuously attacking while Su Yunyue was forced into a passive defense, becoming increasingly disheveled. Her defensive movements grew slower, and before long, she suffered a miserable defeat.

Su Yunqing was the victor of this match as well. This time, the spectators were not as shocked as they had been during the first match, for they now understood that she was no longer the "useless" person she had once been. They even felt she was highly talented, so no one dared to underestimate her; instead, they watched the entire process with great seriousness.

After the match ended and Su Yunqing stepped off the stage, the crowd finally recovered. "I never imagined she was so formidable!"

"Perhaps she was just pretending all along?"

"Why? There would be no need for that, would there?"

"Of course there is! Have you noticed she only began to display her strength after breaking off her engagement? Perhaps she never liked this marriage and intentionally hid her light. Now that she no longer has that concern, she naturally has no need to endure!"

"That seems to hold some truth!"

The crowd discussed the matter, finding the theory increasingly plausible, and they fell into deep thought.

Some of these words reached Xiao Jinghuai's ears. He looked toward Su Yunqing, grinding his teeth.

Was he truly so unbearable? Was she willing to hide her strength just to get rid of him?

Or had she stumbled upon some fortuitous encounter by chance? It seemed he would have to find a time to fish for information.

Thinking this, his perspective broadened. However, after what had happened earlier, he did not rush over to inflate her ego this time. Instead, he waited for his own match on the other side.

He had to perform exceptionally well on the stage. Once he did, she would surely be even more infatuated with him, and making her submit would be as easy as turning over his hand.

When he finally stepped onto the stage for his match, he was surprised to find his opponent was Su Yunqi.

Su Yunqing, watching from below, was quite interested. She wanted to see if they, who usually acted as if their love was as firm as gold, could remain composed now that their own interests were at stake.

In her view, it was impossible—especially with them. After all, they were selfish and self-serving types; in the face of profit, so-called love could always be cast aside.

Thinking of this, she could not wait to see them turn on each other; that would be quite a sight.

On the stage, Su Yunqi appeared somewhat surprised. She spoke, "Your Highness, since we have been paired together, please use your full strength. Do not hold back!"

"Very well. You as well. No matter what, let us not leave ourselves with any regrets," Xiao Jinghuai replied with a gentle smile.

What they were thinking in their hearts, only they knew. In any case, Su Yunqing was happy to watch their battle. Regardless of who won or lost, the result was unimportant to her; the process was what mattered!