I Just Wanted To Live but I Somehow Became Better Than the Protagonist

With the clues at hand being so scant, Qin Shi Meng hesitated to jump to conclusions, yet her heart had already begun to form tentative judgments and speculations.

As for Bu Yue’s claim of wanting to kill Ye Yong, Qin Shi Meng believed the likelihood was slim. Though she was unclear about Bu Yue’s true cultivation level, the Ye family boasted three formidable beings at the ninth level of Transformation, along with their family array. Ye Yong was very safe within the Ye family, and returning to Tian Luo Sect was even less of a concern.

Moreover, Qin Shi Meng trusted that Bu Yue understood restraint and would not indiscriminately slay innocents. Most likely, she was merely recalling unpleasant memories, her heart heavy, which led her to utter such harsh words.

Even if, for the sake of argument, Bu Yue was serious, it would only be under the condition that Qin Shi Meng and Ye Yong had developed a deeper relationship. As for whether that would happen…

Her cheeks flushed slightly, and Qin Shi Meng quickly shook her head. Already troubled by what Bu Yue had revealed, she felt even more agitated the longer she dwelled on these thoughts.

Upon returning to her residence, she packed her belongings, took Xiao Huan with her, and informed the elders of the Qin family about her visit to the Ye family. Soon, under the escort of a Qin family elder at the Transformation stage, a flying carriage set off towards the Ye family.

In the side room, Bu Yue gazed out at the overcast sky, letting out a sigh.

At that moment, a maid entered. “Miss Shi Meng has gone to the Ye family. Is that truly alright?”

“What can be done? She is as stubborn as she is, once she sets her mind on something, she will be unyielding. Imprisoning her would only provoke her further. Besides, that young man from the Ye family has indeed been acting strangely these past six months—possessed by a Saint? But if that were the case, the Ye family would surely have noticed…”

“What are your plans? Your unintentional display of genuine emotion earlier must have raised Miss Shi Meng’s suspicions.”

“It matters not. Since she has voiced her doubts about whether I am her mother, it indicates she has long harbored suspicions. My only concern now is that she has not fully activated her bloodline and is getting too close to that man. If she loses her Yin essence too soon, it could lead to a failed inheritance…”

“I am willing to help relieve my master’s worries.” The maid clasped her fists and bowed, her intentions clear. If Bu Yue could not take action, then she would step in to eliminate the obstacles to the young lady’s future.

Bu Yue shook her head. “Though the Qin family is not much, they have sheltered us here for so many years. There is no need to drag them into a conflict with the Ye family. Ye Yong’s changes also raise many questions. The fact that Shi Meng is interested in him indicates he possesses some exceptional qualities. Let us observe for a while longer. If Ye Yong truly poses no threat, once Shi Meng’s bloodline is fully activated, he may very well have the talent to keep up with her, and their union could be a beautiful thing… Though I do not trust men, that does not mean I can entirely dismiss them.”

The maid had followed Bu Yue for a long time and understood her temperament well, saying nothing further as she quietly exited.

“Sigh…” Bu Yue looked up at the sky, another sigh escaping her lips.

—

By the time Qin Shi Meng arrived at the Ye family, an hour had already passed.

Alongside her was an elder from the Qin family, two in total, both early-stage Transformation experts. The Ye family could not possibly neglect a visit from Transformation-level cultivators. Even if the Qin family was not as prestigious as the Ye family, the etiquette of hospitality must still be upheld.

Of course, Ye Yong did not need to worry about hosting the Transformation guests; his grandfather, also a Transformation expert, would handle that. He only needed to brew a pot of fine spirit tea and wait for Qin Shi Meng to arrive at his courtyard.

This was not Qin Shi Meng’s first visit to the Ye family; she navigated her way to Ye Yong’s courtyard with ease. In the living room, the two sat facing each other, Ye Yong pouring tea for her. The fragrance of the tea wafted through the air, and the surroundings were exceptionally tranquil, bringing a sense of comfort.

Qin Shi Meng, who had initially been troubled by a myriad of thoughts, gradually calmed down, unsure whether it was the effect of the spirit tea or simply the presence of Ye Yong that soothed her.

“Perhaps my mother is not my biological mother.” This was a private matter, and one still shrouded in uncertainty, yet Qin Shiming felt compelled to share it with Ye Yong, to discuss it, to seek his opinion.

“Oh?” Ye Yong was taken aback. As a traveler who had read the script, he knew Qin Shiming well. Bu Yue was indeed not her biological mother, but in the novel, Qin Shiming learned the truth only in the mid-story timeline; now, they were still in the early stages. Ye Yong was unaware of what he had altered, what butterfly effect had been set in motion: “What do you mean by that?”

Qin Shiming recounted the events of noon, speaking somewhat obliquely about her feelings of “admitting she liked Ye Yong.”

Ye Yong understood immediately what was at play.

When “Ye Yong” was to be betrothed to Qin Shiming, Bu Yue had not intervened at all. The reason was simple: Bu Yue knew that Qin Shiming had no feelings for Ye Yong and hoped that the engagement would pressure Qin Shiming, making her realize just how ruthless men could be in their pursuit of what they desired, to help her see through them. But after Ye Yong’s arrival, he had actively triggered the annulment of the engagement, leading to a series of events that changed Qin Shiming’s perception of him, even causing her to develop feelings for him. The outcome was now entirely different.

It had been mentioned before that Qin Shiming possessed a rare bloodline, and the Yin Yuan was crucial for her. By mid-story, her bloodline would awaken, and she would be taken by Bu Yue to receive the ancient legacy of their lineage. If she lost the Yin Yuan too early, it could very well lead to her failure in accepting that legacy.

Now that Qin Shiming had developed feelings for Ye Yong, Bu Yue would certainly worry that she might be blinded by fleeting affection, making foolish choices that could ruin her future.

“I see.” After hearing Qin Shiming’s account, Ye Yong nodded in a feigned understanding: “After all, my past behavior was indeed not commendable; it’s only natural for her to be wary of me. As for whether she is your biological mother, that remains to be confirmed.”

Ye Yong dared not speak the truth directly; after all, this was a mid-story event, and the Black Water Secret Realm was already perilous enough. He had no confidence that he could handle any unforeseen incidents that might arise from another butterfly effect. It was better to dissuade Qin Shiming from dwelling too much on Bu Yue’s identity for now.

—

26 Seventh Master

“Actually, there’s no need to worry too much. Regardless of the truth, you only need to know that she is thinking of your future, that it is for your own good.” Ye Yong began to shift the topic: “I’ve heard that Ninghai City is quite lively, with many Spring Festival activities. How about we go take a look?”

Ninghai City, one of the three major cities directly under the Great Zhou Dynasty, bordered the sea to the east and the great river to the south, making it the most economically developed and prosperous city; Chengying City was but a younger sibling in its presence.

Though Ye Yong had never been there, as a man familiar with the novel, he had some understanding of the major cities.

Having confirmed that Lin Wei’s cultivation was unhindered and having shared a New Year’s Eve dinner with her, it was time to fully experience this otherworldly life that bore little difference from ancient times, aside from the cultivation aspect.

Moreover, in the early timeline of the novel, dangers and troubles were not yet abundant. If he did not seize the opportunity now to immerse himself in the ancient Spring Festival atmosphere he had never experienced before, he might not have another chance.

“Ninghai City, you say… but it’s already getting late.” Qin Shiming had not traveled far often, yet she knew of Ninghai City, one of the three major cities, and that it was quite a distance from the Ye family. Taking a flying carriage would require at least two hours.

It was already afternoon; by the time they arrived, night would have fallen.

“It’s nothing, the night will be livelier.”

Seeing that Ye Yong seemed quite excited, Qin Shidream agreed.

“By the way, we’re not taking Xiao Xue and the others today, just the two of us.” Besides wanting to experience ancient life, Ye Yong also wished to have a moment alone with Qin Shidream, perhaps a shared adventure.

As mentioned many times before, the author of this tale is not skilled in writing romantic scenes; aside from the protagonist’s exploits of murder and treasure-seeking, everything else is merely glossed over. Ye Yong yearned to see more of the flustered and shy side of the Empress Qin, to understand the hidden depths of her character.

“Hmm…” Upon hearing that it would be just her and Ye Yong venturing out, Qin Shidream’s cheeks began to flush. Her already stunning face now resembled a ripe peach, evoking an irresistible urge to take a bite.

Wu Xue and Hua Ningyan were both in their respective rooms, practicing their skills, unaware that Ye Yong planned to sneak out for a date with Qin Shidream. Xiao Huan, who had come along with Qin Shidream, felt a pang of envy but, being sensible, kept her desire to join to herself.