Chapter Fifty-Six: The Devious Master’s Schemes

I was truly bored out of my mind, propping my chin with one hand as my gaze involuntarily drifted once more to the flower house behind him. The flower house—what exactly was inside? Why did everyone who spoke of it describe such different feelings? Back in the Demon Realm, I once accidentally overheard a conversation between several guardians. They spoke of the flower house as a place of incomparable beauty, a place so enchanting that after the soldiers visited, they returned to the palace still lost in that happiness for days on end.

They said they found joy and pleasure there? When I heard this, I thought to myself that since such a wonderful place existed in the Demon Realm, I must visit it if ever given the chance. Later, though, when I tried to ask those guardians for details, each one kept a stern face and refused to admit ever saying such things.

I was both frustrated and angry, yet had no evidence to force their confession. Thinking of it, as a princess in my own right, why should there be such a fun and fascinating place that they all snuck away to enjoy on their own without ever bringing me along? How unfair to this little fish!

This time, after sneaking down to the mortal realm, I not only became Purple Lotus's disciple but also earned the chance to observe, up close, this legendary flower house I had only ever heard tales of. My heart brimmed with delight!

Still, perhaps because the distance was too great, I stared at it for a long while yet felt nothing particularly pleasurable or enchanting. Perhaps all its wonders were hidden within, invisible from the outside.

I considered asking Purple Lotus to take me there for a look. But then I remembered the women inside, dressed so scantily and behaving with so little restraint, and reluctantly dismissed the thought as soon as it arose.

After our meal, the sun had set low in the west.

Instead of leaving the inn right after eating, Purple Lotus turned a corner and headed upstairs toward the guest rooms.

“Master, wait for me!” I called, grabbing two more buns from the dish and hurrying after him.

I saw him stop before a guest room, push open the door, and enter. He sat down by the table and began to drink tea once more.

Curious, I asked, “Master, didn’t you just finish a pot of tea? How are you thirsty again so soon?”

“Thirsty?” he echoed, as if amused, and then asked, “Little Fish, how old are you?”

“How old?” I counted on my fingers in my mind. Was it three thousand six hundred and fifty-four years, or three thousand six hundred and fifty-five? I couldn't quite remember.

“Fifteen years old,” I finally replied. Here in the mortal world, that was the age I should claim.

“Fifteen!” He seemed a bit regretful as he said, “When you’re older, you can drink wine with your master.”

“Drink wine? I can drink wine now!” I looked at him with wide, blinking eyes.

“No, no.” He shook his head with a smile. “You’re still too young. Drinking too early might harm your health. Best to wait three more years. After that, you can drink with me.”

“But didn’t you just let me drink wine a few days ago?” I pouted, a little unhappy.

“That was because you insisted, not because I offered. I know you’re too young and shouldn’t drink, so I wouldn't give you wine on purpose. That day, you’d just eaten fish and needed to rinse your mouth. That drink was a mistake, nothing more.”

Fine! No matter how much I argued, I could never win against him. So, I sensibly shut my mouth and said no more. My eyes, however, couldn’t help but wander around the room: one table, four chairs, a bed, and a dressing table—everything arranged simply.

“Master, are we staying here tonight?”

“Yes.” He set down his teacup and nodded slightly.

“Then where is my room?” I glanced around, searching every corner.

“Your room?” He put on a look of sudden realization, his tone flat and indifferent. “I forgot all about you just now.”

“Forgot about me?” That really stung this little fish’s heart.

Tears welled in my eyes as I looked at him and said, “So you have a room to sleep in, but where am I supposed to sleep?”

“Guard the door. Go outside and stand watch for your master.”