Chapter 500

“Yes, Young Master.” The shadow guard immediately responded respectfully, received the command, and left the spot.

Soon, only Lord Ye Sijue remained in the grand hall.

He looked at a screen not far away, his dark eyes veiled with an unreadable expression.

Behind the screen sat a woman of exceptionally striking beauty. She wore a fiery red long dress, which accentuated her already radiant features, making her even more dazzling. Her face was beautiful, her figure graceful and well-proportioned—she could truly be called a peerless beauty.

At this moment, this unparalleled beauty slowly sipped tea, her red lips touching the rim of the cup, her posture lazy and casual.

Lord Ye Sijue’s gaze fell upon her. His brows furrowed, and his face was icy cold. “Liu Ying, what are you doing here?”

He had always loathed being entangled with women.

This Liu Ying was the Saintess of the Azure Luan Hall. The Azure Luan Hall and the Dark Hall were rivals. Liu Ying’s identity made him even more displeased.

The woman put down her teacup and looked up, a lazy smile gracing her beautiful face. She curved her red lips, her voice alluring and pleasant. “Lord Ye, don’t you already know? Why pretend otherwise? Naturally, this Saintess is here to propose marriage to you.”

As she spoke, she stood up and walked towards Lord Ye Sijue with a graceful, swaying gait, like a lotus in bloom. She was enchanting, like a captivating enchantress.

A trace of disgust flickered in Lord Ye Sijue’s deep eyes. He watched Liu Ying approach him step by step, yet he did not retreat.

Liu Ying stopped when she reached him. She extended a slender, delicate hand, intending to touch him. However, just as her hand was about to make contact, Lord Ye Sijue suddenly took a step back.

Liu Ying’s expression immediately froze. Then, she smiled, but her smile held a hint of mockery.

“Lord Ye, you won’t even let me touch you?” Liu Ying’s voice was no longer as alluring and gentle as before; it had become somewhat cold. She chuckled again, a hint of self-mockery in her laughter. “Heh, Ye Sijue, you truly have a heart of stone! But what does that matter? You will still have to marry me in the end.”

Liu Ying raised her head and looked at the cold-faced Lord Ye Sijue, a hint of absolute determination flashing in her eyes. “Because the Dark Hall needs a Saintess!” She casually brushed a stray wisp of hair from her forehead with her index finger and said indifferently, “When your mother was still alive, she already arranged a marriage alliance with the Liu family. At that time, the legitimate daughter of the Liu family was this Saintess. So, it doesn’t matter who you marry. As long as she is the legitimate daughter of the Liu family and a Saintess, it’s fine. No matter how much you dislike me, you cannot change this marriage. Ye Sijue, you can’t resist.”

Liu Ying’s voice was soft, but every word carried a hint of certainty. She was absolutely determined to secure this marriage.

Lord Ye Sijue’s face darkened, his eyes turning to an inky black. After a moment, he slowly spoke, his voice tinged with cold mockery. “Liu Ying, it seems you are very eager to marry me.”

Liu Ying raised an eyebrow, her smile rather meaningful. “Women who want to marry Lord Ye are as numerous as the fish in a river.” She smiled charmingly, extending a finger to lightly touch Lord Ye Sijue’s sleeve.

Lord Ye Sijue’s face immediately darkened further. Liu Ying paid no mind. She withdrew her hand and looked at him, her eyes sparkling with a smile. “To be able to marry Lord Ye is, naturally, what every woman dreams of. However, I, Liu Ying, have never been one to curry favor. Nor do I wish to marry Lord Ye for power. The reason I want to marry you is…”

Liu Ying paused, her tone suddenly becoming more serious. “I like you. I like you very much.” As she spoke, she raised her slender, delicate hand, wanting to touch his face.

Lord Ye Sijue took a step back, evading her hand. Liu Ying’s hand froze mid-air. She let out a laugh, self-mockingly saying, “Ye Sijue, you really do despise me. Yes, of course you would despise me. After all, I am the fiancée your mother arranged for you. You can vent all your dissatisfaction on me. But what does that matter?”

She asked again, her voice tinged with coldness and an air of absolute certainty. “Ye Sijue, no matter how much you despise me, you still have to marry me. Because I am the most suitable person for you. Only I can help you manage the Dark Hall.”

Lord Ye Sijue looked at her, his gaze cold and profound. He didn’t entirely misunderstand what Liu Ying was saying. The Dark Hall indeed needed a Saintess of noble status. Only a Saintess could better assist him in controlling the Dark Hall. Liu Ying’s identity was indeed very suitable. However, he did not want to marry her.

A trace of coldness appeared in Lord Ye Sijue’s eyes. He looked at Liu Ying, his voice tinged with mockery. “Liu Ying, you are very confident.”

“Do I not have the right to be confident?” Liu Ying’s voice carried a hint of confidence and pride. Of course, she had the right to be confident. After all, in the entire Dark Hall, only she was truly suitable to become the Lady of the Dark Hall.

Lord Ye Sijue was silent for a few seconds. He looked at Liu Ying with a searching gaze. Liu Ying, however, paid no attention to his gaze. She reached out a hand, lightly pressed it against her chest, and said with certainty, “Lord Ye, rest assured, I will not disappoint you. I will certainly become the most competent Lady of the Hall. Moreover, I will help you develop the Dark Hall even better. So, you can marry me with peace of mind.”

Lord Ye Sijue looked at her, his eyes unreadable. He said nothing more. Liu Ying also fell silent. She thought he had acquiesced. After all, he hadn’t refused again.

Liu Ying raised her hand, wanting to caress his face. But just as her hand was about to touch his face, Lord Ye Sijue suddenly spoke. His voice was very soft, yet his tone held a hint of amusement. “Liu Ying, have you forgotten something?”

Liu Ying froze for a moment. She looked at Lord Ye Sijue, her beautiful eyes filled with doubt. Forgotten what? She hadn’t forgotten anything.

“Have you forgotten that in this world, there is someone whose identity is even more suitable to be the Saintess of the Dark Hall than yours?” Lord Ye Sijue looked at her, a faint curve on his lips, his eyes glinting with amusement.

Liu Ying’s face instantly turned pale. She looked at Lord Ye Sijue, her lips trembling slightly. The person Lord Ye Sijue was referring to, could it be… Impossible. Absolutely impossible. That person, wasn’t she already dead?

Liu Ying’s face became even paler. She looked at Lord Ye Sijue, her eyes filled with terror.

Lord Ye Sijue looked at her, the curve of his lips deepening. His voice was cold. “Liu Ying, do you think that person is already dead?”

Liu Ying’s face completely changed. She looked at Lord Ye Sijue, her eyes filled with terror and disbelief. That person, isn't dead? How could that be? If that person isn't dead, then she...

Liu Ying’s body trembled slightly. She looked at Lord Ye Sijue, her lips moved a few times, and her voice trembled. “No, impossible. That person died long ago.”

Lord Ye Sijue’s gaze rested on Liu Ying, laced with amusement. “Liu Ying, you are mistaken. That person isn’t dead. She is still alive.”

Liu Ying’s body suddenly stiffened. She looked at Lord Ye Sijue, her eyes wide with terror and disbelief.

A curve appeared on Lord Ye Sijue’s lips, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “Liu Ying, are you surprised?”

“No, that’s impossible.” Liu Ying’s voice trembled as she shook her head repeatedly. “She died long ago. Ye Sijue, don’t try to deceive me.”

Lord Ye Sijue’s gaze remained on Liu Ying, tinged with amusement. “Do you think I’m trying to deceive you? Since that person is not dead, then the Saintess of the Dark Hall can only be her. And you…” Lord Ye Sijue’s gaze settled on Liu Ying, accompanied by a cold sneer. “Liu Ying, do you still wish to marry me?”

Liu Ying’s face instantly turned pale. She looked at Lord Ye Sijue, her eyes filled with terror and disbelief. No. This is impossible. That person, isn't dead? What about her?

Liu Ying’s face immediately turned ashen. She looked at Lord Ye Sijue, her eyes pleading. “Lord Ye, you can’t do this,” Liu Ying’s voice trembled.

“Why not?” Lord Ye Sijue looked at her, a curve forming on his lips, his eyes gleaming with amusement.

“That person, she…” Liu Ying’s face was ashen. She tried to say something more, but Lord Ye Sijue cut her off.

Lord Ye Sijue looked at her, the curve of his lips deepening further. His voice was cold. “Liu Ying, guess where that person is now?”

Liu Ying’s body suddenly stiffened. She looked at Lord Ye Sijue, her eyes wide with terror.

Lord Ye Sijue’s gaze rested on Liu Ying, laced with amusement. “Liu Ying, do you really want to know?”

Liu Ying’s body trembled slightly. She looked at Lord Ye Sijue, her eyes filled with terror.

A curve appeared on Lord Ye Sijue’s lips, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “That person is right…” His voice suddenly stopped.

Liu Ying’s body suddenly stiffened. She looked at Lord Ye Sijue, her eyes filled with terror.

A curve appeared on Lord Ye Sijue’s lips, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “That person is right beside you.”