Ling Yuxian's words left Jing Xiao momentarily stunned and dazed, unable to believe her own ears.
The Kingdom of Jing behind her had intricate and complicated connections with the Imperial Immortal Palace?
Moreover, Brother Gu had approached her because of her identity?
"Ling Yuxian, what exactly do you mean? What do you mean by saying the Kingdom of Jing behind me has intricate connections with the Imperial Immortal Palace?"
"How come I know nothing about these matters? And, Brother Gu didn't even know my identity at first, so how could he know about the things you're talking about?"
Jing Xiao took a deep breath, pulling herself out of shock and stupor, then also stared intently at Ling Yuxian.
"Believe it or not, I've said my piece. Just because you are unaware of certain things doesn't mean others are also unaware."
"To draw a tiger, you can capture its skin but not its bones; to know a person, you can know their face but not their heart."
Ling Yuxian was not at all surprised by Jing Xiao's reaction and continued speaking with indifference.
These matters were difficult for her to explain clearly to Jing Xiao in a short time.
Moreover, Ling Yuxian herself did not know what Gu Changge's purpose was in approaching Jing Xiao.
Could she tell Jing Xiao it was a vague intuition?
She spoke this way only to warn Jing Xiao, to make her suspicious of Gu Changge, and no longer trust him as before.
Otherwise, she dared not imagine how dangerous Jing Xiao's subsequent situation could become.
After saying these words, Ling Yuxian said no more. She gave Jing Xiao a deep look and prepared to leave.
Jing Xiao stood frozen in place, Ling Yuxian's words still echoing in her mind. Her pale hands under her sleeves were clenched tightly, trembling slightly.
To know a person, you can know their face but not their heart?
For no apparent reason, why would Ling Yuxian say such words to her?
Based on her understanding of Ling Yuxian, she wouldn't say such things without cause.
Could it be that Brother Gu was truly not as simple as he appeared on the surface, just as she said?
Thinking of her interactions with Gu Changge during this period, Jing Xiao felt somewhat lost for a moment.
If Brother Gu's gentle, refined elegance and transcendent handsomeness were merely a facade, and everything was fake...
Her heart suddenly ached faintly, as if pierced by a needle, and her breathing felt scorched as if by fire.
"Impossible..."
Jing Xiao shook her head vigorously, finding it truly hard to believe.
That gentle smile Brother Gu showed her might actually conceal another face beneath.
She simply couldn't accept all this. If what Ling Yuxian said were true, it would be no different than the sky collapsing for Jing Xiao.
"What's wrong, Xiao'er?"
Suddenly, a slightly aged voice sounded.
Jing Xiao snapped back to reality and looked at the white-robed elder before her.
"Master..."
She didn't know when her master, Elder Jiulin, had appeared. Her face still wore a dim, pained, struggling expression.
Elder Jiulin hadn't intentionally eavesdropped on Jing Xiao and Ling Yuxian's conversation.
He also didn't know what past events or grudges existed between the two.
He only appeared to ask because he saw Jing Xiao's pained, struggling, disbelieving expression after Ling Yuxian left.
"Master, what kind of person do you think Brother Gu really is?"
Jing Xiao was not an indecisive person either. She quickly collected her thoughts, regaining her composure as she asked.
Elder Jiulin showed a puzzled expression. "That question, Xiao'er, shouldn't you ask yourself? Asking your master, I wouldn't know either, as I truly don't understand the Brother Gu you speak of."
Saying this, he also felt somewhat puzzled, remembering that Palace Lord Ling Qiuchang had also inquired about Gu Changge some time ago.
Such a young disciple had even drawn the Palace Lord's attention.
"Did Ling Yuxian come to find you to discuss matters related to that Brother Gu?" Elder Jiulin asked.
Jing Xiao nodded.
"Could it be because the Palace Lord intends to matchmake them, and that's why Ling Yuxian came to you?"
Elder Jiulin found it even stranger.
These words made Jing Xiao pause, unsure why her master would think that.
But inevitably, that strange feeling arose in her heart again.
"Impossible, right? Ling Yuxian is so proud and aloof. If that were the reason, she wouldn't resort to such underhanded tactics."
Jing Xiao shook her head inwardly, not quite believing this possibility.
Deep down, she was still unwilling to believe Ling Yuxian's words.
Jing Xiao decided to find an opportunity to question Gu Changge herself. She didn't want to be deceived like this.
"Senior Sister Yuxian, why do you walk away even faster after seeing me? Could it be that I'm some kind of ferocious beast, making Senior Sister Yuxian so fearful?"
At this moment, after leaving the main hall, Ling Yuxian suddenly heard a light, laughing voice.
She was slightly taken aback and looked over, not expecting to encounter Gu Changge at the foot of the mountain.
Despite the enveloping night, that spotless white robe remained conspicuous.
That white was pure and translucent, untouched by worldly dust, unstained by grime. The first snow of winter or flawless cold jade would seem dull in comparison, radiating an air of transcendence and detachment.
Within the entire Imperial Immortal Palace, Ling Yuxian had only seen such temperament on Gu Changge; once seen, it was hard to forget.
She frowned slightly, feeling that Gu Changge seemed to have come looking for Jing Xiao.
Yet, with night approaching, coming here clearly indicated ill intentions.
This also made her feel that her earlier act of warning Jing Xiao was correct.
Originally, Ling Yuxian intended to pretend not to see him and leave from another direction, but Gu Changge proactively called out to her with a smile.
"Might I ask, Senior Brother Gu, if you have any instructions?" Ling Yuxian asked flatly.
Gu Changge indeed hadn't expected to meet Ling Yuxian here, but after a moment's thought, he guessed her purpose.
He smiled slightly. "Instructions are not the right word. I presume Senior Sister Yuxian also came looking for Junior Sister Jing Xiao. Might Senior Sister Yuxian grant me the honor of moving aside for a talk?"
Hearing this, Ling Yuxian frowned and was about to speak.
Seeing that Ling Yuxian seemed about to refuse, Gu Changge interrupted her, his smile unchanged. "I think Senior Sister Yuxian wouldn't want Junior Sister Jing Xiao to encounter any danger in the future, would you?"
"You..."
These words caused Ling Yuxian's flawless jade-like countenance to change, showing sudden anger and disbelief, her jade hands clenching.
She simply couldn't believe Gu Changge would be so bold and direct, no longer concealing at all, uttering such threatening words to her on Imperial Immortal Palace territory.
Moreover, using Jing Xiao's safety to threaten her?
Gu Changge still smiled faintly. "I've already learned from Junior Sister Jing Xiao about her past friendship with you, Senior Sister Yuxian. Although there have been some conflicts between you, Senior Sister Yuxian likely still remembers past sentiments. Otherwise, why would you specifically seek out Junior Sister Jing Xiao at this time, warning her to be wary of me?"
Such matters, Gu Changge didn't need to guess to know.
What did it matter if Ling Yuxian suspected his identity and purpose? He simply didn't care.
On the contrary, after learning about the connection between the Kingdom of Jing behind Jing Xiao and the Imperial Immortal Palace, she held little use for Gu Changge.
"You..." Ling Yuxian's flawless jade face was filled with anger, her jade hands clenched so tight her knuckles turned white. She never expected Gu Changge to have long known her intentions and plans, and to be so brazen and unafraid.
"Don't call me senior sister. I don't deserve such an address from you."
She said coldly.
Gu Changge chuckled lightly, unconcerned. "Then you should have time now for a proper talk with me, shouldn't you?"