Chapter 440: This Has Nothing to Do With You
"Someone just broke in. I’m going to see what’s going on."
Jin Ling wasn’t about to let her go alone. He threw off the covers, got dressed, and led her out the door.
Just as they stepped outside, Qiao Xixi saw Sunxiao pinning a female to the ground with his foot, his face devoid of expression. The cry of pain from before had come from her.
"Let... let me go."
Qiao Xixi walked over for a closer look. The female on the ground was covered in dust, her beast-pelt clothing looked old and worn, and some of the fur had been rubbed completely flat.
Her exposed hands revealed just how thin she was. Her gauntness made her facial features seem more pronounced. That, combined with her listless eyes, made it clear she was a female who had fallen on hard times.
Most importantly, her long hair was a single, solid color, indicating she had no beast-husbands.
"Who are you, and why did you break into Feather Palace?"
Qiao Xixi told Sunxiao to move his foot so the woman could speak.
Yaoxi scrambled up from the ground, looking disheveled. The moment she raised her head and got a clear look at Qiao Xixi, she froze in shock.
"Xixi..."
Qiao Xixi was surprised. The woman actually knew her name.
"Who exactly are you?"
When Qiao Xixi didn’t deny her name, Yaoxi seemed even more uncomfortable. She stood up and tugged at her beast-pelt skirt, trying to appear less disheveled.
"You wouldn’t know me. You had only just been born back then. You know, you were the first cub I ever saw who could take human form right after birth. So beautiful... just like your... father."
’She knows my father?’
Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps came from outside.
"Where did that stupid female Yaoxi run off to?"
"Daring to ruin the Beast King’s clothes... When we find her, we’ll definitely teach her a lesson!"
The color drained from Yaoxi’s face, and she instinctively tried to hide. Qiao Xixi realized the people outside were most likely looking for her.
’I came to the palace for a reason. I don’t want to get involved in other people’s business.’
Sure enough, a heavy knock pounded on the palace door just a moment later.
A cold, vicious glint flashed in Sunxiao’s eyes.
Jin Ling, however, said nothing and went to open the main gate.
The beast soldier outside glanced at Jin Ling. Sensing the aura of a powerful warrior, his aggressive demeanor softened slightly.
"Have you seen a female?"
Yaoxi hid in the corner, clenching her fists.
Jin Ling’s expression didn’t flicker. "No."
The beast soldier sniffed the air and frowned. "You’re lying. I can clearly smell her scent. We’re coming in to search."
Jin Ling stood his ground, showing no intention of moving aside.
Sunxiao walked over as well, blocking the doorway, clearly ready for a fight.
The beast soldier grew angry. Just as he was about to force his way inside, two tall figures approached.
"What are you searching for?"
The beast soldiers turned, and their expressions changed when they saw Sunxuan and Qiao Yi approaching.
They couldn’t afford to offend the Beast Guards.
"Lord Sunxuan."
Sunxuan merely gave them a cold glance. "Get lost."
"Yes."
The beast soldiers turned and left without the slightest hesitation.
Sunxuan’s gaze shifted to Sunxiao. He scanned him from head to toe, as if checking to see if he was injured.
Sunxiao didn’t spare him so much as a sideways glance, turning to walk to Qiao Xixi’s side.
"Father."
Unable to meet his son’s gaze, a flicker of sorrow crossed Sunxuan’s eyes, but he quickly reverted to his usual cold demeanor. "I’ll head over to protect the Priest. I’m staying right next door, so come find me if you need anything."
It was unclear whether he was speaking to Qiao Yi or Sunxiao. In any case, the latter clearly wasn’t listening.
As soon as Sunxuan left, Qiao Yi closed the main gate.
"Qiao Yi?"
Qiao Yi jolted at the sound of his name, turning in disbelief to look at the person behind him.
"Yaoxi?"
Yaoxi couldn’t believe it either. To think she would see Qiao Yi again in the royal palace. But he was no longer the man from her memories.
Qiao Xixi was even more shocked. She never expected that Qiao Yi and Yaoxi actually knew each other.
"Father, do you know her?"
Qiao Yi snapped out of his surprise. "Yes," he explained.
Qiao Yi looked at Yaoxi, his brow furrowed. "Let’s go inside to talk."
Yaoxi looked down at her disheveled state, her face flushing with shame. "I... I should wash up."
Qiao Xixi thought for a moment and said, "I’ll take you."
Gratitude filled Yaoxi’s face. "Thank you."
Qiao Xixi led Yaoxi to the bathing chamber and brought her a clean set of beast-pelt clothes.
After she had washed herself clean, Yaoxi’s eyes grew red as she changed into the new clothes. She couldn’t remember the last time she had worn a beast-pelt skirt so soft and warm.
Qiao Xixi heard the movement and turned around. Seeing Yaoxi walk out, the full extent of her thinness became starkly apparent.
Xixi herself was slender, and her skirt was already on the small side. Yet, it hung loosely on Yaoxi’s frame, looking almost empty. ’Just how thin is she?’ Xixi wondered.
Now cleaned up, Yaoxi’s features were clearly visible. Although she was so thin she was almost unrecognizable, you could still see how beautiful she must have once been. This was especially true when she smiled, which gave off a very warm feeling.
Qiao Xixi didn’t rush to lead her out. Instead, she pushed a bowl of meat broth that Jin Ling had brought over toward Yaoxi. "You must be hungry. Eat something before we go out. My father made this; it’s delicious."
Yaoxi stared at the broth, her lips pressed together. ’I should refuse,’ she thought. But as the fragrant aroma wafted up, she found herself unable to speak the words.
"Thank you."
The broth was delicious—so delicious that Yaoxi began to cry. Tears dripped into the bowl, and she couldn’t tell if the saltiness came from them or from the broth itself.
"Did you and my father know each other a long time ago?"
Yaoxi put down the bowl and nodded. At the thought of the past, her gaze fell.
"Yes. Your father saved me," she said. "He truly is a kind and courageous male."
Not wanting to keep Qiao Yi and the others waiting, Xixi didn’t press for details and led Yaoxi to the main room.
When they reached the main room, Qiao Xixi didn’t enter. Instead, she glanced at Jin Ling and Sunxiao. Taking the hint, they both rose from their chairs and came to her side.
"Father, I’m tired, so I’m going to go back to sleep for a bit. Call me if you need anything."
Qiao Yi nodded. "Go on. Get some more sleep."
"Mhm."
Once Qiao Xixi and the others left, only Qiao Yi and Yaoxi remained in the room.
The atmosphere grew still for a moment.
Seeing her state, Qiao Yi’s brow furrowed slowly. "What have you been through all these years?"
At his words, Yaoxi looked up. Seeing the scars on his face so clearly and at such a close distance, her eyes began to well up again.
"What I’ve been through is nothing compared to you," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "Qiao Yi, I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault. If you hadn’t saved me, you never would have been misunderstood by the Beast King..."
Qiao Yi frowned and let out a sigh. "That had nothing to do with you."