Arc 178The Fortress Lord’s Promise

Su Qiao used Ye Shaoxuan’s devotion to protect her place in Flying Eagle Fortress while stirring up conflict among Lin Hanyan, Huangfu Zhenlou, and the others. As the Martial Arts Convention approached, Ye Shaoxuan discovered she was not Su Lian Yue and learned the Demonic Sect was drawing martial artists toward the fortress.

  • Su Qiao pretended Lin Hanyan had bullied her, and Ye Shaoxuan rebuked Lin Hanyan and promised to protect Su Qiao.
  • Su Qiao gave Ye Shaoxuan a list of rare medicines to restore her martial arts, and he agreed to gather them while privately investigating her.
  • Su Qiao fueled gossip about Lin Hanyan and Huangfu Zhenlou, then attended Ye Zhongli’s birthday banquet in a bright outfit that made Ye Shaoxuan jealous and protective.
  • At the banquet, Ye Shaoxuan defended Su Qiao from mockery and learned she could not taste food because Old Poison Ghost had poisoned her as a child.
  • Su Qiao exposed Lin Hanyan’s feelings for Huangfu Zhenlou, and Ye Shaoxuan struck Huangfu Youran and threatened her for insulting Su Qiao.
  • Ye Shaoxuan promised Su Qiao she would become the Fortress Lord’s Madam, while Su Qiao used his offer of three requests to ask him to keep his distance.
  • Su Qiao learned that Xu Changsong had proclaimed himself Cult Master and Hong Luan had become Left Protector of the Demonic Sect.
  • Ye Shaoxuan recognized Su Qiao in a portrait as the Su family’s young lady rather than Su Lian Yue, ordered his subordinate to conceal her identity, and refused to defend Flying Eagle Fortress from the coming conflict.
Chapters 4426–4450 Vol. 45 Read

Ch. 4426This Little Concubine Is So Arrogant (66)

Su Qiao pretended that Lin Hanyan had frightened and threatened her, drawing Ye Shaoxuan’s protection. Ye Shaoxuan comforted Su Qiao and turned coldly on Lin Hanyan.

  • Lin Hanyan warned Su Qiao that Ye Shaoxuan would tire of her and that she would struggle to survive in Flying Eagle Fortress.
  • 444 urged Su Qiao to act weak, and Ye Shaoxuan arrived and asked what was happening.
  • Su Qiao threw herself into Ye Shaoxuan’s arms and claimed Lin Hanyan had bullied her.
  • Su Qiao accused Lin Hanyan of threatening to drive her out of Flying Eagle Fortress, and Ye Shaoxuan promised no one could decide her fate.
  • Ye Shaoxuan rebuked Lin Hanyan and told her she could not compare herself to Su Qiao.

Ch. 4427This Little Concubine Is So Arrogant (67)

Ye Shaoxuan defended Su Qiao against Lin Hanyan and reassured her that she could do as she pleased in the Flying Eagle Fortress. Su Qiao played up her weakness to gain more comfort from him, then praised him, leaving their tension eased.

  • Ye Shaoxuan rejected Lin Hanyan and warned her not to trouble or frighten Su Qiao again.
  • Ye Shaoxuan took Su Qiao to lunch and told her he would handle any consequences from Madam Ye.
  • Su Qiao privately realized that pretending to be weak was useful, while 444 teased her for enjoying the act.
  • Su Qiao feigned insecurity about lacking martial skills and poise, and Ye Shaoxuan told her he liked her as she was.
  • Su Qiao praised Ye Shaoxuan for standing up for her, and he relaxed at her words.

Ch. 4428This Little Concubine Is So Arrogant (68)

Su Qiao and Ye Shaoxuan argued over whether their earlier romantic display had been sincere, and Su Qiao turned the dispute into a mock accusation that he had found someone else. The chapter ended with her acting heartbroken and lamenting that she was alone and had to rely on herself.

  • Ye Shaoxuan asked whether Su Qiao had truly been joking when she said she had provoked him out of concern.
  • Su Qiao said she had deliberately provoked him because she worried he would become ill from lying in the rain.
  • Ye Shaoxuan revealed that he had been acting earlier, leaving Su Qiao furious that he had toyed with her.
  • Su Qiao accused Ye Shaoxuan of finding someone else and hammered his chest while pretending to cry.
  • Ye Shaoxuan denied having anyone else, and Su Qiao lamented that she had traveled far only to be alone and helpless.

Ch. 4429This Little Concubine Is So Arrogant (69)

Su Qiao coaxed Ye Shaoxuan into swearing that he would never sell, trade, or demean her, then interpreted his promise as proof that he liked her. Ye Shaoxuan regretted swearing but could not bring himself to resist her.

  • Ye Shaoxuan comforted Su Qiao and denied having anyone else.
  • Su Qiao claimed other women had said Ye Shaoxuan might sell or trade her, making him angrily demand to know who had spread the rumor.
  • Su Qiao insisted Ye Shaoxuan swear he would never sell or trade her, and he reluctantly swore it.
  • Su Qiao smiled and said she was happy, then apologized for thinking Ye Shaoxuan hated her and said she now knew he liked her.
  • Ye Shaoxuan blushed and wondered when he had ever said he liked her.

Ch. 4430This Concubine Is So Arrogant (70)

Su Qiao and Ye Shaoxuan returned to Water Moon Pavilion after he accepted that he had fallen for her, despite wondering about her true identity and motives. She asked him to gather a large number of medicinal ingredients so she could restore her martial arts and prepare for Lin Hanyan’s likely attack.

  • Ye Shaoxuan questioned which side of Su Qiao was real and wondered why she had come to Flying Eagle Fortress, but realized he could not bring himself to hurt her.
  • Su Qiao insisted that every side of her was real, and Ye Shaoxuan took her hand and led her back.
  • Ye Shaoxuan said he felt as if he had fallen into Su Qiao’s trap, while she denied deliberately attracting his attention.
  • Su Qiao noticed Ye Shaoxuan looked unusually pale and asked what he had done the night before; he said he had encountered and resolved a problem while practicing martial arts.
  • At Water Moon Pavilion, Su Qiao gave Ye Shaoxuan two sheets listing medicinal ingredients and asked him to gather them so she could restore her martial arts and prepare for Lin Hanyan.
  • Ye Shaoxuan scanned the list and reacted with surprise at how many ingredients Su Qiao had requested.

Ch. 4431This Concubine Is So Arrogant (71)

Su Qiao gave Ye Shaoxuan a list of rare medicines she needed to treat her illness, revealing that she knew how to manage her condition. Ye Shaoxuan agreed to help gather the ingredients, though he remained suspicious of her origins and decided to investigate her himself.

  • Ye Shaoxuan questioned Su Qiao about the rare medicines on her list, and she said she needed them to treat her body.
  • Su Qiao admitted she knew a little about Medical Skills and chose to trust Ye Shaoxuan with part of her secret.
  • Ye Shaoxuan pressed Su Qiao about what else she was hiding, but she deflected his questions and urged him to help gather the medicines.
  • After confirming Su Qiao believed the prescription was safe, Ye Shaoxuan agreed to collect the medicines as soon as possible.
  • Back in his courtyard, Ye Shaoxuan reflected that Su Qiao trusted him and called Xiao Wu to speak with him.

Ch. 4432This Little Concubine Is So Arrogant (72)

Ye Shaoxuan suspected Su Qiao was hiding an unusual identity and ordered Xiao Qi to investigate recent disappearances in the martial world. After Xiao Si told Su Qiao about the investigation, she grew angry and arranged for news of Lin Hanyan’s feelings for Ye Shaoxuan to reach Huangfu Zhenlou, who went to Lin Hanyan’s courtyard.

  • Ye Shaoxuan questioned Xiao Wu about Su Qiao’s medical knowledge and suspected her condition and identity were unusual.
  • Xiao Wu pointed out that Su Qiao treated Ye Shaoxuan differently from others, but Ye Shaoxuan dismissed her behavior and ordered Xiao Qi to investigate recent disappearances in the martial world.
  • Xiao Si told Su Qiao that Ye Shaoxuan was still investigating her, and Su Qiao became angry that he had not asked her directly about her identity.
  • Su Qiao asked whether the news that Lin Hanyan liked Ye Shaoxuan had reached Huangfu Zhenlou, and Xiao Si confirmed that Nanny Wu had passed it along.
  • Huangfu Zhenlou doubted the news but grew uneasy at the furtive looks from people at the Gathering of Sages Villa, so he went to Lin Hanyan’s courtyard.

Ch. 4433This Concubine Is So Arrogant (73)

After Huangfu Zhenlou and Lin Hanyan argued, Su Qiao planned to keep provoking them to lower their Luck Values. She prepared to attend Ye Zhongli’s birthday celebration in an overpowering fragrance and bright dress, intending to make Ye Shaoxuan retreat.

  • Huangfu Zhenlou learned that people were gossiping about him and Lin Hanyan, argued with her, and parted with her on bad terms.
  • Su Qiao confirmed that Huangfu Zhenlou and Lin Hanyan’s Luck Values had fallen and planned to keep stirring up conflict between them.
  • Flying Eagle Fortress prepared to celebrate its Fortress Lord Ye Zhongli’s fortieth birthday, and Madam Ye summoned Su Qiao to attend.
  • Su Qiao learned that Ye Shaoxuan had sent her clothes, jewelry, and makeup, and that he wanted her to dress properly.
  • Su Qiao chose a bright dress and a strong osmanthus fragrance, despite Nanny Wu and Xiao Huan’s hesitation.

Ch. 4434This Concubine Is Quite Arrogant (74)

Su Qiao dressed in a vivid, revealing outfit for the Fortress Lord’s birthday banquet, while Nanny Wu and Xiao Huan worried it was too striking. Ye Shaoxuan caught up with her at the main hall entrance and criticized her clothes and strong perfume.

  • Su Qiao admired her colorful outfit, and Nanny Wu and Xiao Huan voiced concerns about how it would look at the banquet.
  • Su Qiao set off with Nanny Wu and Xiao Huan, leaving Ye Shaoxuan to catch up with them at the main hall entrance.
  • Ye Shaoxuan asked Su Qiao why she was not wearing a veil, and she said it would make eating inconvenient.
  • Ye Shaoxuan complained about Su Qiao’s strong osmanthus fragrance and questioned where she had gotten her revealing outfit.
  • Ye Shaoxuan asked whether Su Qiao planned to perform onstage and criticized her exposed shoulders.

Ch. 4435This Little Concubine Is So Arrogant (75)

Ye Shaoxuan tried to keep Su Qiao warm and properly dressed for the banquet, while she complained that his cloak made her look ugly. He coaxed her by promising an outing after she recovered, as he prepared to make an announcement.

  • Ye Shaoxuan blocked the servants’ view of Su Qiao and objected to her outfit because the weather was cold.
  • Su Qiao accused Ye Shaoxuan of no longer loving her, and he covered her mouth before reassuring her that she looked beautiful.
  • Ye Shaoxuan draped his oversized black cloak over Su Qiao, who complained that it hid her dress and made her look ugly.
  • Ye Shaoxuan threatened to withhold the medicinal herbs, then soothed Su Qiao and promised to take her out after she fully recovered.

Ch. 4436This Concubine Is So Arrogant (76)

Ye Shaoxuan told Su Qiao he planned to announce her as his only future wife at the birthday banquet, but she refused to agree and said her answer depended on how he behaved. She kept her relationship with him quiet to avoid drawing the Demonic Cult’s attention, and Xiao Wu urged them to join the banquet.

  • Ye Shaoxuan told Su Qiao he would announce her as his only wife and marry her after the Martial Arts Convention.
  • Su Qiao asked whether he had considered her opinion and said she saw no reason to commit to him.
  • Ye Shaoxuan argued that he treated her well and would obtain whatever she wanted, but Su Qiao said she would decide based on his future behavior and her mood.
  • Su Qiao avoided a public announcement because it could attract the Demonic Cult before she recovered her martial arts.
  • Ye Shaoxuan insisted Su Qiao could not leave his household without him revealing their relationship, and Xiao Wu reminded them that the banquet had begun.

Ch. 4437This Little Concubine Is So Arrogant (77)

Su Qiao accompanied Ye Shaoxuan to the Fortress Lord’s birthday gathering, where guests admired her beauty and several women reacted with jealousy. As the women’s rivalries simmered, Su Qiao chose not to interfere and let them turn on one another in time.

  • Su Qiao warned Ye Shaoxuan not to say anything foolish before they entered the crowded birthday gathering together.
  • Guests whispered that Su Qiao was beautiful and might surpass Lin Hanyan as the martial world’s top beauty.
  • Huangfu Youran and Ye Ningshuang criticized Su Qiao, while Lin Hanyan told Ye Ningshuang to stop talking.
  • 444 relayed the women’s conversation to Su Qiao, who told it not to fan the flames for now.
  • Su Qiao considered the tangled attractions among Huangfu Youran, Ye Ningshuang, Lin Hanyan, Ye Shaoxuan, and Huangfu Zhenlou.

Ch. 4438The Concubine Is So Arrogant (78)

At a banquet, Ye Shaoxuan grew jealous when Su Qiao seemed distracted and warned her against seeking another man. He insulted Madam Ye, but Su Qiao reassured him that he treated her well, easing his anger as he fussed over her.

  • Ye Shaoxuan pulled Su Qiao to the table and accused her of looking for a wild man.
  • Ye Shaoxuan warned Su Qiao that she would belong to him even after death, then claimed he only wanted to protect men's dignity.
  • Madam Ye asked why Lian Yue seemed unhappy and advised Ye Shaoxuan not to treat her coldly.
  • Ye Shaoxuan told Madam Ye to worry about her own husband, prompting Su Qiao to nearly spit out her tea.
  • Su Qiao praised Ye Shaoxuan's attentiveness, and he soothed her and wiped her mouth with a handkerchief.

Ch. 4439This Concubine Is So Arrogant (79)

At Ye Zhongli’s birthday banquet, he urged Su Qiao to follow household rules and Ye Shaoxuan to choose a wife. Ye Shaoxuan rejected the pressure and declared he already loved someone, while Su Qiao warned him against marrying another woman; the banquet continued with Ye Shaoxuan tending to her.

  • Madam Ye concealed her anger and reassured Su Qiao and the others that she was glad they were well.
  • Ye Zhongli told Su Qiao to serve her husband and bear heirs for the Ye family.
  • Ye Shaoxuan said he wanted to spend a few more years enjoying himself with Su Qiao before discussing children.
  • Ye Zhongli urged Ye Shaoxuan to choose a suitable wife during the Martial Arts Convention, and Su Qiao secretly pinched Ye Shaoxuan’s thigh in warning.
  • Ye Shaoxuan said he already had someone he liked and left the choice of any suitable woman to his father, prompting Ye Zhongli to lose his temper before Madam Ye calmed him.
  • Ye Shaoxuan moved dishes to Su Qiao and asked why she was not eating.

Ch. 4440This Concubine Is Quite Arrogant

At a banquet in Flying Eagle Fortress, Ye Shaoxuan tried to persuade Su Qiao to eat while other women mocked their closeness. He drove the women off with a chicken bone, but Su Qiao refused the bony chicken neck he offered her.

  • Su Qiao told Ye Shaoxuan she was not hungry and declined to eat with him.
  • Ye Shaoxuan urged Su Qiao to try fish, then offered her stewed chicken to nourish her.
  • Huangfu Youran and another woman mocked Ye Shaoxuan for feeding Su Qiao, and other women joined in.
  • Ye Shaoxuan threw a chicken bone at one woman and warned the others to stop meddling in his relationship with Su Qiao.
  • Su Qiao refused the chicken neck because it had too many bones, and Ye Shaoxuan realized what he had picked up.

Ch. 4441This Little Concubine Is Too Arrogant (81)

Ye Shaoxuan fed Su Qiao at the banquet while she rebuffed his talk of having children and revealed that she could not taste food. He was shocked by her confession, and the chapter ended with her explaining that everything tasted bland to her.

  • A woman who had mocked Ye Shaoxuan and Su Qiao ran away crying, and Huangfu Youran followed her out.
  • Ye Zhongli watched Ye Shaoxuan feed Su Qiao and felt disgusted by her behavior.
  • Ye Shaoxuan searched the dishes for food Su Qiao would like and suggested that she bear his children.
  • Su Qiao challenged the idea that women had to give birth, and Ye Shaoxuan agreed that they could live without children.
  • Ye Shaoxuan continued feeding Su Qiao until she told him she had no sense of taste, leaving him stunned.

Ch. 4442This Concubine Is Too Arrogant (82)

Su Qiao told Ye Shaoxuan that she had lost her sense of taste after Old Poison Ghost poisoned her years ago. Ye Shaoxuan took her away from the banquet and arranged for her to be examined and cared for, leaving her quietly touched by his concern.

  • Su Qiao explained that Old Poison Ghost had poisoned her when she was twelve or thirteen, leaving her unable to taste anything.
  • Ye Shaoxuan worried that someone had tortured Su Qiao, but stopped questioning her when she said she did not want to remember the past.
  • Ye Shaoxuan comforted Su Qiao and led her away from the banquet to have Du Heng examine her.
  • Ye Shaoxuan ordered Nanny Wu, Xiao Huan, and Xiao Wu to prepare hot water, ginseng tea, charcoal, mountain ginseng, and bird's nest for Su Qiao.
  • Su Qiao questioned Ye Shaoxuan's fussing, while he said her weak health made him anxious and wished she had told him sooner.

Ch. 4443That Little Concubine Is So Arrogant (83)

Su Qiao overheard Huangfu Youran and Ye Ningshuang discussing Lin Hanyan’s feelings, then revealed that Lin Hanyan and Huangfu Zhenlou loved each other. Ye Ningshuang refused to believe the news, but Huangfu Youran confirmed it.

  • Ye Shaoxuan promised to find a cure for Su Qiao’s blocked meridians, and she considered trying harder to find a solution.
  • Su Qiao overheard Huangfu Youran tell Ye Ningshuang that Lin Hanyan had feelings for Ye Shaoxuan.
  • Su Qiao sent Ye Shaoxuan ahead and went to confront the two women.
  • Su Qiao told Ye Ningshuang that Lin Hanyan and Huangfu Zhenlou loved each other and that everyone in the fortress knew it.
  • Ye Ningshuang angrily demanded that Huangfu Youran deny the claim, but Huangfu Youran admitted it was true.

Ch. 4444This Concubine Is Quite Arrogant (84)

Ye Ningshuang learned that Lin Hanyan and Huangfu Zhenlou were a known couple and ran off to confront her. Meanwhile, Ye Shaoxuan sent Huangfu Youran flying after she insulted Su Qiao, leaving Ye Ningshuang stunned by his reaction.

  • Ye Ningshuang heard that Lin Hanyan was regarded as Huangfu Zhenlou's wife and ran to ask Lin Hanyan why she had lied about her feelings.
  • Huangfu Youran blamed Su Qiao for driving a wedge between the women, and Su Qiao retorted that Huangfu Youran had no chance of winning Ye Shaoxuan's heart.
  • Su Qiao acted hurt and clung to Ye Shaoxuan, who had walked over, while secretly pinching his waist.
  • Huangfu Youran kept insulting Su Qiao despite Ye Shaoxuan's presence, so he struck her with a wave of his palm and sent her flying.
  • Ye Ningshuang leaned against a tree and asked Ye Shaoxuan in disbelief how he could treat her that way.

Ch. 4445This Concubine Is Quite Arrogant (85)

Ye Shaoxuan defended Su Qiao against Huangfu Youran, threatening her and declaring that he felt disgust rather than hatred for her. He left with Su Qiao, who was unsettled by his offer to feed his enemies to his pets.

  • Ye Shaoxuan ordered Huangfu Youran to stop insulting Su Qiao and threatened to cut out her tongue.
  • Su Qiao pretended to be frightened and clung to Ye Shaoxuan while mocking Huangfu Youran.
  • Ye Shaoxuan warned Huangfu Youran that she was in Flying Eagle Fortress and said he would kill her if she spoke against Su Qiao again.
  • Ye Shaoxuan told Huangfu Youran that he felt disgust, not hatred, and Su Qiao laughed at his insult.
  • Su Qiao tugged Ye Shaoxuan away, and he offered to kill Huangfu Youran or feed her to his pets; Su Qiao denied being afraid of him.

Ch. 4446This Little Concubine Is So Arrogant (86)

Ye Shaoxuan pressured Su Qiao to tell him how she felt, and she soothed him by saying she was content to stay by his side. After they returned to the Water Moon Pavilion, Su Qiao pushed him away, leaving him hurt and arguing with her over who was attracting attention.

  • Ye Shaoxuan stopped Su Qiao and demanded that she tell him whether she feared or disliked him.
  • Su Qiao said she knew her status was low but was satisfied as long as she could stay with him, and Ye Shaoxuan embraced her and promised she would become the Fortress Lord's Madam.
  • Su Qiao agreed to keep her distance from other people, and Ye Shaoxuan took her away from Huangfu Zhenlou and the others.
  • Huangfu Youran fainted after Su Qiao and Ye Shaoxuan left, and her maid caught her.
  • Back at the Water Moon Pavilion, Su Qiao pulled free of Ye Shaoxuan, and the two argued over her pinching him and attracting attention.

Ch. 4447This Concubine Is Quite Arrogant (87)

Su Qiao questioned Ye Shaoxuan’s sudden concern about what others thought, but he ignored her question and insisted she call him by name and then “husband.” After she used his promise of three favors to ask him to stay farther away, he unexpectedly agreed, leaving Su Qiao wondering what he was plotting.

  • Su Qiao asked Ye Shaoxuan why he had become particular about other people’s opinions.
  • Ye Shaoxuan sent Nanny Wu and the others away, sat beside Su Qiao, and asked her to say his name aloud.
  • Ye Shaoxuan coaxed Su Qiao into calling him “husband” by offering to grant her three requests.
  • Su Qiao used her request to tell Ye Shaoxuan to stay farther away from her.
  • Ye Shaoxuan agreed immediately, and Su Qiao grew suspicious of his intentions.

Ch. 4448This Concubine Is So Arrogant (88)

Su Qiao and Ye Shaoxuan teased each other over his promise to grant her three requests, while he sincerely tried to win her over. Ye Shaoxuan revealed he had kept her at the fortress because he knew she wanted to leave.

  • Ye Shaoxuan moved only three centimeters away from Su Qiao, prompting her to accuse him of breaking his word.
  • Su Qiao reminded Ye Shaoxuan that he had promised to grant her three requests, but she lost interest and went into the inner room.
  • Ye Shaoxuan offered Su Qiao his position, his possessions, and even his body and heart, but she rejected them.
  • Ye Shaoxuan offered to compete for Martial Arts Alliance Leader so Su Qiao could become the Alliance Leader's Madam.
  • Ye Shaoxuan said Su Qiao had provoked him first, and she reminded him that he had once kept her at the fortress despite her being sickly.
  • Ye Shaoxuan explained that he had kept Su Qiao because he knew she wanted to leave, leaving her stunned.

Ch. 4449This Concubine Is So Arrogant (89)

Ye Shaoxuan admitted he had kept Su Qiao because she wanted to leave, then left to handle urgent business as the Martial Arts Convention approached. After learning that the Demonic Sect had infiltrated the area, he discovered from a portrait that Su Qiao was not the Su family's adopted daughter, Su Lian Yue.

  • Ye Shaoxuan told Su Qiao he had kept her because he liked forcing people to do what they did not want, and he affectionately called her his medicine.
  • Xiao Wu summoned Ye Shaoxuan, who promised Su Qiao he would return for dinner.
  • Su Qiao learned that the Demonic Sect had infiltrated the area around Flying Eagle Fortress and suspected they were targeting the Martial Arts Convention.
  • The system told Su Qiao that Xu Changsong had proclaimed himself Cult Master and Hong Luan had become Left Protector of the Demonic Sect.
  • A black-clad subordinate showed Ye Shaoxuan a portrait of the Su family's young lady, and Ye Shaoxuan realized Su Qiao was not Su Lian Yue.

Ch. 4450This Little Concubine Is So Arrogant (90)

Ye Shaoxuan ordered his subordinate to erase the traces of the unknown woman and heard that the Demon Cult was preparing for a major move. He refused to intervene in the conflict and said he would welcome the destruction of Flying Eagle Fortress.

  • Ye Shaoxuan threatened the man in black for suggesting they deal with the unknown woman, then ordered him to conceal her identity.
  • The man in black reported that Xu Changsong was running the Demon Cult while its mysterious new cult master had disappeared.
  • Ye Shaoxuan learned that martial artists were gathering to target the cult master, whose rumored powers and flesh had drawn them.
  • Ye Shaoxuan refused to interfere in the conflict, saying he did not care if Flying Eagle Fortress was destroyed.
Arc 178 of 188