Blame the Villain – Chapter 227

Villainous Emperor (27)

For several months, Song Xuyi remained in seclusion, immersed in a state of selflessness, completely unaware of time passing or that during these months, the Three Realms had been thrown into great turmoil.

Overnight, Minister Lin and others who held great power collectively fell ill and became comatose. During this unstable period, the newly enthroned emperor masterfully handled various national issues. After the emperor’s ascension, strange phenomena frequently appeared in Jiang Kingdom, and public opinion increasingly believed the emperor to be Yinshen. The people grew more convinced of Jiang Ruoyu’s authority, even believing that Minister Lin and others fell ill because they had offended Yinshen and received divine punishment.

Jiang Ruoyu swiftly and thoroughly took control of Jiang Kingdom. By the time Minister Lin and others regained consciousness, they discovered their authority had slipped away, and the situation was settled – Jiang Ruoyu had become the true ruler of Jiang Kingdom.

Normally, political changes in a mortal nation wouldn’t disturb the Divine Realm, but Jiang Bai, though undergoing trials in Jiang Kingdom where others couldn’t interfere, had several loyal minor deities who kept watch over his tribulation and naturally discovered the unusual atmosphere throughout Jiang Kingdom.

All of this stemmed from Jiang Kingdom’s female emperor.

A minor deity, unable to restrain himself, went to investigate the palace. As a divine being accustomed to looking down upon mortals, he didn’t bother concealing his divine presence. Soon after, he discovered in terror that he was trapped by an unknown force, unable to use even a fraction of his divine power!

In the pitch-black fog, he saw Jiang Kingdom’s rumored female emperor.

The emperor’s face was exceptionally beautiful, but her eyes were ice-cold. Her frozen gaze fell upon the minor deity as she mockingly curved her lips: “Indeed, my palace is like unguarded territory to you gods…”

The minor deity didn’t understand the specific implications of her words but could clearly sense her hostility. He instinctively felt fear and unconsciously wanted to flee, but under that force’s constraint, he gradually couldn’t even move…

In the days that followed, after experiencing the female emperor’s methods, the minor deity realized what kind of unimaginable power she possessed—

Even as a divine being, he was easily corrupted by the female emperor, his dao heart [spiritual core of a deity] began to fall, and he uncontrollably revealed everything he knew.

After he revealed that Minister Lin’s daughter was the core of the divine artifact Huan Lamp, a crack finally appeared in the female emperor’s previously expressionless face. She thoughtfully repeated his words: “You’re saying Lin Zhu is the lamp core of the divine Huan Lamp?”

After receiving the minor deity’s confirmation, the female emperor stopped her interrogation and strode out with large steps—

Jiang Ruoyu didn’t know how she had gotten through this period.

After failing to find Liu Yi anywhere, Jiang Ruoyu reflected on her interactions with the little palace maid over the past few days and realized how pitifully little she knew about her. Just then, the spies she had sent to investigate any connections between Liu Yi and Minister Lin returned with news: Liu Yi’s background was entirely fabricated, and she had no connection whatsoever with Minister Lin.

Jiang Ruoyu once again felt an ominous sense of strangeness in her heart.

She summoned Lin Zhu, after all, the little palace maid had claimed Lin Zhu had shown her great kindness, and the only request the little palace maid had ever made was begging her to arrange a marriage between Lin Zhu and Jiang Bai.

Both surprisingly and unsurprisingly, Lin Zhu didn’t know the little palace maid, nor had she ever shown her any kindness as claimed…

Originally, Jiang Ruoyu thought nothing could shake her after Liu Yi’s disappearance, but after learning this, she still felt as if thousands of arrows were piercing her heart—

She had always thought the little palace maid had been kidnapped, but now she realized in a daze that the little palace maid might have left on her own.

The little palace maid was nothing but a little deceiver!

Her identity was fake, her experiences were fake, her name was fake…

Jiang Ruoyu even began to feel that the little palace maid had deliberately approached her because of Lin Zhu—

Jiang Ruoyu placed Lin Zhu and Jiang Bai under house arrest. She felt she should hate the little palace maid, after all, the little palace maid had deceived her and left after their moment of spring wind. However, though unwilling to admit it, Jiang Ruoyu found herself still jealous of Lin Zhu: jealous that Lin Zhu received special treatment from the little palace maid, while she herself was discarded like worn-out shoes. Even now, she was still hoping to use Lin Zhu to lure the little palace maid back!

Jiang Ruoyu renovated her sleeping palace.

She decorated the sleeping palace with extreme luxury and comfort, but embedded her divine power into every corner and designed various ingenious mechanisms…

Without Jiang Ruoyu’s permission, no one could freely leave her sleeping palace.

It was the most luxurious prison.

Jiang Ruoyu secretly determined: once she found the little palace maid, she would lock her in the sleeping palace forever, allowing her to stay nowhere else but by her side.

However, even after placing Jiang Bai and Lin Zhu under house arrest, months passed, and the little palace maid still didn’t appear…

Until the day she caught this reckless minor deity who broke into the palace, Jiang Ruoyu learned that Lin Zhu was the reincarnation of the Huan Lamp’s core.

It was then that Jiang Ruoyu understood that even among immortals, there were various bonds and relationships.

The minor deity had broken into the palace out of concern for Jiang Bai, so could it be that the little palace maid hadn’t actually lied to her? Perhaps Lin Zhu had indeed saved her, but it was Lin Zhu as the former Huan Lamp’s core, not the current human Lin Zhu?

Could the little palace maid also be… a deity?

Besides this speculation, Jiang Ruoyu could find no other explanation. By now, she had searched almost everywhere in both Yin and Yang realms [the realms of the dead and the living], but hadn’t seen any trace of the little palace maid…

What kind of deity could the little palace maid be?

Recalling her time with the little palace maid: that feeling of instant familiarity, that tenderness that made her so attached and dependent, those familiar heartbeats…

Jiang Ruoyu felt something was about to surface in her mind, but perhaps unwilling to believe it subconsciously, she deliberately ignored these suspicions and began searching the Divine Realm.

Jiang Ruoyu started by looking for deities close to Lin Zhu—

The minor celestial attendants responsible for guarding the Huan Lamp, the deities of places where the Huan Lamp had been relocated over the years, and the local deities who had been protected by the Huan Lamp…

As Jiang Ruoyu wandered through the Divine Realm, her unusual interest in the Huan Lamp naturally drew the attention of many deities. The Huan Lamp was of great importance, and Jiang Ruoyu was Yinshen, so the entire Divine Realm was alarmed by this news.

Some impetuous deities, believing Jiang Ruoyu harbored ill intentions, took the initiative to provoke her. At first, Jiang Ruoyu tried to explain that she was looking for someone, but when those deities asked who she was searching for, she couldn’t say. Thus, those deities determined she was making excuses and attacked without further discussion…

The former Jiang Ruoyu might have tolerated these people for the sake of Goddess Sister’s face, but now, utterly dejected and filled with loss and despair, and with Goddess Sister not having contacted her for many years, how could Jiang Ruoyu still care about being tolerant?

Jiang Ruoyu defeated these deities like scattered like fallen flowers in flowing water.

This was just the beginning.

The defeated deities naturally couldn’t accept losing to Jiang Ruoyu, so talk of Yinshen’s threat grew increasingly loud, and the Divine Realm sent more deities…

Despite repeated defeats, the Divine Realm kept fighting. Through these repeated conflicts, Jiang Ruoyu grew increasingly powerful and her temperament became increasingly perverse.

At this time, the Divine Realm’s strongest fighter, Divine Lord Jiang Bai who had once defeated Yinshen, was reincarnated in the mortal world. Almost no one in the Divine Realm could withstand Yinshen’s power. Although Jiang Ruoyu hadn’t shown any aggression toward the Divine Realm yet, everyone there began to fear for their safety.

This anxious atmosphere naturally spread to the settlement of the Nine-Tailed Fox clan.

So after Song Xuyi had been in seclusion for a year, Father Song awakened her…

Father Song looked extremely troubled. Jiang Ruoyu was now widely distributing portraits, asking if anyone in the Divine Realm had seen the woman in them. While others didn’t recognize the woman in the portraits, how could Father Song not recognize her, having created her with his own hands?

After much consideration, seeing the situation becoming increasingly uncontrollable, Father Song finally awakened Song Xuyi.

“Xuyi, if Jiang Ruoyu continues like this, she might bring chaos to the Three Realms and provoke everyone’s condemnation,” After describing the current situation to Song Xuyi, Father Song looked at his dazed daughter and heaved a long sigh: “Xuyi, this started because of you, you should take responsibility—”

Song Xuyi hadn’t expected things to develop this way, but seeing that the Three Realms were about to fall into conflict again, despite her fear, she still went to find Jiang Ruoyu.

Song Xuyi naturally didn’t dare continue using Liu Yi’s identity. Returning to her original appearance, she appeared in the divine statue within Jiang Ruoyu’s palace.

While it felt like only a short time had passed for Song Xuyi, Jiang Ruoyu’s sleeping palace had undergone dramatic changes. The entire chamber was decorated luxuriously, filled with brilliant jewelry and ornaments of all kinds, approaching extravagance. What made Song Xuyi uneasy was that the entire room was permeated with Jiang Ruoyu’s intense presence, and at the foot of the bed and under tables and chairs, she could see gleaming chains made of Dark Iron…

Dark Iron was the supreme divine weapon of the Three Realms; even a small chain made from it couldn’t be broken by deities.

Jiang Ruoyu wasn’t in the sleeping palace.

The more Song Xuyi observed her surroundings, the stranger she felt it was. Instinctively wanting to escape, she discovered in terror that she could no longer leave Jiang Ruoyu’s sleeping palace—

And almost as soon as Song Xuyi entered, Jiang Ruoyu sensed someone had intruded into her sleeping palace.

At first, Jiang Ruoyu didn’t take it seriously, as deities had been frequently breaking in with assassination attempts during this period. Only after finishing state affairs did she spare some attention to see who had entered the sleeping palace.

In the dim light, she came, accidentally knocking over the ink on the table, but when she clearly saw Song Xuyi, Jiang Ruoyu’s feelings instantly became incredibly complicated…

Goddess Sister had finally come!

Jiang Ruoyu had been sensing that Goddess Sister would come looking for her, and her heart was full of shame: Goddess Sister had raised her, yet she had repaid kindness with enmity by becoming an enemy to her entire race…

But despite her complicated feelings, Jiang Ruoyu immediately returned to the palace.

Regardless, Goddess Sister was still her benefactor, and she certainly couldn’t treat her poorly.

Jiang Ruoyu had thought her heart already belonged to another and wouldn’t be stirred upon seeing Goddess Sister, but after getting close to her, Jiang Ruoyu discovered her heart uncontrollably began beating rapidly again, seemingly returning to the state when she wanted to cling to Goddess Sister as a child…

Does she really have three hearts and two minds [indicating divided loyalties]?

Jiang Ruoyu utterly despised herself, yet her gaze remained uncontrollably fixed on Song Xuyi, refusing to look away.

Feeling guilty, after the initial greetings, Song Xuyi didn’t dare meet Jiang Ruoyu’s gaze. She kept her head down and directly stated her purpose, essentially advising Jiang Ruoyu to stop being an enemy to the Three Realms.

However, Jiang Ruoyu didn’t answer for a long while.

Song Xuyi couldn’t help but raise her head. Jiang Ruoyu had already composed herself, but she didn’t agree to Song Xuyi’s words. With her head lowered, her tone carried an inexplicable coldness: “Sister Xuyi, we’re meeting after a long separation, let’s not discuss irrelevant matters.”

Song Xuyi hadn’t expected such an attitude from Jiang Ruoyu – this was the first time Jiang Ruoyu had ever refused her request.

Was Jiang Ruoyu’s obsession with “Liu Yi” really that deep?

Song Xuyi felt increasingly guilty.

She didn’t dare chat with Jiang Ruoyu for long, and soon had Jiang Ruoyu remove the restrictions so she could return to her cave dwelling through the divine statue. Before leaving, Song Xuyi inexplicably looked back once – Jiang Ruoyu stood with lowered head, the sunlight making her appear incredibly solitary and vulnerable. Song Xuyi suddenly couldn’t bear to look anymore.

Feeling guilty, Song Xuyi sought out Jiang Ruoyu again the next day.

This time, Song Xuyi’s intentions weren’t so obvious. She accompanied Jiang Ruoyu to the garden beside the palace for relaxation. While the garden was in full bloom, Jiang Ruoyu was the most radiant flower of all. Looking at Jiang Ruoyu, who appeared even more beautiful now, although Song Xuyi knew she shouldn’t, her heart began beating rapidly again…

But Jiang Ruoyu remained somewhat cold toward her. Song Xuyi didn’t mind; in fact, Jiang Ruoyu’s attitude made her feel relieved: it proved that Jiang Ruoyu hadn’t recognized her.

Song Xuyi persisted in going to persuade Jiang Ruoyu daily. Due to Song Xuyi’s father’s mediation, other deities knew of Song Xuyi’s recent contact with Yinshen and didn’t come to condemn Jiang Ruoyu. Now, if only Jiang Ruoyu would let go of her obsession, the Three Realms would regain peace.

Song Xuyi worried about Jiang Ruoyu daily, and finally decided to stay in the divine statue in Jiang Ruoyu’s sleeping palace, watching over Jiang Ruoyu’s sleep schedule and handling of state affairs every day…

As long as she didn’t mention giving up the search for “Liu Yi,” Jiang Ruoyu would comply with everything else.

Song Xuyi was determined to help Jiang Ruoyu recover. She had been afraid to mention “Liu Yi” before, but after taking care of Jiang Ruoyu for about half a month, Song Xuyi felt the time was right. After brewing a bowl of soup for Jiang Ruoyu, Song Xuyi watched her drinking and spoke softly: “Ruoyu, there are beautiful flowers everywhere [meaning: love can be found anywhere], that little palace maid abandoned you, perhaps she had her difficulties. Don’t stay trapped in this – you’re only constraining yourself—”

“I won’t let her go,” However, Song Xuyi hadn’t expected Jiang Ruoyu to remain so stubborn: “She is mine.”

“She belongs to herself!” Song Xuyi, both anxious and angry, couldn’t help exclaiming: “And she’s not even that great, she’s even unfaithful and disloyal, otherwise she wouldn’t have slept with you and run—”

Jiang Ruoyu’s hand holding the spoon froze, her body visibly becoming extremely rigid. Song Xuyi thought she had touched a sore spot and felt regretful after calming down. Just as she was about to change the subject, Jiang Ruoyu suddenly raised her head, making direct eye contact with Song Xuyi for the first time since their reunion. Only then did Song Xuyi notice Jiang Ruoyu’s eyes were filled with tears—

“You’re right, she is unfaithful and disloyal, treating my sincere heart like worn-out shoes, full of lies, not a single word of truth. I must have been blind not to realize until now—” Jiang Ruoyu spoke slowly, word by word, staring intently at Song Xuyi’s eyes.

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The author has something to say:

Wuu wuu wuu, still not finished writing. I’ll continue working hard, trying to finish tonight. If I accidentally fall asleep, I’ll try to publish the finale of this small world before 10 AM tomorrow.

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LP: Re-translated on January 08, 2025

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