Who Are You Calling Ugly

Zhuo Guan'er’s eyes dimmed. "So what if I’m the empress? Can I just open the national treasury and take spirit jade whenever I want? Everything I get still depends on the emperor’s reward!"

"Then just let him reward you! Men, you know—whisper a little pillow talk, act cute, and they’ll give you whatever you want!"

Zhuo Guan'er took a deep breath. "Fine, I’ll give it a try!"

...

The army wouldn’t enter the city and still camped outside.

Gu Xingyun happily announced in front of the whole army that in three days, once the merit records were sorted, all soldiers would be rewarded according to their achievements.

The soldiers immediately erupted in cheers.

Afterward, everyone went home, and Qingluan finally found a chance to look for Xiao Yan.

She darted into the General’s Manor, ran to the Cold Moon Pavilion, saw him alone in the room, and immediately pounced, wrapping herself around his neck.

"Did you miss me?" Qingluan asked.

Xiao Yan looked at her, saying nothing.

"You didn’t?"

He still didn’t say anything.

Qingluan pouted unhappily. "Really didn’t miss me?"

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Xiao Yan’s lips. He lowered his head and kissed her gently.

"What’s that supposed to mean? You see me and don’t even say anything!" Qingluan let go of him.

But her waist was still held tightly by him.

Xiao Yan smiled faintly, "It’s been so long since I saw you. I just wanted to look at you. Sixth rank now—looks like you’ve grown taller."

"Of course!" Qingluan said smugly.

"How’s your master? Easy to get along with?"

"Yeah! My master is really nice—always willing to teach me and answers everything I ask."

"Was it Tuoba Hong who introduced you?"

That’s what Minister Zhuo told him.

"That’s right!" Qingluan said.

In her previous life, yes.

"How old is he?"

"Huh? I never asked, so I don’t know." Qingluan really didn’t know.

In her previous life and this one, he looked exactly the same. You really couldn’t tell how old he was.

Maybe twenties? Thirties?

"Honestly, you’re a woman, and your master is a young, single man. That’s not entirely appropriate," Xiao Yan said.

"Huh?"

"Why not apprentice under Li Zan?" Xiao Yan added. "His skill with spiritual medicine is unmatched."

"So… isn’t Li Zan also a 'young, single man'?"

"He’s fine," Xiao Yan replied.

"Why is it a problem with my master but not with him? Do you think Li Zan is too ugly and my master is handsome?"

"Who are you calling ugly?" Speak of the devil, and he appears.

Li Zan had arrived and heard everything Qingluan just said.

He was followed by Shan'er.

"Shan'er!" Qingluan rushed over and hugged her. "Long time no see—how have you been?"

"I’m great!" Bai Yunshan said with a smile. "Li Pin had an accident and died, so I’m finally free!"

"Hehe! If Gu Xingyun knew his Li Pin was such a beauty, wouldn’t he regret it terribly?"

"Don’t mention him! Just thinking about him makes me sick!" Shan'er said with a look of disgust. "Even if I’m ugly, he didn’t have to say it to my face, did he? I’ll never forgive him!"

Qingluan couldn’t help but laugh.

"You’re laughing!" Shan'er said with a grin. "I heard there are lots of handsome men in Fengqi Kingdom. Did you bring any back from your campaign?"

At this, Xiao Yan’s expression darkened.

Qingluan immediately said, "There’s no man in the world more handsome than the General! In my eyes, all other men are dirt—only the General is true beauty!"