439 - Rebirth of a Star: Another Day, Another Drama

Chapter 439: The Frozen Xue Zheng From the very beginning, Xue Ling's attention was solely fixated on Baili Ming, paying no heed to the presence of Ye Linglong and Baili Feng beside her. She hadn't even looked closely at their faces. But now, upon scrutinizing Ye Linglong, she realized that she bore an uncanny resemblance to the previous generation’s Saintess, Xue Zheng, who was sealed in an ice coffin. "Sister Xue Zheng? No, you're not her," the woman who had just coughed up blood said, staring at Ye Linglong. Although the two looked alike, their auras were vastly different. "Baili Ming, who is she!" The woman's eyes suddenly filled with excitement, as if she had comprehended something. Baili Ming replied, "Yes, it is as you think. She is Zheng'er’s daughter, our child." Ye Linglong quickly noticed the change in the woman's gaze towards her, shifting from initial displeasure to an unexpected warmth, even affection. She found it a bit difficult to adapt, as she had just made this woman spit blood moments ago. The woman's name was Xue Qing, Xue Zheng's senior since childhood, and she had always treated Xue Zheng like her own sister. As for Baili Ming, who had both eloped with her little sister and caused Xue Zheng to end up like this, Xue Qing had never seen him in a favorable light. Throughout the years, whenever Baili Ming visited, not once had she shown him kindness. Yet, out of regard for Ye Linglong, Xue Qing warmly invited the group into the Snow Cold Palace. "Back then, when I didn't know whether you were alive or dead, I went searching for you for a while, but unfortunately…" Along the way, Xue Qing chatted with Ye Linglong, sharing many past stories involving Xue Zheng and herself. From her gaze, Ye Linglong could tell that Xue Qing truly cherished her mother dearly. Perhaps this was why her father, despite being constantly met with cold sarcasm, never got angry. Baili Ming and Baili Feng were completely ignored, but he didn't mind, expertly following them towards where Xue Zheng was kept. Trailing behind, Xue Ling was filled with a sudden sense of loss as she observed her blood uncle, usually so attentive to her, focused entirely on the other woman. In the past, she had been the sole recipient of Xue Qing's special treatment. But now, she realized that this specialness was no longer hers alone. Her gaze shifted to Baili Ming, who was also entirely devoted to the other woman, intensifying her sense of grievance, her expression growing increasingly downcast. With a slight glance backwards, Baili Feng softly remarked to Baili Ming, "Brother, the girl behind us seems to be caught in a bind. With all my years of experience in romance, this lass appears deeply enamored with you." Baili Feng’s tone was laced with a hint of teasing. Baili Ming didn't even cast him a glance, his voice cold as ice. "In my heart, there has only ever been Xue Zheng." He neither lowered his voice nor exaggerated it, yet his words were heard by everyone, including Xue Ling behind. Her already pale complexion turned ghostly white. Ye Linglong couldn’t help but sport a subtle smile. She finally understood why people described her father as harsh and unyielding. His words were probably directed at Xue Ling, serving as a warning. The only person there who perhaps didn’t understand was Xue Qing, who glared fiercely at Baili Ming. "Tell me something I don't know. If you dared to think of anyone else, I’d be the first to not forgive you!" Xue Ling's face grew even paler, her expression on the verge of tears, which only made Ye Linglong's disdain grow stronger. How pretentious~ Over the years, Xue Zheng had been kept in the deepest chamber of the Snow Cold Palace, preserved in an ice-bound state with the palace's greatest treasure, the Snow Pearl, maintaining her final breath. This was the very reason Baili Ming could accept Xue Zheng's presence there. Only the Snow Pearl could sustain her body in its frozen state. As Ye Linglong progressed through the palace, she realized it was entirely inhabited by women. It made sense, as the palace's icy arts, being of yin nature, were unsuitable for men. Yet, almost everyone she encountered hesitated in their tracks upon seeing her, their expressions flashing with delight at the mistaken belief that the frozen Xue Zheng had come back to life. After Xue Qing's explanations, they all realized Ye Linglong was Xue Zheng’s daughter. Many people, who had been of the same generation as her mother, expressed their joy and showered her with gifts suitable for her icy physique, precious resources that were exceedingly beneficial to Ye Linglong. Initially, Ye Linglong wished to decline them, but Xue Qing insisted on accepting on her behalf. Afterward, Ye Linglong once again enjoyed an experience reminiscent of her previous stay at the Baili family. The commotion inevitably attracted the attention of the Snow Cold Palace's elders and the palace master. The palace master, named Xue Wan, was a somewhat stern-looking woman. Time had spared her face, etching only the elegance imparted by maturity. She also happened to be Xue Zheng's mentor. The moment she laid eyes on Ye Linglong, her eyes reddened, and with trembling hands, she grasped Ye Linglong's wrists, whispering, "Zheng'er." A lump formed in Ye Linglong’s throat as she realized how deeply these people had cared for her mother. Inside the chamber, Xue Wan led Ye Linglong to an ice coffin where she laid eyes on the slumbering woman within. They looked identical, and due to the preservation of the ice, the woman still wore the blood-stained gown—a reminder of past horrors. Ye Linglong envisioned the dire moments her mother must have faced, birthing a child due to such adversity, buying her the chance for survival before collapsing from weakness. Baili Ming’s demeanor also shifted to one of sorrow, hands resting on the cold sarcophagus, his eyes filled with love and longing. Xue Ling bit her lip, filled with envy as she gazed at the woman enclosed in the icy chamber. Yet, Ye Linglong's attention was solely focused on her mother, not noticing the other woman's gaze. However, someone else did notice Xue Ling's stare. As Ye Linglong gazed upon the frozen form of Xue Zheng, she could sense the faintest flicker of life still within, yet it was so fragile that it seemed on the verge of extinguishing at any moment. If not for the blue pearl nestled in her mother’s hand, that final breath might have been lost long ago. The Snow Pearl, an essence birthed by the glaciers, possessed the power to freeze everything, including Xue Zheng's essence. It had encased her mother's last moments eternally. If ever removed, the ice would thaw, extinguishing her last breath in an instant.