The Jade Dragon Consort smiled as she spoke.
“You wouldn’t think it, but Holy Son Yan Zhen has quite the knack for cooking. The way you controlled the heat on that meat was spot on.”
Yan Zhen scratched his cheek.
“It’s nothing much, just a little skill I picked up. It doesn’t hold a candle to you, Dragon Consort.”
His flattery had hit just the right note, so the Jade Dragon Consort let the young man’s meddling with her cooking slide. She said mildly, “Let’s eat and talk. Since you’re all reincarnators, I’m sure you know all about the major events to come. Would you mind sharing? I’m very interested.”
Yan Zhen looked surprised.
“Didn’t you ask Long Ying, Dragon Consort?”
“You should know by now—that child’s a bit big-hearted. Anything she’s not interested in, she doesn’t remember a thing. Asking her is pointless.”
“Uh, fair enough. So where is Long Ying now?”
They were holding this feast without inviting her along. If she found out later, she’d definitely be upset.
Seeing Yan Zhen ask about Long Ying right away brought a flash of satisfaction to the Jade Dragon Consort’s beautiful eyes. She replied calmly, “After taking part in the awakening ceremony, that child has been in secluded cultivation. She probably won’t come out until tomorrow or the day after.”
So she was in seclusion.
After consuming the Nirvana Fruit, Long Ying’s Dragon God Bloodline had fused with phoenix god blood, mutating into the second Dragon Phoenix bloodline in the world. Its rarity and importance rivaled Zi Xunyi awakening her god-level bloodline.
Of course, Long Ying had always been the little princess of the Dragon God Clan, their prized darling. Her status wouldn’t change much, but she might face some restrictions—no more fooling around freely.
That was in their previous lives, though. Things were different now. Nothing in the Dragon God Clan could restrain her anymore, not since she could wield the Dragon God Authority.
“As for what happened in our previous lives, why don’t Dragon Consort and I chat about it?” the Jialan Fairy said politely. “Ask away, Dragon Consort. I’ll tell you everything I know.”
The Jade Dragon Consort raised her wine cup for a sip before she spoke.
“What I want to know is—what’s the relationship between that child and Holy Son Yan Zhen?”
Yan Zhen immediately ducked his head, feeling a bit guilty.
The Jialan Fairy replied calmly, “Your Highness Long Ying and Yan’er share a master-servant bond, sealed by a formal contract. In truth, though, they’re more like partners who live and die together. That was true in our previous lives, and it still is now. Their relationship is excellent.”
The Jade Dragon Consort fell silent.
Truth be told, she had been quite angry to learn her daughter had formed a master-servant pact with a human—and as the servant, no less. But Long Ying was a reincarnator, not some child. She had insisted this was her deliberate choice.
“Because… because I like Yan Zhen Zhen the most!”
It was the first time the Jade Dragon Consort had seen her daughter so resolute.
Long Ying had always seemed so carefree and clueless, as if she cared about nothing but eating and playing.
But now, as her mother, the Jade Dragon Consort could see her growth—not just from reincarnation, but from the influence of that “Yan Zhen Zhen.”
“Could you explain why she formed a master-servant bond with him?”
Yan Zhen scratched his cheek again, about to speak, when the Beautiful Female Master cut in.
“Dragon Consort, you must have heard all this from Long Ying already. I understand how you feel, but it’s not a bad thing. We’ve never treated her as a mere servant. I hope you can see that.”
The Jade Dragon Consort smiled.
“I understand perfectly, which is why I’m asking. In that case, let me rephrase—Holy Son Yan Zhen, what do you think of that child?”
She stared at him, watching for any change in his expression.
The Three Beautiful Masters turned their gazes to Yan Zhen as well.
He looked a bit awkward.
“I… I see Long Ying as a good friend…”
The Jade Dragon Consort pressed immediately, “Just a friend?”
Yan Zhen hesitated, then fell silent.
A slight curve appeared at the corner of the Jade Dragon Consort’s mouth. She continued, “I’ve heard that the Jialan Holy Land has arranged a marriage alliance with the Heavenly God Clan. The couple is you and the Heavenly God Maiden, correct?”
Yan Zhen nodded.
“Zi Ji and I were married in our previous lives. This time, we’re here to propose to the Heavenly God Clan on their behalf.”
“Hoh, besides the Heavenly God Maiden, I hear you have another wife and a bevy of confidantes.”
“Uh, to be honest with you, Dragon Consort, that’s true. I owed them too much in our past lives, so now I’m making it up to them.”
By the way, only Cai Lian, Yan Yan, and Jiu Youyue had come along. Ji Ya and Yi Xian’er were staying behind in the Heavenly God Clan to look after Zi Xunyi for now; they’d all head back together later.
The Jade Dragon Consort said with keen interest, “Who knew? You’re quite the ladies’ man.”
Yan Zhen could only give a wry smile. But in an instant, her expression shifted, and she huffed lightly.
“If you’re such a romantic, why won’t you accept my daughter? She’s not inferior to any of those other girls, is she?”
Ah, this was too direct—how was he supposed to respond?
Yan Zhen broke out in a sweat. After a moment’s thought, he said, “I… I mostly see Long Ying as a little sister. And… wouldn’t you mind, Dragon Consort?”
“Whether I mind isn’t the point. What matters is what that child thinks.”
“What about the Myriad Dragon King?”
“Don’t worry. He won’t interfere.”
“…”
Poor Myriad Dragon King, shut out like that. He doted on his daughter so much!
“Or do you prefer more mature women?” the Jade Dragon Consort said suddenly. “Your three masters are all top-tier beauties.”
The Three Beautiful Masters, who had been watching the exchange, showed a flicker of change in their expressions, though they quickly composed themselves.
The Evil Consort Master kept drinking as if nothing had happened. Chen Xi gave a slight smile, and the Jialan Fairy remained impassive.
Yan Zhen didn’t dare answer directly. He hurried to say, “You’re a top-tier beauty yourself, Dragon Consort. Everyone on the Eighth Continent knows the Jade Dragon Consort of the Dragon God Clan is peerless in beauty.”
The Jade Dragon Consort covered her mouth as she laughed, clearly delighted. After all, she was the mother of four, and at an age where she fretted over her youth and beauty while feeling the years creeping on. A little flattery like that satisfied her immensely—too bad the Myriad Dragon King was such a boor who didn’t get it.
“You sweet-talker. Sigh, I’m getting old, getting old~~~”
Yan Zhen chuckled along, sweating inwardly. He noticed the Three Beautiful Masters glancing at him sidelong, especially the Evil Consort Master—her gaze held a particular resentment. She must be a touch jealous that he was complimenting another woman.
Yan Zhen hurriedly sent them a voice transmission. “It’s just polite talk. In my heart, my three masters are the most beautiful, the absolute best. I love you all—heart hands~”
Their expressions softened a bit at that, their gazes turning gentle once more.
The Jade Dragon Consort hadn’t overheard the private exchange between master and disciple. After basking in her good mood for a while, she remembered the main topic and circled back with a teasing tone.
“It seems Holy Son Yan Zhen does prefer the mature type. But that child just looks young—she’s actually all grown up. Once she emerges from seclusion and stabilizes her bloodline power fully, she won’t stay in her juvenile form anymore. You can give me your answer then, Holy Son Yan Zhen.”
Yan Zhen fell silent.
The Jade Dragon Consort said no more.
“That’ll do for now. Sorry to take up so much of your time—the food’s getting cold. Please, dig in.”
After the meal, the Jade Dragon Consort personally showed the master and disciples around the Dragon King Palace. They admired the spring scenery and strolled through the gardens before she arranged for them to stay in an empty hall in the West Palace.
That night, Yan Zhen lay on the luxurious bed, staring at the ceiling in thought.
Suddenly, a space portal flickered open, and Chen Xi slowly appeared.
