Yan Zhen was, of course, throwing a tantrum.
Just moments ago, he had activated his professional peacemaking trump card, [Special Trump Card: Don’t Fight Anymore], which had successfully stopped Cai Lian and Yi Xian’er from fighting. But after only a few words from him, they had started up again. His face had taken several hits, leaving his head buzzing. In the end, he had roared, “Stop it, right now!” before the two women reluctantly halted once more.
As for the dimwitted Long Ying, she had been utterly useless. Her master was getting beaten at home, and there she stood, staring dumbly.
—I am so done with this!
Yan Zhen didn’t want to stay a second longer. He turned to leave, but both women called out to him in unison. At the same time, two streams of differing mystic power slammed into the door from left and right, sealing it shut tight.
Unless Yan Zhen drew his Extreme Tyrant Sword, there was no breaking out.
—Somehow, I have a feeling I’m in for bloodshed tonight.
“…”
Yan Zhen turned back around, his handsome young face still tense with displeasure.
“What?”
The two women exchanged cold glares, as if each were silently accusing the other of copying her, before twisting their heads away.
Yi Xian’er spoke first.
“Yan Zhen, aren’t you going to stay here with us?”
Yan Zhen coughed twice.
“I’ve got a room at another inn, sharing with Long Ying—that’s this little girl right here.”
With that, he yanked the melon-munching Long Ying over, using her as a shield.
Cai Lian crossed her arms beneath her chest, lifting her already impressive curves even higher. In a flat tone, she said, “Then why not just book another room at the same inn instead of bringing us here?”
—Because Grandpa’s over there. How am I supposed to explain this to him? I can’t exactly say, ‘This is the Myriad Snake Queen from the City of Water, your granddaughter-in-law. She’s already got a bun in the oven—a little girl, super cute. Oh, and there’s also Xian’er on top of that…’ I might end up fighting Old Man for my life.
Imagining that terrifying scene, Yan Zhen’s mouth twitched.
“I just picked the nearest place. Besides, it seemed like they were out of rooms over there anyway.”
Cai Lian narrowed her blood-red slit pupils and pressed him. “Is Yun Xiu there too?”
“No, she’s not. You’re overthinking it!” Yan Zhen waved his hands rapidly in a triple denial, then added emphatically, “I just got back from Holy Land Academy. It’s been over a year since I last saw Yun Xiu.”
After a pause, he tacked on, “Jiuyou too.”
Cai Lian let out a haughty sniff.
Yi Xian’er stepped up beside Yan Zhen and took his hand, her voice soft. “In that case, staying here is just the same. This is a double suite with two bedrooms anyway. You and I can share one, and that snake woman can bunk with Long Ying.”
Me? Long Ying froze in shock. Yan Zhen inwardly cried trouble. Sure enough, when he looked over, Cai Lian’s face—which had just started to brighten—darkened again. She clearly felt provoked.
“What gives you the right to share a room with him?” Cai Lian shot back coldly. “He’s this sovereign’s husband. If anyone’s staying, it’s with me.”
Yi Xian’er retorted coolly, “What husband? Not yet, anyway. At best, you’ve just been intimate. I’ve been intimate with him too. We’re all the same. Don’t think carrying a baby makes you special.”
“Don’t say that, Auntie Xianxian,” Yan Yan chimed in. “Isn’t she still Father Emperor’s little darling?”
Cai Lian had been about to snap back, but hearing her daughter defend her, she held her tongue. Instead, she let out a smug little hum, as if to boast—
“See? This sovereign has his sweet little padded jacket. You don’t.
Yi Xian’er turned her head away, refusing to bicker with a child.
Hearing Yan Yan’s voice snapped Long Ying out of her daze—she nearly cried out. Once she recovered, she quickly clapped both little hands over her mouth.
—It’s Yan Yan! Yan Yan’s alive!
—No, wait! Yan Yan’s inside Sister Cai Lian’s belly, but she’s talking!
Oh my gosh!!!
Dragon Dragon’s mind was blown for a hundred years!
Then Yan Yan spoke again. “How about this? Auntie Xianxian and Mother Concubine can both share a room with Father Emperor, just like with Aunt Zi. Then no one has to fight.”
Cai Lian’s smug little expression crumbled instantly. She lowered her head toward her slightly bulging belly and huffed, “You silly girl, quit blabbing about grown-up stuff! Kids should stay out of it. Go to sleep already!”
“Mother Concubine always picks on me. I’m telling Father Emperor! Hmph~”
Though it was only a mental fluctuation, Yan Zhen could picture his eldest daughter pouting. He couldn’t help chuckling.
Unfortunately, her mother wasn’t letting it slide. “You’re the chatty one. Sleep or not?”
“Fine, I’ll sleep! I’m tired anyway. Goodnight, Father Emperor.”
“Goodnight, Yan’er.”
Yan Zhen replied.
Long Ying wondered how Yan Zhen Zhen had known about Yan’er’s existence all along. The loli dragon girl’s clever little mind couldn’t figure it out.
Thanks to Yan Yan’s antics, the atmosphere had eased considerably. Yan Zhen seized the moment. “Look, I’ll just go back to the other inn with Long Ying. You two can each take a bedroom. I’ll come check on you tomorrow.”
After a thought, he added a warning. “Tonight’s commotion was huge. Don’t cause any more trouble.”
“Alright, we’ll do as you say.” Yi Xian’er replied meekly. “Be careful heading back with Long Ying.”
With that, Yi Xian’er cupped Yan Zhen’s face and leaned in for a kiss.
Her soft, rosy lips enveloped his mouth, suckling gently as if trying to draw some nectar from him.
Yan Zhen went stiff.
Long Ying stared, dumbfounded.
Cai Lian’s beautiful eyes widened in disbelief. Once she snapped out of it, her delicate frame trembled with rage.
“Thousand Fiends! Don’t you dare go too far!”
Kissing her husband right in front of her? Outrageous!
—Fists hardening.
Yi Xian’er pulled back, savoring the moment with a lick of her lips. Blandly, she said, “Isn’t a farewell kiss normal between lovers who are parting? I’m not going to pretend to be all prim and proper like some people, for no reason.”
Long Ying felt enlightened and secretly memorized the line. Who knew when she might need it.
Cai Lian bit her lip, then took a deep breath. In two strides, she reached Yan Zhen, flicked away Yi Xian’er’s offending hand, and cupped his face herself. Under his gaze of utmost tension, she kissed him.
Smack, smack~
She had only meant to one-up Yi Xian’er, but Cai Lian sank deeper into the kiss, nearly losing herself.
After more than a year apart—and now in her pregnant state—things were usually fine. But seeing her husband stirred an inevitable longing deep inside.
She wanted to hold him. She wanted to kiss him.
Truth be told, she wanted him to stay. Even if they did nothing, just holding him as she slept would make her rest all the sweeter.
Finally, the kiss ended. Yan Zhen’s face was flushed, and he panted lightly. Cai Lian wasn’t much better off; her blood-red slit pupils glowed faintly—a sign of arousal among the Snake God Clan.
The Myriad Snake Queen of the City of Water hesitated. “Do you… want to…”
She hadn’t even gotten out “stay” before Yan Zhen was yanked away, tumbling into Yi Xian’er’s arms.
Cai Lian exploded in fury. “What are you doing, Thousand Fiends?”
Yi Xian’er grumbled, “Your kiss took too long. I need makeup time.”
With that, she latched onto Yan Zhen’s lips again.
Cai Lian: “…”
Yan Zhen: “…”
Long Ying: “…”
