Almost couldn’t tear himself away.
Yan Zhen led Long Ying out of the inn, exhaling a breath tinged with lingering fear.
After Yi Xian’er had kissed him, Cailian Wife grew unhappy and kissed him next. Once Cailian Wife finished, Yi Xian’er wanted to make up the lost time. They were squabbling over every little bit, using him as their battleground.
Yan Zhen touched his slightly swollen lips, utterly speechless. His body had certainly enjoyed it, but the mental torment was another story. Better to slip away while he could.
“Yan Zhen Zhen…”
He turned his head and looked down to see Long Ying biting her little hand. Her sparkling emerald eyes stared straight at him with an expression that clearly said, “I want a kiss too.” He felt even more speechless.
—What are you thinking, you little loli!
Yan Zhen decided against scolding her.
After crossing three streets, Yan Zhen brought Long Ying back to their original inn. He spotted Grandpa standing on the rooftop. Grandpa jumped down upon seeing them and landed right in front of the pair.
“Zhen’er, your face… Don’t tell me it got caught in the clash between those Mystic Ancestor experts?”
Yan Zhen blinked, then nodded repeatedly.
“Yeah, Grandpa. Mystic Ancestor experts are terrifying. I didn’t dare get anywhere near, but I still got clipped by the aftershocks of their mystic power. I hightailed it back here in a panic.”
“Good thing you’re back. Don’t be so careless next time. Fights between Mystic Ancestor experts aren’t something we can peek at from our level.”
“I’ll be more careful from now on, Grandpa.”
Yan Lie nodded, then added, “By the way, that Wenqing girl is in your room.”
“Wenqing?” Yan Zhen blinked in surprise. “What brought her here?”
“What else? She’s worried you’re upset.” Yan Lie gave his oblivious grandson a look. “Those four scoundrels might be trash, but they’re still her father and uncles. It’s tough for her, caught in the middle like that. Talk it out with her, Zhen’er. Don’t let something like this hurt you two lovebirds.”
Yan Zhen listened, then led Long Ying upstairs to his room and pushed the door open.
Huangfu Wenqing, dressed in a green skirt, lay sprawled on the table with her arms propped under her chin. Hearing the sound, she turned her gaze. Seeing it was Yan Zhen, the gloom on her face vanished, replaced by a bright smile.
“You’re back, Yan Zhen… Huh?”
Yan Zhen closed the door and gestured for Long Ying to head to the bed. He sat down beside his fiancée, picked up the teapot, and poured a cup for her and one for himself.
Huangfu Wenqing couldn’t help asking, “Yan Zhen, what happened to your face?”
“Got caught in some battle aftershocks while watching.” Yan Zhen waved it off. “Never mind that. Why are you here? Weren’t we supposed to meet tomorrow at noon for the medicine? I haven’t even started refining it yet.”
“I’m not here for the medicine. I’m here for you.” Huangfu Wenqing hugged his arm. “Grandpa’s having Father and the others come apologize to you with me tomorrow, but I don’t want to stand there playing peacemaker. I want to be with you—I’m sorry. I feel awful that you had to put up with all that at my home. I promise it won’t happen again.”
Gazing at his fiancée’s teary expression, something soft stirred in Yan Zhen’s heart. He reached out to stroke her cheek, his thumb gently brushing the corner of her eye.
“Silly girl, I’m not mad at you. I just figured sticking around might stir up more trouble, so I left.”
Huangfu Wenqing seized his hand and rubbed it against her cheek like a cat seeking affection from its owner.
“You have every right to be mad. Father and the others were in the wrong. I won’t forgive them until they’ve come to apologize on their own… Yan Zhen, once Grandpa’s condition improves, let’s head to Cloud Heaven Palace. My master keeps urging me to bring you along.”
Yan Zhen nodded gently. “Sure. So tonight—”
“I want to stay and keep you company, okay?”
“Then let’s hit the sack. It’s getting late.”
Yan Zhen stood, stretched lazily, and headed toward the bed.
Huangfu Wenqing’s lips curved up. She followed him to the bedside and said shyly, “Let me help you undress.”
On the bed, Long Ying puffed out her cheeks, glaring at Huangfu Wenqing with clear displeasure.
That wicked woman was ruining her chance to sleep alone with Yan Zhen Zhen! Even an uncle could tolerate this, but an aunt sure couldn’t!
With that, she rolled over, throwing her arms and legs across Yan Zhen to claim him entirely.
Yan Zhen stared straight up at the bed canopy. “Hey, you inside dragon, you’re crushing me. Get your little paws off.”
Long Ying kept her eyes closed and murmured, “I’ve already fallen asleep. Can’t hear what Yan Zhen Zhen’s saying.”
“You think closing your eyes makes it true?”
“Huu~ Whoo~”
Long Ying put her talent for sleep to use, slipping into an instant infant-like slumber.
Yan Zhen rolled his eyes.
From the outside of the bed, Huangfu Wenqing spoke up weakly. “Yan Zhen, could you do me a favor?”
Yan Zhen squinted, asking lazily, “What kind of favor?”
Huangfu Wenqing bit her lip, quietly untying the sash at her waist. She grabbed the hand Yan Zhen had inside the covers and slipped it into her bosom, her cheeks flushing pink as she whispered, “Help me… make it a little bigger.”
Yan Zhen snapped wide awake, his eyes bulging like saucers.
It wasn’t the first time he’d touched them, but it was the first time she’d been so direct about it.
“Ahem, Wenqing, that’s not necessary.”
“You’re lying. I know you like them big. Hmph~”
“…”
“If you want to… bite them, that’s fine too. Just go easy—I might moan if you don’t.”
—Uh, the last one to say something like that was currently holed up in an inn three streets away.
Yan Zhen quickly pulled his hand free.
“Let’s call it a night. Next time, maybe.”
Huangfu Wenqing’s eyes dimmed. “Alright then. Goodnight.”
Sigh.
Yan Zhen let out a quiet breath, then rolled over to face her. His hand found its way back to that warm, soft embrace.
Huangfu Wenqing let out a muffled hum, a flush of spring coloring her face. Her eyes grew so alluring they seemed about to drip with desire.
“Yan Zhen…”
“Call me husband.”
“Hus… Husband~”
“Good girl.”
The night passed quietly.
Early the next morning, Yan Zhen woke Huangfu Wenqing and urged her not to stay mad. She should head back to the Huangfu family and look after the ailing Elder Huangfu.
Though reluctant, the intimacy of the night before—and that “husband”—had eased the knot in her heart. She obeyed and left the inn.
Only then did Yan Zhen take Long Ying to find Yi Xian’er and Cailian Wife. Along the way, he picked up a pile of breakfast.
Having them room together wasn’t ideal—they might start fighting at any moment—but right now, Yan Zhen didn’t have the energy to deal with them one by one.
He reached the suite where the two women were staying and knocked. The mystic power on the door dissipated, and it swung open on its own.
Stepping inside with Long Ying, Yan Zhen saw both women in the living room, arms crossed as they sat on the soft couch. A tea table separated them, and they pointedly ignored each other.
—No brawling. That was something, at least.
Yan Zhen breathed a sigh of relief, set the breakfast on the tea table, and said with a smile, “I picked up some breakfast. You two should eat something.”
