He had initially wanted to see the Emperor, but decided against it. The Emperor was a ruler, and he surely wouldn't want to be seen in his foolish state.
If the Emperor were to one day be freed from the Soul Devouring Gu and have a moment of clarity, he would not allow himself to live on. That was the dignity of an emperor.
"Princess, this old servant can only serve His Majesty in the next life."
Prince Ru Nan had shown no flaws for decades; his mind was unfathomably deep. He wouldn't stop at just this one test.
Once the Princess found his notes, she would surely investigate everything thoroughly.
His mission was complete.
"Your Majesty, this old servant... departs."
He said this silently, bowing one last time towards Taiyi Hall, then embraced his shoulders and curled his body into a ball.
Eunuch Bai Xi fell ill on a winter night, lost his senses, and ran outside, freezing to death.
This was the end.
In the side hall of Fengque Tower, the door was locked, and the silence was absolute, the wind itself gentler than usual.
Ling Yao touched her growing belly, feeling a sense of unease.
She had a feeling something would happen tonight, preventing her from sleeping peacefully.
Feeling restless, she recalled the gaze she had felt during the day.
Who could it be?
Hadn't Xiao Shan already repelled the Turks? Why hadn't he returned yet?
The palace felt so lifeless; she disliked it intensely.
Her hand, resting on her belly, suddenly stirred. Startled, she lifted her nightgown to examine her stomach.
Yu Shan had said her belly was larger than usual for her months, and had her apply essential oils daily to prevent skin damage.
Could it be that the child in her womb resembled Xiao Shan, growing large and fast?
She got out of bed and went to the bronze mirror, unfastened her nightgown, and examined the contours of her body.
After becoming pregnant, her chest had become swollen. Looking at herself now, it had indeed grown considerably, filling her undergarment. And her belly, looking at it now, was truly large. It had only been four months, and she remembered that Linglong's belly hadn't been noticeable at four months.
No wonder her appetite had increased. This child must have inherited Xiao Shan's large frame; it would be a son!
Her waist had also thickened a bit, but other than that, not much had changed.
Remembering Yu Shan's words, she picked up the essential oil and began to apply it all over her body, lest her skin be damaged and her appearance ruined.
She applied more to her belly and thighs, where the swelling was most pronounced.
"Ugh..."
It hurt a little.
"Gurgle—"
A strange sound suddenly broke the silence of the night.
Ling Yao picked up her nightgown from the chair and put it on, calling out softly, "Yuliu?"
A tall, dark shadow suddenly appeared in the mirror. Ling Yao spun around abruptly.
The man was dressed in a guard's uniform, broad-shouldered and sturdy, standing tall. With thick eyebrows and piercing eyes, his gaze was ardent and domineering, as if he hated that the heavens had no handles and the earth had no rings. Even from a distance, she could feel the aggressive aura emanating from him.
Who else could this fierce and powerful man be but her Xiao Shan?
Ling Yao clutched her chest, trembling, "You startled me."
His aura was more potent than ever. He had returned from the battlefield looking even darker. His ravenous appearance just now had truly made her heart pound.
Xiao Shan carefully reined in the aura he unconsciously exuded, pursing his lips.
Seeing him, why wasn't she happy? Why was she startled?
Hadn't he always looked like this?
Perhaps too much time had passed, and having seen too many of the effeminate pretty boys popular in the capital, she had forgotten his appearance.
"A' Shan, it really was you during the day! How did you get in?"
Joy then surged over her like a tidal wave. Xiao Shan was back; her support and confidence had returned.
Under the bright palace lanterns, the woman's dark, delicate hair cascaded softly onto her shoulders. Her smile was radiant, like a fiercely blooming flower, emitting a subtle, captivating fragrance. Her eyes were filled with affection, as soft and charming as flowing water. Her clear, bright eyes sparkled like a myriad of stars.
She expressed her joy at seeing him to the fullest.
She rushed forward, her slender arms wrapping tightly around his neck like a serpent.
Xiao Shan felt a surge of satisfaction; every pore screamed that this woman was his! His!
During the day, she was like a pure snow lotus, standing atop a high mountain, her demeanor cool and distant, showing no favor to that person. At night, she was like a seductive, soul-captivating enchantress, displaying all her passion towards him.
There was nothing more satisfying to him than this.
The exhilaration of winning a battle couldn't compare to even a thousandth of it.
He placed one arm around her waist and the other on the back of her head, pressing his lips against her petal-like mouth. He kissed her with a fierce, burning intensity, ravaging the delicate flower like a storm.
The hand around her waist moved upwards, reaching his favorite spot. Ling Yao cried out in pain, but the sound was muffled. Her mouth was occupied, and her tongue felt numb.
Every time she thought he had reached the peak of his ferocity, he would become even more so.
She might never be able to satisfy this man.
Finally releasing the longing of separation, the fierce tiger let go of his delicacy. He embraced the woman, who was too weak to stand, and asked in a husky voice, "What were you doing just now?"
Her body, as pure as a white lotus, stood before the mirror, her hands smearing something on herself. Her seductive posture almost made him bleed from the nose.
Feeling the coolness on the woman's arm, he easily scooped her up and walked towards the bed.
Ling Yao didn't answer. Her breathing calmed. Her eyes were moist, and she looked at him with adoration.
"A' Shan, you drove the Turks out of Honghai Grassland, didn't you? You're so amazing."
He was a warrior, the pillar of Jing Country, her heroic champion.
"A' Shan, I knew it. Nothing can stop you. No one can surpass you."
Xiao Shan felt a bit elated. His woman was like a sensitive plant, shrinking away at a touch, but now she was fiery and passionate, almost overwhelming him, yet he secretly rejoiced.
"Xue Niang, you've read all my letters, haven't you?"
He spoke with hidden meaning. With her warm, soft, delicate body in his arms, he was not one to be trifled with, especially after seeing that blood-pumping scene just now.
He had been away for a long time.
He was very hungry.
But she was pregnant, and he dared not act rashly. His large hand fumbled around, and he touched the bulging little belly.
He was suddenly startled. How had it gotten so big so quickly?
His rough, calloused fingers scraped her belly, causing a slight pain. Ling Yao shivered, but an indescribable pleasure welled up inside her.
"This... it's only been a few months. Ten months of pregnancy, won't she burst her belly then?"
"It's not that exaggerated. All women give birth like this." She pouted her swollen red lips and wiggled her soft body.
Her passion instantly diminished by half. Xiao Shan was terrified by the belly.
He even pushed Ling Yao away slightly.
Under her bewildered gaze, he swallowed and said, "Don't, don't let it burst."
"We can... do it like last time!" Ling Yao whispered, her face flushed.
"No, it will tire you."
This belly looked like a burden no matter how he looked at it. For his own comfort, he was making her exert herself; he felt like a beast.
"Xiao Shan, have you been eating outside?" Ling Yao's suspicion flared up again.
"Don't talk nonsense. I'm about to explode from holding back."
Xiao Shan rolled off the bed and went to the washroom. He returned naked, his body steamy.
However, he was still reluctant to leave his soft and tender wife, so he crawled back onto the bed.
Holding her was also an option; he could endure the discomfort.
He nestled beside Ling Yao, burying his face in her chest, like a large dog intoxicated by the delicate fragrance. Then he felt hot liquid fall onto his shoulder.
"There are a few more..."
"Does it hurt?"