Under the lamplight, the woman was ethereally beautiful, her blood-red lips and shimmering eyes making her resemble a bewitching, peerless demoness.
Xiao Shan's eyes blazed with a fiery passion. Naked, he strode before her, bracing his arms on either side of her, locking her captivating face between them.
He rasped, "Your Highness, this subject will carve a path through thorns for you, re-enter the battlefield, and be your strongest support. No one will be able to harm you."
Ling Yao's shyness gradually receded as her wandering gaze met the man's utmost seriousness. She asked dazedly, "What did you say?"
"I only hope Your Highness will henceforth live as you please, with all things according to your will, looking down upon the world."
"You, you're going back to the battlefield?"
"I've already reassembled the old troops. They await my return. We'll repel the Tujue, purge the court, and secure the realm together."
Ling Yao's lips trembled as she looked at this man, who had pulled her from darkness, burning like the midday sun. He had said he didn't want to go back, not for her...
"But you don't like it..."
"I don't like it, but you are here. And, actually, I'm not reconciled either. Now that you're back, it's perfect. This time, I will definitely repay the humiliation inflicted by the Tujue. So, Xue Niang, this time, my loyalty is not to Jingguo, not to the Emperor, but to you! Remember that? Others are nothing!"
There were some things he needed to clarify early, lest she misunderstand.
"I don't need your loyalty. Just be well, that's all that matters."
The battlefield was cruel. She truly didn't want him to go. It was all her fault for dragging him back into this mire.
"You don't need my loyalty? Didn't you tell me not to marry anyone else? Then who should I be loyal to? Oh, right, the eldest princess of the Tantai tribe has received word and wants to arrange a marriage with me. A union of strong forces..."
"How dare you!"
While speaking of loyalty, he twisted her words again.
He knew very well she detested this the most.
"So? Do you want my loyalty? I can charge into battle for you, and I can also make you feel heavenly pleasure."
"...Yes."
Xiao Shan: "..."
The little woman had grown bold.
"A Shan, I have something to tell you, about my father... *whimper*..."
Her mouth was sealed again, the man urgent and fierce.
No, no, this would hurt the child.
Unable to push away the mountain-like man, in her desperation, she grabbed his ear. To her surprise, the man only flinched, his body lowering slightly before rising again, not stopping. His hands ignited fires everywhere, his mouth like a greedy infant, never leaving its sustenance.
Little did she know that after her ears had been grabbed a few times previously, his weakness had begun to automatically strengthen its immunity.
Ling Yao's mind was in a fog. All she knew was that his strength would surely harm the child. Where she felt wickedness, she grabbed. She did as she thought.
"Mmm..."
Xiao Shan grunted, as if his soft spot had been seized, even more effective than grabbing his ear. His body shuddered violently, and he released his prey, his eyes, filled with lustful flames, staring in astonishment at this audacious little woman.
"No, it's not possible. I'm telling you, from now on, you can't touch me."
"You say, what?" His gaze suddenly turned cold, staring intently at the alluring woman beneath him. "After returning to the capital, you looked down on this rough fellow like me, and started thinking about your Wen Tang brother again?"
"Didn't you just say you wanted it? You lied to me?"
"If you dare look at anyone else, see if I don't kill him!"
Ling Yao was not afraid of his demeanor. No matter how fierce he was, he wouldn't do anything to her; he was just a paper tiger putting on a show.
"Why are you so violent? Put away that biting look. Now, lie down obediently and listen to me."
Xiao Shan remained still, still glaring at her unhappily.
Ling Yao applied more force.
Damn it!
Xiao Shan grunted again, rolling over and lying on his back, filled with both love and hate.
This damned little hand was truly soul-stirring.
She had better have a good reason to pacify him, or he would cripple her hands tonight!
Seeing him lie down obediently, Ling Yao felt a touch of triumph, thinking she had found his weakness again, though it was a bit embarrassing.
But it was more effective than grabbing his ear.
"A Shan, do you prefer a boy or a girl?"
"Nonsense, I'm not gay!"
"But, if you were a man, I'd like that too. I only like you, regardless of whether you are male or female."
Ling Yao: "..."
This brute, who knew what was going on in his mind? He couldn't think indirectly. Talking to him was so difficult! She might as well be direct.
"I'm pregnant."
"How did you get pregnant without a man? I'll give you another chance. Come up with a credible reason. If you can't, see how I deal with you!"
Ling Yao's eyes widened, looking at Xiao Shan, who clearly didn't believe her. "Are you not a man?"
"Don't you know if I'm a man? What are you holding in your hand?"
Ling Yao let go as if burned, hearing him curse under his breath. She lowered her head, blushing, not daring to look at him.
"I'm really pregnant. I've been feeling awful these past few days, throwing up whatever I eat. Linglong said we can't have intercourse now... Later, I'll make it up to you!"
Make it up? That was more like it!
Wait, what? Really pregnant?
Lu Qingsong had said she had gastrointestinal discomfort...
Xiao Shan rolled over. She was almost completely undressed, like a soft, white, delicious glutinous rice ball, waiting for him to devour her. At this moment, hidden in the brocade quilt, only her alluring little face was visible, looking at him pitifully.
His hand slowly reached in, touching her flat, unremarkable abdomen. He frowned, "There's nothing unusual? You're not lying to me? I was so careful, it was only that one time..."
Only that one time?
Wasn't it precisely that time? Didn't he believe her?
"Then just consider this to be someone else's!" She angrily slapped his hand away and turned her face. He showed no sign of happiness.
He didn't like this child.
What did she mean, someone else's? Her mouth was starting to talk nonsense again.
"Are you angry with me again? It's because I'm worried about your health! Can you handle having a child? No wonder you've lost weight."
Xiao Shan worried. If he wasn't around in the future, what would happen?
This child was truly inconsiderate.
It had come a bit too early.
"Whether I can handle it or not, I'm the one enduring it. What does it have to do with you!"
Xiao Shan: I wish I could endure it for you!
Perhaps he should take her to the Ghost King Sect's branch in Biancheng? He was truly uneasy here.
It was just that Biancheng was cold, and life was too harsh.
His hand unconsciously reached in again, caressing her smooth, silken belly. It was hard to imagine what this palm-sized waist would look like with a pregnancy. It would be difficult, wouldn't it?
Seeing that he was silent and his gaze was fixed somewhere, Ling Yao didn't know what he was thinking. She huffed angrily again.
"If you don't like this child, then I don't like you anymore!"
Damn it!
He hated this unborn brat even more now.