Ling Yao had no choice but to call out, "Wake up."
The "person" in front of her vanished, and the real Ling Yao was still standing by the bathtub, her face full of helplessness.
"What will you do if you meet that woman again like this?"
"I will kill without hesitation anything she transforms into. You probably don't know that your transformed self is indistinguishable from the real you, like your clone. The only difference is the weaker fragrance. How can I kill it? Killing it would leave a shadow on my life forever."
If that were truly the case, then so be it.
As long as others couldn't deceive him, that would be enough.
Xiao Shan quickly wiped himself dry and stepped out of the bathtub. After all this commotion, more than half the water had overflowed.
"Don't use illusions on me anymore. It's really tiring."
Most importantly, she was jealous of herself. Wasn't that just her shadow?
"You know you're tired? Why didn't you say so when you were having fun?"
Hearing this, it sounded like there was some resentment.
Xiao Shan sized her up and saw her pouting, clearly unhappy.
"I'm right beside you, yet you find a shadow..." Her resentment grew even stronger.
Oh! He understood!
Ling Yao's bath robe was already half wet, her exquisite figure revealed. During her confinement, Yu Shan had collected numerous health-preserving secrets and restored imperial medicinal formulas.
Her abdomen was as smooth and flat as before, her waist as slender as a maiden's. Only her chest had grown larger, adding more captivating charm than before. Her eyes were full of allure, especially when she pouted at him.
Did she not realize how charming she was?
How much effort did he exert every night to suppress his desire, to the point where his blood flow reversed?
"My princess... you're going to be the death of me..."
Xiao Shan scooped her up by the waist. She was so light, almost weightless. He even gave her a little bounce. His steps were steady as he left the cleansing room, his powerful and domineering posture making Ling Yao lean into him unconsciously. Her arms wrapped tightly around his neck, and her small lips curved upwards.
Her fair skin glowed with a moist radiance, as if it could be squeezed to yield water.
Compared to his rough, bark-like skin, it was truly different.
Xiao Shan tossed her onto the soft, yielding bed and then covered her.
"Princess, I will find other ways to make you happy."
Ling Yao's mind was already filled with memories of the past and his fierce, vigorous energy from just now. She was feeling nervous, and when she heard his words, she was a bit confused. She opened her hazy eyes and instinctively replied, "You can't anymore?"
Xiao Shan's face darkened. He slapped her little bottom, eliciting a cry from Ling Yao.
"How dare you say that? Weren't you scared just now? You're not wearing any clothes, and I wouldn't get tired even if I fought all night!"
Ling Yao: "...You're bragging."
Xiao Shan's teeth itched with anger. This little thing was becoming more and more audacious. Didn't she know how capable he was?
"Don't provoke me. You know the consequences."
Ling Yao covered his mouth with her hand. "Shh~ Don't say it, just do it~"
After saying that, she switched to covering his bloodthirsty eyes and then touched his slightly parted lips with her own, which were parted from panting.
She had been craving this for a long time.
So verbose.
In an instant, it was like fire meeting kindling. The bed curtains swayed, and Xiao Shan, filled with a fierce desire, turned her over and over, finally satisfying her.
"I asked Qing He, and she said the longer the time, the better for you. I can wait another month."
He couldn't bear to.
Childbirth caused immense harm to a woman's body. Premature birth was even more damaging. The fruit was not ripe, the stem was not detached, and it was plucked forcibly. Plucking two at once nearly cost her life.
He wouldn't touch her until she was fully recovered.
He had witnessed the tragic scene himself, the basins of bloody water, her dying state. He dared not even think about it.
That was a nightmare for a lifetime.
He never wanted to experience it again.
He didn't like those two little brats.
But they were exchanged for her life.
He would have to endure them.
Ling Yao was exhausted, like a dried-out fish. Her cheeks were flushed, her chest half-exposed. She squinted at the man's lustrous lips and swallowed.
"I believe you now."
"Believe what?"
Not getting tired all night.
But she couldn't. She was utterly exhausted.
Ling Yao turned over, too lazy to speak further, and soon fell asleep.
The moon had set in the west, and the starlight was faint.
The sky was clearing, and the dawn glow spread.
Yu Liu, along with two young palace maids, was tidying up the cleansing room. There was no movement from the sleeping quarters. Seeing the scene of their passion, Yu Shan was a little worried. She thought about adjusting the medicinal formula again, having the princess drink it for a few more days, and also subtly reminding the general.
Affection was good, but not to excess.
Qing He had arrived early. Hearing that Ling Yao had not yet woken, she first went to see the two children.
When she heard movement, it was Xiao Shan getting up. He wasn't attending court today and was going to the military camp. She went out and heard Xiao Shan instructing Yu Shan on something.
Needless to say, it must have been about the princess.
Everything was fine. Qing He knew it was time for her to leave.
It wasn't until noon that Ling Yao got up. Qing He personally attended to her.
"Qing He, are you leaving?"
Ling Yao had grown up. In front of outsiders, she was a dignified and sharp goddess. In front of Qing He, she was still like a little girl, her clear eyes black and white, as always.
"Yes, Princess. I'm leaving today and came to tell you."
"So suddenly?"
However, it was time. She had already delayed for so long.
"Take a team of guards with you." Ling Yao was still worried.
No matter how skilled her poison arts were, there were times when she could be careless. Taking some people could be useful.
Qing He knelt down.
"Qing He, you—"
"Princess, Qing He will rebuild the Tang Sect and surely carve out a place for herself in the martial world. From now on, the Tang Sect will only be loyal to Princess, at your command. The court is treacherous, and the empire is not yet stable. You must take care of yourself."
"I understand, Qing He."
Ling Yao pulled her up, and their hands clasped tightly.
No words were needed.
From now on, one in the martial world, one in the court.
But there would always be a day for them to reunite.
As Qing He was leaving, Yu Liu called out to her from behind.
"County Princess, I've never apologized to you."
Yu Liu had misunderstood her before and later realized her mistake. But due to her pride, she had never truly apologized.
Qing He smiled, her cool expression like spring breeze melting snow.
Yu Liu knew Qing He was beautiful, but she rarely saw her smile. Even when she did, it was a standard courtly fake smile.
"You should smile more. You're beautiful," she couldn't help but say.
"I'll try," Qing He replied without much conviction.
"Yu Liu, Princess, I entrust her to you." This sentence, however, was said with great sincerity.
Yu Liu nodded heavily. "Don't worry, County Princess!"
Qing He left as she said she would. She had nothing to pack and left the palace with seven guards.
Emperor Mingde slept through the night. He rarely drank, and when he woke up, he felt groggy. Hearing about what happened yesterday, he was startled. Fulv reported that the young county prince was fine and that it was just a diversion; he hadn't actually been taken away. Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.
However, the fact that thieves had entered the palace was enough to worry him.
After discussing with Song Beiting again, he got up to visit Fengque Tower.
On the way, he remembered yesterday's events and glanced towards Fanghua Hall.
Fulv saw this and reported, "Commander Song said the County Princess left the palace in the afternoon with a team of guards. We don't know where she went."
"She left the palace?"