603. Romance

Xu Qi’an picked up Mu Nanzhi in his arms and carried her into the bedroom. As he lifted the quilt, he gently laid her down.

While she was cooking in the kitchen, Xu Qi’an had already made the bed.

When they left the capital, he had carefully packed the bedsheet and quilt in the wooden cupboard, along with insect-repellent incense balls, so they could be used directly now.

“Sleep now.”

Xu Qi’an quietly withdrew the anaesthetic gas released by the Poison Gu, sat on the edge of the bed, grabbed Mu Nanzhi’s ankle, and gently took off her embroidered shoe.

Next were the white socks.

Very soon, a pair of fair, delicate feet appeared before him.

They were only the size of his palm, the instep gracefully curved, the toes round and full, the nails neatly trimmed and clean, and beneath the pale skin, one could faintly see blue veins.

Her soles were light pink, and when held in his hand, they seemed the most exquisite, tender jade in the world.

Xu Qi’an pressed his thumb on her heel. Unlike his own heel, which had thick calluses from years of martial practice, hers was soft.

Enough is enough, enough is enough…

He forced himself to put down her little feet, pulled up the quilt, and covered the princess consort’s exquisitely beautiful body.

Then, he placed the little white fox under the covers too.

After thinking for a moment, recalling how Baiji once nearly suffocated and kicked out wildly in the bed, he took it out and wrapped it in a robe.

He blew out the candle, closed the bedroom door, and went out into the courtyard, where he stroked the side of the little mare’s face.

“Little mare, I’ll leave the task of looking after them to you.”

Having just eaten some beans, the little mare was in a good mood, and nuzzled his hand.

…

Shaoyin Palace.

Behind a spacious, luxurious bedchamber and a three-panel screen painted with Peonies and Twin Cranes, wisps of steam rose.

Water splashed in a red lacquered bathtub. A pair of fair legs stepped out of the tub. Two palace maids, dressed in thin gauze, attended at the side, one immediately unfurled a silk cloth, carefully wiping the water droplets from her mistress’s body.

The other took down the clothes hanging from the screen and dressed her mistress.

Shortly after, Lin’an, with her hair elegantly up, emerged from behind the screen. She wore a pale blue silk inner robe and a deep blue skirt, the hem trailing on the floor.

She sat cross-legged on the bed and asked,

“Did you fetch the medicine I asked you to get from the Imperial Pharmacy?”

The maid on the left replied sweetly,

“The medicine, silver, and clothing… everything is prepared.”

The maid on the right hid a smile behind her hand and teased,

“What does Your Highness need all those things for?”

The left maid tapped her, joking,

“Playing dumb, are you, daring to tease Her Highness? Mind your tongue or you’ll lose it.”

The two maids giggled.

The princess said she wanted to sever all ties with that man, yet she was secretly preparing medicine, silver, and clothes, in case he was injured and needed medicine, ran short of silver while roaming the martial world, or struggled for clothing while wandering far away.

She had considered his every need.

After so many years of serving her, they had never seen her like this.

What sort of person was Princess Lin’an? She was a pampered and wilful princess, favoured by the late Emperor, such pampered ones were invariably thoughtless. When had she ever cared so much for a man?

Biaobiao glared at them, and casually asked,

“Has any news come in from the manor today?”

She meant Lin’an Manor in the imperial city, the residence bestowed by the late Emperor.

Biaobiao’s tone was calm, as if she was just making casual conversation, but in her charming, watery eyes, hope shone.

The two maids fell silent, exchanged glances, and replied cautiously,

“No news has come from the manor.”

Hope faded in her peach blossom eyes. She forced a smile and nodded, making a soft sound.

She had waited in the palace all day but he hadn’t come to explain himself. Since parting at Sitianjian that night, she seemed to have been forgotten.

Now, even the Princess’s manor in the imperial city had sent no word, meaning Xu Qi’an had not left her a message there either.

She was silent for a moment, and softly said,

“We are tired.”

The two maids tactfully left the bedroom for the outer room.

They could see Her Highness was in low spirits, and guessed she might later hide beneath the quilt to weep in secret.

Though they knew Lin’an well, they still underestimated her resolve. She did not hide under the covers to cry, for her tears were still brimming in her eyes, not yet spilled.

She tucked herself under the soft quilt, curling up on her side.

Biaobiao still could not understand: the majestic National Teacher, even someone her father could not win over, how could she fancy her running dog?

At the thought of Luo Yuheng’s domineering posture that night, Biaobiao felt aggrieved and wished she could tear that old woman apart.

But she only dared think so.

If her rival was Luo Yuheng, Lin’an had no confidence at all, even as a princess proud of her looks. Luo Yuheng’s status as Human Sect Daoist Leader alone was enough to crush her.

Unbidden, she recalled the old days, the time Xu Qi’an spent chatting and playing Go with her, until finally the tears brimming in her eyes rolled down.

Biaobiao felt she had lost at love, though she didn’t know the term.

The more she wept, the more tears fell, as she lay on her side, half her face buried in the soft pillow.

“One mustn’t cry before bed or one’s eyes will get inflamed.”

At that moment, from the inner side of the bed, someone passed her a handkerchief.

Biaobiao replied with an “oh,” took the handkerchief, and wiped her tears. Then her body froze as she realised something was wrong. She suddenly sprang up, letting out a piercing scream.

Even as she screamed, she recognised the man on the inner side of the bed. He wore azure robes and a jade coronet, dressed as a wealthy young master.

It was her running dog.

“Bang! Bang!”

A knock sounded at the door as the two maids called from outside,

“Your Highness, Your Highness?”

Lin’an glared fiercely at Xu Qi’an, pulled the quilt up to cover him, and whispered,

“Not a sound…”

She sniffed, cleared her throat, and tried to make her voice sound normal. “Come in.”

That scream a moment ago had been too alarming for a simple “I’m fine” to reassure the maids, as they might suspect their mistress was being coerced.

They had received strict training, and would not be easily fooled.

The bedroom door opened. One maid entered, looking anxious, while the other prudently stayed outside, ready to run for help if needed.

The maid who entered looked around, then at the bed, and asked,

“Your Highness, what’s happened?”

Lin’an replied indifferently, “Just a nightmare, it’s nothing.”

The maid glanced several times at her red-rimmed eyes, suddenly understanding, and was somewhat convinced. Then she scanned the large bed.

Fortunately, since the national treasury had run dry, Emperor Yongxing had cut down expenses for consorts and royals, including shoujin coal.

No longer were charcoal braziers endless, so Lin’an’s bedding had changed from light silk quilts to much thicker duvets.

The thick, fluffy duvets filled with wool and duck down concealed Xu Qi’an perfectly.

“Your Highness, is it too hot? Your face is burning.”

The palace maid asked with concern.

“We are fine.”

The more uneasy Lin’an felt, the colder she acted on the surface.

“Princess, you’re breathing heavily. Is it too stuffy?”

“It is a bit. Open the window a little.”

“Shall your servant stay here in the room, then?” the maid suggested.

“No need. We are in a bad mood and wish to be alone.”

Hearing this, the maid did not insist. She glanced around the room, then left.

Once she had gone and closed the bedroom door, Lin’an threw off the quilt, pushing away the head resting on her chest, feeling both embarrassed and angry, shocked and delighted. Her willow brows arched sharply.

“Running dog…”

Just as the words left her lips, Xu Qi’an covered her mouth, raising his brows in the direction of the door and lowering his voice:

“She hasn’t gone yet.”

Lin’an turned her head and saw, as expected, a shadow pressed up against the door, seemingly eavesdropping.

Xu Qi’an pulled the quilt up, covering both of them, and chuckled quietly:

“I hadn’t noticed before, but your maid is quite vigilant.”

He hadn’t noticed it in the past.

“All of them are trained by the palace matrons. The head palace maids around the consorts are even more alert.”

Lin’an echoed, then flushed red and said angrily:

“Running dog, you have some nerve even coming to Our bed.

“Go on, go to Luo Yuheng’s bed.”

She thrust out her small hand and pushed at him.

Xu Qi’an grabbed her wrist, drew close until their breaths mingled:

“Your Highness, I’ve been travelling for days, missing you every moment. Day and night, I regret not having wings, otherwise I’d have ridden the wind to you.”

Having spent some time with that scoundrel Holy Son, Xu Qi’an had thoroughly mastered the art of coaxing women, and finally grasped a key principle he hadn’t realised before.

To coax a woman, you must start from her perspective and guess what she wants to hear, what attitude she desires.

You can’t do it from your own perspective.

If you do, you lose.

For instance, from Xu Qi’an’s perspective, the National Teacher had risked backlash from karmic fire to help stop Heilian. Now that she was suffering from its aftereffects, she would die to a heavenly tribulation if they didn’t dual cultivate. Anyone with a conscience would drop their trousers for moral principle.

But explain it that way, and Lin’an would explode.

So from her point of view, what did she want? What attitude did she expect?

“Every smile and frown of Your Highness is engraved in my mind, haunting my dreams.” Xu Qi’an wrapped his arms around Lin’an’s slender waist, his gaze sincere, his tone earnest.

“But I know I was in the wrong. I spent today at home, heartsick and troubled, not daring to face you. But I cannot resist my heart, this heart that longs for Your Highness.”

Listening to these words by her ear, Lin’an’s heart raced and her cheeks burned.

All her grievances vanished, her fierce resolve dissolved by sweet words.

She snorted, forcing herself to harden her heart. She pushed his arm from her waist, turned her head away:

“Sir Xu, do you speak the same way to every other woman?”

She tried to suppress him with coldness.

Xu Qi’an stared at her delicate, pearly earlobe, barely resisting the urge to lick it, and sighed:

“Sigh, it seems whatever I say, Your Highness won’t forgive me. I’m leaving the capital tomorrow, and ask for nothing else, only that Your Highness promise me one thing.”

The first half of his sentence made Lin’an’s heart drop, a wave of panic surging. On hearing the second half, she hurriedly asked:

“What is it?”

Then quickly felt her tone lacked dignity, and snorted, “We shall decide as we see fit.”

“I wish the princess would accompany me to see the most dazzling lights in the world.”

Hearing this, Lin’an was stunned for a while, not understanding his meaning.

But the next moment, she saw the running dog pull the quilt up, covering their heads.

Immediately after, Lin’an plunged into endless darkness. She did not know how long had passed before she saw light and heard the wind whistling in her ear.

Night had fallen, a solitary moon hung high.

She stood between heaven and earth, facing the cold wind, feeling empty and alone, yet utterly free.

Amazed, Lin’an looked around. She was standing on a floating artillery platform, the moon above, casting down cold, clear light. Beneath her…

She abruptly widened her eyes, her moist and charming gaze reflecting countless thousands of lights.

Below was the whole capital. Most of the outer city was pitch-black, occasional lights flickering here and there.

The brightest, most dazzling place was the imperial palace, a massive cluster of fireworks, with the imperial city encircling it, equally brilliant, with myriad lanterns illuminating the night, guarding the palace.

The inner city, home to the wealthy, was like the outer ring of a flame, clusters of lights twinkling like stars.

Lin’an had never seen the night view of the capital, and for a moment, she was utterly captivated.

The most romantic thing she could think of was Xu Qi’an’s “His dream laden boat sailing atop the Milky way”, but now, the man had shown her a new marvel.

“Don’t catch a cold.”

Xu Qi’an came over, draped his robe over her, and casually pulled the beauty into his arms.

Lin’an was as if tipsy, her eyes alluring, her cheeks flushed, almost drunk.

This reaction didn’t surprise Xu Qi’an, in fact, he expected it. Lin’an adored romance, and could hardly resist such gestures.

I’ll return the artillery platform to Sun Xuanji soon. This trick won’t work on Huaiqing… I should also treat the holy son better in the future, after all I’ve learned quite a bit from him… As these thoughts drifted through his mind, Lin’an’s dreamy voice sounded in his ear:

“Running dog, will you ask brother emperor to let us marry?”

In Lin’an’s eyes, their relationship had been set by that passionate kiss before Xu Qi’an left the capital.

This man was not just a passing crush, but her beloved.

“I will.”

Xu Qi’an gazed at her delicate oval face. “But not yet.”

Both he and the Great Feng were facing enormous challenges.

If they won, he would have Lin’an to his right, Huaiqing on his left, the National Teacher’s lap to sit, and the princess consort hidden behind.

If he lost, well, better go reincarnate somewhere else.

…

Night deepened.

The palace maid quietly pushed open the door, tiptoed into the bedchamber, and approached the bed.

Princess Lin’an was curled under the covers, sleeping soundly, a smile on her lips, as if dreaming of something delightful.

The maid breathed a sigh of relief, and was just about to leave when suddenly her face changed. She saw the princess’s fair neck was covered with kiss marks.

This… The maid’s scalp tingled instantly, and she looked around in panic.

After a while, she seemed to understand. Her expression softened.

…

Under the same night sky, in a small town.

Ji Xuan stood on the roof ridge, watching the fight below.

It was Liu Hongmian toying with her opponent, a Jianghu traveller hosting a fragment of Dragon Qi.

These days, using the Tianjigong spy network, they had tracked down several Dragon Qi hosts.

Some were wandering Jianghu men, some were refined scholars, even constabulary clerks on duty and women waiting to be married.

Ji Xuan’s plan was to gather as much fragmented Dragon Qi as possible, little by little, in hopes of drawing in the hosts of the nine Dragon Qi.

Of course, this might also draw in Xu Qi’an.

“Hongmian, don’t waste time,” Ji Xuan reminded.

Liu Hongmian immediately knocked her opponent unconscious.

Ji Xuan took a bronze tripod the size of his palm from his robe, muttered under his breath, and a clear light shot from the tripod’s mouth, absorbing the host of Dragon Qi inside.

The bronze tripod was named the Cauldron of Four Corners. After the National Teacher heard of the events in Yongzhou, she sent it as a gift.

Unlike ordinary storage magic artefacts that could only store objects, this one could store people.

Ji Xuan put the cauldron away, looked to the northwest, and murmured, “Xu Qi’an!”

…

The next day!

Capital, Lingbao Temple.

In a quiet room, Luo Yuheng, who had slept for two days and nights, slowly opened her beautiful eyes.

603. Romance

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