514. This Works Too?

The night in Heaven Dou City was brightly lit.

The moon in the sky was half-hidden, and a gentle night breeze blew, unable to extinguish the lingering warmth in the air.

Heaven Treasure Restaurant appeared quiet on the outside, but inside, life thrived.

In a private VIP suite, the flames of a red dragon-and-phoenix candle flickered.

The faint candlelight swayed, and molten wax dripped down like tears, sliding along the candle. The air was tinged with the faint scent of wax and a hint of intimacy.

On the rafters, a blue-and-white scorpion lay motionless, drained of all energy and will.

The Blue Silver Emperor's mark no longer pulsed.

Dugu Yan, unable to bear watching further, retreated to a corner, kneeling and curling up in embarrassment.

Only Ling Yuan remained steadfast.

Her cheeks flushed red, yet she abandoned her earlier detailed approach. Instead, she opted for quick sketches, planning to refine them when she had calmed down.

As the night deepened and then gradually faded, Ye Lingling, a gentle and delicate support spirit master, succumbed entirely after merely two days.

Collapsed beneath Qian Renjue’s gaze, her body trembled, sweat dripping as she gritted her teeth.

Qian Renjue, of course, understood that there was no need to rush such matters. He gently released her delicate wrist, letting her fully lie down and rest.

He leaned over, pressing against Ye Lingling’s soft and tender back, cradling her in his arms before draping a cool blanket over her.

With a soft sigh, he closed his clear violet eyes, holding the warm and fragile beauty close as he drifted into peaceful sleep.


---

In the next room.

Ling Yuan, now slumped against the wall, covered her flushed cheeks. Her eyes were filled with lingering emotions and expectation.

With Miss Lingling serving as the vanguard, the order of the rest didn’t matter anymore. She just needed to find a good opportunity for herself.

For now, however, completing the comic in her hands was the most important task. It would be her tribute to the Pope, a chance to earn merit. She didn’t care for rewards—her only wish was to secure favor as a future daughter-in-law.

Next to her, Dugu Yan was half-asleep, her dreams swirling with everything she had sneakily witnessed. Except, in her dreams, it was she who replaced Lingling in those moments.

She dreamed of the holy son stepping forward, his passion surging like a tidal wave.

[Congratulations to the host for spreading love successfully! (Target: Ye Lingling)]
[You have earned: 500 points!]

Even in his deep sleep, Qian Renjue could faintly hear the system notification in his mind.

Two days had passed, earning him rewards five times in total.


---

With dawn came the purple haze of sunrise.

The city grew busy as the sun climbed higher, its rays warming the bustling streets.

It wasn’t until midday that any sounds came from the private suite at Heaven Treasure Restaurant.

At this moment, Ye Lingling was nestled tightly in Qian Renjue’s arms, her face pressed against his chest.

Her eyelashes and the corners of her eyes were damp with tears. Her brow carried a hint of softness, and there was a newfound allure and tenderness in her expression, marking her transition to womanhood.

Her face was flushed with a rosy glow, her delicate brows slightly furrowed. It was hard to tell whether her expression reflected pain or joy, but it was undeniably captivating.

Qian Renjue’s eyelids fluttered open slightly, the bright sunlight streaming in. He instinctively raised a hand to shield his eyes, only to brush against smooth, tender skin.

Lowering his gaze, he saw Ye Lingling’s tear-streaked, delicate face nestled in his arms, her expression both pitiful and enchanting.

For a long moment, he was lost in thought, unable to tear his eyes away.

Eventually, a soft smile graced his lips as he reached out to smooth her tousled blue hair behind her ear. Her porcelain-like skin, streaked with tear marks, seemed even more radiant and alluring than usual—a stark contrast to her typically serene demeanor.

Sensing his touch, Ye Lingling’s long lashes trembled. Her soft blue eyes shimmered with unshed tears and a hint of affection as she gazed at Qian Renjue, who was so close.

Her face instantly turned red as she felt his warmth, her eyes brimming with shyness and lingering tears.

“Jue~”

Ye Lingling’s voice was hoarse and weak.

Ignoring the soreness that wracked her body, she raised her delicate hand and gently caressed his face, her touch light yet filled with emotion.



Her breathing was still somewhat labored.
She had never felt as exhilarated as she did last night.

It was as if both her body and soul had been imprinted with Qian Renjue’s mark.

“Why don’t you rest a bit more? I won’t disturb you.”

Qian Renjue lowered his head slightly, their foreheads touching.

Ye Lingling gently shook her head, snuggling closer to his chest. As she twisted her delicate body, she lifted her face and kissed him.

“Jue, I’m yours now~”

Her voice was soft, trembling as though on the verge of tears.

Their lips met, and Qian Renjue gently exhaled as Ye Lingling received his breath and returned it, the two exchanging their breaths in a tender rhythm.

Their jaws moved subtly, their throats shifting, before their lips parted.

Qian Renjue gently pulled her closer, his fingers brushing over the faint bruises on her skin. His gaze was filled with guilt and tenderness.

“Does it still hurt?”

“No, it doesn’t hurt anymore,” Ye Lingling replied softly, shaking her head as her legs pressed together, trembling slightly.

“I... I can heal myself.”

“Then do it quickly.”

“Quickly?”

Ye Lingling’s face flushed red with shyness, but seeing the sincerity in Qian Renjue’s eyes, she bit back her embarrassment and nodded.

Raising her weak arms, the delicate pink petals of her Nine-Hearts Begonia spirit bloomed.

Two yellow and two purple spirit rings shone brightly, their radiance spreading.

The soothing light fell over her body, gradually healing her wounds and easing the lingering pain with a warm, tingling sensation.

“Mmh~ Jue!”

Under Qian Renjue’s watchful gaze, Ye Lingling suddenly let out a muffled whimper.

Her spirit skill faltered as she clenched her legs together, shivering uncontrollably. She pressed herself closer to his embrace, her breath coming in soft gasps.

Her cherry lips parted slightly, before biting down on her lip as her eyes closed tightly, her neck flushing pink.

Qian Renjue blinked in surprise, his expression stunned.

The system’s notification sounded in his mind, explaining exactly what had just happened.

[Congratulations! You have earned another 100 points.]

He stared at Ye Lingling, who now resembled an ostrich hiding in his arms, with a bewildered look on his face.

“This... counts?”

Sensing her unease, Qian Renjue gently held her and stroked her back to comfort her.

Even after her trembling subsided, Ye Lingling was still too embarrassed to look up.

The atmosphere grew heavier, laden with a subtle warmth and intimacy.

Without saying another word, Qian Renjue simply held her close.

No wonder... no wonder she seemed so hesitant earlier. It turned out her wounds were easily reopened.

“Lingling~ let me carry you to clean up.”

“Mm... I’ll listen to you.”

Ye Lingling curled up in his arms like a docile kitten.

Though her body had mostly recovered, her spirit was still taut, making her unusually sensitive.

When Qian Renjue helped clean her up, it seemed like no matter how he wiped, her skin remained faintly damp, a reflection of her heightened state.


---

Outside the room.

Ling Yuan stood guard at the door as Heaven Treasure Restaurant resumed its daily business.

Her task was to ensure that no one disturbed the prince, even if he decided to indulge himself during the day.

She wasn’t joking. Judging by her observations, Qian Renjue wasn’t even close to his limit—he didn’t seem to have exerted much effort at all.

Qian Renjue’s physical condition was more than enough to handle any challenge.


---

By midday, Ye Lingling retrieved a strip of white silk.

On it were vibrant plum blossoms, dyed by her own pigments and embroidered by Qian Renjue himself.

Creak!

The door opened, and a faint sense of love and affection spilled out.

Ling Yuan’s face immediately turned red as she averted her gaze, nervously greeting them.

“Your Highness, Miss Lingling...”

“You didn’t stand here the entire night, did you?” Qian Renjue asked, his expression strange.

Ye Lingling clung to his arm, lowering her eyes to avoid meeting anyone’s gaze.

“Huh?” Ling Yuan was startled, fumbling for words.
“Y-Your Highness, I definitely didn’t stand here that long!”

“Good,” Qian Renjue sighed in relief.

Ye Lingling, now entirely like a shy wife, nestled against him, visibly more at ease.

Neither of them had anticipated that someone would be so bold—or crazy—as to linger nearby during their most vulnerable moments.

Noticing their blushes and awkwardness, Ling Yuan relaxed, realizing their thin skins made them even more bashful than she was.

“Sister Ling Yuan, prepare a carriage for us. We’ll escort Lingling home,” Qian Renjue instructed gently.

It had been days since they’d left, and it was time for him to return in the afternoon as well.

“Yes, right away!” Ling Yuan replied, hurrying off to fulfill his request.