513. Bonding

In the bathroom, warm steam lingered in the air.

Qian Renjue eagerly held Ye Lingling's slender waist, free of any excess weight, as their lips met in a passionate kiss.

“Jue~”
Ye Lingling shyly nibbled on Qian Renjue's lips, slowly adapting to the sensation. Their lips brushed together, exchanging breaths in an intimate rhythm.

“Lingling~”
Qian Renjue’s gaze burned with intensity as he looked down at the exquisite beauty in his arms, their bare skin pressing together.

Their lips parted briefly, Ye Lingling’s slightly swollen lips trembling as she exhaled softly. Her delicate hand guided Qian Renjue’s hand to her chest, signaling her intent.

“Jue~ help me wash.”
“Mm.”

Qian Renjue’s voice was low and rich, his breaths filled with the faint fragrance of flowers surrounding them. He wasn’t unfamiliar with her graceful figure, but being able to admire it so openly and for so long was a first.

His hands cupped warm water, letting it flow over her smooth, delicate skin as he carefully wiped her down.

Meanwhile, Ye Lingling, like a shy bird, began to wash his hair, her trembling hands trying to acclimate to the intimacy.

However, Qian Renjue bore the brunt of the heat, his face turning red as he silently endured the increasing tension.

The two figures washed each other’s bodies with care, leaving no corner untouched.


---

Next Door

Dugu Yan pressed herself against the wall, staring intently through a peephole-like device, her face flushed with curiosity.

“Lady Lingyuan, are you sure we won’t get caught doing this?”

“At this moment, His Highness shouldn’t have the time to investigate,” Ling Yuan replied calmly, her posture mirroring Dugu Yan’s as she peered through the ingenious spyglass Qian Renxue had once created.

“Still… won’t this leave some evidence behind?” Dugu Yan asked hesitantly, glancing nervously at Lingyuan.

“...” Ling Yuan remained silent.

Her hands were preoccupied—one holding a sketchbook, the other a pencil—clearly intent on capturing the moment for posterity.

“Don’t worry. This notebook will never fall into His Highness’s hands,” Ling Yuan reassured confidently.

“Alright…” Dugu Yan decided not to press further, though she suspected Ling Yuan was merely following orders.

Ling Yuan offered no further explanation. To become a worthy daughter-in-law, she first had to prove herself as a loyal subordinate. If it wasn’t explicitly ordered, would she neglect her duties? Absolutely not!

Years ago, when His Highness first began courting Ye Lingling, Ling Yuan had already perfected her sketching skills. Now, her artistry was unmatched, capable of bringing scenes to life with stunning realism.

A true soulful artist, she thought with pride, her resolve firm as she continued to observe the scene unfolding in the adjacent room.


---

After what felt like an eternity, the bathroom door slowly opened, releasing a wave of warm steam.

Qian Renjue stepped out barefoot, his movements ethereal, as though walking on clouds. In his arms, he carried Ye Lingling, her delicate figure shrouded in mist, creating a dreamy, almost surreal ambiance.

Ye Lingling clenched her hands nervously, her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue. Her swollen lips hinted at their earlier passion, while her flowing hair cascaded down to partially conceal her alluring figure. Her striking blue eyes sparkled like a serene sea, their gaze shy and hesitant as they met Qian Renjue’s.

Under the glow of the candlelight, Ye Lingling’s pure and natural beauty was on full display.

Qian Renjue paused, gently laying her on the soft bed draped with the white cloth she had prepared. He looked down at her, taking in every detail, the flickering candlelight illuminating every inch of her beauty.

Nothing escaped his gaze.



White with a rosy glow, radiating a soft sheen, as if crafted by an artist.

“Jue~”

Ye Lingling murmured softly, her slender, snow-white arms crossed in front of her. Her voice was delicate and weak, brimming with seductive charm.

“Don’t look so much…”

Watching the usually serene and elegant hibiscus flower now exude such captivating allure, Qian Renjue let out a gentle breath.

He slowly bent down, clasping her delicate hands, intertwining their fingers. Resting his forehead against hers, their breaths intertwined as he gazed into the rippling emotions within her eyes.

In a low murmur, his lips met hers.

“Lingling.”
“Mm.”

Ye Lingling’s cherry lips moved slightly, her response soft and tender, carrying a hint of a sob.

Though she and Qian Renjue had frequent close contact in the past, this level of intimacy was entirely new. She could clearly feel the contours of his body against hers, the heat between them merging, their heartbeats syncing rhythmically.

Qian Renjue kissed her deeply, his lips trailing from her red lips to her snow-white neck. Ye Lingling’s long lashes quivered uncontrollably, waves of shyness washing over her. Her cheeks flushed as brightly as a vibrant sunset.

Turning her head slightly, she offered him more access, though her eyes reflected a mix of embarrassment and nervousness. Her voice, as light as a silver bell in the breeze, trembled.

“Jue… will it hurt?”

Qian Renjue lifted his head, gently caressing her delicate face, his voice soft and reassuring.
“Lingling~ I’ll be careful.”

As his words settled, Qian Renjue covered her eyes with his hand, her long lashes fluttering against his palm like tiny ants marching across his heart.

His lips found hers again, inching closer.

“Ah~ Mmm!”

Tears glimmered in Ye Lingling’s watery eyes as she clung tightly to Qian Renjue, her legs instinctively wrapping around his waist.


---

Next Door

A sudden cry broke the stillness, and Dugu Yan clapped her hands over her mouth in shock, her face flushed crimson. Yet, she couldn’t tear her eyes away.

Ling Yuan, watching her lord immersed in blissful intimacy, was equally stunned. Her hand holding the pencil paused momentarily before she steadied herself, her shaky legs barely supporting her as she resumed sketching faithfully.

Her eyes flickered with a faint purple light—it was none other than the Purple Demon Eye!

Though her cultivation wasn’t advanced, this initial state granted her a multi-perspective view, making it an essential skill for a true soulful artist.

“Ah—Mmm~”

Dugu Yan nearly cried out again but quickly covered her mouth, glancing apologetically at Ling Yuan, whose gaze was tinged with frustration.

As a maid spying on her mistress’s private affairs, Dugu Yan felt overwhelmed with nervousness. Hearing the ecstatic cries from her close friend, she’d almost assumed Ye Lingling was on the verge of passing out.

She hadn’t expected her dear friend to surrender so quickly in such a short time.

Ling Yuan, equally astonished, marveled at the sheer speed of her lord's "efforts." If not for her exceptional dexterity, she might have failed to capture the moment properly.

Amid their reactions, a system notification sounded:

[Congratulations, host, for spreading great love! Rewards are being calculated.]

Unfortunately, no one paid it any mind.


---

Life is never without an audience, and the night is no exception—especially not for Qian Renjue.

A small blue-and-white scorpion, unnoticed, slipped away during a moment of distraction, climbing to the rafters. From its elevated perch, it gazed down upon the scene below.

Pretending to shield its eyes with its pincers, the scorpion's blue-white exoskeleton glimmered with a faint red light. Its gaze remained fixed, awe evident in its tiny frame.

It had always said that this man wasn’t human!

Meanwhile, the Blue Silver Emperor, which had taken the form of a blood-imbued mark, glowed intermittently in rhythm with its master’s movements. Though it was prepared to intervene at any moment, its vigilance was just an excuse to stay and observe.

After all, even as a mark, it was still an eager audience!