#43: The Favored Consort

Shi Luoyi didn’t know how to describe it to him.

But she really couldn’t bear the way Bian Lingyu had acted earlier. Seeing that he seemed reasonable, she struggled to phrase her request: “Just… don’t put… that in my mouth. And don’t keep sucking on my tongue.”

Her voice grew quieter and quieter as she continued: “Don’t lick, and don’t do that…” Beyond this, she couldn’t find the words to describe the many ways he had managed to create such sensations.

The young man looked down at her, watching as her face flushed redder and redder. She stuttered more and more as she listed her conditions, trying her best to articulate them. Bian Lingyu never interrupted her.

Shi Luoyi crouched on the ground in front of him, looking pitiful, as if he had done something unforgivable to her.

However, what she considered unforgivable was only a fraction of the desires swirling in his heart.

“Are you finished?”

She thought for a moment, nodded, and quickly added: “And don’t take too long, okay? Can you manage that?”

“…” He paused briefly. “I’ll try.”

The two exchanged glances, and Bian Lingyu said: “Shall I begin?”

Shi Luoyi gave a soft “Mm,” still extremely nervous but cooperatively tilted her face upward.

By the time they came out, the shadow puppet play had long ended. All the spirits had left, including the elephant demon couple who had performed the show.

The apricot grove was bathed in soft moonlight. Shi Luoyi’s legs felt weak.

Tonight was different from last night’s impulsiveness and rushed actions. This time, her sensations were clearer, and the experience felt longer and more lingering.

Her hair was disheveled, and with the youth pressing down on the back of her head, she had nowhere to retreat. The hairpin he had carefully placed in her hair before they left was still there—she hadn’t even noticed it was about to fall out.

Shi Luoyi didn’t understand why, despite having discussed things beforehand, it felt like they hadn’t talked about anything at all.

Under the moonlight, the two returned to Buye Mountain, where they encountered Hui Xiang anxiously searching for them.

Hui Xiang was the only one on the mountain who knew that the sect master harbored ill intentions toward Shi Luoyi. Seeing them return safely, she finally relaxed. Her gaze fell on Bian Lingyu, and she asked in surprise: “What happened to Master?”

Shi Luoyi looked over and realized that Bian Lingyu’s collar was crumpled.

She remembered the latter half of their encounter—she hadn’t been able to steady herself. With only one hand supporting her waist, Bian Lingyu had kept her upright. Rarely had she felt so powerless despite her cultivation. With nothing else to hold onto, she had instinctively clutched at his chest.

But there was no way to explain this to Hui Xiang. She glossed over it and asked instead: “What’s worrying you so much that you had to rush and find me?”

Though Hui Xiang found their interaction strange, she didn’t dwell on it. “The preparations for returning to the Southern Yue Kingdom are complete. The only thing I’m uncertain about is whether Miss should send tribute to the new emperor, just as in previous years.”

It was understandable that Hui Xiang felt conflicted. In the past, when they returned to Southern Yue, Shi Huan would express goodwill toward the emperor by presenting valuable longevity-enhancing elixirs under the name of Buye Immortal Mountain. The emperor had always been delighted, treating them with great respect.

But now, the throne had been usurped by Zhao Shu. Previously, during Shi Luoyi’s wedding, he had sent a box of South Sea pearls—a gift both precious and cruel, leaving his intentions unclear.

With the new emperor’s intentions unknown, their upcoming visit to the Southern Yue imperial palace was bound to be far from peaceful compared to previous years.

Shi Luoyi wasn’t sure whether this person was friend or foe. After some thought, she said: “Prepare the tribute according to the standards from when Father was alive. We’ll adapt as needed.”

Hui Xiang acknowledged her instructions and took her leave.

Shi Luoyi and Bian Lingyu retired to their room. Fortunately, she had already ordered someone to replace the fox’s folding screens and bathtub earlier in the day, so bathing wouldn’t be as awkward anymore.

Bian Lingyu went to wash up first. Shi Luoyi asked if she should call Ding Bai to assist him, but Bian Lingyu glanced at her and said: “No need.”

At first, Shi Luoyi didn’t understand what he meant until she saw him stand up from his wheelchair.

“You can walk now?” She was astonished. Just days ago, his injuries had been severe enough that even Han Shu had deemed him beyond help, yet he was recovering at an alarming rate.

After he finished bathing, Shi Luoyi didn’t follow suit. While Bian Lingyu bathed, she changed into her sleeping clothes.

After last night, she felt too embarrassed to bathe in the same room as him. Instead, she cast two cleansing spells on herself, ensuring she was spotless.

When Bian Lingyu returned, she was already lying down on her side of the bed.

She hadn’t asked for the bed to be replaced—the fox had somehow procured it, and it was wonderfully springy and soft, even more comfortable than the bed in her old maiden’s chamber. As Shi Luoyi lay down, she almost sighed in contentment.

There was another reason Shi Luoyi hadn’t bathed.

She wasn’t mentally prepared to consummate their relationship. By skipping the bath, she hoped that his fastidious nature would deter him from pursuing intimacy. It wasn’t that she regretted or was being stubborn—she barely remembered the sensation from their previous encounter, only the pain.

Throughout her cultivation, she had endured countless injuries, but none had felt quite like that.

When she had forced herself on him while possessed, she had felt a twisted sense of satisfaction, but the physical pain was undeniable. For two days afterward, she had walked awkwardly and secretly consumed pain-relief pills.

Anyone who had experienced it would understand—it was even more excruciating than being cut by a blade. The thought of enduring such soul-wrenching agony again made her fearful.

This time, without the possession clouding her mind, she feared it would hurt even more.

Shi Luoyi’s memory of the event was hazy. To this day, she couldn’t comprehend how… that had been possible. How could it have fit?

It was truly an unsolved mystery more perplexing than any high-level cultivation technique.

As she lay in bed, Shi Luoyi silently prayed that Bian Lingyu didn’t enjoy it either. After all, she suspected he might not have found it particularly pleasurable either. If he truly wanted it, she supposed she would steel herself and endure it eventually.

Bian Lingyu didn’t comment on her decision not to bathe. A dip formed beside her as Bian Lingyu lay down.

She suddenly felt the bed was too small again. Last night, they had agreed to become true Dao partners, so she had left only one quilt.

Neither of them moved inside the bed.

Shi Luoyi could feel the temperature of the youth beside her shift from icy cold to scorching hot. His breathing became irregular once more.

For Bian Lingyu, this was agonizing. Even in the divine realm, he was still a young god who had just come of age. Knowing his youthful vigor, the gods had arranged for him to choose a consort.

Lying beside Shi Luoyi, his expression remained calm. But beneath the quilt, his tightly clenched fists revealed his tension, the veins throbbing visibly.

After a long silence, Shi Luoyi whispered softly: “We’ve already kissed today, so… can I sleep now?”

Bian Lingyu turned his head to look at her.

Only her bright, watery eyes peeked out from beneath the covers, and she had deliberately covered her lips.

He recalled losing control in the apricot grove earlier and gave a low hum of acknowledgment. He could guess her thoughts to some extent. He knew that the previous experience had left her fearful, and though he had tried to be gentle, she was still afraid.

The girl who had been unrestrained while possessed now understood fear upon regaining clarity.

Bian Lingyu knew that continuing like this would only make him more uncomfortable, so he got up and gave her the blanket on his side, wrapping her tightly in it.

He went to retrieve an extra quilt from the cabinet and then said: “Sleep.”

Now each of them had their own quilt. Shi Luoyi also relaxed, casting a spell to extinguish the lights.

She closed her eyes. Having not rested well for two days, her spiritual energy was in dire need of replenishment. With the youth beside her lying still, she quickly fell asleep.

As the beginning of April approached, Shi Luoyi, fearing there might still be issues with Bian Lingyu’s health, invited Han Shu over twice more.

Han Shu had never seen anyone recover so quickly from near-death. Bian Lingyu could now walk freely without needing the wheelchair.

Han Shu had long suspected that Bian Lingyu’s identity was unclear and warned Shi Luoyi: “I think he’s no ordinary person. Be cautious.”

Shi Luoyi replied: “It’s fine. Everyone has secrets. I trust he won’t harm me.”

After all, she herself was half a step into the demonic path—a witch. Neither of them should judge the other.

Seeing that she wasn’t bothered by Bian Lingyu’s peculiarities, Han Shu didn’t press further: “I heard you’re returning to Southern Yue in a couple of days. Qingxuan and Changyuan were recently assigned a mission to exterminate demons in Southern Yue. You’ve always clashed with Qingxuan, and lately, her methods of killing demons…”

Han Shu struggled to describe it, frowning as she recalled the unsettling cruelty of Qingxuan’s torture methods. Unable to speak ill of her disciple, she simply advised Shi Luoyi: “Avoid her if you can.”

Shi Luoyi nodded. She didn’t want to see Qingxuan either. Since her rebirth, this period at Buye Mountain had been the most comfortable and carefree time of her life. While she still harbored some resentment toward Qingxuan, she acknowledged that Qingxuan had taken good care of Bian Lingyu over the past few years. Unless Qingxuan provoked her, she saw no reason to fight her to the death.

Everything was going smoothly for her now, and she barely felt anxious even at night.

In the past few days, she and Bian Lingyu had kissed only once, and things had nearly escalated out of control. His eyes had reddened, and with crimson eyes, he stared at her, his fingers playing with the knot of her clothes. It took several pushes before he finally let go.

When she asked again before sleeping the next day, the veins on his forehead bulged, and he pressed his lips together: “Forget it. No more kissing.”

Such a cold and aloof person rarely showed signs of frustration.

“Oh,” she responded, surprised that Bian Lingyu had decided to stop on his own. Not having fully prepared herself mentally, Shi Luoyi thought this was for the best.

At the start of April, they set off for the Southern Yue Kingdom.

Shi Luoyi boarded the mythical bird Luan, bringing only Hui Xiang and some gifts for the new emperor of Southern Yue. However, she did not inform Zhao Shu in advance through a crane messenger, as he had requested.

Firstly, she didn’t believe Zhao Shu would sincerely welcome her with great ceremony. Secondly, neither she nor her father, Shi Huan, had ever considered themselves above others due to their status. To Shi Luoyi, this trip was primarily to pay respects to her mother and inform her about her marriage, as well as to observe any strange behavior from Zhao Shu.

Southern Yue was also Hui Xiang’s homeland. It was here that Princess Wan Qian had saved Hui Xiang and brought her along. Throughout the journey, Hui Xiang was very cheerful.

Returning to Southern Yue evoked many emotions in Shi Luoyi.

In her previous life, after falling into the demonic path, she had returned to Southern Yue but as a hunted demon cultivator. She hadn’t dared to appear openly, living in hiding for several years. Now, stepping onto the familiar soil of Southern Yue again, she still felt somewhat out of place.

They arrived at the Southern Yue imperial palace just as evening fell. The celestial carriage drawn by the Luan bird descended onto a pavilion within the palace grounds.

This palace, resplendent in gold and jade, had been the residence of Shi Luoyi’s mother, Princess Wan Qian, during her lifetime and where Shi Luoyi had spent her childhood.

Expecting the palace to be neglected and dusty after ten years of absence and under a new emperor, she was surprised to find it immaculately maintained, every pavilion and tower exquisitely cared for.

Bian Lingyu stepped out of the celestial carriage and gazed into the palace. He furrowed his brows: “There are people inside.”

Surprised, Shi Luoyi looked over. According to custom, her mother’s palace should have been uninhabited, with no candles lit. This had been the case every time she visited previously.

However, now, in the innermost hall, candles were lit, and faint silhouettes moved about.

Shi Luoyi settled the Luan bird and decided to investigate.

Approaching the outer chambers of the palace, she heard frightened voices of palace maids: “My Lady, His Majesty said not to touch anything here. Let’s go back, My Lady. I beg you.”

A eunuch’s panicked voice added: “My Lady, please don’t do this—it’s something Princess Wan Qian treasured dearly in her lifetime. Please put it down.”

Another woman’s domineering voice cut in: “What I do is none of your business. His Majesty dotes on me so much he even gave me the Star-Picking Hall. As for a deceased princess, why shouldn’t I be able to touch her belongings?”

She sneered: “This Princess Wan Qian must have been quite favored. Even after her passing, these rare treasures remain here. Another day, I’ll tell His Majesty I want to move in here.”

Upon hearing this exchange, Shi Luoyi understood. It seemed that Zhao Shu’s current favorite concubine had intruded into her mother’s palace.