He remained silent, momentarily unsure of how to respond.
Is it true that all women like to ask this kind of question? How was he supposed to answer?
As soon as the words left Chi Lian’s mouth, she regretted them, and a sense of shame instantly overwhelmed her.
How could she ask such a stupid question?
“I just… I just want you to always choose me, to always like me.” She hurriedly lowered her head, trying to hide her embarrassment and flustered heart.
“I won’t ask anymore. I’m stupid. Husband Lord, I’ll help you clean up. I just learned how from Sister Su…”
As she spoke, she leaned down again.
Jiang Huai did not let her escape this time.
He cupped her face with both hands, applying a slight pressure to force her to lift her head and look directly at him.
“Husband Lord,” Chi Lian called out timidly, her eyes flickering.
At this time, the sunset outside the window had completely sunk below the horizon. The lights in the room were not lit, falling into a warm darkness.
Only Chi Lian’s crimson Dragon Eyes, like rubies in the dark, shimmered with a moist and bright luster, exceptionally clear.
The air was filled with an ambiguous silence, with only the sound of their gradually synchronizing breathing and the occasional rustle of Chi Lian’s restless Dragon Tail brushing against the bedsheets.
“I like you, which is why I chose you,” Jiang Huai said clearly in the darkness.
“Having a strong and confident personality isn’t necessarily everything, and being gentle and dependent doesn’t mean you are weak.”
“You are not inferior to anyone, Chi Lian.”
“Whether it is your current Innate Talent, strength, your personality, or your heart, everything is unique and worthy of being liked.”
“You should have more confidence in yourself.”
Chi Lian’s ruby eyes seemed to be covered by an even thicker mist of moisture:
“How could I possibly compare to the Young Miss? She is so good, so dazzling, so…”
Her words were filled with deep-rooted self-deprecation.
“Shut up.”
Jiang Huai extended a finger and gently pressed it against her red lips, stopping her unfinished words.
“In terms of personality, everyone has their own merits; there is no high or low. In terms of strength…”
Jiang Zhun paused for a moment and said with certainty: “You might not necessarily lose to her now. In terms of status, you are the legitimate Saintess of You Tian Palace, not inferior to the Saintess of any other tribe.”
He looked at Chi Lian’s still somewhat dazed eyes and suddenly had an idea. He straightened his face and said in a commanding tone:
“To prove this point, I order you to formally challenge the Saintess of the Red Dragon Clan, Chihuang, tomorrow.”
“And then, defeat her.”
Chi Lian’s eyes widened in shock, and she hurriedly shook her head:
“No! How can I challenge the Young Miss? It’s even more impossible to defeat her! I can’t do it…”
“You’ve already married into our Nine Heavens Palace, yet you’re not siding with us? You’re building up others’ morale while destroying your own?!” Jiang Huai said with intentional ferocity. He reached out and grabbed one of her warm Dragon Horns, shaking it gently.
Chi Lian’s head shook along with Jiang Huai’s hand.
“If you lose tomorrow, I will punish you by not actively satisfying your Yuq Period requirements for a whole year! You will receive the most severe punishment from your Husband Lord!”
He leaned in close to her, lowering his voice:
“You have to win glory for our Nine Heavens Palace, do you hear me? My Saintess.”
Chi Lian was suddenly both anxious and afraid, with an indescribable sense of grievance:
“I should represent Nine Heavens Palace? Husband Lord, I’ve wanted to say this for a long time. I am not worthy of the position of Saintess. Why not give it to Sister Siming instead?”
“As long as I can stay by Husband Lord’s side as… as a concubine who serves you, I will be satisfied…”
Her voice grew smaller and smaller as she spoke.
Looking at her, Jiang Huai’s gaze gradually shifted from his faked ferocity to a cold and disappointed expression.
She was most afraid of seeing him look at her like that.
Jiang Huai released her Dragon Horn, his tone calm:
“Do you think I am joking with you? What do you take the position of the Nine Heavens Palace Saintess for?”
“And what do you take yourself for?”
“An object that can be given away at will? Or do you feel you are only fit to hide in a corner forever?”
Chi Lian was left speechless by his questions. She habitually lowered her head again, leaving Jiang Huai with the sight of the top of her dark hair and her slightly trembling Dragon Horns, using silence to resist.
“Lift your head.” Jiang Huai’s voice wasn’t loud, but it brooked no disobedience.
“Chi Lian, look at me.”
Chi Lian’s body trembled. Though she felt resistance in her heart, she still obeyed, timidly and slowly lifting her head to meet his gaze in the darkness.
“While Qingqiu is away, I am the Saint Son of Nine Heavens Palace and the Acting Palace Master.” Jiang Huai’s tone was formal, his gaze burning.
“Now, in my capacity as the Acting Palace Master, I order you to represent Nine Heavens Palace tomorrow and challenge the Red Dragon Clan Saintess, Chihuang.”
“If you disobey or lose, you will be dealt with by Family Law. The punishment will be severe. Do you understand?” He pinched her soft cheek, his expression serious.
Seeing his serious demeanor, Chi Lian knew he wasn’t joking.
Ultimately, she sniffled and replied:
“Fine, I obey.”
As if she had exhausted all her strength, she collapsed back onto Jiang Huai’s body and reached for the Brocade Quilt at the foot of the bed.
She whispered:
“Then let’s rest, Husband Lord.”
“There is still a match tomorrow.”
“Rest?” Jiang Huai pulled her back instead, flipping over in the process.
“Since there is a match tomorrow, we cannot rest even more now.”
“Ah? Why?” Chi Lian was puzzled, her cheeks starting to burn again.
“My Yin-Yang Body has its own mysterious uses,” Jiang Huai said solemnly.
“Don’t refine or absorb the things left in your body yet.”
“Wait until you find yourself struggling tomorrow, then refine them. It can help you increase your combat power and replenish your Lingli.”
Chi Lian was stunned, her voice stuttering:
“Hus… Husband Lord… isn’t… isn’t this cheating?”
“Yes, it is,” Jiang Huai said righteously.
“So, if you still lose even with this, don’t blame me for enforcing the Family Law. The punishment will be severe.” He leaned down, his breath brushing against her ear.
“Don’t punish me severely,” Chi Lian pleaded subconsciously, yet her arms automatically wrapped around his neck.
“I will work hard, I am very obedient…”
“Husband Lord.”
“What is it?”
“Can I…” Chi Lian’s voice carried a hint of bashfulness.
“Hmm? What?”
“It’s just that in my heart, I really want to…” She seemed to find it difficult to speak.
“I really want to hit you.”
Jiang Huai’s movements paused, both annoyed and amused:
“Is your Yuq Period evolving?”
“No, it’s just… suddenly I really want to hit you. It feels like countless little claws are scratching at my heart. It’s so uncomfortable…” Chi Lian’s voice carried a blurred charm, exceptionally seductive in the darkness.
“I want to see the way you look after being hit by me, covered in red marks, looking pitiful and yet only able to look at me.”
She seemed to have fallen into her own fantasy, the corners of her mouth unconsciously curling into a foolish smile.
Jiang Huai felt his scalp go numb:
“No! No! Absolutely not!”
He ground his teeth:
“This request is too much! You want to hit my face? Even Qin Qingyue has never hit my face!”
“Even she knows not to be that excessive!”
“Mmh…”
“But my heart really feels so uncomfortable, so uncomfortable, Husband Lord.”
“I beg you, I beg you. I won’t use strength, just a few light swats, okay?”
The commotion inside the room began to rise.
At this moment, atop the roof, a red-robed beautiful figure had been sitting quietly for a long time.
Chi Hong had originally intended to come and observe in secret after finishing her business, remembering the events at the arena today and considering the relationship between Jiang Huai’s Yin-Yang Body and Chihuang.
She hadn’t expected to happen upon such a dramatic scene.
With her Cultivation, the sounds and movements inside the room naturally couldn’t escape her perception—she was at the Great Ascension Stage, after all.
The originally charming and composed smile on her face now became somewhat subtle and complex.
Her fingers unconsciously toyed with a strand of her hanging hair.
“I didn’t expect this girl Chi Lian to have this kind of inclination,” she thought to herself.
Given the strength and character Jiang Huai had displayed, he likely wouldn’t accept such an overstepping request, right?
“It seems this girl Chi Lian also has hardships she can’t speak of.” Chi Hong shook her head slightly.
As a member of the Dragon Race, she naturally understood what kind of torture it was for a Dragon woman if she did not receive proper satisfaction.
She even began to feel a bit of sympathy for Chi Lian, thinking that Jiang Huai had surely refused.
The very next moment after she reached this conclusion in her mind.
A crisp “smack” sound reached her ears.
Following that was Chi Lian’s voice, filled with satisfaction, attachment, and softness:
“Husband Lord, you are so good to me.”
“I will definitely live up to your expectations tomorrow…”
Jiang Huai warned fiercely:
“If you can’t win tomorrow, just wait and see how I deal with you!”
On the roof, Chi Hong’s fingers playing with her hair froze. The expression on her matchlessly charming face was extremely vivid.
“So that’s how it is,” she whispered to herself.
“I’ll listen a while longer.”