It felt as if ants were crawling up Jiang Ke’er’s spine and into the back of her head. That hair-raising sensation made her freeze like a block of stone in an instant.
Of course, she hadn’t forgotten to activate a Soundproof Barrier; she wasn’t the type to make such a rookie mistake.
However, the Soundproof Barrier was extremely fragile. The moment the door opened, a stone was pushed aside, and the barrier shattered.
And so…
“Eat my farts!!”
“…my farts…”
Prince Hao of Qin had a strange expression on his face, but he didn’t ask who Qiao Xiaoxian was.
Before Jiang Ke’er could react, Prince Hao of Qin took a quick step forward. One hand wrapped around Jiang Ke’er’s waist while the other was gently pressed against her forehead.
Jiang Ke’er: “?!”
Prince Hao of Qin lowered his head and seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, saying softly, “No fever. That’s good.”
Jiang Ke’er opened her mouth, her face flushing as she hurriedly broke free.
‘Oh my god, why did this guy suddenly become so good at flirting?’
“It seems you’ve been cooped up for too long,” Prince Hao of Qin said with a faint smile. “Don’t be afraid. I’m looking out for you. No one will dare try anything with you.”
Jiang Ke’er swallowed hard. She couldn’t understand what was going on with this person. Why had their approach suddenly changed after not seeing them for only half a day?
But this was fine; it suited her interests perfectly.
Just as Jiang Ke’er was about to say something, she saw Prince Hao of Qin reach behind his back. In an instant, as if performing a magic trick, he pulled out an exquisite little box.
“I have a gift for you.”
Jiang Ke’er was stunned.
Prince Hao of Qin opened the box, and a warm glow immediately illuminated the bed.
It was a small, orange-yellow round bead.
“When I held you last time, I noticed your hands and feet were ice-cold. There was an unnatural chill in your Spiritual Power, likely from Cold Poison accumulated in your body.”
Prince Hao of Qin took out the bead and placed it in Jiang Ke’er’s palm. Then, he covered the back of her hand with his own.
A wave of warmth flowed from the bead, traveling from Jiang Ke’er’s palm into her entire body. Another wave of warmth was released from the palm of Prince Hao of Qin, making Jiang Ke’er feel so comfortable, inside and out, that it was as if she were soaking in a hot spring.
“This is an infant Mystic Fire Divine Bead. It isn’t as fierce or difficult to control as a fully matured one. An infant bead is best suited for nourishing the body and can slowly dispel the Cold Poison within you,” Prince Hao of Qin explained.
Jiang Ke’er lowered her head, suddenly feeling a bit embarrassed.
Prince Hao of Qin looked at Jiang Ke’er with piercing eyes. “I was too impatient yesterday. In truth, we have plenty of time. From today onward, I will care about your feelings.”
“Uh…”
Jiang Ke’er originally wanted to reject this precious gift, but a scratching sensation suddenly came from beside her ear—it was the movement of Eggy. Clearly, it was very interested in this infant Mystic Fire Divine Bead.
“Alright, thanks,” Jiang Ke’er said, forced to accept the bead. Then, she said seriously, “I’ll make a dish for you later to pay you back.”
Prince Hao of Qin gave a faint smile and wasn’t displeased by Jiang Ke’er’s seemingly worthless return gift. Instead, he replied earnestly, “Alright!”
Prince Hao of Qin sat down by Jiang Ke’er’s bedside.
Jiang Ke’er felt a bit awkward.
However, Prince Hao of Qin gently pressed down on Jiang Ke’er’s hand and asked softly, “Have you ever liked anyone?”
Eh? Why did this question sound familiar?
Jiang Ke’er immediately shot him a suspicious look.
She remembered that when Qiao Xiaoxian was disguised as Senior Sister Qian Yue, she had also asked this question.
But that was unlikely…
“Hmm?” Seeing that Jiang Ke’er didn’t answer, Prince Hao of Qin pressed further.
“I have,” Jiang Ke’er answered bluntly. “I like my Shifu. She treats me very well.”
Prince Hao of Qin suddenly seemed a bit tense as he continued to ask, “What kind of liking is it?”
“The kind between a master and disciple, of course!” Jiang Ke’er laughed.
“Oh!” Prince Hao of Qin laughed as well. “What about others?”
“Why are you asking this?”
“You participated in the concubine selection, so you are now my wife. Is it not natural for me to chat with you about trivial matters?”
“Emmm… I guess that’s true,” Jiang Ke’er couldn’t refute it. “As for others, there are some friends… they’re all pretty good.”
Prince Hao of Qin grew a bit anxious and suddenly gripped Jiang Ke’er’s hand tightly. “You know that’s not what I’m asking!”
“Then there’s no one else,” Jiang Ke’er said.
Prince Hao of Qin frowned. “Do I count?”
“No. You’re very annoying.” Jiang Ke’er was incredibly blunt.
Prince Hao of Qin was taken aback, then suddenly burst out laughing. “You must be the first person in history who dares to speak to the Emperor like that. Aren’t you afraid I’ll have you executed?”
“I am. Will you do it?” Jiang Ke’er’s eyes blinked.
“No,” Prince Hao of Qin said, affectionately stroking Jiang Ke’er’s head. He said warmly, “I can’t even find it in me to hurt you…”
Jiang Ke’er’s heart skipped a beat, and she turned her head away.
‘This bastard really has a way with words. Being an Emperor is a waste of talent; he should be a host. Oh, wait, this person is a girl dressed as a man. Then she should be a top courtesan.’
“I’ll be going now. Rest well and recover. I’ll come to see you again tomorrow.”
“Go already! Don’t let the door hit you on the way out!” Jiang Ke’er said.
Prince Hao of Qin smiled and stood up to leave.
However, he did not return to his Imperial Bedroom. Instead, he walked straight and boldly toward the national treasury in the back mountains.
“Let me think, what should I give her tomorrow…”
***
“A day without Qiao Xiaoxian is so refreshing!”
At 12:00 AM, Jiang Ke’er activated a Soundproof Barrier and shouted happily at the top of her lungs.
Fortunately, no uninvited guests caught her in the act this time.
She had spent the whole afternoon cultivating peacefully.
Occasionally, out of the corner of her eye, she glimpsed the System’s Knowledge Pool for the Moon Design Blueprint and Artifact Refinement Technique.
She twisted her head away with great difficulty, refusing to look any longer.
‘I won’t draw! I absolutely won’t draw! I cannot allow the black-hearted trash System’s arrogance to grow! I will not become a harvestable leek!’
***
Early the next morning, the door to Yong’an Palace was struck by hurried knocking.
Prince Hao of Qin entered uninvited, stroking over to the bed of the still groggy Jiang Ke’er. With a flick of his wrist, a large stack of boxes was placed next to her pillow.
Jiang Ke’er’s head was still a bit foggy.
“This is a Ten-Thousand-Year Golden Lotus transported from Central Mount Sumeru. it is an excellent auxiliary Power-Enhancing Artifact that contains the Brahma sounds of the Great Dao. It also has the effect of clearing the mind… It’s yours! Use it to make soup!”
“This is a piece of Yin Ice found in the Extreme North Land. It is Yin in nature but not freezing. It has a miraculous effect on cultivating Yin-style Cultivation Methods! It is also an extremely rare Grade 8 tool-refinement material… It’s yours! Use it as a refrigerator!”
“This is a Golden Crow Fallen Feather. It is a feather left by a Golden Crow at its peak during ancient times. It contains a complete Law of the Great Sun and is the only item related to the Law of the Great Sun remaining in the world… It’s yours! Use it as a hand warmer!”
“This is the national treasure presented by the King of Aolai—the Ten-Thousand-Year Divine Clam Pearl. This is the best pearl in the world and is a top-tier Grade 8, or even near Grade 9, tool-refinement material… It’s yours! Use it for face masks!”
“And this… and this… and this… Take them all! They’re all yours!”