The tableware, tea sets, and various odds and ends in the kitchen had all been replaced.
But a single gold bar was nowhere near enough to complete the renovation of the entire courtyard.
Ailuo Wen planned to sell all the gifts Meluxina had sent, then use the money to build a dedicated bedroom for Nina.
“Lady Ailuo Wen, I think we should spend the money on your room instead.”
Nina immediately raised an objection. She felt that as a princess consort, Ailuo Wen’s current living conditions were far too poor and needed to be improved.
“My room is barely passable as a place for a person to live… But if you sleep alongside those pots and pans every day, I’ll feel like I haven’t fulfilled my duty as your master.”
Ailuo Wen showed no sign of backing down either.
Lai En, from inside her belly, felt utterly speechless.
“Are these two like a pair of buddhas…”
In the end, their “argument” finally came to a close.
A small room was added onto Ailuo Wen’s quarters for Nina to live in, while the kitchen returned to its original purpose.
The remaining money was all spent on the warehouse.
Nina had the craftsmen expand the warehouse by a significant margin and also repaired the bathing area.
“Usually I couldn’t even stretch my legs when bathing. Now this is great—the two of us could lie down in here together no problem!”
Nina’s eyes sparkled with stars when she saw the bath pool, completely renewed and much larger.
Ailuo Wen, standing nearby, nodded repeatedly at the bath pool that, while a bit pricey, was far better than before.
“I thought it wasn’t worth it at first, but now that I see it, it’s actually quite nice.”
Bathing held an irresistible allure for beautiful young women.
Since Lai En had transmigrated into Ailuo Wen’s body, he’d discovered her bathing frequency was astonishing.
Even in winter, when she barely sweated, Ailuo Wen was unwavering in bathing twice a day.
In summer, she’d even rinse off every time she broke a sweat.
Sometimes Lai En worried she’d rub her skin raw.
No wonder people said girls were fragrant and soft.
With such a love of cleanliness, how could she not smell wonderful?
By evening, Lai En got to experience the new bath pool as well.
“So warm…”
A fetus developed quite quickly. By two or three months, it basically had everything it needed.
Moreover, Lai En’s level at this point was as high as forty.
This other world probably had no idea how powerful a level-forty infant could be.
In any case, Lai En could roughly sense the outside temperature now.
Aside from temperature, Lai En could also see what was happening outside.
He’d already grown tired of seeing Ailuo Wen’s body, but Nina’s was truly a first for him.
Nina had a towel on her head, her body fully relaxed, a serene expression on her face.
She had no idea she’d already been seen completely by Lai En.
“Hmm, out of ten points, I’d give you a nine.”
And she’d even been given a score.
Lai En thought this kind of life was pretty nice—too bad this peace was only temporary.
While the three of them were living leisurely, Meluxina finally discovered a turning point.
……
On the coral table before Meluxina lay a piece of letter paper with writing on it.
“Behind Ailuo Wen, it’s highly likely the forest witches are involved.”
“Where did this information come from?”
“It’s from the court physician who went to treat Ailuo Wen that day. He said the antidote flowing through Ailuo Wen’s body came from the forest witches.”
“Oh?”
Meluxina wore an amused expression.
“If that’s true, you know what her fate will be, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
Nandi leaned back slightly and continued:
“The forest witches count as enemies of the Kingdom of Tianyue. Xinxiwusi once strictly forbade the witches from entering the kingdom. Later, something happened that I don’t know about, and he even ordered their capture.”
“Every witch caught earns a reward of ten gold coins, and the captured witches are hanged directly.”
“Under Xinxiwusi’s heavy bounty, the witches around the Kingdom of Tianyue were nearly wiped out.”
Meluxina nodded. Some of the details were new to her too, but luckily Nandi was her walking encyclopedia.
“So, what do you think? If I tell this to Xinxiwusi… or perhaps the Queen, how would that be?”
“Master, we can inform them via secret letter.”
“Then do as you say, and we’ll wait and see.”
Meluxina wore a satisfied expression.
“Ailuo Wen, how could prey that’s fallen into my palm possibly escape?”
“Master, I…”
Nandi hesitated.
“Go on, what’s on your mind?”
“Master, I feel we shouldn’t devote too much energy to Ailuo Wen.”
“You’re right…”
Meluxina paused for a moment, realizing Nandi’s words made sense.
“I understand what you mean. The kingdom’s duel tournament will be starting soon.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll focus most of my attention on this duel.”
Nandi felt a sense of relief when she saw Meluxina wasn’t getting carried away.
Meluxina was her master, and her future was essentially Nandi’s own future.
This duel tournament was extremely important. The strongest member of the Moon Serpent Royal Family would come to the court to duel.
Investigating Ailuo Wen was only something recent.
Nandi had actually been spending her time investigating the duelists other princess consorts might send.
The so-called duel had already begun off the field.
And accompanying the duel tournament was the tribute each royal family paid to Xinxiwusi’s imperial house.
Which royal family’s gift was more precious, which royal family’s duelist was stronger—all of this would be seen by Xinxiwusi.
In short, the duel tournament was the time for each royal family to show off their strength.
The Moon Serpent Royal Family was extremely confident this time.
The strongest member of the family had already attained the strength of a sword saint and was determined to win this duel.
Meluxina had no intention of becoming her family’s sinner. This duel had to go flawlessly.
“Once you deliver the secret letter, continue investigating the duelists of each royal family.”
Meluxina instructed.
“Yes.”
Nandi rose and vanished from where she stood.
Half a month later, Xinxiwusi and the Queen received a secret letter at the same time.
Matters concerning the forest witches had always been Xinxiwusi’s secret.
……
Of the approaching storm, Lai En knew nothing.
[Although an infant, also a goblin general (Lai En)]
[Level: LV.40]
[Lifespan: 4 months]
[Talents: Assimilation (Blue), Forest Hunter (Green), High Endurance Physique (Green), Limb Regeneration (Blue), Hatred Immunity (Blue), Cold-blooded Lethality (Purple), Moon God’s Gaze (Blue), Goblin Heavy Dependency (Purple), Gaze into the Abyss (Green), Magic Vision (Blue), Intelligence Supremacy (Purple), Poet’s Vision (Blue)]
[Battle Techniques: Lightning (Purple): Proficiency 6000/10000, Armor Break (Purple): Proficiency 6000/10000]
[Magic: Third-tier Lightning Magic Mastery, Fourth-tier Lightning Magic Initiation]
[Current Items: Xima’s Antidote Recipe (Blue), Demon Blood Dagger (Purple), Xima’s Antidote (Blue)]
Checking his talents once more, Lai En continued pondering what other methods he could use against Meluxina.
In the end, his gaze settled on the demon blood dagger.