Fairy, please don't do this!

He was going to find out who was behind this and use that opportunity to reveal to Xiao Qingyi the changes that would occur during the Cangmo Hunting Ceremony, so that they could prepare in advance.

In this way, he could resolve the crisis in the Western Region, save Xiao Yuan's life, and not reveal his secret of knowing the plot.

Xiao Qingyi stared at Gu Jinzhao for a moment before slowly nodding: "Granted. The Zhao family has just fallen, and the Zen Master and Emperor Yongxing may not be willing to accept it."

"The journey to the western border is long and arduous; we must be wary of them plotting against us in secret."

She looked at Jing Shu: "You go with him and protect him."

Jing Shu respectfully agreed.

Gu Jinzhao wanted Jing Shu.

That Xuanming Demon Mosquito was far too powerful. Even though it had been sealed for many years and its vitality was greatly damaged, it was definitely not something he could handle alone.

With Jing Shu, a third-grade Nascent Soul cultivator, around, the process was naturally much less strenuous.

"Go back."

After finalizing the matter, Xiao Qingyi waved her hand.

Jing Shu glanced at Gu Jinzhao, then turned and left.

Xiao Qingyi continued to treat Gu Jinzhao's injuries.

The medicinal power of the pills was maximized under the catalysis of the abundant true essence, and the injuries on his body improved at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Once I calmed down, a wave of fatigue washed over me.

Unbeknownst to her, Gu Jinzhao gradually closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

In the stillness of the night, only the soft glow of the luminous pearl and the soft breathing of the two people could be heard in the hall.

Xiao Qingyi's gaze fell on that incomparably handsome face.

His brows and eyes relaxed, lacking the sharpness and shrewdness of the daytime, and possessing a rare peace and tranquility.

As she looked around, Xiao Qingyi's thoughts drifted away involuntarily.

Memories of our acquaintance with this man flooded my mind.

Their first encounter was in the realm of the mind. At that time, he believed himself to be a manifestation of a demon, and defeated her with unpredictable and bizarre methods, even humiliating her.

Even today, the memory still stirs up her emotions.

In reality, she summoned him personally as the Empress Dowager, using both threats and inducements to force him to leave the Qingyun Sect and serve her.

He looked directly at her and said, "This humble subject will not betray the sect, but can still become Your Majesty's person."

Because the other party was able to suppress his mad desires, Xiao Qingyi finally suppressed her murderous intent and kept him by her side.

Unexpectedly, this lackey gave her one surprise after another.

He fought against the Zhao family and repeatedly thwarted the plans of the Chan Master and Emperor Yongxing.

He even admitted in front of the three venerable ones that he was involved in the death of the Zen Master, yet he cleverly absolved himself of any responsibility.

His talent, courage, skill, and decisiveness... all of these impressed her.

Then, thinking back to tonight's lantern festival, and the two poems he wrote for her.

The grand and majestic lines, such as "Only the peony is truly a national beauty," and the fierce and ruthless lines, such as "The whole city is adorned with golden armor," seem to have touched her heart.

And there was the magnolia hairpin that he had personally put on her hair.

And the scene of him rushing up to her and forcibly kissing her when she had just lost her mind due to her insane desires.

"You dog slave!"

A faint blush rose on Xiao Qingyi's cheeks, and an unprecedented emotion welled up in her heart.

A mixture of embarrassment and anger mingled with a slight flutter of excitement, and a figure seemed to gradually solidify in her mind.

She couldn't quite explain what it was, but she found herself not to feel any aversion to it...

Chapter 317, "Aunt Ruo, the spiritual liquid is gone!" (3K)

The sky is dimly bright.

Gu Jinchao woke up from his deep sleep.

The medicine was incredibly potent; overnight, he discovered that his injuries had almost completely healed.

He opened his eyes and felt something unusually soft beneath him, with a familiar, cool fragrance lingering around his nose.

Upon closer inspection, I realized that I had slept on the phoenix bed last night.

Beside her, Xiao Qingyi lay quietly, still fast asleep.

The morning light streamed through the window and fell on her face.

She still wore a half-lace mask, her pale golden phoenix eyes, which held an air of majesty, were closed, and her red lips were slightly pursed.

This serene demeanor, compared to her usual sharp and imposing presence, possesses a touch of languidness and gentleness, breathtakingly beautiful.

If only it were always like this.

Gu Jinzhao recalled the scene of being brutally beaten last night, and he cursed inwardly, but then shook his head and smiled.

If Xiao Qingyi were to truly become the gentle and serene person she is now, then she wouldn't be herself.

But then again, I forcibly kissed her last night and even slapped her buttocks.

Although it was to wake her up, given the Empress Dowager's vengeful nature, wouldn't she settle scores with this matter after she wakes up?

No, I need to slip away before she wakes up.

Thinking of this, Gu Jinchao quietly climbed off the phoenix bed, put on his robes, glanced back at Xiao Qingyi who was still fast asleep, and quietly left the main hall.

The palace doors were closed.

On the phoenix bed, Xiao Qingyi's eyelashes trembled, and she slowly opened her pale golden phoenix eyes.

His eyes were clear as water, without a trace of the drowsiness of just waking up!

……

Night falls inside the Gu residence.

Inside the room, Si Ruoyu gently raised her slender hand, and several golden needles pierced into various acupoints on the chest of the man before her.

Looking at Gu Jinzhao, whose face was still a little pale, she said with some heartache, "How did you get injured after just one trip to the palace?"

Gu Jinzhao sighed: "The Cangmo Hunting Ceremony is approaching, and I want to improve my cultivation level in both the Divine and Martial arts as soon as possible, so I told Your Highness about it."

"She said that to reach the fifth rank, one needs to condense one's martial spirit, which is the true meaning of martial arts."

"With my natural talent for martial arts, it might take me several years to learn it step by step. So let me take a shortcut..."

He explained the whole story.

Of course, the incident of Xiao Qingyi's madness was omitted; it was only said that he was accidentally injured during his confrontation with her.

Si Ruoyu asked doubtfully, "The Empress Dowager is a first-grade perfect Dao Integration Realm cultivator. With her control over the true meaning of martial arts, she shouldn't have let Chao'er get hurt."

"Unless you've offended her, she might be using this as an excuse to teach you a lesson."

"But Chao'er clearly did a good job today!"

"You guessed right..." Gu Jinzhao was slightly embarrassed: "To quickly comprehend the true meaning of martial arts, one needs to fight. Perhaps Your Majesty wants me to feel that despair, so that I can gain enlightenment through life and death."

Si Ruoyu felt that something was not quite right.

Gu Jinzhao coughed lightly and changed the subject: "By the way, Aunt Ruo, I will be heading to the Western Territory in two days."

Si Ruoyu asked subconsciously, "Is Chao'er also going to the Western Border?"

Gu Jinzhao blinked: "Could it be that Aunt Ruo is also going to the Western Border?"

Si Ruoyu nodded and said, "Many people died from the floods in the western border, and the plague is rampant. The imperial court has summoned doctors from the capital to go there, and Baicaotang has also received the imperial edict."

Gu Jinzhao smiled and said, "In that case, let's go together. That way, we can look out for each other."

Speaking of which, ever since he resolved the [Red Phoenix Passion Seal], he and Aunt Ruo have rarely been alone together.

Of course, he didn't want to use this incident to rekindle his passion with Aunt Ruo; he just wanted to restore their relationship to what it used to be.

Si Ruoyu gave a soft "hmm," dispersed her spiritual power, and retrieved the golden needles: "After a few more acupuncture treatments, you will be fully recovered."

"Chao'er should stay home and rest well these two days, and not go to the yamen."

Gu Jinzhao readily agreed: "I'll do whatever Aunt Ruo says."

As if remembering something, Si Ruoyu blushed and asked, "Is the spiritual liquid I gave you before still enough?"

She hadn't forgotten that Gu Jinzhao was bound by the Yin-Yang Heart Lock and needed her Yin energy to unlock it.

Gu Jinzhao said with a hint of helplessness, "We've used it all up."

Previously, when they entered the Corpse Demon Cave, their martial uncle had made love to Yiren several times in front of her.

Then he entered the dream world constructed by An Wanxi, where Miao Tan, a Buddhist nun who longed to enter the mortal world, exploited him countless times.

Use one or two drops each time, and it will gradually run out.

Si Ruoyu's cheeks flushed crimson: "So fast?"

She asked casually, but she didn't expect Gu Jinzhao to have actually used it all up.

But thinking about it, it makes sense!

Gu Jinchao was at the prime of his life, and since he was practicing a highly yang cultivation method, he naturally couldn't resist.

Gu Jinzhao sighed, "Who told me I have such a lucky fate when it comes to romance?"

Before he knew it, he had become a master of time management.

"Then I'll refine some more spiritual liquid tonight. Chao'er, you should get some rest."

Si Ruoyu pursed her lips, suppressing the shame in her heart, and after saying those words, she fled his room as if escaping.

Gu Jinzhao asked, puzzled, "Why is Aunt Ruo's face so red?"

"Perhaps it's because she's too shy."

As a soft, alluring voice rang out, An Wanxi gracefully landed on the bed.

Gu Jinzhao asked in bewilderment, "Why should I be ashamed of simply drawing out Yin energy to refine spiritual liquid?"

"My little husband will find out soon enough."

An Wanxi's lips curled into a meaningful smile.

"What do I know?"

"Wife, are you trying to cause trouble again?"

How could that be?

Just as Gu Jinzhao and An Wanxi were flirting, Si Ruoyu had already returned to her room, filled a bucket with warm water, and sprinkled some flower petals on it.

The room was filled with a misty, watery atmosphere, carrying a faint floral fragrance.

Si Ruoyu reached out and slowly untied the sash on her body. Outer skirt, inner garment, inner robe... one by one, the light silk garments were hung on the screen.

Her neck was gracefully curved, and her collarbones were delicate and exquisite. Below that were her full, high breasts, like snow-capped mountains, with fair skin as white as mutton fat jade, glowing with an alluring honey color in the candlelight.

Her waist was slender as a willow, and her hips were round like a peach, showing a mature and voluptuous beauty, and even more so, a bewitching beauty that even mature women do not have.

With her long, slender, and graceful legs lifted slightly, Si Ruoyu slowly stepped into the warm water.

Feeling the warm, moisturizing sensation on my skin, I rested the back of my head against the edge of the bathtub.

Thinking of Gu Jinzhao's request just now, she felt her cheeks and ears burning.

But what could be done? He was bound by the Yin-Yang Heart Lock, and only Aunt Ruo, who shared the same karmic connection with Lin Qingci, could help him.

"It was out of necessity to obtain the Yin-Yang Heart Lock."

Si Ruoyu seemed to be convincing herself, talking to herself.

As she spoke, she gently bit her lower lip with her pearly teeth, and her delicate, boneless hand slowly reached into the water.

……

The candlelight flickered.