Chapter 65 Did you drink a sweet drink behind my back?
The old ancestor was determined to die.
"Report back?"
Duan Jiuyou frowned: "Are you saying that Bai Tingxu's trip to Yanshan was at Bai Yanxing's behest?"
"To be precise, it was after Qi Xinghe approached Bai Tingxu that Bai Tingxu reported it to Bai Yanxing." Di Jiang looked at the cloud-like tree not far away: "You are a high-ranking official of the Nine Dynasties. How bold would Bai Tingxu be to trespass on your residence? That day, the magical weapons carried by the guards around him were all top-tier official swords. Without Bai Yanxing's imperial decree, could Bai Tingxu mobilize these people?"
The crabapple tree was in full bloom, and red crabapple trees are hard to find. It must have taken Duan Jiuyou a lot of effort to plant it. However, the color was extremely strange in the Langhuan Water Pavilion. The red flowers and green leaves were gaudy and vulgar, and there was a sense of incongruity with the surroundings.
The emperor found it an eyesore and said, "Why are you planting this ugly thing here?"
Duan Jiuyou looked surprised, as if she had heard a different version of the story. She looked at Di Jiang: "You still have the mind to care whether my Yun Tang is ugly or not? If Yan Kuo hadn't been there that day, your identity would not have been hidden."
After saying that, he looked suspicious: "You didn't even plan this step, did you? The fact that the Zhaozhao City barrier was broken and restored has already aroused Bai Yanxing's suspicion. You know he won't give up until he gets an answer, so you might as well use Qi Xinghe's words and Bai Tingxu's hands to lure out Liu Tianshi behind the scenes, and then let her give Bai Yanxing an answer."
Di Jiang did not refute this: "It was indeed within my expectations that Qi Xinghe would come to Bai Tingxu, but the poisoning was unexpected. I was in so much pain, who would want to suffer that kind of torment?"
When it comes to pain, Duan Jiuyou's eyes droop. The poison of the Rejuvenating Grass was inflicted on Dijiang by her. If he hadn't insisted before, he wouldn't have suffered so much. Now he looks like he's fully recovered, but who can guarantee that it won't relapse in three months?
How are you feeling today?
She would ask this question as soon as she opened her eyes. Di Jiang knew she was worried and comforted her, saying, "It's alright, you feel very comfortable. You don't need to blame yourself for the matter of the Rejuvenating Grass anymore. If I hadn't brought that grass, I would have been bitten by poisonous insects. You didn't know it could harm people."
Jiuyou was still upset; this matter was like an insurmountable obstacle for her.
Her arrogant personality and her official career made her hated by many. Before, there were many people in the court who tried to trip her up behind her back. Sometimes it was her, and sometimes it was her subordinates. However, they were gifted and could not be killed or injured, so they could not be involved in life-or-death issues. But the Emperor was different. He would feel pain if he was injured, and he would die if he was poisoned. This made Duan Jiuyou feel the anger of being plotted against.
She cared, she was concerned, and she even had murderous thoughts because of his pain and injury. This was the first time she had such emotions. Turning the teacup in her hand, she said quietly, "In the end, it's that bastard Bai Tingxu who deserves to die. I'll find a chance to kill him sooner or later."
She had been extremely irritable lately, and a layer of restless coldness had settled in her usually clear eyes. Di Jiang sensed that something was wrong and, not wanting her to continue arguing, squeezed her hand.
"The tea has gone cold, let me get you another cup."
Duan Jiuyou possesses demonic qualities, something even Yan Kuo could discern. How could Di Jiang not see it? She was simply well-disciplined, kept close by various deities from a young age, and taught the righteous path. Otherwise—the calamity of the Three Realms might not be caused by the Desolate Clan but by the Ao Clan.
Emperor Jiang's hands were cold, but today they were unusually warm. Duan Jiuyou followed the hand that Emperor Jiang had withdrawn and looked at it, noticing a hand warmer hidden under his sleeve. Upon closer inspection, Jiuyou smiled: "Is this the child of the Water-Swallowing Beast?"
Di Jiang also smiled and said, "Yes, there are two in total. On the day we left, it asked Liantang to give them to us, saying that these were its most complete children, without missing any arms or legs. The ones sold before had some flaws, but the buyers just didn't notice."
The Water-Swallowing Beast was already a beautiful "big cat," and the "shrunken" Water-Swallowing Beast was even more petite and adorable. It was somewhat incongruous for someone like Di Jiang to be holding such a cute creature.
Duan Jiuyou asked Di Jiang with a smile, "You like this kitten?"
Di Jiang said he didn't like it. "What would it look like if I held such a thing? It's just that it's warm to the touch, unlike a regular hand warmer which is cold and hard. It doesn't need charcoal. When you have time, tell one of your disciples who knows how to do handicrafts to embroider a cover for me. The color shouldn't be too bright. Dark blue, indigo, or herbal frost are all fine. Just wrap this thing up so that you can't see its shape."
Jiuyou said, "Why don't you just let me embroider it?"
Di Jiang briefly recalled and said, "No need, your embroidery is too ugly, I can't take it out."
During her time in the abandoned house, Duan Jiuyou had boasted about her embroidery skills. Di Jiang had her sew a button, which looked like a knot on her clothes. Since then, Di Jiang had never let Duan Jiuyou touch a needle and thread again.
Duan Jiuyou said, "Don't underestimate me. I can occasionally have some amazing skills. I'll embroider the stove cover for you. I guarantee you'll love it."
Di Jiang chuckled, clearly disbelieving.
Jiuyou then examined the hand warmer. He was originally thinking about what pattern to embroider, but then he remembered that the person used the hand warmer because he was cold, and then he remembered something else.
She said, "I brought back some Poria cocos pills. You should take them quickly, and this one too. This is the spiritual energy that was condensed at Flame Mountain last time. If you take both pills, your cold symptoms will be relieved."
She took them out one by one, showing them off like treasures, constantly worrying about his health.
Di Jiang glanced at them, then casually flicked his wrist, and two pills floated up in his palm.
The Fuling Pill absorbs spiritual energy, and the condensed pill from Flame Mountain quickly merged with it into one.
Duan Jiuyou had never used Fuling Pill before and thought it was something to eat. In fact, this thing is most taboo to take directly, especially for people with cold syndromes, whose body's coldness cannot withstand the heat of Fuling Pill.
Fortunately, Di Jiang knew how to use this thing. He used his magic to ignite the Fuling Pill and put it into the incense box. The fragrance rose up, like a wisp of smoke in an incense burner. Di Jiang leaned against the burner. Duan Jiuyou observed for a while before he realized that Di Jiang was taking the Fuling Pill by "inhaling".
A wisp of smoke swirled around him, blurring his sharp features and adding a layer of demonic aura. At this moment, Di Jiang was truly stunning. His eyes were slightly lowered, and a smile played on his lips. He must have been extremely satisfied with this spiritual energy. He inhaled it slowly and then exhaled a wisp of smoke from his mouth.
He had "eaten his fill," and his eyebrows and eyes relaxed. His originally pale face lost its sickly look, presenting a relaxed yet energetic state.
Duan Jiuyou leaned closer to Di Jiang and asked, "Are you feeling much better?"
Di Jiang closed the incense box and said, "It won't be that fast. This spiritual energy needs to gradually repair the primordial spirit within the body. Only after the primordial spirit is repaired can the cold illness be cured. However, having this spiritual energy within the body is much better than before."
Jiuyou was overjoyed and said that was wonderful.
She was beautiful and had a sweet smile. Her clothes were scented with peach blossoms, creating a harmonious blend of sweetness and softness.
The two were separated by a small table, both facing sideways at each other. Di Jiang looked at her and said, "It smells so good."
Jiuyou looked slightly embarrassed: "It was all that guy Liantang who burned the incense. He said the peach blossoms on the back mountain were in full bloom and it would be a waste not to use them. How can someone my age use such incense? Even orchid fragrance is too frivolous. I should use sandalwood, musk, and vetiver."
Di Jiang said, "Come closer."
Jiuyou thought he wanted to smell her, so she moved closer to him as requested. When they got close, Duan Jiuyou realized something was wrong, but it was too late. Dijiang had already grabbed her neck and kissed her without saying a word.
Her fragrance wasn't just on her clothes, but also in her soft, lovely lips. She didn't understand her own sweetness, but he knew how delicious she was.
He stepped back slightly, his voice slightly hoarse, tinged with amusement: "Drank sweet drinks behind my back?"
Duan Jiuyou's eyes were misty with tears: "I drank some after I came back from court."
She wondered why, even though she hadn't taken the pill to repair her emotional ties today, she still felt weak in the limbs, as if he had drained her strength.
That medicine has a really strong aftereffect.
"No wonder it's so sweet." He pressed closer again, his lips and tongue parting her teeth once more, as if he couldn't get enough of it.
Duan Jiuyou was panting heavily from his kisses. Unable to bear his persistent kisses any longer, she blushed and pushed him away, saying, "If you want a sweet drink, I'll get it for you. Why are you kissing me so much?"
"What you take doesn't taste as good as what you eat."
Jiuyou was so embarrassed that he dared not raise his head, while Dijiang was in a good mood.
"Why are you so easily embarrassed? You're usually so quick-witted, and you always say things I don't like to hear."
When he's in a good mood, his eyes and brows are always smiling. His smile is light and charming, with the warmth of a spring breeze and the captivating allure of a strong wine.
Duan Jiuyou said, "You're only sweet-talking at times like this, and you're the best at coaxing people. I don't think I'm sweet at all." Then he complained, "You always have a cold face. My people don't dare to come in and serve me anymore. After court, no one helps me bring sweet drinks. I have to find them myself."
He released her, then grabbed a strand of her long hair and played with it: "I didn't let them stay because I was afraid you'd be embarrassed. If there were other people around, you probably wouldn't be so obedient."
Jiuyou blushed even more at his words, and said in embarrassment and annoyance, "It was clearly you who was reckless, and you blame me for being thin-skinned."
He made a pointed remark, refusing to accept her accusation: "I'm not reckless with everyone, I won't just marry a beautiful woman I see."
He pinched her ribs, hitting them every time. Duan Jiuyou denied it, saying, "I'm not one either!"
Isn't that right?
Di Jiang smiled enigmatically, his shifting expression a mixture of mockery and jealousy. This made Duan Jiuyou deeply regret revealing his past to him, and he muttered a defense: "Sometimes it depends on personality."
"So what do you think of my personality?"
How was she supposed to answer that question? If she said no, she suspected he might turn on her right now; if she said yes, how could she be so heartless? If Di Jiang were good-natured, the entire Three Realms would be laughing.
I simply chose a compromise.
"good."
"How does he look? Does he suit your taste?" he asked further.
It's a perfect match, very perfect.
She always admitted that Di Jiang was handsome. She had a good eye for men; although none of her first twelve relationships ended in marriage, every single one of them was a stunning beauty. Di Jiang was the epitome of beauty; disregarding temperament and status, no one could compare to him.
Duan Jiuyou didn't hold back his praise, saying, "You're good-looking."
"Then you should treat me well."
She answered honestly, unaware that there was more to the story waiting for her from the Emperor.
"Since you're satisfied with my personality and appearance, then from now on, this place will only house me, and nothing else."
He touched her chest, his index finger pressed against her heart, as if he could pierce through her skin and into her soul.
His eyes and expression, however, conveyed a sense of earnestness, a hint of careful instruction, but more so a warning.
Jiuyou hunched over, brushed his hand away, and said, "Don't touch me like that: I have too much to bear here, and I care about all living beings. Do you want to hold a grudge against the people?"
That would be infuriating! There are so many people, how can anyone be angry with them all?
She saw him frown slightly, clearly annoyed that she brought it up. Duan Jiuyou suspected he was cursing her in his heart, so he controlled himself and glanced at her.
"Then put me in the most important position, make me the first among these people, the first to think of me, the first to need me, the first to be concerned about me."
9game's opinion: Is it really that simple?
He nodded in agreement, saying, "Of course I put you first."
These words were more real to her than gold. Ever since she learned of the destiny of the chosen one, she placed him in the most important position. At first, she hoped that he would "send her away" after becoming emperor. Later, she gradually developed feelings for him, fearing that he would be hurt or suffer. Her importance to him increased day by day.
But he didn't seem happy, saying she agreed too quickly.
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