17 Chapter Seventeen
What do you think if I raised another child?
Lu Yue was surprised that Yan Qing would suddenly hug her; this was the closest she had ever been to anyone other than a woman. However, snakes are naturally cold-blooded, and even with their bodies pressed together, she couldn't feel any warmth.
Yan Qing's fair face was shy and timid, and she said cheerfully, "Your Excellency, my mother-in-law has taught me a lot these past few days, and I have already learned how to cultivate."
“You don’t need to learn this kind of thing,” Lu Yue said bluntly, stroking Yan Qing’s head. “Your body is too weak. No matter how much you cultivate, you can’t save your life. Just stay in Chunhu. I have found medicine that can heal your body. When you are healthy, you can marry Heng Ji.”
Yan Qing said in a panic, "But I don't want to get married, I want to go back to the Demon Realm."
"What good will it do you to go back to the Demon Realm? In the end, you'll still choose a suitable demon to accompany you."
"Your Majesty, I do not wish to leave you."
Lu Yue's heart stirred slightly. Could it be that she had also become Yan Qing's mother?
“I am your mother, it’s normal that you are reluctant to part with me.”
"That's not how it is. Why can't I marry you?" Yan Qing had heard her mother-in-law say that only in this way could she never leave the Venerable One.
Lu Yue's eyes narrowed; she hadn't expected the obedient and innocent Yan Qing to utter such wild words. But being away from home for so long had led to this indulgence, and it was also because he hadn't called her "mother" in a long time.
“I am your mother.”
"She was just my foster mother."
“Your presence in the Demon Realm will only be an obstacle to me. I have been more than kind to you all these years,” Lu Yue thought Yan Qing was too naive and coldly reminded her, “From now on, you can only call me Mother.”
"But Your Excellency is not my mother. Didn't you say that my mother is dead?"
"I'll raise you in nature."
"No, you are not my mother."
Lu Yue disliked being contradicted, so she raised her hand and lightly slapped him. Yan Qing was weak and had delicate skin; the slap left his face red and several finger marks.
She commanded, "From now on, you are only allowed to call me Mother."
Ke Yanqing replied, "Your Excellency."
"Smack."
This time, Lu Yue had clearly used excessive force, but Yan Qing still stubbornly addressed her as "Your Excellency," showing no sign of remorse. Her eyes gradually reddened, like a blurry mist.
This child used to never disobey her wishes, but he must have gone astray in Chunhu's carefree place.
"Very well, you don't need to stay in this place any longer, Pure Fox. Come back to the Demon Realm with me."
Yan Qing's bright eyes flashed, but his next words darkened his expression.
"You should stay in the secret realm and behave yourself from now on. I will come to see you again when you are willing to call me Mother."
When Heng Ji heard that Lu Yue had brought Chun Hu, she was just about to see her when she saw her about to leave with Yan Qing.
Seeing Yan Qing's slightly swollen face, Heng Ji couldn't help but feel sorry for him: "He's still a child, why are you angry with him?"
"I'll take him away first, and then send Chunhu over once Yanqing has recovered."
Seeing that Lu Yue was about to leave, Heng Ji hurriedly stopped her: "No, you're just going to leave like this."
Lu Yue stopped, turned around, and asked, "Otherwise what?"
"Why don't you look at something else?"
Lu Yue asked in confusion, "Who are you looking at?"
Heng Ji stared blankly; her foolish younger brother was truly devoted. He did everything personally for Yan Qing, desperately wanting to be her father, even though her mother had long forgotten him.
“It’s nothing, you can go now. Yan Qing is still just a child, you should teach him properly. You also know Wen Ruo’s personality, he seems to be quite hostile towards Yan Qing. This child is naive and doesn’t know anything. If it weren’t for my mother-in-law’s guidance for a few days, he wouldn’t even know about matters between men and women. Knowing that you are his mother, he still wants to get married.”
Lu Yue was taken aback, only then realizing that she had misunderstood Yan Qing. But seeing him standing obediently beside her, she could only let the mistake continue.
After Lu Yue and Yan Qing left, Heng Ji breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at her younger brother hiding in the treetop, she said helplessly, "I said she finally came to Chunhu, why didn't you see her?"
Ayao's eyes were dark, his eight tails hanging behind him, and he said coldly and arrogantly, "Why should I see her? It's not like I did anything wrong."
"You're really stubborn. Who doesn't love someone gentle and kind? You should have changed your personality a long time ago."
"Gentle as water, are you referring to Yan Qing?"
"What nonsense are you talking about, child? Lu Yue is his mother."
"She's just a foster mother. What kind of mother is she to Yan Qing? I misjudged him. The snake clan really can't change their nature. I just saw him holding Lu Yue tightly and not letting go."
"He's just a child."
“Yan Qing is an adult now, not an ignorant child of a few years old.”
But A Yao didn't take Yan Qing seriously either. After all, it would be a waste to use her cultivation on a child with such shallow cultivation. He should have shattered his illusions long ago. He had originally hoped that Lu Yue would come to see him, but in the end, he never even thought of him.
"From now on, she has nothing to do with me. You can give away as many of my Pure Fox's beauties as you want."
Hengji is used to her younger brother's fickleness and now he's sharp-tongued. Maybe next time he'll forget to teach him a lesson and head straight for the Demon Realm.
Lu Yue threw Yan Qing into the secret realm and turned to leave. Wen Ruo's expression darkened upon hearing the news. He couldn't fathom the Venerable One's intentions in bringing that good-for-nothing Yan Qing back.
"Your Excellency, is something wrong with Yan Qing's health?"
"nothing."
Lu Yue sat on the Demon Lord's throne, one hand supporting his chin as if dozing. Many Demon Lords had sat in this position, but Chong Li was probably the longest. He took pleasure in killing, and during his lifetime, almost every Sword Master with a name had fought him, ending up either dead or crippled. Therefore, the righteous sects hated him to the core.
Even Lu Yue had to admire Chong Li's obsession with power, but her inner demon wasn't the pursuit of brute force. Therefore, after learning that Chong Li had lost once after obtaining the dragon's body, she understood that overcoming her inner demon was the key.
Her obsession might be with women, with whom she had briefly been a mother and received unprecedented care. Perhaps becoming a mother herself would help her overcome her inner demons, but Xue Ji refused to cooperate, and Yan Qing wouldn't acknowledge her. Lu Yue began to feel restless, and when she looked up, she saw Wen Ruo wearing a white fox fur cloak.
The pure white fur is clearly of superior quality, and the bright color indicates that it was recently plucked.
"Newly made?"
Wen Ruo knew that the Venerable One would definitely notice her new clothes, and a faint smile appeared in her light eyes: "With a new rabbit collar, it is natural to have a new cloak to match. The craftsmanship of the Demon Realm is still too rough."
What do you think about me raising another child?
"child?"
Wen Ruo was shocked by the Venerable One's thoughts once again in one day. He slowly said, "Isn't Yan Qing your child?"
"He's been in Chunhu for a long time, and his personality has changed a lot. He used to never disobey me, but now he dares to talk back to me directly. Maybe it would be better if I raised another child."
In Lu Yue's eyes, raising children is very simple, just like Yan Qing, who was raised naturally.
“Your Majesty, you are the Lord of the Demon Realm. If you have a young master, he will become a burden to you. Yan Qing is already troublesome enough. It is a blessing that he has survived this long. It would not be a bad idea to kill him and raise a new child.”
"Um?"
After thinking it over for a long time, Lu Yue gave up: "Forget it, it's too troublesome. Go and check on Yan Qing. He's really too immature right now."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
When Wen Ruo saw Yan Qing in the secret realm, she finally understood why the Venerable One had suddenly become angry. When the child explained the reason, Wen Ruo found it extremely ridiculous.
Having already occupied the position of adopted son for many years, how can he still be so greedy and want more? He is truly insatiable.
Yan Qing's cheeks were red and swollen, and she pitifully huddled on the bed, hugging herself: "Father, did I do something wrong?"
"Of course you're wrong. Her Majesty truly loves you, yet you've angered her like this. Do you know that serving Her Majesty requires a rigorous selection process, and with your cultivation level, you don't even qualify for the selection."
Wen Ruo was telling the truth; Yan Qing's cultivation was not only useless to the demon race, but would even be a hindrance.
"Besides, you are still young and don't know how to serve. Those beauties who are chosen are all skilled in the bedroom. What can you do? His Majesty is not so easily satisfied."
Yan Qing lowered his head in shame, his face pale, biting his thin lips and looking down. How could he be so useless, unlike his father who was so wise and understood the Emperor's heart?
Wen Ruo knew the child was foolish, and said with concern, "His Majesty has found a medicine that can cure your illness. If all goes well, you will recover soon. You should stay here for the time being."
Yan Qing remained silent, realizing that her own incompetence had truly dragged down the Venerable One.
As Wen Ruo left the secret realm, he saw a little demon carrying the Blood Demon Lotus towards the Venerable One's palace. Such a precious item was originally meant for Yan Qing, but now Xue Ji was also enjoying it. He chuckled, pulling his fox fur coat tighter around himself, his moist, crimson lips exhaling a thin mist.
Perhaps he can make things more interesting.
Since coughing up blood yesterday, Xue Ji has been so angry that he can't sleep. He would rather be bullied by Lu Yue in bed than be humiliated by her like this. Like most of the disciples of Shangqing, he is an orphan. Only children like this can sever their emotions and desires and devote themselves to the Dao, staying away from the troubles of the mortal world.
He once went down the mountain with his fellow disciples during the Mid-Autumn Festival and envied the children who were being carried or led by their parents. He didn't know who his parents were, so he regarded his master as his mother, but it was clear that the master disliked him.
Xueji didn't expect his master to be kind to him, after all, she had saved his life. His master was always his master, and he should respect him.
Seeing Lu Yue return, Xue Ji gritted her teeth, unwilling to listen to her continued humiliation.
Lu Yue took the medicine bowl as usual, looked at Xue Ji with her eyes closed and said, "Don't worry, I've thought it over carefully. You're quite old, and it's really not appropriate for you to be my child. Open your mouth and take the medicine."
Xue Ji was so angry he almost fainted, his beautiful, aloof profile tense. She could easily be his ancestor even a thousand years old. Watching her feed him with a spoon, Xue Ji finally obeyed. He had never been cared for like this before; this rare warmth was something even the loathsome Lu Yue might temporarily tolerate.
"Good girl, is this medicine bitter? Do you want me to add some candied fruit?"
Xueji's hopes vanished. She stood up, snatched the medicine bowl from Luyue's hand, and drank it all in one gulp.
"I've finished drinking, you can leave now."
After finishing his drink, Xue Ji lay down, still with his back to Lu Yue, just like last time. Lu Yue didn't understand what was wrong with him; she was just mimicking how ordinary people would tease a child. Watching him lose his temper, she thought he looked like a cat baring its teeth and claws.
She stared at the sulking Xue Ji before slowly saying, "I really didn't expect that you would be seriously injured by Aman while protecting me. You are truly a gentleman."
Xueji's ears were burning hot, but she pretended not to hear and went to sleep.
He's long been used to her flirtatious tactics and won't fall for her anymore.
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