The sleeping quarters.
A figure in white appeared out of thin air, ignoring the Imperial Palace’s array and restrictions.
Looking around, it seemed she hadn’t found the person she was searching for.
The woman in white lightly stroked the air before her with her fingers, clearly feeling that familiar aura.
And it was strong.
This is the place, no mistake.
Her eyes seemed capable of penetrating everything, even seeing that tiny point in the Lifebound Space.
The woman initially intended to go inside, but as if realizing something, she halted and stood quietly before that point, waiting.
She seemed aware of the consequences if she forcibly entered.
Meanwhile, the Great Yan Empress’s divine thought swept through every inch of the sleeping quarters multiple times, seemingly finding no anomalies, and certainly not detecting the presence of the woman.
Lifebound Space.
After less than half a day’s rest, the Empress Dowager regrouped and clung to Qin Yu like a koala, refusing to dismount.
Six days passed.
The Empress Dowager, although appearing slightly tired, had not lost her combat strength.
As an auspicious being, her battle prowess far exceeded Qin Yu’s imagination.
From initial awkwardness, she now took the initiative, even handling matters with ease.
This physical constitution was truly frightening.
"Empress Dowager, shall we go and see Ling’Er?"
Qin Yu gently brushed the hair off her forehead, suggesting in a soft voice.
Not because he couldn’t endure it.
It’s just that...
He felt Tu Yaoyao was already restless.
If they stayed here any longer, Tu Yaoyao might just come over to investigate.
"Ah?"
The Empress Dowager shivered, instantly waking up, her previous excuses shattered.
After so many days, she could feel that the Warm Current had grown significantly, now forming a scale, but still not enough to dissolve the bloodline curse.
Unless it was further strengthened!
She was indeed here to remove the bloodline curse.
Yet...
Having monopolized Qin Yu for so long was also true.
The thought of facing Little Ling’Er made the Empress Dowager anxious, even wanting to avoid it.
Little Ling’Er would surely be very... sad upon knowing the truth, right?
Heartache, guilt.
"Ling’Er won’t blame you."
Qin Yu could only soothe her softly.
After a long time, this finally calmed the Empress Dowager’s emotions.
Some things always need to be faced.
As the courtyard door opened.
The little ugly chick left outside instantly fluttered up, landing on Qin Yu’s shoulder, glaring at the Empress Dowager with vigilance.
"Look at me one more time, and I’ll..."
The Empress Dowager instinctively wanted to intimidate it, but suddenly swallowed her words.
Humph, she didn’t want to eat it!
Mainly because...
She had eaten too much in these days.
"Chirp!"
The little ugly chick felt neglected, as if she had been overlooked.
Infuriating! Just because this auspicious creature got there first, once she transformed, she would certainly not be smaller than this auspicious creature!
Then, she would ensure Qin Yu’s attention shifted to her.
Inside the Lifebound Space, the lifestyle of the women was very regular.
Although all except Little Ling’Er were cultivators, outside of cultivation they preferred to maintain a routine life.
Of course, Tu Yaoyao was an exception.
As a leader, she bore heavy responsibilities and couldn’t stay here indefinitely.
Her tribe had urged her many times, but she had repeatedly made excuses to stay.
That’s why she was restless.
It was nighttime, apart from Tu Yaoyao, the others were in their rooms cultivating or resting.
"Bad fox, why are you still here!"
The Empress Dowager furrowed her brows, her gaze fixed on that graceful figure.
Her whole form radiated an irresistible allure, wasn’t she seducing Qin Yu?!
The Empress Dowager admitted she couldn’t compete with the Qingqiu Fox in that regard.
Yet!
She dared to be so bold in front of her!
Such audacity!
"Tch."
Tu Yaoyao glanced at the Empress Dowager disdainfully before averting her gaze.
"I’m addressing you!"
The Empress Dowager was angry.
"I don’t want to talk to you."
Tu Yaoyao responded coldly.
Originally, she had respect for the auspicious being.
But Tu Yaoyao had seen the Empress Dowager wrongfully accuse her multiple times in the Lifebound Space!
Even with the best temper, she couldn’t maintain an indifferent attitude.
"Why won’t you speak to me, are you guilty?"
The Empress Dowager couldn’t help feeling smug.
"Guilty? What a joke."
Tu Yaoyao initially didn’t want to argue, but seeing the Empress Dowager’s demeanor, couldn’t hold back, and sneered, "Does the Empress Dowager know where you’ve been these past days? What have you been doing?"
Obviously things you love doing.
"Swish!"
The Empress Dowager’s face suddenly flushed red, a hint of guilt flashed in her clear eyes, and her aura immediately weakened.
She... she knows?
"Why didn’t the Empress Dowager continue?"
Tu Yaoyao found it amusing.
Just a while ago, the Empress Dowager had righteously reprimanded her.
What, has she tasted the marrow and found it sweet?
Came right in and occupied Qin Yu for more than ten days straight.
Ha, her longest time was only three days occupying Qin Yu!
The Empress Dowager glared at Tu Yaoyao furiously, looking at the fox’s provocative gaze, she wanted to retort but suddenly didn’t know how to start.
She could only stomp her foot reddening, looking at Qin Yu.
"Ahem!"
"Yaoyao, it’s not what you think. The Empress Dowager is cursed with a bloodline curse. These days, I’ve been helping her to remove the curse, that’s all."
Qin Yu coughed lightly, defending the Empress Dowager.
"Hm!"
"When did I permit you to call me that?"
Tu Yaoyao snorted coldly, a bit displeased.
Honestly, Qin Yu has so many Dao companions, she doesn’t mind if Xiangrui joins in.
However, having been wronged for so long, it was hard-earned to get back at him, yet Qin Yu chooses to favor Xiangrui.
She wasn’t happy about it.
If Qin Yu hadn’t always defended her to some extent, she would have turned around and left.
"You better not bully Qin Yu!"
The Empress Dowager who was initially a bit embarrassed heard Tu Yaoyao’s tone, and immediately glared at her.
"What if I do bully him?"
Tu Yaoyao retorted.
The feeling of being wronged and unable to defend oneself was really uncomfortable. But, if Xiangrui knew the truth, she would probably laugh at me even more.
"Just try bullying him again!"
"Try it then!"
One was like a Moon Palace Immortal, surrounded by an unsullied purity and holiness. The other seemed to be a peerless charming demon, every gesture exuding irresistible fox-like allure.
The two alluring stances stood in opposition, their autumn-water-like eyes meeting, as if faint sparks were whispering in the air.
"Can you keep your voices down..."
Qin Yu pointed at a nearby small house, reminding them.
"Psh!"
Thinking of Ling’Er and Tu Jiujiu resting in the house, the two who were initially tit-for-tat huffed softly in unison, turned their heads aside, and fell silent.
Clearly, both of them felt a bit guilty.
Seeing the Empress Dowager and Tu Yaoyao calm down, Qin Yu originally wanted to make them reconcile by holding their hands, but Tu Yaoyao haughtily avoided him.
However, the Empress Dowager naturally brushed away the little ugly chick with her hand and rested her head gently on his shoulder.
Bullied to the extreme!
The little ugly chick flapped its wings, furious yet helpless.
If only she could grow a little bigger, she wouldn’t tolerate this grievance.
Tu Yaoyao disdainfully avoided such a gesture.
She had never shown a weak side in front of Qin Yu.
Playing her card hard was her motto.
Qin Yu was helpless, understanding that Tu Yaoyao couldn’t lower herself, so he didn’t force her.
The Empress Dowager was somewhat surprised.
What’s going on?!
In her view, the fox spirit should be throwing herself into Qin Yu’s arms. After all, Qin Yu’s embrace is so comfortable that she couldn’t bear to leave.
Could it be the fox spirit didn’t bully Qin Yu?
No way!
She must be deliberately behaving like this in front of me!
Humph!
I’m not like her.
This way, the whole embrace belongs to me alone.
Thinking of this, the Empress Dowager became even happier, she even actively rubbed her cheek against Qin Yu, lacking any dignity of an Empress.
Rare tranquility.
Not long after, a courtyard door nearby opened, and Su Xihe and Liu Zixiao came out.
At a glance, they saw the three by the waterfall.
"Empress Dowager?"
Su Xihe and Liu Zixiao widened their eyes in disbelief.
The Empress Dowager’s body suddenly tensed, intending to escape, but with Qin Yu’s arm around her waist, she could only close her eyes and deceive herself.
Fortunately, Su Xihe and Liu Zixiao were too shocked to notice the Empress Dowager’s restraint.
After all, the Empress Dowager and Qin Yu were usually close, and many behaviors seemed ambiguous to them.
Except the Empress Dowager herself seemed unaware.
"This rebellious disciple, such audacity!"
A moment later, Su Xihe and Liu Zixiao finally digested the shocking truth and glared at Qin Yu reproachfully.
Given the recent exchanges, they naturally understood how innocent the Empress Dowager was...
This rebellious disciple, how dare he!
Moreover, they now naturally leaned together, aren’t they afraid the Empress will slap him dead?
Also...
In everyone’s mind, the Princess is Qin Yu’s future Dao companion.
Now, he’s badgered the Empress Dowager as well.
Could it be, this rebellious disciple intends to reenact Cyan Mountain Sect’s tragedy in the Great Yan Imperial Palace?
Hiss!
No way?
Even if Qin Yu’s bold, he wouldn’t dare confront the mighty Empress, would he?!
Soon, Lin Qianqian and others successively came out from their respective courtyards.
Upon seeing the Empress Dowager beside Qin Yu, they were surprised but quickly relaxed, even coming over to greet the Empress Dowager.
No different from usual encounters.
The Empress Dowager gradually relaxed amidst this atmosphere.
It was at this moment that two young girls accompanied each other from the small house nearby.
"Empress Dowager?"
Little Ling’Er’s voice carried surprise, along with delight.