Chapter 176: I Just Want to Ask, Can We Get Up Close?
Emperor Xia really wanted to say, “Everyone, please don’t listen to this brat’s nonsense. How could I ever do such a thing?”
Not to mention a mortal curse?
Can it be more absurd?
Once this matter is over, I’ll show you what a real curse looks like!
Cough cough~ “My prince here is too mischievous, don’t believe a single word he says.”
Emperor Xia felt it was necessary to clarify a bit.
Otherwise, where would the dignity of an emperor go?
Everyone present noticed Emperor Xia’s awkwardness and were happy to offer him an out, following his lead.
“I have long heard about Prince Bei’s unique personality and novel ideas. Not afraid of the world’s judgment, today’s sight truly opened my eyes,” the Grand Elder of the Fu Sect said, stroking his beard with a grin.
Qin Bei’s peculiar demeanor caught his interest.
Although he stood out like a sore thumb in the crowd, he indeed drew attention.
There were quite a few others who shared the same sentiments as the Grand Elder.
However, many felt that Qin Bei’s reputation as a genius was a bit overstated.
While his combat prowess was backed by Langya Pavilion, and everyone trusted it, doubt lingered when it came to Qin Bei’s talent.
After all, he was just a twenty-year-old who had only reached the Golden Core Realm. How could he be called a genius?
In smaller sects, he might still be considered one, but at their level, the term “genius” was better left unsaid; it was unworthy and too easily extinguished.
Hehe, “Youth is wonderful! At a time like this, he still thinks about playing around. Unlike that kid from my sect, who charges around riding monsters as soon as he enters. Prince Bei here is much more composed,” laughed the Elder of the Beast Control Sect, Beast Lion, as he looked at Qin Bei’s image.
Emperor Xia cast a glance at Beast Lion, merely smiling without saying a word.
The others in attendance refrained from engaging with Beast Lion’s comments.
Everyone knew that Beast Lion from the Beast Control Sect tended to speak without thinking, often offending people.
One had to wonder about the Beast Control Sect’s situation that allowed Beast Lion to come this time.
Wasn’t that just asking for trouble?
“Sometimes impatience isn’t a virtue. Perhaps Prince Bei’s playful attitude has its own reasoning; before results are in, who can truly say what will happen?” the Grand Elder from the Sword Sect chuckled, shaking his head.
Hmph~
Beast Lion merely snorted and fell silent.
Anyway, the Beast Control Sect had prepared thoroughly this time, and the display of Beast Frenzy would undoubtedly leave everyone shocked.
…
Inside the royal tomb.
Qin Bei watched Ji Zhuyue grilling a whole deer, his heart feeling oh-so-comfortable.
This really was a qualifying trial.
Half an hour later, Qin Bei finally devoured the entire roasted deer.
Mu Zhaoxue and Ji Zhuyue had no choice but to eat a bit at Qin Bei’s strong insistence.
And it was Qin Bei who fed them.
“Husband, it’s time to go! There should be a tombstone not far ahead. Let’s try our luck; we might find the skills or martial arts we’re practicing,” said Qin Bei, glancing at the two awkwardly. “But I just ate too much, and now I don’t really feel like moving.”
Mu Zhaoxue: ???
Ji Zhuyue: ???
This…
“But… if Madam wants to carry me, that’s fine! I’m not worried about what others might say about me relying on a woman.”
Qin Bei said to Ji Zhuyue with a sly grin.
“Just say you want to be carried already! Why beat around the bush like this?” Ji Zhuyue punctured Qin Bei’s clumsy excuse.
Now she could see that Qin Bei truly saw this trial as a playful outing.
He was just a child who hadn’t grown up!
It was a bit of a headache, yet there was nothing to complain about.
In any case, Qin Bei’s request wasn’t too unreasonable, and Ji Zhuyue had no excuse to refuse.
Moreover, she could now tell that Qin Bei seemed to have taken to heart what she said a few days ago.
Days ago, Ji Zhuyue had mentioned to Qin Bei that Mu Zhaoxue seemed to have a heavy heart, fundamentally because she felt like the odd one out among the three.
After exiting the Foundation-Building Secret Realm, the relationship between Ji Zhuyue and Qin Bei had lost its previous strangeness. Although they hadn’t taken a step further, there was still a playful rapport that prevented any feelings of rejection or awkwardness.
But Mu Zhaoxue was different — she hadn’t entered the Foundation-Building Secret Realm or experienced those things together. Her situation was entirely different.
That was why Mu Zhaoxue showed envy towards the two during their time in the prince’s manor.
Even if outsiders perceived Mu Zhaoxue as the main wife, deep down, she knew that if Ji Zhuyue willingly became a Dao couple with Qin Bei, when Ji Zhuyue’s identity eventually became known, it wouldn’t even need to be said who the main wife was.
After Ji Zhuyue explained this situation to Qin Bei, he simply nodded, saying he understood.
At the time, Ji Zhuyue thought Qin Bei didn’t take it to heart.
But now it appeared that Qin Bei simply didn’t want to vocalize it — he had genuinely remembered.
Now, this behavior was all about enhancing the bond between the three.
Once Ji Zhuyue understood this, she smiled at Mu Zhaoxue, “Then you carry your husband on your back. I’ll keep an eye out for anything around here; if I spot something edible, I can save it for dinner.”
“Ah?”
Mu Zhaoxue had just been watching the show a moment ago.
She didn’t have to think hard to know that Ji Zhuyue would be the one to carry Qin Bei.
But the outcome now seemed completely different.
“Ah what? Come here quickly! We’re off to see how I’m going to sweep the royal tomb!”
Qin Bei exclaimed grandly, arms wide, full of energy.
“Oh.”
Ultimately, as Qin Bei wished, Mu Zhaoxue stowed away her sword and carried Qin Bei on her back.
This feeling? Qin Bei could only say one word — splendid!
Who said that only men could carry women? Today, I, Qin Bei, will shatter this worldly idea.
Women can also carry men!
And when men are carried, they can also take a chance to flirt!
This was magnificently evidenced by the redness that crept into Mu Zhaoxue’s ears.
Because Qin Bei was intentionally or unintentionally taking advantage of her.
After all, since he was on her back, intimate contact was unavoidable, especially as Qin Bei’s hands began to misbehave after touching Mu Zhaoxue’s back.
That part was mastered by Qin Bei so expertly.
Absolutely in control.
Even Mu Zhaoxue, despite having had no previous contact with men, knew exactly what was happening.
Feeling the odd sensations on her back, Mu Zhaoxue was intensely shy.
After walking a bit further, Qin Bei rested his chin on Mu Zhaoxue’s fragrant shoulder, his breath brushing against her neck.
The ticklish sensation made Mu Zhaoxue want to laugh yet feel bashfully shy.
Especially when Qin Bei spoke, that feeling intensified, making her ears turn crimson instantly.
This subtle change was clearly visible to Qin Bei.
Mu Zhaoxue merely blushed, not dodging or expressing any other intentions.
That signified she had no objections whatsoever; it was merely that she was young and had never been in such close proximity to a man, leading to her embarrassment.
That made it easy to manage. Qin Bei thought while he might have other advantages, one stood out that no cultivator could surpass.
That was being thick-skinned!
Of course, he also had his own romantic experience, which could certainly outclass those from the cultivation world by several realms.
“(╯▽╰) It smells so good~~ What kind of fragrance do you use, dear wife? I’ll have someone buy more when we get out.”
As he spoke, Qin Bei purposely took a deep whiff or two, showing his fondness for the scent.
This behavior, whether in this world or his original one, was undoubtedly very cheeky.
Of course, that was frivolous for those unfamiliar, but it was merely teasing to his wife.
“Ah? Fragrance? But what do you need that for? Are you planning to buy it for me? No, I don’t need any.”
Mu Zhaoxue was once again rendered shy by Qin Bei’s actions.
However, she realized she didn’t just not object to it; she found it incredibly comforting.
Feeling like this was what true couples should act like.
At least in this very moment, she didn’t feel like the odd one out among the three.
Qin Bei’s tactic was evidently effective.
“Of course, it’s not for you; it’s for myself.”
Qin Bei replied earnestly.
“Ah?”
This time, not only Mu Zhaoxue but even Ji Zhuyue, who had remained silent, was astonished.
Husband, is it really okay for a grown man like you to say that you want fragrances?
A man can act spoiled in front of a woman, but he can’t truly become a delicate man!
Using fragrances? Wouldn’t that just earn him a reputation for being ridiculous?
“Hey~ Don’t get me wrong! I just wanted to buy some to keep by the bedside; that way, on lonely nights, I can smell it and not feel so alone. At least I can think of my wife sleeping next to me, right?”
Qin Bei gazed at the sky at a 45-degree angle, a forlorn expression on his face.
Though Mu Zhaoxue couldn’t see Qin Bei’s antics, she could hear the loneliness in his voice.
What was this about? Everything was fine just a moment ago; why did the mood suddenly shift?
Before either woman could ask, Qin Bei continued, “Even though it seems I have two wives, what about my reality?”
Qin Bei shot a resentful glance at the two.
This was no act.
Qin Bei genuinely felt miserable.
He had two wives, yet he was still a virgin.
If he’d married a commoner’s daughter or a noblewoman, even without a grand wedding, he surely wouldn’t still be a virgin.
Yet he had chosen the two most challenging women from the start.
“The icy quilt at night often makes me question whether I’m really married. Sigh.”
Qin Bei sighed audibly.
Now, both women understood the source of Qin Bei’s complaints.
His despondent, pitiful expression was almost affecting.
Surely, it would pull at the heartstrings of the two women!
Though Mu Zhaoxue felt that Qin Bei was joking, his tone of melancholy still struck a chord with her.
“But this isn’t a fragrance; I never use those things,” Mu Zhaoxue shot back, her ears turning red once more.
As someone who had a knack for this, Qin Bei didn’t quite catch on right away.
After all, he had just never encountered a woman with such an alluring natural scent before.
Yet, in the end, being an old hand meant that even if he didn’t catch on immediately, doing so later was still viable.
Qin Bei turned to look at Mu Zhaoxue’s delicate neck, grinning, “What’s this? Not a fragrance? Then this lovely scent isn’t yours… Ah~ Now that’s good, that’s really good.”
Seeing Qin Bei’s shocked expression, Ji Zhuyue was close to intervening.
But Qin Bei’s next comment left both women speechless.
“Well then, since it’s like that, I’ll just have to inconvenience Madam a bit. Let’s share a few moments at night; I promise I’ll be absolutely fine! I won’t do anything bad!”
Qin Bei proclaimed.
Seeing Mu Zhaoxue hesitating, Qin Bei sensed that he should seize the moment. Even if he couldn’t win her over outright, he felt confident in advancing their relationship.
However…
Ji Zhuyue could no longer hold back; Qin Bei had gone too far.
“If I recall correctly, aren’t your blankets made of silk? Even the emperor’s blankets aren’t as good as yours! You call that cold? If you like the smell, I can just give you one of Zhaoxue’s clothes. You can smell it all you like; when the scent fades, I’ll give you another one. How great is that? That way, you won’t have to worry about doing anything inappropriate!”
Ji Zhuyue said lightly.
Qin Bei turned to Ji Zhuyue in disbelief.
If she wasn’t his wife, he’d be tempted to lay down a couple of big slaps right there!
Wasn’t this just sabotaging his own good fortune?
“You wanted me to comfort her, right? What are you doing now? This was a perfect opportunity, and you blew it with one line! Clothes? Really?! Is that something a dignified prince can do? And besides, what’s wrong with my wife sleeping beside me?”
Qin Bei relayed the thoughts through voice transmission.
“I’m just preventing you from misbehaving! Zhaoxue is still young; before the wedding banquet, I can’t let you take advantage of her!”
Ji Zhuyue shot back without holding back.
“Oh~ So you’re saying, I should take it easy on you? You weren’t feeling jealous just now, were you?”
Qin Bei smiled and asked Ji Zhuyue.
“No… Don’t get any bad ideas! At least not now!”
Ji Zhuyue insisted.
Although Qin Bei didn’t quite understand why, he could see there was no alternative.
Mu Zhaoxue had no idea about the exchange taking place between them but felt she had narrowly avoided being caught in Qin Bei’s schemes.
Before she could even speak, Qin Bei interjected.
“I, the dignified Prince Bei, always keep my word. But since my ladies still have reservations, your husband wouldn’t want to put you in a tough spot.”
Qin Bei said with a laid-back demeanor.
The two women thought he was being sincere, but what he said next was bound to stir the pot.
“Since I’ve already taken a step back, I wouldn’t oppose the idea of smelling clothes. It can accompany me to sleep. While it might sound a bit silly, I feel that it’s not when it comes to my wife.”
“But can we negotiate? Can the clothes be close-fitting? Don’t get me wrong! I just feel it’s tiring to change them regularly. Close-fitting ones keep lingering scents much longer, right?”
Qin Bei earnestly proposed on Mu Zhaoxue’s back.
…
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