13: Chapter 13: Once You've Tasted the Flavor, the Saintess Turns into a Clingy Little Wife

Life on Changshang Island became somewhat... shameless.

At least for Xiao Tao, the maid responsible for attending to the Young Master's daily needs, she felt like her eyes were going blind these past few days.

In the early morning, the sun was just right, and the breeze was gentle.

In the Imperial Garden behind Hall of Eternal Life, a hundred flowers bloomed in competition, and spiritual butterflies danced.

Xu Chen lay comfortably on a rocking chair woven from thousand-year-old wisteria, his eyes slightly closed, enjoying a rare moment of leisure.

Beside him, the Tai Chu Saintess Su Qingge, once renowned throughout the Eastern Wilderness for her cold arrogance, was now kneeling on a soft cushion, her delicate hands peeling a crystal-clear “Purple Jade Grape”.

After peeling it, she didn't place it directly on a plate. Instead, she leaned forward slightly, her exquisite face close to Xu Chen's mouth, her voice soft and sweet like honey:

"Husband, open your mouth."

Xu Chen lazily opened his mouth, and as he took the grape, he also naturally took her slender, white finger, gently sucking on it.

"Ah..."

Su Qingge recoiled as if shocked by electricity, her pretty face instantly flushing crimson. She glared at Xu Chen reproachfully.

"Husband... there are still people here."

Her peripheral vision nervously darted towards Xiao Tao, who was pruning flower branches not far away.

"What are you afraid of?"

Xu Chen opened his eyes, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. He reached out and wrapped an arm around Su Qingge's slender waist, pulling her into his embrace and seating her on his lap.

"We are a proper couple, legally certified, legitimate."

"Let alone feeding grapes, even if it's feeding something else, who would dare to gossip?"

Su Qingge struggled symbolically twice, then softly leaned against Xu Chen's chest.

Ever since that wedding night, when she experienced the immense benefits of "Yin-Yang Harmony" and the pleasure that made one crave for more, her facade of cold aloofness had completely shattered.

Before, she thought men would only hinder the speed of drawing her sword.

Now, she wished she could hang on Xu Chen like an ornament.

This contrast, far from annoying Xu Chen, made him, a man with a strong desire for conquest, feel incredibly satisfied.

Looking at the docile and obedient beauty in his arms, Xu Chen couldn't help but sigh: Indeed, the shortcut to a woman's heart is... ahem.

"Oh, right, Husband."

Su Qingge seemed to recall something, tracing circles on Xu Chen's chest with her finger. "Just now, Mother sent someone with the 'Nine Revolution Fetal Stabilizing Soup,' saying... saying that I should drink it while it's hot."

At the mention of "Mother," Su Qingge's ears reddened a few more shades.

Empress Ji Wushuang was extremely pleased with this daughter-in-law. These past few days, all sorts of heavenly treasures were sent to Hall of Eternal Life as if they cost nothing, with the sole message being: take good care of your body and have a baby quickly.

"Oh? Sent by Mom?"

Xu Chen raised an eyebrow. "That's good stuff, brewed with dozens of ten-thousand-year-old spirit herbs. Drinking it not only beautifies and nourishes but also solidifies one's foundation."

"But..."

Su Qingge wrinkled her nose somewhat aggrievedly. "That soup is too bitter, and... and it's too potent. Every time I drink it, I feel hot all over."

Upon hearing this, Xu Chen's gaze instantly became profound.

Hot all over?

Isn't that perfect?

"Good medicine tastes bitter, you know."

Xu Chen leaned into her ear and whispered, "If you're afraid of the bitterness, your husband has a way to make it sweet."

Su Qingge looked up, her large, watery eyes full of curiosity: "What way?"

"Feeding it by mouth."

Xu Chen pointed to his lips. "Have you heard of 'mutual sustenance'? After passing through your husband's mouth, even the bitterest medicine becomes sweet."

Su Qingge froze for a second, then reacted, burying her head in Xu Chen's embrace in embarrassment, her pink fists gently pounding his chest.

"Husband, you... you're so naughty!"

"Women don't love men who aren't a little naughty."

Xu Chen laughed heartily, catching her small fist and kissing it.

Just as the two were flirting, and the air around them was filled with pink bubbles,

Xiao Tao approached, carrying a bowl of dark, bubbling medicinal soup that emitted a rich herbal fragrance. She kept her head down the entire time, not looking sideways.

"Young Master, Young Madam, the medicine... the medicine is here."

Xiao Tao put down the medicine and wanted to run.

These past few days, she had understood clearly: whenever the Young Master and Young Madam were together, a ten-zhang radius around them was a forbidden zone for single dogs. Staying too long could cause internal injuries.

"Don't rush off."

Xu Chen called out to Xiao Tao. "Go to the training grounds and activate the formation. This Young Master will be practicing swordplay later."

"Practicing swordplay?"

Xiao Tao and Su Qingge in his arms both paused simultaneously.

Ever since Xu Chen broke through to the Dao Palace Realm, although his cultivation was stable, he had never truly made a move.

"Husband, do you know sword arts?" Su Qingge asked curiously.

As the Tai Chu Saintess, her attainments in the Way of the Sword were extremely high. She had even comprehended the "Tai Chu Sword Intent" and had few rivals among the younger generation.

"Just a little, just a little."

Xu Chen smiled mysteriously, helping Su Qingge stand up. "The weather's nice today, wife. How about we have a sparring match?"

...

A quarter of an hour later.

Inside Hall of Eternal Life's exclusive training grounds.

This training ground was forged from a single piece of Starfall Meteorite, with an incredibly hard surface. Emperor-level defensive array patterns were laid all around it, capable of withstanding attacks from a Saint-level expert.

Su Qingge had changed into a neat training outfit. Although not as ornate as a palace dress, its form-fitting cut perfectly accentuated her exquisitely proportioned figure.

Holding a longsword like autumn water, her posture was upright. In that instant, her usual shyness receded, and the heroic spirit of the Tai Chu Saintess returned.

"Husband, be careful."

Su Qingge executed a sword flourish. Although she suppressed her cultivation to only the Dao Palace Realm, the sharp sword momentum still made the surrounding air feel keen.

"Come at me with all you've got."

Xu Chen stood with his hands behind his back, empty-handed, not even holding a wooden sword.

That nonchalant demeanor, if it were anyone else, would definitely be seen as showing off.

Su Qingge's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, and she no longer hesitated.

"Tai Chu Sword Art — Falling Snow!"

She let out a soft cry, thrusting her longsword.

In an instant, the temperature in the training grounds plummeted. The sky-filling sword qi transformed into fluttering snowflakes, each one containing an extreme killing intent, enveloping Xu Chen.

This sword strike was both beautiful and extremely dangerous.

However, facing this rain of swords, Xu Chen merely smiled faintly.

He didn't use any flashy movement techniques to dodge, but slowly extended two fingers, gently drawing a line in the void.

"The Water of the Great River Comes From the Sky."

As he softly chanted.

Rumble!

The originally calm void suddenly trembled.

A vast, majestic, terrifying artistic conception, as if from the Nine Heavens, instantly erupted.

That was not ordinary sword qi.

That was a surging, roaring Yellow River! An unstoppable torrent!

Before this artistic conception, Su Qingge's exquisitely brilliant "Falling Snow Sword Qi" was like a dam swept away by a flood, instantly shattering into pieces and vanishing without a trace.

"This... what kind of sword intent is this?!"

Su Qingge's pupils contracted sharply, and the longsword in her hand almost slipped away.

She could feel that Xu Chen hadn't used too much spiritual power; he was purely suppressing her with that artistic conception.

The grandeur of that artistic conception, as if it contained the profound truths of heaven and earth, made her, who prided herself as a sword dao genius, feel a deep sense of powerlessness.

"It's not over yet."

Xu Chen's voice sounded in her ear.

The next moment, that surging great river sword intent suddenly softened, like a trickling stream, instantly bypassing her defenses and gently enveloping her entirely.

Su Qingge only felt a blur before her eyes, and the longsword in her hand had already been taken away.

Immediately after, a warm chest pressed against her back, and a pair of strong hands gripped hers, guiding her to re-grip the sword hilt.

"Wife, your sword is too cold."

Xu Chen embraced her from behind, his chin lightly resting on her fragrant shoulder, his tone ambiguous. "The Way of the Sword isn't just about ruthless killing; it also has the warmth of protection."

"Come, your husband will teach you a move."

This posture was practically like circling her entire body in his embrace.

Su Qingge's heroic spirit, which she had just maintained, instantly collapsed. Her cheeks were burning, and her heart pounded like thunder.

"Hu-husband, is this... is this practicing swordplay?"

She felt Xu Chen's palm not only holding her hand but also deliberately caressing the back of her hand. The tingling sensation made her almost unable to hold the sword steady.

"Of course it's practicing swordplay."

Xu Chen said earnestly, "This is called 'teaching by example,' understand?"

Saying that, he held Su Qingge's hand and slowly swung a sword.

This sword strike had no earth-shattering momentum, but it carried an endless lingering power, as if a great river flowed into the sea, ceaseless.

Su Qingge was originally still shy, but she was quickly captivated by the profound mystery contained within this sword strike.

She knew quality when she saw it.

Xu Chen's sword, seemingly casual, seemed to conform to the Heavenly Dao—a realm she had cultivated for many years but had never been able to touch.

"Did you see it clearly?"

Xu Chen breathed into her ear.

"Mm..." Su Qingge nodded subconsciously, her eyes hazy.

"Then... since you've learned, shouldn't you pay some tuition?"

Xu Chen's tone suddenly shifted. He released the sword, letting it clatter to the ground.

Then, his hand slid downwards, firmly clasping Su Qingge's slender waist, turning her around, and pressing her tightly against himself.

"Ah!"

Su Qingge exclaimed, her hands instinctively pushing against Xu Chen's chest, only to find her legs feeling weak.

"The Nine Revolution Fetal Stabilizing Soup seems to be taking effect."

Xu Chen looked at her moist eyes, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "I see my wife's complexion is very rosy now. Do you feel... a little hot?"

Su Qingge bit her lip, feeling the heat ignited within her by the previous "close-quarters instruction," and nodded shyly.

"Then let's not waste it."

Xu Chen scooped her up into a bridal carry and strode towards the lounge next to the training grounds.

"Husband... it's daytime!"

Su Qingge struggled in his arms, her voice soft and lacking any conviction.

"What's wrong with daytime? We are discussing the mysteries of the Yin-Yang Grand Dao, adding bricks and mortar to the future of our family."

Xu Chen said righteously, "Besides, the training ground's formation has long been activated; not even a fly can get in."

"But..."

"No buts."

Xu Chen lowered his head and kissed her forehead, cutting off her protest.

"Qingge, didn't you say you wanted to learn that move, 'The Water of the Great River Comes From the Sky'?"

"That one is too profound. Let's try something simpler."

"For example... Fish Dragon Entering the Sea."

Su Qingge paused, not yet understanding what "Fish Dragon Entering the Sea" meant.

But when she was placed on the large, soft couch and saw Xu Chen's eyes, which seemed to burn with fire, she finally understood.

This scoundrel!

His mind was full of such things!

But for some reason, seeing his eager expression, a strange sweetness and... anticipation welled up in Su Qingge's heart.

Perhaps, this was what they called "having tasted the marrow."

She closed her eyes, extended her fair arms, and actively wrapped them around Xu Chen's neck.

"Then... Husband, be gentle."

This soft plea was like the last spark igniting a powder keg.

Xu Chen let out a low growl and leaned down to kiss her.

The formation barrier of the training grounds flickered slightly, completely isolating the spring scenery within from the outside world.

Only a few spiritual birds occasionally flying across the sky seemed to hear something that made one blush and their heart pound, flapping their wings and flying away in a hurry.