323: The impetuous Long Yun...

The air seemed to still hold the lingering scent of last night's passion, mixed with the faint body fragrance of Pei Shuyun and the residual cool scent of Dragon Saliva incense.

After a night of hearty Dual Cultivation and the blending of soul and flesh, not only were their physical and mental exhaustion completely relieved, but their cultivation levels had also improved.

Pei Shuyun snuggled in Li Shengyuan's arms, her jade-white skin still bearing a faint blush that hadn't fully receded. Her brows and the corners of her eyes were filled with a lazy, satisfied charm, and her enchanting face overflowed with a happy glow after being fully nourished and pampered.

Like a kitten, she unconsciously traced light lines on Li Shengyuan's firm chest with her fingertips.

Li Shengyuan held her smooth shoulders and back, his expression relaxed, with a hint of post-satisfaction laziness and gentleness in his eyes.

Neither of them was in a hurry to get up, enjoying this rare peaceful morning intimacy, whispering sweet nothings that only they understood.

Just then, a brisk and familiar sound of footsteps came from outside the courtyard, followed by Long Yun's crisp and bright voice, tinged with a playful smile:

"Shengyuan, Sister Shuyun! The sun is already shining on your backsides, are you still sleeping in? Your Majesty sent me to take you for a stroll in the city!"

The footsteps stopped outside the main pavilion door, seemingly pausing for a moment, and then the door was gently pushed open—Li Shengyuan hadn't closed it when he returned last night.

"Huh? The door isn't closed, I'm coming in?" Long Yun's voice carried a hint of confusion, but more of a teasing "caught you oversleeping" tone as she carelessly pushed the door and stepped into the outer hall.

The curtains of the inner chamber were not fully drawn. Through the semi-transparent gauze, the morning light outlined a hazy but intimate silhouette on the bed.

"Shengyuan, Sister Shuyun, time to get up..."

Long Yun was completely stunned by the scene before her.

Li Shengyuan leaned against the headboard, while Pei Shuyun snuggled in his arms. Both were disheveled, their hair messy, and the strange atmosphere in the air was almost palpable.

"Ah!!!"

Long Yun froze for a full three breaths before suddenly reacting, her face, neck, and even the tips of her ears turning beet red.

She let out a startled cry and hurriedly turned around, her words incoherent as she nervously apologized repeatedly:

"Sor-sorry! I, I didn't know... I didn't mean to! I'm going out now, you guys, you guys continue... ah no! You guys finish up, I'm leaving first."

But as Long Yun turned to leave, whether it was subconscious or driven by some curiosity she hadn't noticed herself, she couldn't help but steal one last quick, secret glance toward the bed before fully exiting... only to meet Li Shengyuan's calm gaze, which held a hint of a helpless smile, and see Pei Shuyun instantly bury her face in Li Shengyuan's chest, leaving only her bright red ears exposed in her shyness.

Bang!

Long Yun pulled the door shut from the outside, and her slightly frantic, receding footsteps could still be heard.

Having grown up by Sister Long's side, this was the first time she had seen such a provocative scene... In the inner chamber, after a brief silence, Pei Shuyun suddenly raised her head from Li Shengyuan's arms. Her stunningly beautiful face was now flushed deep red, and she indignantly balled her fists to thump his chest, her voice both coquettish and annoyed:

"It's all your fault! Last night... I said I didn't want to anymore... but you insisted... making it so I couldn't get up... Now look, Long Yun caught us right in the act, it's so embarrassing!"

But remembering how she herself had clung to the Shengyuan who cherished her during the Middle Stage, refusing to let go, she felt even more ashamed the more she thought about it. She couldn't help but bury her face back in, only her ears turning even redder.

Li Shengyuan, however, let out a low laugh, his chest vibrating.

He soothingly patted Pei Shuyun's smooth back, his tone carrying a bit of innocence and frankness:

"How can you blame me? I didn't expect that girl to push the door straight in. Besides, we weren't really doing anything, just lying together and talking."

He paused, the smile in his eyes deepening: "Moreover, it's not like Long Yun doesn't know about our relationship. It's fine if she saw; she'll have to get used to it sooner or later."

Just like the several wives back home who were already getting used to seeing each other, especially those two resilient comrades-in-arms, Princess Pingyang and Aunt Shen... "Get used to what! How can your skin be so thick!"

Pei Shuyun looked up and gave him a charmingly disdainful look, but that reproach held more helplessness and a hint of secret sweetness.

She pushed Li Shengyuan, "Get up quickly! We've been caught, do you really want to leave Long Yun waiting outside and letting her imagination run wild? Hurry up and wash and change!"

"Yes, yes, yes. The Princess Consort has given her command, and this husband shall obey." Li Shengyuan replied with a smile, finally letting go of his embrace.

The two quickly got up, washed, and changed.

Pei Shuyun specifically chose a long dress that was dignified yet feminine, carefully coiling her hair into a bun, trying to use makeup to hide the overly obvious traces of passion between her brows.

Like a virtuous wife, she gently helped Li Shengyuan change into a simple set of green robes.

When they had finished tidying up and walked out of the main pavilion side by side, they saw Long Yun standing under a spirit fruit tree in the courtyard with her back to them.

She seemed to be looking at the fruit on the tree, but her slightly reddened earlobes and somewhat stiff posture betrayed her.

Hearing the footsteps, Long Yun turned around.

She had clearly composed herself a bit, the blush on her face having faded some, but a few hints of unnatural shyness still remained.

Her gaze first swept quickly over Pei Shuyun's face, which was clearly nourished and more radiant than ever.

Then her eyes shifted between the two of them, finally landing on Li Shengyuan's face, her gaze somewhat evasive, not quite daring to meet his eyes.

"Cough..." Long Yun cleared her throat, trying to make her voice sound normal, "Um... Shengyuan, Sister Shuyun, are you... well-rested?"

Seeing that both were fully dressed and their expressions had returned to their usual state, Long Yun secretly breathed a sigh of relief and quickly explained her purpose:

"His Majesty ordered me to take you for a good tour around Holy Dragon City today to see the local customs. His Majesty said that since you've come from afar and are distinguished guests, we must host you properly."

Facing Long Yun, Pei Shuyun was still a bit unnatural, her cheeks slightly warm as she just nodded slightly and replied softly:

"Thank you for the trouble, Miss Long."

Li Shengyuan was as calm as ever, a gentle smile on his face as if the awkward scene from earlier had never happened.

He nodded to Long Yun and spoke naturally: "Then we'll trouble Miss Long. It just so happens we also want to appreciate the splendor of Holy Dragon City."

His composure invisibly dissolved much of the awkward atmosphere.

Seeing this, the remaining bit of awkwardness in Long Yun's heart mostly dissipated, and she once again showed a hearty smile.

Only in that smile, the look she gave Li Shengyuan seemed to have a bit more of an indescribable meaning than before, occasionally flashing with a complex light she didn't fully understand—a mix of curiosity, shyness, and a faint, subtle sourness.

"Great! Then let's set off! Today I'll take you to the liveliest 'Myriad Demon Market' in Holy Dragon City, and the 'Suspended Cloud Platform' with the best scenery!"

Long Yun regained her vitality and enthusiastically led the way...