325: Can I come to Daqian to see you...?

"Knock, knock, knock..."

A gentle knocking sound arose, accompanied by Long Yun's clear voice:

"Shengyuan, are you awake? Your Majesty invites you to the rear garden for a private discussion."

Outside the door, Long Yun stood properly, not pushing the door open directly as she had yesterday; she had clearly learned her lesson.

Today, she had changed into a sharp, fitted outfit that outlined her tall, athletic figure, but her eyes seemed to hold a trace of worry, unlike her completely cheerful demeanor yesterday.

Inside the room, Li Shengyuan had already risen, and Pei Shuyun was gently tidying his collar and cuffs for him.

Hearing Long Yun's voice, the two exchanged a look.

"Come in, Miss Long, the door isn't locked." Li Shengyuan said gently.

Long Yun then pushed the door open and entered the outer hall, seeing that both were dressed neatly, with Pei Shuyun carefully adjusting Li Shengyuan's robes—a warm and harmonious scene.

Her gaze quickly swept across Pei Shuyun’s increasingly charming and attractive face, then rapidly dropped. Her cheeks felt slightly warm, and that little bit of awkwardness resurfaced in her heart.

"Your Majesty said there is an important matter to discuss and asks Shengyuan to go over now." Long Yun quickly explained her purpose, trying hard to keep her tone calm.

"Alright, thank you, Miss Long, for the message." Li Shengyuan nodded, quietly gave a few instructions to Shuyun, and then walked out with Long Yun.

The two walked side by side down the jade corridor leading to the depths of the Dragon Emperor Palace.

There was silence along the way. Their solitude made the atmosphere slightly more subtle than when they had traveled together yesterday.

Li Shengyuan keenly noticed that Long Yun seemed somewhat distracted; her steps were not as light as usual, and her eyes occasionally drifted, as if something was troubling her.

"Miss Long," Li Shengyuan slowed his pace, turned his head to look at her, and softened his voice, "Is something bothering you? If it's convenient, perhaps you could tell me."

Long Yun paused slightly in her step and raised her eyes to look at Li Shengyuan.

He still maintained that gentle and peaceful appearance, his eyes clear and concerned.

She struggled internally for a moment, lightly bit her lower lip with her pearly teeth, hesitated, and finally lowered her gaze, asking in a low voice:

"Shengyuan... once the matters here in the Demon Domain are settled, will you... be returning to Daqian?"

Her voice carried a trace of imperceptible loss and reluctance.

He bought so many gifts yesterday; he must be eager to return soon to see those confidantes, right?

Li Shengyuan glanced at her, did not hide anything, and nodded calmly:

"Yes. Daqian also has many affairs awaiting attention, and the menace of the Demonic Cult is not confined only to the Demon Domain. Once matters here are concluded, I naturally must return."

This expected answer still caused Long Yun's heart to sink slightly.

She remained silent for a few breaths, then raised her head again, looking at Li Shengyuan with a hint of expectation in her bright eyes:

"Then... will you, will you all come back to the Demon Domain later? Or... if I go to Daqian, will I still be able to see you... all?"

After asking this, her cheeks involuntarily flushed slightly; she seemed to feel her question was a bit too blunt and eager.

Li Shengyuan stopped walking, turned around, and faced Long Yun.

His gaze met Long Yun's anxious and expectant eyes for a moment, and then he suddenly chuckled softly. His smile was like a spring breeze sweeping across ice, carrying a reassuring warmth.

"Of course I will come again." His tone was firm. "The scenery of the Demon Domain is unique, and Sister Long... ahem, Your Majesty is also here. I, Li, will naturally have occasion to visit again."

He paused, looking gently at Long Yun: "As for you coming to Daqian... you are welcome anytime. We met, experienced life and death together, and traveled Holy Dragon City together. Are we not friends? How could a friend visit and not be seen?"

Friend... Hearing this word, a complex feeling immediately welled up in Long Yun's heart.

She was happy that he acknowledged her as his friend.

But there was also a touch of inexplicable disappointment... Was it only "friend"?

But she quickly suppressed this disappointment, forcing a bright smile and nodding:

"Yes, we are friends!"

She seemed to want to appear more carefree, even cracking a joke with a hint of mischief in her tone:

"But, if I really go to Daqian to find you, will your family... Big Sister Shuyun, and those confidantes of yours, see me, a Yao Race woman, coming to look for you, get jealous and angry, and throw me out?"

Hearing this, Li Shengyuan laughed and shook his head, his tone laced with amusement and an indescribable depth of meaning:

"As for them... perhaps they will be curious, they will look you over, but they would never be rude. Rather, it's you..."

His gaze lingered on Long Yun's beautiful face for a moment, and he smiled meaningfully:

"When the time comes, I just hope you don't arrive in Daqian, witness the prosperity and excitement that differs from Holy Dragon City, become enchanted by some Young Master or talented youth, and enjoy yourself so much that you forget to return to your Holy Dragon City."

These words were clearly teasing, yet they seemed to hide another meaning.

Long Yun was stunned for a moment, then her cheeks suddenly flushed crimson, and her heart rate abruptly sped up.

She hurriedly averted her gaze, not daring to look at Li Shengyuan's smiling eyes again. Inside, however, her heart was pounding like a startled deer.

'What Young Master? In Daqian, besides you, Young Master Li, I don't know anyone else...'

'But, what... what did he mean by that? Was he joking, or...'

Long Yun couldn't help but sneak a glance at Li Shengyuan out of the corner of her eye, only to see that he had resumed his usual gentle expression, as if his previous comment had been merely casual.

This made her even more restless, and she was so lost in thought that her steps became somewhat erratic.

Before long, the two arrived once again at the entrance of the rear garden, which was wreathed in Spiritual Mist and abundant with exotic flowers and rare herbs.

The familiar scenery temporarily snapped Long Yun out of her chaotic thoughts.

"Your Majesty is inside. You can just go in." Long Yun stopped at the entrance, pointing toward the depths of the garden.

"I... I'm going to find Big Sister Shuyun. She said she wants to ask me about some Yao Race Body Tempering techniques today!"

After speaking, she seemed intent on fleeing this subtle, heart-racing atmosphere.

She hurriedly waved toward Li Shengyuan, then turned and quickly walked away, her retreating figure bearing a trace of haste and undisguised lightness.