Chapter 200 The harem is filled with tenderness day and night, and Chang'an enjoys carefree happiness year after year.

In the late spring of the Nishen Imperial Palace, gentle scenery was everywhere. Roses along the palace paths climbed the walls, blooming with wild passion; peonies in the Imperial Garden blossomed with elegance, and Blue Silver Grass meandered along the palace steps, dotted with light blue flowers that infused the entire palace with vibrant life. Since returning from the Star Dou Great Forest, Su Chen had stayed peacefully in the palace with his fifteen beauties. There were no complicated government affairs to disturb them, nor external conflicts to bind them—only the warmth of companionship day and night, and the stability of carefree years. The time before his enthronement was brewed to become increasingly mellow and sweet.

The morning bedchamber was always awakened by soft, sweet acting. As dawn broke, Xiao Wu curled up by Su Chen's side, her soft rabbit ears gently rubbing against his cheek. Her fingertips hooked onto his sleeve, and her voice was gooey and sweet: "Brother Su Chen, sleep a bit longer, there's no need to get up so early." As she spoke, she burrowed into his arms, burying her small face in his chest like a little beast craving warmth. Su Chen laughed helplessly, raising his hand to rub her rabbit ears, his fingertips stroking the delicate fur as he said dotingly, "Alright, I'll sleep a bit longer with my Xiao Wu."

Zhu Zhuqing, by his side, had long since awakened but remained silent. She just leaned quietly against the headboard, her ink-black hair scattered across the pillow. Her cold eyes, framed by the morning light, had lost all their sharpness, leaving only soft tenderness. Watching Su Chen and Xiao Wu, a faint smile unconsciously tugged at the corner of her lips, and her fingertips lightly traced the dark patterns on the edge of the bed—once alone, she never knew that the warmth of morning could be like this. Su Chen noticed her gaze and reached out to grasp her hand, the warmth of his palm transferring through his fingertips. Zhu Zhuqing lowered her head slightly, a faint blush rising on her cheeks, but she did not pull her hand away, letting him hold it, feeling peaceful and warm.

When the sun was high, everyone finally rose to find steaming breakfast already laid out outside the bedchamber. Kushina, dressed in a fiery red dress with a plain apron, was busy arranging the dishes. A bright, cheerful smile hung on her face, and her voice was clear: "Everyone, come try the crystal bunss and Lotus Seed Porridge I made fresh this morning! There's also Su Chen's favorite Osmanthus Cake, fresh out of the pot and still hot!" Her skills were excellent; every dish was perfect in color, aroma, and taste. The crystal bunss were soft and juicy, the Lotus Seed Porridge was sweet and mild, and the Osmanthus Cake was sweet but not greasy, full of the taste of home. Su Chen walked up and gently put his arm around her waist, whispering, "Thank you for your hard work, Kushina." Kushina smiled and waved it off: "It's no hard work; seeing everyone eat happily makes me happy."

The breakfast was filled with laughter and joy. Zi Yan sat beside Su Chen, her cheeks puffed out as she gnawed on Osmanthus Cake while her mouth was still stuffed with a crystal buns, mumbling indistinctly, "Delicious, delicious! The food Sister Kushina makes is the best in the world!" As she spoke, she tugged on Su Chen's sleeve and acted spoiled: "Brother Su Chen, I want more Osmanthus Cake, give me another piece!" Su Chen, helpless, picked up a piece of Osmanthus Cake and held it to her mouth. Seeing her eat with a face full of satisfaction, the doting in his eyes almost overflowed. Hanabi sat to one side, eating properly, but she would occasionally look up at Su Chen with bright eyes like a well-behaved fawn, whispering, "Brother Su Chen, I want to learn how to cook in the future too, so I can make food for you."

After breakfast, the time in the palace became even more leisurely. Ning Rongrong pulled Qian Renxue to a pavilion in the Imperial Garden, playing with her Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Seven-colored light flowed in her palm as she controlled the pagoda while chatting incessantly with Qian Renxue: "Sister Qian Renxue, look at my Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda; it's grown stronger again. I'll be able to boost Brother Su Chen's power even more in the future!" Qian Renxue sat beside her, listening quietly, holy light flowing gently around her body. A gentle smile hung on her lips as she occasionally responded, her eyes full of tenderness—in the past, she had never had such a relaxed time. With Sisters for company and a lover to stay with, it was the most beautiful happiness in the world.

Karin and Xiao Yi Xian sat together by the Medicinal Garden. Karin was carefully brewing a medicinal salve for Su Chen, a faint red light glowing at her fingertips as she focused intently. She occasionally looked up at Su Chen not far away, her cheeks flushing with eyes full of adoration. Xiao Yi Xian sat beside her, guiding her on the heat of the brew. Her snow-white fingertips brushed over the spiritual herbs in the garden, her expression gentle: "Slower, the heat shouldn't be too high, otherwise the medicinal effects will dissipate." She was meticulous, always putting Su Chen's health first. The Medicinal Garden was filled with spiritual herbs she had carefully cultivated, just so she could prepare nourishing medicinal meals and salves for Su Chen at any time to protect his health.

Yun Yun was practicing her swordplay alone in the open space of the Martial Arts Field. Dressed in a plain sword-skirt, her figure was lithe. As her sword light flowed, there was no killing intent, only an elegant rhythm. The blade sliced through the air, bringing gusts of breeze that ruffled the stray hairs at her temples, making her look like a fairy stepped out of a painting. Su Chen walked slowly to the Martial Arts Field and stood quietly to the side, watching her dance with the sword, his eyes full of appreciation. When the sword dance ended, Yun Yun sheathed her sword and stood still, turning back to look at Su Chen with a smile, their eyes meeting with perfect understanding. Su Chen walked forward, handed her a cup of warm tea, and said softly, "Thank you for your hard work; you danced beautifully." Yun Yun took the tea, took a light sip, and said in a clear, shallow voice, "I was just practicing because I had nothing to do. If you want to practice, I'll accompany you."

Qing Lin led several docile Spirit Snakes on a slow patrol along the palace paths. Her small figure, dressed in a light green dress, walked in the center of the path. The Spirit Snakes flicked their tongues, alertly observing the surroundings to block out any potential disturbances. Her technique for controlling the snake swarm had become increasingly proficient, and the palace servants all respected her deeply. Yet Qing Lin remained well-behaved; whenever she encountered Su Chen or any of the Sisters, she would always greet them softly, her expression full of obedience. Su Chen looked at her serious manner, raised his hand to rub the top of her head, and said warmly, "Rest if you're tired, don't work too hard." Qing Lin nodded gently, her cheeks flushing as she whispered, "It's not hard. As long as I can protect Brother Su Chen and the Sisters, I'm happy."

Xiao Xun Er and Hinata always stayed quietly by Su Chen's side. Xiao Xun Er, in a gentle, plain long dress, was always silently handling the palace's trivial matters, keeping the bedchamber clean and the bed soft and warm so that Su Chen would always feel completely at peace upon his return. She didn't speak much, but she was thorough in everything; the tenderness in her eyes was like spring rain, nourishing things silently. Hinata always followed behind Su Chen in a pure white dress, gentle and submissive. She didn't say a word, but her gaze never left Su Chen for a moment. She would silently offer tea when Su Chen practiced his sword; she would keep watch quietly while Su Chen rested; and when Su Chen laughed and joked with the other Sisters, she would stand quietly in the corner, watching his smile and smiling along—for her, as long as she could be by Su Chen's side, it was the greatest happiness of this life.

Medusa was accustomed to leaning lazily on a soft couch, her crimson long dress spreading out like a blooming red lotus. Her snake tail lightly brushed the ground, her eyes like silk, her gaze always locked onto Su Chen with inseparable Charm and deep affection. She wasn't as lively as the other beauties; she preferred to stay quietly by Su Chen's side, occasionally beckoning to him with a lazy and seductive voice: "Su Chen, come sit with me for a while." Su Chen walked to her side and sat on the couch; she naturally leaned into his embrace, her snake tail gently winding around his waist as her fingertips traced his chest. Her voice was soft and sweet: "It's still most comfortable to be with you like this. If every year could be like this, it would be wonderful."

The afternoon hours were always spent in tranquility and warmth. Su Chen would sit in the pavilion of the Imperial Garden, surrounded by his fifteen beauties. Some leaned on his shoulder, some held his arm, some sat on his lap—each doing their own thing, yet all at peace. Xiao Wu would lie on his lap, playing with his fingers; Zhu Zhuqing would lean on his shoulder, quietly reading a book; Ning Rongrong would lie by his side, fiddling with the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda; Qian Renxue would sit beside him, holy light gently flowing to nourish the surrounding plants; Ah Yin would use Blue Silver Grass to weave small flower baskets, placing a hand-woven garland on him; Karin would gently massage his shoulders with light movements; Hinata would peel Spiritual Fruits for him and hold them to his mouth; Kushina would bring him warm Flower Tea; Zi Yan would nestle in his arms, eating candy; Hanabi would sit to one side, watching him obediently; Medusa would lean in his embrace, resting lazily; Xiao Xun Er would tidy his collar; Xiao Yi Xian would check his body, giving soft reminders; Yun Yun would play the zither for him, the music melodious; and Qing Lin would sit to one side, gently stroking a Spirit Snake, well-behaved and quiet.

As the sun set, the evening glow dyed the sky red, painting the entire palace in warm hues. The palace servants set out a steaming dinner, and everyone sat together, talking and laughing, full of the atmosphere of daily life. There were no distinctions of rank, no scheming, only the warmth of family and the tenderness of lovers leaning on each other. After dinner, Su Chen would lead everyone to the highest point of the palace to gaze at the sunset together, watching the sun sink into the western mountains and the stars gradually light up.

The fifteen beauties gathered around Su Chen, each leaning against him, their eyes fixed on the stars in the sky, full of yearning. Xiao Wu leaned in his arms and said softly, "Brother Su Chen, can we be like this every day in the future?" Su Chen lowered his head, kissed her forehead, and his voice was gentle yet firm, echoing in the evening breeze: "Yes, every day like this from now on. Through the years, through every morning and evening, I will stay with you, protect you, and guard this home. Forever carefree, forever in Chang'an."

The evening breeze blew lightly, carrying the fragrance of roses and blue silver flowers, lingering around everyone. The stars lit up, and the moonlight was gentle, spilling over the sixteen embracing people and plating them with a layer of hazy silver radiance. The palace lanterns lit up one by one, their warm yellow halos swaying, enveloping the entire palace in warmth like a giant embrace holding all things beautiful and tender.

This was the daily life of the Nishen Imperial Palace—no grand, earth-shattering plots, only the steady flow of tenderness; no deceitful conflicts, only the stability of companionship day and night. The fifteen beauties each had their own style and tenderness, yet all had tied their hearts to Su Chen alone. Su Chen, holding the God-Defying Power and shaking the continent, gave all his tenderness and doting to the fifteen beauties by his side.

Days and nights in the harem are all gentle; year after year, all are carefree.