102: Chapter 12 Serving the Emperor

Yingxian Pavilion.

Dusk settled, and the last hint of afterglow quietly faded from the sky. The majestic silhouette of Yingxian Pavilion appeared even more mysterious in the deepening night.

This towering pavilion reached into the clouds, with flying eaves and upturned corners, intricately carved beams, and painted rafters, exuding an ancient and solemn aura.

The pavilion had six floors, each connected by finely carved wooden structures. The corridors wound around, and scattered lights cast dappled shadows.

A gentle evening breeze stirred, and the copper bells hanging from the eaves chimed softly, as if whispering ancient legends.

The air was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood, mixed with the damp, earthy smell of distant mountain forests, adding a touch of profound tranquility to the silent night.

Chen Zilong did not linger on the second floor but instead stepped directly onto the wooden stairs, heading for the top floor, the sixth floor.

His steps were steady and unhurried, his robes fluttering gently in the breeze, and a hint of imperceptible solemnity creased his brows.

Behind him, Ye Xishui, Tu Shan Xiaoxiao, Lu Bingyun, and the other female disciples of Xuantian Sect followed closely.

Their footsteps echoed softly yet clearly in the empty stairwell.

Ye Xishui, in a plain white gown, had a graceful figure, as delicate and ethereal as a lotus emerging from water. Her eyes, like autumn waters veiled in mist, held a hint of melancholy as they shifted.

Tu Shan Xiaoxiao, dressed in a light pink silk dress, was playful and lively. Her white hair cascaded like a waterfall, and the slight upturn of her lips revealed a maiden's innocent charm.

Lu Bingyun and the other female disciples were all neatly dressed and respectful, clearly displaying the sect's demeanor.

The layout of the sixth floor was even more elegant. The corridor was spacious, paved with smooth bluestone slabs, and several landscape paintings hung on the walls, their ink vibrant and their artistic conception profound.

Several glazed lamps hung from the beams, emitting a soft glow that illuminated the entire space, making it hazy and warm.

Chen Zilong turned to face everyone, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable authority:

"Everyone, rest early. Tomorrow, we still need to investigate the cause of Senior Brother Su Hao's death."

His gaze swept over everyone, finally resting on Ye Xishui, to whom he nodded slightly.

Everyone nodded in agreement. Ye Xishui lightly pursed her red lips, a flicker of determination in her eyes.

Tu Shan Xiaoxiao, however, tilted her head and pouted, looking unwilling.

Lu Bingyun and the other female disciples exchanged glances, then dispersed to find rooms and settle in.

Chen Zilong chose a room at the far end and pushed the door open.

The room's furnishings were simple: a bed, a table, and a chair. The window lattice was half-open, letting in some moonlight that cast dappled silver reflections on the floor.

Just as he was about to close the door, Ye Xishui lightly stepped in after him, her movements as graceful as a butterfly, her skirt swaying slightly, bringing with it a faint fragrance.

Although she was no longer Chen Zilong's official wife, accompanying him only as a concubine.

Her demeanor remained composed, and her eyes revealed an enduring affection.

However, Tu Shan Xiaoxiao, the "third party," was not to be outdone.

She slipped into the room right behind them.

A cunning smile played on her face, and mischievous light flickered in her eyes.

Ye Xishui immediately grew annoyed, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, and a hint of anger flared in her beautiful eyes.

She lightly scolded:

"You wretched girl, why did you come in?"

Her voice was low, yet it carried a sharpness, like a blade in the night wind.

Tu Shan Xiaoxiao did not back down, hands on her hips, she retorted:

"Then why did you come in? You're no longer Senior Brother's wife."

Her tone was light, yet provocative, her cheeks slightly flushed, like a provoked little beast.

Ye Xishui snorted coldly, a mocking arc forming on her lips, and said:

"Even if I'm not Young Master's wife, I am his concubine, and I should attend to him at night."

Her voice grew softer, yet every word was clear, her gaze fixed on Chen Zilong, as if declaring her stance.

Tu Shan Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes, pouting, and said:

"Attend to him? I can too."

Her expression was innocent yet stubborn, but a hint of imperceptible disappointment was hidden in her eyes.

For a moment, the atmosphere between the two women was tense, their beautiful eyes clashing as if invisible sparks and lightning erupted.

Ye Xishui's face appeared even more delicate under the lamplight, her skin like snow, her lips like painted cinnabar. Every subtle expression revealed the charm of a mature woman.

Tu Shan Xiaoxiao, on the other hand, was charmingly playful, her nose slightly wrinkled, her beautiful hair gently swaying in the breeze, like a blooming peach blossom.

Seeing this, Chen Zilong sighed lightly and intervened:

"Enough!"

His voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable authority.

His gaze swept between the two women, finally settling on Tu Shan Xiaoxiao, "Xiaoxiao, go back and rest, be obedient."

His tone was gentle yet firm, as if soothing a willful child.

Upon hearing this, Tu Shan Xiaoxiao's eyes flashed with unwillingness.

Her lips trembled slightly, as if she wanted to argue, but she eventually lowered her head, grumbling as she turned and left.

Her figure receded into the corridor, her footsteps light and forlorn.

After Tu Shan Xiaoxiao left, Chen Zilong turned to Ye Xishui.

His gaze was complex, tinged with pity and helplessness.

He softly said:

"You really don't have to be like this."

Ye Xishui shook her head, her eyes glowing under the moonlight, as if containing a thousand unspoken words.

She softly said:

"Time will prove everything."

Her voice was gentle yet firm, like a spring breeze brushing across a lake, rippling in layers. "You are my first man, and you will definitely be my last."

"I, Ye Xishui, have already sworn an oath with my Dao Heart; I will not let a second man touch me."

"Since I am your concubine, it is natural for me to attend to you at night."

Her words were sincere, each one seemingly flowing from her heart. Her face appeared even more tragically beautiful in the dim light, like a white lotus blooming alone in the night.

Chen Zilong said nothing more; he simply turned silently and placed a soundproofing restriction on the room door.

With a light tap of his fingertip, spiritual energy flowed, and an invisible barrier quietly formed, isolating the room from the outside world.

Seeing this, Ye Xishui slowly untied the sash at her waist, her movements gentle and deliberate, as if performing a silent dance.

Her dress quietly slipped down, revealing her flawless, snow-white body. Illuminated by the moonlight, her skin was as lustrous as jade, her curves exquisitely graceful, like a meticulously carved work of art.

Every movement of hers exuded feminine grace and dignity, her eyes holding a trace of shyness and resolve, as if completely surrendering herself.

Chen Zilong directly blew out the candle, plunging the room into darkness. Only the moonlight seeped through the window lattice, draping the silent space in a silver veil.

Ye Xishui's figure appeared even more alluring in the dim light, her breathing slightly quickened, her chest gently rising and falling, as if waiting for something.

Soon, rapid breathing filled the room, echoing everywhere, intertwined with subtle rustling of fabric and soft gasps.

These sounds, enveloped by the soundproofing restriction, felt exceptionally private, like an intimate encounter witnessed only by the moonlight.

Late at night, everything was silent. All the rooms on the sixth floor of Yingxian Pavilion were immersed in tranquility.

Most disciples were either asleep or meditating. The corridor was empty, with only the faint glow of the glazed lamps flickering, casting long shadows.

Just then, a very strange thing began to crawl around the corridor.

It moved slowly, making a "sizzle... sizzle..." sound, as if something sharp was scraping the floor.

The sound was harsh and intermittent, strikingly abrupt in the silent night, like a whisper from another world.

Moonlight filtered through the window lattice, vaguely illuminating a blurry shadow wriggling in the corridor, carrying an indescribable eeriness and chill...

...