"Splash, splash."
Inside Kun Pool, Empress Dugu stepped out of the water.
A while later, with the Palace Maids attending to her, she was fully dressed.
Empress Dugu wore a goose-yellow dress that revealed her delicate collarbones. Perhaps because she had just bathed, her skin carried a faint rosy glow.
She wore no makeup. Her brows curved like willow tips, and a misty softness filled her eyes. She was like a lotus emerging from clear water, naturally beautiful without adornment.
"Empress Dowager!"
Wang Pan's eyes lit up, and he scampered up to Empress Dugu.
"Where have you been? A few days ago, This Palace even sent someone to look for you at the Scripture Repository, but they couldn't find you."
A smile appeared on Empress Dugu's face as well. With practiced ease, her slender, boneless hand gently stroked Wang Pan's massive head.
Time seemed to have left no trace on Empress Dugu's face. Her beauty remained flawless.
Wang Pan narrowed his eyes in comfort and pushed his head forward a little so Empress Dugu could pet him more easily.
"Empress Dowager, I went into the Qilian Mountain Range a few days ago and devoured several great demons."
Wang Pan's voice was full of pride as he smugly raised his bull head.
"You, be careful not to get swallowed by a Demon King.
"But with how clever you are—and how afraid of death you are—you probably wouldn't dare provoke a Demon King."
Empress Dugu tilted her head as she spoke.
The instant Wang Pan saw Empress Dugu's adorable expression, his nostrils grew hot.
"Let's go."
Seeing Wang Pan grinning foolishly at nothing, his mouth nearly stretching to his ears, Empress Dugu frowned slightly.
His eyes were unfocused, as though he were lost in thought, so she patted his head.
"Wait for