"Your Majesty, though I may not be by your side, my heart has always been with you."
Thick-skinned people ate their fill; thin-skinned people went hungry.
Wang Pan was incredibly thick-skinned. Hearing this, he was utterly unfazed and stepped forward with a fawning grin on his bovine face.
"And you think This Palace would believe that?"
Empress Dugu turned her head, a faint, almost imperceptible smile on her face.
"Your Majesty, I could neither eat well nor sleep warmly outside. My mind was filled with Your Majesty's image."
Wang Pan grinned and unceremoniously shoved aside the palace maid beside Empress Dugu with his rump. He stretched out his ox tongue and gave Empress Dugu's palm a thorough licking.
As he licked, he cautiously raised his head to watch Empress Dugu's expression.
Seeing no change in Empress Dugu's face, Wang Pan licked even more happily.
"Do you remember? You said you would bring This Palace an Ox Demon at the Great Demon realm. Where is the ox?
If you have forgotten, This Palace may have no choice but to serve you on the table."
Empress Dugu's red lips parted slightly as she scrutinized Wang Pan from head to hoof, as though considering which part of him would be the tastiest.
"Of course I wouldn't dare forget. The Ox Demon has already been handed over to the servants for preparation. It should be ready to serve shortly."
Wang Pan pushed his luck, resting his massive head on Empress Dugu's thigh.
Fortunately, Empress Dugu was no weakling. Otherwise, she would have been crushed flat beneath his head.
"What a pity."
Empress Dugu sighed, seemingly regretful.
Then she turned back and continued feeding the spirit fish by the lake.
"Your Majesty, these fish are raised wonderfully."
Seeing that Empress Dugu was ignoring him, Wang