A brown pill lay quietly in the Brocade Box, its surface giving off a faint halo. Just one whiff made one feel as though one's cultivation had improved.
Of course, that was merely an illusion. A mere Profound-tier pill could not possibly possess such miraculous efficacy.
Lin Wanqiu naturally recognized it. It was the Essence Replenishing Pill the Chen family had produced last night, intending to use it as leverage to force her into marriage.
At that moment, Lin Wanqiu's expression was complicated, her eyes filled with emotions too difficult to put into words.
"Your Highness destroyed the Chen family and sought this pill... all for me?"
Naturally, she could not bring herself to say those words aloud. But other than that, what other possibility was there?
Seeing Lin Wanqiu stare blankly at the pill, Xiao Minghuang gently reminded her:
"Wanqiu, accept this pill!"
"This... wouldn't that be inappropriate?"
Lin Wanqiu felt a little embarrassed. Xiao Minghuang had only known her for a few days, yet she was willing to give her such a precious pill.
Just how much did Her Highness like her?
Xiao Minghuang smiled.
"What is inappropriate between you and me? Hurry and take it. This pill should be of some use for your blocked meridians. Don't you want to improve your strength?"
"Improve my strength..."
Hearing those words, Lin Wanqiu froze before quickly coming to her senses.
Her meridians had been blocked since birth, leaving her unable to break through the Qi Refining Realm. Yet Xiao Minghuang possessed peerless talent and astonishing gifts, with the potential to reach the Spirit Seed Realm.
With Xiao Minghuang's talent, it would probably not be long before she left Lin Wanqiu far behind.
By then, even if Xiao Minghuang still liked her in her heart.
She would only be a weakling in the Body Tempering Realm. What right would she have to stand openly at her side...
Thinking of this, Lin Wanqiu's nose stung, tears welling in her eyes and nearly spilling over.
Seeing that she still would not accept the pill and instead had tears in her eyes, Xiao Minghuang did not understand why. But standing beside Xiao Minghuang?
Not to mention that Spirit Seed Realm experts lived for a thousand years, while those in the Body Tempering Realm lived little more than a hundred. She could not bear to see pretty girls sad, so she hurriedly wrapped an arm around Lin Wanqiu's shoulders and comforted her softly:
"Wanqiu, is something troubling you? I'm here by your side—I can definitely help you. Don't be afraid! No matter what difficulties come, we'll face them together!"
Hearing those words, Lin Wanqiu was even more moved. She suddenly burst into tears, burying her head directly in Xiao Minghuang's embrace and crying her heart out.
She had lost her mother when she was young and had been raised by her father. She had never experienced the care of an older woman.
Now, Xiao Minghuang's gentleness felt just like that of her mother.
"Wuwuwu..."
Xiao Minghuang's eyes were full of confusion. She had no idea why Lin Wanqiu had suddenly become so heartbroken.
She simply stroked Lin Wanqiu's back softly, saying nothing at all.
After a while, Lin Wanqiu finally pulled herself free from Xiao Minghuang's embrace. She took out a handkerchief from her robes and gently wiped her tear-filled eyes.
Seeing that she had returned to normal, Xiao Minghuang teased:
"Mm..."
"Has Wanqiu cried enough?"
Lin Wanqiu lowered her head slightly and answered with a choked voice. She did not dare meet Xiao Minghuang's eyes, but she inadvertently caught sight of a wet patch on the other woman's chest.
Her delicate cheeks flushed, and a trace of embarrassment appeared in her eyes.
"Your Highness, shall I help you take off your clothes?"
"???"
Upon hearing that, Xiao Minghuang's eyes widened in shock.
"What are you doing? Why do you want me to take off my clothes?"
Seeing Xiao Minghuang's expression, Lin Wanqiu knew she had misunderstood and immediately explained:
"Your Highness's clothes are dirty. I wanted to take them off, wash them clean, and return them to you."
Xiao Minghuang obediently lowered her head for a look. Sure enough, there was a wet patch over her chest, presumably from Lin Wanqiu's tears.
"Alright, then."
Xiao Minghuang nodded and followed Lin Wanqiu into the room.
Lin Wanqiu then helped her remove her outer robe, revealing a snow-white, thin inner garment. In the brightly lit room, one could vaguely see the tender skin concealed beneath it.
Lin Wanqiu set the pill on the table, took Xiao Minghuang's outer robe, and entered the inner room. A moment later, she came out carrying a brand-new dress.
She spread the garment open with both arms. It was a fiery red dress, its edges embroidered with gold thread, while a Phoenix with spread wings adorned its center. Pale moon-white cloud patterns decorated the sleeves and hem, and all manner of other designs were embroidered across the rest. It looked exquisitely beautiful.
"What does Your Highness think of this one?"
Xiao Minghuang had never studied clothing or adornment deeply, nor did she have any particular preferences. Whatever Ye Ruoshui dressed her in was what she wore.
Now that Lin Wanqiu had brought out an outfit in an entirely different style, it felt like a completely new experience.
"It's fine."
After receiving Xiao Minghuang's approval, Lin Wanqiu happily helped her change into it.
Before long, Xiao Minghuang had changed her clothes.
Lin Wanqiu brought over a large mirror that reflected one's entire body.
Standing before it, Xiao Minghuang saw a girl in red and white robes standing in the mirror. Her dark hair cascaded like a waterfall, her skin was white as snow, and she was bright and captivating, brimming with a young girl's charm and allure.
At first, Xiao Minghuang had also found her own appearance stunning, and she would occasionally marvel at why she was so beautiful.
But after seeing it so often and becoming accustomed to it, she had begun to find her looks rather ordinary and lost all interest in them.
Yet today, after suddenly changing into a different outfit, it truly felt as though she had become another person entirely, giving off a completely different impression.
"Looks like I should change up my clothes from time to time in the future."
The corners of Xiao Minghuang's lips curved upward, a hint of a smile appearing at the corners of her eyes as she nodded.
When she turned around and looked at Lin Wanqiu.
She found the other woman staring at her with a besotted expression, as if she might leap up the next moment and charge straight into her heart.
"Ahem!"
That sudden cough jolted Lin Wanqiu awake from her intoxication with Xiao Minghuang's peerless beauty, and her little face could not help turning rosy red.
Of course, Lin Wanqiu could not be blamed entirely. Before this, Xiao Minghuang had given off an elegant and dignified air, noble and transcendent, like an empress standing above all people.
But after changing into another outfit, she gave off a wholly different feeling, as if she had transformed in an instant from a lofty empress into a charming young maiden just coming into bloom.
How could that not leave one utterly astonished?
No matter what others might think, Lin Wanqiu had certainly been dazzled.
This is a male-lead story! This is a male-lead story! This is a male-lead story! Important things must be said three times!
All-People Spirit Control, I Contracted Keqing
A pure power-fantasy story—slaughtering everything with ease. The author says the focus will recently shift toward writing Teyvat's plot. Those who like Genshin Impact and power fantasies can check it out.
Bai Yang transmigrated into a world where everyone might contract spirit familiars, and Spirit Controllers were the most revered profession in the world.
But why were everyone else's spirit familiars things like divine turtles, Phoenixes, and giant dogs, while his spirit familiar was Keqing?!
What? A Genshin character development system? Drawing EXP books and materials could raise a spirit familiar's level and combat power?
Then there was no problem.
"Ah Qing, the two of us are going to slaughter everything with ease."
Thunder Slime spirit familiar:?
Lin Wanqiu's face was full of infatuation, and Xiao Minghuang saw it all, leaving her rather helpless.
"We're both girls. I'm only a tiny bit prettier—there's no need to be that surprised, right?"
Thinking this, she walked up to Lin Wanqiu, gently patted her shoulder, and sighed softly.
"Wanqiu, besides giving you the pill, I came to see you this time because there is something else I want to ask your opinion on."
That mellow, clear voice carried a faint orchid fragrance. Lin Wanqiu subconsciously sniffed, and the scent intoxicated her, making it impossible for her to pull away.
"Please ask, Your Highness. I will tell you everything I know!"
Lin Wanqiu raised her head and answered with utmost solemnity.
"Good. This concerns the lifelong matter between you and me, so you must think it through carefully. To be prudent, you may consider it thoroughly before giving me an answer."
Hearing that, Lin Wanqiu's expression stiffened. Then her fair little face swiftly turned red, the corners of her mouth shooting upward as uncontrollable ecstasy appeared in her eyes.
"I'm willing!"
Xiao Minghuang raised her delicate brows and asked strangely:
"I haven't even asked yet, and you're already willing?"
With a smile on her lips, Lin Wanqiu feigned reluctance even as she welcomed it. Her eyes held three parts shyness and seven parts coquettish charm. Lowering her head slightly, she whispered:
"Your Highness, why ask when you already know? I get shy too, you know!"
Xiao Minghuang was puzzled. She had the distinct feeling that Lin Wanqiu had misunderstood something.
"Wanqiu, I wanted to ask whether you would be willing to return to the capital with me to cultivate."
At those words, Lin Wanqiu's pounding heart abruptly came to a halt, and the delighted expression froze on her face.
Disbelief appeared in her eyes as she asked:
"That's what Your Highness wanted to ask?"
Xiao Minghuang asked in return:
"What else would it be?"
Lin Wanqiu was helpless. She had just thought Xiao Minghuang wanted to discuss when they would marry, and she had been thrilled beyond measure. Who would have thought she had celebrated for nothing?
Still, being able to follow the other woman to the capital was also a wonderful thing.
"I have considered it carefully. I am willing to follow Your Highness to the capital."
Xiao Minghuang nodded slightly. Lin Wanqiu's response was within her expectations, but she still asked solemnly once more:
"Since you've agreed, it will be for a lifetime. You can't go back on your word, alright?"
Hearing that, Lin Wanqiu's heart shook. She immediately raised her right hand, fingers pointed toward the sky, and declared with grave sincerity:
"I, Lin Wanqiu, swear that in this life and this world, I will never leave Xiao Minghuang. If I break this oath, may five bolts of lightning..."
Before Lin Wanqiu could finish, a warm jade-like hand covered her red lips, stopping her from continuing the oath.
Xiao Minghuang smiled and stroked Lin Wanqiu's head, saying warmly:
"Wanqiu, there's no need for that. I believe you."
If she had not believed Lin Wanqiu, she would not have asked that question just now.
With Xiao Minghuang's warm hand stroking her head, Lin Wanqiu's heart went thump thump thump, her cheeks flushing scarlet. Only then did she realize that she seemed to have said something rather incredible just now.
But upon further thought, compared to the sweet words Xiao Minghuang had spoken, what she had said was truly nowhere near as good.
Just then.
Xiao Minghuang suddenly took a storage bag from her robes. Without further explanation, she stuffed it directly into Lin Wanqiu's hand.
Holding the storage bag, Lin Wanqiu looked utterly bewildered and at a loss.
Xiao Minghuang smiled and said:
Before you continue