She fell asleep quickly.
She slept deeply and peacefully.
Xiao Qing did not sleep.
He quietly held her, listening to her steady breathing and watching the perpetually tense lines between her brows finally relax.
Outside the window, the Milky Way stretched across the sky.
The lights of the Heavenly Emperor Palace went out one by one, leaving only a faint, barely perceptible glow from the spiritual array in the bedchamber.
The next day.
The Heavenly Court's regular meeting proceeded as usual in the Deliberation Hall.
Qing Yanjing appeared in the hall on time, dressed in a light green gown, and sat in her usual seat near the center.
But today, she was clearly different.
Her complexion was rosy, her eyes gleamed, and her entire body seemed to be bathed in a soft glow.
She exuded a sense of peace and contentment that came from deep within her bones.
Zi Yan sat diagonally across from her. Her golden eyes swept over Qing Yanjing's face twice before narrowing.
After the meeting, Zi Yan deliberately slowed by two steps and moved close to Qing Yanjing.
"Sister Qing."
Qing Yanjing turned to her. "Little Sister Zi Yan, what is it?"
Zi Yan leaned close to her ear and lowered her voice, asking something only the two of them could hear.
Qing Yanjing's ears instantly turned crimson.
Her steps faltered for a moment, then she regained her composure and replied with an impassive expression.
Zi Yan froze for a moment after hearing it, then burst out laughing.
"Discussing spiritual arrays until late at night... Fine, I believe you."
She patted Qing Yanjing on the shoulder and left her with a remark. "Sister Qing, do you know that your ears turn red very quickly whenever you lie?"
Qing Yanjing's steps immediately grew unsteady.
Zi Yan laughed