"Splash, splash, splash-!"
Zhu Zhuqing finished her bath and wrapped her towel tightly around herself.
When she saw Dai Jinge lying with his eyes closed, Zhu Zhuqing hesitated, then slowly approached.
"Jinge?"
Zhu Zhuqing called softly.
"Hmm?"
Dai Jinge had not fallen asleep. Hearing Zhu Zhuqing call him, he slowly opened his eyes.
"Jinge, didn't you say... that if two people with a Martial Soul Fusion Skill cultivate together, they can achieve twice the results with half the effort?"
"Come to bed. We can cultivate together."
Zhu Zhuqing made the suggestion sincerely, guilt flickering in her eyes. The Fourth Prince of Star Luo, a young man of extraordinary talent, had eloped with her, yet he had given her the bed and reduced himself to sleeping on the sofa.
She really wanted to switch places with Dai Jinge now.
"We can spare a little time. Let's get a good rest tonight and leave cultivation until tomorrow."
Dai Jinge smiled faintly, raising a hand to gently pat Zhu Zhuqing's head.
Seeing her crouching in front of him in her bathrobe, he swallowed despite himself.
"Don't overthink it. Get some sleep."
With that, Dai Jinge closed his eyes. Out of sight, out of mind.
Seeing this, Zhu Zhuqing could only turn off the light and return to bed, though she glanced back three times with every step, her attention fixed entirely on Dai Jinge.
The night deepened.
Dai Jinge was sleeping lightly when he suddenly felt something warm nestling into his arms. A familiar fragrance soon reached his nose.
Zhu Zhuqing's bright eyes were wide open, and she hardly dared to breathe. After carefully settling beside Dai Jinge, she lay still and slowly closed her eyes.
Fortunately, the sofa was large enough. Since Dai Jinge and Zhu Zhuqing were still young and only a little over a meter and a half tall, it could easily serve as a bed for them both.
Before he knew it-
Dai Jinge drifted back to sleep, his hand resting naturally at Zhu Zhuqing's waist without straying any farther.
Zhu Zhuqing rested her forehead against Dai Jinge's chest, her hands tucked in front of her as she curled up in his arms.
The night passed quietly. By the time Dai Jinge slowly opened his eyes the next morning, the sun was already high.
Seeing Zhu Zhuqing sleeping peacefully in his arms, Dai Jinge smiled warmly.
He carefully stepped over her, then gently picked her up and laid her on the bed, tucking the blanket around her.
That would spare them any awkwardness, too.
Dai Jinge suspected that Zhu Zhuqing was already awake but was too embarrassed to admit it, so she had remained perfectly still and pretended to sleep.
In fact, everything was just as he had guessed.
As soon as Dai Jinge turned away, Zhu Zhuqing secretly opened one eye a sliver to watch his retreating figure. Her cheeks flushed involuntarily, and her heartbeat quickened.
About an incense stick's worth of time later, Dai Jinge finished washing up and returned to sit on the sofa.
Deciding that enough time had passed, Zhu Zhuqing slowly sat up, pretending she had only just awakened.
"Jinge, what time is it?"
Dai Jinge looked up at her. Seeing her flushed cheeks and shy expression, he gave her a gentle smile.
"Almost noon."
Zhu Zhuqing lowered her head and said bashfully, "I actually slept that long..."
"You were just tired," Dai Jinge said softly. "Get dressed first. Then we'll go out for lunch and take a good look around the city."
"Mm."
Zhu Zhuqing was about to lift the blanket, but she froze when she realized she was wearing only a bathrobe.
If she took it off, she would be completely exposed in front of Dai Jinge.
"Jinge, um... could you..."
Too embarrassed to continue, Zhu Zhuqing pointed toward the balcony and shyly lowered her head.
Dai Jinge understood immediately. With a faint smile, he walked over to the balcony to give her some privacy.
Zhu Zhuqing glanced at his back and breathed a sigh of relief, warmth filling her heart.
She immediately took a clean set of clothes from the Storage Soul Tool she carried with her and quickly dressed.
Once she was dressed, she put on a pair of black boots with fairly low heels. Their crisp click, click, click rang out as she walked across the room.
Hearing the crisp sound of heels against the floor, Dai Jinge finally turned his gaze from the scenery beyond the balcony to Zhu Zhuqing.
Meeting his gaze, Zhu Zhuqing said shyly, "Jinge, I'm ready. We can go."
Dai Jinge walked over and took her delicate hand of his own accord. Zhu Zhuqing stiffened for a moment, but she soon accepted the gesture.
After all, she and Dai Jinge had already...
What was holding hands compared to that?
The Breaking Clan specialized in making medicines, which formed the foundation of their livelihood and income. After nine years of development, although they had not regained their former glory, they had established a firm foothold here.
Dai Jinge looked up at the plaque above the gates of the Breaking Clan's residence. The words "Yang Residence" were written in bold, sweeping strokes, like a dragon soaring and a phoenix dancing.
Zhu Zhuqing asked in surprise, "Jinge, what are we doing here?"
Dai Jinge smiled and asked, "Zhu Zhuqing, do you know about the Clear Sky Sect?"
Zhu Zhuqing nodded repeatedly. "Of course. It's the foremost sect in the world, and its inherited Martial Soul is the Clear Sky Hammer. But it has already withdrawn into the mountains."
Looking at the "Yang Residence" plaque, Dai Jinge explained, "This residence belongs to the Breaking Clan, one of the clans formerly affiliated with the Clear Sky Sect. I'm here to discuss a deal with their clan leader."
Knock, knock, knock!
Dai Jinge knocked on the door. Two seconds later, the gates of the Yang Residence opened from within, and a stern young man dressed in black cast an appraising look at him and Zhu Zhuqing.
"What do you need?"
Surprised by Dai Jinge and Zhu Zhuqing's youthful faces, the young man frowned.
"Please announce our arrival."
"I am Dai Jinge, the fourth prince of the Star Luo Imperial Family. This is my fiancée, Zhu Zhuqing, the second young lady of the Nether Duke's Zhu Family."
"We would like to meet Senior Yang Wudi."
Dai Jinge cupped his hands as he spoke.
Hearing this, the young man looked Dai Jinge and Zhu Zhuqing up and down suspiciously.
The world was vast and full of strange people. Someone might well impersonate a prince and a duke's daughter, but... he could not be certain. He could only suspect.
Better to believe their claims than dismiss them!
After considering it for a moment, the young man nodded. "Please come inside, both of you."
"Thank you."
Holding Zhu Zhuqing's hand, Dai Jinge entered the Yang Residence with her. The young man then led them to the reception hall to wait.
"Please wait here. I'll go fetch the family head."
The young man cupped his hands, then turned and left.
Zhu Zhuqing swallowed nervously and asked with concern, "Jinge, will Senior Yang Wudi see us?"
"Of course."
Dai Jinge was thoroughly confident.
Before you continue