In the hourglass of time, three or five days slipped past like a white steed flashing through a crack, yet to Qian Renxue, those days felt like endless torment.
Daylight filtered through the carriage curtains, scattering patches of light across the interior, but it could not dispel the gloom in her heart.
Chen Xuanqing and the three women laughed and chatted inside the carriage, putting on a live erotic spectacle every day. Every tiny movement, every teasing remark made Qian Renxue struggle to contain herself, turning away in shame and indignation.
And when night fell the following evening, Qian Renxue lay alone in her tent, restless on her solitary pillow.
Her thoughts tangled like a skein of knotted thread. Scene after scene from the daytime kept surfacing in her mind, and emotions of shame, indignation, and anticipation mingled into a turbulent sea within her heart.
Whenever she tried to close her eyes, indecent scenes appeared in her dreams, jolting her awake in a cold sweat.
Yet this prolonged torment was about to end. The carriage's jolting gradually eased, and the outline of Heaven Dou City was already faintly visible.
A hint of relief welled up in Qian Renxue's heart, accompanied by a trace of reluctance.
She knew that once they reached Heaven Dou City, her entanglement with Chen Xuanqing might come to an end for the time being.
So Qian Renxue asked with a touch of reluctance, "We're almost at Heaven Dou City. What are your plans next? Will you stay at my residence?"
Chen Xuanqing paused briefly, then shook his head. "We'll get out of the carriage now. The Soul Master Tournament is about to begin, so I'd rather stay at Spirit Hall in the Heaven Dou Empire!"
With that, Chen Xuanqing rose and jumped down from the carriage. The three women followed closely, jumping down one after another.
Chen Xuanqing, Meng Yiran, Zhu Zhuqing, and Xiao Wu stood where they were, watching Qian Renxue's carriage grow more distant until it vanished from sight.
Xiao Wu blinked her bright, large eyes and looked at Chen Xuanqing in confusion. "Brother Xuanqing, weren't we going into the city? Why did we suddenly stop here?"
Chen Xuanqing gently stroked Xiao Wu's rabbit ears and explained with a smile, "Xiao Wu, we could certainly use our connection with His Highness the Crown Prince to enter Heaven Dou City, but if we get too deeply involved, we might draw too much attention from Xue Ye. That would hinder my next moves. We need to keep a low profile."
As he spoke, Chen Xuanqing took a bottle of pills from inside his robes and handed it to Meng Yiran beside him.
Meng Yiran looked at the pills in her hand, then turned a puzzled gaze toward Chen Xuanqing.
With a slightly apologetic tone, Chen Xuanqing said, "Yiran, these are Longevity-Extending Pills. I know you've been missing your grandparents. I probably won't have time to visit them at your home myself for a while, so take this bottle back to them. Consider it a small token of my regard."
Hearing this, Meng Yiran felt emotion surge through her heart like a rising tide.
She had never expected Chen Xuanqing to be so thoughtful on her behalf, and her eyes grew slightly damp.
Then Meng Yiran gently wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and said in a slightly choked voice, "Thank you, Brother Xuanqing. You're so considerate. I'll go home to visit my grandparents as soon as possible, then hurry right back to find you."
Chen Xuanqing smiled tenderly and reassured her, "It's all right, Yiran. Spend more time at home with your grandparents. They must miss you terribly. We'll be staying in Heaven Dou City for quite a while, so there'll be plenty of opportunities to get together. Go without worrying. We'll wait for you here."
After hearing Chen Xuanqing's words, Meng Yiran's heart swelled with deep gratitude and reluctance to part. She nodded gently, then took a step forward of her own accord and hugged him tightly.
Within that warm embrace, Meng Yiran felt Chen Xuanqing's solid chest and powerful heartbeat.
She closed her eyes and drew a deep breath, as though she wanted to preserve that warmth and sense of security in her heart forever.
Then Meng Yiran gently lifted her head and pressed her lips to Chen Xuanqing's.
It was a tender, deeply affectionate kiss, filled with her gratitude, love, and reluctance to leave him.
After the kiss, Meng Yiran's eyes were slightly damp. She gazed at Chen Xuanqing reluctantly and said in a faintly trembling voice, "Brother Xuanqing, you must be careful. I'll come back as soon as I can."
Chen Xuanqing gently stroked Meng Yiran's hair and said with a smile, "Don't worry, Yiran. I'll wait for you here. Be careful on your journey, too."
Meng Yiran nodded, gave Chen Xuanqing another long, lingering look, then turned and left.
Her figure grew more distant until she disappeared from the three others' sight.
The three of them then set off toward Heaven Dou City, kicking up pebbles beneath their feet with faint clattering sounds.
Zhu Zhuqing suddenly stopped and turned toward Chen Xuanqing, anticipation and unease flickering in her eyes. "Brother Xuanqing, those Longevity-Extending Pills... do you have any left?"
Her voice carried a slight tremor; she had clearly thought of her parents back in the Star Luo Empire.
Looking at Zhu Zhuqing's slightly nervous expression, Chen Xuanqing already understood her concern.
Then Chen Xuanqing chuckled softly and gently patted the back of her hand. "Don't worry, Zhu Zhuqing. You're mine. How could I possibly forget your share?"
As he spoke, Chen Xuanqing took a bottle of crystal-clear Longevity-Extending Pills from inside his robes and placed it in Zhu Zhuqing's hand.
Zhu Zhuqing accepted the bottle of Longevity-Extending Pills, delight and gratitude rippling through her eyes like spring waters.
"Thank you, Brother Xuanqing," she said softly, her voice filled with sincerity and warmth.
Chen Xuanqing deliberately put on a regretful expression and teased, "That bottle of Longevity-Extending Pills I gave away just now earned me a sweet kiss!"
With that, Chen Xuanqing pointed at his lips, a playful smile curling at the corners of his mouth.
At his words, Zhu Zhuqing's face instantly flushed with embarrassment, like the first rosy glow of dawn. She lowered her head, not daring to meet Chen Xuanqing's eyes.
Yet the feelings in her heart drove her to muster her courage and offer him a kiss of her own accord.
She slowly approached Chen Xuanqing and gently pressed her lips against his.
Chen Xuanqing, however, was not satisfied with that. Instead, he held Zhu Zhuqing tightly and deepened the kiss, making it more passionate and affectionate.
Chen Xuanqing's tongue moved nimbly inside Zhu Zhuqing's mouth, while his hands remained busy as well, squeezing her until her face flushed and she could barely contain her desire.
Their lips parted only after a long while, and Chen Xuanqing sighed appreciatively. "Zhu Zhuqing smells so sweet! Every part of her does."
Just then, Xiao Wu, who had been scouting the way ahead, suddenly darted out. She hugged Chen Xuanqing's arm and wheedled, "Brother Xuanqing, I'm your woman too. Where's my share?"
Her voice was sweet and alluring, and a mischievous gleam sparkled in her eyes.
Chen Xuanqing shook his head helplessly and playfully brushed a finger over Xiao Wu's nose. "You little imp, I really don't know what to do with you. All right, since you want some, I'll give you another bottle."
As he spoke, Chen Xuanqing took another bottle of Longevity-Extending Pills from inside his robes and handed it to Xiao Wu.
Xiao Wu accepted the pills and raised her eyebrows smugly, as though flaunting her victory.
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