At that moment, Ye Xingchen turned and released the large fish into the water, failing to notice the gleams in Luo Qingshan's eyes or the tenderness that flashed through them.
Watching the large fish slowly disappear into the lake, Ye Xingchen said:
"Off you go. Swim as far away as you can, and don't get hooked again out of greed. If you run into someone else next time, they won't be as kindhearted as this young master and let you go."
Hearing his words, a trace of a smile crossed Luo Qingshan's exquisite face. As Ye Xingchen turned to look at her, she said softly:
"Come on! This empress will treat you to fish."
At Luo Qingshan's words, Ye Xingchen smiled faintly and asked:
"How about you provide the fish, and I cook it for you?"
At Ye Xingchen's words, Luo Qingshan froze for a moment, then broke into a smile and said gently:
"All right. This empress will try your cooking today."
They chatted as naturally and casually as a couple who had been married for years. Both their eyes held an affection that could neither be described nor explained, but neither spoke of it.
The scene shifted to the kitchen in Luo Qingshan's sleeping palace, where Ye Xingchen bustled about intently. Luo Qingshan sat in the dining hall, her beautiful eyes watching his busy figure in the kitchen with interest and tenderness.
In a short while, Ye Xingchen had prepared a lavish tableful of dishes.
Other things might be scarce in the Demon Race's domain, but rare ingredients and exotic beasts were beyond counting. These could not be called demons, but beasts, so Luo Qingshan felt no discomfort eating them.
Luo Qingshan had never expected this man who had inadvertently wandered into her life to be such a good cook. Moreover, the flavors were completely different from the delicacies she had eaten while gaining experience among the Human Race, and even more delicious. Gently stroking her overstuffed belly, she said to Ye Xingchen with a bashful expression:
"It really was delicious. Thank you for treating this empress to a meal today. And that fish was wonderfully prepared. This empress has never tasted such a delicious way of cooking it."
Hearing Luo Qingshan's praise, Ye Xingchen looked at her bashful face, smiled faintly, and said:
"As long as you like it. They're just some simple dishes from my hometown. If you... if you like them, I'll cook for you often!"
Looking at Ye Xingchen's radiant smile, Luo Qingshan fell into a slight daze.
Suddenly, she felt that spending a lifetime with Ye Xingchen like this would be quite nice.
As though she had made a momentous decision, she stood and said to Ye Xingchen:
"You... you... make some preparations over the next few days. This empress keeps her word and will take responsibility for you according to the Human Race's customs. I've already informed my elders. We'll marry in the next few days. Though we won't hold a grand banquet for guests, many people from within the Demon Race's domain will still attend."
Luo Qingshan looked at Ye Xingchen, her exquisite face covered in a rosy blush, as she spoke softly to him.
Hearing Luo Qingshan's words, Ye Xingchen smiled faintly and said gently as he looked at her:
"All right. Whatever you say!"
Ye Xingchen had never expected a single meal and a single fish to bring about such a result, and he secretly rejoiced.
Beside him, Luo Qingshan blushed even more deeply at Ye Xingchen's words. Leaving him with one last remark, she turned and vanished.
"Then you... make some preparations over the next few days. This empress will let you know when it's time!"
Watching Luo Qingshan leave as though fleeing, Ye Xingchen smiled faintly. Perhaps spending a lifetime here would be a good choice too!
Ye Xingchen called Qing'er over and asked her to clear the table, then picked up his bamboo fishing rod and headed toward the pavilion on the natural lake.
With his current strength, Ye Xingchen could easily sense Luo Qingshan's feelings for him.
Unlike in his previous life, Luo Qingshan's affection, along with her anxiety and protectiveness in that moment of crisis when the elderly female Demon Race Immortal Emperor had wanted to kill him, slowly brought warmth back to Ye Xingchen's already icy heart.
Arriving at the pavilion in the middle of the lake, Ye Xingchen resumed his great fishing endeavor.
The hook Ye Xingchen now used was straight, giving him rather the air of Jiang Taigong fishing-only the willing would take the hook.
Looking up at the enormous moon in the sky, Ye Xingchen no longer felt his former hatred. Instead, his heart was incomparably calm.
As he gazed at the countless twinkling stars, an exquisite face slowly appeared in Ye Xingchen's eyes. Luo Qingshan's figure actually began to emerge in the sky, and tenderness swept through his heart at the sight of that graceful silhouette.
Putting away his fishing rod, Ye Xingchen turned and headed toward Phoenix Perch Palace. Qing'er had long been waiting there. Seeing him from afar, she hurried forward to greet him, a trace of shyness flashing in her eyes.
"Young Master Ye, Her Majesty instructed me to have you live in Phoenix Perch Palace starting tonight. From now on, you'll be the master of Phoenix Perch Palace. Her Majesty specifically instructed that you stay in her room."
Hearing Qing'er's words and seeing her bashful face, Ye Xingchen knew Luo Qingshan must have told her about their impending wedding.
With a faint smile, Ye Xingchen said:
"All right. Sorry for the trouble, Qing'er."
Only upon hearing Ye Xingchen's gentle voice did Qing'er speak:
"Young Master Ye, you'll be Her Majesty's husband from now on, and my master. This is what I should do."
Hearing her words, Ye Xingchen smiled faintly. Without lingering any longer, he headed toward Luo Qingshan's room.
Returning to Luo Qingshan's room and seeing that the bedsheets had already been changed, Ye Xingchen knew she would not be coming back tonight. The Demon Race had only just been unified, and there were still many matters she needed to handle.
Lying on the soft, spacious bed and breathing in the familiar scent of the quilt, Ye Xingchen slowly closed his eyes in contentment. In his previous life, he had constantly worked hard, never properly stopping to rest. Now, he could finally do whatever he pleased.
Late that night, the sleeping Ye Xingchen sensed someone enter the room. With a brief sweep of his senses, he discovered that Luo Qingshan had actually returned.
Ye Xingchen could sense Luo Qingshan's rapid heartbeat.
Looking at Ye Xingchen sleeping soundly on the bed, Luo Qingshan let out a soft breath, unaware that he had already noticed her arrival.
Luo Qingshan had originally intended not to return tonight, since she still had many matters to handle. Yet, for some unknown reason, she had returned as though led by ghosts and spirits.
Now, looking at the sleeping Ye Xingchen, warmth rose in Luo Qingshan's heart. Especially when she recalled the scene of him catching the female fish, traces of a smile appeared on her exquisite face.
Watching the sleeping Ye Xingchen, Luo Qingshan slowly approached the cushioned couch by the window. Perhaps she had experienced too much over the past two days, or perhaps the pressure in her heart had lifted; she actually lay down on the couch and slowly fell asleep.
Seeing how quickly Luo Qingshan fell sound asleep, Ye Xingchen smiled faintly. He did not wake her or tell her to sleep on the bed, but likewise gently closed his eyes and slowly drifted off.
Early the next morning, Luo Qingshan slowly opened her eyes. This had been her most peaceful sleep. Slowly sitting up, she discovered a soft quilt covering her and could not help turning toward the bed.
She saw Ye Xingchen sitting on the edge of the bed with a smile, gazing at her with eyes full of tenderness.
Seeing the tenderness in Ye Xingchen's eyes, Luo Qingshan's exquisite face instantly flushed crimson. She lowered her head and fidgeted with her fingers, somewhat at a loss. The mighty empress of the Demon Race actually had such a shy and alluring side.
Only Ye Xingchen could appreciate such an enchanting side of her, and Luo Qingshan would only show such charm before him.
"You're awake. Wash up, and let's have breakfast!"
Hearing Ye Xingchen's words, Luo Qingshan nodded bashfully.
Luo Qingshan did not ask whether Ye Xingchen had covered her with the quilt, and Ye Xingchen did not ask why she had returned last night. With tacit understanding, both remained silent.
After they had breakfast together, Luo Qingshan hurried away to handle some matters, while Ye Xingchen, free and unburdened, picked up his fishing rod and went to the pavilion in the middle of the lake to continue his great fishing endeavor.
Not long after he sat down, the system's voice suddenly rang in Ye Xingchen's ears:
"Ding, today's sign-in is available. Would the host like to sign in?"
Hearing the system's voice, Ye Xingchen smiled faintly and said:
"System, begin today's sign-in!"