This rule seemed absurd to Nian Muning, after all, the Yiyue tribe had always been conservative.
Nian Muning unconsciously furrowed her brows as she looked at the youth in the nine-headed bird carriage.
He lifted the hem of his robe and stepped down from the carriage.
The courtyard was planted with many lush, leafy trees. The chief eunuch hurriedly trotted after him, diligently shielding him from the occasional raindrops that fell from the branches.
Nian Muning bowed in greeting.
The youth's magnificent black robes blended into the night. He carried a faint scent of wine, his skin was extremely pale, yet his lips were unnaturally red.
He paused at the doorway, hesitating for a moment as if uncertain about something.
The chief eunuch, being shrewd and having followed him for several days, had begun to learn how to interpret Tantai Jin's thoughts.
The chief eunuch said obsequiously, "If Your Majesty is worried that Miss Ye doesn't know what to do, I have Minister Li's notes here."
Tantai Jin said, "Bring them."
The eunuch handed the notes from his sleeve to Tantai Jin, who didn't even open them before turning to leave, commanding, "Have someone take her to the Chaoyang Hall."
The chief eunuch quickly acknowledged the order.
When their group arrived, Su Su had already sensed something. She jumped off the bed and was about to speak when several female officials entered.
"Miss, please come with us."
Su Su's intuition told her this wasn't good news: "I'm not going."
The lead female official remained stern-faced, every wrinkle on her face rigid and unyielding: "Miss, don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit."
She signaled with her eyes, and several stout matrons immediately surrounded Su Su.
It seemed they knew Su Su's temperament well, understanding she wouldn't comply willingly, and had come prepared.
With her wrists bound by Ruoshui rope rings, Su Su was now just an ordinary young girl, no match for their strength. She couldn't risk her life over such a trivial matter either, so she had no choice but to see what they wanted from her and find out what the music outside was about.
As Su Su was taken away by the matrons, a eunuch whispered to Nian Muning, who stood nearby with a grim expression, "Lord Nian, the night is deep and the dew is heavy. It's better not to stand here. You should rest properly."
Nian Muning, holding her wooden sword, said coldly, "His Majesty ordered me to follow Miss Ye. This is my duty."
"But tonight, there's no need to follow."
Nian Muning finally couldn't hold back: "What if Ye Xi Wu harms His Majesty?"
The chief eunuch said, "Don't worry, Miss. At least tonight, she will obey obediently."
Nian Muning wanted to argue further but was pulled away by the elusive Nian Bai Yu.
"Bai Yu?"
"Nian Muning, follow orders!"
Nian Muning took a deep breath, nodded, and followed Nian Bai Yu away.
The female officials and matrons wound through the intricate paths of the secluded mansion, arriving at a courtyard. The leading maidservants carrying glass lanterns stopped before one particular compound.
Su Su heard the sound of splashing water.
Someone pushed Su Su: "Go in."
Stumbling into the room, Su Su found it filled with steam. When her eyes adjusted, she saw a large pool at the center.
It turned out to be a hot spring, with two stone-carved carp spouting water from their mouths, creating quite an artistic scene.
The stern female official approached and began placing twin lotus flowers into the pool.
Soon, beautiful pink and white twin lotuses bloomed magnificently in the water.
The female official walked over with a stiff expression, scrutinizing Su Su with a critical eye. Her gaze swept over Su Su's less-than-full chest and slender waist, a flicker of dissatisfaction crossing her face.
Su Su felt creeped out by her stare: "What are you going to do?"The female official said, "Tonight, all you need to do is obey. Will you undress and enter the pool yourself, or shall we assist you?"
Su Su shook her head. "I choose neither, unless you tell me what you want me to do."
The female official glanced at her expressionlessly. "It's just a simple ritual."
"What ritual?"
"You'll know soon enough."
As they spoke, another maid added a few drops of transparent liquid to the pool. Soon, the room filled with an enchanting fragrance.
Su Su grew increasingly suspicious—was this about making her clean and presentable to sleep with Tantai Jin?
Seeing Su Su's resistance, the female official recalled the emperor's orders but refrained from forcibly undressing her. After all, this was merely a maiden praying for the emperor's blessings. Her willingness wasn't a matter of personal choice.
Yet the girl before her was far too defiant.
The matron shook her head and retrieved an exquisitely crafted paper figurine from her sleeve.
She handed it to Su Su. "If you refuse to enter, then hold this."
Su Su tried to push it away, but the moment the delicate paper figurine touched her fingers, it dissolved into her body.
Su Su blinked her clear, bright eyes, now clouded with confusion.
Her gaze lowered, and she suddenly became docile.
The matron instructed, "Undress, enter the pool, and wait for His Majesty."
They seemed unconcerned about Su Su's compliance. After delivering the command, they left without another glance.
Su Su felt as though she had entered a strange state—her mind remained clear, but her body was no longer under her control.
She removed her clothes and stepped into the pool.
The warm spring water lapped at her fair calves. Strangely unafraid, she asked the curved jade, "What's happening to me?"
The curved jade replied, "You've fallen under the Puppet Technique. That paper figurine was imbued with a seductive demon's magic—it will make you obedient for a short time, compelling you to follow any command."
"Can it be undone?"
The curved jade hesitated. "It's possible, but you currently have no spiritual power."
Hearing this, Su Su felt disheartened.
Bound by the Ruoshui's restraints, she truly had no other options left.
The curved jade flickered, stammering, "This won't last long. Why not wait and see what Tantai Jin wants you to do?"
Trusting its judgment, Su Su agreed.
Candlelight flickered as the youth in dark robes entered.
Outside, rain began to fall, accompanied by the faint rustling of bamboo groves in the wind.
Tantai Jin's gaze immediately fell upon the maiden in the pool—her bare shoulders exposed above the water, twin lotus blossoms blooming brilliantly beside her.
The girl's eyes were lightly closed, radiating an aura of purity and beauty.
A smirk tugged at his lips as waves of malice and destructive desire surged within him, though he forcibly suppressed them.
After a moment's hesitation, he recalled the benefits of the ritual, his eyes hardening as he began untying his garments.
Watching his layers of clothing fall away, Su Su panicked. "Hey, curved jade!"
But the curved jade had vanished faster than anyone, sinking into deep slumber where no call could rouse it.
Though its young mistress detested Tantai Jin, they needed him to understand emotions—this was the perfect opportunity. It could only play dead.
After all... the curved jade thought silently, the young Demon God's desires were difficult to stir. At most, Tantai Jin might tease its mistress with words—he wouldn't actually do anything.
Historical records suggested the Demon God showed little interest in bedding women, with some boldly speculating he might be incapable.
The youth shed his final garment and stepped into the pool.
Su Su's lashes glistened with moisture, her face flushing crimson with fury.
Her vision swam, terrified she might glimpse something she shouldn't see.The youth gripped her chin, his elbow propped against the edge of the pool as he stared coldly at her.
It was a gaze full of ill intent, like that of a venomous snake.
"Huh? You actually have your own consciousness?"
Tantai Jin looked into the pair of eyes before him, so bright they seemed about to ignite. He curled his lips into a mocking tone—
"Aren't you just like everyone else? There are times when you're naked and shameless too."
Su Su glared back at him coldly.
Who was the one born without shame in the first place?
Provoked by her gaze, the smile in his eyes stiffened briefly before softening again. Twin lotus blossoms swayed around them as he said, "Close your eyes. I don't like your annoying stare."
Though reluctant, Su Su closed her eyes.
Strangely, it felt as if time had reversed to the Prajna Floating Life realm, when she was Sang Jiu, blindfolded and forced to do many shameful things.
After returning, she'd desperately wanted to erase that dark chapter from her memory.
The current scene was identical—with her vision gone, her hearing became more acute. Only this time, the roles were reversed, with Tantai Jin in control.
She admitted to feeling somewhat afraid now. The youth's breathing was so close she could hear it, and she had no idea what he might do.
Without her magic, unable to practice Sword Control, she was merely mortal after all.
Everyone has vulnerabilities; everyone fears the unknown.
After watching her coldly for a while, he too recalled everything from that day in the Prajna Floating Life realm. As Ming Ye, it was the first time he had been defiled by someone else. In his view, matters of lust were utterly filthy and disgusting.
But that time had been different. He pressed his lips together, unwilling to recall that sensation.
Yet a nearly vengeful impulse made him gaze at her coldly, savoring her rare panic.
His expression remained impassive as he lowered his gaze.
The pool water was clear, revealing everything distinctly.
The girl's slender, graceful figure, her fair and soft skin—nestled among the twin lotus blossoms, she resembled a beautiful ornament.
His eyes swept over her inch by inch.
The innate lack of shame he possessed now faintly surfaced, and he felt a rare flicker of peculiar emotion.
Lifting his crimson-tinged eyes, he said hoarsely, "Open your eyes and swear to me that you will always be loyal."She repeated the words as instructed, indeed seeing a faint smile touch the little pervert's eyes."
His hands moved without hesitation, caressing her body.
Su Su watched him, her will beginning to struggle.
For the first time, she realized how strong his vengefulness was—
He was actually reenacting everything she had done to him in the Prajna Floating Life realm.
She bit her lip hard, her beautiful eyes glaring as if she wanted to kill him.
Unmoved, his pale fingers made her gasp softly.
"Are you scared?" he laughed, his breath ragged, whether from excitement or something else. "You can beg me."
Su Su's will continued to wrestle.
He felt no shame, but Su Su found this utterly perverse.
Steam misted the air, and even the water exhaled by the carp seemed to carry a strange fragrance that quickened blood flow and made hearts pound violently.
She felt somewhat breathless.
Staring at Tantai Jin in distress.
He didn't command her but licked his lips and smiled, saying, "Beg me."
To release you, or to end all this.
She remained silent. A faint blush spread across the youth's cheeks, and his breathing grew more hurried.
A scroll of bright yellow paper suddenly appeared before Su Su.
Perhaps knowing she wouldn't plead, Tantai Jin said, "Read it."Su Su's eyes fell upon the paper, realizing it contained a prayer passage. This time, he used a commanding tone.
Su Su finally understood what was happening—
Every prince of Zhou Kingdom underwent such a ritual upon reaching adulthood. The Lotus Bath Ceremony, meant to bless the prince.
But he was doing this intentionally.
He deliberately made her recite the prayers in a broken, faltering voice.
She wanted to see his expression at this moment, but he repeated his command, breathing lightly yet speaking ruthlessly: "Don't look at me. Recite!"
She recited the prayers intermittently, her mind in a daze.
Unable to see what expression Tantai Jin wore.
The young man's body maintained some distance from hers, appearing aloof, yet his fingers were slowly exploring her form.
Su Su's legs felt weak, and for a moment, she truly wished she could strangle him.
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