The two remained locked in a stalemate for a while until Su Su grew tired of covering his mouth. Fearing Tantai Jin might summon the Night Shadow Guard, she tore a piece of fabric from the bed curtain and roughly stuffed it into his mouth.
Su Su’s leg pressed down on the Tiger Whisker. The tiger, having become a demon, imbued even its whiskers with Demonic Aura, making them sharper than ordinary ropes. In no time, Tantai Jin’s wrists were rubbed raw.
His body trembled slightly, and he clenched his jaw.
Su Su glanced at him but felt no sympathy. Instead, she deliberately pressed her knee down harder—
A surge of malice rose within her as she thought, Let it cut into his flesh.
Though it was the dead of winter and not at all hot, sweat beaded on Tantai Jin’s body.
Perhaps from the intense pain, his frame continued to shudder.
At first, Su Su had the energy to keep an eye on him, but after carrying the Old Madam on her long journey to Liuzhou, her delicate feet had blistered, and exhaustion overwhelmed her. She slumped against Tantai Jin’s shoulder and fell asleep.
The young man suddenly lifted his eyes.
Su Su was asleep, but the curved jade was not.
Still wary from the previous incident with the Puppet Technique, the curved jade remained highly vigilant whenever Su Su was near Tantai Jin. It stared in astonishment at Tantai Jin’s slightly reddened eyes.
Sweat also glistened on his forehead.
Tantai Jin’s lips were somewhat dry. He glanced at the girl resting on his shoulder, his breathing rapid.
With his mouth gagged, the curved jade watched him nervously, fearing he might harm Su Su. Yet, contrary to expectations, he did nothing. He maintained his position, panting as he stared at the black bed curtains.
The curved jade felt an urge to swallow—if it had been capable of such an action.
Something still felt off, though this was a situation it had never encountered before. Tantai Jin appeared to be in distress, yet not entirely so.
Puzzled, it observed as Tantai Jin’s dark pupils remained fixed on the curtains. It took a long while for his ragged breaths to gradually steady.
His gaze shifted unpredictably before he finally closed his eyes.
Now truly unable to discern anything further, the curved jade had no choice but to conserve its Spiritual Power and sink back into slumber.
At the first light of dawn, Tantai Jin opened his eyes.
The tiger demon cautiously shrank itself and crept in.
It snorted, and the Tiger Whisker binding Tantai Jin’s wrists silently loosened and fell away. Without a hint of emotion, Tantai Jin pushed the girl off him and rose from the bed.
Su Su was jolted awake by his shove. As she opened her eyes, she saw eunuchs entering to dress Tantai Jin.
Someone gasped sharply at the sight of the deep, bone-revealing wounds on Tantai Jin’s wrists, and in their trembling, they accidentally tugged a strand of his hair.
Su Su heard his gentle, amused voice say, “Drag him out.”
“Your Majesty, spare me! Have mercy!”
Su Su froze for a moment before belatedly realizing that Tantai Jin intended to execute someone over a single hair.
Just as she was about to speak, a eunuch announced from outside the hall, “Princess Zhaohua has come to pay her respects to Your Majesty.”
Hearing Ye Bingshang’s name, Su Su leaned back against the black curtains and remained silent.
Tantai Jin paused briefly. “Let her in.”
Ye Bingshang entered wearing a lotus-root-colored gown, its hem exquisitely embroidered with blooming plum blossoms. Her makeup today was equally meticulous, with a half-blooming crimson plum blossom adorning her forehead, enhancing her already stunning beauty to an even more captivating degree.
If not for the lingering effects of the Prajna Floating Life, which had left Su Su with a distaste for her, she might have found Ye Bingshang pleasing to the eye—delicate and pitiable.
There was a unique charm about this woman, one even the curved jade could sense.The curved jade murmured, "Strange, I've seen people more beautiful than her before. Your true form, little master, is ten thousand times more exquisite than hers, yet there's something undeniably captivating about her."
Su Su said, "Could it be her aura?"
The curved jade couldn't figure it out. "Probably so."
Ye Bingshang came to pay her respects, following protocol. As a "gift" from the Xia Kingdom to Tantai Jin, she was essentially considered his woman and deserved a formal status.
According to custom, Tantai Jin should have stayed in her palace last night and granted her a title the next day, but he hadn't gone.
Ye Bingshang showed no resentment on her face. She politely greeted Tantai Jin and said with a frown, "This humble concubine saw the young eunuch outside being caned—it's truly pitiful. I don't know what offense he committed, but could Your Majesty show him mercy?"
Tantai Jin replied, "It was a minor matter. Since you've pleaded for him, let it be."
He glanced at the chief eunuch beside him, who understood immediately and went out to handle it.
A faint smile appeared on Ye Bingshang's face. "Your Majesty is most gracious."
Tantai Jin smiled as well.
The curved jade grumbled discontentedly, "For Ye Bingshang, every request is granted, but for our little master, it's always an equivalent exchange."
Su Su patted it, not the least bit angry.
Tantai Jin seemed to have forgotten that Su Su was still behind the curtain, or perhaps he didn't want Ye Bingshang to discover her presence. He didn't so much as glance toward the bed curtains.
Ye Bingshang knew her place well. After paying her respects, she withdrew gracefully.
Not long after, Tantai Jin also left the room.
As the ruler of the Zhou Kingdom, he now had to attend court.
Su Su jumped down from behind the curtains and headed for the door, intending to check where the Old Madam had been placed. As she stepped out, she encountered the tiger. The tiger gave her a terrified look and covered its whiskers with its paws.
Soon, it realized how undignified this was, lowered its paws, turned around, enlarged itself, and blocked the doorway with its rear, refusing to let Su Su leave.
Su Su bit her finger and drew a talisman in the air.
A weapon shaped like an ice shard materialized, spinning mid-air. The curved jade cast a sympathetic glance at the not-so-bright, worthless tiger. The next moment, the ice spike stabbed into the tiger's rear.
It let out a pained yelp, tucked its tail, and fled without looking back.
Su Su walked out.
She suddenly understood why Tantai Jin preferred to deploy corpse demons in battle rather than use the tiger. This creature looked intimidating but was actually a brainless fool.
Only Tantai Minglang appreciated its majestic appearance, using it for show. Tantai Jin had little regard for this tiger demon.
Wearing a palace maid's uniform actually worked to Su Su's advantage.
Tantai Jin had yet to hold his coronation ceremony. The Zhou Kingdom was still embroiled in war, with everything in disarray and many new faces in the palace.
She looked around, and surprisingly, no one stopped her.
Rounding a rockery, Su Su spotted a furtive figure. It was a palace maid—
Catching a glimpse of her profile, Su Su found her strikingly familiar.
The maid turned her head and saw Su Su as well. Her eyes widened, and she hastily covered her face with her sleeve, about to flee in panic.
Now that she wasn't restrained by Ruoshui, keeping someone in place was simple for Su Su.
She flew over, tapped "her" on the shoulder, and said quietly, "Lord Pang, I recognize you."
The "maid" lowered her sleeve, revealing a flushed face.
Pang Yi Zhi was mortified. He probably never imagined that while infiltrating the Zhou palace, he would run into Su Su—and while he was dressed as a woman.
The sharp-tongued Lord Pang looked utterly incongruous in women's attire.He lacked Tantai Jin's refined features, and a scholar's pride prevented him from lowering his dignity, making his gait appear unnatural.
Su Su thought to herself that it was a miracle he hadn't been discovered.
"Lord Pang, what brings you to the Zhou Kingdom?"
Upon hearing this, Pang Yi Zhi's gaze turned colder, his earlier embarrassment fading away. Clenching his fist, he said, "That scoundrel Tantai is forcing himself upon Princess Xuan's consort. For her, this is nothing but humiliation! I've come to help her escape."
Su Su was momentarily stunned, recalling that this lord had once painted a portrait of Ye Bingshang and must have admired her.
Lord Pang had been one of the main proponents of war, aside from the Ye family, and Su Su held a favorable impression of him.
She shook her head and cautioned, "Tantai Jin is cunning and far more complex than he appears. It's already difficult for you to infiltrate the palace, let alone take Ye Bingshang away. He won't allow anyone to touch what is his."
Pang Yi Zhi glanced at her, his eyes filled with deep remorse.
"Third Miss Ye... I apologize for not coming to rescue you immediately after learning you were exiled to Liuzhou. I promised Prince Xuan to ensure the safety of Princess Xuan's consort," he said softly. "Prince Xuan left behind a covert guard unit called the Hidden Dragon Guards. They have the capability to rescue Princess Xuan's consort."
Su Su was not particularly surprised by this. After all, given Xiao Lin's status and position, he was an astute and perceptive man who would not be without his own trump cards.
This covert guard unit must be formidable, as evidenced by Pang Yi Zhi's effortless appearance here.
Unfortunately, while Xiao Lin had left it for Ye Bingshang, he had not anticipated that his wife would join Tantai Jin's side in less than half a year.
Judging by Pang Yi Zhi's words, Ye Bingshang likely had no idea that Xiao Lin had left such a powerful asset behind.
Su Su said, "Have you considered that Ye Bingshang might be staying in the Zhou Kingdom palace voluntarily?"
Pang Yi Zhi exclaimed, "Impossible!"
He cast a reproachful look at Su Su. How could someone like Miss Ye, who must be suffering immensely and struggling to preserve her chastity, willingly remain by that tyrant's side!
Su Su knew he wouldn't believe her, so she stopped trying to persuade him and nodded. "Then be careful."
As she turned to leave, Pang Yi Zhi called out, "Will you come with me?"
Su Su looked back and smiled. "I still have matters to attend to. Thank you for your kindness, Lord Pang. The journey is long and arduous—take care."
Pang Yi Zhi took a few steps after her, watching from afar as she walked away.
He clenched his fist, turned around, and went in search of Ye Bingshang.
Naturally, Su Su was unable to see the Old Madam. Nian Muning brought a letter from her.
The letter contained only four words: "Safe and well, do not worry."
Su Su breathed a sigh of relief.
Nian Muning said coldly, "As long as Third Miss Ye behaves herself, the Old Madam will remain unharmed."
After a pause, she added, "Do not let Princess Zhaohua see you. She will be displeased. If she is displeased, His Majesty will also be displeased."
Su Su glanced at her with a smile. "Very well."
Nian Muning fell silent. Those in the know understood that Tantai Jin was using Su Su as a maid to vent his frustrations, but to the uninformed, it might seem like he was keeping a cherished beauty hidden away.
With nowhere else to go, Su Su simply sat cross-legged in the Chengqian Hall to cultivate.
As dusk fell, Tantai Jin returned.
He gave her a deep look and asked, "Where did you go today?"
Su Su replied, "I wanted to see my grandmother, so I took a stroll."
"Oh? What did you see?"
Su Su glanced at him. "A palace built with gold, money everywhere."He pressed his lips together, the suspicion in his eyes fading as a slight curve touched the corner of his mouth.
"I've suddenly thought of something for you to do."
Su Su was taken aback. "What is it?"
"Come here." Tantai Jin glanced at her, signaling for her to follow.
She trailed after him into the small study adjacent to Chengqian Palace. This study had historically been used by Zhou Kingdom emperors for reviewing memorials in urgent situations. Today, however, there were no memorials on the desk—only a stack of high-quality talisman paper and prepared cinnabar.
"Teach me talisman drawing," he commanded.
Su Su remained silent.
Tantai Jin's expression darkened. "You refuse?"
Su Su replied, "You have the old Taoist priest. He can do it too."
Tantai Jin threatened, "Old Madam Ye."
Su Su reluctantly approached and sat at the desk. "What do you want to learn?"
She knew Tantai Jin was an avid learner, but she wasn't afraid of him mastering these skills. After all, she cultivated immortal arts, while Tantai Jin was born with the Evil Bone—he could only practice demonic cultivation. The principles of immortal and demonic cultivation were incompatible; he wouldn't be able to wield immortal techniques at all.
Tantai Jin said, "Anything will do."
After a moment's thought, Su Su picked up a brush and drew an incantation. With a smile, she handed it to him and asked, "Want to give it a try?"
Tantai Jin looked at her. "You demonstrate it for me."
Su Su immediately said, "This talisman isn't drawn properly. Let me start over."
Just as she was about to destroy the talisman, someone gripped her wrist. Tantai Jin said coldly, "Demonstrate it for me! Otherwise, I'll have Old Madam Ye try it."
Su Su glared at him. "It really isn't drawn well."
His face was stern, clearly convinced she meant to harm him.
Su Su said, "Fine, I'll do it!"
Hesitantly, she picked up the talisman, glanced at Tantai Jin, and under his wary gaze, gritted her teeth and recited the incantation.
In Tantai Jin's pitch-black pupils, the talisman dissipated, and Su Su's clothes scattered to the floor. She vanished, and from beneath the garments emerged a palm-sized pink rabbit.
The little rabbit lay listlessly on the maid's uniform.
Tantai Jin stood frozen for a long while before expressionlessly lifting the rabbit by its ears.
The tiny pink rabbit shot him an annoyed look.
He stared fixedly at her, then suddenly curved his lips into a smile. A faint amusement gleamed in his eyes as he spoke maliciously, "Bring in a carrot."
The pink bunny kicked its legs, struggling in his grasp.
Tantai Jin sat down in a chair and placed the little pink rabbit on his lap.
Soon, a young eunuch brought in a carrot. Catching an accidental glimpse of the rabbit in the emperor's hand, his heart melted at the sight—the tiny creature was fluffy and, astonishingly, pink!
The eunuch lowered his head and hurried out.
Tantai Jin picked up the carrot and pressed it to Su Su's mouth. "Eat."
The pink bunny turned its head away in refusal, its fur puffing up softly.
He stroked the plush fur, finding it as comfortable as sinking into a pile of cotton. Tantai Jin said, "I order you to eat."
Who wants to eat carrots!
The pink rabbit tried to escape but couldn't.
Frustrated, she scratched at him, but all she managed was to place two tiny paws on his palm and scratch desperately, leaving not a single mark.
He pinced the pink paws and said nonchalantly, "Eat the carrot, and I'll grant you one condition."
The pink rabbit lifted its round, bright eyes to look at him.
Tantai Jin met her gaze and said calmly, "I mean it."
The pink rabbit didn't move, staring at him as if he were insane, then suddenly bit his hand.
Just as Tantai Jin was about to speak, the pink rabbit vanished, and a weight settled on his lap—a naked young girl had appeared in its place.The girl's gaze was cold and detached, completely different from her previously soft and adorable image. This made her all the more unapproachable and breathtakingly striking.
Beneath his fingers lay a warm softness. Tantai Jin looked down and realized his slender fingers were still in her mouth.
Tantai Jin paused but did not withdraw them from her mouth.
The next moment, the girl sensed what the fingers between her lips were doing and glared at him in anger.
She slapped him hard across the face.
His face turned aside, and the naked girl on his lap vanished. She raised her hand, picked up the garment from the floor, and by the time Tantai Jin turned back, she had already wrapped herself in the dress.
"Pervert!" she said coldly.
Tantai Jin pressed his lips together. His fingers were still damp, and for once, he offered no retort.
Just then, someone outside urgently reported, "Your Majesty, an assassin has been discovered in the palace."
Su Su froze, instantly thinking of Pang Yi Zhi, whom she had encountered during the day. A sense of foreboding washed over her. Could it be that Pang Yi Zhi had been discovered?
Tantai Jin lifted her chin, studying her, and asked in a calm voice, "Are you nervous?"
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