The Li Dragon Palace's back mountain was a place of exquisite beauty, where birdsong filled the air and flowers bloomed in abundance.
Li Jiao strolled through a flower garden, relaxed and carefree. By his side, a woman in palace robes accompanied him, their fingers interlocked intimately. She leaned gently against him, a satisfied smile gracing her lips.
The woman wore crimson robes, her face like a peach blossom, her skin so fair and delicate it seemed it might break at a touch. An irrepressible allure lurked between her brows, her beautiful eyes glistening as though brimming with tears.
Dragons were by nature licentious. Though Li Jiao was not of pure dragon blood, he carried the dragon lineage, and so his demands in matters of intimacy were considerable. The number of wives and concubines in the Li Dragon Palace was by no means small.
Though he had many wives and concubines, the one Li Jiao doted on most was the Red Lady at his side.
In the past, whenever he had free time, he would spend it in the closest of intimacies with the Red Lady. She, for her part, knew full well that her lifelong happiness was bound to Li Jiao, and so she was nothing if not tender and attentive in her service.
It could be said that among Li Jiao's numerous wives and concubines, none could compete with the Red Lady for his favor.
This had always been the case, and even more so now.
Ever since Li Jiao returned to the Li Dragon Palace two months ago, the Red Lady had felt his doting grow even more pronounced. Though he had always treated her well, this time the change was unmistakably dramatic.
For a full two months, Li Jiao had not been apart from her for a single day, staying by her side morning to night — a testament to her standing in his heart.
The Red Lady keenly sensed the shift in him. Being a clever woman, she didn't ask any questions. She simply did everything within her power to display her tenderness and charm, seeking to bind his body and soul ever tighter.
"Palace Master, that flower is so beautiful," the Red Lady suddenly pointed at a large crimson blossom, her face bright with delight.
"Do you like it?" Li Jiao's voice was equally gentle as he gazed at her with a smile.
"Mm, I like it." The Red Lady nodded softly, clinging to him like a little bird.
Li Jiao smiled faintly, reached out and plucked the flower, then beckoned to her.
The Red Lady glanced at him joyfully and lowered her head, letting him tuck the flower into her hair. When she raised her head, she swayed from side to side and smiled coyly: "Does it look nice?"
Li Jiao reached out and pinched her delicate cheek, nodding repeatedly: "Beautiful, beautiful. You're even lovelier than the flower."
Hearing this, the Red Lady's heart overflowed with honey, her whole body feeling light as a feather. She pouted: "The Palace Master always knows how to tease me."
The Palace Master's changes really were tremendous. She had no idea what he'd experienced out there, but ever since his return, he had been even better, even gentler toward her. He used to go into seclusion for Cultivation, but over these past two months, she hadn't seen the slightest sign that Li Jiao intended to Cultivate at all. He spent every day taking her on outings to scenic spots, making all the other sisters both envious and jealous, all grumbling that she had stolen every last bit of the Palace Master's favor for herself.
"Hong'er, from now on I'll stay by your side just like this, alright?" Li Jiao asked softly, his eyes fixed on hers. His gaze was filled with nothing but her reflection — room for nothing else.
The Red Lady's delicate frame trembled. As their eyes met, hers reddened with emotion: "Hong'er can't hold the Palace Master back like this. The Palace Master still needs to Cultivate."
"What is there to Cultivate?" Li Jiao scoffed. "My Cultivation has already hit its ceiling. I won't Cultivate anymore. Every day I'll accompany you to look at flowers and gaze at the sea, until the very end of time."
These words pierced the Red Lady's heart like a sharp blade. She was so moved that tears could no longer be held back, streaming freely down her cheeks.
"Why are you crying now?" Li Jiao raised his hand to wipe away the strings of pearl-like tears, chuckling softly: "They say women are made of water. It seems that's absolutely true."
"Palace Master, you're too good to Hong'er. Hong'er is so happy." The Red Lady nestled gently into his embrace, quickly dampening his robes with her tears.
Though Li Jiao had always been good to her before, it had never been to this degree. She immediately felt that she had entrusted herself to the right person, and would have no regrets in this life.
"That's nothing. There are still so many days ahead of us," Li Jiao said with a gentle smile, his hand patting her back in a steady rhythm.
The Red Lady squirmed in his arms and whispered in a seductive voice: "Palace Master... your concubine... desires you."
Li Jiao immediately perked up, raising an eyebrow: "Desires what?"
The Red Lady protested bashfully, pounding her delicate fist against his chest: "Palace Master, you're awful!"
Li Jiao laughed heartily, but midway through, the laughter died in his throat. His expression darkened as he turned his head to bark: "Who's there!"
Looking toward the source of the disturbance, he saw that at some point, a figure had appeared on the artificial rockery, crouching there in silence, watching him and the Red Lady's tender exchange with undisguised relish.
When he made out the person's face, Li Jiao's soul nearly fled his body: "You—"
"Yo!" Yang Kai raised his hand in a cheerful wave. "It's been two months, but Brother Li looks as splendid as ever."
"Ah!" The Red Lady jumped in fright, hastily leaping from Li Jiao's arms and spinning toward the voice, her face turning crimson.
This person had definitely heard what she'd just said. The thought of her own wanton behavior moments ago made her wish the ground would open up and swallow her. Red-faced with rage and humiliation, she stomped her foot: "Who are you? How dare you be so uncouth!"
The words had barely left her mouth before Li Jiao yanked her behind him. The Red Lady had never met Yang Kai and didn't recognize him, but Li Jiao certainly did.
"Palace Master Yang..." Li Jiao was practically in tears. "When did you get here? At least make a sound or something!"
If there was one person in his entire life he least wanted to see, it was none other than Yang Kai — even the Dragon Clan would have to take a back seat.
This man was simply the nightmare of Li Jiao's existence, his natural nemesis!
Whenever anything involved him, there was never a good outcome. His recent experiences were the best proof of that — they were memories he could not bear to revisit.
"I've been here for a while now. Didn't want to interrupt, so don't blame me, Brother Li!" Yang Kai said with a grin.
Didn't want to interrupt!