Chapter 691: Gaifan

Chapter 691: Rice Bowl

Even if the palace maids outside fancied themselves imaginative, they could never match the sheer impact of witnessing it firsthand.

The young emperor lay sprawled across the desk, a mess of scattered documents strewn about, her delicate hands limp on the surface, eyes vacant and face flushed crimson. The dragon robe was disheveled, the collar slightly open, swaying in a rhythmic motion with the movements behind her...

The visual shock was indescribable, enough to leave one's mind utterly blank.

Vermilion Bird's mind couldn't help but superimpose her own scene—was she this unsightly too?

"I've been out there fighting tooth and nail, running around in the snow, for whose empire am I safeguarding? And you're here in the cozy, warm imperial study, stealing a man! Stealing my man!"

No wonder some emperors in history who summoned their ministers' wives ended up overthrown—look at this sense of identification, it's exactly the same, isn't it!

The more she thought, the more her fury surged, barely keeping her control over the Heart Flame in check!

What infuriated her more was that there was no outlet for this fire.

If this were a normal adultery bust, barging in would have made them stop in fright, but these two didn't pause at all. So what to do? Storm over and pull them apart? Xia Chichi was here first, it was only natural. At this point, could she use her status as master to stop them? Chichi hadn't torn you apart already, that's generous...

Look at Xia Chichi's expression—her almond eyes misty, staring at her, seeming startled yet her mind full of cream puffs, unable to react, and somehow looking quite adorable...

And then that damn pig got even more excited, his movements clearly intensifying.

Vermilion Bird couldn't hold it in any longer. Instinctively, she clawed at Zhao Changhe's shoulder, trying to make him ease up.

But the moment her claw touched his shoulder, it slipped and slid like a fish, and the claw grazed right past, catching nothing. Zhao Changhe casually reached out, grabbing her arm instead.

Vermilion Bird let out a surprised "Eh?"—quite taken aback.

Though this claw wasn't meant to be serious, as a half-step Imperial Realm, a casual grab could overpower an ordinary Heaven List expert. Besides, that so-called defeat back then was only because he had the advantage of the Dragon Sparrow's might; in true strength, he was actually inferior to her—she had merely chosen to be conquered.

Now that she had improved so much, this claw's power was incomparable to that day when he defeated her, yet it still proved ineffective.

Vermilion Bird felt like testing how much he had grown during his trip outside. So, the arm he held quietly flared with flames, scorching Zhao Changhe's palm. The fire was quite considerate, holding back much of its power... Yet the flames seemed to hit an immensely thick wall of qi, recoiling back. As Vermilion Bird dissipated the flames, a hint of delight rose in her heart—this guy really had improved.

But their minds were on completely different tracks. She was curiously testing her little man's level, while he was itching to have his way with her... She had just returned from slaughter outside, bloodstains still on her clothes, the killing intent still lingering in her eyes—this was the Vermilion Bird of his dreams, so fierce!

In a normal fight, would she ever let her arm be caught like this? Vermilion Bird was still playing with fire when a sudden, powerful force yanked her forward, and she tumbled into the man's embrace.

Only when she was tightly held in his arms did Vermilion Bird suddenly realize what he was up to—he wasn't thinking about fighting at all! He was thinking about that kind of fight, the beastly kind!

She struggled fiercely, only to find herself pinned tight, unable to break free!

And that bastard was still thrusting into Chichi!

Vermilion Bird fumed in frustration: "Do you really think I won't go all out? If I use my full strength, I'll beat you to death!"

Zhao Changhe said, "Even if you beat me to death, I still want to hold you."

Vermilion Bird nearly laughed in anger: "Can you at least get off that little vixen before you say that?"

Just as she spoke, Xia Chichi let out a "Mmph," her whole body convulsing, then went limp, lying motionless.

"Uh, I'm off her now." Zhao Changhe said.

Vermilion Bird was dumbfounded.

Without another word, Zhao Changhe leaned in to kiss her: "Since you're here..."

Vermilion Bird wasn't about to fall for that so-called four-character mantra. She slapped her hand over his big mouth, dodging and struggling. Of course, she wanted to be intimate with him—she missed him too... but this scene was all wrong!

She was willing to share with San Niang because they had been thick as thieves for over a decade, but that didn't mean she wanted to be taken in front of this little vixen. Think about how majestic she usually was in front of this girl, and now imagine herself in that posture she just saw—who could bear that humiliation?

Actually, this little vixen hadn't wanted it before either. None of them were without limits in indulging him, but today, why didn't she say a word? Had she been swept away by the moment?

Xia Chichi lay there, sighing softly: "Venerable One, I didn't want to before either... But this time, he rode out alone, weren't you worried?"

Vermilion Bird paused.

Xia Chichi muttered, "He's only at Secret Treasury Third Layer, yet he faces enemies of gods and demons... Not to mention him, even you are the same. We're all living on borrowed time, never knowing if we'll see each other after the next campaign. Why bother with a little face? Besides, after securing Langya, he didn't stop for a moment before coming back to see me—I'm willing to let him have his way."

Vermilion Bird wanted to say that he came back nonstop for the greater good, not specifically to see you or me, but she didn't say it in the end. For the greater good, that was for everyone—what difference did it make from coming specifically to see everyone?

Thinking this, she suddenly felt the stinky man wasn't so detestable anymore.

Instead, a sigh rose in her heart. Yes, they were all living on borrowed time. Don't be fooled by the seeming victories now—that was just the beginning. More challenges lay ahead... Even this so-called triumph had cost him immense effort. He had pacified Qinghe, secured Langya, fought gods and demons, all while writing letters to strategize and arranging the capital's military plans, even his arrows had three or four purposes.

With his fighting style, facing gods and demons... he didn't need to think to know that every battle left him wounded. The only reason he seemed fine now was his special physique that healed quickly.

Wounds meant that if they were serious enough, it was death.

Everyone was walking the edge of life and death.

Unconsciously, the hand blocking her mouth was gently moved away. Zhao Changhe lowered his head and kissed her, and Vermilion Bird no longer resisted.

Slowly, she was pushed to the desk, her hands bracing backward on the surface, then slowly she lay back. Beside her, Xia Chichi lay limp, curiously turning her head to watch. Vermilion Bird turned her face away, not letting her see.

This is my reward to him—what are you looking at?

In a way, wasn't this taking the man back from her? And making her watch closely!

With that thought, Vermilion Bird's mood suddenly improved. She reached out and wrapped her arms around the man's neck, coquettishly: "Serve me well. If you lose your touch, see how I punish you!"

Zhao Changhe: "?"

Xia Chichi: "..."

With a "rip," the ceremonial robe was torn open.

How could Zhao Changhe lose his touch? This version of Vermilion Bird always made him go faster, especially with Chichi beside him.

The buffs from these two... This was the Dowager Empress and the Emperor serving together, and in name and fact, recognized by the entire realm—not something he made up!

You couldn't find many books like this even on Qidian. Who could lose their touch at a time like this?

Vermilion Bird's eyes suddenly bulged. She realized Zhao Changhe was even more ferocious than when he had her and San Niang together. What was this—a pig charging forward? That's what it was.

Xia Chichi blinked. She had been a bit annoyed that Zhao Changhe was greedy, wanting both the bowl and the pot, and had only helped him out of affection. But now, watching, she found it amusing.

Usually so fierce, nose in the air, even facing gods and demons last night atop the imperial city, you couldn't tell who was the demon—three moves to break the enemy, shaking the capital. But how pathetic was she on the bed? A few thrusts and her eyes rolled back, begging him to go easy.

This delicate, helpless act—look at you now! All these books on the desk, are you going to copy them? They're practically imprinted on your body.

Xia Chichi was enjoying herself when joy turned to sorrow. Zhao Changhe stretched out an arm, pulled her into his arms, and lowered his head to nibble. Xia Chichi weakly pounded him a few times, then resignedly gave up her strength.

Until she was pressed against the Empress Dowager, held together, their eyes meeting, both filled with spring passion. They each turned their heads away.

Where did he get such ferocious energy? He wasn't even using dual cultivation techniques—he was like a bear.