Chapter 1: Reborn to pamper his wife? Whose wife? The protagonist's!
Chen Qing, who woke up with a start from his bed, quickly gathered his thoughts. Had he undergone Rebirth?
No, to be precise, he had already undergone Rebirth eighteen years ago. It was just that, for some unknown reason, his memories from his previous life suddenly awakened today.
In this life, just like his previous life on Blue Star, he had the same name. However, unlike his ordinary life before, Chen Qing was reborn into a Xuanhuan world called the Heavenly Profound Continent.
Here, powerful cultivators, upon reaching the Peak, could split the heavens and rend the earth with just a flick of a finger. In a single thought, they could even slaughter millions!
Chen Qing, despite possessing considerable Cultivation talent, was a profligate son, born into the Great Wu Dynasty's Prime Minister's family. From a young age, he lived a life of luxury and was arrogant and overbearing.
His father, Chen Xiong, was beneath only one person and above ten thousand in the Great Wu Dynasty?
No, Chen Xiong was ostensibly beneath one person and above ten thousand, but in reality, he shared power equally with the Great Wu Emperor.
Many important matters of the court required Chen Xiong's opinion first.
More than half of the powerful officials in the imperial court had pledged allegiance to Chen Xiong.
It was precisely because of this that a saying circulated within the Great Wu Dynasty: as long as Chen Xiong willed it, he could change the world at any time.
"Hiss..." After understanding all of this, Chen Qing couldn't help but gasp, feeling incredibly puzzled. "As a protagonist, isn't this background a bit too strong?"
Although it was his first time being a protagonist, Chen Qing had read countless novels on Blue Star in his previous life and was intimately familiar with the trope of a 'waste' rising to power.
With his excellent Cultivation talent and this background, it certainly didn't look like the script for a 'waste's' counterattack.
"Could it be that I got the wrong script?"
Just as Chen Qing was racking his brain, a mechanical, emotionless voice echoed in his mind:
"[Name: Chen Qing, Age: 18, Gender: Male... Identity information is being verified...]"
"System?!"
Confirming it wasn't a hallucination or auditory illusion, Chen Qing nearly couldn't suppress his voice.
A System, that was the standard Golden Finger for a novel's protagonist!
"It really is a protagonist's script, isn't it...?"
"Exceptional talent, coupled with a Prime Minister's background, and a System—isn't this a guaranteed win?"
Chen Qing never imagined that such an incredible stroke of luck would befall him.
As he was rejoicing, the voice in his mind sounded again:
"[Identity information verified! Invincible Wife-Pampering System is binding...]"
"Invincible... Wife-Pampering System?"
Chen Qing could certainly understand 'invincible,' but what exactly did 'wife-pampering' mean?
Before he could react, the System's voice rang out again: "[Invincible Wife-Pampering System successfully bound!]"
"[New mission issued. Do you wish to view it?]"
Facing the blue virtual panel that only he could see, Chen Qing raised his hand, hesitated, but still clicked the "[View]" button.
"[Mission 1: Within three days, marry the protagonist's beloved, the Empress of Destiny: Xia Qingyue!]"
"[Mission Reward: Undying and Imperishable Body! Description: Upon acquisition, the protagonist will be eternally Undying and Imperishable, existing forever between heaven and earth! No power can eliminate your existence!]"
"Undying and Imperishable! Just by marrying a heroine who belongs to me, I get such a huge reward?" Chen Qing nearly dropped his jaw.
He truly hadn't expected the System to be so generous right from the start.
It's settled! This is truly settled!
Closing the mission interface, Chen Qing casually clicked into his personal attribute panel, wanting to see basic information, such as his talent quality.
"[Name: Chen Qing]"
"[Age: 18]"
"[Gender: Male]"
...
His gaze swept over this most basic of information. Just as Chen Qing's eyes landed on the 'Talent' section, before he could look closer, his sight immediately returned to the previous layer.
"[Identity]"
It clearly stated: Villain.
"..." Chen Qing.
This truly made Chen Qing a little unable to hold himself together.
"I'm... a villain?" It took him a long time to process it.
He even suspected he was seeing things.
He repeatedly confirmed it several times; it was indeed 'Villain,' no mistake.
On second thought, if that were truly the case, then this talent and this background indeed made sense.
"Damn it! Of all the identities to be reborn into, even a passerby would be fine, but it had to be a villain!" Chen Qing was utterly speechless.
Having read so many novels, Chen Qing had never seen a villain who could survive under the hands of those heaven-defying protagonists.
He had clearly gotten a death-trap script!
What was even more fatal was that this System actually wanted him to marry the protagonist's woman, the Empress of Destiny...
Chen Qing could almost see two figures, one black and one white, beckoning him towards a door called 'Life and Death,' inviting him to cross over.
"No! I absolutely cannot be this villain, and I absolutely cannot follow the script's arrangements!"
Having finally obtained a chance at Rebirth and escaped a life of drudgery, Chen Qing didn't want to kick the bucket after only enjoying a few days.
Who knew if he would get another chance at Rebirth after this death?
He thought that he only needed to try his best to avoid contact with the protagonist, and everyone and everything related to the protagonist.
As for the System mission? He wouldn't accept it; there was no penalty anyway.
"Xia Qingyue..."
Upon mentioning this name, a figure of unparalleled beauty couldn't help but appear in Chen Qing's mind. As the Prime Minister's son and a profligate, it was inevitable that he would come into contact with Xia Qingyue, who was known as the Great Wu's foremost beauty.
Before Chen Qing awakened his memories from his previous life, he had long coveted Xia Qingyue. He had even asked his father, the Prime Minister, to find a way to persuade the Emperor to marry his daughter to him.
Apparently... it actually happened!
As his memories became clearer and his past life's memories gradually adapted to this body, Chen Qing recalled that his father had readily agreed after learning of his idea.
Afterward, under continuous internal and external pressure, he truly convinced the Great Wu Emperor to agree to issue an imperial decree, bestowing marriage between himself and Xia Qingyue.
"Damn it! No, I have to find a way to break off the engagement!"
"Hiss! Or, get married first, obtain the Undying and Imperishable Body, and then write a divorce letter to sever ties?"
On one hand, Chen Qing desperately wanted the Undying and Imperishable Body. On the other hand, he worried that on the wedding day, the protagonist would show up and cut him down with a sword before he could obtain the Undying and Imperishable Body.
Annoyed, very annoyed, he was caught in a dilemma.
It felt like marrying was wrong, and not marrying was also wrong.
Moreover, how to convince his father, Chen Xiong, who was determined to become part of the imperial family, to give up this marriage was also a huge problem.
One moment, Chen Qing was celebrating his lucky Rebirth and a good script; the next, he was suffering from an unbearable headache.
All those good things were ruined by this identity as a villain.
Speechless, just very speechless!
Just as Chen Qing was filled with mixed emotions, wavering, and unsure what to do,
He tentatively asked the System, "System, can you reveal some information about the protagonist of this world?"
As the saying goes, 'know yourself and your enemy, and you will never be defeated.'
Chen Qing plotted to first understand the other party, then formulate a plan.
The System quickly responded, opening an information panel.
"[Name: Ye Feng]"
"[Gender: Male]"
...
He still skipped over this largely worthless information and continued to look down.
"[Identity: Heavenly Mandate Protagonist]"
"[Golden Finger: Thirty-Year Seclusion Sign-in Invincible System]"
Seclusion Sign-in System?
Seclusion??
Thirty years????
***
Chapter 2 Doting Dad
Although the System seemed to have some restrictions and did not reveal too much personal information about the protagonist, Chen Qing could easily deduce two key pieces of information from this long System name alone.
The first key piece of information was that the protagonist had awakened the Closed-Door Cultivation Sign-In System, and due to the System's restrictions, he could not emerge from his cultivation until the time was up, which was thirty years.
The second key piece of information was that as the villain, he was supposed to awaken only on the day the protagonist emerged invincible after thirty years of closed-door cultivation and signing in, but for some unknown reason, he awakened early!
This was undoubtedly good news for Chen Qing; Awakening early meant he had an extra thirty years of development time after receiving a death script.
These thirty years were perfectly sufficient for Chen Qing to use the Invincible Wife-Dotting System to start his plans with the protagonist's love interest, the Great Wu Princess, Xia Qingyue, to counterattack and turn the tables!
Thinking of this, Chen Qing immediately made up his mind: this marriage, he would not call it off! It had to happen! It must!
First, he needed to get his hands on the Undying and Imperishable Body.
With the Undying and Imperishable Body, Chen Qing would not worry about being killed by anyone, not even the protagonist.
Chen Qing clearly remembered that the System had said that after possessing the Undying and Imperishable Body, no power could eliminate his existence.
Therefore, the most urgent task at hand was to first marry Xia Qingyue and obtain the Undying and Imperishable Body.
Secondly, he needed to find someone to investigate Xia Qingyue's life and relationships to screen for the protagonist candidate.
Regarding this matter, Chen Qing had already dispatched his personal secret agents to investigate immediately.
As the son of the Prime Minister who held immense power, he was not lacking in such individuals.
After arranging for the secret agents to go out and investigate the news, Chen Qing immediately went to find his father, Chen Xiong.
"Qing'er, why are you here with your father today instead of listening to music in the pleasure quarters outside?" Seeing Chen Qing appear, Chen Xiong didn't even bother with the secret agent who came to report important matters, waving his hand to dismiss him, telling him to come back later if there was anything else.
The secret agent knew how much Chen Xiong doted on Chen Qing, his only son, so he said no more, agreed, and disappeared in an instant.
Chen Qing, on the other hand, walked over to Chen Xiong and plopped down on a stone stool.
Chen Xiong, quite naturally, walked behind Chen Qing and began to massage his shoulders, "Which brothel did you go to? Do they even know how to massage? Why are your shoulders still so stiff? Their skills are not even as good as your old man's!"
"Never mind that, Dad, when do you and the Emperor plan to let me marry the Princess?" Chen Qing knew his father's temperament inside out and was long used to him massaging his shoulders.
There was both guilt for his deceased mother and doting affection.
"The Emperor hasn't decided yet, he's probably stalling for time, trying to find an excuse to push off this matter." After speaking, he raised his hand and patted his chest, solemnly assuring, "Don't worry, the woman you've set your eyes on, your old man will get her for you even if it costs him his life!"
"Then, I want to marry the Princess as soon as possible!" Chen Qing knew Chen Xiong had this ability and wasn't joking, so he immediately proposed.
"When?" Chen Xiong saw Chen Qing's serious expression, stopped his hand movements, and asked.
He felt that Chen Qing had most likely grown tired of playing around and wanted to settle down.
As a father, Chen Xiong naturally hoped that Chen Qing could marry and have children soon, to have more grandchildren and continue the Chen family's legacy.
"Preferably today, in short, the sooner the better." Chen Qing was already impatient to awaken the Undying and Imperishable Body.
Even though the protagonist still had decades of closed-door cultivation, Chen Qing didn't want to waste a single moment.
"Alright! Your father will immediately enter the palace to meet the Emperor and finalize this marriage!" Upon hearing this, Chen Xiong immediately ordered someone to help him change and prepare a swift horse.
Riding in a carriage was too slow; he wanted to ride a horse himself to the imperial palace to meet the Emperor...
During this time, Chen Qing waited patiently at home.
Before Chen Xiong returned, he first met the secret agent he had previously dispatched to investigate Princess Xia Qingyue.
From the secret agent's mouth, Chen Qing filtered out one person from the few interpersonal relationships.
That person, when he was young, had used all his strength to block Xia Qingyue when she was almost caught by a tiger.
Chen Qing had seen countless such old-fashioned childhood sweetheart scenarios.
So he asked the secret agent, "Is that person named Ye Feng?"
The secret agent was stunned, clearly not expecting that Chen Qing already knew the answer before he even spoke.
He nodded, cupped his hands, and replied, "Reporting to Young Lord, it is indeed him."
"Good, you've worked hard." With that, the spatial ring on Chen Qing's finger flashed, and he took out a Qiankun Bag from it, throwing it to the secret agent, "There are ten thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones in here, consider it your reward."
'Ten thousand Spirit Stones?!'
Upon hearing this, the secret agent's heart trembled. After receiving it with both hands, he quickly knelt down and said, "Thank you, Young Lord!"
He had long known that Chen Qing was generous, but he never expected to be rewarded with ten thousand Spirit Stones for such a small matter. His heart was filled with excitement, and his loyalty skyrocketed.
He resolved that from now on, whenever Chen Qing had an order, he would go through hell and high water, never refusing!
He must serve this Young Lord well.
"Mm, you may go."
"Yes."
The secret agent disappeared in place, his aura untraceable.
Chen Qing, on the other hand, rested his hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling, constantly recalling the information about Ye Feng that the secret agent had investigated.
"Framed by villains, almost his entire family executed, his biological father imprisoned... Yet Ye Feng mysteriously escaped the capital that night and disappeared without a trace. As expected, it's a protagonist's script!"
Chen Qing was certain that Ye Feng had most likely been bound by a System and directly teleported to the place of closed-door cultivation and sign-in.
From the day Ye Feng disappeared until now, it had only been less than half a year.
"Which means I still have twenty-nine years to prepare!" Realizing this, Chen Qing let out a long sigh of relief.
All he needed to do next was patiently wait for good news from Chen Xiong.
Chen Qing knew very well that as long as it was his request, Chen Xiong would do it even if it meant risking his life.
It had always been like this since he was a child.
If the Emperor dared to refuse to let Xia Qingyue marry him today, Chen Xiong would most likely genuinely rebel!
"Very good, Undying and Imperishable Body, you will soon be mine." A smile curled on Chen Qing's lips.
Things indeed went as he expected. One incense stick later, Chen Xiong rode his horse directly from the imperial palace to the gate of his mansion.
He pushed open the mansion gate with both hands, and upon noticing Chen Qing lying in the courtyard sunbathing and sleeping, he quickly walked over.
"Qing'er, Qing'er, wake up quickly, your father has good news to tell you!"
Hearing Chen Xiong's voice, Chen Qing removed the folding fan covering his face, sat up, and asked, "Did the Emperor agree?"
"Are you kidding? If he dared to refuse, I'd immediately contact a hundred thousand soldiers to surround the capital!" Chen Xiong said extremely domineeringly.
"Alright, hurry up and get ready, change your clothes, and come with Dad to the palace. They're already making arrangements for your wedding!"
"Alright!" Chen Qing readily agreed and stood up from the chair.
After having two maids help him change and wash his face, he and Chen Xiong got into a sedan chair, with great pomp, preparing to enter the palace to marry Princess Xia Qingyue, who was also the future Empress of Destiny!
***
Chapter 3: Main Mission
While Chen Qing and Chen Xiong were rushing towards the imperial palace.
Inside the palace, in the Royal Study.
"Princess! His Majesty, he..."
"Step aside!"
The princess hurried up the steps, pushed open the door of the Royal Study with both hands, ignoring the dissuasions of those around her, and barged inside.
Hearing the commotion and looking up, upon seeing the expression of anger and resentment on his daughter's Face, the Great Wu Martial Emperor Xia Cheng sighed and put down the brush he was using to review memorials.
He asked knowingly, "Aren't you busy preparing for the wedding? What brings you to me?"
"Father Emperor, I will not marry!" Xia Qingyue declared emphatically.
Xia Cheng was not surprised by this; he had anticipated Xia Qingyue's reaction and responded, "You must marry!"
Xia Cheng's attitude was even more resolute than Xia Qingyue's.
"Father Emperor, do you truly intend to heartlessly marry your daughter off to a wastrel like Chen Qing?"
"If you insist on forcing your daughter to marry such a vile and shameless person, I would rather die to preserve my purity!"
Although Xia Qingyue had not interacted much with Chen Qing—most of the time, it was the Chen Qing who had not yet recovered his past life memories, obsessed with her beauty, pestering her in various ways.
However, based on public opinion and the evaluations of those around her regarding Chen Qing, Xia Qingyue not only held no favorable impression of him but deeply detested him.
She believed that such a parasite, harmful to the people and the state, should be eradicated!
Now, hearing Xia Cheng's order for her to marry Chen Qing, the proud Xia Qingyue naturally refused.
Of course, the main reason was that Xia Qingyue already had someone else in her heart.
"Very well! Attendants, bring the princess a white silk cord!"
"..." Xia Qingyue had thought that by threatening suicide, her father, who had always doted on her, would retract his command. To her surprise, Xia Cheng agreed without the slightest hesitation.
Before Xia Qingyue could speak, Xia Cheng preempted her, "Rest assured, after you depart, your father and all the Xia family will soon join you."
Hearing this, the now-calm Xia Qingyue finally understood that the rumors about the Chen family's overwhelming power in court were not fabricated.
She concluded that Chen Xiong, as the State Chancellor, was pressuring her father, threatening the lives of their clan and the fate of Great Wu, forcing Xia Cheng to compromise and marry her off.
Realizing this, Xia Qingyue lowered her head, her eyes empty, silently choosing to accept her fate.
Her thin lips parted slightly as she said, "If my life alone can buy a chance for our entire clan to survive and ensure the longevity of Great Wu's imperial power, I will marry!"
Witnessing Xia Qingyue utter these words almost through gritted teeth, Xia Cheng was heartbroken, hating his own inability to resist the powerful minister.
He then waved his hand, signaling the old eunuch who had brought the white silk cord to leave.
The entire Royal Study was left with only father and daughter.
"Qingyue, your father will do everything in his power to ensure you do not suffer grievances in the Chen family!" Beyond this, Xia Cheng truly could promise Xia Qingyue nothing more.
Xia Qingyue gave a faint 'Mm' and then turned, saying, "Then your daughter will take her leave..."
She understood clearly that the Chen father and son were the root cause; blaming others was useless.
After this incident, her already non-existent favorability towards Chen Qing and Chen Xiong directly plummeted into the negative.
She swore that even if Chen Qing obtained her body, he would never obtain her heart!
Her heart would forever belong only to that figure!
Leaving the Royal Study, two clear trails of tears immediately streamed down her Face. In her heart, she thought: 'Brother Feng, Qingyue is fated to have no connection with you in this life. If there is a next life, Qingyue will never let you down!'
...
Although the wedding was arranged hastily, the scale was by no means small. Civil and military officials all attended in full force.
Even those ministers who usually did not get along with Chen Xiong came, out of respect for the Martial Emperor's Face.
When someone asked Chen Xiong why the main characters, Chen Qing and Xia Qingyue, were not seen.
Chen Xiong raised his wine cup and laughed heartily, "That kid is impatient. He's already taken her back, preparing for the wedding night."
As soon as these words left his mouth, everyone's impression of Chen Qing as a wastrel deepened a few more degrees.
Chen Qing couldn't care less about these things, nor did he have any intention of changing their stereotypical view of him.
In Chen Qing's view, completing the marriage process recognized by the System even one second earlier meant completing it one second sooner. He had to obtain the Undying and Imperishable Body as quickly as possible!
Without obtaining this thing, Chen Qing's anxious heart could never truly settle.
In the blink of an eye.
The Chen Residence.
Chen Qing stood outside the bedroom door, took a deep breath, raised both hands, and pushed open the bridal chamber, already decorated in festive, bright red.
As soon as he entered, the System panel popped up before his eyes, and simultaneously, the System's voice echoed in his mind:
[Congratulations, Host, for successfully completing the mission, obtaining Undying and Imperishable Body +1!]
[Do you wish to bind the Undying and Imperishable Body immediately?]
'Bind!'
Seeing the two options appearing before him, Chen Qing gave his answer without the slightest hesitation in his heart.
[Undying and Imperishable Body binding in progress...]
[Undying and Imperishable Body binding successful!]
'That's it?' Chen Qing didn't feel any substantial difference before and after the binding.
It felt like this body was still just that body.
Seemingly to dispel Chen Qing's doubts, the System immediately stated: [Please rest assured, Host. The Undying and Imperishable Body has been successfully bound and is taking effect!]
'Alright then...'
Since the System had put it that way, Chen Qing dismissed his doubts and stopped questioning it.
Temporarily hiding the System panel, after resolving the issue of the Undying and Imperishable Body, a new problem was placed before Chen Qing.
Based on his memories of Princess Xia Qingyue from before his memories were restored—considering his past self's behavior—Chen Qing wasn't naive enough to think this woman would treat him wholeheartedly.
Not to mention, she held the script of the Destiny Heroine and the Empress of Destiny.
She was no different from a hot potato: discarding her would be a waste, but keeping her was troublesome.
Chen Qing had considered divorcing Xia Qingyue after obtaining the Undying and Imperishable Body.
But if he really did that, the System would immediately unbind. Although the Undying and Imperishable Body wouldn't be taken back, it still felt a bit too difficult to rely solely on an Undying and Imperishable Body to contend with the Protagonist and escape the doomed script.
After weighing the pros and cons, Chen Qing finally made up his mind. Since the Protagonist still had twenty-nine years before coming out of seclusion, he would first make more use of this woman to extract more chips from the System to contend with the Protagonist.
He would consider other matters after gaining strength first.
As a novel enthusiast, Chen Qing believed he understood better than anyone the principle of the Xuanhuan world: strength reigns supreme.
Just as his thoughts were wandering, the System perfectly demonstrated what it meant to deliver a pillow when sleepiness arrives.
[Main Mission has been issued. Do you wish to view it?]
'Main Mission? View!'
Chen Qing was curious about what mischief the System was trying to pull on him now.
[Main Mission: Make Xia Qingyue willingly consummate the marriage with you, fulfilling the husband-wife relationship!]
Willingly fulfill the husband-wife relationship...
Chen Qing couldn't help but suspect the System was deliberately setting a trap for him.
With the dual settings of childhood sweethearts and hero-saving-beauty, plus the Protagonist Halo, Chen Qing found it hard to imagine how Xia Qingyue, as the Destiny Heroine, could ever willingly consummate the marriage and fulfill the husband-wife relationship with him.
Fortunately, this was only the Main Mission. Since there was a main line, in Chen Qing's view, there must be side lines.
However, before Chen Qing could study or ponder further, the reward for the Main Mission powerfully captured his attention.
[Main Mission Completion Reward: Can obtain Great Emperor cultivation!]
***
Chapter 4: Is this considered pampering your wife?
Looking at the words displayed on the azure System panel before him, Chen Qing confirmed it several times, making sure it was indeed the reward of Great Emperor Cultivation.
'This reward is truly generous!'
Chen Qing, who had already fused with the memories of this life, knew very well that in the Heaven Profound Continent, the cultivation Realms, from low to high, were: Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Soul Emergence, Divided Soul, Body Integration, Undergoing Tribulation, Mahayana, Quasi-Emperor, and Great Emperor.
Each major Realm was further divided into nine minor Realms.
A Great Emperor was the highest combat power in a world, without exception.
Not only that, but restricted by the Heavenly Dao order, only one Great Emperor could exist in a world, enjoying the Heavenly Dao Luck exclusively.
If others wanted to enjoy this Heavenly Dao Luck, there were only two paths: either defeat the old Great Emperor, or wait for the opponent's Lifespan to run out and take their place.
However, the demise of an old Great Emperor often meant the occurrence of a world-shaking war, as there was more than one person who wanted to sit on the Great Emperor's throne, but there was only one Great Emperor position.
Thinking of this, a question couldn't help but arise in Chen Qing's mind: 'If I truly complete the task and consummate the marriage with Xia Qingyue, will I directly replace the old Great Emperor?'
To this, the System immediately explained: [System rewards are not limited by the Heavenly Dao. The Host can coexist with him, or choose to kill him and seize the Heavenly Dao Luck!]
'So that's how it is...'
Hearing the System say this, Chen Qing felt relieved. Why would he challenge a Great Emperor for no reason and bring trouble upon himself?
Having been reborn, he only wanted to live freely and enjoy life.
The reason he completed the System tasks was simply to consolidate his strength, reverse the fate of a destined villain, and survive the protagonist's schemes.
He had no interest in dynastic struggles, but relying on the Undying and Imperishable Body and the invincible, peerless Great Emperor Cultivation, ensuring no one dared to provoke or disturb his peaceful life, was very tempting.
He turned his head to look at Great Wu Dynasty's Princess Xia Qingyue, who was wearing a red wedding dress, a red veil covering her head, sitting quietly on the bed, unmoving and silent.
"Gulp!" Chen Qing swallowed hard, very worried: as a dignified villain, was it really okay for him to sleep with the protagonist's woman?
He worried that if he really did it, would he suffer a backlash from the Heavenly Dao or something similar?
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but sigh, feeling that this script was even worse than a 'trash-to-riches' story.
"Forget it, I'll take it one step at a time."
After preparing himself mentally, Chen Qing walked towards Xia Qingyue.
He noticed that as his footsteps drew closer, Xia Qingyue's hands immediately clenched into fists.
To be honest, Chen Qing was a little worried now: 'This woman isn't hiding a knife on her, planning to stab me when I get close, is she?'
Fortunately, after he arrived in front of Xia Qingyue, she made no superfluous movements.
Seeing this, Chen Qing's tightly strung nerves relaxed slightly.
Then he reached out and picked up the wedding scale that had been placed nearby, extended it under the red veil, and lifted it.
As their eyes met, Chen Qing had to admit that this woman was indeed exceptionally beautiful, deserving of the words 'alluring beauty' and even more so, 'Great Wu's Foremost Beauty'!
Her slightly reddened eyes, which clearly showed she had cried but were feigning strength, unwilling to let Chen Qing see her vulnerable side, were even more heart-wrenching.
"..." Chen Qing.
"..." Xia Qingyue.
Silence.
Chen Qing awkwardly placed the wedding scale back in its original position. It was his first wedding, and he felt a bit at a loss, unsure of what to do.
That's right, whether in his previous life or this one, it was his first time getting married.
On the other hand, the System's task was for Xia Qingyue to willingly consummate the marriage with him. Chen Qing couldn't possibly force her, could he?
If he really forced her, just looking at her cold eyes, he knew that once her favorability dropped, it would be difficult to raise it again, probably impossible in this lifetime.
Compared to gaining such a beauty, Chen Qing still felt that Great Emperor Cultivation was more important.
Although Xia Qingyue was the Great Wu Dynasty's Foremost Beauty, the Heaven Profound Continent had countless Dynasties; it wasn't as if there wasn't a second woman as beautiful as Xia Qingyue.
If Chen Qing truly liked beautiful women, why should he abandon an entire forest for one tree? With Great Emperor Cultivation, let alone the peerless beauties of the mortal world, even the celestial maidens in the heavens might not be out of reach.
After weighing things in his mind, Chen Qing had made his decision.
He awkwardly coughed, walked to the table, and poured a cup of tea.
He drank a cup himself first, to moisten his throat.
Then he picked up another new cup, poured some tea, and returned to Xia Qingyue, offering it to her, "You... have some water."
Xia Qingyue did not speak. After confirming that Chen Qing had drunk from the teapot and there were no issues, she took the cup from his hand and drank it all.
To be honest, she was also very nervous now.
She was wary that Chen Qing might tear off his disguise the next moment, pounce on her like a hungry wolf, and devour her.
Yet, Xia Qingyue couldn't refuse.
The most helpless part was that to preserve the royal lineage and the future of the entire Great Wu, she didn't even have the right to commit suicide; she could only be at his mercy.
Little did she know, Chen Qing's attention was not on her at all at this moment.
On the System panel that suddenly popped up, visible only to Chen Qing:
[Successful Wife-Pampering! Congratulations, Host, for receiving a random reward: Mid-Grade Spirit Stone +10!]
Seeing this text, Chen Qing slightly frowned.
He was puzzled: 'Pouring a cup of water counts as pampering my wife?'
Ten Mid-Grade Spirit Stones were naturally nothing to Chen Qing given his background, but for those poor families, working hard all year might not even earn them that much.
Looking at it from that perspective, just pouring a cup of water could earn ten Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, which was already a great gain.
'I just don't know if there's a limit...'
Looking at the empty cup in Xia Qingyue's hand, Chen Qing had an idea. He returned to the table, picked up the teapot, and poured her another cup, "Thirsty, aren't you? Have another cup."
Xia Qingyue merely gave Chen Qing a strange look and didn't think much of it. With one hand partly covering her face, she tilted her head slightly and drank the tea in the cup.
[Successful Wife-Pampering! Congratulations, Host, for receiving a random reward: Strength Attribute +1!]
'Strength Attribute?!'
Initially, Chen Qing had thought that minor things like pouring tea would only reward Spirit Stones.
He never expected that the System not only didn't limit the number of times but also had varying qualities for random rewards.
After gaining and applying the Strength attribute point, he could clearly feel a surge of raw power appearing out of nowhere within his body, filling his limbs and bones.
Realizing this, Chen Qing immediately became interested and poured Xia Qingyue another cup.
... Xia Qingyue, though perplexed, obediently drank the tea because she didn't want to offend or anger Chen Qing.
Chen Qing poured again.
... Xia Qingyue drank again.
Chen Qing poured yet again.
... Xia Qingyue drank yet again.
Chen Qing continued to pour.
... Xia Qingyue continued to drink.
The more she drank, the more puzzled she became. Had Chen Qing mistaken wine for tea?
And she couldn't help but think, 'He made a mistake, so... should I just go along with it?'