Streams of emerald-green life Qi coursed through Xiao Yi Xian's meridians and flesh, refining her aptitude with every passing moment. About ten minutes later, the verdant energy gradually faded, absorbed completely into her body until it vanished.
Her aura surged, breaking directly through to the peak of Four-Star Dou Zun. It was a pity she hadn't pushed into Five-Star in one go, but it was clear the breakthrough wouldn't take long now.
Among all of Xiao Tian's women, Xiao Yi Xian leveled up the fastest—and yet she was the one they envied the least. Every shred of her strength had been earned through blood and sweat. They had all witnessed her cultivate. Poisons that would kill any of them if combined were drawn directly into her body and converted into Dou Qi. Their respect for her ran deep. In their eyes and hearts, second only to Xun'er, she was the true head of the harem—the one everyone revered.
Xiao Yi Xian was gentle, kind, and unfailingly understanding. Whenever any of them needed something, she would move heaven and earth to provide it, her care always meticulous.
"Xian'er, how do you feel? Are you alright?"
Even as Medusa exclaimed in relief, Xiao Tian had already scooped her up and brought her before Xiao Yi Xian.
"I'm fine. My entire body feels brimming with vitality. And most importantly—I feel I have better control over my Calamity Poison Body." Xiao Yi Xian rose and tested her limbs with small movements, wonder threading through her voice. Then she noticed the layer of black grime coating her skin, carrying a faintly unpleasant odor.
She had always been fastidious. She couldn't bear having anything on her body—except, naturally, what Xiao Tian himself had given her. She hastily used Dou Qi to separate the expelled filth from her skin and addressed the two before her. "I'm going to wash up. I feel sticky and filthy." She shot Xiao Tian a pointed glare. His handiwork was definitely part of this.
She turned toward the bathhouse. Before she had taken three steps, a strong arm swept her off her feet.
"I'm very happy to assist. I'm quite the professional, you know." Xiao Yi Xian twisted her head and found Xiao Tian's face right there, a wicked grin stretched across it.
"I don't think you're happy to help. I just don't want to expose you." Medusa's voice drifted over, tinged with jealousy and play. Inside, she was thinking, *You detestable man. Can't you see I also need to bathe? I don't see you offering to help me, you wretch. Hmph.*
Xiao Tian took one look at Medusa's expression and knew exactly what was running through her mind. They knew each other inside and out.
"Then, my revered Majesty… do you also require my assistance?" He extended a hand toward her, smiling.
"This Queen has no need whatsoever." Even as she spoke, her body betrayed her. She grasped his outstretched hand and, refusing to meet his eyes, pouted and added, "Don't misunderstand. This Queen is merely granting you this opportunity out of pity—because you begged so earnestly."
Xiao Tian watched her—longing in her heart, stubbornness on her tongue—and pulled firmly. Medusa tumbled straight into his embrace.
Xiao Yi Xian, still cradled in his other arm, watched the whole exchange and burst out laughing. "You talk about respect when it comes to Cai Li, but in private you hold nothing back. You're so wicked… and I love it."
"Exactly! You call that respect?" Medusa pinched Xiao Tian hard, emboldened by Xiao Yi Xian's teasing.
"Ah~ It hurts~" Xiao Tian let out an exaggerated wail of agony, then swiftly carried both of them toward the bathhouse.
Splash! A tremendous cascade of water erupted as the three of them plunged into the bath, sending spray arcing high into the air.
Under Xiao Tian's attentive care, the two women cleansed their bodies thoroughly. Once clean, they repaid his favor of a single drop with a gushing spring, returning every effort he had made in kind. After all, one cannot simply take without giving. That would be improper. Having grown up under the red flag, reciprocity was essential—only then could friendly and harmonious development flourish.
---
The next morning, Xiao Tian stirred in bed. He carefully moved the exquisite legs draped over him to the side and sat up. At that moment, the chamber doors opened.
A figure with emerald-green hair, dressed in a cyan dress, stepped inside. "Young Master, I have come to serve you with your morning wash."
It was Qing Lin. She set the basin on the stand, then moved to the wardrobe and selected a set of clothes. She returned to Xiao Tian's side and began helping him dress.
"Qing'er, why are you here? Have you been waiting outside this whole time?" Xiao Tian watched her as she moved about the room.
"Qing Lin is Young Master's exclusive maid. Serving you is my duty. But it has been so long since Qing Lin last helped Young Master with his wash." Her little lips pushed into a pout as she spoke softly. During her quiet work, her eyes drifted toward Medusa and Xiao Yi Xian, still sound asleep on the bed. A faint look of envy flickered through her gaze. *Young Master hasn't favored Qing Lin for several days now.*
But she wasn't truly resentful. The others had already explained everything to her. Young Master had told her himself that her body wasn't yet ready to bear a child.
Xiao Tian spread his arms and let Qing Lin's gentle hands work. Her gaze and expression had been subtle, but he had caught them all the same. Seeing her pout so adorably, looking so thoroughly wronged—she was so cute he couldn't resist teasing her.
Once Qing Lin had finished dressing him, Xiao Tian wrapped his arms around her slender waist and pulled her body flush against his. He pressed a light kiss to her lips, then leaned close to her ear and whispered.
"Tonight… your Young Master will come find you."
Qing Lin's eyes blazed to life. A wave of fatal charm radiated unbidden from her body—the innate ability of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, triggered by her sudden joy.
"Can I call Sister Yue as well?" She paused, as if recalling something. "Qing Lin is afraid… afraid I won't be able to handle it alone."
"Of course you can." Xiao Tian welcomed the more, the merrier.
Under Qing Lin's service, Xiao Tian finished a simple wash and stepped out of the bedchamber. Qing Lin remained behind to tidy the room.
He walked from the Back Palace toward the Front Palace of the Eternal Dream Palace. Inside, he found Yun Yun, Ya Fei, and Han Yue, along with Xiao Zhan, Xiao Ding, Xue Lan, and the rest of the family already gathered.
And there were his two daughters—one cradled in their grandfather's arms, the other held by their sister-in-law Xue Lan.
Xiao Tian settled beside Yun Yun and Ya Fei. "Is there any discomfort in your bodies?" he asked gently.
Both shook their heads. Ya Fei rested her head on his shoulder, watching her daughter being teased by the joyful crowd, and smiled. "None at all. And right now… I feel so unbelievably happy." She thought back to how she had once agonized over her fate—and now, here she was, having borne a blood descendant for the man she loved. Her face was luminous with fulfillment. She truly had no regrets left in this life.
Yun Yun nodded quietly beside her, the same peace written across her features. Han Yue watched them both with open envy shining in her eyes.
At that moment, Qing Lin, having finished her tidying, stepped into the hall.