Lying in a soft and gentle embrace, Lin Feng slowly drifted into sleep under Ling Yuan's gentle and perfectly timed massage. His breathing became calm, and a smile lingered on his lips.
Ling Yuan stopped her movements, gazing down at Lin Feng lying below her. Her own tense spirit unknowingly relaxed as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and chuckled softly.
"If only you had come earlier... then I wouldn't have had to share you with Xiao Xue."
Her gaze fell to his lips as she looked at his peaceful sleeping face.
A teasing voice suddenly cut in:"You want a taste too?"
Ling Yuan's pupils shrank as she looked toward the door."Xiao Xue, you—?"
Her face flushed with embarrassment, and she became flustered, instinctively wanting to get up.
"Shh, don't wake him," Qian Renxue whispered, stopping her.
She slowly approached the bedside and glanced at the notes on the table. The writing was dense and a bit messy, but it radiated energy — clearly, Lin Feng had been hit with inspiration again. She looked down at the sleeping Lin Feng with a trace of heartache, then sat beside Ling Yuan.
Placing a hand gently on Ling Yuan's shoulder—"Er…" Ling Yuan flinched slightly and gave a nervous smile.
"What are you so scared of?"
"Xiao Xue, just now I…"
Qian Renxue shook her head. "I noticed long ago. You don't have to hide anymore, Sister Ling Yuan."
Ling Yuan lowered her head, eyes dim. "Sorry…"
Qian Renxue bit her lip and sighed slightly."We agreed, when I'm not around, you'll take good care of Xiao Feng. But… anything we haven't done, you can't do either. And, he has to admit in front of me himself that he likes you."
Ling Yuan's head shot up, eyes bright with excitement."Really!?"
Her voice was low, but the joy was clear.
"Have I ever lied to you?"
"That's great! Thank you, Xiao Xue!"
She gave Qian Renxue a hug out of excitement. Qian Renxue rolled her eyes.
"You'd better start thinking how to get that playboy to confess himself. He probably thinks he's hiding his glances well, but I've been with him almost three years. You think I can't tell?"
Ling Yuan smiled slightly. With Aunt Ye's "strategy guide" in hand, she wasn't worried Lin Feng wouldn't fall into her net.
"Xiao Xue…"
"What?"
Ling Yuan's voice turned soft and a little bashful."Then… how far can I go?"
Qian Renxue's eyes flicked to the side, her ears turning red."Just hold hands for now! No kissing!"
"…Okay. I'll follow your rules."
With Qian Renxue's permission, Ling Yuan finally felt free of worries. Now she could take things slow, and everything would fall into place.
Seeing Ling Yuan's bright smile, Qian Renxue snorted."Old cow eating tender grass."
Ling Yuan wasn't bothered — she felt immune to gossip now.
With both girls at ease, sleepiness began to creep up again. They carefully tucked Lin Feng in and leaned against him, one on each side, quietly resting.
Ling Yuan wore a joyful smile.Qian Renxue's face was peaceful, as though a burden had been lifted.
Lin Feng: …
He didn't dare move.He realized he had underestimated Qian Renxue — she had noticed long ago how he looked at Ling Yuan.
He also realized her personality had changed. The proud and tsundere girl he once knew now showed nothing but wholehearted concern for his feelings.
Maybe it was because her years of pretending to be a prince of Heaven Dou Empire hadn't started yet. She didn't have the original Qian Renxue's extreme desire for power or possessiveness. Instead, she was simply a girl in love, who cared about the one she loved.
The image of the haughty heiress faded from his mind, replaced by a gentle, warm version of Qian Renxue.Maybe calling her a "dutiful wife" was a stretch right now, but… the traits were there?
From each side came their distinct scents:Ling Yuan's — long and soft like lavender.Qian Renxue's — delicate and pure like a blooming peony.
Lin Feng smiled quietly and calmed his thoughts.
When Lin Feng awoke, the bed beside him was empty.He pulled off a blanket he didn't remember being covered with, got up, and walked out the door.
"Sleep well?"
Ling Yuan yawned as she stretched, her graceful figure revealed without restraint.
Lin Feng raised an eyebrow. Not even trying to act anymore, huh?Maybe I should wait a bit longer to say I like her…
I mean, free perks. Why not?
"The most comfortable nap ever."
He winked and smiled.
Ling Yuan snorted and smoothly took his hand.
"Come on, Xiao Xue is waiting for you to eat."
Lin Feng held her hand tighter and nodded. "Alright."
Ling Yuan blinked in surprise, then smiled to herself. The more Lin Feng responded to her, the closer she was to her goal.
Unbeknownst to them, their entire interaction had already been eavesdropped on.
Qian Renxue, watching their joined hands from a distance, chuckled inwardly.
"Come, sit. You two must be hungry after all that… hard work."
She gestured to the two seats next to her.
"Thanks."
—
After their meal, Qian Renxue lowered her voice.
"The mission will likely start at the noble banquet a week from now."
Lin Feng nodded in thought.
"Then we should go to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well tomorrow. Dugu Bo's leaving in three days. Originally I planned to go later when we returned to Spirit Hall, but now it's risky. You just took over for Xue Qinghe — it's too soon for you to leave again. And after Dugu Bo joins Spirit Hall, another visit might alert Heaven Dou."
Qian Renxue froze briefly, then nodded."Will refining those two herbs take long?"
"Considering your background… a few hours should be enough."
—
The next day, disguised Qian Renxue, Lin Feng, and Chrysanthemum Douluo went to Dugu Bo's residence.
Dugu Bo, packing his belongings, looked surprised."You brought another little girl today? Looks a bit like Lin Feng. Kid, she your relative?"
"I'm his little sister," Qian Renxue replied sweetly, clinging to Lin Feng's arm.
"Ahh, makes sense."
"Grandpa Dugu, could we visit your medicinal garden today? We're here to collect those two herbs you promised."
Dugu Bo gave Lin Feng a knowing look.
"Let me guess — those two herbs are for your little sister, huh? Hmph. Gave your girlfriend six or seven, and only two to your sister. Little girl, your brother clearly doesn't care about you now that he's got a girlfriend."
Qian Renxue: …Yeah yeah, whatever you say.
T/N: For up to twelve chapters ahead on this fic and twenty on my other, become a P@tron at P@treon.com/LordHipposApostle