Who among the gangsters wants to fall in love?

Chapter 449 The Four Phoenixes of the Royal Family, Attacking the Taiji Hall
As the first rays of dawn broke, a thin mist enveloped the streets and alleys, both inside and outside the palace, while birds perched on branches, chirping and twittering.

Inside Kunning Palace, Shen Xiangge, dressed in a deep red silk nightgown, leaned against a couch, her beautiful figure appearing full of tension under the dress.

She heard birds chirping outside the palace and saw the morning light streaming in. Her eyes twitched, and with a flick of her finger, the window paper was instantly pierced by her inner strength, revealing a tiny hole.

Outside the rear hall, came the faint sound of birds frantically flapping their wings and taking flight; the chirping and squawking of the dead birds ceased.

She snorted coldly. The Empress Dowager was sitting in front of her dressing table washing up, holding a jade comb to gather her hair. Upon seeing this, she turned around and looked at her.

What are you angry about?

"I really underestimated the Imperial Tutor. Xiao Yuanmu and the Emperor couldn't even last a few hours, yet she managed to pester the Marquis for most of the night, making me wait here all night..."

The Empress Dowager was actually a little expectant, hoping that Zhao Wumian would not be satisfied after the wedding night and would come here to find her. She hadn't slept all night.

But as Shen Xiangge's aunt, she couldn't appear too seductive. Upon hearing this, she calmly withdrew her elegant phoenix eyes, picked up a gold hairpin to tie her hair, and patiently said:
"On your wedding night, even if the Marquis is not truly satisfied, he should be with his wife and naturally won't come looking for you... Do you really want to see him go out and seek pleasure with other women in the middle of the night on your wedding night?"

Shen Xiangge raised her head and said, "If he can't find me, I won't let him have the energy. I'll definitely torture him to the bone..."

Snapped.

Before she finished speaking, the Empress Dowager came over and patted Shen Xiangge's pert buttocks, raising her eyebrows in surprise.

"Why would a young lady say such lewd things?"

Shen Xiangge covered her buttocks with her small hands, her red lips slightly pursed, thinking to herself that what you said in the past was much more exaggerated than this.

Phrases like "Your Highness, kill me!" and "I wish to be a carefree woman" were frequently heard.

But since her aunt was hypocritical, she dared not say a word. Then, seeing the Empress Dowager's hands clasped over her lower abdomen, her posture dignified and elegant, she said:

"Judging by the time, the Emperor should have been at Kunning Palace to pay his respects by now. He probably won't be able to get out of bed today. Let's go check on him... Xiao Yuanmu seems to be in the palace too. We mustn't let those two get into a fight on this joyous occasion..."

"Recently, Aunt's attitude towards Xiao Yuanmu has improved quite a bit?"

The Empress Dowager shook her head slightly and said softly:

"When the Marquis disappeared, Xiao Yuanmu stayed in the palace. At that time, the Emperor was seriously ill, and I handled all matters, large and small, with her. It would have been a perfect opportunity for Xiao Yuanmu to rebel then, but she didn't..."

Thinking about it carefully, with the Marquis standing between us, even if we cause trouble, will we really end up killing each other? And no matter how much we dislike each other and confront each other, it's nothing more than children playing house, adding nothing but boredom.

Shen Xiangge got up, dressed, and sat in front of the dressing table, speaking softly.

"That's true. I think the Emperor and Xiao Yuanmu might even develop feelings for each other through their arguments. Even if they fight, it's nothing. With the Marquis around, it'll just be a minor squabble, like patting someone's butt or pulling their hair..."

"But once the news of Aunt's affair with Marquis Weiming is brought up, most of the joy will be immediately dissipated."

"Can we keep delaying like this? The emperor is in a good mood right now, so even if this gets out, he shouldn't be too angry..."

The Empress Dowager's tone was slightly surprised and uncertain, but she was mentally prepared to go all out and avoid further hesitation.

The aunt and niece did not ride in a palanquin, but chatted idly as they walked along the palace road toward Luo Chaoyan and the Imperial Tutor's bedroom.

"Good morning, Your Highness. Good morning, Miss Shen..."

When she encountered palace maids paying their respects on the road, the Empress Dowager would take out red envelopes that she had prepared in advance and give them to them, so as to bring more joy to the palace.

To avoid disturbing each other and ruining their time alone with their lovers, the two kept their palaces a little far apart. When the Empress Dowager and Shen Xiangge arrived at the Emperor's bedchamber, they found no one there.

The two women were slightly taken aback. They pushed open the door and entered the bridal chamber. A delicate fragrance wafted into their noses. Tearful pieces of the wedding dress could be vaguely seen on the floor. The soft, dark red bedsheets were slightly messy, and there were even a few claw marks.

"The Emperor and Xiao Yuanmu certainly had a good time last night." Shen Xiangge examined the marks on the bed, her tone tinged with jealousy.

"Why did you run off without even bothering to tidy up..." The Empress Dowager bent down to pick up the fabric of her wedding dress from the ground and draped it over her forearm.

Luo Chaoyan always took care of these private items herself and rarely let palace maids do it, so even now no palace maid dares to enter the room directly.

As the two women were wondering what was going on, footsteps sounded outside the hall. Su Qingqi and Guan Yunshu hurried in, clearly looking for the two women, aunt and niece. As soon as they pushed open the door, their voices became slightly urgent as they said:
"I heard from the Imperial Tutor that something happened to the young master, and the Emperor and the others are there..."

"Something happened? With the Marquis's martial arts skills, what could possibly happen to him?"

The Empress Dowager's pretty face immediately turned pale, as if struck by lightning, leaving her frozen in place, unable to understand how such a joyous day could suddenly turn into such a strange and unexpected turn of events.

The women hurriedly lifted their skirts and ran towards the Imperial Tutor's palace. Shen Xiangge, unlike the Empress Dowager, was not flustered and muttered to herself:

"You've really underestimated the Imperial Tutor. On their wedding night, he can't possibly drain the Marquis dry, can he? That's a real spider demon..."

Upon arriving at the palace, one could see many figures inside, and even from outside the palace, one could faintly hear a woman sobbing.

"Why are you crying? Anyone who didn't know better would think you became a widow right after getting married."

Zhao Wumian's slightly helpless voice followed, his words full of energy and without a trace of abnormality, which made the girls breathe a sigh of relief.

"If only I had known, if only I hadn't married you, you'd end up ruining your body like this..." the Imperial Tutor cried, his words broken and fragmented.

The women were even more puzzled. They pushed open the door and walked in. They saw a painting on the table. The painting depicted Zhao Wumian and Ziyi... or rather Ji Zihuai pressing their fingerprints onto the marriage certificate. They were sweet and happy, laughing and talking. It was obviously sent over by Guan Yunshu early this morning.

Looking to the side, Luo Xiangzhu, Xiao Yuanmu, Luo Chaoyan, Mu Lier and others were standing together, surrounding the soft couch.

Upon closer inspection, one could see that Zhao Wumian was dressed in red, with one leg bent and his arm resting on his knee. He sat in a relaxed posture and looked quite well. However, he did not wear a crown, and his hair cascaded down to his waist, appearing as pale as snow.

His hair turned white overnight.

Empress Dowager, Shen Xiangge immediately froze on the spot, her beautiful eyes wide open.

Having been transformed into a primordial body by the jade pendant, Zhao Wumian now possesses fair skin and a full head of white hair. Compared to his previous dashing and youthful spirit, he now appears more ethereal, refined, aloof, and proud.

The Empress Dowager was mesmerized, her first reaction being how her man had become so handsome overnight.

She was reluctant to tell Luo Chaoyan about the affair... she wanted to spend a few more days having an affair with the Marquis before telling him.

Shen Xiangge parted her pink lips into an oval shape and looked at Ji Zihuai.

She too was dressed in red, kneeling against the corner of the soft couch, arms wrapped around her legs, sobbing with her head down. Her hair was as white as snow, like the Milky Way hanging in the night, making her extremely beautiful. But at this moment, she cried so pitifully that she evoked pity in everyone who heard her.

Shen Xiangge blinked and couldn't help but say:

"Imperial Tutor, I, I truly underestimated you. You, you actually managed to... How about I become your disciple..."

Before she could finish speaking, the Empress Dowager immediately came to her senses and pinched Shen Xiangge's waist.

What are you saying?!
Upon hearing this, the previously tense atmosphere in the room suddenly became strained. Ji Zihuai looked up blankly, her eyes red and swollen, as if she wanted to laugh, but when she thought of what Shen Xiangge had said, her pretty face couldn't help but blush.

Xiao Yuanmu chuckled lightly. Although his legs were still a little weak, he still maintained the demeanor of the Tai Xuan Palace Master, waving his fan and smiling before asking softly:

"You deserve an explanation for your appearance..."

The window was open, and a few wisps of breeze blew by, causing Zhao Wumian's white hair to sway gently. He casually tied his white hair back with a red ribbon and gave a brief explanation of his relationship with Ziyi.

The sound made everyone present feel a pang of anxiety, their eyes filled with tension.

Zhao Wumian, his mouth dry from talking, got up to pour himself a glass of water before turning to Ji Zihuai, who was so pitiful and quietly sobbing, and continued:
"I have completely absorbed the celestial aura from my wife through the Nine Bells... Putting everything else aside, for myself alone, this is clearly a good thing..."

After all, my martial arts have been stagnant here for many days. Now that I have received immortal energy, I have undoubtedly gained a predestined connection with the immortals and have gained many insights. If I wait until I have settled down and then fight Canglanghan again, I am afraid that one move would be enough to take his life.

"Martial arts, martial arts, all you know is martial arts." Ji Zihuai cursed at him, "This young lady doesn't have much time left because of this immortal energy, and you've absorbed it all. Have you thought about how many days you have left to live?"

After she finished cursing, she started sobbing again, tears streaming down her face. "And what did you mean by widow... If you die, won't I really become a widow?"

"The more debts I have, the less I worry. Haven't I experienced enough near-death experiences?" Zhao Wumian casually picked up a strand of his white hair and examined it, saying softly:
"Before this immortal aura can kill me, Yuanmu's solidified inner energy will probably kill me first..."

Xiao Yuanmu was still pondering the father-daughter relationship between Ji Yingshi and the Imperial Tutor when he heard this. His eyes twitched, and he was furious.

Well then, before the Imperial Tutor kills you, I'll kill you first?

Luo Chaoyan was quite frightened by Zhao Wumian's constitution and filled with worry, but she knew the gravity of the situation and gently comforted her master, saying softly:

"That's right, that's right. Xiao Yuanmu hasn't even cried yet, so why is Master crying? How many lives has my husband risked for her? He even went to the imperial court to steal the Naraku Red Silk for her, and died once. It was Master who saved his life..."

Xiao Yuanmu: ?

If I keep talking, she's really going to cry, I'm not kidding, she really will cry.

In fact, given Zhao Wumian's relationship with all the girls, risking his life for someone is nothing. Back then, Mu Li'er also took the initiative to practice Gu for Zhao Wumian's innate Ten Thousand Poisons Body.
Weeping and wailing may seem a bit affected, but it's simply human nature.

If Zhao Wumian hadn't taken the risks for Ji Zihuai, she could only cherish their married life as much as possible. When she realized she was about to die, she would leave Zhao Wumian some things and then disappear into the world, leaving no trace for Zhao Wumian to find.

To avoid him knowing he was dead and becoming even more distressed.

Now that Zhao Wumian has taken almost all the risks upon himself... she wanted to call him a fool, but she also knew that Zhao Wumian truly liked her.

It's human nature to cry and laugh, laugh and cry; that's just how it is.

For a while, Ji Zihuai was clearly unable to calm down and could only continue to sob softly.

But Zhao Wumian let out a soft "Eh," raised his hand to gather the swirling black energy, and after a moment of contemplation, looked at Xiao Yuanmu and exclaimed with great joy:

“Yuanmu, this… this is promising! After the immortal energy enters the body, it subtly improves the physique, perhaps changing it towards an ‘immortal body.’ As a result, the blood and qi naturally increase, thus maintaining a certain balance with the internal energy…”

Xiao Yuanmu was taken aback, his expression a mixture of surprise and delight. Inside the room, Su Qingqi, Mu Li'er, and the other women also immediately changed their expressions and eagerly pressed for answers.

"Really?"

"That's right, how could a celestial being's body be unable to handle mere internal energy?"

"Let alone internal energy, even other difficult and complicated diseases can be easily solved as long as one becomes an immortal and ascends to heaven. Otherwise, what kind of immortal would one be?"

"This method is straightforward and efficient. Why bother looking for some blood-coagulation crystal or figuring out some fancy cultivation technique..."

The room immediately erupted in chatter.

Even the woman in purple couldn't help but look up, her expression filled with surprise. Her eyes were red, and she walked quickly across the floor barefoot.

"Come here, come here, let me take your pulse. This is no joke..."

"Don't cry anymore?"

Stop talking nonsense and sit up straight.

"You don't care how I sit?"

"Bride, bride, if I don't take care of you, who will?"

Luo Chaoyan opened her mouth, wanting to say that she was both the bride and the emperor, and could interfere both publicly and privately, but she couldn't get a word in edgewise.

The lush branches towered above the palace walls, dappled shadows falling softly across the palace grounds. Inside and out, a lively atmosphere prevailed, occasionally punctuated by bursts of laughter.

As for Ji Yingshi's ascension to immortality and the fact that he left behind Ji Zihuai as his child... to be honest, nobody cares.

Even Ji Zihuai doesn't care who her biological father is... after all, raising someone is more important than giving birth to them.    
With Zhao Wumian's martial arts skills, he was certain that this immortal energy was useful for maintaining the yin-yang balance in his body, so there was no way he was wrong.

However, the improvement of one's physique by the aura of immortals cannot be achieved overnight; it requires time and gradual transformation... After all, Zhao Wumian did not truly ascend to immortality; he merely received the opportunity to become an immortal ahead of time.

Zhao Wumian didn't know exactly how long it would take, so to be on the safe side, it would be best to go to the Western Regions and get the Blood Coagulation Pill.

Only in this way can there be no worries, making it easier for Zhao Wumian, Xiao Yuanmu, and others to freely comprehend and quickly gain a glimpse of the immortal intent.

This divine opportunity might cost Zhao Wumian his life, but according to his guess... before that, it would be enough for him to ascend to immortality.

With all the answers laid out before him, it was not difficult for him to deduce the cause from the effect, given his talent.

If he doesn't even have this much confidence and ambition, what's the point of practicing martial arts?
However, this immortal aura originated from Zi Yi. Without Zhao Wumian's physique and martial arts skills, rashly coming into contact with it would only lead to an irreversible end. Therefore, it cannot be casually transferred to Xiao Yuanmu and the others.

Therefore, Zhao Wumian could only allow them to gain some insight, but even that was enough to benefit them immensely.

As a result, Xiao Yuanmu, Shen Xiangge, Mu Lier, Su Qingqi, and even Guan Yunshu all took advantage of this ethereal aura to go into seclusion and cultivate diligently.

Guan Yunshu had long since become indifferent to her martial arts... but if Zhao Wumian were to truly ascend to immortality in the future, she was determined not to be left behind.

Only Luo Chaoyan, Ji Zihuai, and Luo Xiangzhu remained. The Empress Dowager, due to her mediocre martial arts skills, could not comprehend anything from the immortal charm, thus finding herself in a state of leisure and ease.

Luo Chaoyan had never received imperial education since childhood, which is why she was extremely diligent. Even though she got married yesterday, she still went to court on time today.

However, being newly acquainted with her, she was inevitably clingy. While she was attending court in the Taiji Hall, she insisted that Zhao Wumian wait for her in the study, even though they were only separated by a wall.

As soon as court was over, she would immediately lift her skirt and snuggle up to her husband, acting coquettishly and affectionately.

Zhao Wumian was still dressed in a deep red python robe, his white hair tied up and hanging down his waist. He sat in front of the study bed, also meditating with his eyes closed.

The Empress Dowager sat at the table, holding a teacup in her small hands, her phoenix eyes lost in thought.

Back then, Zhao Wumian carried her all the way out of the deep palace right here... Now, more than a year has passed, but those scenes are still clear in the Empress Dowager's eyes, as if she could reach out and touch them.

crunch--

The door opened slightly, and Ji Zihuai and Luo Xiangzhu walked in slowly, carrying trays filled with various snacks and pastries.

"Emperor Chaoyan is indeed having a tough time. After court, it will be mealtime. Let's grab something to eat first."

Apart from her slightly red and swollen eyes, Ji Zihuai showed no signs of having just cried.

She never dyed her hair again; her snow-white hair was coiled up and tied with a jade hairpin. She wore a red dress and had rouge on her lips. Overnight, she gained a touch of mature womanly charm.

Her chubby cheeks, as she chewed something, gave her a touch of girlish cuteness and naivety.

Of all the sisters in the courtyard, Ji Zihuai and Luo Xiangzhu were the most gluttonous. When Zhao Wumian met her in Jin, she ignored him and ate noodles on her own.

Luo Xiangzhu approached Zhao Wumian, her expression slightly worried... No matter how much Zhao Wumian assured her, his current appearance with a full head of white hair still made people's hearts ache.

Zhao Wumian opened his eyes, let out a soft sigh, smiled slightly at Luo Xiangzhu, and raised his hand to tuck a few strands of slightly messy hair from her forehead.

Luo Xiangzhu blushed slightly and smiled at him.

Ji Zihuai strode over, smoothed her skirt, sat down in front of the couch, and grabbed Zhao Wumian's wrist. "Let me take your pulse again..."

Zhao Wumian was well aware of her own physical condition, but it was understandable that Ji Zihuai was worried, so she let her be.

After taking her pulse for a while, Zhao Wumian remembered something and took her small hand in his.

Ji Zihuai's pretty face flushed slightly. She glanced at the Empress Dowager and Luo Xiangzhu, but didn't pull away. She asked softly, "What's wrong?"

Zhao Wumian probed the inner energy, sensing it for a moment before his brows furrowed slightly, and he said:
"The immortal energy within you originates from your bloodline, like an endless supply of chives. I absorb one batch, and another is still growing... Are you very hungry?"

Ji Zihuai blinked, looking slightly worried, and nodded slightly, "My stomach has been growling ever since I woke up this morning..."

Energy doesn't just appear out of thin air. Although Ji Zihuai doesn't practice martial arts, her immortal energy has been completely absorbed by Zhao Wumian. To replenish it, she naturally needs to eat more.

But this was clearly not a good thing for Ji Zihuai... With her physique, she couldn't bear the aura of an immortal.

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager also came to her senses and approached softly, asking, "Wouldn't the Marquis have taken this risk for nothing?"

"How could that be? If I had it now, I could just take it again, wouldn't that be enough?" Zhao Wumian gently kneaded his wife's soft, white hands.

Ji Zihuai was stunned for a few seconds before she realized what Zhao Wumian meant, and her pretty face immediately turned red.

She hurriedly got up to dodge, but Zhao Wumian gently pulled her, and she sat in his lap.

The Empress Dowager's almond-shaped eyes brightened slightly, clearly indicating that she wanted to take advantage of Luo Chaoyan's distraction to have another secret affair with the Marquis.

The Empress Dowager raised her hand to smooth her black hair, knelt before Zhao Wumian, and traced a captivating arc behind her.

She raised her hand and untied Zhao Wumian's belt, saying righteously:

"For the sake of the Imperial Tutor's life, we must hurry..."

What does it have to do with you, Empress Dowager, if I'm thinking about my own affairs?

Ji Zihuai couldn't say these words... Zhao Wumian had one arm around her waist, while the other hand had already slipped under her skirt, caressing her rather fleshy thigh.

Ji Zihuai wrapped her arms around her husband's neck, rested her head on his shoulder, and trembled slightly.

Luo Xiangzhu's delicate body tensed. She wanted to run away, but in this vast palace, with her sleepless brother here, she didn't want to go anywhere else.

But to everyone's surprise, not long after the Empress Dowager parted her red lips, the door beside her suddenly swung open, and Luo Chaoyan, dressed in a dragon robe, stood behind the door expressionlessly, gazing at the Empress Dowager who was kneeling on the ground.

The Empress Dowager jolted, instantly turning to look at the Emperor. She froze for a few seconds, her elegant face flushing crimson. "Your Majesty!? You, how could you…"

The Empress Dowager glanced at Zhao Wumian out of the corner of her eye.

Why didn't you warn me when Chaoyan arrived?!
Zhao Wumian looked at her in confusion... Didn't we agree to tell her everything today?

The Empress Dowager understood her lover's meaning and was immediately dumbfounded. She could only bite the bullet, touch the corner of her lips with her sleeve, and force a smile.

"Has the Emperor's morning court session ended?"

Luo Chaoyan suddenly smiled as well.
"The palace was empty and the people had left shortly after it ended. If it weren't for that, I wouldn't have known that my mother had already had an affair with the Marquis... That's right, there are only a few kittens in the harem, and only you and me, mother and daughter. Apart from the Marquis, there are no other men."

"After spending so much time together, it's only natural that Mother would develop feelings for him."

Luo Chaoyan's tone was frighteningly calm. The Empress Dowager's heart nearly leaped out of her throat. At this point, all she could say was:
"Mother, Mother and the Marquis are deeply in love..."

“That’s your son-in-law,” Luo Chaoyan pointed out.

The Empress Dowager was almost in tears, her eyes slightly red, as she looked at Zhao Wumian.

My lord, say something!

Zhao Wumian couldn't help but chuckle, looking at Luo Chaoyan, "Don't you dare tease the Empress Dowager..."

The Empress Dowager was taken aback, and Zhao Wumian continued, "Of course Your Majesty would be ashamed to talk about such a thing... so I told His Majesty last night."

The Empress Dowager was startled again, then suddenly her lips trembled and tears welled up in her eyes.

But she was thinking, "Oh no, it's really going to be a long time since I can be intimate with my lover."

Luo Chaoyan had already processed her shock, jealousy, anger, and embarrassment last night... Compared to her encounter with Xiao Yuanmu last night, what was the Empress Dowager's affair?

Everything is revealed through comparison.

Now, he just wants to tease the Empress Dowager and vent his anger.

Hmph, you're allowed to have an affair with your husband and hide it from me for a year, but I'm not allowed to scare you?

Luo Chaoyan glanced sideways at the Imperial Tutor, whose dress was half-undone, revealing his fragrant shoulders and red undergarment. She frowned slightly, her tone revealing dissatisfaction, and glared at Zhao Wumian.

"How long has it been, and you've already bullied your master again?"

"This is not bullying. This immortal energy is like a wildfire that cannot be extinguished, and it will grow back with the spring breeze. If we don't cultivate together a few more times, in the end, it will be her who suffers."

Luo Chaoyan was taken aback, and also put away her playful mood, quickly stepping forward, "Then, then why don't you hurry up?"

Ji Zihuai breathed softly, her eyes glazed over. Seeing this, she looked up and met Luo Chaoyan's gaze.

The master and apprentice stared at each other for a few seconds, then their pretty faces flushed red at the same time, and they turned their faces away.

Zhao Wumian became interested, picked up Ji Zihuai, pulled Luo Chaoyan and left the study, quickly went to the Taiji Hall and sat down on the dragon throne.

The dragon throne is spacious enough to serve as half a dragon bed...

"Hey, what... what do you want to do?"

"How dare you! Ah..."

Tear————

The Empress Dowager and Luo Xiangzhu widened their beautiful eyes upon hearing the faint sounds coming from inside the hall.

In the past, when the Empress Dowager and her lover had an affair, it could only be described as debauchery in the inner palace. But now, it's debauchery in the imperial court...

The two women were still in a daze when Zhao Wumian suddenly appeared before them and pulled them both away...

The Luo royal family consists of only a handful of members.

Who says this isn't a roundabout way to achieve the goal?
The Luo family emperor was pinned high on the dragon throne by that traitor Zhao Wumian...

It was February.

Early spring.

Springtime is present both inside and outside the palace.

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It's almost over, so I haven't been asking for monthly votes for the past two months.

Dear readers, you can vote for other authors with your monthly tickets; it's not a waste.

For example, Chicken Fork Old Deng, and Guan Guan Gongzi imprisoned them.

After all, we are both books of the same type.

They even gave each other chapter recommendations and alliance leaders, so their relationship is much better than that of other authors.

(End of this chapter)