Bai Suzhen, I really need to punish you properly.

Bai Suzhen's long eyelashes trembled slightly, her eyes were filled with spring water, and a faint smile played on her lips.

Clad in white, she seemed otherworldly, ethereal and captivating; her beauty was so striking it evoked pity.

Wang Xuan gently embraced her, gazing at her with eyes full of admiration for his wife's unparalleled beauty.

Bai Suzhen let him hold her quietly, and then urged, "Aren't we going into your grotto?"

"Is my wife in such a hurry to play in the water with her husband?"

Wang Xuan joked, then smiled and took Bai Suzhen's hand, leading her into the grotto.

Xiaoqing had already revealed her true form and was swimming freely in the lake.

Seeing someone enter, Xiaoqing raised her enormous snake head, half of her body above the water, looking down at the two of them with a cheerful voice: "Sister, come in and play in the water with me!"

"My wife came here to play in the water with me, not with you." Wang Xuan only wanted to hold the fragrant and soft Bai Suzhen, not a big white snake. He looked at the thick green snake and said with dissatisfaction, "Also, hurry up and turn into a human."

"snort!"

Xiaoqing pretended it wasn't difficult, huffed angrily, and then dove into the water, splashing water all over Wang Xuan.

Bai Suzhen couldn't hide the smile on her lips.

Wang Xuan wiped the water droplets from his face, bit Bai Suzhen's earlobe, and said fiercely, "It's one thing for Xiaoqing to bully me, but my wife, you didn't even stop her for me. I'm going to punish you properly."

"Xiaoqing wasn't bullying you, sir; she was just teasing you," Bai Suzhen said with a gentle smile, then tugged at his sleeve. "Let's go soak with Xiaoqing for a while."

The two removed their elaborate outer robes, leaving only their close-fitting inner garments, and, holding Bai Suzhen's hand, stepped into the lake together.

As for completely undressing, that's naturally not going to happen, since the two of them came to see Xiaoqing, not for Xiaoqing to see.

The lake water was cool and refreshing, and it felt wonderful to soak in it.

Wang Xuan sat next to Bai Suzhen and casually recounted his experiences in the underworld.

Xiaoqing, disguised as a young girl, approached the two of them, her face clearly saying, "I'm not happy about this."

Because her older sister let Wang Xuan hug her from behind, and hugged her so tightly, she didn't play with her properly, and she was absent-minded when talking. On the contrary, she kept "uh-huh" and answered Wang Xuan's questions and stories very diligently.

After a long while, Bai Suzhen gently pushed Wang Xuan back to the shore, and only then did she have time to chat quietly with Xiaoqing.

Xiaoqing's face instantly lit up with a bright smile, and she chattered to her sister about the details that Wang Xuan had not mentioned in the underworld.

As the two women chatted, they both transformed back into their original forms.

Wang Xuan had seen Xiao Qing's appearance before.

As for Bai Suzhen, she transformed into a giant white snake with clear, vertical pupils and white scales all over her body, like warm jade. Her body was enormous yet elegant and otherworldly, like a spiritual seed nurtured by heaven and earth.

Wang Xuan sat on the shore, secretly praising: "She truly deserves to be my first wife."

The original forms are all so beautiful.

He watched as two figures, one in white and one in green, frolicked freely on the lake, and couldn't help but feel a little envious of Leng Bingxin's painting skills. He really wanted to copy this scene.

After a long while, Wang Xuan and Bai Suzhen left hand in hand, leaving Xiaoqing alone there.

That night, Wang Xuan stayed in Bai Suzhen's room.

The next morning, the group of sisters gathered in the hall for a chat.

Even when Wang Xuan is not at home, they will still do the same.

Wang Xuan and Bai Suzhen arrived late.

Only then did the women realize that Wang Xuan had returned.

The county government did not hold court every day; the usual practice was once every three days.

Therefore, Wang Xuan was not in a hurry to go and deal with the affairs of the county government.

Rouge smiled and quickly greeted him, asking, "Husband, when did you get back?"

Wang Xuan replied softly, "I got back a little late last night, so I didn't want to bother you."

Nie Xiaoqian asked curiously, "Where is Sister Xiaoqing?"

Although the Soul-Stabilizing Pearl had been given to Yuanjun, it was only early morning, and Nie Xiaoqian's cultivation had improved considerably. She could now walk around the backyard for a short while without any problems.

"Xiaoqing is afraid of the heat, so she's inside my cave."

"Oh." Nie Xiaoqian nodded gently.

Rouge then asked, "Didn't you bring any ladies back this time, sir?"

Wang Xuan spread his hands and sighed helplessly, "My public image has collapsed."

Some of the girls smiled secretly, some smiled with their eyes crinkled, and some laughed like silver bells.

Looking at the group of smiling beauties, Wang Xuan was both amused and exasperated: "Are you all so happy?"

Rouge then explained, "Husband, didn't Sister Bai tell you?"

"What did you say?"

"A young lady came looking for you and is now staying in a side room in Xiaoqian's courtyard."

"Wife, why didn't you tell me last night?" Wang Xuan blinked, somewhat confused. "Who?"

Bai Suzhen smiled sweetly: "My lord, don't you know who you've offended?"

Wang Xuan frowned, pondering carefully, and tentatively asked, "Is it the Snow Woman? The one with white hair?"

Bai Suzhen gently shook her head: "No."

"Is that Anu?"

"no."

Wang Xuan recalled the women he had met one by one in his mind; he knew Leng Bingxin and Feng Sanniang.

"Could it be Caiyi? But I didn't tell her I was in Qiantang!"

The women all cast admiring glances at him.

Rouge said, half sighing and half teasing, "I never imagined that my husband knew so many female confidantes outside. It seems that my husband should consider buying a house deed next."

"We're just acquaintances." Wang Xuan waved her hand lightly, then suddenly realized something and looked at the women suspiciously. "You're not trying to trick me, are you?"

Nie Xiaoqian gently shook her head, her voice soft and gentle: "Young master, it's true. I'll go and call her here now."

Her figure was light and ethereal as she slowly stepped out of the room.

Wang Xuan was truly puzzled. He couldn't think of anyone he knew who would specifically seek out Qiantang.

Bai Suzhen gently reminded her, "She is not human."

Rouge added, "Husband, let me remind you, you two met at Dongting Lake."

"Dongting Lake?"

Wang Xuan tilted his head slightly in thought.

In Dongting Lake, I only know Ao Jin.

Could it be that Ao Jin's family has come knocking on their door?

A home visit to refuse a marriage proposal?

He was unwilling for the Dragon Girl to become his concubine?

Did they come specifically to stop us?

Wang Xuan's mind started to wander, and he began to make wild guesses.

Zhong Li then asked, "Brother Wang Xuan, what's the underworld like?"

"Most places are quite eerie, but there are also peaceful and quiet spots," Wang Xuan said with a smile, trying to comfort her. "Are you worried about your brother? Don't worry, he's doing very well down there."

Zhong Li nodded with relief.

Wang Xuan asked in a low voice, "How's the spider silk coming along?"

Zhong Li murmured softly, "It's not ready yet."

Wang Xuan chuckled and pinched her cheek: "No rush, take your time."

Before long, Nie Xiaoqian led a woman into the hall.

The woman's face was slightly pale, and a faint layer of fatigue shrouded her brows and eyes, yet it could not conceal her skin as smooth as jade and her eyes as clear as autumn water. A plain white silk dress accentuated her slender figure, and her haggard appearance was tinged with a delicate and pitiful beauty.