Let me explain, it's not what you think.

Zhou Qingxuan glared at him, then couldn't help but laugh, burying her face back in his arms.

"My husband, I miss you so much, and so does the child!"

"I know. After I've dealt with things here, I'll return to the Dynasty, and then we'll... have a second child!"

"Yes, I'll do whatever my husband says."

Lu Chen was deeply moved when he saw Zhou Qingxuan's obedient appearance.

The once majestic empress is now merely his beloved wife.

After holding Zhou Qingxuan for a while, Lu Chen finally stepped out of the restriction she had set up.

At the same time, Zhou Qingxuan had already regained her composed and noble empress demeanor, although there was still a trace of lingering red at the corners of her eyes and some pink at the tips of her ears.

She raised her hand to tidy her hair, glanced indifferently at the three women waiting outside, said nothing, and stepped aside.

Dan Linglong and Ao Qian looked at her curiously, trying to see something on her face, but apart from a little pink, Zhou Qingxuan had already returned to her usual impeccable expression.

Yun Chuxue was the second. She didn't say much and turned to walk towards that corner.

She was dressed in white, her steps were graceful, and her back was as cold as frost, still the same fairy-like figure who kept everyone at a distance.

But Lu Chen clearly noticed that when she entered the area covered by the restriction, her steps were half a beat faster than before.

Like... a little scared?

really.

As soon as Yun Chuxue stepped into the restricted area, the array behind her closed, blocking all outside sight and sound, and she couldn't hold back anymore.

A thin blush rose visibly from that cool face, spreading from the cheekbones all the way to the ears, and even tinged the neck with a light pink.

Her gaze, which had been fixed straight ahead, suddenly wandered off. She stared at the stone wall for a moment, then looked down at her toes. Her hands clasped awkwardly in front of her, her fingers twisting together, as if she didn't know what to do with them.

Lu Chen stood in front of her, looking at her like this, and suddenly found it somewhat amusing.

The dignified Lord of Yaochi, with his late-stage Tribulation Transcending cultivation, remained calm and composed under the spotlight. Yet, when alone with him, she was speechless.

"Sect Master Yun?" he spoke first.

"what?"

Yun Chuxue's eyelashes trembled slightly. She glanced at him quickly before immediately looking away, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible: "Mm."

And then, that was the end of it.

Lu Chen waited for a while, and seeing that she was still keeping her head down and not saying anything, he couldn't help but take another step forward.

Yun Chuxue subconsciously took a step back, her back hitting the stone wall.

She looked up at him, and his eyes, usually as clear and cold as moonlight, were now filled with helplessness, embarrassment, and a hint of panic that she herself did not even realize.

"Waaaah! Why do I feel so much pressure being alone with Lu Langjun? I'm not like this in front of others, but now that they're not here, I suddenly don't know what to say!"

After a long silence, her lips moved, and she finally managed to squeeze out, "You...my lord, don't get so close."

"So, are you here to talk to me, or to have a standing meditation contest with me?" Lu Chen asked.

Yun Chuxue's face turned even redder.

She bit her lower lip, seemingly trying to regain her composure as the Holy Lord, but the more she tried, the more she failed. In the end, she could only turn her head away and whisper, "I...I just came to see you. Nothing else."

"Finished watching?"

"I've finished watching it."

"So you're going back?"

Yun Chuxue remained silent for a moment.

She didn't answer the question, but just kept turning her head away from him, her fingers clenching her sleeves.

After a while, she spoke in an even softer voice, "Then when will you come to Yaochi to see me?"

Looking at her, who clearly wanted to stay but pretended to be indifferent, Lu Chen's teasing intentions suddenly faded.

So he reached out and covered her clenched fingers, gently prying open her fist and tucking his fingers between hers.

Yun Chuxue froze, looking down at their clasped hands, her face flushed so deeply it looked like it was about to bleed.

"That's so unfair! How could he pry someone's hands apart like that! Men and women shouldn't touch each other!"

But she didn't break free; her shoulders just trembled slightly.

"You, you said you would come, why are you like this now?" Her voice was tinged with grievance.

"Yes, I'll come," Lu Chen replied, but he didn't let go.

Yun Chuxue slowly raised her head and glanced at him.

That glance held shyness, anger, resentment at being bullied, and the tenderness of finally letting go after his hand was held.

Looking at her like this, Lu Chen suddenly felt that this Holy Master of Yaochi was probably the most cold on the outside but shy on the inside of all the women he had ever met.

No, this woman is too cute, and she does some really tough things. Now that I have the upper hand, I have to teach her the family rules!

I had just put aside my teasing intentions when they arose again.

And seeing her shy and bashful appearance, Lu Chen couldn't suppress the mischievous thoughts in his heart.

He then leaned forward, lowering his head to whisper in her ear, "By the way, Sect Leader Yun, did you know that you look especially beautiful when you blush?"

"what?"

Yun Chuxue's ears turned visibly red, and she shrank back against the stone wall: "You...my lord, don't talk nonsense!"

"I'm not making this up."

Lu Chen moved closer, his nose almost touching her temple.

"You look much better now than when you were putting on airs in public."

Yun Chuxue turned her head to try to dodge, but there was a stone wall behind her, leaving her nowhere to retreat.

She raised her other hand to push him, but Lu Chen grabbed her wrist.

She struggled twice but couldn't break free, her eyes starting to redden with anxiety: "Lu Chen, let me go, I really... I'm not used to this..."

Lu Chen originally only intended to tease her a couple of times before stopping, but seeing her shy and anxious appearance, he suddenly couldn't take his eyes off her.

Besides, he doesn't like chaotic situations, and you, Yun Chuxue, didn't give him any face either.

Just thinking about how cold this woman is usually, like the moon hanging in the sky, its clear light shining for miles, yet untouchable and unattainable.

The moon had set, and she was trapped in her own little world, her face flushed, at a loss, and her eyes glistening with tears.

Then myself...

His Adam's apple bobbed, and as if possessed, he lowered his head and gently touched her lips.

I just touched it.

It was as light as a feather brushing across the water.

Ke Yun Chuxue froze completely.