Several weeks had passed since the Wong family palace had been stripped bare and the foundations of the new Li family palace were laid.
One random morning, the disciples of Fenghuang Peak woke up to find a magnificent new estate standing where only empty plots had been the day before.
Towering vermilion gates
Jade-tiled roofs that shimmered like dragon scales.
Nine interconnected courtyards.
Spirit-gathering arrays carved into every pillar.
No one knew where it had come from.
With how grand it looked you'd think the clan chief had over fifty wives and children!
Overnight, it simply existed.
Deep within the new Li family palace.
He lay on the cool floor, head pillowed comfortably in Zhen Rou's soft laps. A thick ancient manual rested open on his chest, but his eyes were half-lidded in lazy contentment as he chewed another grape.
Zhen Rou's delicate fingers plucked a plump grape from the crystal bowl beside her and gently placed it between his lips.
Her swollen belly rose and fell gently.
A tender smile curved her lips… she loved nothing more than these quiet moments caring for her husband.
Feeling a slight shift in his position, she scooted closer and pressed the warm curve of her pregnant belly against the side of his face.
『My belly is Husband's pillow ♥️』
She giggled softly.
Li Qingmu's eyes crinkled.
He turned his head just enough to nuzzle the taut silk over her stomach before accepting the next grape.
"You've been doing that a lot lately…"
Zhen Rou's cheeks flushed a deeper rose.
She clasped both hands over her heart.
"Mhm! I want my husband to feel the heartbeat of what our pure, sweet love created."
Her voice was soft, almost reverent.
"Every kick, every discomfort… it's proof that you're mine and I'm yours."
Li Qingmu shook his head fondly as he reached up to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"You're so excited for this baby."
Zhen Rou nodded energetically as her majestic cheeks reddened further while she closed her eyes and let out the softest, happiest giggle.
"Of course! Father always wanted me to have a good husband and beautiful grandbabies to spoil. Now I have both… I've never been happier."
From the far corner of the chamber.
Su Liyue stood on tiptoe atop a small stool to reach and dust an upper shelf of spirit herb jars.
Her usual elegant qipao had been replaced by a simple gray apprentice robe and a crisp white apron tied tight around her slim waist. A few rebellious strands of inky hair had escaped her messy bun to frame a beautiful face that currently wore a deep, frustrated frown.
She didn't care that they were being husband and wife.
That was fine.
What grated on her pride was that they were doing it while she was cleaning.
With a quiet, exasperated sigh, she adjusted the apron strings and called out.
"Chief Li, you're the one who ordered me to clean this chamber today. I'd like to finish in peace, if it's not too much trouble."
Li Qingmu didn't even glance her way.
He simply opened his mouth so Zhen Rou could feed him another grape as a sweet, utterly relaxed smile spread across his handsome face.
This was the kind of smile Su Liyue had never once seen directed at her.
With her, it was either cool indifference or that infuriating smug smirk.
Su Liyue's brows pinched together.
She squeezed the duster handle so hard it cracked.
『Why can't he ever treat me like that? I'm more beautiful than Zhen Rou. It's not fair! Am I not deserving? He's wicked, cruel, a complete bastard… yet when he's with her, he's so gentle without looking weak. He's a real man… not like that spineless Huo Batian who grovels at my feet. Haa… I hate to admit it, but if I could just once rest his head in my lap like that…』
Realizing she'd been staring far too long, she blinked rapidly as her cheeks heated.
With a haughty huff, she spun away, chin high, and stomped one foot against the jade floor.
『I can't be thinking about a junior brother like that. Even if he's a clan chief, I still have seniority. The best thing junior brothers are good for is being used!』
Still happily chewing, Li Qingmu finally spoke without looking up.
"Senior Sister, my pregnant wife is craving that special spirit boar delicacy tonight—roasted Windshadow Boar tenderloin seasoned with Purple Cloud Ginseng, Frost Lotus Petals and a pinch of Dragonwhisker Grass. The boars have to be late-Core Formation stage, from the deeper parts of the Great Beast Forest. And only the herbs growing near the Zhulong spirit vein will do."
Su Liyue froze mid-step.
She turned as her beautiful face scrunched in protest.
"That's… those boars are incredibly hard to find even in the Great Beast Forest! And the herbs only bloom once every three months near the restricted zone!"
Zhen Rou's expression softened with concern.
She placed a gentle hand on Li Qingmu's chest.
"Husband, it's really fine. I don't have to—"
"Don't worry."
Li Qingmu cut in smoothly, eyes still on his manual.
"She'll get it."
Zhen Rou's lips puffed into an adorable pout.
She folded her arms over her round belly as she glared down at him.
"Hmph. You never listen to me!"
Li Qingmu closed his eyes and let out a little snore.
Zhen Rou's pout deepened.
"I know you're not asleep!"
From the corner, Su Liyue watched the exchange.
Then she abruptly turned away again.
One hand flew dramatically to her chest as her thighs pressed together beneath the apron.
『A man who doesn't obey his wife's every whim without question is so… so…』
She gripped her breast tighter and bit her lower lip as heat pooled low in her belly.
『…attractive. Mmm~』
She cleared her throat loudly then straightened her posture as her face became cool and imperious again.
"Don't worry. I'll get then. And since I'm a spiritual plant master, I'll prepare it perfectly myself."
She didn't look at either of them while speaking.
Perhaps afraid that one more glimpse of their easy intimacy would melt her composure entirely.
Zhen Rou's eyes warmed.
"Thank you, Senior Sister Su. That's very kind."
Su Liyue folded her arms beneath her chest and lifted her chin even higher.
"Hmph! I'm not doing it for you or your unborn brat. I'm doing it for Chief Li…"
She forced the remaining words out her throat.
"…because I find him attractive."
Li Qingmu finally lifted a brow in mild surprise.
To his greater surprise, Zhen Rou merely nodded with serene acceptance.
"That's still thoughtful of you."
The sheer kindness in her voice pricked Su Liyue's pride like a needle.
She tossed her hair, nose in the air.
"Sure, keep pretending you're not a jealous wife. It won't faze me. Maybe from now on I'll start lifting my skirt properly whenever I bend over near him."
Li Qingmu's made a small smile.
"Don't threaten me with a good time."
Zhen Rou reached down and delivered a gentle slap to his wrist.
"Husband!"
He chuckled. "Joking, joking."
By then Su Liyue had already stormed out.
Her cheeks burned as her apron strings fluttered behind her trembling buttocks.
Once the doors slid shut, Li Qingmu rolled onto his side and wrapped both arms around Zhen Rou's swollen belly to give her a romantic massage.
Rou'er always loves when he does that.
"I'm surprised you didn't flare up like you did with Song Yan. Should I be worried?"
Zhen Rou smiled with her eyes closed in bliss as she began to comb her fingers through his long hair.
"I already carry the full proof of your love inside me so I don't need to fight anyone anymore."
Li Qingmu's smile deepened.
He pressed a lingering kiss to her round belly.
Zhen Rou's breath hitched; a faint, secretly perverted little smile touched her lips.
A perverted little smile was on her face.
For some reason, his kisses there always sent heat curling through her inner thighs.
『Husband knows how to make me dirty~』
She bit her lower lip.
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A few hours later.
Deep in Zhulong Peak.
Huo Batian knelt barefoot in a clear spring.
In his massive hands he cradled Su Liyue's delicate jade foot to gently massage away the tension and blisters earned from Li Qingmu's hard labour.
"You have new blisters here…"
He spoke softly.
"I've already sent those lazy disciples to hunt the boars you requested. They'll bring the best ones."
He looked up at her with adoring eyes.
"I haven't seen you in weeks, Liyue."
He stared like a little child.
"I've missed you terribly."
Su Liyue sat on a smooth boulder with a cold face.
"Shut up and massage."
The grand elder nodded at once.
The powerful Nascent Soul cultivator smiled like an obedient puppy as his thumbs worked soothing circles into her arch.
Su Liyue stared down at him, disappointment clear in her beautiful eyes.
『It's not the same…』
Another man's face was in her mind.
That's how it started.
Over the following weeks, Su Liyue found herself slipping deeper into feelings she didn't understand.
Whenever Li Qingmu casually mentioned needing cultivation resources, she would wave away the spirit stones he offered.
"I'll get you something better!"
Then she would return to Zhulong Peak, bat her lashes at Huo Batian, and walk away with treasures ten times rarer.
Some days, even when Li Qingmu asked for nothing, crates of priceless pills, spirit liquids, and heavenly herbs would appear outside the Li family palace gates.
Gifts from "Senior Sister Su."
She's now like a sugar mommy for him!