Six years later, early spring.
A breeze carrying a moist scent blew through the treetops. In the courtyard, two children, a boy and a girl, wrestled playfully on the grass with wooden swords, their laughter echoing far and wide.
The boy, seizing an opportunity when the girl wasn't paying attention, flicked his wrist, sending her wooden sword flying. He immediately burst into laughter, "I told you Jiu Ling Palace's swordplay isn't as good as Shao Lin's!"
The girl's cheeks flushed red, her beautiful eyes widening in a pout. "Brother is bad, I'm going to tell Daddy."
"What is it that requires telling Daddy?" A man in a dark robe entered their sight. He reached out, scooped the girl into his arms, and dotingly ruffled her hair, "Who upset our Yue Ling?"
Upon hearing this, the girl immediately threw herself into the man's embrace, her voice soft and full of endearment, "Daddy, Brother is bullying me."
Ling Xi listened, then turned to his son, his handsome face suddenly chilling. He sternly commanded, "Xiao'er, apologize to your sister."
After speaking, he looked back at his daughter in his arms with eyes full of affection.
Her features so closely resembled her mother, yet their temperaments were worlds apart.
"I didn't bully sister. Mother said you must be a good sport when you lose a sword fight."
"Unlike sister, who runs to tell when she loses every time!"
Little Ling Xiao said, his face turning red. He pointed at the girl in Ling Xi's arms, huffing indignantly, "Daddy is biased, I'm going to find Mother to settle this!"
"What's happened? You want Mother to settle it?" A clear, cool voice came from the pear tree, followed by a flash of white as someone leaped gracefully down.
Ye Ziling landed, yawned lazily, and slowly walked towards them.
She was still dressed in white, her ink-black hair cascading down like a waterfall. A faint smile graced her beautiful, cold face.
Having rested in the tree for so long, she carried a subtle scent of pear blossoms.
"Mother, Daddy is bullying me!" Seeing Ye Ziling awake, Ling Xiao dropped his sword and rushed towards her, wrapping his arms around her waist.
She squatted down, raising an eyebrow slightly, and calmly fixed her gaze on her son, "How is he bullying you?"
She had only just woken up, and these two little rascals were already arguing. Now they'd even dragged their father into it, truly not giving her any peace.
"Daddy is biased towards sister and wants to punish me..." Little Ling Xiao said, looking up at her pitifully.
Ling Xi put his daughter down, his smile instantly freezing, replaced by a chilling sneer.
When had he ever said he would punish him?
This rebellious son was even more cunning than himself; not only did he tattle, but he'd also learned to slander.
Glancing at Ling Xi's cold expression, Ling Xiao's heart skipped a beat, a chill running down his spine. He hid in his mother's arms, "Mother, your son doesn't blame Daddy."
"Just hug Mother."
Saying this, he stealthily glanced at his father. Seeing his face as dark as ink, he felt an even greater sense of satisfaction.
Ling Xiao pouted, about to plant a kiss on his mother's fair cheek, when a large hand suddenly intervened, pushing him away, mouth and all.
Ye Ziling sensed something was amiss. She looked down to see a magnified handsome face. Without a doubt, it was the face of a jealous man.
He wouldn't even let his own son kiss her?
After pulling his son away, Ling Xi reached out to help Ye Ziling up, draping his cloak over her shoulders. His smile was as warm as the midday sun, "My dear, it's cool outside. Let's discuss whatever it is inside."
Ye Ziling was embraced by him, half-carried, half-hugged into the house. The two little rascals followed behind them.
"Husband, in two days it's the Heavenly Realm's Flower Dynasty Banquet. The immortal officials are all looking forward to your return."
Although their family had been enjoying themselves in the mortal realm for several months, she still didn't want to return to the Heavenly Realm. She felt something was missing there.
"It just so happens to be the Flower Dynasty Festival in the mortal realm as well." Ling Xi stopped, pulling her closer, his gentle gaze meeting hers, his smile deepening. "My dear, what do you think? Should we celebrate in the mortal realm or return to the Heavenly Court?"
Ling Xi knew Ye Ziling's nature well, and he felt the same. He preferred the mortal realm a little more.
After all, with her, anywhere was home.
The spring breeze caressed their faces. The two pear trees behind them rustled, showering them with petals that danced in the air, releasing a fragrant perfume of pear blossoms.
The two children, one after another, picked up petals from the ground and threw them at each other, thoroughly enjoying themselves.
"Where my husband is, I am," Ye Ziling smiled faintly, her eyes like crescent moons, her lips like cherries, instantly captivating him.
Such breathtaking beauty, he could never tire of looking at her.
As they looked at each other, a petal drifted down from overhead, landing on her lustrous black hair.
Ling Xi's eyelashes fluttered, a slight curve forming at the corner of his lips. His eyes sparkled with boundless charm.
"Regarding the Heavenly Realm, I will make the decision myself."
"You only need to accompany me."
Ye Ziling was momentarily stunned, then smiled enchantingly, leaning into his chest. "Then, I shall respectfully accept your request."
"What? The palace is holding the Flower Dynasty Banquet?"
"Daddy, I want to go back to the palace, I'm tired of the mortal realm!" Little Ling Xiao ran to them, tugging at his father's sleeve, his eyes full of pleading.
Ling Xi raised his eyebrows, finally noticing the troublesome little fellow beside him. He asked with a smile, "Who was it that said they wanted to come to the mortal realm with us last time?"
This little rascal had a mind as sharp as his own. Perhaps he was a reincarnated rival, always opposing him and spoiling his plans.
Ling Xiao froze, his eyes darting around. His small face fell, and he was speechless for a long time.
"Is Daddy trying to monopolize Mother again?"
His innocent, delicate little face was now creased into a frown, looking most pathetic.
"Other people's mothers can sleep with their fathers, why can't I?"
"Sister, don't you agree?"
Saying this, Ling Xiao turned to his sister, his eyes full of expectation.
It was always like this. Other children could sleep with their mothers and fathers, why couldn't he?
Ling Xi smiled, patting his son's head, a light smile on his lips. "Be good, my brave boy. What's wrong with sleeping alone?"
"Right, Yue Ling?"
The little girl tilted her head, her lovely face blooming with a bright smile. "Daddy is right, Brother always wants to sleep with Mother, he's a—scaredy—cat!"
Ling Xiao was unconvinced, a flash of cunning in his eyes. He pouted, "Then isn't Daddy a scaredy-cat too, sleeping with Mother in his arms every night?"
"Not at all, Daddy is protecting Mother!"
"No, Daddy is a scaredy-cat—"
...
The two children bickered incessantly. Ling Xi watched, a barely perceptible curve at the corner of his lips. He put his arm around the waist of the person beside him and leaned in, "Someone is slandering me. Aren't you going to help your husband seek justice?"
"His personality is just like yours, I can't do anything about it." Ye Ziling spread her hands, shrugging her shoulders.
After all, her husband was like this, she was long accustomed to it.
However, if he weren't so teasing, she wouldn't love him.
"Shall we have another one to break up the fights?" Ling Xi suddenly leaned closer, playfully licking her earlobe, causing her to tremble.
"...The children are still here." Ye Ziling pushed him away, her voice tinged with playful reproach.
But she was used to it; he tormented her to the point of exhaustion every night.
Ling Xi paid no mind. He scooped her up and slung her over his shoulder. Sidestepping the two children, he walked directly towards the bedroom.
The two children finally snapped back to attention, their eyes widening as they watched the bedroom door close.
"Brother, Daddy took Mother away again..."
——
"Ling Xi, in broad daylight, don't be so shameless..."
Ye Ziling scolded, but Ling Xi feigned deafness. He unceremoniously tossed her onto the bed and pressed himself down upon her.
"Is this your first day knowing me, my dear?" he crooked his lips in a devilish grin, propping one hand on the headboard, looking down at the person beneath him.
Ye Ziling, unable to bear it any longer, kicked him in the waist, nearly sending him tumbling off the bed.
Ling Xi instinctively rubbed his waist, letting out a pained "hiss." He glared at her, feigning innocence, "Murdering your husband?"
He was going to act wronged now?
Ye Ziling looked down. The ribbon of her clothes had been pulled off without her realizing, revealing the snow-white undergarment beneath.
Oh dear, another one was ruined.
How could he be so impatient?
Seeing Ling Xi still in pain nearby, Ye Ziling realized she might have kicked a bit too hard. She leaned towards his ear with a sigh, her voice soft, "Does it hurt? Let me rub it."
Ling Xi immediately perked up, his eyes like those of an innocent puppy, staring at her pitifully. He parted his lips, "Yes, it hurts."
Before she could respond, he reached out, peeled off the waist tie, and immediately lay down beside her, pointing to his waist. "It's all red here from your kick."
Ye Ziling was speechless, but she raised her right hand and gently massaged his waist.
Her touch was light, like a cat's claws tickling him, making him feel tingly all over and restless.
"There." She stopped her ministrations and was about to get out of bed when he pulled her back into his embrace.
?
She looked at him, a hint of confusion in her eyes, and tilted her head, smiling at him, "Husband, is there anything else?"
"My dear hasn't apologized yet." His gaze was intense, his tone righteous, without a hint of a blush.
Ye Ziling had no choice but to return. She wrapped her slender arms around his waist, leaning against his shoulder, and closed her eyes. "Then a hug, as my apology for earlier, how about that?"
"Mmm." He smiled and embraced her, then immediately began to nibble her neck, his scorching lips rubbing against her collarbone.
This scoundrel—
His large hand on her waist continued to wander carelessly. She sighed helplessly, letting him have his way.
Just as she thought he was satisfied, the man, to her surprise, pounced on her, pushing her onto the bed and pinning her down, a ribbon from her undergarment still in his mouth.
"Ling Xi, you liar!"
Ye Ziling's hands flailed, but he quickly restrained them, firmly tying them to the headboard with the ribbon.
Annoyed, she glared at the man on top of her, only to meet his mesmerizing peach blossom eyes.
"What did you just call me?" He suddenly heard an unfamiliar address, looking at her with a half-smile. The smile at the corner of his lips was enchantingly wicked, but his eyes were filled with deep affection and unwavering devotion.
"My dear, don't force me to use the 'Hehuan' spell."
Upon hearing this, Ye Ziling calmed down, a ripple of emotion stirring within her.
This fellow meant what he said.
She had only kicked him once, was this his revenge? However, her current situation seemed disadvantageous.
"...Husband." She finally relented, averting her gaze, and mumbled the word.
He smiled with satisfaction, yet still frowned. He brought his ear close to her lips, feigning deafness, "What did you say, my dear? I can't hear you clearly..."
If she could tolerate this, what couldn't she?
She suddenly broke free from his grasp, flipped over, and pressed him down onto the bed, tightly binding his hands to the headboard with the waist tie. She raised her eyebrows and asked, "...What did my husband say earlier?"
"What 'Hehuan' spell?"
The man blinked his eyes, appearing clueless, but his eyes held a hint of amusement.
This wasn't torture; it was clearly flirtation.
Her soft, delicate hands roamed his chest, eventually reaching his abdomen, exploring inch by inch downwards.
Her palm was warm and smooth, providing an excellent sensation, as if an electric current was flowing through her skin into his body.
His throat bobbed, and his body immediately reacted.
For him, no aphrodisiac was as effective as she was.
Ling Xi's gaze grew darker, a sheen of sweat appearing on his forehead. His body tensed, burning hot, his breathing rapid. 138 Reading Network
Seeing his unbearable discomfort, Ye Ziling leaned forward and lightly kissed his lips, waiting for his response, then slowly pulled away.
"My dear... let me go." He gasped, his voice hoarse, begging for mercy.
"Will you bind me again in the future?"
He chuckled and answered decisively, "Yes."
"Hmm???" Was he deliberately contradicting her?
She bit his lip hard. The moment he winced in pain, she released him and continued to tempt him, "Then the initiative can only be with me."
He was speechless, but he smiled and agreed. As she leaned down, he fiercely captured her lips.