294 - The Demon Fox Wife is a Foodie

Su Ziyun and Dongfang Cixin both turned their gazes toward Yan Yuanqing. Only Nangong Yin’s furrowed brows relaxed momentarily as she quietly took a step toward Yan Yuanqing’s side, then subtly grasped Yan Zhao’s hand. Yan Yuanqing lifted a hand to gently pat the back of Yan Zhao’s head, then spoke in a calm tone: “Firstly, detaining Xuanji Immortal King hasn’t garnered support. His faction is a potential threat, and the exact number of his followers is unknown. I need to use this opportunity to uncover the network behind him, so I can resolve this once and for all.” “Secondly, his escape diverts the Immortal Realm's attention. Their forces will focus on rescuing Xuanji Immortal King rather than launching further attacks on Wanbao Palace.” These two reasons alone left Su Ziyun and the others in awe. Yan Yuanqing’s reasoning was clear as she continued, “Additionally, there is a third benefit.” Everyone’s attention was drawn to Yan Yuanqing. Next to Yan Yuanqing, Nangong Yin’s gaze was particularly focused. “The reason they do not respect me is that they haven’t truly understood the difference between me and the Xuanji Immortal King or why the old Immortal Emperor chose me. Naturally, much of this stems from his years of calculated planning. He needs to drive himself to a dead end and lose public support, making it easier for me to manage the Immortal Realm in the future.” Dongfang Cixin expressed admiration, “Yuanqing Immortal Venerable never fails to impress.” Those who chose to oppose Yan Yuanqing, apart from the brief advantage seized by the Fuyun Sect, had never truly succeeded. Yan Yuanqing was undoubtedly unrivaled in the three realms. Su Ziyun felt completely at ease and sighed with relief, “It’s getting late, and everyone is tired. I’ll arrange rooms for you to rest, and we can discuss everything else tomorrow.” After thanking Su Ziyun, Dongfang Cixin and Yao Shenzi gradually departed. Su Ziyun then inquired of Yan Yuanqing and Nangong Yin, “The courtyard I arranged for you earlier is now occupied by Zhao’er. Do you need me to arrange an additional place for you?” Yan Yuanqing smiled, bending her eyes, “Why should a mother and child be separated? That little courtyard doesn’t have just one room.” She then turned to ask Yan Zhao, “Zhao’er, is it alright if your mother and A Yin stay in the same courtyard with you?” Yan Zhao nodded, “Okay.” However, as soon as the word “okay” left her lips, Yan Zhao’s brow furrowed, “Uh-oh, that might not work.” Yan Yuanqing was both surprised and saddened that her daughter didn’t want her to stay with her and instinctively asked, “Why?” Yan Zhao counted her fingers carefully and said, “There are only two rooms. I share one with my senior, leaving just one room, which isn’t enough for you and A Yin.” Yan Yuanqing blinked, feeling something was off. Su Ziyun’s lips twitched slightly. Nangong Yin averted her gaze, unable to watch directly. Yan Yuanqing drew Yan Zhao a bit closer and whispered in her ear, “Your mother and A Yin are Dao companions, so one room is enough.” Yan Zhao was dumbfounded, “Do Dao companions have to live together?” “What else?” Yan Yuanqing imparted some knowledge, “Since they are Dao companions, they should be inseparable.” Yan Zhao added, “My senior and I are inseparable, but we are not Dao companions.” Yan Yuanqing gazed at her lovingly, patting her shoulder, “You’re still young. Don’t rush; there’s plenty of time.” Yan Zhao listened, half understanding, but her mother’s words were always right. Once they finished their quiet conversation, Su Ziyun said, “I need to prepare a thank-you gift for you. Let Zhao’er show you the way.” Yan Yuanqing listened to this with delight, “Alright, alright, no trouble at all.” Then she called out to Yan Zhao, “Zhao’er, let’s go.” As the trio stepped out of the sect's main hall, Yan Yuanqing belatedly noticed that Nangong Yin had somehow taken the lead. She was actually holding Yan Zhao’s hand! And there was no intention of letting go. Yan Yuanqing raised an eyebrow and asked on the spot, “What does this mean?” Nangong Yin looked back at her with a composed expression, not shrinking despite Yan Yuanqing’s provocation. Her eyes hinted at a challenge that spoke volumes. Yan Yuanqing gritted her teeth and thought internally: Alright, challenging me, are we? Let’s see how this goes! And so, Nangong Yin confidently claimed the lone free hand left by Yan Zhao, leaving the solitary Yan Yuanqing trailing with feigned helplessness. Fortunately, the bamboo grove courtyard wasn’t far from the sect's main hall, and they arrived shortly. The courtyard had been uninhabited for a while, its furnishings layered with dust, making the room feel drab upon entering. Yan Yuanqing flicked her sleeve lightly, and with a dust-clearing spell, the room became spotless and fresh. The bamboo grove courtyard’s two rooms were equal in size, lacking any discernable hierarchy. Yan Zhao stayed in her usual room, while Yan Yuanqing and Nangong Yin took the other quarters. Upon entering, Yan Yuanqing took out a Luminous Pearl and placed it in the lamp holder, brightening the previously dim room. Nangong Yin glanced at the bed against the wall, then discreetly retracted her gaze. Sitting by the low table, she casually remarked, “Care for some tea?” “What’s so good about tea?” Yan Yuanqing leaned against Nangong Yin without hesitation, snuggling closer despite her remark, “Bring me a pot of Drunk Breeze!” Nangong Yin awkwardly nudged her, “Sit properly. You’re an adult now, act like it.” “I refuse!” Yan Yuanqing insisted on leaning against her, “Why should I put on airs with you? There are enough rules outside; can't I relax in front of my wife?” Nangong Yin, unable to win against Yan Yuanqing, responded in a tone mixing resignation and indulgence, “There you go with your nonsensical arguments again.” After dying, Yan Yuanqing had existed as a mere wisp of a soul within a Soul-Condensing Pearl. Besides Yan Zhao occasionally visiting to alleviate her loneliness, she had no company and was nearly driven to madness by boredom. Now finally free, she was bound to make the most of it and trouble Nangong Yin, wasn’t she? She particularly enjoyed bantering with Nangong Yin, more so when she could ground her arguments: “How is this nonsense? Then tell me what makes sense.” Nangong Yin avoided the bait, produced a jar of wine, and removed its seal with a flick, “Didn’t you want a drink?” Yan Yuanqing's attention swiftly shifted, and smelling the wine, her eyes lit up, “It really is Drunk Breeze?” Nangong Yin poured them both a bowl, then raised her own to clink against Yan Yuanqing’s, “Yuanqing, let’s drink.” What she didn’t mention was that every time she passed through the market, she’d grab two jars of Yan Yuanqing’s favorite wine. At Nianqing Mountain, they even had a wine cellar full of Drunk Breeze. This jar she just opened was a three-hundred-year-old vintage. Even before meeting, she had so much she wished to say, but now she let her endless yearning spill into this bowl of wine, drinking it silently. As the wine bowl touched her lips, Nangong Yin recalled what had happened earlier, causing her to concern, “Letting the Xuanji Immortal King go, are you sure about this?” Yan Yuanqing, savoring the aroma of her drink, expressed her annoyance, “In such delightful times, why bring up others? Is the wine not good enough, or am I not attractive enough for our Demon Lord to enjoy this moment?” Nangong Yin: “……” Oh well, Yan Yuanqing knew what she was doing. Nangong Yin prepared to down the drink in one go, but a hand swiftly reached over and took her bowl. “Hey, you can’t drink that.” Yan Yuanqing held a bowl in each hand, “You’re still injured; you can only watch me.” “…” Nangong Yin looked at her own empty palm and shook her head in resignation, “Alright.” Yan Yuanqing’s brows danced with excitement, “Then be sure to watch closely.” With that, Yan Yuanqing set down one of the bowls, removed the jade hairpin from her hair, and let her meticulously styled locks fall gracefully over her shoulders. Nangong Yin’s gaze lingered on Yan Yuanqing. Yan Yuanqing dipped her fingers in the wine, tasting it lightly with her lips, “The fragrance of this wine is delightful, but drinking from a bowl isn’t satisfying enough.” Nangong Yin’s eyes darkened slightly, and she lifted her chin to ask, “Then how do you want to do it?” Before Nangong Yin even finished her question, she felt a force pushing her back onto the low table. Yan Yuanqing deftly parted Nangong Yin’s robe, then picked up a bowl of wine. Tilting the bowl slightly, a clear stream trickled down Nangong Yin’s neck, pooling at her collarbone, glistening. With a smile playing on her lips, Yan Yuanqing, though yet to touch her drink, seemed already tipsy. “This way is more fun.” Chapter 322 Nangong Yin averted her gaze, her ear tips turning a shade of pink, “Zhao’er is next door.” “So what of it?” Yan Yuanqing’s expression was animated, her interest not waning, “Just keep it down, she won’t hear us.” Nangong Yin: “……” A faint blush crept from her earlobes to her cheeks, avoiding Yan Yuanqing’s gaze. Yan Yuanqing, pushing her advantage, lifted Nangong Yin’s chin with her fingertips, forcing her to meet her gaze. With a playful smile, she made a request: “A Yin, say you miss me.” Nangong Yin’s thick, long lashes fluttered like butterfly wings, her eyes shimmering with a radiant glow. Yan Yuanqing adored seeing her like this, so charming and delightful. Who would have imagined that the formidable Demon Lord, who commanded such respect in the outside world, could be so alluring in private, her clothes half undone, her skin glistening with wine under the milky light of the luminous stones, appearing as delicate as treasured jade, utterly captivating. Nangong Yin’s lips pressed into a thin line, remaining silent for a long while. Dissatisfied, Yan Yuanqing set down her wine bowl, leaned forward, and peppered a line of delicate kisses down Nangong Yin’s neck as if it were a gentle reprimand. Nangong Yin shivered lightly, the wine pooled in the hollow of her collarbone trickling down her skin, soaking her clothing. Yan Yuanqing bit her gently, her tongue savoring the rich taste of the wine, the intoxicating aroma lingering between their lips, drawing them ever closer. “Will you say it or not?” Yan Yuanqing was the only person who truly understood Nangong Yin’s weak points. With just a touch through the thin fabric, Nangong Yin's vulnerable expressions naturally emerged, as if she would break in her embrace. Nangong Yin let out an involuntary soft sound, tilting her head back to catch some fresh air, her arms instinctively wrapping around Yan Yuanqing. At that moment, Yan Yuanqing suddenly paused, resting her forehead against Nangong Yin’s, teasingly asking, “Didn’t you promise to say whatever I wanted to hear?” Nangong Yin’s breathing was slightly erratic, and Yan Yuanqing’s hand on her chest could feel the rapid, intense heartbeat. The more fervent the rhythm, the clearer Nangong Yin’s current feelings became. Her beautiful eyes partially closed, a hint of moisture gleaming beneath. Nangong Yin was exasperated by Yan Yuanqing’s relentless teasing, yet she couldn’t help but lower her guard, indulging her. Her lips moved as if she said something, but her voice was so soft that even Yan Yuanqing’s keen hearing didn’t catch it. Yan Yuanqing raised an eyebrow, her expression both audacious and inviting. Her fingertips lightly pressed a key acupuncture point, causing Nangong Yin to let out a soft “mm” and relax completely, her proud composure melting like spring water, leaving her at Yan Yuanqing’s mercy. Yan Yuanqing’s smile deepened, “Say it again, I couldn’t hear it clearly just now.” Nangong Yin breathed heavily, her face becoming a deeper shade of red. She fluttered her lashes slightly, signaling Yan Yuanqing to come closer. Those eyes were filled with a gentle autumnal light, overflowing with affection that had nowhere to settle. With just one glance, Yan Yuanqing felt her bones go weak. In that moment, even if Nangong Yin suddenly asked her to pluck the stars and moon, she would have done it without hesitation. Thus, Yan Yuanqing leaned in as if enchanted, bringing her ear close to Nangong Yin’s lips. “Yuanqing, I... miss you very much.” The breathy, low voice brushed her ear, like a current, instantly sending a shiver down Yan Yuanqing’s spine, almost rendering her limbs powerless. The sensation was overwhelming, making her ears tingle. After years apart, with their children already three hundred years old, hearing Nangong Yin’s soft tone was just as thrilling as when she first fell in love, unable to rein in her heart that raced wildly, her heartbeat loud and resounding like a drum.