Ye Qiu was initially furious, but Cao Qingcheng’s antics left him unable to vent his anger.
The crux was that Cao Qingcheng was clever, willingly accepting punishment…
Whipping!
Punishment concluded.
Ye Qiu, with a stern face, said, “Zhuque, do you now realise your mistake?”
“I don’t know,” Cao Qingcheng replied, still defiant.
Ye Qiu said, “If I wanted to kill Xiao Qingdi, he wouldn’t have left the Forbidden City alive.”
“I spared him only for Xiao Jiu’s sake.”
“Besides, he’s already a broken man, so what’s the harm in letting him live?”
“By taking matters into your own hands and killing Xiao Qingdi, how will the world see me? They’ll think I’m ruthless.”
“Aren’t you?” Cao Qingcheng retorted, “You were quite forceful just now.”
Ye Qiu: “…”
“Alright, alright,” Cao Qingcheng stood, leaning against Ye Qiu, saying, “Don’t worry, I handled it discreetly, no one will know.”
“Though Xiao Qingdi was no threat, if he lived, he might stir trouble. Better to eliminate him completely.”
“Master, don’t be angry~” Cao Qingcheng cooed, deliberately rubbing against Ye Qiu.
Ye Qiu, face stern, said, “You acted without my approval, such audacity.”
“I know I was wrong, please don’t be mad?” Cao Qingcheng pouted, “I’ll make it up to you.”
With that, she untied her hair, letting it cascade to her waist, soft as ink.
Then, she slipped off her silk nightgown, revealing a red undergarment.
Ye Qiu’s heart raced.
Cao Qingcheng’s eyes, watery and teasing, glanced at Ye Qiu as she purred, “Master, forgive me, please~”
Her voice was soft, sweet, and endlessly alluring.
Looking again, Cao Qingcheng’s face bloomed like a peach blossom, utterly enchanting.
For a moment, Ye Qiu was captivated.
Cao Qingcheng, with delicate hands, slowly stroked her hair, biting her lip, beckoning Ye Qiu with a finger, her voice dripping with charm, “Ye Lang, come here~”
Ye Qiu steadied himself, snapping, “Zhuque, enough of this, I’m talking serious matters.”
“Why so fierce? I’m scared,” Cao Qingcheng feigned a pout, stepping forward, her hand grazing Ye Qiu’s shoulder.
Then, she leaned in, her fragrant breath brushing his cheek.
Slowly, she kissed from his neck to his shoulder, murmuring softly, full of tender affection.
Unable to resist, Ye Qiu scooped her up and strode to the bed.
Soon, the bed curtains fell.
A faint fragrance lingered.
…
The next morning.
When Ye Qiu opened his eyes, Cao Qingcheng was wrapped around him like an octopus.
He tried to push her off, but she woke.
“Don’t move, sleep more,” she said.
Ye Qiu replied, “My parents are going to Suzhou and Hangzhou today, I need to see them off.”
Cao Qingcheng sat up, asking, “Shall I come with you?”
“No need,” Ye Qiu wouldn’t dare bring her home.
“Then go alone!” Cao Qingcheng pretended to be cross, “When I’m pregnant, I’ll take the baby to the Ye family and tell the old man you abandoned us.”
“Welcome anytime,” Ye Qiu, knowing she was joking, didn’t mind.
“Heartless man, ignoring me after having your way!” Cao Qingcheng huffed.
Just then.
“Ding!”
His phone chimed.
Ye Qiu checked it, seeing a message from Qian Jinglan, saying she and Ye Wushuang had left the capital.
He replied, “Safe travels,” then pressed himself against Cao Qingcheng.
“What are you doing?” she yelped.
Ye Qiu grinned wickedly, “Exercising…”
Time passed.
All calmed.
Panting, Cao Qingcheng said, “There’s something I need to report.”
“Now you report?” Ye Qiu said, “Why didn’t you report before killing Xiao Qingdi?”
Cao Qingcheng explained, “I didn’t tell you because I knew you’d hesitate due to your bond with Xiao Jiu, so I acted on my own.”
“Besides, haven’t you punished me enough?”
She put on a wronged expression, “Master, please forgive me, I know I was wrong.”
“What do you want to report?” Ye Qiu asked.
Cao Qingcheng said, “I want to lead Longmen to conquer the underworld, do you agree?”
“I agree,” Ye Qiu nodded.
Even if she hadn’t suggested it, he would have ordered it.
After all, the Ninth Prince’s dream was to unite all underworld forces and establish a new order.
Now that the Ninth Prince was gone, Ye Qiu, as Longmen’s new master, had to fulfil it.
Ye Qiu asked, “Qingcheng, how long will it take to unite the underworld?”
Cao Qingcheng confidently said, “Six months.”
“Six months…” Ye Qiu frowned.
“Too short?” Cao Qingcheng asked.
“Not too short, too long,” Ye Qiu said, “With the Forbidden City and the Witch God Sect gone, no force can resist Longmen.”
“Qingcheng, I’ll give you three months.”
“Unite all underworld forces in three months.”
“Can you do it?”
Cao Qingcheng asked, “If I fail, will you punish me again?”
Ye Qiu said, “If you fail, it won’t just be punishment, I’ll let someone else handle Longmen’s affairs.”
Cao Qingcheng glared, “Heartless, so harsh even to your woman?”
“It’s my trust in you,” Ye Qiu smiled.
“Just wait, I’ll unite the underworld in three months,” Cao Qingcheng kicked him playfully, “Get lost.”
Ye Qiu’s face darkened, “How dare you, a subordinate, tell me to get lost? That’s insubordination.”
“Your earlier punishment wasn’t enough.”
“Again!”
…
Noon.
Ye Qiu, refreshed, left Longmen headquarters and returned to the Ye family.
Entering, he saw Elder Tang in the living room, chatting happily with Master Ye, Ye Wuwei, and Ye Wudi.
“Why’s Elder Tang here? Not for a marriage proposal, surely?”
Ye Qiu thought, planning to slip away.
But before he could, a voice like a nightingale called, “Ye Qiu—”
