Ling Xi was in high spirits when, to his surprise, a large palm gripped his throat, pressing him firmly against the bed.
The force was enough to nearly snap his neck.
He didn't struggle, however, allowing her to choke him, instead wearing a look of enjoyment.
As she struggled, she suddenly felt a cool sensation beneath her collarbone, as if something had been missed.
Ling Xi stared at the area below her collarbone for a moment, seemingly seeing a beautiful landscape. His eyes suddenly widened, and he felt a rush of heat.
Now, with no covering, her peaks were covered in red marks, like blooming plum blossoms imprinted on her fair skin, making them exceptionally noticeable.
Ye Ziling frowned in annoyance, pulled a corner of the blanket, and sighed at Ling Xi, "Close your eyes, I'm getting dressed."
The man's gaze was fiery, his eyes glinting with a faint light as he smirked at her.
"Is there any part of you I haven't seen?" Ling Xi asked, a suggestive smile playing on his lips.
Ye Ziling could no longer tolerate it; he was truly asking for trouble!
Her fists were already clenched. With a swing of her wrist, she applied force with both palms, delivering a counter-attack and locking his throat again.
Ling Xi felt a suffocating sensation creep into his chest. His breathing gradually quickened, yet his expression remained unchanged as he let her choke him.
"Was the incense last night mixed with something else?" Ye Ziling loosened her grip slightly, staring at his face with a sinister smile.
"Yes," Ling Xi didn't play coy and frankly admitted, "Three parts calming, seven parts aphrodisiac."
Ye Ziling smiled knowingly and nodded resentfully at him.
Very good.
He had his pleasure.
But she woke up with a dizzy head and a tired body.
"You like using drugs, don't you?" Ye Ziling suddenly smiled radiantly, though a deep chill flickered in her eyes.
She stared at the center of his thigh and threatened, "You're not allowed to use drugs anymore."
She had intended to research medicine today, but her head was still dizzy. If this continued, she might succumb to the poison herself before developing an antidote.
"Anymore?" A meaningful glint flashed in the man's eyes. He leaned closer, his nose brushing hers, smiling alluringly.
It seemed her anger wasn't due to his rudeness last night, but because he had drugged her.
"If you regret it, shall we do it again?" Ling Xi leaned in, a wicked smile on his face.
"..."
"Still want to kill me? Miss Ye wouldn't want to waste her effort and lose her husband, would she?"
The man beneath her was shamelessly curling his lips, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. His gaze was teasing, even provocative, completely disregarding her threat.
Ye Ziling closed her eyes and sighed, suddenly releasing her grip. She grabbed the blanket to cover her chest and searched for her clothes by the bed.
"You're not going to kill me anymore?" Ling Xi sat up, looking at her fair, slender back, his gaze falling on her delicate shoulder blades.
"Where did you put my clothes?" Ye Ziling asked as she searched.
"Have you calmed down?" Ling Xi continued.
As soon as he finished speaking, Ye Ziling struck back, pinning him down again and warning, "Shut up."
Ling Xi fell silent for a moment. As she was about to leave, he casually pressed down on her head, leaned in, and gently licked her earlobe.
Ye Ziling froze, her body trembling involuntarily.
In an instant, the atmosphere completely shifted.
"Ye Ziling, no matter how suspicious you become, you'll never get rid of me."
"You can be angry with me, you can misunderstand me, but you're not allowed to leave me."
"If you want to push me away, I advise you to give up that idea."
Ye Ziling stared blankly at Ling Xi, his words echoing in her ears, her heart unable to calm down.
She was lost in thought until a piece of clothing silently landed on her shoulder, bringing her back to reality.
Mu Heng stood waiting outside with breakfast. When the door opened, it was Ling Xi who emerged.
He immediately felt something was wrong, his eyes widening. "You, you, you, how are you here? Where is Ye Ziling?"
Ling Xi glanced at him, tidied his robes, took the items from his hand, and said in a cool tone, "Her body is a little unwell, she's still sleeping."
He blamed himself for not controlling the dosage of the drug and accidentally giving her too much.
"I'll make her some soup later." After saying this, Ling Xi turned to leave.
Mu Heng stood frozen, watching Ling Xi's retreating figure, his mind a bit blank.
Ye Ziling's discomfort... could it be from last night?
He suddenly recalled Ye Ziling drinking with these two idiots last night, ultimately ending up drunk.
Was that girl Luo Yao deliberately detaining him in the courtyard last night to lead him away?
"Beast!" Mu Heng exclaimed, drawing the sword at his waist and chasing after Ling Xi.
"Mu Heng, stop."
With a creaking sound, the door behind them suddenly opened. Ye Ziling had already washed up and slowly descended the steps, walking towards them.
"Go get me another breakfast," Ye Ziling commanded after glancing at Mu Heng.
Hearing his master's words, Mu Heng could only glare at Ling Xi helplessly before turning to leave.
Ye Ziling's legs felt weak, and she almost lost her balance, but a strong arm steadied her.
Ling Xi supported her, a faint smile in his eyes, and whispered, "I'll take you back to your room."
Ye Ziling stood there helplessly, rubbing her forehead in annoyance. "No, I still need to research medicine."
"Luo Yao can handle the medicine research. Come on, I'll help you back to your room." Ling Xi said, then half-carried, half-dragged her back into the room.
Inside, they sat opposite each other. Ling Xi poured her a cup of clear tea, his gaze on her softened considerably, and his mood seemed to be excellent.
"With you like this, aren't you afraid Luo Yao will be angry? She's determined to wait for you to return to the celestial realm to get married."
"I've spoken to her," Ling Xi's eyes showed a hint of indulgence as he picked up his tea cup and took a sip.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have helped him detain Mu Heng last night.
Luo Yao isn't as persistent as his junior sister, and she doesn't want to spend her life with someone who doesn't love her.
The rules of the immortal realm dictate a lifetime of commitment. Being with someone who doesn't love you is a form of suffering, and Luo Yao understands that.
His playing cards with Luo Yao last night was a pretense; the real intention was to get Ye Ziling drunk.
Since it was mutual affection, and Ye Ziling was being stubborn with him, it was better to make it a done deal. That way, she couldn't possibly push him to anyone else.
"Instead of thinking about others, shouldn't the goddess consider herself?" Ling Xi said lightly, his eyes constantly fixed on her face, unwilling to look away.
"Consider what?" Ye Ziling asked, not understanding.
What else could she consider? Her body was his anyway, and she had no right to object.