When on Earth, he remembered that Kangxi had assumed power before he was ten years old. Wang Xiaoqiang thought to himself, with such good seeds of his own, and adding in Princess Hua Shao who is also a person of cultivation and extremely intelligent, their children would certainly be outstanding. He believed that in the future, he would also be a wise young ruler.

That night, after having dinner in the Jade Banquet Hall, Lotus Princess very tactfully stood up and said, "I'm a bit tired, I'm going back to rest. You two should rest early as well!"

Seeing Lotus Princess leave, Wang Xiaoqiang immediately picked up Princess Hua Shao, at which she screamed in embarrassment, "What are you doing?"

"We need to hurry up and make babies..." Wang Xiaoqiang said impatiently as he carried Princess Hua Shao toward the bedchamber.

The bedchamber of Wang Xiaoqiang and Princess Hua Shao was even larger and more luxurious than the Emperor's Long Yin.

Princess Hua Shao struggled a few times before becoming still. When Wang Xiaoqiang carried her into the bedchamber and placed her on the bed, she finally said, "No matter how anxious you are, I—I'm having that time."

"That time?"

"Oh, do you really not understand, or are you just pretending?"

"Ugh!" Wang Xiaoqiang suddenly felt as if a bucket of cold water was poured over him, "What bad luck."

"Why are you so impatient? Don't you have lots of women outside?" Princess Hua Shao ruffled Wang Xiaoqiang's hair.

"Don't listen to their nonsense, I only have you..." Wang Xiaoqiang thought this was covering up too much. At least the fact that he married Jin Qiaoqiao had caused quite a stir, and Princess Hua Shao was surely aware, so he corrected himself, "...only you as my main wife."

"Whether a main wife or not, it doesn't matter. It's whether your heart is with me..." Princess Hua Shao said with a gentle sigh. "It's just like how my father had many women, but he favored my mother more."

"Hua Shao, eight-tenths of my heart is with you," Wang Xiaoqiang took Princess Hua Shao's hand and placed it on his chest, "If you don't believe me, feel it, it beats for you."

Princess Hua Shao was charmed by Wang Xiaoqiang's words and chuckled, "Alright, stop with the sweet talk, let's sleep..."

Princess Hua Shao said this as she kissed Wang Xiaoqiang's cheek, then nestled into his arms, closed her eyes with a happy expression, and peacefully fell asleep.

But Wang Xiaoqiang couldn't sleep. After all, he was the one who had swallowed the Blood Lotus whole, and the effects of the Blood Lotus were strong and long-lasting. Now, the blood energy of the Blood Lotus still lingered in his body, not because he was lustful. In fact, he was still young; when he acquired the Spiritual Spring, he was not yet twenty. After obtaining the Spiritual Spring, his body had not aged.

Though he appeared to be about twenty-four or five now, in reality, he was still as vigorous as a twenty-year-old. Coupled with the blood energy of the Blood Lotus, with a stunning beauty in his arms, it was no wonder he couldn't fall asleep.

After Princess Hua Shao's breathing evened out, he gently placed her down, got up, and walked out of the room to take a deep breath...

At this moment, he heard the sound of string and woodwind instruments, an ethereal pipa sound, followed by a woman's voice lightly singing. The clear and gentle singing was melodious and tender, yet filled with twists and turns...

"Jinse has fifty strings for no reason, one string and one pillar reflect the prosperous years, the bright moon over the sea brings tears to the Bright Pearl, the warm sun over Bluefield gives rise to jade-like smoke. This feeling can wait to be recalled, only to be confused at that time..."

It was as if an unparalleled beauty was singing passionately, evoking endless thoughts.

Hearing this voice, Wang Xiaoqiang was reminded of the scene when he first came to Dragon City, when he was outside the gates of the Imperial Palace; he had heard this singing and pipa playing back then too, and it was this same song.

Back then, he didn't know who the singer was, only imagining it to be an exceptional beauty.

But now, he knew who the singer was, had met her, and indeed, as he had guessed, she was a peerless beauty.

However, he had not yet seen the scene of this unparalleled beauty partially concealing herself with the pipa, so steeling his heart, he headed toward Lotus Princess's Lotus Heart Institute.

It must be understood that Lotus Princess was the Empress Dowager, his mother-in-law. To break in at such a late hour was against etiquette and would invite gossip.

But Wang Xiaoqiang had always acted freely and according to his heart. If he wanted to do something, he had to see it done; otherwise, it would be detrimental to his Daoist Heart and future cultivation. So, summoning his courage, with almost no hesitation, he headed straight for Lotus Princess's Lotus Heart Institute.

As his courage rose, the "Holy Path of Courage" within him grew stronger. Shimmering with golden light, the growth of the Holy Path of Courage further bolstered his bravery, leaving him without any worries.

At the door of the Lotus Heart Institute, Wang Xiaoqiang hesitated, unsure whether to fly up onto the courtyard wall for a peek or just push the door open and walk in?

After a brief hesitation, he chose the latter.

He thought, stealing peeks was ultimately contemptible; to be open and candid is the Righteous Path. The more in such matters, the more he needed to be open and dignified, to showcase his demeanor, otherwise, he would be looked down upon by Lotus Princess.

As Wang Xiaoqiang pushed the door open, he was immediately greeted by an exclamation, "Who is so bold??"

Along with the voice, a figure flickered in the night, and a woman appeared in front of him; holding an Immortal Sword, she pointed it at Wang Xiaoqiang. This woman, not yielding just because Wang Xiaoqiang was the Grand Marshal and ruler of the Empire, glared at him with vigilance and anger.

Wang Xiaoqiang was momentarily awkward.

At this moment, Lotus Princess's voice came, "Zijuan, let him in."

Zijuan was somewhat surprised upon hearing this, sheathing her sword slightly disgruntled, and stepped aside.

Wang Xiaoqiang adjusted his sleeves and walked toward Lotus Princess.

Lotus Princess sat in the octagonal pavilion by the pond, with curtain veils hanging down from all sides, the moonlight misty, only her general silhouette was visible.

Lotus Princess continued to play and sing, her performance not interrupted by Wang Xiaoqiang's entrance.

The song was even more melancholic and haunting, with a touch of desolation and sorrow, sounding increasingly rich in its charm.

Wang Xiaoqiang's footsteps did not stop, proceeding almost reverently toward the octagonal pavilion,

finally, he arrived before the pavilion, halted, reached out to lift the curtain, and gazed at the Lotus Princess inside.

In the dim moonlight, Lotus Princess sat alone on an embroidered chair with two graceful legs raised, holding a pipa in her arms, her jade-like fingers lightly plucking the strings, parting her red lips to sing softly, her voice rich, clear, and magnetic…

The beauty with a peach blossom face, an unrivaled beauty, hugged her pipa... softly playing and singing…

"Jinse has fifty strings for no reason, one string and one pillar reflect the prosperous years, the bright moon over the sea brings tears to the Bright Pearl, the warm sun over Bluefield gives rise to jade-like smoke. This feeling can wait to be recalled, only to be confused at that time..."

Beauty, pipa, song, artistic conception... perfectly fused into one.

Wang Xiaoqiang was entranced, completely enchanted…

The sound of a pipa from her mouth far surpasses heavenly music from the Nine Heavens!

Until Lotus Princess finished her song, Wang Xiaoqiang stood there, still lost in his trance, like a petrified figure.

Lotus Princess lifted her beautiful eyes and glanced at Wang Xiaoqiang, using a half-reproachful, half-reprimanding tone, "One song, isn't it enough?"

"Uh," Wang Xiaoqiang suddenly snapped out of his reverie, cupping his hands toward Lotus Princess, "I've disturbed you!"

With that said, he turned and left, striding out.

Lotus Princess gazed at Wang Xiaoqiang's back, her face showing a touch of melancholy, her eyes somewhat complex; she recalled how, back in the day, Huang Ce pursued her secretly, rather slyly, making like a petty person despite being a monarch. She didn't expect Wang Xiaoqiang to be so brave and straightforward and couldn't help but murmur, "Indeed a man of bold ambition and courage!" (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit qidian.com to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please read on m.qidian.com.)

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