Chapter 222: Serving the Bedchamber

When Ye Tinglan sensed Lu Xingzhou and Shen Tang returning on the wheelchair, she was stunned.

She stepped out of her room for the first time: "Aren't you two fighting a clan-eradication battle?"

"It's over," Lu Xingzhou replied.

"How long have you been gone? Is that enough time just to travel back and forth?"

"From storming the mountain to their collective surrender, it took about half a stick of incense…"

"Then why aren't you overseeing post-battle duties? Prisoner placement, resource inventory? What if someone pretends to surrender then suddenly rebels? What if resources are hidden or embezzled by your subordinates..."

Lu Xingzhou blinked repeatedly: "Oh my, Mr., you really know your stuff."

Shen Tang sat on his lap, gazing downward.

The State Tutor naturally understands… though she only served as State Tutor for ten years, right before the war with the demon race—before that, she was in the Sacred Ground. Come to think of it, she became the Sacred Ground's master around that same time—wait, wasn't it also around then that Lu Xingzhou went south as a child?

Anyway, she served as State Tutor for a full decade—how could she not know these things? Do you really think she's just some reclusive sect's alchemy master?

"I don't understand," Ye Tinglan stared blankly at Shen Tang: "At least the Sect Master of Tianxing Sword Sect should understand better than I do."

Shen Tang didn't dare lift her head; normally, she was shameless in the room, and since the State Tutor never came out, it didn't matter. But now she was still sitting on Lu Xingzhou's lap, and the State Tutor—who never left her room—why had she appeared now…

Lu Xingzhou said: "You should give Master Zhang and the others some trust…"

"What about An Nuo? Shouldn't you also give her trust?"

"An Nuo went off to search for treasures—or you can translate it as 'went to buy soy sauce,' if you prefer." Lu Xingzhou dropped this line, skillfully wheeled himself inside, and slammed the door shut with a "bang."

Ye Tinglan: "..."

I should have taken you away before this battle even started—now what does this look like? Victory achieved, and you're indulging in debauchery?

Gu Yitang, do you really dare?

Right in front of me?

Inside, Lu Xingzhou rolled Shen Tang onto the bed; she nervously pushed against his shoulders: "No…"

Lu Xingzhou didn't actually press down—he grinned, pinching her nose: "Didn't the Princess summon me here to serve her bedchamber?"

"I—I just said it offhand…" Shen Tang's face blushed crimson; back then, it wasn't just idle talk—she'd thought he was leaving, and her emotions had overwhelmed her.

But then he returned and ran into the State Tutor blocking the door—her cold gaze carried three parts mockery, three parts reprimand, three parts frustration—and all her little feelings were crushed back down. How could she still have any desire? If she were a man, she'd say she'd been stared into submission.

Lu Xingzhou laughed: "Princess, you're not pure. Who says 'serving the bedchamber' must mean doing something? Isn't just lying beside someone to sleep the true meaning of 'serving the bedchamber'?"

Shen Tang: "?"

"Your shoulder's injured—now isn't the time for exertion." Lu Xingzhou wrapped his arms around her, still fully clothed, and lay down gently: "For the past few days, you've been avoiding me—we haven't had a proper night's rest. Today, since everyone's gone off to buy soy sauce, I'm holding you while I sleep."

"They went to buy soy sauce, but your Mr. didn't go—why aren't you avoiding her?"

"Does Mr. even care about this? Does the Alchemy Academy arrest students for puppy love? We're not exactly young anymore."

Shen Tang wanted to laugh—Mr. from the Alchemy Academy doesn't arrest you, but the State Tutor arrests me.

Whatever. Since he didn't recognize her for the past two days, he's already heard everything—hiding it for one night won't change anything, right?

Once Shen Tang gave up trying, she tossed the State Tutor's gaze into the farthest clouds, adjusted into a comfortable position, and nestled motionless in Lu Xingzhou's arms.

"Xingzhou…"

"Hmm?"

"Every time I face a major battle, you're always there—even when you're in the capital, you somehow return just in time. If you hadn't been here this time… what would I have done? Two first-rank experts—I could at most take down one…"

"Hmm, you should thank Master Ye."

"But she only left the capital because of you—she was brought here by you."

Shen Tang left unsaid: The State Tutor's arrival this time clearly carried an air of observation and evaluation. Previously, aside from protecting her life, the State Tutor had never shown such intent—after all, she'd spent most of her time in Tianxing Sword Sect, rarely in the capital, and wasn't familiar with the State Tutor. No one would choose an unfamiliar imperial prince or princess.

This time, the observation likely began because Lu Xingzhou whispered something.

But the evaluation result seems to have collapsed… Not only is she love-struck, she even tore at her…

Shen Tang didn't know how to feel—she simply buried her head in Lu Xingzhou's arms like an ostrich and refused to think further.

Let it be.

Lu Xingzhou was saying: "If I weren't here, you wouldn't have chosen to confront them head-on. Speaking of which, it reminds me—when I'm away, prioritize your cultivation and development. Don't seek the spotlight for now."

"I don't like the spotlight either…"

"Today you directly challenged a first-rank expert—aren't you afraid of provoking suspicion?"

Shen Tang smiled faintly, saying nothing.

Xingzhou doesn't understand the Emperor well enough… The real cause for suspicion isn't the ability to fight above one's level—the Emperor considers the Huangji Jingsheng Scripture's power to transcend levels perfectly natural. What he fears isn't that—it's the speed of cultivation. In his eyes, if his other sons cultivated to the same level as Shen Tang, their combat strength would be roughly equal.

Whether he's right or wrong… Shen Tang couldn't judge, since she'd never fought her brothers—arrogance would be foolish.

Of course, even if the Emperor doesn't mind transcending levels, one still shouldn't be too ostentatious—so minor injuries should be exaggerated. Don't let him think, "Even I couldn't do this at this stage," or problems might arise.

The monarch's heart is hard to fathom—but not entirely unfathomable.

Seeing Shen Tang's expression, Lu Xingzhou knew she had her own thoughts, so he said: "You should have your own judgment—I won't say more. But Tangtang…"

"Hmm?"

"Next time you make a major decision that could trigger crisis, please discuss it with me first."

Shen Tang glanced at him cautiously: "Are you angry?"

"Not angry—just afraid things might spiral out of control, leaving me without confidence. At least knowing beforehand gives me some assurance."

"Don't be mad—I was just swept up in the moment, you know… our Huangji Jingsheng Scripture isn't exactly a good cultivation method…"

He truly wasn't angry; he had always positioned himself as support, with no thought of being the boss, so why would he make every decision? Yuan Muyu had made far more unilateral decisions back then, which was the more normal state of affairs; Shen Tang was already love-struck enough...

He truly wasn't angry—he'd always seen himself as an assistant, never as a boss, never expecting to make every decision. Yuan Muyu had made far more unilateral calls—that was normal. Shen Tang was already overly love-struck…

He simply said: "You're aiming to become a sovereign—you should learn to make your own decisions."

"Then… if you're going to be sovereign, will you serve my bedchamber?"

Lu Xingzhou: "?"

【61】 "I called you here to serve my bedchamber… so if I serve your bedchamber, isn't that also 'serving the bedchamber'? You're leaving soon…"

As Shen Tang spoke, she slowly undid his clothes, lightly licking his chest, her water-filled big eyes looking up at him with an expression asking if this felt comfortable.

Lu Xingzhou patted her head encouragingly.

Shen Tang, however, misunderstood, her pretty face turning even redder as she slowly moved lower.

Lu Xingzhou: "?"

Only when the oar rowed into the water did Lu Xingzhou realize what Shen Tang was doing.

Watching her shy yet diligent appearance, his mood became somewhat complex.

Although Pei Chuyun had done this many times before... in the teachings of the Maiden Union Sect, they didn't take modesty too seriously. But what education had Shen Tang received? Royal education, swordsman education—no matter which, both were proud.

And yet, at this very moment, having just completely defeated her opponent, destroyed a mountain and wiped out a sect, and ruled over Xiazhou, standing at the peak of her life, she voluntarily bowed her head to serve.

As if to say, before you, there are no sect masters or kings.

Only lovers.

Not knowing how much time had passed, Shen Tang wiped the corner of her mouth and leaned back into the hollow of his shoulder, somewhat resentful: "Why does it take longer now than before? The wound on my shoulder has started to hurt."

"Well... with a stronger body, this naturally becomes a bit stronger too..."

"Not good at all."

"Believe me, in the future you will feel it isn't long enough."

"Pah." Shen Tang sighed softly: "Right now... I still dare not."

Lu Xingzhou made an "Hmm" sound and said nothing more.

Shen Tang spoke in a low voice: "I will work hard... the spiritual energy in Xiazhou is becoming increasingly dense. Combined with our secret realm, I will strive to break through to third grade within this year."

No matter what Gu Zhanting thinks or how the winds and clouds change in the future, one's own strength is the most important. If one can quickly achieve first grade, perhaps even Gu Zhanting's thoughts would change?

"I will work hard too," Lu Xingzhou said in a low voice: "At least in the aspect of alchemy, I can already count as a third-grade alchemist. Perhaps after this trial, I will be able to refine second-grade pills."

If one were a first-grade alchemist, like Qin Zhiyu, their status in Great Qian would be no joke; even Gu Zhanting would have to give him full respect.

The young couple in love were busy envisioning their future blueprint, while in the adjacent room, Ye Ting Lan listened more and more uneasily.

Originally, not hearing those broken "mm-hmm" sounds, he had let out a sigh of relief. Hearing only two sentences about "strong or not" and "long or not" was already better than the previous tiger-and-wolf words... Hearing one want to break through to martial arts second grade and the other to alchemist second grade sounded very gratifying...

But the more he pondered it, the more he felt: is the purpose of your cultivation just to get into bed?

Do your Gu family's founding ancestor and second ancestor know that their descendants cultivate for this?

And that disciple! If I had known you learned alchemy for this, I would have spared a damn thing!

Ye Ting Lan was so angry his chest hurt, when he heard Shen Tang say: "Are you leaving tomorrow?"

"Hmm, Mr. Ye doesn't want to stay long. But if I insist on lingering for a few days, I can still find an excuse..."

Ye Ting Lan: "..."

"No need to force us to stay," Shen Tang said: "Just as you went to the capital for our future, this trial is the same; I will not be greedy for momentary joy. But..."

"Hmm?"

"You went to the capital once and gained Pei Chuyun. This time you leave, who else will you gain?"

"Injustice! With Mr. Ye by my side this time, who else could there be?"

Shen Tang almost wanted to say, I'm afraid it's your Mr. Ye; don't think I can't see your eyes acting strange; do you have several heads to dare hit on the Imperial Preceptor?

The words reached her lips but she held them back; the Imperial Preceptor is listening...

She held back for a long time, then could only say hatefully: "No matter what, I must drain you dry first, to see if you still have the strength to flirt."

"Hey, hey, hey, what are you doing? We just finished once..."

"Can't handle it already? If you can't handle this, on what basis do you claim to be all-inclusive, relying on once a night?"

"I f***ing..."

Her small hand gently gripped, and the oar lying horizontally on the deck was raised up again, slowly swaying.

Until dawn was approaching, Ye Ting Lan could still hear the whispering from the next room: "Xingzhou... I really can't bear to see you go..."

Lu Xingzhou didn't know what had happened; he seemed to have lost even the strength to answer.

(End of this chapter)