Chapter 48: The Green Jade Sword Tassel

…What kind of talk is this!

Sang Ying’s ears flushed crimson, a mix of embarrassment and anger. She was clearly punishing him, so why did he seem to be enjoying it?

The Azure Jade Dragon Horns beneath her palm were warm, smooth, and polished, with a cool, jade-like texture. Yet, for no reason, Sang Ying felt they were scalding to the touch. She wanted to pull her hand back, but he gripped her wrist, holding it firmly in place.

The young man before her was so close that his rich White Sandalwood scent enveloped her. His Dragon Tail followed closely, coiling around her calf.

Meeting his gaze, Sang Ying, who had been full of confidence just moments ago, suddenly felt shy. She had experience now and knew exactly what he wanted to do.

Remembering the mischief she had just played on him, she felt a pang of guilt and a hint of fear—fear that he might truly retaliate as he had said, making her cry all night again.

Her words stumbled, “Um, Xie Lingyu, even though you asked, I never agreed.”

As she spoke, she raised her hand to push against his shoulder and tried to shift her leg back. But her brows and eyes suddenly paused, as if she had sensed something. “Wait, I think…”

Her chin was lifted as the young man’s slender fingers cradled her face and kissed her, swallowing the end of her words. Their lips and teeth intertwined.

Xie Lingyu knew she liked gentle kisses, so this time, he was exceptionally tender, slowly savoring her lips.

Sang Ying felt as if she were floating amidst the mist of the Yun Ling Realm, light and airy. Soon, she succumbed without resistance, drifting into a daze.

Everything proceeded smoothly. Xie Lingyu’s fingers untied the red cord at the nape of her neck, and he kissed her earlobe, whispering affectionate names for her.

He had tried this last time, and it had worked well—she loved it.

Sure enough, the girl’s amber eyes glistened with moisture as she hummed softly, completely lost in this gentle embrace, with no intention of stopping him.

It wasn’t until his kisses trailed downward and he drew closer that he suddenly caught a faint scent of blood.

A breeze blew through the window lattice, rousing Sang Ying slightly. She looked up and saw his actions, about to stop him, but noticed he had abruptly frozen in place.

…Clearly, he had realized it too.

Sang Ying’s ears flushed red as she gathered her clothes and turned her face away with a soft huff. “I was just about to say I’ve started my Menstrual Period, but you wouldn’t listen.”

The young man before her stood up, frowning slightly as he lifted his dark eyes to look at her. “It should be at the beginning of the month. Why did it come a few days early?”

Sang Ying knew that Xie Lingyu remembered her Menstrual Period. When she first experienced it, she had no idea what was happening, and it was he who helped her make a Menstrual Belt.

Perhaps her first Menstrual Period, when she had writhed in pain on the bed, left a deep impression on him. Even back on Minghua Mountain, he would remind her a few days before her period to avoid cold foods.

After they married, this responsibility was handed over to Jingxi, who would watch her diet and prepare warm soups.

Thinking about the reason for her period coming early, Sang Ying paused for a moment and pretended to be composed. “It’s probably because I’m not used to the climate here.”

The young man glanced at her lightly before turning his gaze to the table in the hall, where a bowl of unfinished chilled porridge sat, kept cold by a spell to prevent the ice from melting.

“…”

Oh no, she forgot to put it away.

It was summer, and the afternoon heat had been stifling, making her restless. A junior demon had brought chilled porridge to help her cool off.

Distracted by her thoughts, Sang Ying had absentmindedly taken the porridge and taken a few sips before remembering she shouldn’t drink it and quickly set it aside.

Sang Ying opened her mouth to explain, but the young man before her abruptly turned around and vanished from the doorway of the bedchamber in an instant, leaving only a cold, retreating figure.

Sang Ying was still a bit slow to react—why had he left?

Was he angry because she had eaten something cold before her menstrual period? But that shouldn’t have been enough for him to turn and leave her behind. A thought suddenly crossed Sang Ying’s mind—could it be because… she couldn’t engage in dual cultivation right now?

Considering this possibility, Sang Ying felt a flicker of annoyance. That wretched, lustful dragon.

She buried her small face in the pillow and let out a sigh. Just as she was about to get up to tidy herself and change clothes, a sharp pain shot through her lower abdomen. Her face paled instantly, and she collapsed back onto the bed.

Her constitution was weak, and her menstrual periods were always painful, but having carelessly eaten something cold made it unbearable.

With her head buried in the pillow, her breathing trembled lightly. The pain quickly curled her into a shrimp-like ball, her fingers clenched so tightly they turned white, and her vision began to blur.

Suddenly, her hand was enveloped by warm fingers, gently prying open her tightly clenched grip.

Immediately after, Sang Ying felt herself being drawn into a warm embrace. A hand rested on her lower abdomen, warm and soothing, slowly massaging the area.

The gentle warmth of spiritual power eased the pain considerably, and her entire body began to feel warmer.

This sensation was familiar to Sang Ying. Every time her menstrual pain struck, she would feel this way after falling asleep at night.

Sang Ying lifted her eyelids and saw Xie Lingyu.

…So it was true. On all those nights, it had been him secretly warming her stomach.

Sang Ying averted her gaze and whispered, “Weren’t you angry and left?”

Xie Lingyu had indeed been angry—angry that she didn’t take better care of herself. But seeing her listless, pale face, he sighed softly. “There were no medicinal herbs here. I went to the storeroom to fetch some to brew medicine.”

The scent of blood in the air grew stronger, and a faint trace of red was already visible.

Xie Lingyu lifted her into his arms and reached to undo her clothes. Sang Ying panicked—who would let someone else change their clothes after staining them during their menstrual period? “Xie Lingyu, I can do it myself.”

“Does my junior sister still have the strength to stand up right now?”

The young man glanced at her indifferently.

“…”

Her ears flushed red as she pushed him lightly. “Then you go out first. I’ll change right here.”

Seeing her resistance, Xie Lingyu narrowed his eyes slightly. He gently pinched her small face with his knuckles and spoke with dissatisfaction, “Between husband and wife, is there a problem with helping change clothes?”

Sang Ying couldn’t find a flaw in his logic. They had already engaged in dual cultivation—changing clothes was nothing in comparison, and there really was nothing to argue about.

But she still felt it was strange. In other marriages, would husbands help their wives change clothes like this…?

As she pondered this, his fair fingers had already undone her blood-stained undergarments and tossed them aside.

Sang Ying watched helplessly as he retrieved a new pair of undergarments from his storage ring, carefully placed a sewn cotton cloth inside, wiped her clean with care, and helped her put them on.

By the time this entire process was over, Sang Ying felt too embarrassed to face anyone. She buried her head in his chest, playing ostrich and pretending to be dead.

His body was warm, and as she pretended, drowsiness began to wash over her. She drifted off until she was vaguely lifted again and fed medicinal soup.

Sang Ying took a sip and immediately recognized it as the same medicine Jingxi had given her before.

Back then, she had wondered how Jingxi knew her menstrual period had come early. It turned out it had actually been Xie Lingyu who warmed her body that day and brewed the medicinal soup for her.

Sang Ying held the medicine bowl, speaking softly, “Actually, I drank it accidentally this afternoon. I was lost in thought and didn’t notice.”

After she finished drinking, Xie Lingyu took the medicine bowl, his tone indifferent, “What were you thinking about so intently, Junior Sister?”

“Thinking about… you.”

A silent crack appeared between his fingers on the bowl.

Sang Ying didn’t notice, only trembling her lashes as she spoke, her eyes misty with tears, her voice growing smaller and smaller: “And our relationship.”

Xie Lingyu calmly tossed the bowl, now broken into two halves, into the tray, then turned to look at her, “What about our relationship?”

Sang Ying fidgeted with her fingers, lowering her eyes: “I feel it’s a bit… not quite right…”

The air around them suddenly turned cold and heavy. The young man frowned deeply, his dark eyes fixed intently on her, his tone gloomy: “Junior Sister, are you saying you regret being with me now?”

Sang Ying was taken aback, looking up and blinking in confusion, “I…”

The young man chuckled softly, his lashes lowering slightly, concealing the unreadable emotions in his dark eyes, his voice low: “If Junior Sister regrets it, then so be it. But divorce is absolutely out of the question. Don’t even think about it. I’ve already chosen a location to build a palace—a place with beautiful scenery. Junior Sister will surely like it. Tomorrow…”

Sang Ying: “…”

He really plans to lock her up!

Sang Ying raised her hand and tapped his forehead, interrupting his perverse remarks: “I didn’t say I regret being with you, nor do I want a divorce. I just meant things have been a bit too fast, and something is missing.”

Xie Lingyu paused slightly: “What’s missing?”

The girl before him looked somewhat awkward, averting her gaze, her voice growing even softer: “…You never pursued me.”

“…”

Xie Lingyu remained quiet for a moment, “Junior Sister really knows how to be unreasonable.”

Sang Ying looked up, puzzled: “What did I do?”

Pale fingers lifted her small face. The young man sat beside her, his dark eyes fixed unwaveringly on her, emotions swirling within. His thumb gently stroked her slightly pale lips, “Saying such things at a time like this.”

He meant… he wanted to kiss her again.

Sang Ying belatedly felt her ears turn red, flustered as she turned away, “I’m tired. I want to sleep.”

“Alright.”

The young man extinguished the Spirit Bright Pearl, pulling her into his embrace. His palm rested on her lower abdomen, soothing the pain of her menstrual period.

His body was warm, and Sang Ying was almost completely enveloped in his embrace. She felt his chin resting against the crook of her neck, his breath warming her neck, making it slightly ticklish.

Although they were already husband and wife, this was the first time Sang Ying had slept with Xie Lingyu while fully conscious.

The feeling was strange. Having always slept alone, she suddenly had someone beside her—listening to his breathing, feeling his body temperature—all unfamiliar and novel.

Sang Ying had been drowsy after drinking the medicine, but now she was wide awake.

So this is what it feels like to have a husband—the bed occupied by half, and herself firmly encircled in his embrace.

She had always suffered from chronic coldness in her body. The brocade quilt below her legs used to remain cold, like an ice cave, so she often slept curled up, hugging a pillow.

But now, the quilt around her feet was warm and cozy. She could stretch her legs fully without needing to curl up.

She tentatively explored the quilt beside her with her toes—it was warm too. Curious, she continued exploring, but before long, the young man’s leg pressed down on hers.

Xie Lingyu nuzzled against the crook of her neck, his voice lazy. “Shimei isn’t sleepy anymore?”

Sang Ying softly hummed in agreement and slowly said, “Suddenly sleeping together like this, I’m not quite used to it.”

She poked the back of his hand, which was wrapped around her waist, and lightly huffed, “You don’t seem the least bit unaccustomed to it.”

Not only was he unbothered, but he also seemed quite practiced—scooping her into his arms with a single motion, clearly having secretly climbed into her bed to hold her while she slept more than a few times.

His hand was different from hers too—large, with long fingers and prominent knuckles.

Sang Ying curiously traced his fingers, and whether it was due to the night’s atmosphere, a vague, fleeting thought suddenly surfaced in her mind.

“Xie Lingyu, are we really husband and wife now?”

The large hand between her fingers suddenly clasped hers, guiding it backward until she touched the Golden Ring at the tip of the Dragon Tail.

The young man’s voice turned gloomy, tinged with displeasure. “Shimei has already taken my Primordial Yang, and now you ask this—are you trying to go back on your word?”

Sang Ying blinked. “But if Dual Cultivation means we have to marry, then what about the female cultivators of the Huanhe Sect…”

Her neck was bitten, the sharp teeth clearly carrying resentment. “Shimei can’t even last one night, yet you’re already thinking about Dual Cultivation with other male cultivators?”

Sang Ying: ?

What kind of twisted logic led to that conclusion?

Ever since he had revealed his true nature, over these many days together, Sang Ying often felt he was overly suspicious, constantly doubting her affections for others—even suspecting the senior brother, and imagining she had other lovers.

Now it was even more absurd—suspecting she wanted to engage in Dual Cultivation with other male cultivators.

She already had a husband—how could she possibly seek out others?

A hint of resentment stirred in Sang Ying as well, her voice muffled. “Do I really seem like the fickle type?”

The young man behind her fell silent for a moment, burying his face in the crook of her neck and tightening his arms around her. His voice was soft, almost inaudible.

“…I’m just afraid Shimei will leave me.”

Sang Ying was taken aback, and after a moment, her ears grew warm. He really was too clingy.

Mumbling an acknowledgment, Sang Ying suddenly remembered that today was Qixi. While he was out buying things for her, she had heard about the custom—on Qixi, lovers exchange gifts.

He had given her so many things today; she should… return the gesture, right?

The thought made her face flush. She shifted her arm and retrieved the green jade Sword Tassel she had made long ago but had kept hidden away at the bottom of her belongings.

Clutching it in her palm, she steeled herself and shoved it into his hand.

Xie Lingyu was startled, unsure what had been thrust at him. He brought it out from under the covers and, in the faint moonlight, saw it was a sword tassel.

Carved from green jade in an openwork design of a Qinglong emerging from clouds, the craftsmanship was not particularly refined—even a bit clumsy, with several dragon tail scales missing.

His throat bobbed abruptly. He opened his mouth several times before finally speaking, his voice barely a whisper. “Shimei… gave this to me?”

Sang Ying buried her face in the blanket, her eyes shimmering with moisture. She replied casually, “I saw it while shopping. It was on sale, and since I have no use for it, I gave it to you.”

“Alright, I’m going to sleep now. Don’t call for me.”

With that, she pulled the blanket over her head.

Initially just hiding out of shyness, but as the drowsiness from the medicine set in, Sang Ying soon fell truly asleep.

Outside the window lattice, the moonlight shone faintly, veiled by drifting clouds.

The bedchamber fell silent. A small, plump dragon flew out from the sword hanging nearby, happily picking up the green jade sword tassel.

“Look at this exquisite craftsmanship, this beautiful, translucent jade material, and this color—it’s practically identical to the shade of your scales, boss!”

Luo Qing held the sword tassel, admiring it under the moonlight.

“Hehe, my wife really knows how to pick a nice sword tassel!”

The young man’s gaze swept over him coldly.

A chill ran down Luo Qing’s spine, and he quickly corrected himself, “Your wife, your wife.”

Humming a little tune while holding the sword tassel, Luo Qing was just about to attach it to the sword when the young man raised his hand and snatched it back.

…

The next day, with the medicinal broth providing relief and the warmth of Spiritual Power soothing her throughout the night, Sang Ying felt much better, her pain significantly reduced.

Slowly sipping hot porridge in the morning, Sang Ying glanced at the young man reading a book beside her.

“Xie Lingyu, what are you reading?”

“Methods on How to Pursue a Female Cultivator.”

The young man replied in a calm tone, lowering his gaze to the book as his long fingers turned another page.

Sang Ying’s ears tinged slightly red. After she had spoken yesterday, he hadn’t responded, and she thought he wasn’t interested. It turned out he was learning how to do it.

Suddenly, the Glazed Mirror chimed.

A message came through the Glazed Mirror.

Xiao Lingzhou: 【Arrived.】

Although she had been traveling around the Yun Ling Realm these days, Sang Ying hadn’t neglected her duties. She had thoroughly investigated the situation in the Yun Ling Realm and, after discussing with Rong Xue Man, decided to open a branch of the merchant guild there.

Coincidentally, Xiao Lingzhou was handling affairs for her in the Demon Realm, making him the closest to her, so he came over with Laba.

The Yun Ling Realm did not allow human cultivators to enter, so someone from the Dragon Palace had to go and fetch him.

Sang Ying put down her spoon. “Xie Lingyu, Second Senior Brother and Laba are here. I’ll go pick them up.”

Xie Lingyu paused, his dark eyes sweeping over her. “I’ll go. You rest.”

Sang Ying blinked. “I’m the one who asked him to handle this matter. He came all this way. If I don’t go to meet him…”

“Has my junior sister not yet adapted to her identity?”

The young man closed the book and spoke softly, “You and I are husband and wife. What difference does it make whether you go or I go?”

Sang Ying paused. That made sense, didn’t it?

“Then I’ll leave it to you. I’ll go back to sleep for a while.”

Sang Ying returned to bed for a nap. When she woke up again, it was already noon, but Xie Lingyu still hadn’t returned with the others.

Feeling puzzled, she tried contacting Xiao Lingzhou through the Glazed Mirror but received no response.

Sang Ying went outside and noticed that even the little demons of the Dragon Palace were nowhere to be seen. Puzzled, she walked out of the Dragon Palace and saw scattered groups of little demons all heading in the same direction.

She stopped one of them and asked what was happening.

The little demon said, “Oh, it’s the Crown Princess! Don’t you know? The Crown Prince is fighting someone—a human cultivator. Everyone’s gone to watch the excitement.”

Fighting?

Sang Ying was stunned and quickly asked the little demon to lead the way. Arriving at the scene, she saw two figures clashing in the air amidst flashes of blades and sword glints—it was indeed Xie Lingyu and Xiao Lingzhou.

Why on earth had the two of them suddenly started fighting?

Sang Ying spotted Laba among the crowd of onlookers below and walked over to ask, “Laba, what’s going on?”

Laba was stroking his chin while watching the battle. Seeing her approach, his eyes lit up.

“Miss, I know what the title should be now—’The Tsundere Miss Wants Me to Confess: Click to Watch the Indescribable, Enchanting Romance Between the Sword Sect Junior Sister and Her Senior Brothers!'”

Sang Ying: ?