A gust of wind ruffled the hair on Jiang Chen's forehead.

If that kick had landed, he probably wouldn't be walking out of this阁楼 (gé lóu, pavilion) today!

Alarmed, Jiang Chen swiftly raised his hand, seized her slender jade-like leg, pinning it against his waist, and said in annoyance, "Mu Xi, are you trying to murder your husband?"

"It's just an article of clothing, did you have to use such a vicious attack?" As he spoke, his large hands began to grope unsteadily.

Yang Mu Xi's cheeks flushed crimson, both embarrassed and angry, she said, "You scoundrel, where are you touching? Quickly let go!"

With that, she channeled her inner force, shaking off the fiery hand that was causing havoc on her jade leg, and quickly retreated.

Frowning, she said, "Jiang Chen, although I do have some affection for you, I never agreed to be your concubine!"

"You better understand that, and be more polite when we interact in the future… If you act as shameless as you did today, I won't be so polite!"

Jiang Chen looked at her flushed cheeks and approached her nonchalantly. "Not polite? How do you plan to be impolite to me?"

"Tell me, if I'm in a good mood, I might just satisfy you now, so you don't have to wait."

"After all, from a young age, I've never failed to obtain anything I set my eyes on."

"You won't be an exception either!"

His domineering words caused Yang Mu Xi's heart to flutter like a startled deer.

But thinking about the differences between them, her heart turned bitter, and even the blush on her pretty face faded.

"You should save those sweet words for your own harem, I don't care for them."

"In short, remember to keep your distance from me in the future, or I'll let you know why the flowers are so red!"

After speaking, Yang Mu Xi even raised her pink fist threateningly, as if to say, 'If you dare to come closer, I'll hit you.'

Her cute, clawing appearance made Jiang Chen's heart itch, like a kitten scratching him.

Shamelessly, he approached her and said, "To die under a peony is worth it, even as a ghost, I'll be Romantic Emperor."

"Since I have to be beaten to be close to you, then I'll just enjoy it enough in one go!"

After speaking, without waiting for Yang Mu Xi to react, he stretched out his long arm, pulled her directly into his arms, lowered his head, and covered her soft, fragrant red lips.

The sudden invasion of his presence caused Yang Mu Xi's mind to go blank instantly.

She could only blankly cooperate with Jiang Chen's rhythm, feeling weak all over from his intimacy, and a tingling sensation rising from deep within…

After a long while, she suddenly woke up when she noticed her belt was starting to loosen, and her sensitive spots were being touched vaguely. She pushed Jiang Chen away.

"Huff, huff!" Calming her breathing, Yang Mu Xi wiped the water from her red lips and said in embarrassment and anger, "You big rogue, I warned you, yet you still dared to be so frivolous with me…"

As she spoke, a trace of grievance crept onto her pretty face, feeling that she wasn't being respected.

Overwhelmed by emotions, she raised her pink fist and charged towards Jiang Chen: "You lecherous thief, prepare to die!"

"Mu Xi, let me expla..."

Before he could finish speaking, Jiang Chen saw an enlarging, tightly clenched jade hand.

Then, with a bang, he was struck so hard that his eyes went dark, and he fell straight to the ground.

*Thump.*

Along with the sound of Jiang Chen falling, Yang Mu Xi's reason returned.

Staring blankly at the figure on the ground, her beautiful eyes widened, completely in disbelief.

She muttered to herself, "This, this is too weak!"

"A dignified man, can't even withstand this little force? Or, or did I hit too hard, causing this?"

In doubt, Yang Mu Xi looked at her fist again, white and tender, without any damage, not even a hint of redness.

She was silent for a while before lowering her hand.

With a long sigh, she sorrowfully picked up Jiang Chen from the ground and placed him on her boudoir bed.

Her movements were very careful, as if she were handling something fragile.

"Lying, lecherous, and also terrible at martial arts… I really don't know what I see in you."

"Jiang Chen, did you secretly cast a spell on me? Or do I really owe you from a past life?!"

Yang Mu Xi sat by the bed, propping her cheek with her hand, her face full of suspicion about her life.

But no matter what, he definitely needed to be healed. Putting aside their special relationship, Jiang Chen was the Emperor. If something happened to him, the court would be in chaos.

Even just considering this point, Yang Mu Xi wouldn't abandon him.

*Creak.*

Opening the wooden box, she took out the treasured pill.

This was a secret body-nourishing pill from their Taiping Dao (Way of Great Peace), refined from hundreds of precious medicinal herbs, and hard to find in the world.

Ordinary people could extend their lifespan and live healthily to a hundred years after eating it. For martial artists, the effect would be even greater. It could not only increase potential but also broaden the meridians and increase zhenqi capacity.

This pill was only possessed by each leader of the Taiping Dao, and there was only one.

Yang Mu Xi couldn't bear to eat it, planning to save it for herself to break through her realm, but now it was benefiting Jiang Chen.

"Sigh, no wonder my master told me not to go down the mountain, not to fall in love, saying that the men down the mountain are all tigers… Now it seems that I should have listened to my master!"

"However, you lecherous bastard is much more terrifying than a tiger. At least tigers won't order me around every day, nor will they steal my medicine!" Muttering, Yang Mu Xi stuffed the pill into Jiang Chen's mouth, a hint of reluctance in her eyes.

But it was only a hint of reluctance.

Although divine medicine was hard to find, Jiang Chen's safety was more important to her.

She would leave one day. Before then, if she could cultivate this guy's martial arts, it would be a weight off her mind. At least she wouldn't have to worry about someone harming him or holding him hostage in the future.

Sitting by the bed, outlining Jiang Chen's features with her gaze, she waited for him to wake up.

In a daze, Yang Mu Xi actually felt a little lonely.

Although this bastard always liked to tease her with words when he was awake, making her want to sew his mouth shut, apart from these small problems, she was very happy most of the time… Hmm, hurry up and wake up.

Just as Yang Mu Xi was lost in thought, Jiang Chen, whose internal organs were being cleansed by the power of the medicine, woke up slowly.

There was no discomfort at all. He even felt more energetic than before he fainted, radiant even.

Realizing this, Jiang Chen also began to doubt his life.

Hiss, could it be that I have masochistic tendencies?

How come after being beaten up, I feel relaxed both physically and mentally?!

It shouldn't be!

Yang Mu Xi didn't notice Jiang Chen's confusion. Seeing him sitting there in a daze, she thought he was still suffering from some aftereffects and hurriedly pulled over the quilt to check him.

She asked with concern, "Are you okay? Is there still something bothering you? Why haven't you said anything?"

Jiang Chen held her hand and raised a forced smile: "No, I just suddenly remembered some important issues, and I was momentarily distracted."

Hearing this, Yang Mu Xi was relieved. She put on a serious face and said, "Right, I also have something important to tell you."

"I remember you mentioned before that your Shufei (Noble Consort Shu) in the palace was once poisoned by a strange poison from beyond the region, right?"

"When I was training the Imperial City Guards, I accidentally got the news that a Gu Master from beyond the region has entered the capital!"