A/N: The Dragon's Flower Volume 1 is already out at most channels. Amazon, barnes & Noble, Kobo, Vivlio... erm, thats about it?
As for paperback version, its available at Amazon only.
I will do proper announcement tomorrow, including the links!
That's all, enjoy the chapter!
👘👘👘
XH 278 - I'm now the rich tyrant's wife
Right outside the bedchamber of Xiao Hua was Da Bei in his wolf form, laid on the floor as his tail swung left and right lazily.
Da An was with the other shadow guards, leaving Da Bei's ears in peace. But the peace did not last for long when he caught his mother's scent right before him.
He sat up, posture like a watchdog, no longer looking relaxed and raised his head to stare up at his mother.
"You are no longer in Bai land and should act accordingly."
Da Bei lowered his gaze and reluctantly nodded. How could An Jing not know how much help her son had assisted Xiao Hua that he started to wary about being too close to her?
It was to the extent that his son had asked Sir Lau Liu about being an eunuch!
"Are you still onto your foolish idea of being an eunuch?" An Jing questioned, her eyes flashed dangerously.
Da Bei quickly shook his furry head, his gaze filled with silent pleas for his mother to believe him!
An Jing had to thank Xiao Hua for firmly nipping that dangerous idea and even reprimanded Da Bei strongly. She also had to thank her new Madam to let Da Bei become cuter and more connected to his emotions.
It was indeed good that her son could be a more normal child after being around someone closer to his age.
However, her gaze did not betray her true thoughts and strictly said, "Master is returning. Come, I will check how much progress you have made in these two years."
Tian Zi and Tian Chi stood guard outside their master's bed chamber and waved as Da Bei followed An Jing away.
The sky was lightening up but lanterns were still prepared to welcome their master's return.
Before Tian Zi and Tian Chi could greet Long Zhu that just returned, he stopped them. He waved them to retreat and chose to complete his daily routine by himself.
The first thing he did after entering his room was to approach the bed, where a sleeping beauty laid on his bed.
Xiao Hua does not have any terrible sleeping habit, other than curling herself into a ball under the warm quilt. The beddings were still the red wedding set, likely to be left unchanged for the owners to finish their wedding night.
No one dared to guess if their masters had done the deed or not, but the white sheets remained unblemished, hence An Wan boldly guessed the bride was still untouched. In addition to the attack that had happened shortly after the groom entered the chamber, it was safe to assume the bride was still chaste.
But Long Zhu has no plans to wake up his sleeping wife. Xiao Hua needed sleep and he would not disturb her earned rest.
Although one would argue that Long Zhu had worked longer hours than Xiao Hua, it was their cultivation rank that made the difference.
He took a quick bath, drying his hair with his inner energy and planned to take a short nap with his wife.
However, it was easier to plan than doing.
Long Zhu was tired, but after lifting the quilt, his heart nearly stopped after seeing what his wife was wearing. What she was wearing was her usual inner robe, nothing scandalizing between husband and wife. But her tossing and turning had loosen the top, showing him what was hidden underneath.
It was the tight, grey duduo that his eighth brother had given to her. His eyes could not be controlled as they trailed down her figure to see if she was wearing the matching short pants.
Taking in a calming breath, he closed his eyes, climbed under the quilt and pulled the warm Xiao Hua into his arms, trying to force himself to sleep. But once he noticed her inner wear, his body started to be conscious about it and sensitively able to feel the soft upper flesh that was certainly larger than two years ago, pressed onto his chest.
Long Zhu finally realized his body was not as tired as he assumed.
Despite being tired, Xiao Hua noticed the sudden change around her and stirred her awake. "Hmm? Long Zhu?"
Long Zhu patted her back, trying to help her get back to sleep. "Go back to sleep."
"You… just returned?" Xiao Hua's voice was soft and cute, still drowsy with sleep, but choose to stay awake to pay attention to him.
Such a cute and caring wife, how would she not touch his already stolen heart? He dropped a brief kiss on top of her head and took in her familiar scent. "Yes. There is still some time before we need to wake up, so get some sleep."
"Hmm…yes… you need sleep…" With permission to do so, Xiao Hua was knocked out cold, dozing off.
Her reaction helped Long Zhu to stabilize his mood and he soon followed her to dream land.
They had not slept for long when Long Zhu woke Xiao Hua up, patiently coaxing her out of bed.
"You do not have enough sleep," Xiao Hua stared at Long Zhu worriedly.
Long Zhu smiled, trailing his fingers over her bed hair, smoothing them. "I can choose not to sleep for two days and still be fine."
If it were normal days, Xiao Hua would press him down and force him to sleep. But Long Zhu was needed to handle the aftermath.
"I will brew tea for you to drink! It will make you feel better!"
Long Zhu smiled as he gazed at his young wife affectionately as she moved around to prepare brewing, still in her sleep wear, which reminded him of something.
"My wife likes eighth brother's gift very much?"
"Ah?" It took a moment for Xiao Hua's antenna to shift to the other channel. "The dudou?" She touched her chest as she remembered.
Compared to her usual dudou, she preferred the one Heise had given because it was a bit like a bra Le XiaoTing was used to wearing. They supported her girls better.
When Xiao Hua's chest was still not developed, she did not worry much about the comfortable dudou, but after two years with her developed chest, she started to miss her bras. Running and moving fast always make her conscious about her girls!
Bindings was not a choice either, for what would she do if she accidentally suffocated her girls and damaged them?
"Yes, I prefer them compared to my normal dudou." Xiao Hua laughed, unaware that her admission brought a great thunderstorm in her husband's mind.
"Are you wearing the short pants too?"
"Yup! They are comfortable!" Xiao Hua's answer brought another great thunderstorm.
It was Long Zhu's long sigh as he cradled his head with his palm that stopped Xiao Hua. "What's wrong? Are you feeling uncomfortable? Headache?"
"No, I'm alright." Long Zhu forced a smile and called the servants in to serve them.
After drinking Xiao Hua's tea, Long Zhu feels refreshed and energized.
Duan XiYing was displaying a few sets of dresses that would be dressed by Xiao Hua for the day but the one making the choice was surprisingly Long Zhu with a serious expression as he contemplated his selection.
"Is there a need to dress this well?" Xiao Hua asked, caressing her new dress.
"You are now my wife, of course you should dress this well. I have prepared many sets of beautiful clothing for you. Dirtying one or two of them will not be a loss."
You rich tyrant.
And I'm now the rich tyrant's wife. (.❛ ᴗ ❛.)
After their breakfast, they entered the palace, and headed towards the Peach Courtyard. Although Xiao Hua was confused, she silently followed Long Zhu, who was trying to break her habit of following behind her. Now that she was his wife, she had the right to walk beside him and no one would dare to berate her for it.
"Welcome back." Yu Zheng was the one to greet them. Inside the room, almost all the royal family was at attendance, except for the bed ridden 20th Emperor.
At Yu Zheng's strange greeting, she turned to Long Zhu, who at the same time glanced at her with a smile.
"It's the third day of our marriage." It was also the day for their return to the bride's home for a visit.
Xiao Hua blinked her eyes that were growing warm and her smile became larger. No wonder her husband told Duan XiYing to dress her up beautifully.
"The newlyweds will serve tea for the husband's family first, to make up for the first day of marriage," the Fourth Prince guided kindly.
Long Zhu and Xiao Hua happily served ceremonial tea, first to the 19th Emperor, according to ranking, then to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager understandingly did not ask for the white napkin, the proof of her chastity.
Both of them gave Xiao Hua priceless gifts.
Fourth Prince and his consort gave Xiao Hua a set of modest gold bracelets while Long Lian gave her a silver and gold hairpin.
The 19th Emperor and Fourth Prince excused themselves first, as there were still matters they needed to handle. Xiao Hua was touched that they had placed work aside to come here to receive her tea.
Xiao Hua silently roasted Heise that failed to turn up to drink her tea or gave her a welcome into the family gift!
Calling himself as her brother? Hmph, not worthy!
Doctor Bai managed to find time to return and drink the ceremonial tea from his daughter and son-in-law, but was not able to stay long before needing to usher back to tend the wounded.
Yu Zheng was displeased by his lover's workload and followed behind Doctor Bai, intending to put more pressure onto the other doctors, as well as lashing critics onto them.
Xiao Hua giggled as she enjoyed the relaxing day. This third day of marriage was the best she could ask for.