Chapter 1323: 办一件事情

The Junior Demon Empress wanted to cover her ears, but with her vital points restrained, she couldn't move at all and could only let the sounds flood her ears. Even though she was usually seductive and alluring, her senses were still profoundly assaulted by such close proximity.

Because the Demon Emperor was nearing the Five Signs of Decay, he now spent most of his time recuperating to prolong his life and had not visited her bedchamber for many, many years. The allure she projected was more a weapon, and largely theoretical. Yet, with a real-life demonstration unfolding beside her, her heart was in turmoil; she realized this kind of thing could be done *this way*…

After an unknown period, the panting from the bed finally subsided, and the air was thick with an ambiguous scent. The Junior Demon Empress, who was nearby, had long since collapsed as if boneless, her chest rising and falling unceasingly, her cheeks flushed crimson, and her eyes glistened.

Zu'an pulled the covers over Xue'er. She was exhausted from the poison and overexertion, and had fallen into an utterly exhausted sleep. Afterward, he wrapped a thin blanket around himself and sat on the edge of the bed, looking down at the woman on the floor.

The Junior Demon Empress was enraged. This velvet blanket was her favorite, the one she usually snuggled with to sleep, and now he had wrapped it around his "filthy" body.

Rage value from the Junior Demon Empress +283, +283, +283…

Zu'an swept his hand, and a wisp of qi energy struck the Junior Demon Empress, releasing her restraints. As soon as the Junior Demon Empress was free, she darted away like a rabbit, watching him warily.

Zu'an chuckled in amusement. "Don't worry, I won't do anything to you. If I truly intended to, I wouldn't have released your restraints."

The Junior Demon Empress's cheeks felt warm, and she realized her reaction was overly dramatic. However, quick-witted, she masked her embarrassment by saying, "It's a real shame you don't work at a male brothel."

Zu'an was taken aback; he didn't expect the term "duck" to exist in this world too. Could this woman also be a transmigrator? "Odd change, even no change?"

The Junior Demon Empress frowned, her brows knitting. "What gibberish is that?"

Zu'an realized he had misunderstood. He chuckled, saying, "What, if I were to work at a male brothel, would Your Highness come to patronize my business?"

Given her flirtatious and alluring nature, joking with her in this manner could actually bring them closer.

"Pah, who would bother?" But the Junior Demon Empress's heart was pounding wildly, and her ears felt warm. She had just truly witnessed what true masculine vigor meant. If only…

She quickly shook these thoughts from her mind. How could she, a dignified Demon Empress, entertain such chaotic notions?

"What do you plan to do next?" The Junior Demon Empress shifted her legs, still feeling a bit uncomfortable.

Zu'an said gravely, "We'll meet trouble as it comes."

The Junior Demon Empress sneered. "I fear this 'water' may be more than you can handle. However, you are somewhat fortunate; the Demon Emperor has just entered secluded cultivation. He usually only leaves a wisp of his divine sense outside, so he shouldn't personally come out to deal with you. But the royal court is teeming with experts; a single misstep and you'll be annihilated."

"So, Junior Demon Empress, I ask for your guidance." Zu'an gazed at her with a smile. The Junior Demon Empress was speechless for a moment. This man had just provoked her so brazenly; where did he get the audacity to act as if nothing had happened? Nevertheless, she replied, "This night is almost over. Since the Golden Crow Guards didn't find you in the palace, they will likely focus their attention outside. I will find an opportunity to get you two out."

"Once outside, you must secretly send Princess Xue back to the Elf Tribe. Otherwise, if too much time passes, Princess Xue's reputation will be ruined."

Zu'an frowned. "Wouldn't Xue'er be in great danger then?"

"Don't worry. As long as Princess Xue firmly maintains she doesn't know you and claims you were masked, nothing major will happen," the Junior Demon Empress explained. "Recently, due to the matters involving the Great Golden Peng King and the Peacock Ming King, the entire royal court is quite tense. Princess Xue's identity is also special. Even if the Crown Prince's party knows she's lying, they wouldn't dare make a fuss. After all, he drugged her first; if that were to get out, it would cause an uproar among all the clans."

Zu'an nodded. The Junior Demon Empress, having resided in the royal court for a long time, naturally understood the nuances of its internal affairs. Her judgment on this matter was reliable.

"Additionally, you shouldn't return to the Snake Tribe later. Barring any surprises, the Crown Prince and his people will definitely trace it back to the Snake Tribe," the Junior Demon Empress warned.

Zu'an frowned. His relationship with the Snake Tribe was extraordinary, and there was no way he could remain uninvolved. Of course, there was no need to disclose this to the Junior Demon Empress.

"You should lie low near the royal court for a while first. Later, when there's an opportunity, I will contact you. As long as you accomplish one thing, you can put an end to future troubles forever." A strange light gleamed in the Junior Demon Empress's eyes.

"What kind of task?" Zu'an frowned.

"The time is not right yet; you will know when it is." The Junior Demon Empress shook her head, offering no further explanation.

"Riddlers really invite a beating," Zu'an muttered. He didn't press further; their relationship wasn't close enough for him to expect an answer even if he asked.

The Junior Demon Empress stood up and said, "You two rest here for a while. I'll go see the Crown Prince first. After all, something so significant happened to him, it would be unreasonable for me, as his mother, not to visit."

Zu'an frowned, but remained silent.

The Junior Demon Empress, with her perceptive mind, immediately understood his concerns. She chuckled charmingly, "What, are you worried I'll go out and betray you?"

Zu'an chuckled, "Your Highness jests. We are now grasshoppers on the same rope; how could I possibly worry about such things?"

The Junior Demon Empress snorted, having caught the subtle threat in his tone. She then swayed her hips gracefully as she exited the room.

Watching the rhythmic sway of her hips, Zu'an felt a flush of heat throughout his body, even though he had just been through an intense encounter. This woman truly exuded femininity with every movement.

However, his resolve was strong, and he quickly regained his composure. He came to the bedside and gently wiped the fine sweat from Qiao Xueying's forehead.

As if sensing his presence, Qiao Xueying slowly opened her eyes, a hint of shyness flashing within them. "Ah Zu~"

"You're awake?" Zu'an helped her tidy her disheveled hair. "Get some more rest."

"I can't sleep anymore," Qiao Xueying shook her head. Her bright eyes darted around, and she was taken aback by the room's layout. "Is this really the Junior Demon Empress's bedchamber?"

In truth, she had been vaguely conscious moments ago, but it seemed too incredible to be on the Junior Demon Empress's bed, so she had dismissed it as a hallucination. Now, clearly seeing her surroundings, she was shocked to find that her memories were, in fact, real.

Zu'an nodded. "Yes, this is indeed the Junior Demon Empress's chamber…" He then briefly recounted how the Junior Demon Empress had saved them.

"Gasp!" Qiao Xueying gasped, "Then didn't she see everything that just happened between us?"

"She couldn't see; I had her restrained and under the bed at the time," Zu'an explained.

"What's the difference!" Qiao Xueying wailed, burrowing into the covers, unwilling to emerge. She felt too ashamed to face anyone.

"Don't worry. Only she knows about this, and now that we're in the same boat, she won't reveal it to outsiders," Zu'an reassured her.

"But to have such a shameful side seen by someone else… the thought alone is mortifying," Qiao Xueying's muffled voice came from beneath the covers.

Zu'an smiled. "Actually, there's no need to be embarrassed. The Junior Demon Empress also has an embarrassing secret that you've discovered."

"What?" Qiao Xueying poked half her head out from under the covers, her eyes blinking rapidly.

"You pinched her just now…" Zu'an leaned in and whispered something into her ear.

Qiao Xueying's face instantly flushed crimson. "Ahhh, it's all your fault! I'm utterly humiliated!"

Zu'an tried hard to console her but to no avail. However, when the Junior Demon Empress returned, she quieted down instead.

The Junior Demon Empress gave her a peculiar look. "Princess Xue is awake." This young girl, so slender, had been so wild and energetic just moments ago.

Qiao Xueying had already dressed and, blushing, bowed to her respectfully. "Thank you, Junior Demon Empress, for saving me."

They tacitly agreed not to mention what had just happened. Everyone pretended it hadn't happened.

"I wasn't the one who saved you; it was mainly him." The Junior Demon Empress looked at Zu'an, her expression an ambiguous half-smile.

Zu'an cleared his throat lightly. Worried about Qiao Xueying's embarrassment, he quickly changed the subject. "How is the Golden Crow Crown Prince? Is he dead?"

"Not dead, but he's half-dead," the Junior Demon Empress said, her expression utterly peculiar. "You're truly ruthless in your attacks; you utterly destroyed his lower body, clearly intending to leave him without an heir."

"That guy deserved it," Qiao Xueying said bitterly, the thought of almost being violated by him made her wish she could stab him herself.

Zu'an said, "Then Your Highness should thank me. The Demon Emperor won't pass the throne to a Crown Prince destined to be without an heir. Among his remaining sons, the Young Prince is the legitimate son, and thus the most likely to inherit the throne."

The Junior Demon Empress sighed. "It's not that simple. If you had truly killed the Crown Prince just now, the Young Prince would indeed have hope of succession. But as it is, the throne still belongs to the Crown Prince."

"Why?" Zu'an was surprised. "He hasn't married yet, nor does he have any children, does he?"