Since Jiang Xingyan learned that Yun Chunfeng could use soul-summoning magic, every encounter with him in her dreams began to feel expected, almost natural.
But this scene, with him throwing himself directly into her arms, was a first.
Her entire body went stiff.
Although Yun Chunfeng was hugging her with all his might, being a soul entity, there was no distinct physical sensation.
He had keenly noticed the young lady’s softening attitude towards Huo Ci.
This was what he dreaded most.
Jiang Xingyan felt uncomfortable because of this unusual intimacy.
She reached out and pushed at Yun Chunfeng lightly, chiding him softly, “Yun Ge.”
Yun Chunfeng had no intention of letting go easily.
Didn’t Huo Ci just get to hold her by acting shamelessly too?
“Does the young lady not want Yun Ge anymore?”
Jiang Xingyan found it amusing. “How could that be? It’s just too—”
Yun Chunfeng lifted his peach-blossom eyes, full of grievance. “Didn’t the young lady already finalize the divorce with that man? Why won’t you accept Yun Ge now?”
“Don’t tell me you have a new sweetheart.”
“Fine then. Since Yun Ge is just in your way, I’ll take my leave.”
Jiang Xingyan helplessly pulled back the pretending-to-leave Yun Chunfeng.
Watching him with his lowered eyes and petty sulking, she let out a soft laugh.
“Look at you, I’ve only said one sentence, and you already have so many waiting for me.”
“Now that you mention it, I remember. The divorce agreement is signed, the household registries are separated. It’s just that our bodies haven’t been switched back yet, so I subconsciously felt— Mmm.”
While she was still chattering on with her explanation, Yun Chunfeng suddenly kissed her.
It was no longer a light kiss on the forehead, but a complete, passionate, thorough deep kiss.
The desires Yun Chunfeng had suppressed deep in his heart for so long instantly broke through the dam, surging out violently.
Just like the overwhelming flood at the back of Kanhou Mountain, it carried immense force, completely drowning Jiang Xingyan within it.
Even though they were intangible soul entities, right now, there was a burning, substantial sensation.
“Yun… Yun Ge… no… don’t…”
Yun Chunfeng’s voice was hoarse, his eyes brimming with captivating charm. He captured Jiang Xingyan’s vermilion lips, the threads of affection in his gaze falling like a fine rain upon her face.
“Young Lady, please don’t reject Yun Ge.”
His slender fingertips trailed downward from Jiang Xingyan’s earlobe.
Whoosh!
Jiang Xingyan jolted upright in bed from the shock, startling Little Ya, who was sleeping soundly beside her, into making fussy grumbles.
“Ma… Mama—”
She quickly patted Little Ya, softly humming a lullaby.
Hearing her mother’s voice, Little Ya quieted down and fell back into a deep sleep.
Jiang Xingyan used her other hand to touch her cheek.
It was burning hot.
She inwardly scolded Yun Chunfeng: Does he even realize that she and Huo Ci haven’t switched bodies back yet?!
Even though this kind of teasing was only on a soul level, waking up afterward felt not only incredibly strange but also terribly awkward.
See? The physical reactions of this body don’t lie!
Grumpily, she got up, felt her way to the table, and drank a large pot of cool tea before barely managing to suppress the restless fire within her.
The watchman’s clapper sounded the fourth watch. What was the point of trying to sleep now? Might as well get ready for the morning court assembly.
——-
In the side room, Yun Chunfeng sat by the window, gently stroking the corner of his lips, a helpless, faint smile playing on his face.
It seemed he had been too impatient.
He’d scared the Young Lady away.
If only the Young Lady’s body could be switched back soon.
Perhaps that dream he had long ago could become reality?
After all, the Young Lady hadn’t pushed him away.
Feeling quite pleased with himself, Yun Chunfeng, before hurrying to court, changed into a black overcoat embroidered with a myriad of stars and galaxies in silver thread, two cranes leaping upon it as if soaring through a summer night sky.
He covered his eyes with a light silver ruan yan luo gauze and tied his black hair up with a lotus crown.
To anyone seeing him, wasn’t he the very image of a transcendent, peerless immortal Taoist priest?
He walked gracefully out of the side room, preening like a peacock, and went to knock on the door of the main chamber.
Suddenly, he heard Chunxue’s voice behind him. “Grand Astrologer? Why are you still here?”
Yun Chunfeng was taken aback.
Seeing his clueless expression, Chunxue recalled the scene of her young lady leaving angrily earlier while holding Little Ya. A sudden understanding dawned on her. Covering her mouth, she whispered to him, “Did the Grand Astrologer upset the young lady?”
“The young lady went to court early this morning with Little Ya. I thought you were with them.”
Yun Chunfeng was stunned for a moment, then lowered his head, a smirk tugging at his lips.
The Young Lady was angry with him.
Well, this would require some serious coaxing.
——
The news of General Huo’s triumphant return had spread throughout the capital early in the morning.
Xin Zhui, leading five hundred elite cavalry—not one man more, not one less—marched into the city in perfect unison, welcomed by throngs of common people lining the streets.
Jiang Xingyan waited for him at the palace gate; today’s audience with the Emperor required bringing Xin Zhui along.
“General Huo is mighty!”
“The Huo Army is ever-victorious!”
“Conquering Beiluo is just around the corner!”
Cheers and excitement rippled through the crowd.
Many women carrying baskets kept stuffing boiled eggs into the pockets of the soldiers entering the city.
“Even though Summer’s Beginning has passed, don’t forget the egg fight custom.”
“It’s good you’re back. My family made lots of ‘Beginning of Summer’ rice, we’ll send it to the military camp later.”
Jiang Xingyan looked at the happy smiles on the people’s faces and felt that all the hardship and pain had been worth it.
“I am deeply moved by your affection! The Huo Army is honored to have fulfilled its duty!”
“Your kindness is appreciated, but please, don’t send any more delicious food to the camp. I’m afraid those scoundrels will get spoiled and won’t be able to endure hardship in the future!”
The crowd erupted into joyful laughter.
“Since General Huo has spoken, let’s not block the way anymore. Everyone, disperse, lest we delay the General’s attendance at court.”
As the crowd gradually dispersed, Xin Zhui, carrying the Iron Pagoda armor on his right shoulder and holding the horse armor in his left hand, asked with simple, straightforward earnestness, “General, let’s hurry!”
Jiang Xingyan couldn’t help but find it funny. She gave a light cough, reined in her emotions, and strode through the Taihe Gate.
——-
Meanwhile, in the Taihe Hall, Xiao Ao was listening to a report from a shadow guard.
“Reporting to Your Majesty, General Huo and his wife are deeply devoted, their love profound.”
“His wife waited for him at the gate every single day.”
“Last night, the moment he entered, they instantly embraced each other, so intimate and entwined, it was the picture of tender affection.”
Xiao Ao coughed lightly, interrupting the guard’s excessively detailed description.
It was embarrassing enough for an Emperor to send shadow guards daily to spy on the private marital life of his subject.
Wouldn’t it be even more improper to demand details about how the couple showed affection?
“And the Grand Astrologer?”
The shadow guard paused, then continued effusively, “Based on this servant’s close surveillance these past few days, it appears the Grand Astrologer and the General’s wife have a poor relationship. They often bicker and seem to have little interaction.”
“Strangely, logically, the General’s daughter should be cared for by her mother, yet she never lets the General’s wife touch her—she cries immediately. But she’s very affectionate with the Grand Astrologer.”
“Rumors outside say the General and the Grand Astrologer share a bond of entrusting wives and presenting sons, a truly precious and rare friendship.”
Xiao Ao rubbed his jaw, thinking hard for a long time, but couldn’t make sense of it.
“Your Majesty, the ministers are all waiting.”
Su Sheng’s announcement came from outside the door. With a whoosh, the shadow guard vanished.
Xiao Ao pinched the bridge of his nose, gathered his focus. From now on, it would be an outright break with Beiluo.
“Assemble the court!”