Tome of Troubled Times-Chapter 811 (1): When Yangyang Takes Control

In truth, all of this was well within Ye Jiuyou’s expectations.

Her invitation for Zhao Changhe to come here was not just a test; it also contained a genuine offer of cooperation. If Zhao Changhe truly intended to move against Ye Wuming, then naturally, they could become allies.

After all, Piaomiao was the fourth-ranked demon god. She was immensely powerful, well on par with Jiuyou herself. More importantly, she bore a blood feud against Ye Wuming. That made her a critical ally in Jiuyou’s campaign.

If Zhao Changhe really was serious about opposing Ye Wuming, then a conflict between him and Piaomiao was unlikely. And even before this meeting, Zhao Changhe had inquired into splitting Piaomiao and Cui Yuanyang into separate individuals. Now, his words remained consistent, proving to Jiuyou that his resolve had not changed, and that pleased her.

This was the only outcome that Jiuyou cared about. As for Piaomiao being fondled by a man, what did that have to do with her? If anything, it made the whole affair more entertaining.

So much for your icy pride. What happened to all that talk about dignity or purity? Go on, say it again now. Say it again!

Meanwhile, the embrace had become so intense that the two looked as if they wanted to melt into each other’s bodies. Zhao Changhe, at least, had some presence of mind and restrained himself somewhat, conscious of Ye Jiuyou’s watching gaze from the other mountaintop. Cui Yuanyang, on the other hand, had completely lost herself. Her little hands were already tugging at her husband’s clothes, her entire demeanor screaming, “Take me now!”

Ye Jiuyou could already imagine what Piaomiao looked like inside that shared spiritual sea—half exasperated, half overwhelmed.

She could understand, to some extent. The two had just survived a great tribulation and were finally reunited. It was natural for them to be emotional. But Piaomiao never imagined that Cui Yuanyang could be this shameless. They’re being watched by a bunch of people! How can she be like this? What happened to her supposed noble upbringing?

With their thoughts fully linked, each kiss and caress landed just as vividly on Piaomiao as it did on Cui Yuanyang. From Piaomiao’s perspective, she was the one being kissed and touched. The moment her senses cleared enough to realize what was happening, her first reaction was pure horror. I need to take back control of the body. If I let this continue, they really might start doing it right here on the mountaintop.

She had just begun to wrestle back control when Cui Yuanyang, panting, finally pulled back a little. “Big Brother Zhao, I’m cold...”

Piaomiao tilted her head in sheer disbelief. You’re WHAT NOW?

Zhao Changhe’s voice was gentle. “This is Jiuyou’s domain. The cold here isn’t physical but spiritual, and you’re feeling it even more because your power is being suppressed. I’ll shield you.”

Oh... so that’s what she meant. Piaomiao felt heat rise to her cheeks—not from the chill, but from where her thoughts had just gone. She immediately shouted across the spiritual sea, “You don’t need his help! This body’s cultivation has already recovered well. You’re just not used to how to wield it. I’ll assist you. Learn the rhythm, and you can resist the chill yourself. As for that so-called spiritual pressure... Please. With me here, this bit of pressure is nothing!”

She continued to herself, Hurry up and defend yourself. Otherwise, I’m afraid of how you’re planning to generate heat through friction.

Cui Yuanyang spun her arm in circles like a windmill, her expression lighting up with delight. “Big Brother Zhao, I think I’m amazing!”

Zhao Changhe held her in his arms as they sat to the side, planting a kiss on her rosy cheek. “In your past life, Piaomiao’s body was a spirit body. Her cultivation focused on her intangible form, not her physical form. This body, no matter how strong, is just a vessel hastily formed by absorbing raw energy, so it’s not exactly ideal for cultivation. Once you’re separated from her, you’ll still need to temper yourself.”

Cui Yuanyang giggled. “So you’re saying Big Sister Piaomiao’s strength doesn’t impress you?”

“I never said that. Her soul is immensely powerful. Right now, I’m no match for her....”

“So you’re saying her body is fragile and useless?”

“But that body belongs to my Yangyang. I like that Yangyang’s body is fragile and easily overwhelmed.”

“Heehee, oh my, you’re making me afraid. How exactly are you planning to overwhelm me?”

Zhao Changhe snorted. “You’re becoming more and more of a little fox.”

Cui Yuanyang twisted in his arms and pouted. “I’m your lawfully wedded wife. What’s so foxy about enjoying a little flirting? It’s not like I act like this with anyone else....”

Piaomiao finally could not take it anymore. Her patience snapped and she said, “Is every conversation you have with him this pointless and frivolous?”

“How is this pointless?” Cui Yuanyang responded with full confidence. “Big Sister, once you fall in love, you’ll understand. These kinds of things, you can say for a lifetime and still never get tired of them!”

Piaomiao snapped, “If that’s the case, then say them during some other part of your life! For now, let’s focus on the matter at hand.”

“Oh, you’re right...” Cui Yuanyang puffed up her cheeks and asked Zhao Changhe, “Big Brother Zhao, with this kind of cultivation... can I stay like this forever and never grow up?”

Piaomiao nearly spat out blood. Do you really consider that part of the matter at hand?

Zhao Changhe leaned back and studied her closely.

Cui Yuanyang’s once-chubby, round face had already slimmed down by the time they married, forming the delicate oval of a proper beauty. With years of martial training, horseback riding, and a disdain for the graceful gentility expected of noble ladies, she had developed strong legs, a slender waist, and a heroic air. She was like a second coming of Yue Hongling. But now, thanks to Piaomiao’s meddling, something about her seemed to have reverted. Her cheeks had regained a hint of baby fat, making her look adorably youthful again.

Zhao Changhe scratched his head. Cultivation was supposed to preserve one’s youth, but no one ever said anything about reverse aging....

Cui Yuanyang explained, “While I was asleep, Big Sister Piaomiao was refining this body and sensed the image I most desired for myself. So she adjusted it slightly to match.”

Zhao Changhe paused, then silently pinched her soft little cheek without saying another word.

She vaguely remembered once saying that her cultivation was only for the sake of maintaining the appearance that he liked most. What she truly desired was not to look younger for her own sake but because she believed this was the look her husband cherished the most. It was the version of herself most deeply etched into their shared memories.

But it was not really the baby fat and bunny suit. It was the deep, pure affection of a young girl, frozen forever in time.

“You little fool...” Zhao Changhe cradled her head against his chest, his voice low and tender. “Yangyang, no matter what you look like, I will always love you. There’s no need to go to such lengths.”

Buried in his embrace, Cui Yuanyang murmured, “Because this way, you will always have a cute, lovable wife by his side. You won’t need to go looking for another little girl. I... I’m not trying to be jealous on purpose...”

Zhao Changhe found that last line especially amusing. It was so melodramatic that it was almost theatrical. But then again, when someone was this adorable, even their jealousy would taste sweet.

He could not resist lowering his head again to find her lips, and soon, the two were locked in another embrace.

Piaomiao started to think she was about to experience her hair standing on end for the first time. I should never have altered this body... No, I should’ve aged her up seventy or eighty years! There’s still time to do that, and let’s see how lovey-dovey you get then!

Yet, at the same time Cui Yuanyang suddenly felt a hint of gratitude toward Piaomiao that was not just about looking a couple of years younger. What mattered more was that this temporary separation now allowed her to feel just how much Zhao Changhe loved her.

Before this, she had never been quite so sure.

In their relationship, it had always been her chasing after Zhao Changhe. She often felt he treated her like a little sister, marrying her only to honor a promise or to bring Qinghe under his wing. Even the way he spoke to her father seemed more earnest than the way he spoke to her.

But now, at this moment, she could feel his love clearly and unmistakably, and it was nothing like sibling affection.

A deep sense of peace blossomed in her heart. The unease of being trapped in a body not fully her own and the uncertainty of the path ahead all melted away. Even the urge to cling to him faded into quiet serenity.

She gently pushed against Zhao Changhe’s chest and whispered, “Big Brother Zhao, don’t worry about me. Big Sister Piaomiao is kind... and also very pitiful. I’m willing to share this body with her. Please don’t be angry with her. I believe you’ll find a way to separate us one day. I’ll wait, no matter how long it takes.”

Zhao Changhe said, “You should write a letter home to your father and let him know you’re safe. Otherwise, the old man’s going to worry himself sick. Leave the rest to me... Oh, that’s right. Now that Piaomiao’s more or less recovered, why are you still hiding out here in Jiuyou’s place? You two could return home. Come with me back to the capital. We’ll have more minds to work on a solution together.”

Cui Yuanyang replied, “Big Sister Piaomiao isn’t hiding here. She and Big Sister Jiuyou are working together to take down a bad woman.”

Zhao Changhe could not help but laugh. “You call Jiuyou your big sister and the other one a bad woman?”

“Isn’t she?” Cui Yuanyang puffed her cheeks. “You don’t like that bad woman either. I heard you talking to yourself by the medicine pool.”

She stopped for a moment, then continued, “But I guess I did get it wrong.... Jiuyou isn’t a big sister, she’s a little sister.”

Ye Jiuyou: “?”

How did I get dragged into this...? We’re an entire era apart in age, and you’re calling me your little sister?

But Cui Yuanyang stood her ground, righteous and proud. “I married into the family first. No matter what, the young lady of the Li Clan is still of lower seniority.”

Ye Jiuyou’s eyebrows shot up.

Piaomiao, whose mind had been a swirling storm of frustration, finally exhaled a breath of satisfaction, consolation surging through her from the top of her head down to her chest.

Zhao Changhe turned to glance at Ye Jiuyou, lowering his voice slightly, “Miss Jiuyou, the nature of our relationship is still uncertain... Before I even came here, I had no intention of fighting Piaomiao, but facing you in battle seems inevitable.”

Ye Jiuyou finally spoke up, “Indeed. Per our agreement, if you can defeat me, our partnership will proceed under your leadership. If not, you will serve as my subordinate. Shall we now begin to honor that agreement?”

Zhao Changhe drew his gaze back. “There was another agreement, apart from that one... If I managed to stand before you within a month, you were supposed to give me something in return.”

Ye Jiuyou froze for a moment, an odd expression flitting across her face.

She had nearly forgotten that little wager. At the time, she had said that if he could overcome all obstacles and reach her within a month, she would let him touch her again properly and thoroughly.

She had gotten so caught up watching the drama unfold these past days that she had tossed that promise to the back of her mind. Sometimes, she even found herself hoping he would make it through and show up sooner....

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