Tome of Troubled Times-Chapter 811 (2): When Yangyang Takes Control

Just as she opened her mouth to try and wriggle her way out of it, Zhao Changhe took Cui Yuanyang’s hand and stood up. “Let’s put that matter aside for now. I’ve just reunited with Yangyang after a long separation. My heart is light, and I’m not in the mood for anything else. We’ll be wandering these mountains for a bit. Please don’t spy on us. It ruins the mood for love under the moon and flowers.”

Cui Yuanyang lit up. “I’ve wanted to explore this place for a while now! Big Sister Piaomiao’s been sitting there motionless all this time, even though the surroundings are so beautiful.”

Ye Jiuyou’s expression remained blank.

So walking around the snow-capped mountains hand in hand with Cui Yuanyang is more important than touching me, huh? And I’m not even allowed to watch?!

With a voice as neutral as it was cutting, she said, “The mountains lose their charm after a while... My dwelling lies within the heart of this mountain. It’s furnished with bedding and all the necessities. Would the two of you like to make use of it?”

The young couple responded in perfect unison, “Yes, thank you.”

Ye Jiuyou choked on her own breath while Piaomiao nearly fainted from sheer exasperation. With a flare of fury, she forcibly seized control of the body and said, “Ye Jiuyou, you did that on purpose, didn’t you?!”

“I didn’t mean—” Ye Jiuyou began to defend herself, but midway through her explanation, her gaze landed on the two standing before her, hand in hand, and she went quiet, her expression turning peculiar.

Because the hand Zhao Changhe was holding... was not Cui Yuanyang’s but Piaomiao’s.

Silence descended like a veil.

Piaomiao stiffened, staring down at their joined hands, then slowly raised her head to look at Zhao Changhe.

Zhao Changhe, too, was looking down at their hands and then back up. Their eyes met.

Piaomiao swiftly yanked her hand away, expecting Zhao Changhe to take the opportunity to hold on and refuse to let go. To her surprise, he released her immediately. The lack of resistance threw off her balance, and she stumbled half a step backward.

Zhao Changhe instinctively reached out to steady her, but before he could touch her, Piaomiao regained her footing and jabbed a finger toward his wrist.

He pulled his hand back and took a step away, his voice calm and indifferent, “So much for your supposed martial arts skills... Also, if you’re the one in control, I have no desire to touch you. Don’t flatter yourself.”

Piaomiao stared at him impassively only to see a flicker of genuine anger in Zhao Changhe’s eyes.

“I only want Yangyang. You agreed that if Yangyang and I reunited within a month, she could be in control of the body for a time, so why break that promise so soon?”

He truly doesn’t want to touch me.... Not even when I’m wearing Cui Yuanyang’s face....

Piaomiao pressed her lips together, her voice softening, “Your... reunion affects me.”

Zhao Changhe responded coldly, “And what does that have to do with us as husband and wife? It’s not as if we invited you to dwell in this body. I understand that you’re a victim, too, and that this awakening wasn’t of your choosing, so I don’t blame you. But likewise, we’ve done nothing wrong. I don’t want to resent you, but you shouldn’t be interfering in our lives as a couple. If you don’t wish to be affected, I suggest you go to sleep.”

Piaomiao stared into his eyes. It was clear Zhao Changhe was angry as his tone had gotten a lot colder and more distant. His tone had hardened considerably, and he had stopped being polite entirely. If not for the fear that provoking her might put Cui Yuanyang in danger, his words might have been far harsher.

Sleeping really was a solution. Just like before her consciousness awakened, when they could do whatever they pleased. But now, a new fear gnawed at her. If she went dormant again, would she be vulnerable to an attack? Would someone seize that moment to kill her?

Zhao Changhe seemed to understand what she was thinking. He said lightly, “If you’re concerned about... Well, even if you don’t trust your supposed ally right here, there’s no need to worry about Zhao Changhe. My word is my bond.”

Ye Jiuyou snorted but made no comment.

Piaomiao’s thoughts flashed to the moments she had witnessed in recent days when Zhao Changhe risked his life in deadly encounters, even switching places with others to shield them, taking the brunt of explosive force himself. She remained silent for a long moment, then finally said, “Give me a time limit.”

Zhao Changhe replied, “It’s already evening. Give us one night.”

Piaomiao understood that Zhao Changhe was holding back, forcing himself to compromise. This was his wife’s body; by all rights, it should belong to her at all times. That he was willing to negotiate and ask for just one night showed how much he feared any harm coming to Cui Yuanyang. It was a compromise born of desperation and restraint.

She let out a quiet sigh, then said softly, “...Very well.”

As her words faded, her presence receded into silence. When the body stirred again, it was once more Cui Yuanyang who emerged.

She tilted her head, studying Zhao Changhe who still stood there motionless. She waved a hand in front of his face. “Big Brother Zhao?”

Zhao Changhe forced a faint smile and took her hand, leading her down the mountain. “You’ve been through a lot.”

Cui Yuanyang replied softly, “It’s nothing... Big Sister Piaomiao seems to trust you quite a bit. She actually dared to fall asleep.”

Zhao Changhe paused mid-step, surprised. “She really went to sleep?”

“Mm-hm.”

“No wonder she got killed by that blind woman in her past life... She actually dares to trust me like this...” Zhao Changhe shook his head with a sigh. “Honestly, when it comes to saving my wife, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do.”

Cui Yuanyang smiled gently and said, “There is something you wouldn’t do, Big Brother Zhao. Even if you were once capable of it... The moment you realized she trusted you, truly trusted you, you wouldn’t be able to go through with it anymore.”

Zhao Changhe let out a groan and rubbed his temples. “My head hurts...”

“Let’s go.” Cui Yuanyang cheerfully hugged his arm. “Now that Big Sister Piaomiao is asleep, we can do whatever we want...”

The supposed wandering through the snowy mountains did not happen at all. Cui Yuanyang had no interest in the scenery. She only wanted to be wrapped up with Zhao Changhe. Rather than dragging themselves through the freezing cold, what could be better than retreating to a warm cavern lit by a cozy fire, lying on soft, fragrant bedding, whispering sweet nothings to one another?

Before, they still had to worry about Piaomiao’s shared senses. But now that she was asleep... there was nothing left to fear.

Ye Jiuyou reached out as if to speak, then thought better of it and lowered her hand.

That’s... my bed.

Forget it. She had already lost the bet, and Zhao Changhe now had leverage. If he did decide to collect on that wager, what then? Denying it outright might jeopardize their future collaboration. Better to offer a small concession now, and if she had to renege tomorrow, at least she would have a reason to stand on.

Within Ye Jiuyou’s mountain abode, Zhao Changhe lit a fire. On the luxurious bedding, Cui Yuanyang reclined with her silky hair cascading freely, her clothes already loosened. Only a small embroidered mandarin-duck dudou remained, hugging her figure as she leaned against Zhao Changhe’s shoulder.

Her slender fingers lightly traced across his broad chest, which was smooth and unscarred.

“When you... carved your flesh... did it hurt?”

“You saw that?”

“Mm-hm... From the moment you entered the Abyss of the Frost Chi, we saw everything.”

“I should’ve sensed something if someone was watching me... It seems that I still have a long way to go. Jiuyou and Piaomiao’s strength far surpasses mine. I couldn’t sense a thing. It’s the same with that blind woman. I never knew whether she was watching or not.”

The frustration in Zhao Changhe’s voice was clear. Cui Yuanyang turned her head and kissed him lightly on the ear. “Don’t pressure yourself so much. They’re ancient demon gods, the strongest of their era... and you’ve only been cultivating for less than three years.”

“There’s no time to waste. Just like your current situation, it all comes down to me not being strong enough. Let alone finding a solution, I don’t even dare speak too harshly to Piaomiao because I don’t want to provoke her into hurting you.”

“You really don’t need to blame Big Sister Piaomiao... Besides, she can’t bother us anymore,” Cui Yuanyang murmured, her delicate hand gliding downward, brushing over his chiseled abs. “If you’re still upset... you can pretend I’m her and punish me properly...”

“What punishment? I can barely stand how much I love you, how could I use you like that?” freēnovelkiss.com

“Heehee... Then you can punish her by pampering me....” Her fingers had already wandered somewhere incredibly dangerous.

Zhao Changhe twitched. “Little enchantress.”

Cui Yuanyang whispered, “You know... When I saw you covered in wounds... Ying Five was talking about finding someone to dual cultivate with you. I wanted so badly to seize control of the body and fly to you, to take care of you myself... But I couldn’t move. I could only curl up in the corner and cry. But now you’re here...”

Zhao Changhe gently replied, “It’s alright. Doesn’t your husband know himself best? If I’m not a bloody mess after a fight, it doesn’t even feel like a real battle. This is just my life. Anyway, enough of that, talking about injuries in a moment like this is unlucky.”

“Then let’s talk about something else...” Cui Yuanyang bit her lower lip, guiding his hand into her dudou. “Here, look... Isn’t it a little different from our wedding night? This is how I looked back when we roamed the jianghu together... Did you want to play with me back then? Because maybe, just maybe, if you had... I might’ve said yes...”

Zhao Changhe had thought that after all he had been through, he was immune to simple arousal. And yet this girl still had the power to set his whole body ablaze.

“Little witch... You know, Piaomiao may be asleep, but Ye Jiuyou is watching.”

“She is?” Cui Yuanyang scoffed, unbothered. “Let her watch then. She’s just a concubine who joined the family later. She might as well start learning how to serve her husband properly.”

“...”

Her large, expressive eyes had grown misty now, her voice a breathy whisper, “I haven’t had enough time with my husband... I don’t want to hold back anymore. I don’t care about Jiuyou, or Piaomiao, or propriety, or anything really... I just want to cling to you, to savor every single breath we share. Even if... Even if people call me shameless, I don’t care anymore!”

Read lat𝙚st chapters at fre(𝒆)novelkiss.com Only