instead of answering immediately, zhao tian slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer.


    he pressed his face against her neck again, his lips brushing her skin.


    yao jing’s breath hitched as his lips traveled downward, to her collarbone, then back up to her throat.


    "tian’er. you’re avoiding my question." she scolded lightly, though her tone lacked any real bite.


    "am i?" zhao tian murmured, his lips brushing against her ear. "maybe i just missed you too much to think about anything else."


    yao jing let out a soft laugh, gently pulling back to meet his gaze. "such a sweet mouth. now, stop stalling and tell me."


    instead of answering, zhao tian’s hands moved to the sash of her robe, his fingers grazing the soft fabric as he gently pulled it loose.


    the robe slipped slightly, revealing her smooth shoulder and the pale curve of her neck.


    he leaned in, pressing a tender kiss to her exposed skin, then another, trailing from her shoulder back to her collarbone.


    yao jing’s hands found their way into his hair, her fingers threading through the soft strands as his kisses deepened.


    she tilted her head back instinctively, granting him access to the vulnerable line of her throat.


    "you’re shameless..." she whispered, though her words were tinged with affection rather than annoyance.


    yao jing pushed against his chest lightly, her face flushed. "tian’er.. stop with these silly acts."


    with a chuckle, zhao tian relented. "she’s worried about my progress attracting too much attention. as there are rumors about me crossing the 9th degree."


    "hmm," yao jing mused, resting her chin on his shoulder. "she’s not wrong to worry. but you’ve never been one to hide your strength, have you?"


    with a nod, he replied, "right now, i need to lay low and focus on getting stronger without drawing unnecessary trouble."


    yao jing leaned forward to place a quick kiss on his cheek. "so, what’s the plan now, tian’er? are you going to keep hiding in my room, or do you actually have work to do?"


    "i might stay a little longer," zhao tian said, his tone light but his grip on her tightening ever so slightly. "after all, where else can i find such a comfortable place to rest?"


    "comfortable, huh?" yao jing muttered under her breath.


    zhao tian gave a nod "and it seems like sect master wants me to accept her as my master."


    eh?


    zhao tian smiled dryly, running a hand through his hair, but he knew better than to interrupt. shenyi wasn’t finished.


    "and not just any tribulation. you crossed the 10 degrees of tribulation with no preparations. do you have any idea how dangerous that is? how many times have i told you to be cautious during such a crucial moment in your cultivation?"


    "good thing, the sect master helped you... if not the whole of astral realm and the high stars would be at your tail right now."


    -_- zhao tian used his right to remain silent, as he know no matter how powerful he was, in front of his wives... he become powerless. discover more stories at empire


    they knew him better than anyone else, and their concern was something he could never brush aside. he lowered his head slightly, the guilt of his actions clear on his face.


    "well?" shenyi pressed, her arms crossed now, "do you at least feel sorry for what you did?"


    zhao tian hurriedly nodded "yes, mam, i will make sure this never happens again."


    "lady shenyi... husband has already apologized, so i guess it’s time to remove his punishment."


    hearing a soft tone, zhao tian turned to fei lingxi, who was sitting beside him, and lunged toward her with a dramatic flair, hugging her in his arms. "lingxi, you are the only one who understands me..." he muttered, caressing his face on her breasts.


    fei lingxi smiled gently, her arms wrapping around him in return, and she patted his back with affection, a soft chuckle escaping her lips.


    "i am also upset with you, husband," she said softly, though there was no anger in her tone. "but i know you didn’t do it on purpose. sometimes, things just... happen."


    zhao tian rubbed his face on her breasts enjoying the plushiness "lingxi... you are so soft."


    fei lingxi chuckled again, shaking her head as she ran her fingers through his hair, her voice sweet and soothing. "you spoil yourself too much, husband. but you know i can’t stay mad at you for long."


    xia shenyi’s eyebrows twitched "lingxi, don’t spoil him... he needs to understand the consequences of his actions. as i’ve already said, he’s not allowed to have sex for a week. that’s his punishment."


    zhao tian immediately tightened his hold on lingxi, as though shielding himself from shenyi’s decree. "see, lingxi?" he complained, his voice carrying a wounded tone.


    "shenyi is bullying me again."


    fei lingxi leaned down, her lips brushing close to his ear as she whispered conspiratorially, "don’t worry, husband. we can always... sneak into the bath. no one will know."


    upon hearing this, zhao tian couldn’t help but chuckle, his voice muffled against her chest "i love you, lingxi."


    fei lingxi’s hand moved to his cheek, tilting his face upward so she could look into his eyes. "i love you too, husband," she said with a radiant smile.


    -----------------------------------------------


    i hope you guys liked this chapter!