Chapter 289: Walk!
"Finally, I've returned." Ashen spoke with a hint of excitement in his voice.
He was standing on a pathway inside the Shang Clan's inner sanctum.
Multiple palaces and mansions could be seen in the distance all around him.
Behind him was the teleportation building that contained the teleportation formation. This teleportation building was different from the teleportation hall located inside the Shang Clan's palace.
The Teleportation building was open to general use for anyone teleporting to and from the Shang clan.
Ashen had just returned to the Shang Clan by using the teleportation formation inside the building.
As for the Shang Clan's inner sanctum, it was like an inner capital of any sacred clan. Important ministers, elders, and royal members of the Shang Clan resided here.
There were tall buildings everywhere, reflecting the grandeur and majesty of the Clan.
Ashen, however, only paid attention to three of them.
One was the palace where his room was located, along with Shiyue, Veli, and Lady Suying's rooms. It could be seen from afar due to the sheer size of its dome.
Another was the Blossom Lotus Palace, where Xiran had made her home. It was one of the palaces built for the concubines of the clan patriarch and his lineage.
Last was a mansion, the smallest of the three; however, it was still many times larger and more luxurious than the ones in other parts of the empire.
This mansion was allocated to Feng Xue, who lived there with Yan Li and his siblings. She had taken them as her disciples and was teaching them the ways of cultivation.
Ashen knew he didn't have a lot of time before Qin Feng would arrive to ask him for help. He knew there would be no one who would help the northern region punish Lin Feng in a short amount of time other than him.
He knew Qin Feng would be coming to him; however, he didn't know how much time he would take.
Ashen wanted to spend some time with his women before he would have to move to the next phase of his plan.
Also, being trapped in the body of Huan Tian didn't help either. Now that he was reunited with his dragon of love, he wanted to relieve his urges as soon as possible.
He looked into the distance, shifting his gaze from one place to another in intervals as he mumbled:
"Whom should I visit?"
He then pondered in his mind—
If I want the fastest sex, it would be better to visit Lady Suying and her daughters.
However, I feel inclined to pay a visit to Xiran first.
Just what is this feeling?
Is this guilt? love? or sympathy?
Maybe all three?
Well, whatever, let's visit Xiran first.
Deciding that, he began walking in the direction of the Blossom Lotus palace.
His steps were calm as he felt a cool breeze against his face. His long raven-black hair was neatly tied; however, it still moved beautifully in the wind.
His pace was unhurried as his crystal red eyes calmly gazed at the nearing palace bathed in flamingo pink.
With his hands clasped behind his back, he carried himself gracefully, befitting a prince of the empire.
Anyone who would see him coming would stop in place and bow respectfully. They didn't speak or make any sound so as not to disturb him.
They could see a faint smile on his face, which was beautiful enough to warm the coldest of hearts.
Enjoying his small walk, Ashen soon found himself in front of the gates of the Blossom Lotus Palace. It had taken him no more than ten minutes to reach the palace.
The guards standing in front of the gates bowed respectfully and greeted him.
Ashen gave a curt nod as the guards opened the gates to welcome him inside.
As Ashen entered through the gate, a large garden welcomed him. It had a multitude of plants, which bore fragrant flowers of different shades. The ground was colored green with spirit grass.
As he moved forward, a maid tending to the garden noticed him and rushed to escort him. She was one of the maids who was previously working in Ashen's mansion in the capital, where Xiran had stayed for 3 months.
She was aware of the relationship between Xiran and Ashen.
She dismissed the guards and escorted him to Xiran's room.
Standing in front of her room, she knocked on the door.
The sound of the steps approaching came from the other side of the door.
Soon, it opened, and a woman in a maid's dress appeared in view.
She was the maid tending to Xiran's needs while staying with her in her room.
Behind her, Ashen could see a woman wearing a flowing pale-violet robe, its silk layers light enough to hide the gentle swell of her four-month belly yet strong with faint spiritual embroidery.
The sash at her waist was loosened and tied higher than before, letting the fabric drape like drifting mist.
Her long, flowing hair was a mixture of brown and pink, with brown comprising most of it. Her eyes were a deep, velvety brown, and her skin had a warm, golden glow.
She was lying on a luxuriously large bed, reaching her hand into a basket that was placed beside the bed on a table. It had a bunch of juicy grapes that she was plucking and putting in her mouth before devouring them in delight.
She didn't even bother to look at the door while the maid was looking at Ashen with wide eyes filled with shock and surprise. She collected her mind before bowing respectfully.
"I, your humble servant, greet the ninth prince, your highness!"
Hearing her words, Xiran's eyes widened in surprise and horror as her hand that was clutching half a dozen grapes in her grip stopped in the air, hanging just above her mouth.
She instantly glanced towards the door, noticing that Ashen's crystal red eyes were fixed on her, carrying a hint of amusement in them.
Xiran gulped as she hurriedly put back the grapes in the basket and tried to tidy herself to look presentable.
Meanwhile, Ashen ordered the maid to leave them alone.
The maid hurriedly rushed out of the room, and Ashen locked the door from inside.
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