Chapter 233: Punishment for being Heartless
Chapter 233: Punishment for being Heartless
The first sensation Xiang Ling felt was a cool, gentle touch on her cheek, as if the world itself was waking her from her slumber. A single drop of water slid down her face, followed by another, each one a soft whisper against her skin. Her eyes fluttered open, the soft moonlight filtering through the canopy of leaves above, casting a dappled pattern of silver.
She found herself lying in the shallow waters of a crystal-clear stream, the gentle current lapping at her sides. The stream was so pure that she could see the smooth pebbles lining the bottom and the delicate fish that darted between them. The water was cool and refreshing, just like the moonlight that played across her face.
With a soft groan, Xiang Ling pushed herself up, her palms sinking into the silken bed of pebbles. She took in her surroundings, and recognition bloomed in her mind. The serene beauty, the tranquility of the atmosphere, the way the air seemed to hum with a quiet energy – she was in Wen Zhe Yuan’s Spatial Realm.
The trees around her were tall and ancient, their leaves whispering secrets to the wind. Wildflowers in vibrant hues dotted the landscape, their sweet fragrance mingling with the fresh scent of water and earth. The stream wound its way through the glade, disappearing into a grove of bamboo that swayed gently with the breeze.
As she stood, Xiang Ling felt a sense of peace and wonder envelop her. The Spatial Realms were sanctuaries, places untouched by the chaos of the outside world. She remembered the first time she had been inside Zhe Yuan’s space, how awestruck she had been by the sheer beauty and magic of it all. And now, standing in the stream, with droplets of water still clinging to her skin, that sense of awe returned, filling her with a profound sense of serenity.
In the distance, she could hear the soft rustling of leaves and the faint call of an owl, adding to the harmonious symphony of nature. The air was cool and crisp, each breath she took feeling like a renewal, a promise of endless possibilities within this timeless realm. She took a deep breath, letting the peacefulness of the Spatial Realm flow through her.
"I knew that you like my place."
The familiar voice of Zhe Yuan had Xiang Ling turning to look at the man who was making his way toward the stream. He was wearing a long black robe that barely did the job of covering his chest. His long purple hair was left open as usual and his deep purple eyes were looking straight at her.
She watched him stopping at the bank of the stream, and much to her surprise, he started taking off the robe. She watched as the fabric slid down his shoulders and landed on the rocks around his feet. Her gaze eagerly took in his breathtaking profile and she felt her eyes moving toward a certain part of his body without an ounce of shame.
Zhe Yuan noticed her every move and a chuckle escaped his lips when he noticed the part of his body where her gaze eventually landed. Without wasting any more time, he stepped into the water and made his way toward his beautiful wife.
"A dreamescape?"
Xiang Ling asked when the man came to a stop right in front of her and she was finally able to return her gaze to his face. The last thing she remembered was falling asleep in the guestroom of the Inn with her husbands sleeping on either side of her. That’s why, a dreamescape was the only thing that could explain her sudden appearance in Zhe Yuan’s Spatial Realm.
"I was unable to hold back anymore. It has been nearly a month since you left, and I have been going insane while waiting for your return. How long before you will be able to come back?" The Mer Crown Prince asked as he brushed away the water droplets from her cheeks.
She was drenched from head to toe. Her wet hair and silk nightgown were clinging to her body. The way she looked at that moment was way too seductive for Zhe Yuan to stay sane and not already give into the temptation.
"We are already on our way back. But there’s an issue."
Her words and the seriousness in her tone had all the other thoughts disappearing from Zhe Yuan’s mind. "What is it?" He quickly asked.
With a little sigh, Xiang Ling told him everything about whatever was going on with the Crown Prince. "I’m not too sure about his intentions, but we need to be prepared. Help me deliver this letter to my brothers. They will then inform the same to County Magistrate Chen." She said while casting a quick, small spell that made a letter appear in Zhe Yuan’s hand.
"Consider it done. Also, make sure to stay alert on your way home." He said while giving her a small pat on the back of her head in response to which, Xiang Ling nodded her head.
"Alright. Good night then."
Xiang Ling was ready to leave the dreamescape when she froze in her place after noticing the way Zhe Yuan’s gaze darkened at her words. "What?" She asked in confusion.
"What are you doing?" He asked.
"Leaving the dreamescape?" The answer came out more like a question as Xiang Ling tried to understand what she had done wrong.
"And why do you think I brought you here?" He asked another question.
"Because... you missed me..."
"Exactly." Zhe Yuan said while taking a step closer and pushing Xiang Ling to step into the deep waters. "I have been missing you for so long. But it seems like you haven’t missed me at all. How can you think about leaving without even spending any time with me?"
At this point, the two of them were already in the middle of the stream with the water coming as high as Xiang Ling’s chest while it only came up to Zhe Yuan’s waist.
"You need to be punished for being so heartless..."