Chapter 61: Just Like an Obsequious Puppy

Cheng Guang lowered his gaze to look at Bai Shuxuan, and saw her obediently kneeling at his feet. A hint of surprise flickered in his eyes as well.

He hadn’t expected that even a mere touch of his Enchanting Eyes could have such a profound effect on Bai Shuxuan. It was far beyond what he had initially anticipated. Though there were occasional flashes of struggle in Bai Shuxuan’s eyes, they were quickly suppressed. Judging by the mark of his power left on her soul, Cheng Guang estimated that this state would last for at least a week. As long as he used the Enchanting Eyes again every week, Bai Shuxuan would never escape his control.

The only trouble was, the reason his Enchanting Eyes could influence her at all was because Bai Shuxuan was gravely wounded and her cultivation was completely sealed. With both conditions stacked, his ability worked beyond its usual limits. If she were to recover, controlling her this way would no longer be feasible.

Cheng Guang smiled, unconcerned. Being able to control Bai Shuxuan for a week was already more than enough for him. When the enchantment wore off, he had plenty of other means to deal with her.

He glanced down at Bai Shuxuan, still kneeling at his feet, then hooked her delicate, flawless face up with his foot, forcing her to meet his gaze.

“My lord…” Bai Shuxuan murmured again, her beautiful eyes brimming with infatuation—more fawning than the most devoted of sycophants.

Cheng Guang paid no heed to the affection lingering in her eyes, speaking slowly, “You look rather pleasing like this.”

The corners of Bai Shuxuan’s lips lifted in a joyful smile, as if Cheng Guang’s approval were the greatest reward she could hope for. She pressed her red lips together, about to speak, but Cheng Guang cut her off with a question. “Tell me, what other tricks do you have up your sleeve that give you such composure even now?”

Bai Shuxuan answered softly, “My lord, I am the Saintess of the Qingqiu Fox Clan. I bear the life-saving mark of our Fox Emperor. Should my life be in danger, the Emperor will tear open the void and carry me back to the Eightfold Demon Domain.”

“The Demon Emperor?” Cheng Guang’s eyes took on an odd look.

Bai Shuxuan’s voice was reverent. “Yes, the Demon Emperor’s cultivation is equal to the Human Realm’s Heavenly Being—capable of breaking through space and traversing worlds by force.”

Realization dawned on Cheng Guang. No wonder Bai Shuxuan could remain so calm in such dire straits—she had a Demon Emperor protecting her. As long as her life was truly threatened, the Demon Emperor would intervene. When Qian Siyuan had suppressed her earlier, the Demon Emperor hadn’t acted, suggesting that the price of interference was no small matter—otherwise, the Emperor would not wait until the brink of life and death.

Cheng Guang had initially hoped Bai Shuxuan might have some means of escape that he could exploit—if things went awry, perhaps he could flee to the Demon Domain and survive. But now, that idea was clearly a lost cause. Should the Demon Emperor truly appear, Cheng Guang would be lucky not to be killed on the spot, let alone be taken to the Demon Domain.

He also wondered: if Bai Shuxuan bore such a mark, might the true heir do so as well? Whatever life-saving measures were on that body, they were likely no less formidable. Dealing with the true heir would require patience and subtlety; brute force would not do.

Cheng Guang’s eyes flickered with calculation as he looked at the submissive Bai Shuxuan kneeling before him. A plan was taking shape in his mind.

“Stand up.”

With a kick, Cheng Guang pushed Bai Shuxuan aside and strode out, turning to the burly man nearby. “I’ll be taking Bai Shuxuan with me.”

The man started, worry flickering across his face. After all, Bai Shuxuan was a demon—letting her go so easily was obviously against the rules of the Lantern-Holder Division. What’s more, if she lost control, the young lord could be harmed, and that was a responsibility he could not bear.

He instinctively wanted to refuse, to insist that Lord Qian Siyuan must approve before the heir took Bai Shuxuan away. But as he looked up, he met the young lord’s cold gaze.

“Do you have an opinion?” Cheng Guang’s voice rang in his ears. Remembering the strange power the lord had just displayed, the burly man dared not protest. He forced a strained smile onto his stiff face. “No, not at all. Just…please, my lord, be careful. This demoness is not so easily controlled. Do not let her harm you.”

Sometimes, rules could not always be followed to the letter.

Cheng Guang paid no heed to the man’s reaction, replying blandly, “That won’t happen. You worry too much. In this capital, there is no one who can harm me.”

Though his face was youthful, his tone was calm as a sage who had seen the world, confident as one born to rule.

The burly man forced a dry laugh, wiping nonexistent sweat from his brow and bowing his head.

Cheng Guang said no more. With Bai Shuxuan and Hongzhu in tow, he left the Lantern-Holder Division and returned to the Duke’s estate.

All along the way, Bai Shuxuan clung to Cheng Guang’s side with the eagerness of a loyal hound, her joy evident with every glance he spared her. At her side, Hongzhu was full of worry. She had no idea what Cheng Guang had done to make her mistress this way, and though she longed to ask, she dared not. All she could do was pray in silence for her lady’s swift recovery.

Back at the Duke’s estate, Cheng Guang headed straight for the Garden of Myriad Blossoms.

Within, the flowers bloomed in splendid profusion. Qingluan, dressed in an elegant gown, was tending the blossoms, her skirt fluttering gently with her movements, the fragrance of flowers twining about her slender fingers, lending her a subtle, lingering perfume.

As Cheng Guang entered the garden with Bai Shuxuan, Qingluan noticed at once and quickly smoothed her skirt as she turned. Her beautiful eyes lit up with delight at the sight of Cheng Guang, but a moment later she noticed that in addition to Lin Cheng, a pair of women followed him.

Both wore nothing but loose silk cloaks to cover themselves. Beneath the silk, their prison garb was visible—filthy, tattered, barely enough to preserve their modesty.

“My lord, who are these ladies?” Qingluan’s gaze fell on Bai Shuxuan and Hongzhu, puzzled as to why Cheng Guang would bring two women home, especially prisoners. One of them, she noticed, was nearly as beautiful as herself—perhaps even surpassing her in some subtle way. There was nothing ordinary about her bearing; she was alluring, enchanting, nothing like a proper lady.

Moreover…

Qingluan realized that this woman’s eyes had never left the young lord from the moment she arrived, overflowing with adoration.

Cheng Guang walked to the pavilion, poured himself a cup of tea, and let the fragrant steam rise as the hot water swirled in the cup. He took a sip to moisten his throat, then spoke. “This is Bai Shuxuan. The other is her maid, Hongzhu. Qingluan, see that they bathe and dress in the side chamber. Pick out some finer clothes for them.”

Qingluan was stunned. Bai Shuxuan? The name rang a bell. Wasn’t that the famed courtesan of the Wanhua Pavilion who had taken the capital by storm? Cheng Guang had actually brought her home?

She couldn’t begin to guess his purpose in doing so—nor could she fathom why the illustrious Bai Shuxuan looked at the young lord with such unfeigned longing. The infatuation in her eyes was no mask—no mere disguise could ever hope to imitate such genuine devotion.