Yu Qing warmly called out to Dugu Bo, who was still a bit dazed, "Old Poison, don't just stand there, come in and eat! Bring Yan Yan along too. Today is a family dinner, let's make it lively!"
Dugu Bo looked at the suddenly complicated 'population' lineup in the house. His mouth twitched, but in the end, he didn't ask much. He turned back and brought his precious granddaughter, little Dugu Yan, over as well.
Yu Qing personally took charge of the kitchen, briskly preparing a large table of extremely sumptuous dishes. Rare birds from the sky, Spirit Beasts from the land, and even deep-sea fish and shrimp obtained through special channels. It was a dazzling array, with a fragrance so enticing it made everyone's mouth water.
Everyone sat around a large round table that had been specifically joined together.
Yu Qing naturally took the head seat. To his left sat A Rou, Xiao Wu, Ling Xin, and Ling Mou, followed by the slightly constrained Fox Consort, who was still wearing her black robe but had removed her hood (her fleetingly glimpsed, peerless beauty almost made the two fathers-in-law stare blankly). To his right were Duan Xin and Zi Ruyi, along with Father Duan and Father Zi. Dugu Bo and his granddaughter Dugu Yan sat directly opposite Yu Qing.
Looking at this crowded room of 'family' members—who, despite their complex backgrounds, were inexplicably harmonious—a wave of warmth and achievement welled up in Yu Qing's heart. He picked up the fine wine filled to the brim before him, stood up, and said loudly, "Today, A Rou has returned, and we've gained a new friend. Our big family is finally reunited for the first time! Come, for our gathering and for the future, let's drink this cup together!"
After saying that, he tilted his head back and drained the mellow wine in his cup.
Everyone at the table, regardless of age or gender, picked up their glasses. Those who could drink raised their wine cups, while those who couldn't (like Xiao Wu and Yan Yan) raised specially prepared fruit juices. They all responded with smiles and drank together.
"Cheers!"
The atmosphere of the reunion banquet was instantly pushed to a climax.
Tonight, there were no barriers of status, no differences of race—only delicious food, fine wine, and laughter.
Everyone tasted the delicacies meticulously prepared by Yu Qing, talked about interesting things, and shared their experiences. The dining table was lively and incredibly warm.
This family feast lasted until late at night before ending with everyone still wanting more.
After seeing off Dugu Bo, who was carrying the already sleeping little Yan Yan and still had a belly full of questions, Yu Qing first went to Duan Xin and Zi Ruyi's room.
He carefully examined the physical condition of his two pregnant wives, feeling the steady and powerful life force of the fetuses in their wombs. Only then did he nod in relief, "Mhm, it was just a small amount of alcohol, no harm done. It won't affect the babies."
Hearing this, Duan Xin curled her lips with some regret, "The Hundred Flower Brew Husband made is so delicious, yet Ruyi and I could only have a shallow cup. What a pity..."
Listening to her small complaint, Yu Qing doted on her by lightly stroking her hair and said softly, "Endure it for a bit. Once you safely give birth to the babies, I'll brew as much as you want to drink. There will be plenty!"
Beside them, Zi Ruyi also smiled gently. She lightly wrapped her arms around Yu Qing's arm, rested her head on his shoulder, and then leaned into his ear, whispering in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Husband, that Miss Fox Consort... I observe that she is not of an evil sort, and she possesses peerless beauty and extraordinary talent. If Husband is inclined, you may take her in; she would certainly be a great help to the future of the Yin Yang Sect. However... I hope Husband remembers not to be so enamored by her beauty that you indulge in it. You must prioritize your cultivation and sect affairs."
Hearing this, Yu Qing couldn't help but chuckle. He lightly pinched Zi Ruyi's pretty face and promised, "Wife Ruyi, rest assured. Don't you all know my willpower by now? Beauty is but a floating cloud to me..."
Zi Ruyi gave him a charming roll of her eyes, her tone carrying a hint of teasing and reminiscence, "Hmph, back then, who knows who it was in that small town outside the Star Dou Great Forest who took both Xin'er and me... that way..." Her cheeks flushed slightly, clearly remembering certain scenes that made one blush.
Yu Qing's old face immediately turned red. He coughed twice and said seriously, "Ahem! Wife Ruyi is right to lecture me! I will surely keep your teachings in mind, hold fast to my original heart, and never indulge in feminine Charms!"
He spent some more time talking heart-to-heart with the two women until they grew tired. Only then did Yu Qing tuck them in, blow out the lamp, and quietly leave the room.
Returning to his main room, Yu Qing pushed open the door and casually lit the Spirit Tool Lamp.
The soft light filled the room. Yu Qing's gaze subconsciously moved toward the bed, and he immediately froze. His breathing hitched, and a scorching flame instantly ignited in his eyes.
He saw that A Rou had not slept in her own room but had come to his room at some point. She was lying on her side on the bed, covered only by a thin quilt that outlined her breathtakingly graceful curves. Her peerless face bore a hint of shy blushing, and her pink eyes were shimmering with ripples of light, containing endless affection and longing as she gazed at him.
"A Rou..." Yu Qing's voice took on a hint of huskiness. He reached the bedside in a few steps and leaned over to gently lift the thin quilt.
Suddenly, a perfect body, like a masterpiece from the heavens, was presented unreservedly before his eyes. A faint fragrance lingered at the tip of his nose, and all his longing and desire exploded at this moment.
"A Rou, tonight is our..." Yu Qing's eyes were burning.
However, just as Yu Qing was about to turn into a hungry wolf, A Rou slightly turned her head away, her voice carrying a hint of shyness and persistence, "Wait... Husband, tonight... just twice, okay? I... I have to go back to my room later... lest Xiao Wu wakes up in the middle of the night and can't find me..."
Yu Qing's movements paused. Looking at his wife's shy yet serious expression, he suppressed his churning blood, took a deep breath, and nodded. His voice was gentle and restrained, "Okay, I'll listen to A Rou."
He gently caressed A Rou's skin, which was as smooth as silk and full of elasticity, feeling that exquisite touch he hadn't felt for nearly four months. Love and desire intertwined in his heart. In the next moment, he no longer hesitated and carefully leaned down, beginning their intimate exchange after their long separation.
After two rounds of Yin-Yang Harmonization, although Yu Qing still wanted more, since he had promised A Rou, he would never break his word. He gently held his wife, enjoying a moment of tenderness.
As A Rou got up and prepared to put on her clothes to leave, Yu Qing finally couldn't help but ask the doubt in his heart, "A Rou, that Fox Consort... you seem to treat her exceptionally differently? What exactly is..."
A Rou's movements in dressing paused slightly. She turned around, the moonlight through the window frame spilling over her as if she were draped in a holy veil. Her eyes were as gentle as water as she looked at Yu Qing and said softly, "Fox Consort... she is very good. If Husband is willing, you can take her in. Whether for your cultivation or the future development of the Yin Yang Sect, she will be a massive help." Her tone was calm and sincere, without the slightest bit of reluctance or testing.
Hearing this, Yu Qing's expression became complex. He reached out and gently held A Rou's hand, "A Rou, why... why do this? Having the three of you is already a blessing from the heavens."
A Rou smiled slightly, gripped his hand back, and said with a hint of playfulness and deeper meaning, "Does Husband not think Fox Consort is beautiful?"
In Yu Qing's mind, Fox Consort's world-toppling face and naturally charming temperament flashed by. He honestly shook his head, "She is very beautiful, a kind of... breathtaking beauty."
"So," A Rou smiled like a little fox that had successfully stolen a chicken, "Husband can feel at ease taking her in. This... is a'surprise' A Rou specially prepared for you!" After saying that, she pressed a light kiss on Yu Qing's lips and then, like an elf, lightly floated out of the room and disappeared into the night.
Yu Qing sat alone by the bed, watching the direction A Rou had left. After a long time, he let out a faint sigh, his tone filled with emotion and a hint of helplessness, "The hardest thing in the world to bear is the kindness of a beautiful woman!"
Shaking his head, he temporarily suppressed these chaotic thoughts, sat cross-legged, and began to concentrate on refining the surging Yin-Yang Power within his body.
The next morning, Yu Qing walked out of his room feeling refreshed.
Just as he reached the gate of his small courtyard, he unexpectedly saw a slender figure sitting alone on a stone bench not far outside the courtyard, seemingly lost in thought.
It was the Fox Consort.
Today, she had changed into a light purple dress and did not deliberately hide her appearance. In the faint morning light, her peerless profile carried a faint, almost imperceptible sorrow. Her knitted brows added a touch of pitiable Charm. Just sitting there, she looked like a meticulously drawn painting of a lady, breathtakingly beautiful.
As Yu Qing watched, he couldn't help but lose himself for a moment, sighing inwardly, "As expected of a fox spirit transformation, this Charm is truly..."
Perhaps sensing the gaze from behind, the Fox Consort snapped back to her senses and subconsciously turned her head.
When she saw Yu Qing standing at the courtyard gate, looking at her, she was like a startled deer. Her pretty face turned bright red with a'shua' sound. She actually stood up abruptly and, without a word, turned around and walked quickly toward the room where she was temporarily staying. There was even a hint of panic in her movements, as if she had been caught doing something guilty.
Looking at her back as she almost fled in panic, Yu Qing couldn't help but raise his hand to scratch his face, even more confused in his heart, "This fox... she was fine yesterday, what is she up to today? How strange..."
He shook his head, temporarily putting the Fox Consort's abnormality out of his mind, and strolled toward Dugu Bo's small courtyard.
At this time, Dugu Bo was holding a special small shovel, half-heartedly applying 'nutritional fertilizer' to his precious poisonous herbs. His face still bore traces of the shock and confusion from last night.
"Old Poison!" Yu Qing walked up to him and greeted him.
Dugu Bo stopped his movements, stood up, and stared intently at Yu Qing with a serious tone, "Now you should finally be able to tell me, right? Those two... er, that black-robed girl and Xiao Wu, what exactly is going on? Their auras..."
Yu Qing knew he couldn't hide it and didn't plan to anymore. He nodded, "You should have already guessed A Rou's identity, right?"
Dugu Bo's green eyes flashed, "Your woman... she really is..." He lowered his voice, "A transformed Spirit Beast in its mature stage?"
If it were before, Dugu Bo might not have seen it or thought in this direction, but the aura from the same source on A Rou and Xiao Wu made him have a faint suspicion.
"Mhm." Yu Qing admitted frankly, "Xiao Wu is her daughter."
Despite being prepared, Dugu Bo still couldn't help but gasp, exclaiming in a low voice, "Holy crap... you kid... you even... with a Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Beast..." He looked Yu Qing up and down with a gaze as if he were looking at a monster or a pervert, "Do your other two wives know?!"
"They know." Yu Qing nodded calmly.
Dugu Bo was completely speechless. He looked up at the sky and remained silent for a long while before finally squeezing out two words from between his teeth, "Impressive!"
Yu Qing smiled and explained patiently, "I mentioned to you before that the future of the Yin Yang Sect will not be limited to human Spirit Masters. Spirit Beasts, especially high-level Spirit Beasts, are also a force we need to win over and unite. A Rou, Xiao Wu, and the Fox Consort are just the beginning."
Dugu Bo was silent for a moment and finally waved his hand, his tone somewhat complex, "Whatever you want! You established the Yin Yang Sect yourself, you can do whatever you want. I can't be bothered to care, as long as you don't tear down this precious valley of mine."
Yu Qing chuckled and patted his shoulder, "You are the vice sect master of our Yin Yang Sect. You naturally have the right to know these core secrets and the responsibility to carry them together!"
These words immediately made Dugu Bo glare and huff again, waving his hand irritably, "Go, go, go! None of that! Don't disturb me serving my treasures if there's nothing else!"
Yu Qing didn't mind. He shook his head with a smile and walked straight into Dugu Bo's house. Little Dugu Yan had just woken up and was putting on her clothes. Yu Qing stepped forward and skillfully helped her tidy her collar, then picked the little girl up. Under Dugu Bo's displeased gaze of'stealing my granddaughter again,' he left the courtyard in a pleasant mood.
Ãdvåñçé çhàptêr àvàilàble óñ pàtreøn (Gk31)