Heilong-kou (Black Dragon-Mouth/Pass)
Heilong-cheng (Black Dragon-City)
Heilong-yuan(Black Dragon Wall)
Heilong Bay (Black Dragon Bay)
Heilong Ridge (Black Dragon Ridge)
Censorate (Supervisory Court)
Yuling City (Jade City)
Jingui Town (Golden Turtle Town)
Xuanwu City (Black tortoise City)
Qinglong (Azure Dragron)
——
It had been over four years since their last meeting. As Yin Jixue looked at the emperor before her, she couldn't help but feel a pang of maternal pride—like seeing her child all grown up.
She nodded approvingly. "Not bad. You've filled out a bit—don't look like such a frail weakling anymore."
In the entire Yin Dynasty, there was likely only one person who dared speak to the emperor this way.
Yin Ao sighed. "What brings you back? Do Father and Mother know?" He'd always seemed skinny but was deceptively strong.
"We haven't sent word yet," Yin Jixue said. "We came straight here after arriving—just in time to witness your royal tantrum. Makes me feel like you've grown up."
Yin Ao, thinking of those meddlesome old ministers, grew a bit wary. "If Royal Sister plans to walk about the palace, it might be better to... change your face."
Yin Jixue immediately caught his meaning.
"Alright."
She leaned toward Lou Zhao, blinking mischievously. "Change my face for me? I don't know how."
Even though they shared abilities, Yin Jixue rarely used them herself. If she could get Lou Zhao to do it, why bother doing it herself?
Lou Zhao gently brushed his fingers across her face, and her appearance instantly transformed.
She studied her new look in the window glass with curiosity.
Hmm… Unrecognizable. Pretty good-looking. Somehow familiar though…
Then she frowned slightly. "Whose face is this?"
Lou Zhao's expression turned awkward. He sent her a soundless voice transmission.
"Mine."
"Pfft—wait, you—" Yin Jixue hadn't even finished speaking before Lou Zhao quickly covered her mouth.
He had used a gender-swapped version of his face for her disguise.
Yin Jixue found it both hilarious and unbearably cute. Even after being married so long, she could still be charmed by his awkwardness. How could someone be this handsome and this adorable at the same time—and be hers?
Ah, she was truly envious… of herself.
To be honest, even Yin Ao was momentarily stunned by her beauty (or rather, Lou Zhao's face).
Of course, he had no idea it was the female version of the Demon King's face. He simply thought she'd chosen a random disguise.
Yin Ao sincerely complimented her, "This face suits you quite well, Sister."
Yin Jixue shot him a glare. "So you mean my original face isn't good-looking?"
"That's not what I meant," Yin Ao quickly corrected. "It's just that this current look is… breathtaking. Like a goddess descended to the mortal realm. If there were a woman like this in the world, I daresay my harem wouldn't be so empty."
Yin Jixue laced her fingers with Lou Zhao's, subtly signaling him to stay calm—that's my little brother, please don't kill him.
Little bro, could you maybe… stop talking for a bit? If you keep going, your brother-in-law might throw hands.
She gave a dry laugh. "Heh… This face is… not suitable for public appearances in the Demon Realm. You get what I mean?"
Yin Ao's mind was instantly filled with a hundred imagined dramas and tragic romances. He nodded in a fluster.
"I understand. Since this affects Sister's safety, I promise not to breathe a word of it."
Well… it wasn't that serious. But yes—mention that face in the Demon Realm and you might get on the Demon King's blacklist.
Yin Ao quickly changed the subject. "Father and Mother returned from the Demon Realm and have since been traveling across the vast lands of our Yin Dynasty. They're currently resting in the palace."
The Retired Emperor had voluntarily abdicated to Yin Ao while still in his prime. This was mainly due to receiving letters and paper-making techniques from the Demon Realm.
Since the throne was always destined to be Yin Ao's, and knowing he owed the Empress much, the Retired Emperor passed down the crown early. As long as his daughter remained the Demon Queen, the Yin Dynasty would have a powerful backing for generations. He had done enough in the first half of his life—now it was time to rest.
His decision had proven wise. After visiting the Demon Realm himself, he saw a broader world—and realized that being second only to one was still just a gilded cage.
Post-abdication, his bond with the Empress deepened. He remembered how they had loved each other in their youth, and how, for political reasons, he'd brought in consorts to balance court factions—neglecting the Empress who had loyally managed the harem.
Now, the distance between them had vanished. They wandered the realm like ordinary loving couples. He wrote travelogues; she ground ink for him.
"Why are you daydreaming under the tree, husband?" the Empress asked, her voice teasing.
In private, the Retired Emperor and Empress called each other as common folk would.
His temples once streaked with gray from stress, had turned black again after drinking Immortal Brew. Though in his forties, he now looked just past thirty—like a refined and elegant older gentleman.
The Empress, too, had become a graceful beauty in her early thirties—though she was nearing forty, she looked like she was twenty-seven or twenty-eight.
With a faint smile, the Retired Emperor brushed a lock of hair from his shoulder. "Magpies chirping in pairs… Might be a sign of good news."
The Empress raised an eyebrow. "Good news? Could it be… that Xue'er is expecting?"
The Retired Emperor chuckled. "Why not call her on the Little Spirit Device and find out?"
Their Little Spirit Device was their ultimate safety net. If they encountered danger, it could save their lives—and worst case, let them contact Yin Jixue for help.
They were well equipped with protective items—all sent by their daughter.
Back when the Empress was about to leave the Demon Realm, she had been concerned that the Demon King's feelings for Xue'er might be fleeting. But when she learned that the Demon Realm practiced monogamy, her heart was finally at ease. Secretly, she was envious of her daughter's fortune.
In the human realm, even in a loving marriage, the principal wife was expected to be virtuous and accommodating—accepting concubines for her husband's sake and even tolerating favoritism.
Even in good marriages, the husband might sleep in another woman's chamber.
She remembered a conversation with Xue'er when the girl came of age—a moment etched in her memory.
"What I seek is one heart, one soul, one lifetime with one person. I don't want to be the virtuous, understanding wife who shares her husband. If I must marry, I'd rather go to the Demon Realm."
The Empress had rebuked her then:
"Are you mad? The Demon Realm is a terrifying place—they eat people without blinking! How can a young girl have such thoughts?"
But Xue'er had replied:
"Mother, for me, marrying into a noble family is no better. I'd rather marry into the Demon Realm with honor and give our dynasty a strong ally than fight over a man with other women. Why should women make things harder for each other?"
In the end, the Empress had given in—and helped Xue'er escape her arranged marriage. She loved her daughter too much. When she saw the girl's eyes burning with resolve—even knowing it could be a one-way path—she had chosen to support her.
Just then, a palace eunuch rushed up, panting.
"Reporting to the Empress and the Retired Emperor! His Majesty is bringing a stunningly beautiful woman this way!"
The two exchanged a glance. "So that's the good news."
Not long ago, officials had approached them, urging them to press the emperor into marrying—saying the throne needed an heir.
The Retired Emperor had been offended. What, did they think his son was going to drop dead any day now?
The Empress wasn't pleased either. None of the proposed candidates had satisfied her—anyone trying to marry into the Yin royal family needed to be clean in both reputation and intentions. The daughters of these ministers were first off the list.
They weren't fooling anyone—each one of them was trying to cozy up to the Princess Royal. As if she couldn't see right through their schemes?
The Empress asked, "Did you get a good look at which family's daughter it was?"
The young eunuch shook his head vigorously. He'd sprinted over the moment he saw her, eager to be the first to report the news and claim credit.
The Retired Emperor waved him off. "Never mind. Let's wait for the emperor to arrive and ask him ourselves."
Ever since the Yin royal family gained the support of the Demon Realm, there had been a true sense of kinship within the palace. The family was at peace, the few remaining consorts lived quietly, their sons far away on their fiefs—unable to stir up any trouble. All the palace infighting had faded.
It was a great relief to both the Retired Emperor and Empress. Their only concern now was that one day, if Xue'er came back for a visit, she might be forced to witness palace scheming again.