The Amnesiac, Sickly Beauty Is Pregnant With My Dragon Cub - Chapter 55.1

Inside the courtyard, Ming Huang and Lu Xuan stood on the steps of the gazebo.

Lu Xuan folded his arms and leaned sideways against the railing, his gaze deep as he stared at Ming Huang. He smiled and said, “Master, your state of being bound these past few days was all an act to deceive your disciple, wasn’t it?”

Ming Huang’s gaze fell upon the blooming wintersweet tree. Hearing Lu Xuan’s words, she lowered her eyelids and said, “A-Xuan, I told you before, all of this is my retribution. I deserve it; I should endure it.”

Lu Xuan couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh. “Master is a phoenix, an auspicious sign for all under heaven. How could a disciple like me dare to overstep what a phoenix says?”

A gust of fragrant wind blew by, leaving Ming Huang momentarily stunned. “You…”

Lu Xuan smiled and said, “The entanglements between us over these thousands of years cannot be mended by a single sentence claiming you were wrong. Master, that day you sealed me in Danxue Mountain and left me there to fend for myself, I hated you.”

Ming Huang gazed into Lu Xuan’s eyes, which were filled with resentment and grievance, and said, “It was my fault. I have nothing to say now. Punish me however you wish; I will not utter a single word of complaint.”

She left the final sentence unsaid. What she thought in her heart was: As long as A-Xuan can be happy and cast aside all past anger.

Such words were easy to say, but the person saying them deserved to be struck by lightning. Ming Huang didn’t dare say it, nor could she. She knew all this bitter fruit was of her own making; the instigator had no right to ask for forgiveness.

After pacing in the courtyard for a while, Ming Huang watched the sunset on the horizon—a flame-like, blazing red—and let her gaze fall back on Lu Xuan.

Lu Xuan held a sprig of plum blossom, standing with his back to her and his hands behind him.

Night was about to fall.

In the kitchen, Yu Xuanji was busy while Cang Lan acted as her assistant. As she worked, Cang Lan grumbled, “Wife, didn’t the Old Phoenix invite us to stay for dinner? Why do we have to cook it ourselves?”

Yu Xuanji smiled and said, “A-Lan, you know that the Phoenix is our senior. We can’t let her cook herself. Besides, A-Xuan’s body is currently occupied by another soul—think about it, would the food she makes even be edible?”

Cang Lan was still unhappy. “But my wife has to cook personally for no reason. They are too much. I’m going to go steal those cookies back later!”

Yu Xuanji couldn’t help but laugh. “A-Lan, there is no reason to take back a gift once it’s given. Besides, the cookies have already been delivered; taking them back secretly would be no different from theft.”

Listening to Yu Xuanji’s teaching, Cang Lan said moodily, “Fine, fine. Let them have a taste of my wife’s skill, so they know that in the entire Great Desolation, only my wife is the true God of Cooking.”

Just as the words left her mouth, Lu Xuan walked into the kitchen. She stood by the stove, looking coldly at Cang Lan, who was stoking the fire.

Thinking that cold gaze was a provocation, Cang Lan stood up with her hands on her hips and said, “Stinky cat, what are you doing here?”

Lu Xuan rolled her eyes and pointed to the side. “Move.”

Cang Lan was stunned. “What? My wife is cooking, so naturally, I need to lend a hand. You’re more of a hindrance than a help; you can’t even pick vegetables properly. If you’re left by my wife’s side, wouldn’t the pot explode while you’re cooking?”

Lu Xuan frowned. “Shut up.”

Looking at the Lu Xuan before her, Cang Lan actually sensed a strange, subtle familiarity. She put down the fire tongs and asked in shock, “Are you the Lu Xuan?”

Lu Xuan said coldly, “Nonsense.”

The confusion on Cang Lan’s face turned into a grin in an instant. “Which Lu Xuan are you? The good one or the bad one?”

As she spoke, Cang Lan felt her words weren’t quite right, so she muttered to herself, “Well, regardless of which Lu Xuan you are, you’re a villain to me. You only know how to bully me. Wife, don’t you agree?”

Yu Xuanji pressed her lips together and said, “A-Lan, sit down and tend the fire.”

Lu Xuan stood beside Yu Xuanji, helping her wash the vegetables she had picked. She did so in silence, her face full of earnestness.

Ming Huang stood outside the door, silently watching the scene, the corners of her lips curving upward.

Taking advantage of the moment Lu Xuan went elsewhere to wash leaves, Cang Lan leaned in and whispered into Yu Xuanji’s ear, “Wife, I told you something was wrong with her. Today she was fighting me fiercely outside, her words were sharp and her tongue was so poisonous she’d die if she licked it. Why has she turned into a silent gourd now?”

Yu Xuanji covered her mouth with one hand and whispered back, “Two souls in one body. I suspect the one during the day was the A-Xuan who came back from outside, and this one is the A-Xuan who used to be with you day and night.”

Cang Lan nodded. “Oh, so that’s how it is. But Wife, you just said I was with that stinky cat day and night? When was I ever with her day and night?”

Yu Xuanji smiled. “Senior Ming Huang said you grew up together at her knee. Does that not count as being together day and night?”

As Cang Lan listened, she felt a faint, lingering hint of sourness in Yu Xuanji’s words. Unsure if it was her imagination, she said confidently, “Wife, you’re jealous.”

Yu Xuanji shook her head, refusing to admit it. “I’m not. You heard wrong.”

Cang Lan had originally said it in passing, but hearing Yu Xuanji deny it sparked her interest. She asked playfully, “Wife, don’t play words with me. I know you love me. I understand the hidden meaning in what you just said—you are jealous, aren’t you?”

Yu Xuanji shook her head while stir-frying. “Really, I’m not. It’s just a common matter. Why would I be jealous over something so trivial?”

Cang Lan circled behind Yu Xuanji and kissed the back of her neck. Her fingers brushed against Yu Xuanji’s throat, slowly stroking the white, slender skin. “Wife, you still deny it? Usually, you look so indifferent as if you don’t care about anyone, while I’m the one getting jealous every day over everything. Today, I’ve finally caught you in the act.”

Yu Xuanji continued to be stubborn. “You’ve got it wrong.”

Cang Lan huffed and sat directly on the stove counter, not caring if it was hot. She wrapped her two legs around Yu Xuanji’s waist, wishing she could release her tail right there and “execute” her in the kitchen.

Seeing this, Yu Xuanji patted Cang Lan’s thigh and whispered while looking toward the door, “Stop it. A-Xuan will be back any second. Let me go.”

Cang Lan shook her head, tightening her grip with her legs instead. “No. That stinky cat won’t be back for a while. Wife, you’re worrying too much. You only know that I’ll cling to you in the kitchen, but what if that stinky cat is just like me and has gone to find the Old Phoenix?”

Yu Xuanji gave a helpless smile. “Then hurry up and kiss; they’ll be back soon. Act carefully, don’t get caught.”

Cang Lan asked with a grin, “Wife, we’re having an affair, aren’t we?”

Yu Xuanji couldn’t help but smack her on the head, scolding affectionately, “Stop talking and just kiss me!”

Cang Lan laughed again. “Is it just kissing? Wife, I want something else too. Satisfy me all at once.”

Seeing the expectation in Cang Lan’s eyes, Yu Xuanji knew what they were doing was wrong, yet a faint sense of thrill rose within her. Truly, her mind was clouded by desire and passion.

When Lu Xuan returned from washing the vegetables, she stared in disbelief. These two had actually turned the kitchen into a bedroom, hugging and flirting right there on the stove.

Yu Xuanji caught a glimpse of Lu Xuan in her peripheral vision and hurriedly pushed Cang Lan away, pretending to straighten her clothes as if nothing had happened.

Cang Lan jumped down from the stove and turned to glare at Lu Xuan, her eyes filled with warning.

At that moment, Ming Huang walked into the kitchen. Seeing the two of them looking like they were about to fight, she asked curiously, “What happened?”

Lu Xuan said coldly, “Master, while we weren’t looking, these two were being affectionate on the stove. Truly shameless.”

Cang Lan bit back, “Who told you to come in and ruin my good time?”

Veins throbbed on Lu Xuan’s forehead. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, nearly crushing the handful of green vegetables.

Yu Xuanji quickly stepped between them to smooth things over, saying with a smile, “A-Lan, A-Xuan, we are all family. Harmony brings wealth, harmony brings wealth.”

Lu Xuan turned her face away and gave a cold huff.

Cang Lan, ever competitive, huffed twice back at Lu Xuan.

The chicken soup in the pot was about to boil, emitting a rich and delicious aroma. Cang Lan sniffed it, opened the lid, and fanned the steam with her hand, boasting, “This is the chicken soup my wife made. It has color, aroma, and taste. If you keep bullying me, don’t even think about drinking it. I’ll take it home and drink it all myself.”

Yu Xuanji couldn’t help but laugh. “Alright, alright, the soup is ready. A-Lan, go help set the table. A-Xuan, bring the bowls and chopsticks. Senior, please come and taste the soup.”

Ming Huang walked over, took the soup bowl and spoon from Yu Xuanji, took a small sip, and praised, “It is truly delicious.”

Lu Xuan passed by the two with the bowls and chopsticks. Hearing Ming Huang praise Yu Xuanji’s soup, she lowered her head dejectedly and carried the utensils out.

When she reached the main hall and set the table, Lu Xuan looked up to see Cang Lan sitting directly on the overhead beam, her legs dangling as she stared down at her.

Lu Xuan rolled her eyes and turned to leave, but Cang Lan easily caught her wrist with a silk thread, laughing, “Don’t go. I have something to ask you.”

Cang Lan dropped to the floor. Seeing the black mist rising within Lu Xuan, she couldn’t help but ask, “Are there really two souls in your body?”

Lu Xuan remained silent. Cang Lan stood before her, placed a hand on her shoulder, and concentrated for a moment. Opening her eyes, she realized, “So that’s it. The other one in your body is asleep and only comes out during the day, right?”

Lu Xuan still didn’t speak. Cang Lan sighed and patted her shoulder. “Sigh. I don’t understand you, but I know you have a competitor now. Today I saw that other one in you has some real skill—she had the Old Phoenix completely dazed, saying such sweet words. You’re in for it.”

Cang Lan’s gaze moved down to see Lu Xuan’s hand clenching into a fist beneath her sleeve. She smiled and said, “But we’re like sisters, so my wife and I are naturally on your side, it’s just—”

Lu Xuan said sharply, “Just what?”

Cang Lan sighed. “It’s just that you won’t have easy days ahead.”

Having finished her teasing, Cang Lan dodged away with a grin, nearly falling into Yu Xuanji’s arms. She turned and wrapped her arms around Yu Xuanji’s neck.

Seeing the stark difference between the two, Yu Xuanji asked, “What happened? Are you two fighting again?”

Cang Lan rested a hand on Yu Xuanji’s shoulder, patting it gently and laughing, “No, no. This dragon is law-abiding and loves her people. How could I make such a low-level mistake?”

Lu Xuan gave her a cold look, walked to Ming Huang’s side, and with a look of grievance—though it appeared somewhat unnatural—she said bashfully, “Master, the evil dragon is bullying me.”

Seeing Lu Xuan complain to Ming Huang, the smile on Cang Lan’s lips widened. The moment Yu Xuanji looked over, she immediately swapped to another face, complaining, “Wife, I didn’t. She’s the one making false accusations.”

Lu Xuan, seeing Cang Lan’s affected behavior, pursed her lips. She grabbed Ming Huang’s arm and stammered, “Ma… Master, she clearly bullied me first, I only retaliated.”

It was bashful but not fake, and she didn’t quite know how to act spoiled properly. Standing behind Yu Xuanji, Cang Lan helplessly pinched the bridge of her nose, pouting and winking at Lu Xuan.

As if sensing something, Yu Xuanji slowly turned around just as Cang Lan was frantically winking.

Cang Lan pulled back her antics, standing behind Yu Xuanji and wrapping her arms around her waist, kissing her ear. “Why is my wife looking at me?”

Yu Xuanji turned back. “Nothing.”

Lu Xuan frowned. Seeing the face Cang Lan had just made, she was momentarily stunned, narrowing her eyes and tilting her head in confusion.

Cang Lan began to bare her teeth at her, then took a sharp breath, and finally rolled her eyes.

What a fool! So stupid!

She couldn’t even learn the simplest way to act spoiled or be cute. She wondered what the Old Phoenix even saw in her. Was it her lack of words, her stubborn temper, or the fact that she always looked like someone owed her millions?

Thinking about it, Cang Lan lowered her head and rested her chin in the nook of Yu Xuanji’s neck, saying moodily, “Sigh.”

Yu Xuanji turned her head, her lips brushing Cang Lan’s cheek. “Why is such a young one sighing?”

Cang Lan sighed, “Failing to live up to expectations.”

Yu Xuanji asked again, “Who are you talking about?”

Cang Lan shook her head. “In short, among the four of us… I won’t say it. If she hears, she’ll get angry and want to hit me again.”

Yu Xuanji’s gaze fell on Lu Xuan’s face. Noticing the nervousness and unnaturalness, she immediately realized what Cang Lan meant. She laughed to smooth things over. “Alright, the chicken soup is ready. Let’s eat quickly before it gets cold and loses its flavor.”

At the dinner table, Cang Lan and Yu Xuanji sat side by side, while Lu Xuan sat directly opposite them.

Cang Lan was busy serving soup for Yu Xuanji. Lu Xuan followed her lead, taking the ladle and placing a bowl of soup in front of Ming Huang, saying respectfully, “Master, have some soup.”

Seeing this, Cang Lan placed a large chicken leg into Yu Xuanji’s bowl, grinning. “Wife, eat the chicken leg.”

Yu Xuanji smiled. When Cang Lan prepared to give her a second piece of meat, she quickly covered her bowl with her hand. “A-Lan, I ate a lot of cookies today, so I’m not very hungry. You don’t need to give me so much; I can’t finish it.”

Seeing Lu Xuan also giving Ming Huang a chicken leg, Cang Lan said with a smile, “Don’t worry, Wife. Whatever you can’t finish, I’ll eat. I’ll eat your leftovers.”

Saying this, she glanced at Lu Xuan and intentionally raised her voice: “I love eating my wife’s leftovers the most!”

Lu Xuan turned to meet Ming Huang’s smiling eyes and stammered, “I… I love eating them too.”

Ming Huang smiled but said nothing. She looked helplessly at the mischievous Cang Lan, then curved her lips and asked, “Love eating what?”

Lu Xuan smiled shyly and said, “Naturally, Master’s leftovers.”

Ming Huang leaned close to Lu Xuan’s ear and asked, “You were never like this before. Did that little dragon give you some kind of bewitching potion?”

Lu Xuan shook her head, her eyes downcast as she murmured, “Master… Master, I… I just…”

Ming Huang’s voice was soft and moving. While the two opposite them weren’t paying attention, she pressed her lips against Lu Xuan’s earlobe, slowly taking the soft, burning flesh into her mouth. She whispered with a smile, “I like you however you are.”

Lu Xuan’s face turned red instantly—redder than the wild goji berries in the chicken soup. Ming Huang smiled, couldn’t resist pinching her ear, and then put the large chicken leg into her bowl. “Eat the leg. You have work to do tonight.”

A soft hand brushed against Lu Xuan’s thigh, giving the root of her leg a firm squeeze through her clothes. Ming Huang said with a smile, “I’ve been craving lately. It’s been a long time since I tasted you. How about you and I stay awake all night tonight?”

Cang Lan, who was busy feeding Yu Xuanji, heard that last sentence vaguely and asked, “What stay awake all night?”

Yu Xuanji was stunned for a moment. She reached out and covered Cang Lan’s mouth. “Alright, alright, stop asking. Eat quickly, we’re going home after this.”