The night is as dark as ink, stars scattered.
Yu Yao stepped into the mansion of Wuyi Lane, walking slowly under the moonlight.
She had just dined with Liu Yun at the Drunken Immortal Tower, returning only after being fully sated with wine and food.
As soon as she stepped into the house, she felt an unusual atmosphere and was about to ask someone for an explanation.
Zhou Bo rushed up to meet her. "Madam, you are finally back."
She slightly furrowed her brows, stopped in her tracks, and her voice carried a note of curiosity, "Mr. Zhou, has something happened at home?"
Mr. Zhou quickly approached and spoke in a lowered voice: "Madam, the Prince and King Wei have both arrived. It seems that there is some misunderstanding between them, arguing endlessly and refusing to give in when they meet. They are currently in the courtyard, and it would be best for the lady to go over and have a look as soon as possible."
Yu Yao's heart skipped a beat. That afternoon, she had declined their invitations with an excuse of fatigue, not expecting them to actually come personally, let alone both of them together.
Such a scene is undoubtedly the one she most unwilling to face.
"Fine, I know."
She massaged her temples with a headache, though she didn't want to face it, the current situation wouldn't allow her to avoid it.
After a moment of contemplation, she walked towards the courtyard.
Upon entering the courtyard, the scene before her only added to her headache.
Dugu Ye and Xuàn Jì stood facing each other in the courtyard, locked in a tense standoff, with an atmosphere thick with the scent of gunpowder.
Dugu Ye was dressed in rich brocade clothing, his handsome yet malevolent face showcasing a nearly unmasked aura of dominance and possessiveness in his eyes.
Xuan Ji was clad in plain-colored brocade, his beauty unparalleled, his temperament cold and chaste, transcendently refined. Yet, at this moment, there was a trace of irritability and a soft anger etched into his brows.
"As the sixth brother, you, a high monk of the Buddhist order, should live a life of detachment and peace, devoting yourself entirely to Buddhism. Why did you immerse yourself in worldly affairs, marry and have children? This act is surely a dishonor to the Buddhist cultivation you've received. Worse still, you have broken your vows. Don't you fear that people will criticize you for being a false monk seeking fame and fortune?"
Dugu Ye's mouth curved slightly, his eyes displaying a fierce and bloodthirsty look, as his words were sharp as knives, directly hitting the sore spot of Xuan Ji.
Xuan Ji had already felt deep regret, feeling that he was a dishonor to the Buddhist order.
For a moment, he even thought about giving up and not making it possible for the two of them.
But as soon as he thought of the two children An An and You You, he regained his cold demeanor and coldly replied, "As long as there is a heart full of Buddha, where is not a place for cultivation? Although I have broken my vow, I am still a mortal, with emotions and desires. Moreover, I have already prepared to return to the secular world, no longer bound by Buddhist rules and regulations."
Dugu Ye's eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Xuan Ji, a cold smile playing on his lips: "Sixth Brother, having already returned to the secular world, yet you still cannot let go of the constraints of Buddhist discipline. You constantly claim that your heart is filled with Buddha, but now you are arguing with someone over personal affairs of love and children, which is truly laughable."
Xuan Ji's expression darkened, a flash of anger flickering in his eyes: "Prince Dugu, though I once was a monk, I have now resolved to lead a normal life. I have a child with Yu Yao, and naturally, I must be responsible for them."
Dugu Ye raised his eyebrows and gave an evil smile: "Since you care so much about your child, then take the child away and stay away from Yu Yao forever. Do not trouble her again."
Xuan Ji was momentarily speechless. He did care about the child, but he also liked Yu Yao. Moreover, the child could not live without a mother.
He glared at Dugu Ye with cold eyes, "Prince Dugu, do not push things too far."
Dugu Ye's lips curled upwards, revealing a mocking smile: "So? Sixth Brother has nothing to say now? Since you can't let go of the Buddhist discipline, and can't bear to part with your child, then what exactly do you want?"
After a moment of silence, Xuan Ji looked up, his gaze resolute as he fixed Dugu Ye with his eyes. "I will return to the secular world, giving them a legitimate identity. I will not let them suffer any injustice and will protect them, us three."
Upon hearing this, Dugu Ye's expression turned even colder. He was about to say something when he caught sight of a woman eavesdropping in the shadows.
The dim candlelight flickered, casting her shadow in the darkness. She had stood there for what seemed like an eternity, listening intently. Dugu Ye suddenly let out a sarcastic laugh.
Dugu Ye swept her into his arms with a grand gesture, his sleeves fluttering, and gazed down at her with a seductive smile. "Yu Yao, you're quite good at hiding to watch the show. Tell me, what do you want? Are you coming with me, or following him?"
He tightly held her, his eyes filled with dominance and possessiveness, almost unmasked.
Yu Yao lifted her head.
To be fair, Dugu Ye had a fine appearance, an extremely dignified and darkly elegant look.
Those sharp eyebrows were rich in color, with distinct edges, and his slender figure stood tall and lean, with muscular lines flowing smoothly, giving him a greater sense of aggressiveness.
Eccentric, handsome, and incredibly sexy.
He is also very strong in that aspect, like a cheetah, and the experience is addictive.
It's not an overstatement to say that this man is a drug.
Xuan Ji is also quite capable in that regard, but perhaps it's due to his personality, he doesn't really open up in bed, it's more like a routine task rather than something spontaneous, which somewhat diminishes the experience.
It's not as enjoyable as when he is with Dugu Ye.
This is her true thought, but she doesn't want to say it out loud.
Moreover, after eavesdropping in the shadows for so long, she has also figured it out.
Dugu Ye's love for her is almost beyond doubt, thanks to the recovery of his memories.
Yu Yao is certain that no matter what she asks, this man will agree without hesitation, even if it means dying for her.
Xuan Ji does indeed like her, but she can sense that he cares more about the child.
To put it simply, this man wants to take responsibility for her because of the child.
If she had not given birth to An An and You You, this man might not have decided to return to the secular world so easily.
She had considered leaving the kids with Xuan Ji and marrying Dugu Ye.
But she couldn't bear to part with her two children; the children also need their mother's love.
Xuan Ji saw that she was completely in Dugu Ye's arms, not struggling or resisting, and a trace of sadness flashed across her eyes. Her eyebrows and eyes gradually turned cold.
"Yu Yao, if you like him, then I will take An An and You You with me."
Yu Yao looked at Xuan Ji, feeling a trace of unwillingness in her heart.
She opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.
Dugu Ye held her tightly, taking in her expression, knowing she was reluctant to leave her children: "Yu Yao, come with me. An An and You You may not be mine biologically, but I will treat them as if they were my own."
These words thoroughly angered Xuan Ji, who could no longer restrain his anger. In an instant, his figure was like lightning, and he grabbed Yu Yao from Dugu Ye's arms.
Xuan Ji held her tightly, his eyes locked on Dugu Ye, his expression cold, "Prince Dugu, do not trouble her any further. I will return to the secular world and inform His Majesty of the truth. I will marry her as the Princess of Wei and give our two children a legitimate identity. We are a family."
Dugu Ye's eyes grew even colder. "Sixth Brother, do you think you can easily get your way? If you want to marry Yu Yao, you should first ask her if she is willing."
Xuan Ji's expression snapped, his gaze turning towards the woman in his arms, speaking earnestly, "Yu Yao, will you marry me? I will return to the secular world and give you and your children a complete family. I can also guarantee that in this lifetime, only you will be mine. There will be no others."
He approached the situation with caution, fearing that Yu Yao would refuse him and then marry Dugu Ye, taking the two children with her.
Yu Yao looked at Xuan Ji's eyes, filled with expectation, and felt a surge of emotion in her heart.
Yu Yao had never seen Xuan Ji act so carefully before, which made her feel a bit compassionate towards him.
Just about to speak.
Dugu Ye snatched her back, soothing her face with tender touches, his expression complex. "If you can't make a decision, take your time to think about it. Yu Yao, no matter what choice you make, I will follow you. Whether it's ascending to the heavens or descending into hell, I will follow you."
He grabbed Yu Yao's hand and placed it on his chest, the depths of his eyes filled with an emotion that was hard to describe - "I can do without anything, as long as I have you."
Yu Yao never doubts Dugu Ye's love for her. After all, they have lived in the beast world for a lifetime, and she is well aware of how deeply the man loves her.
Even if they were to be reborn, his love for her would never change.
Yu Yao remained silent for a few seconds before bravely saying, "I like the lotus flowers on the Yellow Springs Road. Whoever can bring them, I will marry him."
Yu Yao wasn't really asking them to go and pick the flowers. She also knew that Dugu Ye would find a way to obtain them.
She was mainly trying to test Xuan Ji's attitude.
This sentence made both Dugu Ye and Xuan Ji stop in their tracks.
The lotus flowers on the Yellow Springs Road are said to grow in the realm of ghosts and spirits, how can they be easily picked?
Xuan Ji, though a monk of high rank, is still a mortal man. The realm of the dead and hell are not places he can easily enter.
Dugu Ye may have been very powerful in his previous life, but this time he is a true and genuine mortal, at best, some martial arts skills.
He didn't hesitate for a moment, "Alright, since you like the lotus flowers, I'll go and pick them for you. Yu Yao, wait for me."
With those words, he let go of her and vanished into the night.
Xuan Ji stood there in a complex state, his entire body seemingly caught in a dilemma.
It's not that he fears death, but rather that he worries that if he dies, Yu Yao will marry Dugu Ye, either with or without his children.
This left him uncertain what to decide.
Yu Yao looked on, already knowing the answer in her heart.
