Substitute Bride Phoenix, The Tyrant's Pampered Demon Empress

Liu Rushuang and Han Moze smoothly finished the mission to wipe out Xuan Yingzhai, to the great acclaim of Yuexi County citizens.

Liu Rushuang also brought the seven-plus years old boy Han Qingcheng to the imperial capital. She issued instructions that he was to be brought to the Blood Feast Elders for grooming at the Blood Feast base, in hopes that he would become an excellent assassin in the future.

The air was breezy that night. The moon shone high above and the scenery was pleasant from the brightly lit Fallen Phoenix Palace.

After getting together adoringly, Liu Rushuang and Han Moze calmly chatted with each other.

“Shuang’er, my godfather’s sixty birthday is on the eighth of next month. What present do you think I should prepare?”

“Anything you like.”

Liu Rushuang replied casually.

How was she supposed to know what is fitting when he was not her godfather?

“And on the nineteenth—the Autumn Equinox, I’m going to the Southern Spirit Temple to pray for the peasants. You could come with me if you think you’ll miss me.”

“I’m not going.”

Liu Rushuang refused with no hesitation—Han Moze should pray at the temple if he was going to do that, and it would not do if he brought her there to do a little something else.

“Then are you going to the drawing competition held at Bi Xiao Pavilion, south of the city on the twenty-fifth?”

“I’ll go.”

Liu Rushuang quickly accepted, a faint smile appearing over her lips. Right now, she feared nothing in the whole world aside from being bored—would she let the chance of killing her boredom go?

Han Moze lowered his head then to kiss her fresh, red lips, a smile appearing on his lips as well. “Can I say a few more words?”

“Nope.”

Liu Rushuang replied just like a true tsundere—her expression was a pouty as well, as if she were a little girl.

Having no choice, Han Moze chuckled softly and held her tighter in his embrace. As his burning body heat seeped onto her snow-white skin, her heart skipped a beat and she quietly told herself that this was no good.

And just as expected, Han Moze spun around in the next instant, overbearingly pinning her beneath him.

“You… no…” She wanted to refuse, but her tiny mouth was blocked before she could speak, and she could not help cursing Han Moze a few times quietly.

***

Autumn was soon over, and Liu Rushuang’s tummy quickly bloated.

It was noon today, but cold winds were breezing and it was raining snow. Soon, the withered plants in the yard were covered in snow.

It was the first snow for this winter.

Qing’er entered the Fallen Phoenix Palace with a pot of hot tea, and sat directly opposite Liu Rushuang without any sense of formality. Pouring her a cup of tea, she smiled, “Milady, have you finished reading ‘Tale of the Lovesick Woman’?”

“I did. It’s on my desk, go look for it yourself.” Liu Rushuang grunted a reply, captivated by the story she is reading in another book.

Qing’Er’s smile expanded. Rising to her feet, she went to the desk, picked up the book and left the Fallen Phoenix Palace.

She had been reading whatever the lady was reading recently as she did her best to be a woman fitting for the duke. Since the lady often read tales woven by famous people, they were not boring while she would learn much from it, and slowly fall in love with it.

Soon, Little White Flower was shouting from outside, “I’m coming in, sis!”

Then, before Liu Rushuang could answer, Little White Flower had entered. She still looked around ten and full of life. There were a few guards who had wicked intentions towards her, but were sent beyond the city for hard labor by Han Moze.

After that, Liu Rushuang began teaching Little White Flower martial arts. Though she was the sacred lotus that could cleanse one’s essence and possess extraordinary medicinal value, her combat ability was quite something.

“Stop reading, sis! Come build snowmen with me!” She pleaded, tugging at Li Rushuang’s arm.

There was a momentary crack in Liu Rushuang’s expression as she reluctantly put her book down. How could she refuse at the sight of that innocent smile?

Eventually, she sighed quietly and left the Fallen Phoenix Palace with Little White Flower to build snowmen.