Chapter Fifty: A Peerless Beauty Emerges from the Hundred Flowers

Gazing upon such a picturesque beauty, her head bowed in shyness, cheeks tinged with pink, her eyes glimmering with coy allure, she was a world apart from the dignified figure she had been moments before. The contrast was enough to fill one’s heart with joy.

“Do not truly shed tears, else it would pain me too much,” Liu Ping said softly, tightening his hold on Mengshang’s delicate hand.

Hearing this, Mengshang answered in a whisper and nodded, then pouted in mild reproach. “But do you know, my lord, how much resentment I have harbored in my heart, not seeing you for so long?”

Liu Ping could only sigh. “Of course I know. But mortals and immortals dwell in different realms. Merely coming here cost me all manner of hardship. It was no easy feat – I truly had no choice.”

Whether his hardships were real or not, Mengshang’s heart blossomed with sweetness at his words, paying no mind to anything else.

Despite the sweetness, she did not let it show on her face, continuing her playful grumbling. “Naturally I know mortals and immortals are parted by a chasm. You must cultivate quickly, reach the rank of Earth Immortal, and then you may visit the Celestial Court at will.”

At this, Liu Ping’s eyes shone, though he sounded somewhat helpless. “Right now, I am only half a step into the Human Immortal realm. To attain Earth Immortal will take quite some time. Still, I will strive to reach it soon.”

Mengshang’s smile was enchanting as she nodded earnestly. “I believe in you, my lord. You’ll become an Earth Immortal very soon.”

That radiant smile was like a spring breeze, as lovely as peach blossoms, brimming with charm. Liu Ping’s heart stirred, and his hand encircled Mengshang’s slender waist.

Her waist was narrow and delicate, fitting perfectly in his palm.

Feeling his hands at her waist, Mengshang shivered, her cheeks flushing deeper, her eyes growing dreamy as she gazed at Liu Ping.

Her allure grew even more captivating, now tinged with a kind of holy radiance, arresting the heart, leaving one utterly enraptured.

He lowered his head slightly, about to kiss her.

But Mengshang, with her soft hand, gently blocked his approach. “First, recite a poem for me, then I’ll allow you a kiss.”

Liu Ping could not help feeling a little vexed, his heart itching unbearably. “You little rascal, my mind is full of you – how am I supposed to compose poetry now? Isn’t this making things hard for me?”

Mengshang replied calmly, “If all you want is to kiss me, how can you say your mind is full of me?”

“Isn’t it the same?”

“It’s not the same.”

Liu Ping grinned slyly. “Then how about this: I kiss you first, and then recite the poem?”

Mengshang nodded. “All right…” Then she suddenly laughed. “Did you really think I’d say yes?”

He had been overjoyed, thinking she agreed, only to realize he’d been teased. Annoyed, he squeezed her waist ever so slightly.

That soft flesh at her waist was especially sensitive, and Mengshang was no exception. She burst out in giggles, pleading, “Please, my lord, stop!”

“I won’t. You brought this upon yourself for teasing me.”

Though Mengshang was herself half a step into the Earth Immortal realm, in Liu Ping’s arms she dared not use her powers and risk hurting the one she adored, so she could only let him have his way, helpless though she was.

After a while, she grew weak and limp, collapsing into Liu Ping’s embrace, her laughter reduced to tears. She gazed at him pitifully. “You really are terrible, my lord.”

Her breath was fragrant and sweet, and at such close range Liu Ping could sense it clearly, making him all the more besotted. Looking down at her alluring face, he teased softly, “I only ever act this way with you.”

Those sweet words erased what little anger remained in Mengshang’s heart, though she feigned displeasure with a huff. “You only know how to coax me.”

Hearing her complaint, Liu Ping felt all the more delighted and lowered his head.

Mengshang’s breath quickened and her cheeks reddened; she hurriedly closed her eyes.

But just as he was about to kiss her, Liu Ping suddenly stopped, smiling as he withdrew, and with great interest admired Mengshang’s bashful, lovely face as she kept her eyes shut.

She was truly ravishing beyond words.

After a moment, when nothing happened, Mengshang grew puzzled. Her long lashes fluttered as she slowly opened her eyes to see his teasing smile, which made her both angry and embarrassed. She pinched Liu Ping hard.

“Spare me, spare me!” Liu Ping begged. “Wasn’t it you who said I must recite a poem first?”

“Hmph.” Mengshang huffed in fake annoyance.

After a moment of thought, Liu Ping began to recite:

“A peerless beauty emerges from a hundred blooms,
Her clever smile shines, a flawless jade.
Tender buds just opened still hold their shy charm,
In her secluded chamber, none may intrude.
Silken sleeves brush lightly with whispered sound,
Each frown or smile, a new beguilement.”

Hearing this, Mengshang’s anger faded as she happily murmured a few lines to herself, her eyes shining.

But Liu Ping did not stop:

“Fragrant powder clings to her snowy cheeks,
Her rosy lips intoxicate only Liu Lang.”

At these words, Mengshang blushed furiously, covering her face. “You scoundrel, my lord! What do you mean, ‘her rosy lips intoxicate only Liu Lang’?”

Liu Ping gently pried her hands away, smiling softly. “Is it not so?”

Mengshang’s voice was barely a whisper, like a mosquito’s hum. “Of course… it is so.”

Her answer filled Liu Ping with joy, and he slowly lowered his head.

“Mmm—”

A startled sound escaped her lips, followed by soft, muffled moans and a long, lingering aftertaste.

He savored the sweet taste of her cherry lips, feeling a tingling thrill in his heart, unable to pull away, entangled for what seemed an age before finally breaking apart.

Both were breathless. Mengshang, still shaken, exclaimed, “You nearly scared me to death! I thought you were going to kiss me till I fainted!”

At this, Liu Ping burst out laughing. “What a pity that would have been.”

“What’s so pitiful—pah, pah! You really are insufferable, my lord. Honestly, you’re the worst!” Mengshang pouted and grumbled. “Shameless, wicked lord!”

Liu Ping watched her sulk and teased, “How am I wicked? Clearly you were the one with your mind in the gutter, yet you blame me?”

Flustered, Mengshang protested, “I—I wasn’t thinking any such thing!”

Liu Ping could see her resistance; the kiss just now had already pushed her to her limits. But the best affection flows steadily, so he was not in any hurry. He changed the subject. “Enough of that. Let’s get serious—how did this place become a palace?”

Looking pleased, Mengshang replied, “Because I have been made the Deputy Envoy of the Hundred Flowers. In this realm, I answer only to the Lady of Flowers herself. Even the Twelve Flower Goddesses are under my command.”

The Twelve Flower Goddesses? Liu Ping started, then recalled—the heroines of yesterday’s Flower Festival, were they not? Life was indeed full of marvels. Intrigued, he asked, “How did you become so powerful?”

Mengshang, lying atop Liu Ping’s chest, traced circles on it with her jade-white fingers, and smiled. “It’s all because of you, my lord.”