Chapter 104 – A wife’s obligations

Translator: ChuRen/ YuQiChen

The two returned to the Duke’s residence.

Compared to the Tang residence where Father Tang lived with his illegitimate children and mistress, Tang Qing even felt more relaxed in this cold Duke’s residence.

Ironically, ever since his brother fell into a coma, it had been a long time since he had felt a sense of home anywhere.

After a day of interaction, Tang Qing was no longer as afraid of Xie Qingzhi.

After taking a shower, he didn’t linger but changed into his pajamas and came out.

It was a set of sky blue pajamas, which complemented his flawless fair complexion. The neck exposed below the collar was slender and delicate, elegant like a swan.

His features were all very delicate, and a bright red mole at the corner of his eye added a touch of allure.

He exuded a fresh fragrance, enchanting in his beauty.

He lay down on the bed, pulled up the covers, and politely nodded towards Xie Qingzhi, “Your Grace, good night.”

Xie Qingzhi didn’t go to sleep immediately but instead leaned closer to his side and asked, “What did you spray on yourself? Why do you smell so good?”

Tang Qing sniffed himself in confusion and said, “It’s probably the scent of the shower gel?”

Xie Qingzhi used the same shower gel as Tang Qing but had never smelled such a fragrance before. Clearly, this scent was coming from Tang Qing himself.

He wasn’t an Omega, so why did he have such an enticing scent?

Xie Qingzhi turned over and reached out to touch the back of Tang Qing’s neck.

His slender fingers landed on the spot behind his neck where the glands were located.

But Tang Qing was just a Beta, and the back of his neck was naturally smooth, without anything special.

“You smell really good here,” Xie Qingzhi said, carefully sniffing at Tang Qing’s neck, his warm breath washing over it.

In the darkness, the man looked somewhat infatuated as he gazed at Tang Qing, the unique scent lingering in the air.

Xie Qingzhi thought to himself, if this person wanted to seduce him and also fit his tastes, why not indulge him once?

“What are you doing, Your Grace?” Tang Qing felt the breath on his neck and asked nervously.

“You should be aware that I am your lawful husband.”

Tang Qing was stunned, his mind going blank.

Feeling a bit nervous, he pursed his lips and replied, “Of course, Your Grace.”

Tang Qing tried to relax his body as Xie Qingzhi continued to sniff at his neck.

Soft kisses landed on the piece of fair neck, causing Tang Qing to curl his toes with nervousness.

What did this mean?

Why did Xie Qingzhi suddenly bring up this topic?

Was he implying that he wanted Tang Qing to fulfill his wifely duties?

Since the first day he married into the Duke’s residence, Tang Qing had been mentally prepared for this, knowing he was merely a carefully selected tool for royal procreation.

He had no one he liked anyway, so engaging in this kind of relationship with his husband was inevitable.

But now, at this moment, Tang Qing realized he wasn’t ready.

Not only was he uncontrollably nervous, but he was also a bit afraid.

Considering Xie Qingzhi’s status and position, hadn’t he been with many others before? Surely, he was experienced, right?

Moreover, it was said that Xie Qingzhi enjoyed brutality and bloodshed. Would he also be rough and violent in bed?

Tang Qing tightly shut his eyes, feeling his lawful husband kissing him inch by inch.

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his neck.

Only Omegas had glands in that spot, and yet he was bitten there.

Surprised, Tang Qing muffled his voice, “Your Grace… I’m a Beta, I don’t have glands.”

The man’s voice behind him was cold and low, “I’m well aware.”

After speaking, he bit and licked the tender flesh behind Tang Qing’s neck a few times.

Tang Qing took a deep breath, shuddered slightly, but resisted the urge to pull away.

Stiffening, he exposed his beautiful neck, allowing his husband to play with it.

Xie Qingzhi felt the skin under his lips, smooth and tender, warm and snow-white, emanating a faint orchid fragrance.

Just as delicious as he had imagined, sweet like milk, and gentle like warm jade.

More enticing than any Omega’s gland.

Tang Qing felt his husband’s large hand landing on him, ambiguously caressing his arm through the pajamas.

His fingers involuntarily clenched the corner of his pajamas, his long eyelashes fluttering non-stop, like a fragile butterfly.

He knew what was about to happen between them. Although his mindset was very go-with-the-flow, his body involuntarily tensed up.

As gently as possible, he leaned closer to the man behind him, his voice slightly trembling, “Your Grace, I’m ready.”

Would his husband be a bit gentle?

It was his first time, and he didn’t know if it would hurt a lot.

Feeling his husband getting closer in the darkness, the cold mask fell on his back.

Tang Qing bit his lip tightly.

“I’m just here to inspect my collection,” Xie Qingzhi’s voice was hoarse and low.

Xie Qingzhi tightly embraced Tang Qing, breathing in the faint orchid fragrance that enveloped him, feeling the warmth and softness in his arms.

“What do you think I want to do?” The man chuckled softly, the sound reaching Tang Qing’s ears, making them tingle.

“I was overthinking it, Your Grace.”

So, it was just like before, admiring his skin?

Tang Qing breathed a sigh of relief, his body no longer tense, much softer now.

Xie Qingzhi held him like a large piece of scented warm jade, touching and smelling him, as if the person in his arms wasn’t the Empire’s number one beauty, not his wife.

But just an ordinary cat.

A pitiful, helpless cat he could knead and caress.

Finally, after a long while, Xie Qingzhi seemed to satisfy his craving for ‘petting the cat’ and released Tang Qing.

Feeling the man’s departure, Tang Qing finally relaxed completely and soon fell asleep.

The next day, Xie Qingzhi woke up early.

He looked at Tang Qing sleeping peacefully in his arms and felt inexplicably restless.

Actually, last night, he did have some thoughts.

But smelling the scent in his arms, a fragrance that was like orchids but not quite, clean and fragrant, without an intentional seductive undertone.

The once soft and warm person was so tense that even his neck was rigid.

He chuckled to himself.

What was he fantasizing about?

Even if it was someone sent by Katarina to seduce him, they might not dare to make a move against his rotten face.

Today, Duke Austen came to visit him at the residence, so he released his fragrant and soft wife from his embrace and headed to the study.

“Your Highness, I haven’t congratulated you on your marriage yet. Congratulations on marrying the Empire’s number one beauty and bringing him home.” Duke Austen lightly chuckled as he entered the study.

Duke Austen was one of the five Dukes of the Empire and one of the most important figures on the Imperial Star. He had the best relationship with Xie Qingzhi.

Xie Qingzhi nodded impatiently, not in the mood for pleasantries.

This friend of his often wore a friendly smile on his face, appearing carefree and indifferent to everything. But in reality, he was a ruthless and cunning character.

“I heard you’re very satisfied with this beauty? You even gave a severe lesson to that foolish son of the Zheng family for him.”

“Getting angry for a beauty, now everyone outside knows the story of your heroism.”

Thinking of the news he had just heard, Duke Austen couldn’t help but chuckle.

This was the first time he had heard of the royal mad dog Xie Qingzhi being involved in such a scandal.

Xie Qingzhi turned his head slightly, concealing his inner annoyance, and said disdainfully, “He’s just a marriage tool sent over by Katarina. That woman is truly ambitious. Even after giving birth to a disabled son, she hasn’t given up on her quest for power.”

“She wants me to have a child with him, to be a tool in her power struggles. It’s a pipe dream.”

Xie Qingzhi knew exactly what game Katarina was playing, but he had no interest in getting involved in the power struggles of the royal family.

The entire royal family, the entire imperial clan, had long rotted inside out.

“Did your empress mother give that beauty some secret royal medicine?” Duke Austen chuckled lightly, his tone casual and frivolous.

“Is that beauty honest? He’s so beautiful, you can play around with him as you please, as long as you…” Duke Austen trailed off.

Although he wore a smile on his face, Duke Austen was already strategizing.

As long as, without harming Tang Qing’s life, he could render the carefully chosen beauty by the empress completely infertile, wouldn’t that make things simple?

A fertility tool losing its ability to reproduce would then become a handy tool.

“No need,” Xie Qingzhi’s tone unexpectedly carried some seriousness. Knowing how ruthless his friend could be, he spoke firmly, “Don’t touch him. I have my own plans.”

Duke Austen smiled, evaluating Xie Qingzhi thoughtfully. It was the first time he had seen his good friend show a hint of nervousness.

Realizing he might have sounded a bit impatient earlier, Xie Qingzhi added coldly, “It’s unnecessary. I have no intention of sleeping with him.”

“Forget about that. How did you handle the task I assigned you?” Xie Qingzhi inquired.

Duke Austen’s expression turned serious as he replied, “I’ve looked into the situation on Kuizhizi Star…”

The two delved into confidential matters.

—

On the other side, Zheng Nian’s father, Zheng Shixun, delivered a harsh slap to his son’s face.

“You fool! You’ve broken off the engagement with the young master of the Tang family, yet you keep hovering around him all the time? He’s a Duke’s wife now. What if the Duke decides to settle the score with you, his former fiancé?”

Kneeling on the ground, Zheng Nian stared at the floor with red eyes, silent.

“Now look, I’ve lost several mining lines on Kuizhizi Star, all ruined by that mad dog! It took our family years to accumulate those resources, do you understand?” Zheng Shixun scolded.

“You pack up and go on vacation to Kuizhizi Star tomorrow, don’t show your face on the Imperial Star for the time being.”

Terrified, Zheng Nian lifted his head, “Father, Kuizhizi Star is a remote place. How is banishing me there any different from exile?”

In a fit of anger, Zheng Shixun grabbed a glass and smashed it against Zheng Nian’s face, “Is this not enough for you? Do you want to wait until our Zheng family is ousted from the five Dukes before you’re satisfied?”

Seeing his son’s pale face, struggling to contain his anger, Zheng Shixun reluctantly softened his tone, “You stay there for a few weeks first. Once the Duke calms down, I’ll bring you back.”

Reluctant, but with no other choice, Zheng Nian nodded in agreement.

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