Chapter 119 – Temporary mark

Translator: ChuRen/ YuQiChen

“Madam, this is a drug called Illusory Fragrance, originating from a very remote planet called Kaierui Star. The scent of this drug is extremely faint, undetectable to most people, and is quickly absorbed by the body, making it very difficult to detect. It can be said that in the Empire, there are no more than five people who can recognize this drug.”

“As for why General Tang Bo would ingest this drug, there are many possibilities, including but not limited to hiding the drug in his living environment or putting it in his food.”

The doctor thought of the once influential Imperial General Tang Bo and couldn’t help but admire him as well, saying:

“Fortunately, General Tang has an extremely strong physical constitution and robust health. Otherwise, if discovered later…”

“He might have become a vegetable.”

Tang Qing couldn’t help but widen his eyes.

He remembered the day he took his brother away from the Tang residence, and he seemed to have smelled something on Tang Bo’s pillow. His nose was quite sensitive, akin to a cat, often detecting scents that others couldn’t.

But when he picked up the pillow, Tang Xiaobai rushed in and mentioned Tang Shanshan’s pregnancy, interrupting him.

Therefore, it was highly likely that Luo Xuanling and her family had poisoned his brother.

He couldn’t understand why his brother, who had lived openly and honestly, had never harmed anyone and had made great contributions to the Empire, defending its people from the insect race, would now be unconscious in bed for years due to poisoning at home.

If Xie Qingzhi hadn’t proactively suggested bringing Tang Bo to the Duke’s residence for recuperation, who knows how many years Tang Bo would have been poisoned and remained unconscious.

He was nearly on the brink of becoming a vegetable.

Even after the two returned to the Duke’s residence, his mind was blank, trembling, sweating profusely, and his body slightly shaking.

“Tangtang, Tangtang.”

Someone gently called his name and embraced him.

“Yes, it was that woman…”

Tang Qing’s voice trembled with vulnerability. “Luo Xuanling and Tang Xiaobai, they actually poisoned my brother.”

“When I returned to the Tang residence that day, I clearly smelled it, but didn’t think much of it.”

Tang Qing tightly grasped Xie Qingzhi’s hand, his knuckles turning white.

“It’s all my fault, all my fault… I’m going to hold them accountable now!”

Xie Qingzhi gently patted his shoulder, comforting him, “There, there, now listen to me. You need to calm down.”

“Tangtang, this isn’t your fault. If anyone is to blame, it’s the ruthless Luo Xuanling and the heartless Tang Moyang, who let danger into their home.”

Tang Qing hung his head, feeling distracted, his voice filled with self-blame, “Your Grace, I know this isn’t my fault, but I just can’t help but keep thinking…”

“My brother has been in a coma, helpless, while they poisoned him right under my nose. If only I had noticed something was wrong sooner, if only I had checked that pillow earlier…”

The man interrupted his unnecessary guilt, speaking firmly, “Tang Bo is awake now. He’s still young, and there’s still time for everything.”

“Tangtang, don’t be afraid. The Duke’s residence has many eyes in the Empire. I’ve already had them investigate Luo Xuanling. The truth will come to light soon. Today, rest well, calm down, don’t alert the enemy.”

“At the latest, tomorrow, I will take you back to the Tang residence to catch them red-handed.”

Tang Qing lifted his face, tears glistening in his eyes.

Xie Qingzhi looked at this beautiful and delicate yet pale and fragile face, feeling a deep sense of pity.

He knew how troubled Tang Qing must be feeling at that moment.

He reached out to touch that fair and delicate face, cold and fragile like glass, his beautiful amber eyes shimmering with tears, reflecting his own figure like shimmering lake water.

It made him wish to punish all those who had hurt him.

Tang Qing rested his head on the man’s broad shoulder, tears silently falling.

“Tangtang, listen to me again. No one will blame you. Your brother will only be grateful that you protected yourself well.”

“My little kitten, you haven’t done anything wrong. You just underestimated how wicked people’s hearts can be.”

The fragrance of orchids in the room grew stronger, and Xie Qingzhi sensed the person beside him breathing more rapidly.

Tang Qing sobbed quietly in the man’s embrace, his delicate neck trembling slightly.

Xie Qingzhi’s hands rested uncertainly on Tang Qing’s thin back, gently soothing his devastated spouse, fearing that his hands, stained with blood, might startle his wife with too much force.

The fragrance of orchids under the man’s nose became even more intense.

The person in his embrace revealed a fair neck, where a pink blush appeared on the area belonging to the Omega gland.

“Tangtang, you’re burning up.” The man’s voice was deep and melodious.

“Your Grace, I don’t know…” Tang Qing murmured, “I feel so uncomfortable…”

The man reached out, gently stroking Tang Qing’s soft hair, his large hand running through the strands.

“Tangtang, you might have been too emotional just now. Let me help you.”

“What?” Tang Qing had just finished crying, his voice still slightly nasal, sounding a bit dazed.

With a hint of allure.

The man leaned down and bit down on that slightly raised spot.

His sharp teeth pierced through, breaking the soft flesh on the back of the neck.

The Alpha slowly infused his pheromones into the Beta’s gland.

A brisk scent of cedar filled the room.

“Your Grace… your scent is getting stronger,” Tang Qing felt a bit embarrassed and explained, “It’s not that you have a strong body odor… it’s just that your scent suddenly became very clear, very distinct.”

The man twitched the corner of his mouth.

Just don’t mention the smell of a 2B pencil.

“Tangtang, are you feeling better now?” Xie Qingzhi ignored his wife’s silly remarks.

The last time he was temporarily marked, Tang Qing’s consciousness was almost blurred.

This time, however, it was the opposite. He clearly felt what the man was doing to him.

Stepping out of the man’s embrace, he blushed and said, “I’m feeling better, not as hot as before.”

Xie Qingzhi reached out to touch the still developing gland, looking at his soft-spoken wife in his arms, his voice low and hoarse, “Tangtang, if you’re uncomfortable in any way, tell me, I’ll take care of it.”

“Whatever you want.”

Tang Qing looked down shyly, focusing on his fingers, and nervously asked, “Really, anything?”

Xie Qingzhi looked at his slightly bashful wife, his throat involuntarily tightening, “Of course.”

“Then, could you turn around first, I want to… take off my clothes.”

Xie Qingzhi momentarily doubted if he had heard correctly. “You want to… undress?”

Tang Qing softly and timidly, his fair and delicate earlobes turning pink, as if very nervous, said, “Yes, sir.”

Xie Qingzhi took a deep breath and immediately turned around.

He didn’t expect his just-turned-eighteen young wife to be so bold and daring.

However, this was also good.

He had already made up his mind.

Every day recently, he had been secretly visiting the medical team he had arranged for Tang Bo, starting the treatment for the scars on his face.

Once he ascended to that position, he could reveal his true face.

He would give Tang Qing the most prestigious status in the entire Empire.

Their child would also become the next heir to the Empire.

What should they name the child?

If their child was anything like Tang Qing, they would surely be adorable.

Listening to the rustling sounds of undressing behind him, Xie Qingzhi, feeling a rare hint of discomfort, rubbed his nose.

He had seen Tang Qing’s body several times before, although he hadn’t specifically stared at it,

But he remembered, it was very beautiful, very fair, blindingly white.

Every inch of his skin was as snowily pale as fine porcelain.

Except for those few areas, with a rosy and tender color.

Once again, innocent and pure, yet stunning and captivating.

After a while, not wanting to appear too eager, he couldn’t resist asking, “Madam, may I turn around now?”

“Meow~”

The response was a sweet and coquettish meow.

A cat’s meow? Xie Qingzhi turned around incredulously,

There was no sexy naked wife as he had imagined in front of him.

Instead, there stood a majestic blue tabby Maine Coon cat.

The beautiful big cat was covered in gorgeous long fur, with a light silvery base color that had a blue hue, large soft ears, and beautiful amber eyes that were big and round. Despite its substantial size, its face was delicate and elegant, with a sweet and charming appearance, and a fluffy and beautiful tail.

Just one look and it would melt your heart.

“Meow~”

Every time Tang Qing lost control of his emotions, he liked to transform into a large cat. Licking his fur could help soothe his mood.

Xie Qingzhi looked at Tang Qing with a complex expression.

No wonder he wanted to undress, it was because the Maine Coon cat form was too large, and he was afraid of stretching the clothes.

“Meow~”

The Maine Coon cat approached the man, its large tail flicked, it rolled over and lay on its back on the bed, revealing its lighter-colored belly, lifting its beautiful amber eyes to look at the man.

Xie Qingzhi put away those unspeakable amorous thoughts and looked somewhat shocked as he gazed at the pretty cat showing its belly to him.

Was this cat… acting coquettish with him?

“Meow~”

Although the Maine Coon cat was quite large, its voice was sweet and soft, just like a little kitten.

It raised its head slightly towards him, revealing its soft neck and belly.

Xie Qingzhi felt his breathing become somewhat heavy.

Contrary to what Tang Qing had expected, he didn’t reach out to stroke the cat’s belly fur.

Instead, as if unable to bear it any longer, he grasped the cat’s front paws with both hands,

Planted a series of kisses on the top of the cat’s head,

Then lowered his head,

Buried his face deep in the cat’s belly fur,

And took a deep breath.

“Meow…”

The large cat looked puzzled and lost.

Although Tang Qing had seen videos online where many girls enjoyed breathing on cats like this, claiming it was addictive, wanting to bury their faces directly in the cat’s belly fur,

He never expected that the Duke would do the same.

Skipping the usual petting steps,

And breathing in so vigorously.

He was just grateful that he was currently in cat form,

Otherwise, his face would surely be as red as blood.

…

The next morning, after meeting with a few informants, Xie Qingzhi said, “Tangtang, we have obtained the evidence.”

“There are records in Luo Xuanling’s communicator, showing that over the past few years, she regularly bought a batch of Illusory Fragrance from a drug dealer who smuggled it into the Empire.”

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