Into The Sea

Ji Lingyue remembered something and said, “Oh, right. Mother, he said he would be waiting for you at the Red Coral Palace to enter together. Do you want to head over now?”

Jiang Xi nodded, exhaling silently. She lowered her gaze and smoothed out the wrinkles on her sleeves. “Wanxing.”

Soon, a figure swam into the Baicui Cave and bowed. “Your Highness, what are your orders?”

“Tell Jiang Luan to prepare and pay attention to Lan Wu’s every move.”

Wanxing paused, looking up. “Your Highness… what kind of preparation?”

“It’s hard to explain right now.” Jiang Xi shook her head. “The situation is urgent. Just tell her that if a fight breaks out, she must fully support Lan Wu.”

Wanxing frowned, clearly wanting to ask more, but Jiang Xi raised her eyes and waved her hand solemnly. “Go quickly, there’s no time to waste.”

Wanxing pursed her lips and bowed. “Understood.”

The woman quickly swam away. Jiang Xi turned to look at Lan Wu and said softly. “I’m going.”

Lan Wu looked hesitant. “I’m sorry to burden you with all this right after telling you…”

“This isn’t your fault.” Jiang Xi gripped the hand hidden under her wide sleeve. “Don’t worry. I’ve lived for many years, and I haven’t just grown older. I can control myself.”

Lan Wu was silent for a moment, then nodded. “Thank you.”

Jiang Xi smiled faintly and turned to Ji Lingyue. “Little girl, you responded quickly just now, and your words were well chosen. I used to worry Lan Wu might bully you. But it seems you’ve grown much sharper.”

Ji Lingyue wasn’t sure if she was being complimented or mocked, so she instinctively put on the obedient smile that elders loved. “I was just speaking carelessly.”

“Not entirely.” Jiang Xi shook her head, then turned around, and slowly swam away, her flowing robes trailing behind her. Ji Lingyue blinked and waited until Jiang Xi was out of sight before turning to Lan Wu in confusion. “What did Mother mean?”

Lan Wu, leading her toward the banquet hall, chuckled: “Stop pretending. You called her Mother. You really don’t know what she meant?”

Ji Lingyue’s face flushed. “I just… I just said it without thinking…”

She mumbled incoherently, but Lan Wu only smiled, stopped walking, and gently brushed the loose strands from Ji Lingyue’s temple. “Do you want to form a contract with me?”

The woman was immediately stunned, looking up at her, her eyes wide. “What kind of contract?”

“The kind you’re most familiar with.” Lan Wu said softly. “Things may get dangerous later. If we make a contract, you can summon me to your side at any time. That way, I can protect you, and you can protect me.”

“You…” Ji Lingyue hesitated, then whispered, “Aren’t you afraid that after we make a contract, I might not want to break it, or… or that I might force you, humiliate you, or make you do things you don’t want to do, like before?”

“Would you?” Lan Wu asked gently.

Ji Lingyue looked into her beautiful, clear blue eyes, speechless. Lan Wu smiled lightly. “I don’t believe that after all this time, you’re still afraid. I don’t believe that you still doubt my sincerity. Ah Yue, I won’t resist. As for whether or not you want to make a contract, and whether or not you want to break it later—it’s all up to you.”

She closed her eyes, put her hands behind her back, and bent forward. “No matter what you want to do, I’ll accept it.”

Ji Lingyue stared, transfixed by her long lashes. The mermaid’s face was serene, her smooth forehead within reach. Ji Lingyue had once formed a contract there, leaving a scar. And now, this demon who had been hurt was bowing her head meekly, offering her entire being to Ji Lingyue.

She stood frozen until Lan Wu tilted her head slightly and let out a questioning hum. Only then did Ji Lingyue suddenly lean forward and wrap her arms around Lan Wu’s neck.

Her soft lips pressed against the same spot on Lan Wu’s forehead. Lan Wu swayed slightly but steadied herself, instinctively supporting Ji Lingyue’s waist with her hands. Her eyes opened again. Her eyes reopened, and Ji Lingyue eagerly cupped Lan Wu’s face, passionately kissing her lips, her breath coming in soft gasps. Lan Wu couldn’t help but chuckle, feeling like she was being licked and bitten by a small animal. She relaxed, gently stroking the back of the woman’s head, and opened her lips to welcome her invasion.

When the kiss ended, Ji Lingyue was already out of breath, clinging to Lan Wu. She fluttered her damp eyelashes lashes and, seeing that Lan Wu wasn’t out of breath, bit her cheek in displeasure.

Lan Wu covered her cheek in surprise, pouting. “What was that for? You’re the one who got so worked up.”

Ji Lingyue: “You… you’re so dense!”

“This is the first time someone has called me a dense.” Lan Wu pondered. ” If forming a beast contract makes you this happy, then we don’t need to make that heart contract later, do we?”

A heart contract was also known as a marriage contract. Ji Lingyue was startled and said loudly, “No!”

Lan Wu chuckled. “I’m just teasing you.”

When Jiang Xi arrived at the Red Coral Palace, Lan Ji seemed to have been waiting for a long time. He was speaking impatiently to his ministers, but when he saw her, a smile appeared on his face. “Mother.”

The servants swarmed around her, fixing her appearance and putting on her jeweled crown. Jiang Xi however, felt a chill run through her as she stared at him. “Mother?”

Lan Ji frowned slightly. “Is there something wrong, Mother?”

Jiang Xi paused, realizing she’d slipped. She forced a smile and said jokingly, “You spend all day trying my patience, and now you want to call me that?”

Lan Ji chuckled: “What did I do to make you angry?”

“Oh, plenty.” Jiang Xi said abruptly. “After all these years, you’re still unmarried despite being the Sea Emperor. I may not be in a rush, but I certainly worry.”

“I knew it.” Lan Ji said, shaking his head with a grin. “There’s no need to rush, Mother. After Father passed, as the crown prince I had to mourn for a hundred years and shoulder all the affairs of the sea. Romance had to wait. But now that the seas are peaceful and our clan is stable, my ministers have been pestering me every day about finding a consort—I’m sick of hearing it. So I figured, during this banquet where all the clans are gathered, I’ll settle the matter once and for all and ease your mind.”

Jiang Xi stiffened, staring at him in disbelief. “What did you say?”

Lan Ji said, “To be honest, tonight at the banquet, I’ll officially announce my selection for Empress. Since I’ve never taken a consort, nor had a long-time lover, I will choose the most outstanding daughter from each clan to become my Empress. Whoever becomes my Empress will be worthy of the title.” He smiled warmly and said affectionately: “So Mother, can you finally rest easy now?”