Help! The Villainess Trapped in the Beast World's Drama!-Chapter 451 - 440: Triumphant Return of the Army

The newly constructed Imperial Palace is magnificent and stunning, yet most of the halls remain empty, with no time to furnish them.

Only Haiqing Hall, where Jia Lan resides, stands out uniquely, with the waterway opened in advance.

Leaving from the back door of the sleeping quarter, if you walk down a serene path paved with cobblestones, you’ll see a stream flowing into an outdoor bath, surrounded by layers of stacked stones, with white wildflowers dotting the lawn, swaying in the wind.

The pool bottom is scattered with crystal stones, jewels, coral, and shells, appearing and disappearing within the shimmering water.

More interestingly, some translucent tiny fish as thin as fingers swim freely between the turquoise waves.

Shen Tang took off her shoes and socks, sitting barefoot by the pool, her delicate white feet gently stirring the water.

The little fish, startled by her, scattered away, yet a few daring ones came close, circling around her ankles.

The cool touch brushed against her skin, making her squint her eyes comfortably, "Where did these little fish come from? Did you specially bring them from the sea?"

"Yes, these are Yingdie Fish," Jia Lan said as he unbuttoned his clothing, under the sunlight, the outline of the young man’s tall and exquisite body was mesmerizing, "Keeping them in the pool keeps the water clean, and they help clear away impurities when bathing."

As he stepped into the water, his brown hair instantly turned golden, with the silhouette of an elongated azure tail appearing beneath the surface.

The ripples danced as he tilted his jade-like face upward, staring intently at the woman on the shore. His crimson lips curled slightly, brows and eyes carrying a charming allure.

Shen Tang was lost in thought, suddenly feeling a chill on her calf— that shimmering pearly fish tail teasingly brushed against her soles, stirring a series of tiny water splashes.

Conveying a sense of playful provocation.

Shen Tang’s body quivered with numbness, a faint blush rising on her cheeks.

She flicked her toes, water splashing onto Jia Lan’s face with a "splash," "Stop it~"

She chuckled softly and shrank back, "It tickles."

"Come down here." The young man’s voice carried a slight hoarseness. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Shen Tang pretended to lean on the edge, using her fingertips to slowly slide the strap down, "No way, I’m just here for a bath, don’t expect to do anything bad to me~"

Despite her words of refusal, her slow, enticing movements gradually revealed snowy, delicate skin, with graceful curves that made one’s blood race.

Jia Lan stared intently at her body, his breath growing heavy, his Adam’s apple moving uncomfortably dry. Underwater, his tail already tensed, scales slightly flared.

"Splash——!"

Suddenly a tail swept across, causing Shen Tang to cry out in surprise as she was pulled into the water. A huge wave slapped onto the pool edge, splattering nearby flowers and grass that quivered in response, crystalline drops rolling off the leaves.

Jia Lan pressed her against the poolside, restraining his agitation, first scooping up clear water to wash away the soot on her face. When soap bubbles were spread across her body, the force felt as though it might scrub away a layer of skin.

"Pfft~" Shen Tang couldn’t help but laugh at his awkwardness of feeling "disgusted but wanting to eat." She retaliated by biting his neck, "Disgusted yet you still touch?"

"I’m doing it for your own good." Jia Lan’s eyes darkened, his long, jade-like fingers covered in snowy foam gently raising her face, leaning down to kiss her tender, rosy lips.

Their warm breaths intertwined like silk threads, difficult to unravel.

Jia Lan’s lips moved gently against hers, as if savoring the sweetest honey, longing to devour her whole, yet restrained from using too much force, afraid of harming this precious treasure.

Soon, Shen Tang was no longer smiling, her hands clinging tightly around his shoulders, fingertips leaving faint traces on the man’s back.

Jia Lan’s fingers, long and clean, patiently and gently scrubbing every inch of her skin, missing not a single spot.

All clean.

Only then could he eat with reassurance, eat to his heart’s content.

Their breaths growing increasingly chaotic, the waves lapping, rippling.

The water in the pool was too clear and pristine.

Shen Tang buried herself in his embrace, daring not to look down.

"Now, it’s your turn to help me." Jia Lan slightly backed away, his thin lips brushing her earlobe, his voice raspy, slightly off-key, "Make sure every scale... is cleaned thoroughly."

Shen Tang was held by him in a deep kiss, dizzy as though caught in a wave.

She was unable to move, her fingers slowly sliding down the youth’s tense spine, following the curve of his lower back, arriving at the lean, sensual waistline, evidently sensing him tremble all over.

The waist was densely covered with soft, thin scales; in mermaid form, it’s even more sensitive.

Amidst the shimmering water, the elongated, muscular tail glowed with a pearlescent sheen, so beautiful it was hard to look away.

Shen Tang splashed water, helping him clean his tail. Soon, she felt an unusual spot.

Shen Tang’s fingertip trembled, her face blushing even deeper. She hadn’t noticed before, turns out it’s from here...

"Mm~" Jia Lan groaned lowly, his tail swished abruptly, splashing large waves.

His eyes darkened like a stormy sea, unable to hold back the burgeoning emotion, he pressed the female down at the poolside.

The commotion by the pool grew more intense, as the ripples and tiny sounds gradually blended into one...

They slept until the next evening.

When Shen Tang awoke, she was in the palace.

The bed was covered with soft bedding, feeling much like silk, likely fabric unique to the Mermaid Clan.

The hall had been furnished at some unknown point, coral lamps casting warm glows, shell wind chimes sounding gently by the window in the breeze, everywhere exuding the unique intricacy and warmth of the underwater clan.

Jia Lan heard her and approached, kissing her lips lightly, smiling contentedly, "Hungry, aren’t you? I’ll go make you some seafood noodles."

Shen Tang rubbed her rumbling stomach, nodding repeatedly.

As soon as dinner was over, Lu Xiao’s message arrived — by noon tomorrow, the troops shall return victorious.

This was indeed a great victory, naturally deserving a hearty celebration.

At the crack of dawn, Shen Tang personally waited at the city gates, holding a banquet and wine feast, to reward the three armies’ soldiers.

From afar, she saw the Golden Eagle carrying a half-dead figure on its back. As it swooped down to the ground, Shen Tang approached to find it was none other than Xiao Jin!

If covered by a white cloth over him, he could be mistaken for a corpse delivery!

Shen Tang was deeply shocked, pouncing over Xiao Jin, tears reddening her eyes, "You stupid leopard, wake up!"

She trembled as she stretched out her hand, probing for breath under the man’s nose, and the next second, she was caught and wrapped by a warm, rough big hand.

She raised her eyes to meet those deep, elongated golden eyes, carrying a hint of teasing smile. Xiao Jin was pressed against his wound, gasping painfully before speaking fondly, "My little ancestor, be gentle! You’re really going to hurt me to death!"

Lu Xiao suppressed his laughter, "Female Master, he is just quite severely injured, unable to travel, so I’ve brought him back."

"Where is he injured?" Shen Tang hurriedly got off him, reaching out to examine the wound.

Xiao Jin smirked lightly, speaking in an easygoing tone, "No big deal, just broke a dozen bones! I managed to kill three Peak of Ninth Rank generals!"

Shen Tang felt both pained and exasperated, laughing and crying; she pinched his waist lightly, "Enough bragging, hurry and come down, I’ll heal you."

Xiao Jin immediately grabbed her hand, rubbing his face humbly, "No way! So many people watching, my... my wounds are in rather discreet areas, how could a yellow-flower male like me be seen by others? I have my pride, you must take me to your room for personal treatment, no outsiders allowed."

Seeing Xiao Jin acting this way, Shen Tang knew he hadn’t injured anything vital, lowering her worries, "Alright, then it’s hard work for Ah Xiao, you take Ah Jin home to tend to his wounds, and I’ll personally heal him."

Jia Lan reminded, "By the way, there’s another thing to tell you, the old place got destroyed, I’ve already arranged the palace, from now on, we’ll live there."