Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
The South Sea is vast, and the Dragon Palace actually consists of three palaces. The main palace is where the Nanhai Dragon King resides, while the two side palaces belong to the Third Princess Ao Bi and the Eighth Prince Ao Yan, respectively. The Old Dragon King has four sons, each of whom has two children after starting their own families. Ao Bi is the only princess, ranked third among her cousins, and she and Ao Yan are siblings, with Ao Yan being the youngest. Other cousins and their parents serve in the Heavenly Court or reside in other waters.
As Lin Qingmo passed by the side palace of the Third Princess Ao Bi, he happened to encounter her. Ao Bi was carrying a bow and a quiver filled with arrows. Dressed in a bright orange blouse with flared sleeves and a short skirt tied around her waist, she wore long orange pants with flared hems adorned with golden threads. Although it was a delicate outfit, it suited her well, giving her an air of grace and confidence.
Noticing Lin Qingmo looking at her timidly, she raised her chin and walked around him, following the Azure Water Golden Eye Beast. Her oval face was beautiful, with a high nose that gave her a resolute appearance. Her large yellow eyes scanned Lin Qingmo seriously. After a moment, she revealed a bright smile, showing her white teeth as she cheerfully said to him, “That day when I wore my veil, I didn’t see you clearly. Now that I see you today, you are indeed quite pleasing to the eye—much better than that Plum Blossom Fairy. You’re heading to see grandfather, right? Tell him I have matters to attend to today and won’t be going.”
Ao Yan asked, “Sister, where are you going?”
Ao Bi patted her bow and arrows with a hint of tenderness on her face. “I’m going to find Xiao Lang to practice archery.”
Ao Yan hesitated for a moment before saying, “Xiao Lang didn’t come to my wedding; you shouldn’t go looking for him.” Only Ao Bi understood his meaning. She proudly tossed her head back and didn’t mind Lin Qingmo being there as she laughed, “Just because he doesn’t like me now doesn’t mean he won’t like me in the future. I’ll be off now.” With that, she turned and left.
Xi'er sighed dramatically as if deep in thought: “Red beans grow in the southern land; spring brings forth a few branches. I urge you to gather them more; this thing is most reminiscent of longing. Ask the world what love is; it makes one willing to give life or death.” After saying this, it nuzzled against Lin Qingmo affectionately.
Since marrying, Lin Qingmo had not seen anyone from the Ao family except for Ao Yan. According to Ao Yan, their parents returned to their own waters the day after their wedding.
The Dragon Palace where the Old Dragon King resided was even larger than Ao Yan’s side palace. Entering through the main gate led into a grove of corals where colorful fish swam about. Several winding paths meandered through the area, with white pearls scattered across the emerald green ground—some large, some small—each one plump, round, and smooth. However, the Clam Spirit maids passing by paid no attention to them; some even kicked them aside as if they were an obstruction.
Lin Qingmo found this curious and asked Ao Yan, “If I remember correctly, these pearls are identical to the one you used to treat my illness. You said they were precious and insisted on extracting it from my mouth. But why do these maids not even glance at them and kick them aside instead?”
Ao Yan chuckled awkwardly and thought for a moment before replying, “These pearls are tears from mermaids; they are slightly inferior to those produced inside Bivalve Shells. Mermaids are delicate creatures; sometimes when they get a little hurt—regardless of age or gender—they shed tears that turn into pearls when they cry. The one used to treat your illness is different from these; these are merely decorative.” He reflected on Lin Qingmo’s words and felt sweetly nostalgic before adding, “That was such a long time ago; we were both so young then. I didn’t expect you to remember it so clearly.”
Lin Qingmo blushed but dared not mention that what he remembered most clearly was how he thought he resembled pork belly.
Upon reaching the main hall, Ao Yan and Lin Qingmo dismounted from the Azure Water Golden Eye Beast while Shrimp Soldiers and Crab Generals led it to the back hall. The music in the main hall was melodious; two bands led by merfolk played various instruments beautifully. The Old Dragon King sat on his dragon throne with one hand supporting his head while he closed his eyes in rest—he might have even fallen asleep.
The music played softly and lazily like soothing incense. Upon hearing footsteps, he slowly opened his eyes and immediately perked up upon seeing Ao Yan. Sitting up straight, he waved his hand: “Good grandson, come here.”
The Old Dragon King had a long white beard but showed no signs of aging; he had dragon horns on either side of his forehead and large yellow eyes that resembled Ao Yan’s perfectly. The Turtle Prime Minister timely brought over two round stools—one beside Ao Yan and one behind Lin Qingmo. When Lin Qingmo caught sight of the Turtle Prime Minister, childhood memories flooded back to him as he stammered out: “Turtle... turtle... turtle…”
The Turtle Prime Minister bowed respectfully: “Old minister greets the Crown Princess.” His address made Lin Qingmo’s face turn crimson as he didn’t know how to respond; he could only lower his head and sit on the stool.
Lin Qingmo perched half on the stool with her head down, feet neatly together and hands resting on her knees—she looked just like a little bride. The Dragon King stroked his beard with a smile in his squinting eyes as he nodded in satisfaction before turning serious again as he looked at Ao Yan reproachfully: “It seems your wife is more likable than your grandfather; now that you have a wife, you’ve forgotten all about me! If it weren’t for me calling you here this time, who knows when I would get to see you again.”
“Grandfather—” Ao Yan felt somewhat embarrassed as he grabbed the Old Dragon King’s hand and shook it vigorously while playfully protesting against further comments from him. The Dragon King was shaken left and right as he repeatedly said: “Alright alright! I won’t say anything more.” He patted Ao Yan’s hand before turning to Lin Qingmo: “Granddaughter-in-law.”
Lin Qingmo sat quietly for a while before realizing that he was addressing her; she suddenly exclaimed “Ah!” raising her head to look at the Old Dragon King before quickly lowering it again.
“Granddaughter-in-law,” said the Dragon King with warmth in his voice. “I have a small gift for you.” With that, he took out a prepared gift from his sleeve—a carved sandalwood box—and handed it to Lin Qingmo.
Lin Qingmo murmured her thanks as she accepted it.
The Dragon King continued: “This is an Elixir of Immortality sent by Xi Wang Mother. Although you are mortal without celestial roots, once you take it, you will share longevity with immortals and endure as long as heaven and earth.” He patted Ao Yan’s hand again before asking: “Where’s Ao Bi?”
Ao Yan hesitated but eventually replied honestly: “She went off to find Xiao Lang.”
Upon hearing this, the Dragon King sighed deeply before smiling again: “Let her go play then! Staying here with this old man is indeed quite boring.”
Ao Yan tried to ingratiate himself: “We’ll stay with you for a bit longer.”
The Dragon King laughed heartily: “I know your little thoughts all too well! At just one year old you were already chasing after girls! You sneaked off only to be caught by your mother who spanked you...”
“Grandfather—” This time it was Ao Yan who turned red-faced; having been exposed made him too embarrassed to stay any longer as he pulled Lin Qingmo along while half-dragging her away.
This gift truly touched Ao Yan’s heart deeply. With Lin Qingmo granted immortality, he could remain by her side forever. Those connected with him in this mortal realm would not withstand time's passage; this life they shared would become strangers in another life. In his long existence ahead, figures like Lin Xiao or Ge Xiaohua would merely be fleeting visitors—none would matter in future lives filled with new people and new experiences. Ultimately, Lin Qingmo belonged entirely to him—how could Ao Yan not be happy?
When Lin Qingmo heard "Elixir of Immortality," she was taken aback; she too felt stunned by its implications—that life without end meant sharing existence until all things perished together into eternity while others experienced cycles of rebirths filled with forgetfulness about their past lives.
Two individuals harboring different thoughts yet traveling along similar paths towards distinct ends.
Seeing both lost in contemplation again made Xi'er restless once more—it began playfully nudging at Lin Qingmo's chest with its wings but found its soft feathers lacked strength against clothing so Lin Qingmo hardly noticed until suddenly Ao Yan called out: "Wife."
Startled back into reality by his voice made Xi'er retract its wings quickly while its heart raced nervously at being caught off guard again. Noticing that Lin Qingmo hadn’t responded yet again prompted Ao Yan’s second call: "Wife." He shook her gently asking: "What are you thinking about?"
Lin Qingmo snapped back from her reverie after pausing briefly replied: "Nothing much."
Ao Yan immersed still within joy didn’t take offense at all saying: "Wife! Would you like me to take you out onto the sea for some fun?"
Upon hearing this suggestion ignited excitement within Lin Qingmo causing her eyes to widen as she turned towards him exclaiming: "Really?"
He playfully pinched her nose responding affirmatively: "Really."
Xi'er feeling left out gave one last frustrated nudge against Lin Qingmo's chest before ending its brief escapade.
Ao Yan returned to his side palace retrieving a round object resembling an embroidered ball before leaping onto the surface of water effortlessly riding atop waves alongside Lin Qingmo who hadn’t been above sea level for some time now found herself squinting against bright sunlight shielding herself with sleeves initially feeling overwhelmed until soon enough salty sea breeze invigorated every part of her being bringing forth life anew.
Beneath ocean depths existed cycles of dawns followed by dusks too—the sun shone brightly upon them casting reflections across water resembling boiling soup broth making Lin Qingmo feel akin emerging from damp darkened ancient wells overgrown with moss where sky met earth revealing vibrant beauty never seen before—the vastness surrounding them appeared endless stretching far beyond sight into horizons filled solely by seas themselves.
Ao Yan felt a bit disappointed. Lin Qingmo had never smiled like this in front of him, especially not in the Dragon Palace. However, he pushed aside his disappointment and called out loudly, “Xi'er, catch the ball!”
Xi'er flapped its wings and flew low over the surface of the sea, its claws tapping lightly on the rising waves as it shouted back, “Coming! Coming! Pass the ball!” Ao Yan tossed the ball to it. Xi'er nudged it with its small head, sending the silvery sphere into the air before it fell back down like a large droplet of water, splashing onto the sea and bouncing back up towards Lin Qingmo's arms. The ball slipped left and right in Lin Qingmo's embrace; he couldn't hold on tight enough and it fell back into the water. The Azure Water Golden Eye Beast aimed at the ball and blew gently, sending it soaring back into Lin Qingmo's grasp.
“Throw it over!” Xi'er called from a distance, its little claws tapping on the water's surface as it spread its wings in preparation to catch. Lin Qingmo smiled at Ao Yan and threw the ball over. Xi'er kicked it back with its paws, but with a mischievous intent; the ball bounced off the water and veered off to one side. Lin Qingmo couldn't help but shout, “Hurry up and catch it!” The Azure Water Golden Eye Beast leaped forward, while Lin Qingmo slapped the ball back towards Xi'er.
“Blow a breeze,” Ao Yan whispered. Upon hearing this, the Azure Water Golden Eye Beast quietly blew a gentle gust, causing the ball to veer off course. Xi'er was caught off guard; seeing the ball drift away, it hurriedly stumbled after it, tumbling headfirst into the water. Yet at the last moment, it flapped its wings and managed to send the ball back.
Then Xi'er quickly scrambled up, ignoring its wet upper body that resembled a “bald chicken.” Suddenly, it spread its tail wide open, displaying countless blue eyes that reflected sunlight towards Lin Qingmo. The glare was so bright that Lin Qingmo squinted and missed catching the ball. Xi'er proudly shook off the clumps of feathers on its body, celebrating its victory.
Summer was not yet over; the sun was still blazing hot. After playing for a while longer, both sides were drenched in sweat. Suddenly, Xi'er dashed into Lin Qingmo's arms, clutching his collar with its tiny paws, feeling limp and weak as it complained, “I feel so dizzy! Qingmo, let me lean on you. So dizzy, so dizzy!”
Ao Yan grabbed Xi'er's paws and turned it upside down. “Let’s go cool off in the sea together; you won’t feel dizzy then. It’s better than rubbing against someone’s chest.”
Xi'er shrank its neck in annoyance. But upon hearing about going for a swim, Lin Qingmo was overjoyed. In the Dragon Palace beneath the sea, although he was surrounded by water, breathing felt just like being on land. Being able to truly touch the seawater was something he longed for. He stripped down to just his shorts, revealing his bony frame. Both Ao Yan and Xi'er watched him intently.
Xi'er wriggled free from Ao Yan's grasp and splashed into the sea with a splash beside Lin Qingmo, swimming around him while its paws playfully brushed against Lin Qingmo's back, chest, and waist beneath the water’s surface. “Hahaha—” Xi'er laughed wildly as it took full advantage of the situation.
Ao Yan also stripped down and jumped in after them. Suddenly, Lin Qingmo splashed water at him; by the time Ao Yan reacted and splashed back at him, they were both laughing and shouting while Xi'er took advantage of their distraction to sneak in some playful nudges. They played until sunset before finally cleaning up and heading back to the Dragon Palace together.
Comment 0 Comment Count