207 Side Story: Matchmaking IV (1/2)
Immortal Lion of Fortitude He Zicheng and Immortal Crimson Eagle Qu Shen left each other alone and the city experienced an extended period of peace. Both sides focused on strengthening themselves and doing their best to capture the top spots in the competition.
Each Spirit King commanded many powerful cultivators and although many had been lost, there were more rising up the ranks and willing to step up for their lord. They were all talented and out of the top one hundred spots in the rankings, there were now more than a third occupied by members of both factions.
That number would have definitely been lower if Chen Wentian had not knocked out Divine Blazing Mountain and the Glacier Sect. Although He Zicheng and He Xinghan still hated Chen Wentian's guts, Qu Shen's opinion of the young immortal improved greatly. There were even rumors floating around of the Eagle Lord wishing to establish an alliance with him!
With only one month left, both factions mobilized for the final push. The city was buzzing with activity and everyone was committed to returning their sect to their rightful place, at the top of the sub-continent. All available disciples were directed to participate in missions and funnel points to disciples within in the top two hundred. The goal was to take over at least half of the rankings by the end.
Executive elder He Xingping also participated in these activities. His position oversaw all matters regarding to the hunting of meat and materials from wild beasts. He was now in charge of eight hunting elders. He was responsible for gathering intel on beast habitats, migration patterns, and where they could find the easiest and best prey.
His position was especially important as the disciples and top competitors all needed constant nourishment to keep on fighting. In fact, he had made great contributions in the past few months by far exceeding his capture and production targets. This made He Zicheng so pleased that the lord once again brought up an important matter, that of marriage.
He Xingping only had one wife, Qiu Jingyi, and never took a concubine. She had finally gotten pregnant and was about to give birth but the child was known to be a girl. If his wife could not bear him a son, then his line would end.
The daughter was pretty, talented, well mannered, and had a spotless reputation. It was by all factors an advantageous match for He Xingping. However, it was also the lord's concession to Ji Tiangu, who still complained to this day about the death of his most talented son. It was a compromise that allowed Ji Tiangu to control He Xingping's executive elder position through his granddaughter.
He Xingping could not come up with a good reason to reject this match and left the meeting in a bad mood. He was furious that both He Zicheng and Ji Tiangu had conspired to control him. He loved his wife dearly and it was a serious insult for lord to bring up a second marriage right as she was about to give birth.
He entered his manor and found Qiu Jingyi in the garden. She was heavily pregnant and lying on a soft, cushioned lounge chair, reading a book. She had no makeup on and her hair was a mess. She wore a loose and unflattering gown. Yet none of that matter because she looked incredibly beautiful. She had a glow about her that was unexplainable, it had to be the miracle of motherhood.
”Husband…” She looked up from her book and greeted him.
He sat down next to her and gave her a soft peck on her cheek, ”Hey, how was your day? How's the baby?”
She shook her head and gave him an unreadable expression, ”What about you, my lord husband, executive elder of the Beast God Sanctum?”
”Uhh… nothing?” He said, wondering what she meant by that.
She huffed and threw her book away. She glared at him as if accusing him of something.
”You don't have to tell me. I already know. Which noble young lady did they award you?” She asked
He Xingping sighed. He should have expected her to find out, she had her sources among other noble wives.
”It's Ji Mengluo, daughter of Ji Yewen. But they aren't pushing for an immediate engagement, there is still time.”
He glanced down and found that tears were already streaming down her face.
”Xiao Yi! No, I didn't mean it like that. I don't want to marry anyone. I'm happy just being with you!” He tried to explain but it was no use.
She turned away stubbornly and continued to cry. He felt her sorrow and his heart stung. This should have been her happiest time but she was once again being bullied. In her youth, she was bullied for being un-talented. After marriage, she was bullied for not bearing children. And now, she was still being bullied, this time because others thought she was too old for any more children.
He Xingping did not leave her crying for long as twenty years of instincts as a husband kicked in. He gathered his spiritual energy around her body and carefully lifted her off the chair.
”What… what are you doing?” She cried.
”Shhh… don't worry. Relax, shhh.” He said gently, while bringing her back to their bedroom, ”As you your lord and husband, I will show you just how much I love you.”
Her tears finally stopped as she realized what he wanted.
”Stop… I'm so huge and fat… stop, the baby's almost here!” She said bashfully.
He didn't stop and they were soon in their bedroom, the most intimate place they shared. He set her down at the center of the bed and quickly stripped off his clothes.
”Husband… I'm so ugly right now… you don't have to…”
He wasn't having any of it and quickly silenced her with a forceful kiss. Meanwhile, his hands roamed across her body and unbuttoned her nightgown. Her breasts were large and swollen. Her stomach and their daughter inside were almost fully grown. Her pregnant figure was fully revealed and it was a mesmerizing sight.