The silver moon hung in the sky like a curved hook.
Its bright light poured down upon the ruined city of Qinghong.
The Snake-People Tribe had already begun relocating their main camp. They planned to build a new city of their own deep within the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
Human cities, though prosperous, were not suited for the serpentine race to live in.
Of course, the main forces of the tribe still remained stationed around several human-populated cities, guarding nearby towns.
Within Qinghong City, though the injuries of the two sisters were still severe, they could already move about. Queen Medusa and Die had started living separately.
That was Medusa's idea.
Firstly, she feared that once that shameless Chen Mo returned, if his lust got the better of him, he might end up "taking" both sisters at once.
Where would she even cry about that?
And secondly—
"Ah—hss!"
The needle pierced Queen Medusa's fingertip again, and she let out a soft gasp of pain.
On the luxurious bed, Queen Medusa reclined gracefully, dressed in a lavish purple robe. Beneath the silk, her voluptuous body was full and curvaceous—like a ripe peach at the peak of maturity.
Her beauty had already reached the level of demonic allure. Yet now, those narrow lavender eyes of hers shimmered faintly with pain.
In her left hand, she held a small fragrance pouch. Embroidered on it was an awkward-looking pattern of mandarin ducks—so poorly stitched it was almost painful to look at. In her right hand, she held a needle threaded with red silk, slowly stitching one thread at a time.
Beside the bed stood a snake-woman dressed like a middle-aged maid. If Die were here, she would have immediately recognized her as Hua She'er's third aunt.
Seeing the Queen prick her finger again, the snake-woman couldn't help but remind her, "Your Majesty, with needlework, the heart must be calm and the hand steady. You mustn't rush. Take it slowly."
Queen Medusa had already heard that advice at least ten times. It always went in one ear and out the other.
"The Queen understands," Medusa replied flatly.
Hua She'er's aunt sighed softly in her heart. There was no real secret technique to needlework—it simply took patience and practice. Once your hand steadied and your heart calmed, the needle would naturally follow.
But clearly, the Queen wasn't listening.
As expected, less than an hour later, Medusa pricked her finger again—this time deeper than before. Blood welled up and dripped onto the fragrance pouch.
"Ah!"
Medusa panicked. The pouch was white, so the crimson blood immediately stood out. In reflex, she tried to wipe it off—but that only smeared the stain wider.
Now the pouch bore a splattered trail of blood, and the awkward "ducks" looked even worse. There was no saving it.
Her expression dimmed. This pouch had been her painstaking effort over several days, and now it was ruined.
Seeing how much the Queen cared about it—even ignoring her bleeding finger—Hua She'er's aunt couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty, allow me to mend it for you."
"It can still be mended?" Medusa blinked, glancing up.
"Yes. We can embroider some flower patterns over the bloodstains to cover them."
"It can be done like that…" Medusa murmured, her eyes lighting up slightly. "No need. The Queen shall do it herself. It's late—go rest."
The snake-woman wanted to insist but, having spent these days in the Queen's company, she already knew Her Majesty's temperament. She sighed and bowed respectfully. "This subordinate will take her leave."
Medusa nodded, and just as the maid turned to go, she added coldly, "No one else is to know of this. Only you and this Queen."
"This subordinate understands."
Chen Mo's existence was an open secret among the snake-people.
Everyone knew his relationship with the Queen—and with the Princess—was far from ordinary. But no one dared to bring it up aloud.
When Chen Mo swaggered into the city, he was immediately noticed by the patrol guards. Upon recognizing him, however, they simply nodded and went about their duties.
Most of the lights in the City Lord's Mansion were already out. Only Queen Medusa's chambers were still illuminated.
Seeing this, Chen Mo gestured to Yue Nu and the other patrols nearby not to disturb the Queen, and quietly made his way to her room.
As he walked, he sniffed at his robe. The faint scent of Ya Fei's perfume had long since been carried away by the wind during his journey. Satisfied, he finally knocked on the Queen's door.
Knock, knock—
But as soon as his knuckles touched the door, Chen Mo froze.
Why was he even knocking? Since when did he need to be polite with Medusa? That was a bad habit he'd picked up from Nalan Mansion.
He promptly pushed the door open and walked right in.
The moment he shut it behind him, his eyes landed on the small candle glowing beside the Queen's bed.
He stepped closer.
On the soft bed, Queen Medusa, still in her violet robe, jolted in surprise when she saw him. Her hand shook, and the needle stabbed deep into her finger again, a drop of crimson welling up.
Panicking, she quickly hid the object in her hand into her spatial ring and glared at him, her cold voice trembling slightly. "Why are you back?"
Chen Mo's eyes ran over her form.
Her ink-black hair cascaded over her fragrant shoulders, her stunningly beautiful face tinged with faint redness and panic—like a lotus blooming in clear water, radiant yet dignified.
Used to her frosty demeanor, Chen Mo merely smiled as he approached. "What's wrong, my Queen? Not happy to see me?"
The panic faded from Medusa's face, replaced by icy fury. Her amethyst eyes glinted dangerously. "Oh, so you do remember to come back? Why didn't you just die in that vixen's bed instead?"
Ignoring her venomous tone, Chen Mo's gaze lingered on her bleeding finger. He sat down beside her, caught her hand, and—under her startled gaze—brought it to his lips.
"Y-you… you dare?!" Queen Medusa's icy face turned crimson with embarrassment.
After sucking away the blood and ensuring the wound stopped bleeding, Chen Mo released her hand and, without paying her insults any mind, removed his outer robe and shoes before climbing into bed.
He lifted the blanket and slid in beside her.
Medusa immediately shifted inward to avoid him, but Chen Mo's arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her close. His hand brushed against her thigh beneath the silk robe as he teased,"My Queen, what were you hiding just now? And where's little Die?"
Flustered, Medusa's composure nearly crumbled. Trying to deflect the question, she said stiffly, "Let go of this Queen! You are far too bold!"
Chen Mo chuckled. "My Queen… you really are the most disobedient little treasure."
He caught her left hand again, smirking as he inspected it."My Queen, why are there so many little needle marks on this hand of yours?"
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