Chapter 113: Investigating the Bedroom

Tao Ming had already planned this. No matter how strong a person is, their energy is limited. Since they intended to collaborate closely with the Qin and Su families in the future, it was only natural to enhance their strength as well.

Glancing at the living room furnished with only a tea table, Tao Ming said, “Training is fine, but let’s discuss the situation here first. Did you bring any chairs or similar items?”

Several nodded.

“Alright then, you all rest here for now. Mr. Wen, come with me. I recall there’s a room upstairs with a bed where the matriarch can sleep comfortably.”

“Su Ran, you come along too. Help watch over Ruan Ruan and Nuo Nuo so they won’t be scared if they wake up and can’t find anyone.”

Su Ran and Wen Youfang followed Tao Ming upstairs. After settling Wen Youfang and his mother, Tao Ming took Su Ran to the master bedroom. Seeing the two little ones still asleep, she pointed to the spirit-gathering formation on the floor and said, “Su Ran, you can train here for a while. If they wake up, keep them company.”

Su Ran stretched out his hand. “Sister-in-law, there’s barely any time. No need to train. Give me the toys they were playing with earlier; I want to study them.”

Tao Ming smiled. “You like these kinds of things?”

Su Ran replied sheepishly, “Just curious about new stuff.”

Tao Ming handed over the toys and reminded Su Ran to keep a close eye on the two little ones before heading back downstairs to the living room.

Seeing them already seated, eating and drinking, Tao Ming walked over, drank a glass of water, and said, “I plan to explore that bedroom with Nanxing. You all stay here and be ready to fight if necessary.”

Qin Yunjue set down his teacup and advised, “Mingming, if you think it’s dangerous, then don’t go.”

Tao Ming recounted Ling Fei’s earlier behavior to them and concluded, “I also intend to visit the Elders’ Hall.”

Qin Yunjue turned to Su Nanxing. “Brother-in-law, you should at least try to stop her.”

Su Nanxing smiled. “Let her do whatever she wants.”

...

Elder Ling Qing returned to the Elders’ Hall and ordered Ling Qian to guard the door. Alone, he entered the bedroom, sat at the desk, and took out an object to place on the table.

The object consisted of two parts: a round jade stone on top and a stand below. It looked like an ordinary ornament.

Ling Qing eagerly activated his cultivation technique, and the jade stone gradually lit up. On its surface, an image appeared—Tao Ming sitting by the bed.

The picture only showed the top of Tao Ming’s head; Ruan Ruan was sleeping peacefully beside her.

Tao Ming moved slightly, then picked up Ruan Ruan and left the bedroom. Ling Qing was puzzled. Could she have discovered them?

That shouldn’t be. The news from the imperial city said Tao Ming was very young and weak. How could she have found out?

Most likely, someone else had come in—just a coincidence.

Ling Qing stared at the jade stone for a long time before the image reappeared.

Su Nanxing was carrying Tao Ming into the bedroom, gently placing her on the bed. Ling Qing’s eyes gleamed as he carefully studied Tao Ming’s appearance, his breath growing rapid.

Then Su Nanxing lay down beside Tao Ming. They spoke quietly; Tao Ming smiled seductively, captivatingly. Su Nanxing bent down and kissed her.

Ling Qing fixed his gaze on the back of Su Nanxing’s head, wishing he could pull him away and take his place. Patiently, he waited for more to unfold, but soon the image blurred like a ripple in water.

Ling Qing’s heart tightened. They had indeed been discovered. He quickly formed a hand seal to sever the connection, and the image vanished.

Back to the moment when Su Nanxing carried Tao Ming into the bedroom.

Su Nanxing gently placed Tao Ming on the bed and asked tenderly, “Wife, what do you plan to do?”

Tao Ming tried to smile alluringly. “Water is an all-permeating substance. When in small amounts, it’s difficult to detect. My water control is much stronger now. I intend to use water to investigate this room.”

Su Nanxing lightly pecked Tao Ming’s lips. “Actually, I could do the investigating too.”

“Your starlight technique is too conspicuous.”

Su Nanxing replied, “Alright, I’ll listen to you,” continuing to gently kiss Tao Ming’s face.

Tao Ming closed her eyes, stretched her right arm from beneath Su Nanxing, resting her hand casually on the bed’s edge. Thin streams of water emerged from her fingertips, flowing along the sheets to the floor.

She carefully guided the water to search the entire bedroom. The walls showed no issues. Inside the wardrobe were two old garments, their age unknown.

The dressing table was empty. Hmm, near a wooden leg against the wall lay a teardrop-shaped earring.

That strange object didn’t seem like a punishment tool; there was no trace of blood, only a faint scent of cosmetics. Could it be a holder for makeup?

In the corner stood a small door leading to a bathing room with a tub and a chamber pot. It appeared to be a cleansing room.

Tao Ming opened her eyes and whispered, “Strange, I’ve searched the walls and furniture but found nothing.”

“Did you check the ceiling?”

Upon hearing this, Tao Ming closed her eyes again, guiding the water to examine the ceiling. Approaching the top of the bed canopy, she sensed a faint spiritual fluctuation. Following the energy, she discovered a formation inside the canopy and immediately tried to destroy it with the water flow.

Before Tao Ming could act, the formation self-destructed.

Somewhat annoyed, Tao Ming opened her eyes. “Hubby, I just found it, but it self-destructed.”

“Where?”

Tao Ming pointed to the bed canopy. “Right here. Seems like this person is a pervert! Those former saintesses must have been watched all the time.”

Su Nanxing tore down the bed canopy and inspected it closely. “This is a spying formation, very convenient for gathering intelligence. Many people along the Weishui River set these up. But this person’s skill is poor; this spying formation can only capture simple images.”

Tao Ming thought to herself that she really needed to study formations with Su Nanxing, lest she be helpless in similar situations in the future.

“Hubby, can you tell who placed this?”

Su Nanxing shook his head. “Hard to say. This kind of formation is simple to set up. But I suspect Ling Qing.”

Tao Ming was surprised. “Ling Qing? Why would he spy on a saintess?”

Su Nanxing threw the canopy aside and held Tao Ming. “As a man, I understand men better than you do. Today, the way Ling Qing looked at you was like a starving wolf seeing meat—he probably wanted to devour you on the spot.”

Tao Ming found it hard to believe. “How come I didn’t feel it? Maybe it’s just your imagination. You can’t just say someone’s interested in me because they look at me a bit longer.”

Su Nanxing kissed Tao Ming fiercely before saying, “Do you even realize how charming you are right now?”

Tao Ming touched her face. “Honestly, I still don’t see myself as beautiful. But even if I became pretty, not every man would fancy me, right? I’m not that narcissistic.”

Su Nanxing lifted Tao Ming onto his lap. “You have no confidence at all? Remember when we first met, several men at your company were interested in you. Didn’t you know?”

“No way. I had nothing back then. Were they blind?”

“Wife, why would I lie? Luckily, I acted fast and decisively to marry you. Those guys never stood a chance.”

Tao Ming shook her head. “You might think I’m perfect, but others don’t. Take that one guy at the company who always picked on me—he certainly didn’t have a good impression of me.”