Hearing Xue Ke's words, Su Bai immediately kissed her back.
As they kissed, Su Bai couldn't help but explore Xue Ke's body with his hands.
Xue Ke's face turned rosy as she struggled to cope with Su Bai's touch.
"Su Bai, was it Tang Yuehua and the others who told you?" Xue Ke asked.
Su Bai nodded and then bit Xue Ke's ear.
Xue Ke's face turned crimson.
"Mm~"
Xue Ke licked her lips, feeling a burning sensation inside her.
"Ke'er, did you miss me?" Su Bai whispered in Xue Ke's ear.
Xue Ke clung to Su Bai, her body writhing. "Yes, Xue Ke thinks about you every day, Su Bai. Ah, be gentle~"
Su Bai's hands were already exploring her delicate body.
Xue Ke could barely stand it, hanging onto Su Bai.
However, Su Bai did not stop; instead, he became more forceful.
Eventually, Xue Ke went limp.
Seizing the opportunity, Su Bai bit Xue Ke again.
"Ying~ Ying~"
Xue Ke's legs kept tightening and twisting, clearly unable to bear it.
Her entire body emitted an enticing pink aura.
But Su Bai knew he was here for business, so he lifted his lips and asked, "Where is Xue Ye? I want to see him."
Xue Ke reluctantly sought Su Bai's lips, "Su Bai, I want..."
Su Bai stroked Xue Ke's face. "Be good, I'll satisfy you tonight. For now, take me to see Xue Ye."
Xue Ke opened her dreamy eyes, "Will you stay in the palace tonight?"
Su Bai tapped Xue Ke's cute nose. "That depends on whether you can keep me."
"Don't go," Xue Ke immediately hugged Su Bai tightly, burying her head in his chest. "Let me serve you well..."
"Silly girl," Su Bai patted Xue Ke's head. "Don't worry, I'll stay with you tonight."
"Mm-hmm!"
With Su Bai's promise, Xue Ke nodded happily.
Seeing Xue Ke's spirits lifted, Su Bai reminded her, "Alright, should you take me to see your father now?"
"Mm~"
Xue Ke nodded.
She tried to stand but found her legs still numb.
"Carry me..." Xue Ke wrapped her arms around Su Bai's neck, speaking coyly, "I can't walk."
Su Bai scooped Xue Ke up in a princess carry, lifting her effortlessly.
Xue Ke's smile was radiant as she rested in Su Bai's arms.
Following Xue Ke's lead, Su Bai arrived at the palace where Xue Ye was temporarily staying.
This was a side hall for the convenience of the imperial physicians.
At the entrance, Su Bai set Xue Ke down.
Xue Ke bounced into the hall, "Father, look who's here?"
"Who is it that makes you so happy? Cough, cough..."
Xue Ye's voice came through, weak and frail. Hearing the once-mighty emperor now so feeble, Su Bai felt a pang of sorrow.
He stepped inside slowly.
"It's me."
The hall was empty except for Xue Ye's bed and tall curtains.
"Su Bai is here..."
Hearing Su Bai's voice, Xue Ye seemed slightly uplifted.
He raised his hand weakly. "Forgive me for not being able to sit up..."
Su Bai shook his head, "No matter. Focus on recovering."
Seeing Su Bai's face, a hint of excitement appeared on Xue Ye's face.
"You finally came, finally came..." Xue Ye repeated.
Then he sighed deeply. "I know my body well..."
"I'm at my end..."
Hearing this, Xue Ke's eyes reddened instantly. "No, don't say that, you'll get better."
"Cough, cough... cough, cough, cough."
Xue Ye continued to cough, blood seeping from his mouth.
He slowly raised his hand. "Ke'er..."
Xue Ke immediately leaned her face into Xue Ye's hand. "Father, Ke'er is here."
Xue Ye lovingly stroked Xue Ke's face. "I must leave things to you. Will you blame me for abandoning you like this..."
"Don't go, please don't go!" Xue Ke couldn't hold back her tears.
Xue Ye turned to Su Bai. "Su Bai, Ke'er will be the future empress. Please help her as much as you can..."
Su Bai remained silent.
Seeing Xue Ye in such a state, he didn't want to upset him further.
"Xue Ye, I plan to expand the Dragon God Palace and establish the Dragon God Empire." Su Bai looked into Xue Ye's eyes. "If the Tian Dou Empire is willing to merge and become a subsidiary of the Dragon God Empire, I will ensure its prosperity."
Xue Ye was slightly taken aback.
"Dragon God Empire..." Xue Ye coughed again. "Su Bai, you continue to surprise me."
Su Bai shrugged. "It's a task from the divine trial. To ascend the godly ladder and gain a divine status, I must complete it."
"But isn't the influence of the Dragon God Palace enough?" Xue Ye sighed.
"I've told you, the divine trial requires the establishment of an empire," Su Bai explained. "If the Tian Dou Empire doesn't merge, I will sometimes be too busy to help."
Su Bai's words carried a veiled warning, but as friends, he felt it necessary to be clear.
"Hmm..."
Xue Ye sighed. "But then Ke'er will lose her throne..."
Su Bai sighed too. "It's not easy for me either. The new Dragon God Empire has many tasks, and I can't always focus on Tian Dou."
"Hmm..." Xue Ye was deeply conflicted.
"By the way, the Tian Dou Empire faces many threats..." Su Bai mentioned.
Xue Ye knew this too well but was powerless to change it now.
In his youth, he would have led his army to crush these threats.
But now, he was too weak.
Although Xue Ke could become empress without opposition, surrounding forces might not respect her.
This could endanger the Tian Dou Empire.
Without Su Bai, the empire might decline or even face annihilation.
Xue Ye closed his eyes in pain.
"Fine," he said, suppressing his urge to cough. "If you establish the Dragon God Empire, the Tian Dou Empire will join as a subsidiary."
Saying this, Xue Ye looked even more haggard.
Like a candle about to go out.
Su Bai took Xue Ye's hand. "Don't worry, with this decision, the Tian Dou Empire will thrive."
Xue Ye nodded weakly.
He had fought his whole life, only to see his empire needing to become a subsidiary to survive.
He felt bitterness and reluctance.
But for the empire's future, he had no choice.
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