Chapter 62: Returning to Xia Family Manor

Their gazes locked, the intimacy of their shared night hanging heavy in the air. Sunlight, filtering through the willow branches, dappled their entwined bodies. Wang Li couldn't help but let out a low whistle.

"Damn, Matriarch Xia," he drawled, his voice rough with sleep and residual desire, "you are one seriously beautiful woman. And even after an entire night of banging you..." He trailed off, his eyes dropping pointedly to her still-flushed cheeks and swollen lips. "Let's just say I wouldn't mind another round."

Xia Bingling blushed a fiery red, the memory of their passionate encounter sending a jolt through her. "Wang Li!" she protested, her voice a strangled whisper. "Don't be ridiculous! We can't stay here all day. Qingwu must be wondering where we both disappeared to."

Wang Li sighed dramatically, though a playful glint lingered in his eyes. "Alright, alright," he conceded. "You're right. But listen," he continued, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "Once Liu Xue arrives, I need you to do me a favor."

Xia Bingling raised an eyebrow, a flicker of suspicion crossing her features. "A favor?" She echoed cautiously. "What kind of favor?"

"Send Qingwu away on a mission for a few days," Wang Li explained casually. "Doesn't matter what – spirit beast retrieval, rare herb gathering, anything that keeps her out of the manor for a while."

Xia Bingling narrowed her eyes. The implications of his request weren't lost on her. "You planning some... another intimate encounter, are you?" she inquired, her voice laced with a teasing touch.

Wang Li grinned, a hint of shamelessness in his expression. "Alright, I won't lie," he admitted. "Yeah, I am. Look, I know I'm a total scumbag for betraying Qingwu's trust, but..." He paused, his voice turning serious. "My Yin Yang Cultivation Ability allows me to significantly boost my cultivation after... well, you know. And Liu Xue, being a virgin..." He didn't need to finish the sentence.

The benefits were clear.

"And there's more," he continued, seeing the understanding, albeit conflicted, dawning in Xia Bingling's eyes. "Liu Xue is the Core Disciple of the Jade Lotus Palace, the personal disciple of the Palace Mistress herself.

If she, and by extension, the entire Jade Lotus Palace, publicly declares that the accusations about the Wang Family and demonic cultivators are a lie, the stain on our name could finally be cleared."

Xia Bingling listened intently, a thoughtful frown creasing her brow. She couldn't deny the logic in his plan. The potential benefits were immense, not just for him personally, but for the entire Wang Family. Yet, a pang of sympathy for her daughter tugged at her heart. Qingwu genuinely cared for Wang Li, and seeing her feelings betrayed like this truly hurt Xia Bingling.

"I see," she finally sighed. "You're playing the long game, huh? Thinking one step ahead. I have to hand it to you, Wang Li, that's impressive." A wry smile played on her lips. "Though, I still can't help but feel a little bad for Qingwu."

"Look," Wang Li said, his voice softening, "I care about Qingwu too, in my own way. But our situations are complicated, to say the least. Believe me, if there were another way..."

"No need to explain," Xia Bingling interrupted, sensing his sincerity. "I get it. Besides," she added with a sly smile, "who am I to judge after what just happened between us?"

Wang Li chuckled, the tension breaking slightly. He reached out and traced a lazy finger down her bare arm, sending a shiver down her spine. "You are kinda right, Matriarch Xia."

"There we go!" Wang Li whooped, a glint of admiration in his eyes. "That's the Matriarch Xia I know! But don't get too cocky now, or I might just have to pass you myself."

The playful banter continued throughout the flight, Wang Li's comments ranging from suggestive to downright ridiculous, each one causing a blush to rise on Xia Bingling's face. Yet, despite her outward annoyance, she found herself secretly enjoying their interactions.

Finally, after six long, yet strangely exhilarating hours, the familiar outline of the Xia Family Manor came into view. As they landed, Xia Qingwu rushed out to meet them, her face etched with worry.

"Mother! Li! Where have you both been?" Qingwu exclaimed, relief washing over her features as she saw them. "I woke up this morning and you both were gone. I was starting to get worried."

Wang Li, ever the quick thinker, put on a reassuring smile. "Ah, nothing serious, Qingwu," he said. "There was a minor issue in the northern Herbal Garden that needed immediate attention. Your mother, ever the dedicated Matriarch, volunteered to investigate it herself. Luckily, it was nothing serious and we were able to resolve it quickly."

Relief flooded Xia Qingwu's features. "Oh, thank goodness! I was starting to worry something terrible had happened." She then turned to her mother, a hopeful glint in her eyes. "Does this mean... you're finally starting to accept Wang Li?"

Xia Bingling felt a stab of guilt at her daughter's innocent question. "Well," she began, searching for the right words. "Let's just say... I'm starting to see things from a different perspective." It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the whole truth either.

Seeing the joy in her daughter's eyes, Xia Bingling knew the charade had to continue. With a forced smile, she said, "Alright, Qingwu. Go tend to your cultivation. We'll be here if you need us."

Qingwu nodded eagerly. "Of course, Mother! I'll make sure to focus extra hard today!" With that, she practically skipped off towards her own quarters, leaving Xia Bingling and Wang Li alone.

As Qingwu's silhouette disappeared around a corner, Wang Li leaned towards Xia Bingling, his voice dropping to a low murmur. "Perhaps," he said with a suggestive wink, "dual cultivation would be more effective for Qingwu than simple cultivation alone. What say you, Matriarch Xia?"

Xia Bingling couldn't help but let out a frustrated groan. This man! Just hours ago, he was showering her with praises, and now he was eyeing her daughter with the same predatory glint? "You are a scoundrel, Wang Li," she hissed. But deep down, she knew there was nothing she could do to stop him.

With a sly grin, Wang Li turned towards Qingwu's room, his movements purposeful. "Well then," he said, casting a mockingly apologetic glance back at Xia Bingling, "I wouldn't want to deprive Qingwu of such a valuable opportunity. Consider it my... good deed for the day."

Without another word, he pushed open the door and disappeared inside. Xia Bingling watched him go, a storm of emotions swirling within her – anger, guilt, and a strange sense of helpless fascination. She could only hope that this tangled web wouldn't unravel and ensnare them all in its destructive wake.

Meanwhile, within Qingwu's room, Wang Li found himself face-to-face with a wide-eyed Xia Qingwu. "Li? What are you doing here?" she stammered, her cheeks flushing pink.

"Just a good idea for you, Qingwu," Wang Li replied mysteriously, a slow smile spreading across his face. "I believe that dual cultivation might be a more efficient way for you to enhance your powers."

Before Qingwu could fully grasp what was happening, Wang Li was closing the distance between them. His voice, now a seductive whisper, filled the room. "So, are you ready to explore the true potential of your cultivation, Qingwu?"

A gasp escaped Qingwu's lips as Wang Li's lips met hers in a searing kiss, a kiss filled with unspoken promises and a hunger that mirrored his own. In that single moment, innocence collided with forbidden desire.