"Do you have anything to say to us, Ancient Soul senior?"

By the riverbank, four women surrounded a ball playing dead, holding a trial in three sessions.

The soul ball honestly replied, "As you can see, I am not a residual soul, fully rounded and brilliantly colored."

"...Is that the question we asked? Don't think you can act cute to get away with it." San Niang reached out, picked up the soul ball, and sat down on it.

The soul ball sprouted two hands, struggling on both sides: "I say, we just barely escaped from the sky-collapse!"

Xia Chichi squatted in front, poking with two fingers: "Oh, the ancient senior who survived the sky-collapse, you've been through so much, no wonder you can charm so many beauties..."

Piaomiao always stood by with arms crossed, leaning against a blossom tree with a cold gaze, but now she felt a bit of sympathy, suddenly reaching out to save the soul ball from under San Niang's bottom, holding it in her arms.

The four women simultaneously turned around, staring at her intently.

Piaomiao embraced the ball, saying calmly, "He is under my protection; no one can bully him, not even you, his wives."

The four women half-opened their mouths, momentarily at a loss for words.

Should this be considered a mistress confronting the legitimate wives, or is she just standing up for her lover?

So, our husband was protected by another woman, and we're the enemies?

Look at that soul ball rubbing pitifully against her chest, it really seemed like we were bullying you?

Piaomiao's beautiful eyes fell on Xia Chichi, saying calmly: "Your Majesty is the ruler of the mountains and rivers, meant to attend to important matters, yet squatting here bullying the pillar of the nation, how muddle-headed."

"I bullied him?" Xia Chichi pointed at her own mouth, and after a while said: "But you didn't say anything when master and the others kicked and sat on him, and you only lecture me for poking him a couple of times?"

"Because I can't control others, but I have the duty to advise and supervise you, the ruler of a nation should..."

Xia Chichi interrupted in frustration: "What do you mean I bullied him! Do you even know we're here catching your illicit affair, and you're the vixen seducing our husband? I haven't even scolded you, and you reprimand me?"

Piaomiao said: "I belong to him, not to you guys. I only protect him; how you think is none of my business."

Xia Chichi: "..."

Why did this affair leave me feeling defeated; how can she act so brazenly, even as a mistress, just because she's an Ancient Demon God...

Xia Chichi suddenly realized: "Wait a minute, what do you mean you only protect him? Shouldn't you be protecting me more? My emperor husband having an affair is harmful to the state; shouldn't you help me get an explanation, and talk some sense into that vixen?"

"Perhaps." Piaomiao replied: "By the way, Your Majesty, I heard the prayers you made during the spring festival, very sincere. One of them was to bless you with a crown prince to stabilize the nation, and to ask the emperor husband to visit the Empress Dowager less often, mentioning that while it's fine for the other concubines, your son must be born before your brother... This indeed concerns the state, I must assist..."

Xia Chichi: "...Shut up."

Huangfu Qing glanced sidelong at her apprentice, grinding her teeth silently.

Zhao Changhe extended his short little arms to cover his face.

San Niang's eyes sparkled as she fished out a piece of melon from her bag, handing one to Yue Hongling.

Suddenly, catching the affair was not as much fun anymore.

Piaomiao's gaze swept over them, calmly saying: "Changhe slew the Han Chi, entered Kunlun, conquered the Heavenly Demon Illusion Realm, stormed the Ancient Night Palace, wielded the River of Space-Time, and crossed the epoch of annihilation. In just ten-plus days, he endured countless battles, suffered a thousand injuries; do you really think he just came out to have an affair? If it's an affair, it's mine to have; I first fancied him. He's willingly turning into a ball to appease you, but I won't... um..."

Mid-sentence, she suddenly frowned and bent over, as if suffering from some unforeseen injury.

Zhao Changhe "popped" back into human form, grabbing hold of her: "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing, I've been away from a host body too long; some discomfort is starting... Speaking of which, your divine soul has been out for a while too, which isn't good; don't take it lightly." Piaomiao quickly recovered, bowing slightly with her hands together to everyone: "I need to go see Yangyang immediately, if you have questions for them, you can wait. I must take my leave, esteemed sisters... I'll offer tea to apologize another day, please excuse me for now."

Before she finished speaking, her divine soul's shadow was already fading; in actuality, she had long descended spiritually, heading straight to Xiangyang.

The four women blinked, pondering whether she just bolted... judging by her attitude, it didn't seem like she was afraid, more like something truly went wrong.

To think she was genuinely willing to call everyone "sisters," that's no small feat... She's a whole epoch older than us; it surely took some effort to call us sisters...

Yue Hongling said, "This Piaomiao sister, I quite like her. I thought Ancient Demon Gods were emotionless, but I didn't expect her to protect you so fiercely."

Zhao Changhe sat cross-legged on the ground, hands tucked in, saying nothing, feeling like anything said would come off as humblebragging.

Knowing full well that they weren't truly angry, as each of them had their own 'illicit' beginnings, and there's nothing to criticize. Being caught publicly would naturally be embarrassing, but getting roughed up a bit would appease them, with no need for explanations. Unexpectedly, Piaomiao's display earned quiet admiration from everyone, even if unspoken.

Zhao Changhe himself appreciated her; Piaomiao's temperament was something he couldn't have imagined earlier.

San Niang handed over a slice of melon: "So, what's her deal? She seemed unwell earlier, are you not going to chase after her and check?"

"She's not hurt; what she needs most is to reach Yangyang as fast as possible... I have things to discuss with you all, I'll head over in a bit." Zhao Changhe said: "Piaomiao's divine soul was recently split off from Yangyang's, leaving her soul without a host. She either continues residing with Yangyang's body or needs to craft her own body."