Chapter 124: Lingering Feelings?
The truth was pretty much as Sang Luo had guessed.
Bai Wan was a mixed-blood Bixi, a demi-royal beastman with top-tier fertility. She was Si Ye's childhood sweetheart and betrothed partner, a perfect match in terms of social status and talent, a marriage that everyone in the outside world looked forward to.
However, before they could marry, Bai Wan had already been secretly involved with another young master of the Bixi clan. She even found out she was pregnant just before the wedding and had no choice but to marry that young master while carrying his child.
Bai Wan probably wanted to have both brothers, but she didn't expect this to anger Si Ye, who broke up with her and completely severed all ties.
Sang Luo wasn't very interested in gossip but was more curious about one thing: "Did Young Master Si Ye and the noble Bai female ever mate?"
The old servant didn't expect her to ask so bluntly. He coughed and quickly waved his hand, saying, "That never happened. I watched the young master grow up. Don't let his carefree and unrestrained appearance fool you; he is quite traditional and old-fashioned at heart. He detests those who mess around with male-female relationships and insists on no mating before marriage. That's exactly why he left home, alas!"
For Si Ye to lose his composure and leave the ancestral home where he had grown up, the incident must have been a significant blow to him.
These two might still have lingering feelings.
Si Ye's bad attitude really seemed like a sulk. No wonder he agreed to take her back to his clan; she must have been seen as a tool.
Sang Luo sighed and asked, "How long ago did this happen?"
"About five years ago, give or take."
"Bai Wan has been pregnant for five years?" Sang Luo was shocked.
The old servant didn't find it strange. "Royal beasts are often pregnant for several years, some even for ten or twenty years. The length of pregnancy depends on many factors, such as the mother's bloodline, talent, strength, the fetus's development, and nutritional intake. It can't be generalized, but it's generally no less than three years. Five or six years is quite normal."
"..." Then her pregnancy time was indeed short.
Sang Luo's pregnancies were usually around three months.
The longest was when she was pregnant with the little wolf cub. That pregnancy had a mid-term bloodline upgrade, which took a few more months, but it didn't exceed half a year.
Sang Luo guessed that, on the one hand, her talent and strength had improved, allowing her to conceive offspring faster. On the other hand, it was thanks to the diligent hunting of the father beasts. She devoured resources like crazy during her pregnancy, even shocking Lou Xian Yue, indicating that her intake of natural treasures and beast crystals during that period far exceeded the needs of a royal beast offspring's pregnancy.
Sang Luo returned to the courtyard and said she wanted to rest, so she dismissed the servants.
She didn't return to the tidied-up side hall but went to Si Ye's resting main bedroom, took out a jar of spiritual wine from her space, and released her spiritual power, wondering when Si Ye would return.
... ...
The main hall of the Beast King's palace.
Seated on the high throne was a dignified middle-aged female with a powerful aura. From her similar facial features, it could be inferred that this was Si Ye's biological beast mother, the patriarch of the Northern Bixi Clan, Si Jiong.
Si Ye stood tall and elegant below, his posture relaxed.
The atmosphere between the mother and son was somewhat tense.
The elders and servants on both sides dared not say a word.
Si Ye spoke first, "Mother Queen, you summoned me back late at night. I wonder what for?"
"What for? How dare you ask me?" Si Jiong questioned sternly. "You've really caused me a lot of trouble outside! That female from the Heavenly Tiger Clan specifically ran to the main family to complain that you abused her and killed several of her beast husbands, demanding an explanation from me."
Si Ye chuckled. "I don't know what kind of explanation she wants. That poisonous female drugged me. I spared her life, which is already a favor."
"Zhi Xuan's fertility is among the best in the entire Eastern Continent. I tried my best to bring you two together, hoping that one day you could add a male and female to my Bixi Clan and strengthen the family's bloodline. But you, on the other hand, not only hurt her but also offended the entire Heavenly Tiger Clan! The famous noble females in the outside world all know that you have a terrible attitude towards females. If this continues, how will I find you a good marriage partner!" Si Jiong was very troubled.
"... ... Mother, did you specifically call me over just to say this?" Si Ye said impatiently. "If so, I'll leave first. Oh, right, I'll give you the birthday gift I brought now. I won't come tomorrow for the birthday celebration."
"What kind of attitude is that!"
Si Jiong was furious, her finger pointing at him trembling.
Nearby, a handsome male beastman dressed in elegant yellow brocade stepped forward to comfort her, "Jiong'er, don't be angry. It's not good to ruin your health. Si Ye has been away from home since he was young and is used to being wild. It's normal for young people to have some temper. Later, I'll have Si Chang teach this younger brother of his a lesson."
"Yes, Chang'er is still obedient! You, his father, have taught him well."
Si Ye looked at the two of them, his face growing colder. He curled his lips and said, "Yes, I, a child who never had a father to teach me, am naturally inferior to my elder brother... Can you two stop being lovey-dovey in front of me? It's disgusting."
"Si Ye! What did you say? Say it again!" Si Jiong stood up and said sternly.
"Since my words are unpleasant to hear, I'll leave first." Si Ye waved his hand and turned to leave.
"Someone, stop this rebellious son for me!"
The guards rushed up and were instantly overturned.
Si Ye's peak royal beast pressure was so overwhelming that no one present could resist.
Si Jiong's face also turned slightly pale, and the hand resting on the armrest trembled slightly. Amidst the anger, she couldn't hide her joy, and her expression improved a lot. "Ye'er, your cultivation has improved again."
"I wonder how I compare to my elder brother?"
"Chang'er is a few years older than you, but his strength is not as good as yours."
Ning Feng's face turned genuinely ugly, and his hands in his sleeves clenched tightly. He was Si Jiong's current husband and Si Chang's biological father. Wasn't this brat leaving? Why is he back again!
His cultivation has actually improved again. Isn't he slapping his son's face!
Si Ye's sneering provocation when he glanced over made a hidden murderous intent flash through Ning Feng's heart.
... ...
After leaving the main hall, Si Ye did not return to his bedroom to rest. He teleported to the roof, watched the night for a while, then lay down on the eaves, his hands folded behind his head.
He had just closed his eyes when a slender figure appeared beside him.
Si Ye didn't need to open his eyes; just smelling the pleasant fragrance on her body made him feel relaxed.
"How did you know I was here?"
"I guessed."
