Wang Xiaoqiang nervously glanced at Princess Hua Shao, who glared at him before scolding, "Why are you so jittery? Mother is just a bit agitated. Your nervousness clearly reveals you have something to hide."

Wang Xiaoqiang felt even more embarrassed upon hearing this, nudging Lotus Princess, who remained carefree, still clinging on.

Princess Hua Shao was dumbfounded seeing this.

Mother wasn't like this before. Even if excited, she wouldn't lose her composure, and even if she did, it wouldn't be to the extent of embarrassing her own daughter like this,

This... This...

Princess Hua Shao's jealousy surged unexpectedly. She knew Wang Xiaoqiang had many women, and she couldn't keep up with her jealousy, so she stopped. But seeing her mother like this made her feel a sour discontent in her heart.

Even children have a protective instinct; let alone Princess Hua Shao. One is her husband, the other her mother—regardless of perspective, she doesn't want to see them this close.

If it hadn't been for King Yan's reminder, Wang Xiaoqiang would surely think Lotus Princess had developed a psychological problem. Yet he hadn't anticipated the situation might be worse than King Yan's caution.

This Lotus Princess is a bit too clingy!

"Uh, Hua Shao, why are you still standing there? Quickly help mother back to her room for rest. I'll go call someone to prepare the meal…" Wang Xiaoqiang found an excuse, pushing Lotus Princess towards Princess Hua Shao before turning to escape.

Leaving Lotus Princess and her daughter, Wang Xiaoqiang let out a deep sigh of relief. This was too torturous—on one hand, Lotus Princess's dependence satisfied him psychologically, yet on the other hand, their identities made it intensely awkward.

Alas, it's best to try and avoid her from now on!

Yet, though Wang Xiaoqiang tried to avoid Lotus Princess, she acted boldly and decisively. That evening, during dinner time, Lotus Princess ordered Princess Hua Shao to invite Wang Xiaoqiang to dine together.

Princess Hua Shao awkwardly remarked, "Mother, Little Qiang is very busy; he won't come."

"I have something very important to discuss with him," Lotus Princess said.

Princess Hua Shao had no choice but to find Wang Xiaoqiang, and upon meeting him, angrily huffed, "Hey, what concoction did you brew for my mother? Why is she acting like this??"

Wang Xiaoqiang spread his hands innocently, saying, "You've wrongly accused me. I saved her; how could I harm her."

"But after mother resurrected, she seemed like a different person," Princess Hua Shao said with a hint of frustration. "She seems very dependent on you."

"It might be a side effect. It'll eventually get better," Wang Xiaoqiang replied perfunctorily.

"You better not take advantage and make plans for my mother." Princess Hua Shao said fiercely.

"Don't worry, I'm not like that," Wang Xiaoqiang assured, wrapping an arm around Princess Hua Shao's slim waist. But suddenly he touched her empty sleeve and couldn't help but express his sorrow, "Hua Shao, I'm sorry for causing you to lose an arm."

"What are you saying? Between husband and wife, such words are not necessary." Princess Hua Shao said, then suddenly her face changed, "You, you wouldn't reject me, would you?"

"How could I? The imperfect is the most beautiful," Wang Xiaoqiang thought of Venus.

"Hmph, your words are sweet. Sigh, who would like such a disability? I don't even dare look in the mirror now. It'll be miserable for both me and Jin Qiaoqiao in the future," Princess Hua Shao said while secretly glancing at him, observing changes in his expression.

Wang Xiaoqiang remained composed, saying, "Quite the opposite. You and Jin Qiaoqiao are my greatest loves in life. You've made such great sacrifices for me, and I will compensate you doubly in the future."

"Sigh, that's what you say, but what's lost is ultimately irrecoverable." Princess Hua Shao sighed longingly.

"If the dead can rise, why can't two arms be restored? I really don't believe it," Wang Xiaoqiang said. "Let me slowly figure out a solution."

...

Right as Wang Xiaoqiang and Princess Hua Shao arrived at the luxurious dining room, the Jin family father and daughter arrived too. Wang Xiaoqiang invited them to sit and eat together.

Seeing Jin Qiaoqiao's empty sleeve, Wang Xiaoqiang felt very uncomfortable. Jin Futu said, "Little Qiang, I've come to tell you something..."

"What's the matter? Tell me," Wang Xiaoqiang said.

"I heard there's a kind of fragrant wood that can replace severed limbs. If you carve this fragrant wood into an arm and attach it to a severed limb, it integrates with the blood, channels, and is indistinguishable from a normal arm..."

"Ah, such a wonderful thing exists..." Princess Hua Shao exclaimed, her face full of expectation.

Lotus Princess added, "Moreover, this fragrant wood has a natural scent similar to the body's fragrance, so neither in appearance nor scent is there any difference from flesh limbs..."

"Mother, how do you know?" Princess Hua Shao asked curiously.

"Actually, I had called Little Qiang to discuss this," Lotus Princess said.

"Haha, you truly are heroes who think alike," Wang Xiaoqiang said, incredibly excited to hear about the fragrant wood, "So where can this fragrant wood be found?"

Jin Futu replied, "This fragrant wood is extremely rare..."

Lotus Princess said, "Not only rare, but also highly elusive because it's not an ordinary tree..."

Jin Futu said, "Yes, better explain it yourself."

Lotus Princess nodded, saying, "In its early stages, the fragrant wood is an ordinary tree. It can't replace severed limbs nor has a special scent. But after growing for a certain number of years, it becomes a spirit—what we call a tree spirit. Then, the fragrant wood is no longer a normal tree; it transforms from wood into flesh, beginning its process of becoming a spirit. Only then can it be considered fragrant wood, capable of replacing severed limbs, attaching to the body..."

"Oh, I see," Wang Xiaoqiang said. "When the tree becomes a spirit, couldn't it move freely?"

"Exactly, hence it's elusive. To obtain fragrant wood, you must find the tree spirit and capture it..." Lotus Princess said.

Wang Xiaoqiang said, "Nothing in the world is hard if one sets their mind to it. I must obtain this fragrant wood."

Lotus Princess said, "It's easy to say but hard to find. Firstly, the news mustn't leak, else we'll alert the tree spirits and they'll hide in forests or burrow underground, impossible to detect even with divine sense."

"Yes, indeed. We must keep this information secured, known to very few people. We mustn't mobilize forces but proceed discreetly." Wang Xiaoqiang said, "Tomorrow, I'll act alone to find the fragrant wood. You all pretend nothing happened and stay in the City of Heavenly Pride."

"Little Qiang, I'll go with you," Lotus Princess said. "During my apprenticeship, a tree spirit once appeared outside our mountain gate, and I interacted with it, understanding its habits..."

Wang Xiaoqiang wanted to agree but didn't dare, replying perfunctorily, "That won't do. You've just gone through a hardship; you need rest. I can't burden you."

Lotus Princess smiled without insisting further.

...

The next day.

As the sky was just beginning to light up.

Wang Xiaoqiang quietly got up and left the City of Heavenly Pride, preparing to search for the fragrant wood.

After traveling a short distance, he suddenly saw a graceful silhouette standing mid-air in the morning light, with the morning breeze making her dress flutter, showcasing her graceful elegance.

Seeing this figure, Wang Xiaoqiang felt a mix of excitement, nervousness, and tension because the silhouette was none other than Lotus Princess.

Lotus Princess approached him, her delicate and clear eyes looking at Wang Xiaoqiang as she smiled, "Didn't expect, right?"

"You, are you here to send me off?" Wang Xiaoqiang dared not look into Lotus Princess's eyes.

"Not to send off, but to accompany," Lotus Princess said, taking Wang Xiaoqiang's arm and warmly smiling, "Let's go, together."

Wang Xiaoqiang's body stiffened, feeling dazed and stuttering, "No, no, Lotus Princess, we, this, is not appropriate."

Lotus Princess laughed, rebuked, "Where did the courage you had when you broke into my courtyard at night to listen to my pipa playing go?"

Wang Xiaoqiang was stunned; apparently, Lotus Princess wasn't experiencing "side effects," but rather had feelings for him!

But sneaking out with her together felt akin to elopement!

"Come now, don't overthink. The fragrant wood is hard to find; with me, you can save a lot of time." Lotus Princess said, pulling Wang Xiaoqiang along to fly forward.

The fragrant wood is indeed tough to seek.

Over ten days.

Wang Xiaoqiang and Lotus Princess traveled across several Empires, almost reaching the edge of the Immortal Realm, to the world's end, yet hadn't discovered any fragrant wood. (To be continued. If you appreciate this work, you are welcome to recommend and vote for it at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)

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