Huoya was Solen’s biological mother, Fu Lingxi. Solen had already been mentally prepared for this conclusion.
From the fact that she secretly released Fu Yaner, and both beat and scolded her, it was already possible to make a guess.
At that time, Solen had almost instinctively thought of this answer, but he did not pursue it further.
When everything was finally revealed, Solen still found it somewhat difficult to accept.
By calculation, the one who had truly driven Ashi Luo to his death was Fu Lingxi in front of him.
All along, Ashi Luo had regarded Huoya as the only person he trusted, even treating her as an elder he deeply respected.
He never expected that she was actually an undercover agent sent by the Divine Dragon Holy Hall.
And because she exposed Ashi Luo’s secret as a Hell Knight, she made a great contribution and successfully rose to become one of the sixteen giants of the Divine Dragon Holy Hall Tribunal in the Angry Wave Kingdom.
She was so young that she might even become one of the four core giants of the Tribunal in the future.
With such a prominent status, it was no wonder that Baohuo City held such an elevated position. No wonder the family of Fu Yaner’s former fiancé had stopped pursuing old grievances and instead formed an alliance and friendly relations with Baohuo City.
However, the Fu Lingxi before them was already quite different from the Huoya of that time, more youthful, more beautiful, and with a more graceful and slender figure, carrying a touch of ethereal elegance and noble aura.
…
At first sight of their mother, Song Ningbing’s beautiful eyes turned red. Her emotions were barely contained, uncertain whether to step forward or retreat.
Fu Lingxi first looked at Song Ningbing with a gaze full of affection, then finally turned her eyes to Solen’s face and said gently, “You are so clever, so you already guessed that Huoya was me, correct?”
Solen did not answer.
Fu Lingxi said, “I know you must have many questions. The biggest one is why I left home without a word more than ten years ago, correct?”
Song Ningbing finally could not hold back her tears and nodded.
Fu Lingxi said, “I was born as a member of the Divine Dragon Holy Hall. Once the Holy Hall summoned me, I had no choice but to go.”
Song Ningbing said, “For the sake of the Holy Hall, you could even abandon your own children?”
Fu Lingxi remained silent for a long time, then said, “I originally thought it would only be a few months, but I did not expect it to become more than ten years.”
Song Ningbing continued, “Then a little over a month ago, when the Sol family faced destruction, why did you not even come back to take a look?”
Fu Lingxi said, “I asked the Grand Judge Luo Ge. He agreed that after the war, he would take you and Qinqin into the Divine Dragon Holy Hall for protection.”
Solen said with a faint smile, “So, you still count as having saved my life once. At that time in Ashi Liren’s residence, the Grand Judge and the Holy Priest both wanted to kill me to silence me. You spoke up for me.”
His tone sounded like gratitude, but it was actually distant and cold.
Fu Lingxi said, “That time, it was mainly the grace of Saintess Ji Xiuning.”
Solen said, “At least you saved Fu Yaner and released her back.”
Fu Lingxi gave a faint smile and said, “Am I not a guest? Are you not going to let me in?”
Solen said, “Please.”
Seeing Solen’s distant and polite attitude, Fu Lingxi’s beautiful eyes dimmed slightly, then she followed Solen into the City Lord’s Mansion.
…
Because of Fu Lingxi’s arrival, Solen’s side also had a family elder, who together with Tu Lingsi would attend the wedding ceremony of Solen and Gui Qinshao.
This was Gui Qinshao’s third wedding ceremony. The first time was also with Solen, but full of mockery and hatred.
The second time was with Ling Ao, like a walking corpse.
Only this third time was filled with happiness, expectation, and tender affection.
Whether it was the worship of heaven and earth, the bowing to parents, or the couple’s bow to each other, everything was done with sweetness, focus, and sincerity.
Then, under many blessing gazes and a pair of jealous eyes, the two entered the bridal chamber.
Inside the luxurious and festive bridal room, Gui Qinshao sat quietly.
Solen and Chi Lian’s engagement had gone through many twists and turns. Nai Er had initially been very unhappy, and even after accepting it, still felt wronged.
However, the union between Solen and Gui Qinshao had met no resistance at all.
Both Zhi Yan and Nai Er clearly understood that Solen taking Gui Qinshao as a wife was more for interests, for Linhai City.
Because of this, Solen treated Gui Qinshao with even greater gentleness.
Qinshao suddenly let out a soft laugh.
“What is it?” Solen asked.
Gui Qinshao said, “I was thinking about the scene when Ling Ao was castrated.”
Solen was speechless, feeling that this girl’s thoughts were truly unpredictable, then said, “Are you planning to castrate me later too?”
“That is not impossible,” Gui Qinshao said sweetly, “but I would use my teeth to do it.”
Solen gently lifted her veil. Gui Qinshao’s beautiful eyes were like water, her face like peach blossom, so beautiful it was dazzling.
Before Solen could do anything, she leaned gently into his arms and placed his hand on her firm, soft chest, saying, “My heart was once full of darkness and hatred, hatred that wanted to destroy everything, to kill Gui Xingfu, kill Zhi Li, kill Ling Ao. But you saved my heart, and did not let me fall into darkness. You let me remain an arrogant and willful noble lady.”
“It cannot be too arrogant,” Solen said. “And not a young lady anymore, but a married woman.”
“No, I want to remain arrogant,” Gui Qinshao said sweetly. “You must protect me for my whole life, so I can stay like this.”
“Alright,” Solen said.
“Let us drink the wedding wine,” Qinshao said.
She poured two cups, drank one herself, then drank Solen’s cup as well, before kissing him and transferring the fragrant wine into his mouth.
While drinking and kissing, their tongues intertwined.
“You can make me the lord of Linhai City, but I will not go there myself,” Qinshao said after the kiss. “I want to stay here. No, wherever you are, I want to be there too.”
“Alright,” Solen said helplessly.
“And after our child is three years old, I will stop being city lord and hand it to him,” she added.
“Alright,” Solen said.
“And I want three hundred gold coins a month for pocket money.”
“Alright,” Solen said with a gentle smile.
“If our first baby is a boy, I will not have more children. If it is a girl, then we will have another one. I do not want to end up like my mother, having four children.”
“Are you sure?” Solen asked.
“I do not know, maybe I will change my mind later,” she said, sticking out her tongue.
Solen pinched her cheek lightly, then slid his hand into her chest, gripping soft flesh.
Gui Qinshao’s breathing quickened, her eyes almost misty, and she said sweetly, “Solen, I love you. Do you like me?”
She used “like”, showing that although she appeared arrogant and childish on the surface, she had matured inside.
“I like you very much,” Solen said. “So much that I want to swallow you whole.”
“Then do you love me?” she asked again.
Solen said, “After sleeping together a few times, I will love you a lot.”
Gui Qinshao’s eyes trembled. She stood up, slowly undressed herself, revealing her flawless body, skin like snow, curves perfect beyond imagination.
Then she knelt on the bed and turned back, saying sweetly, “Solen, come and ruin me. Zhi Yan is shameless like a dog, I can be even more shameless. Just teach me.”
Seeing this, Solen’s blood surged, and he pounced on her like a burning flame.
…
They continued for over an hour.
After three intense releases, Gui Qinshao’s body was completely exhausted, yet her mind remained excited.
“Husband, am I more seductive or is Zhi Yan more seductive?” she asked sweetly.
Solen was speechless. In this aspect, Zhi Yan was clearly more experienced. After being affected by the Dream of Corruption energy, she appeared as a saint in public, but behind closed doors she was like a fox spirit. Every time Solen saw her seductive gaze, he could not help feeling a chill down his spine.
Gui Qinshao, on the other hand, was outwardly arrogant and bold, but inwardly innocent and simple, and Solen could easily overwhelm her.
Compared to the princess Zhi Yan, Solen was always pushed to the limits, as if sinking between heaven and hell.
“So it is Zhi Yan, right?” Gui Qinshao said unwillingly. “I am only doing this for the first time. Next time I will definitely surpass her and shock you.”
Solen kissed her soft lips.
“Sleep,” he said gently, patting her soft backside.
“I cannot sleep,” Gui Qinshao said, wriggling in his arms like a spoiled child, wanting to talk.
She kept talking, random childish thoughts without pause, not needing any response.
Eventually, she fell asleep mid speech.
Even in sleep, her limbs clung to him like a snake, as if only that gave her security.
…
The next morning, when the sun was already high, Gui Qinshao still refused to get up.
Solen lifted the silk blanket, revealing her curled, snow white body, still sleeping with her round backside raised.
“I am so tired, I am so sore, I cannot get up…” she murmured, acting spoiled again.
After bathing and changing, they went to pay respects to the elders, and it was already noon.
“Mother in law, please have tea…” Gui Qinshao said sweetly.
Fu Lingxi accepted the tea and looked at her gently, saying, “Although good things take time, you are indeed a blessed person.”
Then she took off the flame pendant from her neck and gave it to Gui Qinshao.
Gui Qinshao was delighted and said, “Husband, put it on me.”
Solen helped her put it on. She was overjoyed.
From beginning to end, Solen did not exchange a single word with Fu Lingxi.
Then Solen took Gui Qinshao to greet Tu Lingsi.
Seeing her daughter looking like a completely different person, even more radiant than before, Tu Lingsi was moved to tears. She held Solen’s hand and said, “Solen, I misunderstood you before. You are truly a good man. I can die in peace knowing my daughter is happy.”
She cried as she spoke.
Gui Qinshao also had red eyes, biting her lip to hold back tears.
Tu Lingsi held Solen’s hand even tighter and said, “You must have children quickly. That way we will feel more like a true family.”
Gui Qinshao said, “I do not want children so soon.”
Tu Lingsi said, “Do not worry, I will raise them.”
Gui Qinshao frowned and said, “Tu Lingsi, you are an elder. Be more proper. Do not keep holding my husband’s hand.”
Tu Lingsi blushed and quickly let go.
…
In the afternoon, the great eunuch Gao Yin once again arrived at the City Lord’s Mansion on a griffin, bringing new royal edicts.
The king was already barely surviving and unable to handle state affairs. These edicts were jointly drafted by Solen and Princess Zhi Yan, then sent from the palace by Gao Yin.
“By order of King Long Chengyan, decree: Baron Solen of Tianshui, who defended against enemies and upheld royal dignity with great merit, is hereby promoted to Count of Tianshui. So ordered!”
This was the first decree, promoting Solen to count.
After the defeat of Zhi Li and the formal appointment of Princess Zhi Yan as heir, Solen would be promoted to duke.
Once Zhi Yan ascended the throne as queen, she would personally issue the decree appointing Solen as Regent Prince.
After receiving the decree, Gao Yin read the second edict.
“By order of King Long Chengyan, decree: The position of Governor of the Southeastern Province has been vacant for a long time. Duke Gui Ting is hereby appointed acting governor, while Count Solen of Tianshui shall hold the authority of governor in his place. All civil and military affairs of the Southeastern Province may be decided by him without restriction. So ordered!”
The position of governor of the Southeastern Province was extremely powerful. According to royal law, Solen, as a noble of the kingdom, was not allowed to hold this position.
So a compromise was made. Gui Ting was officially appointed governor, but he remained in the capital city. Solen exercised all governing power on his behalf, becoming the true ruler of the Southeast.
From that moment on, Solen replaced Gui Wei as the highest ruler of the nine million people of the Southeastern Province.