Chapter 396: Chapter 168: The Empress’s Reward! The Empress: Shameless little thief, no kissing! _2
"Involved with the Empress in unclear ways, and now entangled with the Daoist Venerable... You’re quite capable, aren’t you? I really underestimated you before!" Yu Youhan gritted her silver teeth, her tone filled with unmistakable resentment.
Oh dear, is the vinegar jar overturned again?
Chen Mo’s lips curled up, and he chuckled lightly, "In that case, things are even more unclear between me and Your Highness, aren’t they? Just moments ago, Your Highness was all over me, biting and chewing, and even messed up the bedding... um!"
Before he could finish, a delicate foot pressed against his lips.
Yu Youhan, both embarrassed and annoyed, said, "Don’t speak! If it weren’t for your mischief, how could I be so embarrassed?"
At that moment, with Ji Hongxiu and Ling Ningzhi present, she was already extremely ashamed, and Chen Mo deliberately tormented her, making her react more intensely than usual.
How mortifying!
"Mmm mmm..."
Chen Mo looked up, and his breathing became heavier.
The thin black mask barely covered, clearly showing the shape of her lips...
Noticing his gaze, Yu Youhan hurriedly lowered her legs and said with resentment, "The Empress and Ji Hongxiu are both my enemies. If you dare to betray me, I’ll kill you!"
Chen Mo swore, "I will always follow Your Highness, a thousand deaths wouldn’t prevent me!"
Thinking to himself:
Turning the enemy over shouldn’t be considered betrayal, right?
"Hmph, that’s more like it." Yu Youhan huffed coquettishly.
Her eyebrows revealed a youthful charm, making Chen Mo’s heart race. He swallowed and asked, "Seeing as I’m so loyal, shouldn’t Your Highness show some appreciation?"
Yu Youhan, both amused and vexed, replied, "You’ve done such ridiculous things, and you still have the face to ask for a reward from me?"
"This humble servant went to the Southern Border, not only to slay the Blood Demon, but also conveniently took down Bai Lingchuan. Now that the position of the Fire Department’s Thousand Households is vacant, it’s the perfect opportunity for Your Highness to place your people, shouldn’t there be a reward?" Chen Mo said confidently.
Remembering how he nearly lost his life before, Yu Youhan’s gaze softened, "So tell me, what do you want?"
"I wish..."
Chen Mo leaned in and whispered.
Upon hearing it, Yu Youhan’s face instantly flushed bright red.
"Ugh, I knew you didn’t have good intentions!"
"It’s not like Your Highness hasn’t experienced it before..."
"No way, last time was an accident, I don’t want to..."
"..."
Half a quarter of an hour later.
Xu Qingyi entered the main hall carrying a black martial robe, but didn’t see them.
Walking through the hallways, arriving at the inner room.
"Your Highness, the servant has brought the clothing."
The voice of Yu Youhan came from behind the screen, "Hmm, just put it on the table."
Xu Qingyi asked in confusion, "Where did Mr. Chen go?"
"He... he went out. Just leave the stuff... and go out, oh..." Yu Youhan’s voice sounded strange, as if she was enduring something.
"Yes."
Without thinking much, Xu Qingyi put down the martial robe and turned to leave.
Behind the screen, Yu Youhan was disheveled, her skirt raised, revealing her fair legs as she glared at Chen Mo with annoyance, "You’re going to get us caught! With Qingyi here, you still dare to act like this?"
Chen Mo blinked, "Does Your Highness not like it?"
"Of course not..."
Before she could finish, Chen Mo had already grasped her delicate hand, "But I like it."
Yu Youhan turned her head aside, her ears burning, softly scolding, "Hurry up, you dog-like lackey, I really can’t handle you..."
...
...
Golden Throne Hall.
The court meeting had just ended, and the civil and military officials gradually left the hall, walking along the paths out of the Imperial Palace.
A moment later, a dignified figure wearing a bright yellow royal robe and a Double Phoenix Dragon Crown walked out, her steps steady, not a single strand of the golden thread pearl jade in her hair wavered.
Sun Senior Palace Lady awaited in front of the royal palanquin.
The Empress’s improper conduct from last night had already spread through the palace.
The gossip didn’t matter; what truly worried her was the Empress’s state.
As the Eastern Palace Empress, balancing Yin and Yang, her every action affected the stability of the court. If swayed by personal emotions, she might make wrong decisions, causing turmoil, even threatening the foundation of the state...
But since last night, the Empress hasn’t shown any signs of abnormality.
Even without sleeping all night, she still attended court, handling affairs orderly, as if nothing had ever happened.
"Your Highness, please."
Sun Senior Palace Lady lifted the palanquin curtain.
The Empress, expressionless, stepped into the royal palanquin.
"Lift the palanquin, return to the palace!"
The palanquin rose smoothly, carried towards the Inner Court, escorted by a crowd of palace attendants.
Passing by the Qianqing Gate, the Empress’s slightly hoarse voice came from within, "Has Consort Yu returned?"
Sun Senior Palace Lady replied, "I’m not sure yet. Shall I inquire further?"
The Empress was silent for a moment, then said, "Never mind, let’s wait a bit longer."
Deep inside, she seemed afraid of hearing a particular answer...
"Yes." Sun Senior Palace Lady responded.
The palanquin passed through numerous palace courtyards, stopping in front of Zhao Hua Palace.
Sun Senior Palace Lady offered her support as the Empress descended, concerned, "Your Highness, the Imperial Kitchen has prepared meals. Since last night, you’ve neither had a drop of water nor a grain of rice. Please eat something, or your body won’t withstand it..."
"It’s alright, you may go."
The Empress said lightly, then walked into the palace.
Watching her retreating figure, Sun Senior Palace Lady frowned, sensing something odd about Her Highness’s state.
She seemed... too normal?
As if she were suppressing something...
"Chen Mo is the son of a Third-Level High Official, and also the deputy households of the Sky Scale Guard, a formidable Heavenly Element Martial Champion, favored by the Imperial Consort and esteemed by the Empress..."
"If the news of his death spreads, it will certainly cause a significant stir between the two factions!"
"Who knows how big a commotion it might lead to then!"
Sun Senior Palace Lady’s brows carried an implicit worry.