Chapter 400: Chapter 169: Drunk Heart Inquiry! Empress: "Little thief, I want a kiss~" _2
Chen Mo, holding his chin, pondered, "Your Highness means to wait until no one’s around before we..."
"When did I ever say such a thing? Don’t twist my words!" The Empress stomped angrily, her cheeks flushing, "If you dare to speak nonsense again, I won’t talk to you anymore!"
Chen Mo knew not to overdo it.
The Busty Empress was indeed thin-skinned. If truly provoked, who knows what she might do.
"I misspoke, Your Highness. Please do not take offense. I will be cautious with my words and actions in the future, and discipline myself strictly."
Only then did the Empress’s expression soften slightly, and she earnestly said, "You are still young, and the road ahead is long. Do not let momentary distractions affect your future. Do your duties well; I will not treat you unfairly."
"Your Highness speaks rightly, and I will remember it in my heart."
Seeing that the time was getting late, Chen Mo rose and cupped his hands, saying, "Your Highness is busy with state affairs; I dare not disturb you further and will take my leave."
"Are you leaving already?"
The Empress’s lips moved slightly, filled with reluctance.
Having finally seen this little thief, she had so much more she wanted to say, but couldn’t really ask him to stay longer.
She could only sit there, watching him with wide eyes, her black and white pupils somewhat dimmed, like a small dog wet from the rain.
Seeing the Empress looking downcast, Chen Mo hesitated for a moment, and cautiously said, "If Your Highness is free... shall I stay and chat a bit more?"
The Empress’s eyes lit up, and the corners of her mouth lifted uncontrollably, but she still pretended to be aloof, "Very well, I also wish to learn more about the events at the Southern Border... Ahem, come with me."
She rose gracefully and walked toward the door.
Chen Mo followed behind, and the two left the Dining Hall, crossed through the palace corridor, and entered the inner hall.
The luxurious hall was resplendent, its white jade floor reflecting like a mirror. The hall was furnished with lacquered, carved couches and tables, with a tripod incense burner in the corner emitting swirling smoke.
The Empress reclined on a small couch and said, "Sit down."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Chen Mo sat on the wooden chair opposite her.
The Empress moved her shoulders and neck, having been up all night and busily bent over her desk for several hours after the morning meeting, her body was already weary and exhausted.
She wanted to ask Chen Mo for a massage but didn’t know how to phrase the request.
After all, she had just reminded him to be cautious with his words and actions, and then to ask for a massage was indeed inappropriate...
The Empress rolled her eyes a bit, cleared her throat, and said, "Well, since I have nothing to do later, why don’t we chat while having a drink?"
?
Chen Mo was a bit stunned, "Your Highness, are you sure?"
Last time they drank at the Lin Residence, they almost caused a big trouble...
The Empress casually replied, "I have a cold disposition; Director Li said I should drink moderately to ward off the chill... If you want to drink, you can join me for a couple of drinks."
←_←
Chen Mo looked at her ripe, peach-like figure, fresh and juicy with no trace of cold disposition... But he didn’t point it out, nodding instead, "I shall obey your wish, Your Highness."
The Empress smiled, then called out, "Someone, bring the Golden Wave Drunken Moon tribute wine from the Western Fan."
Soon, several palace servants came in carrying jars of wine.
They set up a wooden table on the small couch, placed wine cups on it, and poured the fine wine into white jade wine pots.
"Alright, you all may leave now."
The Empress dismissed the attendants.
"Yes."
Everyone responded in unison and withdrew.
One of the young palace maids, upon leaving, gave Chen Mo a slight smile, her face a flushed red.
Chen Mo vaguely remembered her, likely named Jin Shu, as she had enthusiastically taken care of him while he was recovering in the palace those few days...
In the hall, only Chen Mo and the Empress remained.
Chen Mo sat across from the Empress and picked up the wine pot, filling both cups.
The amber-like liquor glittered subtly, filling the air with a rich aroma, a truly rare fine wine.
"To you, Your Highness," Chen Mo lifted his cup and drained it.
A warm sensation spread from his throat throughout his body, warm but not scorching, with a lingering finish.
This wine seemed easy to drink, but its effect was long-lasting, and by the time you realized, you might have drunk too much.
The Empress followed with a cup, set it down, and asked, "So, what really happened this time?"
She had a rough understanding of the causes and consequences from Eunuch Jin, but many details remained unclear.
"Back then, when Bai Lingchuan approached me..."
Chen Mo filled his cup again and recounted how Bai Lingchuan and the Blood Demon conspired against him.
The Empress’s face darkened upon hearing this.
Bai Lingchuan, holding the rank of Fifth Rank Fate Official, Qilin Pavilion Fire Department Thousand Households, was esteemed as a pillar of the court.
To extend his lifespan, he colluded with the Heavenly Demon, not only plotting against Chen Mo but personally slaughtering nearly a thousand people within the Ten Thousand Mountains!
Such crimes were unforgivable!
"Yan Liang reared barbarian slaves, Chu Zhuo committed treason, Jian Yinsan engaged in bribery and overstepped his authority... Now, Bai Lingchuan has committed an atrocious crime too!"
"From Thousand Households to General, all are like this, each more wicked than the last!"
"Just one Fire Department could reveal so many, the entire Sky Scale Guard is probably rotten to the core!"
The Empress gritted her teeth, her tone as cold as the biting wind.
Chen Mo shook his head, "The Sky Scale Guard is just a subordinate position and doesn’t interfere with governance. No matter how corrupt, it can’t shake the foundation. The real root of the problem lies in the court..."
His tone paused, without continuing further.
The Empress understood what he meant. The Three Divisions and Six Ministries had been rife with problems for a long time, corroding the court into a deeply pitted shell, which was the real issue undermining the Great Yuan’s foundation.
"So, what do you think should be done?" the Empress asked.