The Emperor and Empress' Mixed Doubles! Third Update

Back when Su Xian read alternate-history novels, he always saw the protagonists sweeping the board in card games they had invented themselves.

Well, at least in the first round, the protagonist was always supposed to win money!

But after today's game, Su Xian's worldview had undergone a fresh revision.

That was right!

He had lost—lost six hundred chips to Qian Renxue!

Hmm??

Six hundred?!

There had clearly only been two hundred chips. Where had six hundred chips come from??

Emmm... he didn't know either. Pretending not to know despite knowing perfectly well.

He only knew that Qian Renxue went all-in every round. Whenever his cards were poor, he followed her, and the result...

Fine, he still won!

She dared to go all-in with a 2-3-6 hand? She really had as much nerve as she had capital! Think carefully about that.

At first, he had thought Qian Renxue was a natural talent, deliberately bluffing him!

But it turned out she was just messing around blindly.

What confused him even more was...

Whenever he got lucky and won all her chips, another pile of gold chips would immediately appear before Qian Renxue. Then she would look at him pitifully with those big eyes and coquettishly act cute.

Yes!

She actually pretended to be pitiful to win his sympathy!!

Damn it!

She had been so overbearing when she went all-in, yet now she was acting like a kitten scratching at his heart. How was he supposed to endure that?!

After viciously "teaching" her a lesson, Su Xian generously let her off.

Then they started over. In the end, with Su Xian deliberately throwing the game without restraint, Qian Renxue finally won!

Wuwuwu~

Making sure she won had been far too difficult. She had nearly bitten through his lips.

With a bright smile on her face, Qian Renxue's crescent-shaped eyes shimmered. She seemed happier than ever. "I won. Don't forget what you promised me."

"Don't worry. I, Su... I, Xue Qinghe, have always kept my word!"

Patting his chest, Su Xian spoke with righteous conviction. He had never been a shameless person.

Emm... if he was, then the author must have been jealous because he had a wife and was deliberately writing nonsense to slander him!

That was right!

That had to be it!

"Your Highness, the Empress asks that you go see her."

Just as Su Xian was about to explain a few things to Qian Renxue, Maid Qin Yao's voice sounded outside the door.

"Play by yourself at home. A little of this game is fine, but don't get too addicted. And don't forget your cultivation."

Holding Qian Renxue's cheeks, he gave them a rub before pinching her delicate little nose. Su Xian teasingly reminded her, then left beneath Qian Renxue's embarrassed and angry glare.

Hmph~ It wasn't like she was that playful!!

Imperial Palace.

Su Xian could not help becoming wary at his Old Mother's sudden summons.

After all, he had swindled Old Dad out of three million gold coins, yet there had been no reaction at all these past few days. It was far too suspicious!

There was no doubt that the old man was holding back some major move, waiting to give him a nasty surprise.

Yes, that had to be it!

"Empress Dowager, may I ask why you summoned me?"

Walking obediently over to Nan Gongling, Su Xian behaved as honestly as could be as he asked curiously.

"Can't I call you over just to chat with me?" Nan Gongling asked in return, amusement flickering in her eyes.

"Of course you can. Whenever you want me here, I'll come at your call!" Su Xian replied forcefully.

"At your call?"

Nan Gongling found it even harder to suppress her laughter. Her gaze was filled with teasing. "Someone seemed to have had quite a good time at the Soul Arena last night. You even dragged Xue Er onto the stage to make up the numbers."

Su Xian: ...

Damn it! Who had been wagging their tongue behind his back?!

Which eye had seen him having a good time? He had clearly not been happy last night! Did spies have no professional standards at all?!

His eyes narrowed as Su Xian began calculating who had betrayed him.

First of all, Ye Xing had not been with them last night. After all, when he was being affectionate with his wife, he could not possibly bring along a third wheel.

Clearly, it was not her!

Next was the Great Soul Arena, since he had shown his badge.

The Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena was under royal control and managed by his Second Grandfather, Gong'an Prince Xue An. He was a steadfast supporter of their main branch.

Back when Xue Ye and Xue Ming Barak King had fought over the Imperial Throne, he had also been one of Xue Ye's greatest supporters.

However, given his old man's personality, he was unlikely to discuss such a trivial matter of his with Xue Ye.

That left only Qin Ming!!

Thinking back to Meng Shenji coming to find him before, Su Xian suddenly understood.

A conspiracy—this was definitely a conspiracy!

Meng Shenji must have asked the old man for him, and knowing that he would not yield to force, the old man had resorted to a "roundabout strategy."

Brilliant!

Truly brilliant!

Knowing that he was deeply attached to his Old Mother, Nan Gongling, and would not refuse her... he really was an emperor, a scheming old bastard!

"So, Empress Dowager, are you also here to persuade me to join the Royal Fight Team?" Su Xian asked listlessly.

He had yet to experience the joys of mixed doubles with Qian Renxue, and he was already getting double-teamed himself?!

Nan Gongling shook her head. "Not that. Although the Soul Master Competition forbids killing, accidents are still common. Naturally, I would not feel at ease letting you participate."

Su Xian's eyes immediately lit up at those words.

Look at that! This was what a good mother was like. She understood her son's heart so well!

Su Xian chuckled. "I knew the Empress Dowager would never agree."

Seeing Su Xian's delighted expression, Nan Gongling shook her head and continued, "Although you do not need to participate in the Soul Master Competition, you still need to attend the Royal Academy every day."

"You are not yet fifteen, but you are already a level 37 Soul Elder. Though I do not know what fortunate encounter allowed your cultivation to advance so quickly, such talent cannot be wasted."

"So, spend a few more days with Xue Er, then go study at the Royal Academy. The empire's future will ultimately depend on you four brothers."

Nan Gongling gazed at Su Xian with deep affection. Her voice was like babbling water, pleasant to the ear, and Su Xian's heart softened as well.

He had to admit, Old Dad truly was Old Dad. He had him completely figured out, knowing that he was susceptible to the Empress Dowager's sweet words.

Pah!

Using one pretext to conceal another—how utterly despicable and shameless!

"Empress Dowager, is there really no room for discussion?" Su Xian looked at Nan Gongling pitifully, trying to struggle one last time.

Nan Gongling shook her head, her gaze unwavering.

"Phew..."

Taking a deep breath, Su Xian's eyes flashed with brilliance as he declared righteously:

"Empress Dowager, as the First Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, bringing glory to the nation is my duty. Before, my vision was too narrow, and I should not have rejected Instructor Meng Shenji's kind offer."

"You need not persuade me. I will definitely participate in this Soul Battle Competition. A good man should stand tall between heaven and earth and never cling to life in cowardice!"

Su Xian's face did not redden and his heart did not race. He raised his eyes, tilted his head at a forty-five-degree angle, sighed toward the heavens, and tears filled his eyes!

Wuwuwu~ This was too hard for him!!

But!

A man did not shed tears lightly!

With a sweep of his hand, Su Xian strode out of the palace. Wuwuwu~ He needed to find his little wife to comfort his wounded heart.

Watching Su Xian leave in such a tragic manner, Nan Gongling was briefly stunned before his shameless appearance amused her.

"As expected, only you, Empress, could handle him."

A faintly delighted voice sounded. Xue Ye walked out, looking smugly in the direction Su Xian had left.

He had experienced too much in his past life and become so dispirited that he no longer wanted to be Crown Prince?

I'm telling you, don't even dream of it!!

Wakakaka, my great revenge is avenged. Feels good!

Thanks to "Little A Bai," "September," "Seven Deadly Sins," "Smile"... for the rewards. Thanks, brothers, for the recommendation votes. We're already fourteenth on the free rankings, so please send more recommendation votes~