Changes in Relationship, Crisis Strikes!

At the dining table, Ye Qinglian and Chu Ning sat opposite each other.

Xiao Bing sat between them, shoveling food into her mouth with gusto, embodying a persona that only cared about eating and nothing else.

However, her presence was quite necessary, otherwise Chu Ning would start grumbling incessantly again.

"Xiao Bing, how was your cultivation today?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Bing put down her chopsticks, wiped her mouth, and shook her head with regret.

"My cultivation speed isn't even as fast as it was in the Imperial Palace. Perhaps it's because I've been infected by Your Majesty's dragon aura, and I've also gained some good fortune, which is why my cultivation is progressing so quickly?"

Ye Qinglian couldn't help but laugh.

"What are you talking about? Even if you were infected by dragon aura, it wouldn't affect you. Only those of the Ye Family can achieve such an effect. Moreover, that dragon aura merely represents the dynasty's national fortune and has nothing to do with cultivation."

Chu Ning, standing by, smiled as he looked at Xiao Bing. "It seems you care a lot about cultivation?"

Xiao Bing nodded vigorously.

"Of course I care! Not everyone is like Mister Chu, who is indifferent to worldly desires and only thinks of Your Majesty. If one's cultivation is high enough, enemy countries won't dare to invade. If I could reach Your Majesty's realm, it wouldn't be impossible to flatten enemy countries!"

"Besides, cultivation can lead to immortality. Mister should also cultivate diligently. Otherwise, in a few decades, Mister will be old and no longer handsome. Will Your Majesty still like him then?"

Ye Qinglian suddenly coughed a few times, glaring displeasedly.

"When did I ever say I liked him? Xiao Bing, don't spout nonsense!"

Xiao Bing chuckled, then tried to smooth things over with Chu Ning. "Mister, you see, even though you're so handsome, Your Majesty doesn't like you. If you get old and turn into an old man, there'll be even less hope."

Hearing this, Chu Ning immediately became serious.

"If that's the case, in order for Qinglian to like me more, I must cultivate, I must achieve immortality, and I must maintain my appearance!"

"Yes, Mister..."

Their back-and-forth banter made Ye Qinglian feel it was utterly preposterous.

She had a feeling they might have conspired beforehand.

However, since Chu Ning had said so.

"Since Xiao Bing's cultivation speed at the Ye Family Holy Land isn't great anyway, why don't you cultivate within the Imperial Palace, and Xiao Bing will be responsible for supervising your cultivation."

Ye Qinglian looked coldly at Chu Ning.

"The cultivation method I gave you previously is the dynasty's most superior technique. I will personally check your progress every day. If you are still lazy about cultivation, you'll be sent to the Imperial Mausoleum to lie down!"

Chu Ning wailed upon hearing this.

"Your Majesty, that's not what we agreed on! You promised me a life of luxury and ease, so why am I now going to the Imperial Mausoleum to lie down..."

"It's all lying down, but is there no difference? Cultivate diligently, do you understand?"

"I understand, I understand. Since you've said so, how can I not try my best?"

Ye Qinglian looked at Xiao Bing again.

"Supervise him well. If he doesn't cultivate, you'll be punished too!"

Xiao Bing immediately agreed!

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I am very meticulous in my work. If I say I will supervise Mister Chu's cultivation, I will absolutely not let him slack off!"

"Mm, don't mind Chu Ning's status. Hit him if you need to, scold him if you need to. If anything happens, I'll have your back."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Chu Ning sighed helplessly from the side.

"Two women against one outsider like me. This life is unbearable..."

"Isn't this for your own good? I'm providing you with resources and cultivation methods. What are you complaining about?"

Xiao Bing also looked at Chu Ning and nodded earnestly.

"Mister Chu, please don't upset Your Majesty. It's all for your own good."

"Which side are you on, anyway? You're like a non-stick pan, aren't you?"

Xiao Bing looked at him curiously.

"What do you mean by a non-stick pan?"

Chu Ning chuckled. "It means being smooth in handling affairs, not offending anyone. Isn't that what a non-stick pan is?"

Ye Qinglian put down her chopsticks, having finished most of her meal.

"Xiao Bing, as the head female official of the Imperial Palace, naturally she should be like this. Don't find fault with her. If you have any dissatisfaction, come find me if you dare?"

Chu Ning also put down his chopsticks and quickly stood up.

"I have no dissatisfaction. Xiao Bing is great just the way she is. Are you full?"

"Mm."

"Since you're full, let's go for a walk to aid digestion. I'll leave the rest to Xiao Bing..."

With that, he naturally took Ye Qinglian's hand.

Xiao Bing noticed this and immediately shoveled rice, resolutely refusing to look up!

When she was needed, she was there; when she wasn't, she just ate!

Ye Qinglian lowered her beautiful eyes and glanced at Chu Ning's "dog paws," but didn't refuse.

She had been led a few times already, so she could adapt. She slowly stood up.

"Okay."

The two went out together, leaving the room to Xiao Bing alone. Xiao Bing watched their retreating backs with a sigh.

Their relationship had indeed progressed a lot!

The meal was becoming more and more delicious!

Outside the sleeping quarters, Chu Ning supported Ye Qinglian.

"Slow down, don't bump yourself. Your health is the most important thing right now..."

Ye Qinglian let out a cold laugh. "Do you think I can't see what you're trying to do?"

"I'm considering your health; you're almost four months along!"

"Then why are you touching my waist?"

Chu Ning coughed lightly and silently withdrew his hand.

"I was just afraid you might slip..."

"Do you think that kind of thing would happen?"

"What if it did? Better safe than sorry!"

Chu Ning looked at the woman in front of him with a serious expression!

"This is more important than anything. I'll support you, and I'll be at ease!"

Ye Qinglian tugged at the corner of her mouth but said nothing. However, she was quite satisfied with Chu Ning's attitude at the moment.

Even though she was a cultivator, she could still feel Chu Ning's concern, even if that concern had a hint of taking advantage...

"By the way, I've handled a few memorial reports and brought them over. Do you want to take a look?"

"Of course, I want to see them. Dynasty memorials are of great importance; how can they be dismissed with your word alone?"

"Naturally. My wife is the greatest. You sit first; I put them aside this afternoon."

Soon, Chu Ning brought the memorials and handed them over. In the pavilion shrouded by night, the woman perused the memorials in her hands, frowning at times and exclaiming in surprise at others.

She frowned, thinking Chu Ning's methods were too bizarre, like a poisonous strategist who only cared about results and not the process.

How could dynasty affairs be handled like this? It would lose the people's hearts.

But she had to admit the methods were very good.

She marveled at Chu Ning's shrewdness.

"You're only twenty-four, aren't you? Where did you learn all this?"

Chu Ning looked up when he heard this.

"I still remember that midsummer evening when a white turtle surfaced and stared at me, saying I was a king's advisor. Then, overnight, I became self-taught..."

Ye Qinglian said displeasantly, "If you don't want to say it, then don't. Why say such things?"

She was genuinely listening, but only realized Chu Ning was spouting nonsense when he mentioned being self-taught.

Then, she felt a pair of "dog paws" take her hand and hold it in their palm.

"The process is similar; it feels like being self-taught, but it's hard to explain. In short, I'm satisfied if I can solve these troubles for you and make things easier for you."

The surroundings were silent, and the small pavilion shrouded in night had little light. The two sat facing each other, gazing at each other for a long time.

"If you are truly this capable, you will be very tired in the days to come," she murmured.

"I don't usually rest this long. After waking up, I feel exhausted and want to continue resting. I fear I won't have much energy in the future. If you were incapable, you wouldn't need to interfere or get involved in these matters. But now that you have such talent and trust me so much..."

"Didn't you trust me first, Qinglian, by giving me this position? Otherwise, how could I help you handle these matters?"

Ye Qinglian's eyes deepened, and she pondered for a long time.

"You know that's not what I mean. I'm just worried about you. As the Imperial Sovereign, you shouldn't be doing these things."

Chu Ning also smiled and looked at Ye Qinglian. "Then you should also know what I mean. Since I am already your husband, I will naturally help you with things I can resolve properly."

Ye Qinglian's expression was somewhat complex, her heart filled with a peculiar emotion, a slight flutter.

It was this kind of man who suddenly appeared in her life, disrupting her plans and progress, and with whom she suddenly formed an inseparable bond.

But could these things alone make this man unconditionally devote himself to her?

However, Ye Qinglian had nothing better to repay Chu Ning with, yet she knew Chu Ning was not acting without desire; he had other ambitions.

Those ambitions were not just for the child in her belly.

But also for her...

In any case, she had handled today's political affairs exceptionally well, and she was very satisfied.

And now, she had even taken Chu Ning to the ancestral temple to pay respects to their ancestors, in his name as her husband.

From now on, they would be considered husband and wife, so their relationship couldn't possibly remain so stiff. Seeing how reassuring he was, she might as well let him have a little advantage...

Ye Qinglian closed her eyes slightly, her hands trembling at that moment.

Even if Chu Ning had never been intimate with a woman before, even if he was a complete novice in this regard, he understood the meaning behind this action!

Did she mean he could kiss her?

Chu Ning's eyes widened, his heart filled with excitement!

After a busy day, the best reward was a hug and a kiss from the one he loved.

Although their relationship was still limited to knowing and being familiar with each other, not yet to the point of being in love.

But this was progress!

Without any hesitation, Chu Ning immediately pouted and leaned in!

It was his first kiss!

Smack smack smack~

However, suddenly, a hand blocked Chu Ning's next move, and he froze.

No way, with this atmosphere, and she still won't let me kiss her?

Yet, Chu Ning sensed something was off at that moment.

For some reason, Ye Qinglian, whose expression had been calm moments ago, was now blushing furiously and rising in shame.

"Xiao Bing is watching, I'm going to rest!"

Chu Ning felt like he'd been struck by lightning. He turned his head sharply and saw a pair of eyes peeking out from the crack in the door.

The owner of those eyes seemed to know she'd been discovered and immediately slipped back inside...

Chu Ning was dumbfounded!

What the heck...

What's wrong with Xiao Bing watching!

She just wanted to witness your happy moment, what's the big deal!

"Then it's a debt, you have to make it up to me next time!"

Ye Qinglian's footsteps quickened, she didn't dare to stop!

She had none of the composure and dignity befitting an Empress, acting like a young woman caught in a clandestine meeting with her lover...

"You didn't answer, so I'll take that as a yes!"

A moment later, Xiao Bing walked over with a tray, looking wronged.

"I was just curious what you two were doing, I didn't expect..."

Chu Ning's expression remained unchanged as he patted the young girl's shoulder.

"Since you know you ruined my good deed, you have to find me an opportunity next time! Understand?"

"Yes, Mister Chu, this servant will definitely work hard to find opportunities for Mister, and notify Mister at the slightest sign of movement!"

"Good! What do you want to eat? I'll make more for you tomorrow!"

"..."

Inside the sleeping quarters, Ye Qinglian, her face flushed, could hear Chu Ning outside brazenly bribing her personal maidservant. She was utterly mortified!

If you want to kiss, just kiss! Dawdling around and getting caught by Xiao Bing, and even plotting loudly about how to find an opportunity...

It was an insult to heaven!

But this was her only chance!

It wouldn't happen next time!

Absolutely not!

Failing to kiss was indeed heartbreaking.

But the reaction of his wife, who was willing to be kissed, was the key!

What was a single kiss?

Could it compare to Ye Qinglian being willing to be kissed, or even initiating a kiss in the future?

This was what Chu Ning wanted!

A small setback like this was nothing; Ye Qinglian's mindset had already changed!

That was enough!

He would return to his palace, sleep soundly, and wake up tomorrow morning to continue cooking!

Leaving Qianqing Palace, Chu Ning felt incredibly refreshed.

Not only will I kiss you.

I'll even defy you!

If my wife doesn't speak, it means she defaults to yes!

What is owed must be repaid, hehehe!

The palace Chu Ning resided in was a side hall of Qianqing Palace.

The road wasn't actually far, just a couple of steps away.

However, this time, Chu Ning walked for a long time without seeing the gate of his palace.

He was a little confused.

Did I walk into a ghost wall?

Ahead of him, there was still the endless palace wall, with its blue bricks and red tiles. Under the night sky, no one was walking, and no sound could be heard; it was extremely bizarre.

Turning around, his back was no longer Qianqing Palace.

Instead, it was identical to the palace wall in front of him!

And before him, a burly old man with white hair stood not far away.

His aged, wrinkled face showed no emotion, only disdain and suspicion.

This person, Chu Ning had seen him today with Ye Qinglian at the Imperial Palace's ancestral temple.

Is he that Void Breaking elder?

He took a step forward, and a powerful pressure appeared around Chu Ning, instantly restraining him!

"I have investigated your identity and deduced your origins."

"But you seem to be not from the Great Gan Dynasty!"

He narrowed his eyes and appeared before Chu Ning in a single step, a steel saber instantly placed at Chu Ning's throat!

"I will give you two choices."

"Either reveal your true identity!"

"Or die!"