The Changing Relationship, Crisis Approaches!

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

Between them sat Xiao Bing, huffing and puffing as she shoveled food into her mouth. Her entire purpose seemed to be eating, as though she were an irrelevant background character.

But her presence was essential. Otherwise, Chu Ning would start rambling again.

"Xiao Bing, how was your cultivation today?"

At that, Xiao Bing put down her bowl and chopsticks, wiped the corner of her mouth, and shook her head regretfully.

"My cultivation speed isn't even as fast as it was in the imperial palace. Perhaps I was infected by the Dragon Qi on Your Majesty and received some of its blessings, which was why I cultivated so quickly?"

Ye Qinglian couldn't help laughing.

"What are you talking about? Even if the Dragon Qi had infected you, it couldn't have reached you. Only members of the Ye Family can have that effect. Besides, the Dragon Qi merely represents the dynasty's National Destiny; it has nothing to do with cultivation."

Nearby, Chu Ning smiled at Xiao Bing. "Looks like you care a lot about cultivation?"

Xiao Bing nodded vigorously.

"Of course I care! Not everyone is like Mister Chu, without desires and thinking only about Your Majesty. If my cultivation gets high enough, enemy nations won't dare invade or harass us. If I ever reach Your Majesty's realm, it might even be possible to flatten an enemy nation!"

"Besides, cultivation can lead to immortality. Mister Chu should cultivate properly too. Otherwise, in a few decades, you'll grow old and lose your good looks. Will Your Majesty still like you then?"

Ye Qinglian suddenly coughed several times and glared at her displeasedly.

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

Xiao Bing giggled, then tried to smooth things over for Chu Ning. "Look, Mister Chu, even though you're already so handsome, Your Majesty doesn't like you. If you grow old and become an old man, you'll have even less of a chance."

Hearing that, Chu Ning immediately became serious.

"If that's the case, then to make Qinglian like me more, I'll cultivate, live forever, and preserve my appearance!"

"Exactly, Mister Chu..."

The two of them sang the same tune, leaving Ye Qinglian bewildered.

She couldn't shake the feeling that the two of them had deliberately said all this. Had they colluded beforehand?

But since Chu Ning had already said so—

"Since Xiao Bing's cultivation speed isn't particularly good even in the Ye Family Holy Land, she might as well cultivate in the imperial palace. Xiao Bing will be responsible for supervising your cultivation."

Ye Qinglian looked coldly at Chu Ning.

"The cultivation method I gave you is the dynasty's finest technique. I'll personally inspect your progress every day. If you remain lazy about cultivation, you can go lie in the Imperial Mausoleum!"

Chu Ning began to whimper at that.

"Your Majesty, that wasn't what you said before. You promised to let me enjoy wealth and lie around doing nothing. How did that become lying in the Imperial Mausoleum..."

"You're lying around either way. What difference does it make? Cultivate properly. Understood?"

"Understood, understood. Since you've put it that way, how could I not work hard?"

Ye Qinglian looked at Xiao Bing again.

"Supervise him properly. If he refuses to cultivate, you'll be punished for it too!"

Xiao Bing immediately agreed.

"Rest assured, Your Majesty. I'm very reliable. If I say I'll supervise Mister Chu's cultivation, I absolutely won't let him slack off!"

"Good. Don't worry about Chu Ning's identity. Hit him when he deserves it and scold him when he deserves it. Whatever happens, I'll have your back."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Chu Ning sighed helplessly from the side.

"Two women ganging up on an outsider like me. How am I supposed to live like this..."

"Isn't what I'm doing for your sake? I can provide you with resources and cultivation techniques. What are you complaining about?"

Xiao Bing also looked at Chu Ning and nodded seriously.

"Mister Chu, don't upset Your Majesty. She's doing it all for your own good."

"Which side are you on? Are you trying to be the dynasty's number-one nonstick pan?"

Xiao Bing looked over curiously.

"What's a nonstick pan?"

Chu Ning said with a grin, "It means handling things smoothly without offending either side. Isn't that exactly what a nonstick pan is?"

Ye Qinglian put down her bowl and chopsticks. She had nearly finished eating.

"As the head female official of the imperial palace, Xiao Bing should naturally act that way. Don't nitpick her. If you're dissatisfied, come find me if you have the courage."

Chu Ning also set down his bowl and chopsticks and hurriedly stood up.

"I'm not dissatisfied. Xiao Bing is great just the way she is. Are you full?"

"Mhm."

"Since you're full, let's take a walk and digest the food. I'll leave the rest to Xiao Bing..."

As he spoke, he naturally took Ye Qinglian's hand.

Xiao Bing noticed and immediately buried her head in her bowl, refusing to look up!

When she was needed, she was there. When she wasn't needed, she just kept eating!

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

He had held her hand several times already, so she had grown used to it. She slowly stood up.

"All right."

The two of them left together, leaving Xiao Bing alone in the room. Watching their backs, Xiao Bing sighed emotionally.

Their relationship really had progressed quite a bit!

Even the food tasted better and better!

Outside the sleeping palace, Chu Ning supported Ye Qinglian.

"Slowly. Don't trip or bump into anything. Your health is the most important thing right now..."

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

"I'm thinking about your health. It's almost been four months!"

"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's likely to happen?"

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

Chu Ning looked at the woman before him with a solemn expression.

"This is more important than anything else. I'm supporting you, and that puts my mind at ease!"

Ye Qinglian twitched the corner of her mouth without saying anything, but she was quite pleased by Chu Ning's attitude.

Even though she was a cultivator, she could still feel Chu Ning's concern. Though that concern did come with a hint of taking advantage...

"By the way, there were several memorials. I finished handling them and brought them over. Would you like to take a look?"

"Of course. The dynasty's memorials concern matters of great importance. How could you decide them on your own?"

"Of course. My wife comes first. Sit down for now. I put them aside this afternoon."

Soon, Chu Ning brought over the memorials and handed them to her. Beneath the night sky, in the pavilion, the woman examined the memorials in her hands, sometimes frowning and sometimes exclaiming in surprise.

She frowned because she felt Chu Ning's methods were far too bizarre, carrying the displeasure of a poison strategist who cared only about results and not the process.

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

But she had to admit that his methods were excellent.

She exclaimed in surprise because she was impressed by the maturity of Chu Ning's methods.

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

Hearing that, Chu Ning lifted his head.

"I still remember that evening during the Midsummer Festival. A white tortoise surfaced from the water and stared at me, saying I had the talent to assist an emperor. Then, overnight, I mastered everything without a teacher..."

Ye Qinglian said unhappily, "If you don't want to tell me, then don't. Why make up this nonsense?"

She had been listening seriously, but only realized he was spouting nonsense when he mentioned mastering everything without a teacher.

Then a dog paw took her hand and held it in his palm.

"The process was more or less like that. It felt as though I mastered everything without a teacher, but it's hard to explain. In any case, being able to solve these problems for you and make things easier for you makes me very satisfied."

The world around them was silent. The small pavilion was shrouded in darkness, with barely any light. The two sat facing each other and stared at one another for a long time.

"If you really are this capable, you'll have a difficult life from now on."

She spoke softly. "I don't usually rest for this long either. After waking up, I feel exhausted all over and still want to keep resting. I'm afraid I won't have much energy in the future. If you knew nothing, there would naturally be no need for you to interfere in or become involved with these matters. But now that you possess such talent and trust me so deeply..."

"Wasn't it you who trusted me first, Qinglian? You gave me this position. Otherwise, how could I help you handle these matters?"

Ye Qinglian lowered her eyes and pondered for a long while.

"You know that isn't what I mean. I'm worried about you. As the Emperor Consort, you shouldn't have to handle these matters."

Chu Ning also smiled at Ye Qinglian. "Then you should know what I mean too. Since I'm already your husband, I'll naturally help you properly resolve whatever I can."

Ye Qinglian's expression grew complicated as a peculiar emotion filled her heart, bringing with it a faint stir of affection.

A man like this had suddenly appeared in her life, disrupting her plans and progress and abruptly forming an inseparable connection with her.

But could these things alone make this man give everything to her without conditions?

Ye Qinglian had nothing better left to repay Chu Ning with, but she also knew that Chu Ning was not without desires. He simply wanted something else.

What he wanted was not only the child in her belly.

He wanted her as well...

In any case, he had handled today's governmental affairs extremely well, and she was quite satisfied.

Besides, she had already taken Chu Ning to the ancestral temple and paid respects to her ancestors, doing so in the name of her husband.

From now on, they could be considered husband and wife. Their relationship couldn't remain so stiff forever. Since he made her feel so secure, perhaps she could let him take a little advantage...

Ye Qinglian slowly closed her eyes. Both her hands were trembling.

Although Chu Ning had never been close to a woman before and was completely inexperienced in this regard, he still understood what this gesture meant!

Was she saying he could kiss her?

Chu Ning's eyes widened, and his heart soared!

After a busy day, the best reward was an embrace or kiss from the person he loved.

Although their relationship was still limited to familiarity and mutual understanding and had yet to reach the level of love—

This was progress!

Without any hesitation, Chu Ning immediately puckered his lips and leaned over!

He was getting his first kiss!

Mwah, mwah, mwah~

But suddenly, a hand blocked Chu Ning's next move, and he froze on the spot.

Seriously? Even with this atmosphere, she still wouldn't let him kiss her?

Yet Chu Ning also noticed that something was wrong.

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

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

As if struck by lightning, Chu Ning suddenly turned around and saw a pair of eyes peering out through the crack in the door.

The owner of those eyes seemed to realize that she had been discovered and immediately slipped back inside...

Chu Ning was dumbfounded!

What the...

What was wrong with Xiao Bing watching?

She only wanted to witness their happy moment. What was wrong with that?

"Then you owe me one. You'll have to make it up to me next time!"

Ye Qinglian's steps grew faster and faster. She didn't dare stop at all!

She had none of the composure or dignity befitting the current Empress. She looked like a little woman caught secretly meeting her lover...

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

A moment later, Xiao Bing came over carrying a tray, looking aggrieved.

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

Chu Ning remained expressionless and merely patted the young woman on the shoulder.

"Since you know you ruined my good moment, find me an opportunity next time! Understood?"

"Yes, Mister Chu. I'll definitely work hard to find an opportunity for you. I'll notify you as soon as anything happens!"

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

"..."

Inside the sleeping palace, Ye Qinglian's face was flushed bright red as she listened to Chu Ning brazenly bribing her personal maid outside. She was so embarrassed she could die!

If he wanted to kiss her, he should have just kissed her. Instead, he had dawdled until Xiao Bing caught them, and now the two of them were even loudly plotting how to find another opportunity...

This was outrageous!

But there had only been one opportunity!

There wouldn't be another next time!

Absolutely not!

Naturally, failing to kiss her was heartbreaking.

But the crucial part was Ye Qinglian's reaction when she had taken the initiative to let him kiss her!

What did one kiss matter?

How could it compare to Ye Qinglian taking the initiative to let him kiss her? Or even taking the initiative to kiss him in the future?

That was what Chu Ning wanted!

What did a minor setback matter? Ye Qinglian's state of mind had already changed!

That was enough!

He would return to the palace and sleep soundly. Tomorrow morning, he would get up and continue cooking!

After leaving Qianqing Palace, Chu Ning was in an absolutely fantastic mood.

Not only do I get to kiss her.

I get to overstep my place, too!

My wife hasn't said a word, so that means she agrees!

You'll pay back what you owe, heh heh heh!

Chu Ning lived in a side hall of Qianqing Palace.

It wasn't far—only a short walk away.

But this time, Chu Ning walked for a long while without seeing the gate to his palace.

He was puzzled.

Had he run into a ghostly maze?

Before him stretched the same endless palace wall, its green bricks and red tiles shrouded in night. No one walked about, and not a sound could be heard. It was eerie to the extreme.

When he turned around, Qianqing Palace was no longer behind him.

Instead, there was a wall exactly like the one before him!

And standing not far away was a burly old man with streaks of white in his hair.

His aged, deeply wrinkled face showed no expression, only contempt and suspicion.

Chu Ning had seen this man today when he went with Ye Qinglian to the Ancestral Temple in the imperial palace.

Was he the old man at the Voidbreak level?

The old man took one step forward. A powerful pressure surged around Chu Ning, binding him in an instant!

"This old man investigated your identity and deduced your origins."

"But it seems you're not from the Great Gan Dynasty!"

He narrowed his eyes and appeared before Chu Ning in a single step, then pressed a Steel Knife against Chu Ning's neck!

"This old man will give you two choices."

"Either reveal your true identity!"

"Or die!"