Yu Youhan Can Give You, This Imperial Empress Can Too!

The Imperial Empress's voice was indifferent, drifting through the air without a hint of emotion.

Yet, to Yan Peizhi's ears, it fell with the weight of ten thousand jun, pressing down so heavily he could not even straighten his back!

Although the two factions were locked in a bitter struggle for power and profit—bashing each other's heads in until they were no better than brawling curs—they still maintained a veneer of civility. The order of rank was respected, and the basic decorum of the imperial court was preserved.

But this accusation of being a "rebel faction" tore away the very last shred of their dignity!

It seemed the recent string of events had left the Imperial Empress deeply dissatisfied.

Yan Peizhi was utterly dejected.

He had never imagined that before the Barbarian Slave case had even blown over, Chen Mo would manage to achieve such a monumental merit.

His own failure was painful enough, but the success of his enemy was truly agonizing!

Comparisons are odious; one is left wishing to die or throw their goods away!

The stark contrast only served to highlight the incompetence of his own side!

"Your Highness..."

Yan Peizhi tried to say something more, but the Imperial Empress cut him off, "As a pillar of the imperial court, Lord Yan has many pressing matters to attend to; do not waste your time here."

"I hope that next time you come, you can bring me some good news."

With a few brief words, she issued an order to leave, seemingly lacking the patience to hear another syllable from him.

"This humble subject takes his leave."

Yan Peizhi rose and slunk away, looking utterly defeated.

He had intended to butter her up, but instead, he had been kicked in the face by the horse he was trying to groom, leaving him battered and bruised...

Chen Mo...

Why was it always him?

Could this man be the bane of my existence?

After Yan Peizhi departed, the grand hall fell into a brief silence.

The old eunuch in python robes, who had been standing to the side with a bow, whispered, "Was Your Highness perhaps too harsh on Lord Yan?"

When it came down to it, neither of these matters had much to do with Yan Peizhi.

He had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The Imperial Empress let out a cold snort, "The Yan Family has been getting too close to Prince Yu lately. They are slippery old eels who shift with the wind; they have needed a warning for a long time."

She paused for a moment, then added, "Still, I did not expect that Chen Mo would have such capability... Chen Zhuo truly raised a fine son."

The old eunuch replied, "This servant made some inquiries. This Chen Mo now enjoys high prestige within the Heavenly Qilin Guard. Not only has his strength surged, but his personality is like a completely different person compared to before..."

"A sudden increase in strength could be due to a lucky encounter, but a person's character does not change so easily."

"He possesses both sharp edges and daring; such a person is destined not to remain obscure."

"He must have been deliberately hiding his light until now."

The Imperial Empress shook her head and said, "It is a pity, however, that he has turned away from the light to join the darkness, following that enchantress, Yu Youhan."

The old eunuch pursed his lips and remained silent.

In the entire Heaven Capital City, only the Imperial Empress dared to call Yu Youhan an "enchantress" in public; he certainly did not have the guts.

"Then, regarding the slaying of the Tenth Heavenly Demon this time..."

"Of course, he must be rewarded, and rewarded handsomely!"

"Whatever Yu Youhan can give him, I can give just as well—and more!"

"I do not believe that loyalty maintained through cold-blooded tactics can be all that firm."

"Even if we cannot win him over, we can drive a wedge between them. Given Yu Youhan's nature, the moment suspicion takes root, the verdict is already sealed..."

At this, the Imperial Empress seemed to grow weary.

She leaned back against her chair, stretching her body languidly, casting a graceful silhouette against the screen.

The old eunuch lowered his head, staring straight ahead.

"The Three Offices and Six Ministries are a pack of useless fools; I have to worry about every single thing."

"Huan'er, come and massage me. I have been so exhausted lately..."

Before the gates of the Imperial City.

A handsome man dismounted, his boots striking the ground with purposeful strides.

The armored guards standing watch were about to bar his path, but when they saw the purple token in his hand, their expressions shifted instantly, and they hurriedly knelt on one knee to pay their respects.

"As expected of Her Highness, she truly has an air of prestige."

Chen Mo shook his head with a sigh, lifted his leg, and walked into the Imperial City.

After returning from Tongling County, he did not head back to the Magistrate Office with the others.

It wasn't because he wanted to keep a low profile, but rather to avoid Li Yuan—

This woman didn't just have issues with her way of thinking, her body was problematic too...

Her favorability actually went up the more he beat her!

Thinking of Gu Manzhi, whom he had severely wounded; Li Yuan, whose backside he had thrashed until it swelled; and Imperial Concubine Yu, whom he had bound with the Red String... Chen Mo had every reason to suspect that this world was one giant S&M dungeon!

Hiss, terrifying!

"But then again, getting rewards for free is pretty satisfying, and I'm only one point away from the next stage..."

"Should I find an opportunity to slap her a couple more times?"

Chen Mo stroked his chin, pondering secretly.

Familiar with the route, he arrived at the Inner Court and had a palace maid go in to announce his arrival.

Soon, a familiar figure came into view.

"Chief Xu, long time no see."

Chen Mo waved in greeting.

"It hasn't been long at all; we clearly saw each other just two days ago."

Xu Qingyi replied with a cold expression.

Chen Mo said with a grin, "As the saying goes, a day apart is like three autumns. In the days I couldn't see Chief Xu, every moment felt exceptionally long, so to me, a long time has passed."

"You, what kind of nonsense are you spouting again?"

Xu Qingyi arched her willow-leaf brows, glaring at him with annoyance.

But upon seeing that handsome face with red lips and white teeth, her heart skipped a beat for no reason, and she hurriedly lowered her head.

Recalling the question the Highness asked her while bathing last time, her heart began to beat even more violently.

Could it be that the Highness wants me and Chen Mo to...

No, absolutely not! Even if I die, I will never agree to it!

Watching her look so absent-minded, Chen Mo raised an eyebrow. "Just a joke, Chief Xu isn't angry, are you?"

Having had the experience from last time, how could Xu Qingyi be fooled again?

She shook her head immediately. "I'm not angry!"

"I don't believe you."

"Huh?"

"Unless you give me a smile."

"Chen Mo, don't go too far..."

Looking at the gleaming token held before her, Xu Qingyi's expression stiffened.

After a long silence, she tugged at the corners of her mouth, forcing out a smile:

"Ha, haha..."

"That smile wasn't very natural; pay attention next time."

"..."

Arriving at the Cold Night Palace, Chen Mo walked into the main hall.

Watching his retreating figure, Xu Qingyi gritted her teeth and stomped her foot, waving her pink fist with eyes full of feigned anger.

"Detestable guy, he only knows how to bully me!"

The main hall was permeated with a fragrance as light as an orchid.

Having entered the palace several times, Chen Mo had discovered that Imperial Concubine Yu never used incense; this was entirely the natural fragrance emitted by her Immaculate Jade Body.

After the foot massage last time, the scent had lingered on his hands for so long that he almost couldn't bear to wash them.

What was strange was that in the final moments of the foot massage, that light fragrance had suddenly become rich and moist.

It was as if, after a torrential downpour, the osmanthus trees were in full bloom...

"What business do you have with this Palace?"

Yu Youhan said indifferently.

She was still dressed in plain casual robes, sitting cross-legged on a prayer mat with her eyes slightly closed, while a Mystic and profound aura surged around her.

Though she was right before his eyes, she seemed incredibly distant when looked upon, as if she were a bright moon hanging high above the nine heavens.

When Yu Youhan was cultivating, no one dared to disturb her.

Except for Xu Qingyi, only Chen Mo, who possessed the Purple Luan Token, was an exception.

"Of course, I'm here to farm some gold coins..."

Chen Mo thought secretly to himself, his face twisting into a bitter expression as his voice trembled. "Your Highness, you almost never saw this humble subordinate again!"

Yu Youhan snapped her eyes open, a flash of light crossing her pupils.

"Oh?"

"To think there would be such a joyous occasion?"

Chen Mo: "?"