Ye Yunxi sat there just like that. Before long, the figure in front of her gradually came into focus.
"Your Highness, Imperial Concubine. It's nice to see you. I didn't know you were the Imperial Concubine last time, Miss. Please forgive my offense."
Dai Mubai bowed in greeting. It was the etiquette he had learned growing up in the Dai Clan of the Star Luo Empire.
"There's no need to be so formal."
Ye Yunxi smiled and said nothing more.
Dai Mubai saw Ye Yunxi's bright, sparkling peach-blossom eyes, paired with a smile lovely enough to make anyone's heart bloom.
He was as excited as if he'd been injected with a shot of adrenaline, but he still maintained his manners on the surface.
As long as he hadn't made a bad impression on her, he still had a chance.
Ye Yunxi glanced at the others behind him, who were preparing to step forward and greet her.
"There's no need for each of you to explain yourselves. Besides, at the time, I'd only run off to have a little fun."
"Your Highness, Imperial Concubine. I'm Yu Xiaogang, an instructor at Shrek Academy. I published the Ten Core Competitiveness Theories of Martial Souls. People also call me Grandmaster."
Yu Xiaogang stepped forward, bowed in greeting, and held out his hand to shake hers and make her acquaintance.
"Oh, Grandmaster. There's no need to shake hands. I'm not used to making the acquaintance of strangers."
Ye Yunxi smiled faintly and didn't take Yu Xiaogang's hand.
Yu Xiaogang awkwardly withdrew his hand. He couldn't help thinking, Does this Imperial Concubine have no idea how important I am?
Her next words truly startled him.
"Grandmaster, compared to you, I have more faith in your disciple. He holds a rather high place in my heart."
Ye Yunxi's peach-blossom eyes curved as she gave Tang San a quick, shallow wink. Her bewitching gaze, laced with the utmost admiration, drifted over him, and in an instant he became the dazzling focus of everyone's attention.
She smiled inwardly. I wonder what's going through God King Tang's mind right now?
Tang San stiffened all over. His ears instantly turned red, and he unconsciously straightened his back. Excitement and bewilderment surged through him.
To the Shrek Seven Devils, the scene landed like a thunderclap.
Dai Mubai clenched his fists, deeply unwilling to accept it.
What did he lack? Why had the Imperial Concubine taken a liking to Tang San?
The initial amazement in his eyes turned to intense jealousy. Ye Yunxi had offered him nothing but a faint, distant smile, yet she'd given Tang San this special invitation with her eyes. The contrast left him seething.
Ma Hongjun's chubby face flushed red. He spat angrily and cursed the heavens for their unfairness. Why did all the good things go to Tang San?
Oscar pressed his lips together, disappointment and jealousy mingling in his eyes.
Tang San hadn't even stepped forward to introduce himself, yet he'd earned the Imperial Concubine's approval.
Why?
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing also grew solemn.
Xiao Wu clutched Tang San's clothes tightly. His reaction just now had left her deeply upset.
I'm the one who grew up with him. How could another woman make him act like that?
Each of the Shrek Seven Devils had their own thoughts.
Yu Xiaogang was even more displeased.
First she'd refused to shake his hand, and now Ye Yunxi's casual remark had pierced his heart like icy needles.
He had devoted his life to studying Martial Soul Theory, earning fame with the Ten Core Competencies. The world respected him as Grandmaster.
He had even considered himself a guiding light in the world of martial souls. Yet in the Imperial Concubine's eyes, he wasn't even as good as his own disciple!
Watching the seven of them harbor their own thoughts, Ye Yunxi couldn't help wanting to laugh. She continued:
"Grandmaster's theories may be systematic, but they lack practical experience. In the end, they're all just armchair theories. Tang San, on the other hand, has excellent natural gifts and a steady disposition. He's an uncut gem who can be shaped into something fine, far more substantial than theory."
At that, Yu Xiaogang's face turned completely livid.
The guests around them whispered among themselves. Their gazes toward Yu Xiaogang carried a hint of mockery and pity, while the looks they gave Tang San were full of envy and jealousy.
They had all wanted to strike up a conversation with the Imperial Concubine, but this young man had stolen the opportunity from them.
Tang San opened his mouth, wanting to explain, but found he had nothing to say.
The woman's natural bewitching beauty, and the way she smiled ever so slightly, were enough to make his heart tremble.
"Your name is Tang San, right?"
Ye Yunxi suddenly stood up and walked over to Tang San.
"Yes, Your Highness, Imperial Concubine. My name is Tang San. May I ask what you meant just now? I believe we've only met a few times."
Tang San was confused. Why had he earned the Imperial Concubine's favor?
"Don't overthink it. I simply think you're impressive, and you know a great deal. If you study diligently, you won't be inferior to anyone else."
Ye Yunxi winked at Tang San.
"I'm looking forward to seeing you make a name for yourself at the Soul Master Tournament. If you perform exceptionally well, I wouldn't mind inviting you to spend a night with me."
Those words alone left the other six members of the Shrek Seven Devils and Yu Xiaogang deeply displeased.
Dai Mubai most of all. He was of royal descent, and his manners just now had been impeccable. Why hadn't the Imperial Concubine taken a liking to him?
Before Tang San could respond, Ye Yunxi gave him a bewitching smile and left.
After Ye Yunxi left, nearly everyone turned to look at Tang San.
They didn't dare say anything aloud, but they were seething with jealousy.
Xiao Wu was so angry she was close to tears.
What did Xiao San mean by that just now?
"Everyone, go back."
Yu Xiaogang gave a cold snort and returned to his place first.
The others followed one after another.
Elsewhere, Ye Yunxi came to a secluded spot.
She had planned to use the banquet's imminent start as a chance to slip away.
Suddenly, a woman in a palace gown, the very model of decorum, blocked her path.
"Your Highness, the banquet isn't over yet. Please don't leave without permission."
Ye Yunxi raised her eyes and looked at the woman in front of her.
"I don't know you, do I? Don't stop me from leaving."
"Your Highness, I can't agree to that. His Highness the Crown Prince gave orders just now that you weren't to be allowed to leave." The woman still refused to let Ye Yunxi go.
"I remember. You're the owner of Moonlight Pavilion, Tang Yuehua, aren't you?" Ye Yunxi studied Tang Yuehua for a few moments before realizing who she was.
Before Tang Yuehua could react, Ye Yunxi suddenly grabbed her hand and led her to an empty spot.
Tang Yuehua was still confused when—
Ye Yunxi pinned her against the corner.
As Tang Yuehua looked at the woman before her, her heart began to pound. A blush spread across her usually cool face, and she desperately turned her head away.
"Your Highness, please mind your manners."
"Miss Tang, you should know that if you dare move now, I'll shout."
Ye Yunxi's fingertips lifted Tang Yuehua's chin, forcing her to turn back and meet her gaze.
Her peach-blossom eyes shimmered with seductive charm. Her veiled face held a hazy, captivating allure. Her breath brushed Tang Yuehua's flushed ear, soft and sweet, yet carrying a hint of roguish dominance.
Her fingertip traced Tang Yuehua's rosy lips.
"Y-Your Highness, please don't do anything reckless..."