Tang Yuehua froze from head to toe, her heart pounding wildly.
Her cool, elegant face was completely flushed, even her earlobes and the sides of her neck burning hot.
She turned her head away, the movement filled with extreme embarrassment and helplessness. Her voice came out faint and strained, tinged with pleading.
In all the years she had lived, no one had ever dared tease her so shamelessly. But the other woman was the Crown Prince's Imperial Concubine, a person of noble status. Tang Yuehua didn't even dare resist.
Ye Yunxi watched her, all cool elegance shattered by embarrassment, and smiled broadly. A low chuckle slipped from her throat. The naturally alluring curve of her smile made Tang Yuehua's heart tremble.
"So what if I am?"
"Remember, don't try to stop me from leaving. Otherwise, this Imperial Concubine has plenty of ways to make things difficult for you."
Her voice was languid, each word clear. Her fingertips squeezed Tang Yuehua's chin.
When she finished speaking, Ye Yunxi let go. Her fingertips brushed Tang Yuehua's lips one last time, leaving behind a faintly cool sensation.
She didn't continue teasing her. Instead, she turned and left.
Tang Yuehua remained frozen in the corner, covering her burning cheeks, her heart still pounding wildly.
A misty sheen clouded her cool eyes. She was flustered and confused, unable to even gather the nerve to chase after Ye Yunxi.
Ye Yunxi had nearly reached the Moonlight Pavilion's exit when a force suddenly seized her wrist.
The grip wasn't especially strong, but she couldn't pull free.
Her heart lurched. She spun around.
Qian Renxue stood behind her.
Their gazes met. Seeing the lingering allure in Ye Yunxi's eyes and her smug expression, Qian Renxue let out a low laugh. His voice was hoarse, edged with barely restrained fury, each word landing like a blow:
"Your Highness, the Imperial Concubine, certainly knows how to have fun."
"Xue Qinghe, I don't know what you're talking about. Let go of me!"
Ye Yunxi struggled to wrench her hand free, but Qian Renxue's grip only tightened.
"Come with me. Don't even think about running away. I'll deal with you when we get back."
While he and Emperor Xue Ye had been talking, he'd watched everything unfold.
This little vixen was always causing trouble for him. If she'd just behaved herself, he wouldn't have sealed her Soul Power.
He was pulled over by Qian Renxue to stand beside Emperor Xue Ye.
A great many people had gathered below: the Four Elements Academies, Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and Shrek Academy.
As Emperor Xue Ye prepared to address them, he glanced at Ye Yunxi beside him.
He truly couldn't understand how his son had found a woman like her.
"Everyone, the Soul Master Tournament is about to begin. If you represent Heaven Dou Royal Academy and achieve good results, you may be rewarded with a noble title, a fief, and Gold Soul Coins."
His words stirred up quite a few people. If they could obtain a noble title and a fief, their lives would be secure for years to come.
After speaking, Emperor Xue Ye looked at Xue Qinghe and Ye Yunxi.
"Imperial Concubine, Qinghe, is there anything you'd like to say? Perhaps a few words of encouragement for these young men."
"Father, I don't have anything to say. Why not let the Imperial Concubine speak?"
Qian Renxue stepped aside. What could he say? His father had already said it all.
"Since the Imperial Concubine is here, let her speak," Emperor Xue Ye said with a faint smile.
"Since you've asked me to speak, I'll offer something practical."
Ye Yunxi smiled, her bewitching beauty making everyone's hearts flutter.
Qian Renxue thought, Oh no. Is this little vixen about to stir up trouble again?
"You are all young people of the Heaven Dou Empire. I don't have much to offer you as a reward. But if you win, I can become your close friend, and I can invite you to my residence for a chat."
As Ye Yunxi finished speaking, a pale-pink radiance suddenly spread around her. Her Soul Power rippled, and the phantom of the Nine-Tailed Sky Fox took shape behind her.
Nine fluffy, gleaming white tails unfurled and fluttered, their tips adorned with shimmering streams of scarlet Fox Flame. Fine silver patterns covered the fox's body, and its eyes glimmered with soul-hooking allure.
The nine tails lifted, and an overwhelming, utterly bewitching aura spread in every direction, seeping into the hearts of everyone present.
Her dark hair was loosely pinned up, with a few wisps falling against her cheeks. Her peach-blossom eyes curved in a soft, alluring smile, and a shallow dimple appeared on her lips.
She stood there in silence, cool features softened by an allure that seemed to seep into one's bones.
Everyone's heart began to pound beyond their control. Blood surged through their veins, and their spirits soared.
The young Soul Masters were utterly entranced, their gazes fixed on her in a daze, their breathing growing ragged.
Shui Bing'er of Skywater Academy blushed scarlet, her heart racing as though it might burst.
The disciples of the Four Elements Academies gaped in astonishment, as if their souls had been stolen, their eyes burning with fervor.
Ye Yunxi raised her fingertips slightly. Her voice was soft yet clear, every word steeped in bone-deep allure as it drifted lightly into everyone's ears.
"Not just a visit to my residence. If anyone wins the tournament, I'll personally pour him a drink and keep him company as we drink through the night."
The moment her words fell, the entire venue erupted!
The young Soul Masters felt their blood rush to their heads, fierce determination igniting in their eyes, the flames in their chests burning white-hot.
Even if it was only to win a smile from the Imperial Concubine and a chance to be alone with her, they would give everything to claim the championship!
Standing beside her, Qian Renxue's handsome face turned icy. The possessiveness in his eyes nearly spilled over, and his jaw clenched until his teeth ached.
This little vixen was flirting with everyone in the room right in front of him!
Yet he couldn't make a scene in public. He could only bottle up his anger.
A flicker of shock crossed Emperor Xue Ye's eyes. Then he chuckled and shook his head. The Imperial Concubine's allure had truly reached such a level that a mere Martial Soul and a faint smile could make the young men bow their heads and willingly walk through fire for her.
Feeling the heat of everyone's gazes, Ye Yunxi's smile deepened. The radiance of the Nine-Tailed Sky Fox slowly faded.
She withdrew her Martial Soul and stood there with a delicate air, her peach-blossom eyes sweeping over the crowd as she gave a slight nod.
"This Imperial Concubine will be waiting for your good news."
The venue fell silent for a moment, then erupted in thunderous cheers, the sound nearly lifting the roof off the Moonlight Pavilion.
"Since the Imperial Concubine has put it that way, I hope you'll all give it your best," Emperor Xue Ye said with a hearty laugh.
"That's right. Do your best, everyone. I'll be watching your matches from below, too."
Ye Yunxi gave a playful smile, then returned to Qian Renxue's side.
"Now, it's time for the ball. Everyone, enjoy yourselves," Emperor Xue Ye announced.
After speaking, he took one last look at Ye Yunxi, still reluctant to leave, then returned to the palace with a group of ministers.
Quite a few people wanted to invite Ye Yunxi to dance, but with Qian Renxue beside her, none of them dared.
"Ye Yunxi, what exactly are you doing? Do you even know I'm your husband?" Qian Renxue muttered, deeply displeased.
What was this? Was she trying to make him wear a green hat?
"Your Highness, I know. But I never admitted it. Besides, Emperor Xue Ye told you to say something, you said you had nothing to say and told me to speak instead. You can't blame me for that."
Ye Yunxi looked utterly pitiful.
"You really are a little vixen. Just wait until we get back. I'll teach you a proper lesson."