Chapter 30: Whatever Yu Youhan Can Give You, I Can Give You the Same!

The Empress’s voice was indifferent, drifting lightly without a trace of emotion.

Yet, falling into the ears of Yan Peizhi, it felt as heavy as ten thousand jun, pressing down so hard he could not straighten his body!

Although the two parties fought openly and maneuvered in the dark, scrambling for power and profit until they were at each other's throats, they still maintained a veneer of decorum, keeping to the proper order and protocol to uphold the basic stability of the imperial court.

But this label of "rebel faction" tore away even the last shred of decency!

It seemed the recent events had left the Empress deeply dissatisfied.

Yan Peizhi was also extremely depressed.

He never imagined that before the case of the barbarian slave had even passed, Chen Mo would actually achieve such a great merit again.

His own failure was certainly hard to bear, but the success of an enemy was even more agonizing!

People cannot be compared, and goods cannot be compared; comparison only leads to misery!

After several comparisons, the incompetence of his own side was highlighted all the more.

"Your Highness..."

Yan Peizhi wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by the Empress, "As a pillar of the imperial court with many affairs to attend to, Master Yan should not waste his time here."

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

With just a few words, she issued an order to leave, as if she no longer had the patience to listen to him.

"This humble official takes his leave."

Yan Peizhi rose dejectedly and walked outside.

He had intended to flatter her, but ended up kicking the horse's leg instead, leaving himself battered and bruised...

Chen Mo...

Why is it always him?

Could this man be my destined nemesis?

After Yan Peizhi left, the great hall fell into a brief silence.

The elderly eunuch in a python robe, who had been standing to the side with a bowed head, whispered, "Was Your Highness too harsh on Master Yan?"

These two matters, in the final analysis, did not have much to do with Yan Peizhi.

He simply happened to be in the line of fire.

The Empress gave a cold snort, "The Yan family has been getting too close to the Prince's residence lately; this old slippery fish who shifts with the wind has long needed a warning."

Having said this, her tone paused slightly, "However, I did not expect that Chen Mo would have such ability... Chen Zhuo really did sire a good son."

The old eunuch said, "This servant made some inquiries; this Chen Mo now has a high reputation in the Heaven Unicorn Guard. Not only has his strength surged, but his personality is also like a different person from before..."

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

"Possessing both sharpness and courage, such a person is destined not to remain obscure."

"He must have been deliberately hiding his light before."

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

The old eunuch pursed his lips and did not respond.

In the entire Heaven Capital, only the Empress dared to call Yu Youhan an "enchantress" in public; he did not have that kind of courage.

"Then, regarding the slaying of the Tenth Heavenly Demon this time, what does Your Highness intend..."

"Of course I must reward him, and reward him heavily!"

"Whatever Yu Youhan can give him, I can give him the same, and even more!"

"How firm can loyalty be when it is maintained by the cold-blooded methods of a female demon who kills without blinking?"

"Taking a step back, even if he cannot be won over, one can still sow discord between them... With Yu Youhan's personality, as long as suspicion begins, the charge is already established..."

Speaking of this, the Empress seemed somewhat weary.

Her imperial form leaned lightly against the back of the chair, lazily stretching her waist, casting a graceful silhouette upon the screen.

The old eunuch stood with his head bowed, eyes fixed straight ahead.

"A bunch of useless trash in the Three Departments and Six Ministries; I have to worry about everything myself."

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

Before the Imperial City gate.

A handsome man dismounted and walked forward with long strides.

The guards clad in armor and holding weapons at the gate were about to block him, but upon seeing the purple token flashed in the man's hand, their expressions changed instantly, and they hurriedly knelt on one knee to salute.

"As expected of Her Ladyship, she really has prestige."

Chen Mo shook his head with a sigh and stepped into the Imperial City.

After returning from Tongling County, he did not go back to the office with the others, but came directly to the palace to see Her Ladyship.

Reporting on his work was one thing, but subconsciously, he was also avoiding Li Yuan—

This woman not only had problems with her thinking, but her body also had problems!

Her favorability actually kept increasing the more he fought her!

Thinking of Gu Manzhi, whom he had beaten into serious injury, Li Yuan, whose backside had been swollen from his lashes, and the Imperial Consort tied up with red rope... Chen Mo had reason to suspect that this world was one giant S&M game!

Hiss, scary!

"But then again, getting rewards for free is quite satisfying, and I'm only 1 point away from the next stage..."

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

Chen Mo rubbed his chin, secretly pondering.

Familiar with the path, he arrived at the Inner Court and had a palace maid go in to announce him.

Soon, a familiar figure came into view.

"Director Xu, long time no see."

Chen Mo waved in greeting.

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

Xu Qingyi said with a cold expression.

Chen Mo curled his lips into a smile and said, "As the saying goes, a day without seeing you is like three autumns. In the days I couldn't see Director Xu, every moment felt exceptionally long, so in my heart, it really has been a long time."

"You, what nonsense are you spouting again?"

Xu Qingyi raised her willow-leaf eyebrows, glaring at him in indignation.

This man was becoming more and more presumptuous, speaking without restraint, and actually dared to flirt with her in public!

But seeing that handsome face with red lips and white teeth, her heart felt a sudden, inexplicable panic, and she hurriedly lowered her head.

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

"Could it be that Her Ladyship wants me and Chen Mo to..."

"No, absolutely not! I wouldn't agree even if I died!"

Seeing her distracted state, Chen Mo raised an eyebrow and said, "I was just joking, Director Xu isn't angry, are you?"

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

She immediately shook her head and said, "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 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 Hanxiao Palace, Chen Mo walked into the great hall.

Watching his back, Xu Qingyi gritted her teeth and stomped her foot, waving her delicate fists, her eyes full of vexation.

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

The great hall was permeated with a fragrance as light as orchids.

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

After the foot massage last time, the fragrance had lingered on his hands for a long time; he had been reluctant to wash them...

What was peculiar was that at the final moment of the foot massage, that light fragrance had suddenly become rich and moist.

It was like osmanthus flowers blooming all over the trees after a torrential rain...

"What do you want with me?"

Yu Youhan said indifferently.

She was still in plain casual attire, sitting cross-legged on a prayer mat with her back to him, mysterious and profound energy surging around her.

Although she was right before his eyes, she seemed exceptionally distant, as if she were a bright moon hanging high above the nine heavens.

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

Apart from 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, his expression bitter and his voice trembling as he said, "Your Ladyship, you almost never saw this humble servant again!"

Yu Youhan turned her head, a strand of dark hair falling loose; the way she tilted her head to look at him was unexpectedly adorable.

"Oh?"

"There is actually such a good thing?"

Chen Mo: "..."