Chapter 59: Don't Step on Me, Your Ladyship! (Please Read On)

During these days of slacking off, Chen Mo hadn't been idle either — he set about drafting the design plans for the "Three Sacred Artifacts."

—Black stockings, leather pants, thong underwear.

Since they could be called "Sacred Artifacts," naturally they weren't that simple.

The black stockings had suspenders, the leather pants had a zipper, and the thong was lace with cutouts.

But the latter two were too scandalous — even as mere blueprints, Chen Mo didn't dare show them to anyone lightly.

He planned to get the stockings matter settled first.

As for the material, he'd use the Thousand-Weave Cloud Brocade bestowed by the Empress.

On a dark and windy night, right at the curfew hour, wrapped up head to toe, and after confirming there was no risk of social death—

Chen Mo walked into the most renowned ready-to-wear shop in Tiandu City — the Brocade Workshop.

Only after arriving did he realize this world was far more open than he'd imagined.

All manner of QQ-style undergarments dazzled the eye — bandeau tops, underclothes, belly wraps… some of the fabric wasn't even the size of a palm; one could only say the nightlife of the Great Yuan's people was excessively rich.

Chen Mo handed the design plans to the shopkeeper and explained his requirements.

The shopkeeper was brimming with confidence, thumped his chest, and told him to come back in three days for the finished product.

Sure enough, the effect was outstanding.

Thousand-Weave Cloud Brocade came from Shu Province, woven from celestial silkworm thread — light, supple, unafraid of water and fire, long known as "an inch of cloud brocade, an inch of gold."

After soaking in a special reagent, then re-stretching, re-spinning, and a whole series of processes, the result was a black-stocking sacred product that could be called perfect!

……

Yu Youhan looked at the fabric in her hand, thin as a cicada's wing, her expression slightly hesitant.

"These are silk stockings?"

Black in texture, faintly translucent, much longer than ordinary silk stockings.

They looked rather strange.

"This should count as pantyhose — just slip them straight onto your legs… shall this humble official help Your Ladyship put them on?"

Chen Mo said helpfully.

Yu Youhan glanced at him and said coolly, "There's no need. A mere piece of footwear — do you think this palace can't manage it?"

She took the black stockings and rose, walking into the inner chamber.

One quarter-hour…

Two quarter-hours…

Half a shichen…

Just as Chen Mo was assuming Noble Consort Yu had stood him up, a figure slowly emerged from behind the screen.

Chen Mo turned to look and couldn't help but freeze.

Beneath her plain-colored everyday robe, snow-white delicate feet were wrapped in black stockings, toes pressing onto the gold-woven carpet — a strangely striking visual impact.

Yu Youhan's expression was slightly unnatural.

These silk stockings were really a bit outrageous — fine, they went up to the thighs, but there were actually ties fastened around the waist…

Was this thing designed by Chen Mo?

What on earth does he have in his head all day?

But then again, the texture wasn't bad — the fabric was extremely elastic, fine and skin-friendly, and quite comfortable to wear…

Yu Youhan walked over, sat down in the noble consort's chair, and shook her head: "Two major cases weighing on you, and you still have the time for these clever tricks? It really is hard on you."

Chen Mo said solemnly, "Time is like milk — squeeze it and there's always some. And as for artistic creation, this humble official has always maintained abundant enthusiasm."

"……"

Yu Youhan was momentarily at a loss for words.

After a moment of silence, she raised her legs.

Chen Mo caught the hint and sat at the other end of the chair.

Yu Youhan rested her calves on his knees; her lamb-fat-fine delicate feet were wrapped in black stockings, the front stretched slightly thin, the crystalline toes faintly visible.

"The brocade bestowed by the Empress, worn on Your Ladyship's legs — isn't this in itself a kind of bull…"

A strange thought flashed through Chen Mo's mind.

He reached out to touch — silky and fine, a completely different feel from the previous few times.

Feeling the slightly taut arch of her foot—

Was Her Ladyship a little nervous?

He looked up, but saw Yu Youhan's face expressionless, revealing nothing out of the ordinary.

His gaze dropped — through the gap in her skirt hem, he could see her long, straight legs sheathed in black stockings; at the thigh, the edge of the stockings was taut, the plump, well-proportioned flesh of her leg compressed into a ring of indentations.

Black stockings, white legs — the boundary was sharp and clear.

At the edge, two straps were connected, extending upward until they reached an unviewable place…

Chen Mo suddenly thought of a question.

The other end of the straps had to be tied at the waist, so the under-trousers could only be worn on the outside — but under-trousers were generally rather long and would inevitably cover the straps.

Yet when he'd glanced just now, there'd been no obstruction whatsoever.

Could it be that…

……

Yu Youhan felt something was off.

In the past, this dog of a servant would've been kneading nonstop — but today he was uncharacteristically well-behaved?

And the red thread on his wrist still hadn't reacted… could it be that the desensitization treatment had taken effect, and her own tolerance had grown stronger?

Right, that must be it!

Yu Youhan's rosy lips curved slightly upward.

Looks like shaking off the inner demon is just around the corner!

In a pleasant mood, her jade feet shifted of their own accord, and she suddenly sensed something strange.

What is this?

Her sole stepped down on it, toes curling gently.

"Hiss!"

"My Lady, don't step on it!"

Chen Mo's face changed; he grabbed her ankle in one swift motion, his grip tightening involuntarily.

"Mm!"

"Mm~"

Both of them groaned at the same time.

?!

Four eyes met; the air went deathly still.

Yu Youhan's gaze went from blank, to clear, and finally frosted over with biting cold.

"Chen Mo, do you want to die?"

"No."

Chen Mo shook his head.

Her emerald phoenix eyes were full of distant cold, her tone crisp: "Within three breaths, vanish from before me."

"Yes!"

Chen Mo bowed and strode quickly out of the sleeping palace.

The inner hall fell quiet.

Yu Youhan leaned back in her chair, the frost in her eyes melting; a faint blush rose on her jade-like cheeks and slowly spread to the roots of her ears.

"That dog of a servant grows bolder by the day!"

"How dare he actually…"

She took a deep breath, and the flush faded.

Once more she resumed her cold, untouchable mien.

Gazing at the black stockings on her legs, her eyes showed distaste; after a moment's hesitation, she still did not take them off.

"Too much trouble. I can't be bothered to remove them; I'll just keep wearing them for now…"

Yu Youhan murmured to herself, unsure who she was speaking to.

……

Chen Mo strode quickly out of the sleeping palace.

The dawn breeze met his face; his surging blood calmed, and his mind grew clear.

"Little Chen, I've got to criticize you here. A real man can bend and stretch as needed… but when it's not time to stretch, don't you dare go stretching all over the damn place!"

"Nearly lost the big head over the little one!"

Little Chen stayed silent, protesting wordlessly.

Chen Mo wasn't lacking self-control, but the visual impact of black-stockinged beautiful legs was simply too strong, and combined with the 'little secret' he'd just discovered, his blood surged for a moment, impossible to suppress.

"An inch of brocade is an inch of gold, yet an inch of gold cannot buy an inch of time…"

Chen the Great Poet sighed.

Better not come to Hanxiao Palace for a while; wait until Her Ladyship's anger has passed.

Just then, a surge of vast soul power suddenly poured into his consciousness sea.

The blissful pleasure made him lose himself for a moment!

Within the spirit platform, a small golden figure sat cross-legged; light blazed all around it, and its features grew clearer.

The entire world instantly became incomparably transparent; his five senses grew far more acute—the trembling wings of a kingfisher, the breeze brushing the eaves, tender sprouts turning in the soil… though he didn't dare spread his divine sense over the imperial palace, he could confirm his perception range had at least more than doubled!

And these were only the surface changes; combat reflexes, cultivation efficiency, fine control of true essence… all had seen tremendous improvement!

"This is… the soul power of the demon fox?"

Chen Mo came back to his senses.

Yu Youhan's cold voice reached his ear:

"Since the demon was killed by you, it rightfully belongs to you."

"And this Cultivation Technique—go back and cultivate it well for me. If you don't break through, you're not allowed to come see me!"

A streak of Jin Guang drifted over and sank into Chen Mo's brow.

Prompt text flashed before his eyes:

【Obtained Heaven-Grade Superior Cultivation Technique: Supreme Purifying Heart Incantation.】

"Heaven-Grade Superior?!"

Chen Mo clicked his tongue.

Her Ladyship's generosity remains as lavish as ever!

"Many thanks for Her Ladyship's generous gift. This humble servant shall devote his all, unto death!"

Chen Mo bowed deeply toward the direction of Hanxiao Palace.

"This Purifying Heart Incantation can dispel distracting thoughts and steady the mind—it's just right for you."

"Next time if you dare act out again…"

"This Palace will have you gelded!"

Yu Youhan said coldly.

Chen Mo felt a chill run through him and hastily said, "This subordinate wouldn't dare!"