[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal":3,"chapter-investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-233":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Investing in the Reborn Empress, She Actually Calls Me ‘Husband’",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},596356,846,"Chapter 233: This monkey is truly beautiful, a fleeting moment of eternity","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-233",233,"\u003Cp>Since that ice block had returned to a simple life, Sword City invited Elder Qian and Elder Xue to attend as elders, and even senior brothers like Shen Yunfei received invitations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear that the higher-ups of Sword City intended to establish friendly relations and exchange resources with the Qingyuan Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the tavern was unusually quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ouyang and Senior Brother Xiaobao huddled together, peering at a spot not far away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There sat Little Li, staring blankly at a painting, lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's up with Junior Brother Li?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Xiaobao hadn’t joined the banquet because he could only sit at the kids' table, and Sword City likely had no place for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He’s been sitting there staring at that painting the whole time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Could it be something good?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just yesterday, Junior Brother Li had criticized his aesthetic sense, leaving him tossing and turning all night, unable to figure it out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which direction was his aesthetic sense even supposed to improve in?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Still a bit short.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gotta try to imprint the divine intent into the soul tonight...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo snapped out of his daze, rubbing his sore temples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he noticed a pair of eyes—one human, one pill—staring at him intently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s up?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, Junior Brother Li, is this what you meant by improving your aesthetic sense?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ouyang leaned back slightly as he looked at the monkey in the painting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo wanted to say he was contemplating divine essence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But considering no one else could perceive the divine fluctuations from this painting, he simply nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn’t this good-looking?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s a monkey, Junior Brother Li!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ouyang looked utterly disillusioned, clutching his chest in despair as he pulled out his own \"good-looking\" art collection from yesterday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Junior Brother Li, take a good look—which one’s actually good-looking?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The art collection was shoved right in front of Little Li’s face, blocking his vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, he pushed it aside, completely ignoring the realistically drawn, scantily clad beauties, and declared with unwavering conviction:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The monkey’s better.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ouyang’s worldview shattered further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Junior Brother Li’s gaze was as resolute as when he was a child, insisting he wanted to learn painting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after his parents beat him half to death, he never wavered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Junior Brother Li, your aesthetic sense is seriously messed up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, it’s not.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo said it like it was the most natural thing in the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ouyang frowned, his expression grave. \"Then let’s ask everyone else in the tavern—which one’s actually good-looking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought his own tastes were already unconventional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Junior Brother Li was on another level—so far beyond \"unconventional\" that it was downright bizarre.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Except Ouyang forgot—all the other senior brothers and sisters had gone to Hengyun Sword City. The only one left was Tang Xiaobao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think the monkey’s better too. It looks really smart.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Unlike me...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Xiaobao gave Ouyang a strange look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The innocent confusion in his eyes seemed to say:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Seriously? You think those ladies are better than a monkey? What’s wrong with your eyes?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ouyang felt like he’d been struck by lightning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His pupils trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"People shouldn’t... at the very least, they shouldn’t...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Li didn’t know how to explain it to Senior Brother Ouyang either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since he’d rested enough, he went back to contemplating the divine essence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His consciousness sank into his dantian, where he saw a translucent little figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using his spirit as a blade, he began carving the stone monkey beside the Moon Shadow Divine Rune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly. Painstakingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was nothing like contemplating Mona Bingsha.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Li found it strange himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One was a Great Dao Divine Form, the other an Extreme Form—so why was the latter so much harder to cultivate?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it because the Monkey King was too difficult to imprint?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or was it because Mona Bingsha, despite being a Great Dao Divine Form, had traits that made her easier for him to comprehend?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or maybe... both?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time flowed quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mission subtitles remained suspended in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing wanted to brew some tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But remembering the tea leaves were stored inside the big-headed doll, she withdrew her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let things take their natural course?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this didn’t feel natural at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should she just go downstairs, walk straight up to Li Mo, and say: Let me kiss you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, for the sake of system rewards, she wouldn’t have cared about such trivialities—she might’ve actually done it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just lips touching his, after all. They’d even shared a bed before—why be shy now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, she found it strange herself—what was she hesitating for?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can’t I just... give up this reward?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Ding—]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[This punishment can indeed be abandoned.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why didn’t you say so before?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing remembered refusing in the past too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Because the system never detected the host uttering the words ‘give up.’]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing: \"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meaning if she hadn’t accidentally said those words, she’d never have known?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Reminder: Abandoning anything comes at a cost—rewards included.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[If you abandon a rating reward, the system will randomly revoke one of your ranking rewards.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Randomly revoke a ranking reward?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing’s heart stirred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The system might not be the brightest, but its rewards were top-tier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of last night’s three rewards:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Moon Essence Crystals she’d accumulated would let her break through to the third aperture today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Demon-Slaying Gourd was a marvel—it could execute evil spirits, refining them into pure energy to replenish her Mystic Crystals or even Moon Essence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then there were the Azure Phoenix Wings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she lost even one of these, her chances of turning things around next time would be even slimmer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I’ll just go see him first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing pressed her lips together and took light, graceful steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as she reached the first floor, she ran into the two still arguing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Xiaobao and Ouyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Senior Brother Xiaobao, the ladies are clearly better-looking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But I really think the monkey’s better. That monkey looks super smart.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing footsteps, they both turned and saw Ying Bing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ouyang decided to ask Junior Sister Ying to settle the debate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing their question, Ying Bing frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What monkey?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The one Junior Brother Li drew.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And this one—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is my masterpiece.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ouyang said with full confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing thought for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The monkey’s better.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ouyang turned to stone on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh no. Was he actually the most normal person in the Qingyuan Sect?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Told you so.\" Tang Xiaobao put his hands on his hips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing walked into the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze lifted, landing on Li Mo, who lay on a recliner with his eyes closed, breathing steadily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...Was he asleep?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing subconsciously relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Delays bred complications.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Li Mo didn’t stir even as she approached, she bit her lip, leaned down, and quickly pecked his forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she straightened up just as fast, pretending nothing had happened, her jade-like hands rubbing the big-headed doll to calm herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flurry of thoughts raced through her mind—what if Li Mo woke up? What would she say?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The moonlight’s nice tonight?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Mo didn’t wake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The system didn’t react either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A forehead kiss didn’t count?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Keyword reminder: Kiss.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing: \"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze drifted downward, settling on the young man’s seemingly deep-slumbering face—and those lips that always knew just what to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...She had to kiss there?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression remained cool, but suddenly, her own heartbeat sounded deafening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The night wind rustled the leaves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bathed in moonlight, the young girl swiftly bent down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She moved swiftly, yet for some reason, time seemed to crawl—an instant stretched into an eternity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo remained utterly unaware that his first kiss had been stolen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could never have imagined in his wildest dreams who had taken it...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, that fleeting eternity passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their lips met for the briefest moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo's eyelids fluttered slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>",1305,"2026-05-30T17:19:00.270Z","2026-06-01T04:31:46.286Z",1,"novelbin.me","e821ed0155598b04c00487a922788a5b06e5ad870cc9b56e82126f77c73d7301","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-234","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-232",737,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Finvesting-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-cover.jpg"]