At that very moment.
A jubilant, flag-waving voice erupted in Su Chen’s mind from the system.
“Congratulations, Host, for receiving the Empress’s heartfelt confession.”
“Three thousand beauties in the harem, yet she only wishes to take a single ladle of you, forsaking morning court from now on.”
“A rich beauty is crazy for you, smashing walls for you—you’re practically the pride of our soft-rice-eating community!!”
“Get lost!”
Su Chen, exasperated, mentally blocked the system’s notifications.
Still causing trouble?
If I were going to live off soft rice, would I have waited until after transmigrating?
***
At the same time.
Tensions flared in the court.
Countless ministers glared at Su Chen with eyes that could tear him apart, as if they wanted to swallow him whole.
Though Su Chen felt innocent, the ministers were even more aggrieved!
Many had been scheming and forming factions since early on, plotting to place their chosen candidates in the harem to climb the ranks.
But who could have imagined—
A random kid had swooped in and stolen their prize!
Could you accept that if it were you?
And the one backing Su Chen was none other than the Empress, above all others.
She declared her devotion to one man alone.
How frustrating, how infuriating, how suffocating!
They were so angry their lungs felt like they’d explode!
Unacceptable!
At this moment.
The ministers, seeing Su Chen standing silently above, reaping the fruits of their efforts, were so enraged they nearly spat blood.
***
Just then.
“Her Majesty has discerning taste. I believe there’s no need for such opposition.”
“Young Master Su has an extraordinary aura, clearly no ordinary man. To have caught Her Majesty’s eye is proof enough.”
“This is a blessing for the nation, is it not?”
A smooth voice broke the silence as the Left Chancellor, who had remained quiet until now, finally spoke.
His face was kind and approachable, his smile genial.
He looked like a friendly neighborhood grandpa!
But!
Su Chen’s instincts told him that someone smiling so brightly was either scheming or villainous.
This grandpa was likely a bad guy.
Sure enough.
The demoralized ministers, as if spotting a guiding beacon, regained their fighting spirit.
Then, the Left Chancellor’s tone shifted.
“Of course.”
“Your Majesty, the Right Chancellor’s words have merit. The most important thing is to convince the people. The Imperial Consort must be someone accomplished in both civil and martial arts.”
“This old minister has a compromise. Why not let the candidates compete on the same stage to determine the best? The victor shall be the Imperial Consort, thus convincing the world.”
“Hmph!”
Ying Qingge sneered, her phoenix-like eyes filled with mockery.
‘What a clever plan, old fox. With my little junior brother already in my grasp, you think I’d be foolish enough to take your bet? What would you compensate me with if I lost? Not a chance! Besides—’
She couldn’t bear to let Su Chen compete. Even a scratch would make her heart ache.
“Impossible!”
Ying Qingge rejected it outright.
“Your Majesty!”
The Left Chancellor immediately knelt, followed by the entire court, creating an oppressive atmosphere, clearly pressuring Ying Qingge.
Ying Qingge’s bottom line was Su Chen.
No matter what, she wouldn’t agree.
If she had to use her beloved as a bargaining chip, what was the point of being Empress?
What use was ruling the world?
Especially… as the Empress, being pressured into marriage by so many ministers in front of her little junior brother?
Did she not care about her dignity?
Did she not care about her status in her junior brother’s heart?
If they pushed her too far, every one of these corrupt officials would meet their end!
At this moment.
Though Ying Qingge appeared calm, the ministers below could feel the increasingly chilling atmosphere.
None of them were fools.
But with no way out, even trembling with fear, they had to press on.
The standoff grew increasingly tense, the situation turning sharp.
***
“This is getting out of hand. If this continues, it could escalate into something else. Some schemers might take advantage and turn it into a new conflict.”
Su Chen’s gaze flickered between the Left Chancellor and his senior sister.
While it was flattering that his senior sister was defying the world for him,
As a man, how could he let her take the lead?
In an instant.
Standing up from the dragon throne, Su Chen stepped in front of Ying Qingge.
Facing the collective gaze of the officials, he didn’t retreat an inch.
“A competition is fine! But the stakes need adjustment. My senior sister’s heart belongs to her to decide, not a contest. Senior Sister, what do you say?”
Su Chen had always been confident in himself and never backed down.
A real man would never hide behind a woman.
Especially since he and his senior sister were both transmigrators from the same world—comrades should support each other.
Ying Qingge’s intimidating demeanor softened instantly when facing Su Chen, her steely resolve turning tender.
Her little junior brother was willing to put himself at risk for her!
He truly had her in his heart!
Overwhelmed with emotion, her gaze toward Su Chen grew even more affectionate.
She could barely resist devouring him!
***
Meanwhile, in another palace.
Amid layers of overlapping gauze curtains, a tantalizing figure could faintly be seen on the bed.
A soft hum came from the bed, the voice sweet and seductive, enough to make one’s blood surge with just a sound.
A maid stepped forward, parting the curtains.
First, a pair of jade-like feet appeared, toes delicate and lustrous, small and exquisite, tempting one to hold and play with them.
Slender, graceful legs, fair and tender skin, with dark hair cascading over her chest and back, clad in thin gauze, her figure faintly visible.
A full figure, a slender waist, her walk swaying seductively.
Like a siren who could enchant anyone to death.
Her arched brows and stunning face were cold and alluring.
“Consort Wu,” a maid hurriedly entered and knelt beside her.
This was Consort Wu, Ying Wuyan.
A woman from the Wu family, she entered the palace as a consort and rose to a high position.
But shortly after her arrival, the Emperor suddenly passed away, throwing the court and harem into chaos.
She and Ying Qingge, with astonishing means, swiftly took control of the court and harem, standing as equals.
They despised each other but couldn’t eliminate one another.
At best, they could only fight to a mutually damaging stalemate.
Ying Wuyan, like a Persian cat, stepped barefoot onto the plush carpet and sat at the vanity, her manicured hand picking up a comb.
She said casually, “Any results?”
Her posture was languid.
“Nothing,” the maid replied, her head bowed lower.
“This young man seems to have appeared out of nowhere. The Empress is extremely protective, guarding him tightly. His appearance, identity—nothing is known.”
“His origins are a complete mystery.”
Ying Wuyan raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
A man the Empress valued so highly?
That piqued her curiosity!
Could it be that Ying Qingge’s iron tree had finally bloomed?
Looking at herself in the mirror, she smiled, her beauty radiant.
The more Ying Qingge hid him, the more interested she became.
‘It seemed it was time to take a walk. Let’s see how this man she’s chosen measures up!’
***
Meanwhile.
Su Chen, the object of attention, was leaving the court with Ying Qingge.
The outcome was that the ministers relented, agreeing to the compromise.
As long as they could prevent Su Chen from entering the harem, they were satisfied.
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