At this moment, Ying Qingge shed all traces of her lofty Empress demeanor, acting instead like a young girl in love, pulling Su Chen toward the dock.
“Senior Sister, your image! Watch your image!”
Ying Qingge glanced back, brushing aside the hair blown across her cheek by the breeze, a blissful smile on her face.
“Image? Would that win you over?”
Su Chen was momentarily speechless. But that’s no excuse to act so shamelessly…
At the dock, a bronze bell hung with a red string dangling from it.
“Junior Brother, quick, pull that red string!”
Su Chen hesitated. “This belongs to someone else. There’s no one watching—should we just touch it?”
Ying Qingge chuckled lightly. “It’s meant for us to pull. How else do we call the lantern boat over? Yelling would ruin the mood, wouldn’t it?”
Su Chen raised an eyebrow. A service bell in this otherworldly setting? That was new.
Stepping forward, he tugged the string, and a pleasant chime rang out.
Sure enough, a lantern boat drifting on the river turned its bow toward the dock upon hearing the bell.
“On Phoenix River, the Phoenix Boat sails; two lovers entwined, their affection prevails!”
The boatman’s chant grew louder as the boat swiftly approached the dock.
“Junior Brother, let’s board!”
Before Su Chen could react, Ying Qingge scooped him up in her arms and leaped onto the boat.
“Senior Sister, put me down!” Su Chen’s face flushed with embarrassment. If anyone’s doing the carrying, it should be me carrying her!
“Alright, I’m letting go~!” Ying Qingge teased, loosening her grip.
Caught off guard by her sudden release, Su Chen adjusted his balance in a mere 0.01 seconds, landing lightly without even rocking the boat.
“Junior Brother’s control over his strength is amazing!” Ying Qingge praised, though inwardly she was a bit disappointed. She’d hoped he’d stumble into her arms.
As she spoke, she entered the boat’s cabin, beckoning Su Chen with her jade-like hand.
“Junior Brother, come quick! The cabin’s so cozy—perfect for a romantic date!”
Su Chen, already stepping forward, faltered at her words, nearly tripping despite his perfect control.
Regaining his balance, he entered the cabin, spotting a table and a long bench where Ying Qingge sat, blinking at him expectantly.
Having been glued to her side all day, Su Chen was eager for some distance. Noticing a small stool in the corner, he grabbed it and sat across from her.
“Senior Sister, the river scenery is quite unique!”
Ying Qingge rolled her eyes. “Junior Brother, you’d better come sit with me. That’s the boat maiden’s seat. Do you want her to stand the whole time?”
She raised an eyebrow, glancing behind him.
Su Chen turned and saw a young girl holding a tray, standing awkwardly.
“Sorry for the trouble!”
He quickly stood, moving to sit beside Ying Qingge.
Noticing he was still half-hanging off the bench, Ying Qingge pouted playfully. “Junior Brother, am I that unappealing to you?”
Su Chen spread his hands. “Senior Sister, what are you talking about?”
Sure, I don’t dislike you, but you’re kind of overwhelming.
Ying Qingge pointed outside, where another lantern boat floated a dozen meters away.
“Look at how they sit on a lantern boat.” She pursed her lips.
On that boat, a man and woman sat closely, the woman nestled in the man’s arms as he fed her fruit.
“Senior Sister, we have to do that too?”
“Of course! Don’t ruin the harmony of this lovers’ sanctuary, okay?”
Seeing her pitiful expression, Su Chen sighed and scooted closer.
The moment he did, Ying Qingge pressed against him, her soft curves clinging tightly.
“Junior Brother, I want some fruit.”
Su Chen glanced at the beauty nestled in his arms as the boat maiden across from them offered a small plate of sliced fruit.
He picked up a piece and held it to Ying Qingge’s mouth.
On the Phoenix River at night, a gentle breeze stirred the colorful flags and lanterns along the banks, creating a breathtaking scene.
The two of them became part of the scenery—Su Chen, handsome as polished jade, and Ying Qingge, with her flawless, ethereal beauty.
As the lantern boat glided along, the two sat closely in the cabin, feeding each other, enveloped in warmth.
On the riverbank, among a cluster of pavilions, stood a tall tower. Inside, by a window, sat an ancient zither.
A woman in loose, floral robes, her figure still striking, wore a light blue veil over her face. Her gem-like eyes hinted at her unparalleled beauty, and the strands of hair framing her face enhanced her allure.
Her long sleeves revealed delicate hands that danced over the zither strings, each pluck producing a hauntingly beautiful note.
“Junior Brother, this music is so lovely!”
On the boat, Ying Qingge had grown bolder, practically burrowing into Su Chen’s embrace. She held a glistening fruit to his lips.
Su Chen’s eyes narrowed, immersed in the melodious zither.
“This ambiance… it’s truly beautiful…”
Clang…
Su Chen frowned. “Why did the mood falter?”
In the tower, the eyes above the blue veil were fixed on a lantern boat on the river.
The sight of the two nestled together in the cabin disrupted the mood of this flower courtesan, whose zither alone could captivate countless young talents.
The music stopped abruptly.
Her gaze lingered on the boat, her eyes brimming with tenderness.
Outside, the enthralled listeners were confused by the sudden silence.
“What happened? The piece wasn’t finished…”
A maid emerged from the room. “My lady is feeling unwell, so today’s performance ends here. She asked me to apologize and hopes for your understanding!”
“Understood, understood! Let her rest well. We’ll come back next time!”
On the boat, Su Chen sighed. “Such beautiful music, cut off halfway. What a pity!”
Little did he know, he was the reason the music stopped.
As the night deepened, the lantern boat docked again, and Su Chen and Ying Qingge disembarked.
Toot! The system blared its trumpet.
“Congratulations, Host, for completing the task: A one-day date with Empress Senior Sister! Reward: Peerless Divine Technique Hundred Refinements of the Golden Spear.
As the saying goes, ‘Follow the Empress, and soft rice fills your bowl.’ Keep it up, Host, and aim for more soft rice!”