A pale golden gown trailed elegantly on the floor, its luxurious adornments rivaling even Ying Qingge’s splendor.
Her high heels clicked neither too fast nor too slow, yet each step seemed to resonate with the heartbeats of everyone present, exuding an imperious queenly aura.
Her slender waist, almost too delicate to grasp, was paired with curves that matched a certain Senior Sister’s, while her backside reached heights unattainable by countless women.
A perfect hourglass figure, nothing less.
Beneath her captivatingly seductive appearance was an air of supreme dominance.
As her sharp phoenix eyes swept the room, everyone bowed their heads in deference.
“Greetings, Your Ladyship the Imperial Consort! May you live a thousand years!”
This Imperial Consort was not the Empress’s consort but the late Emperor’s.
Ying Wuyan.
A woman who entered the palace just as the late Emperor passed, seemingly destined to be an unfortunate sacrifice.
Yet, no one expected her to swiftly seize control of the palace’s affairs in such a short time, only stepping back from the public eye after Ying Qingge ascended the throne.
Though she rarely appeared, her influence in the palace was no less than that of Empress Ying Qingge herself.
In some respects, she even surpassed her.
Two peerless women, each holding their own, jointly controlled the power center of the palace.
This alone spoke volumes of her cunning and capability.
“Your Ladyship the Imperial Consort?”
On the other side—
Su Chen stared at the woman commanding the room’s reverence, filled with surprise.
The lonely older sister he glimpsed briefly days ago was the Imperial Consort?!
Well, that made sense.
Only someone of high status could bathe in the palace’s private quarters.
But…
“Qingge, for such a grand banquet, you didn’t even invite your mother?”
Ying Wuyan turned to Ying Qingge, her magnetic voice laced with gleeful mischief.
Ying Qingge clenched her fingers, giving a half-smile as she replied,
“Mother, you’re not young anymore. Just rest comfortably in the harem.”
Good heavens!
Su Chen could only marvel inwardly.
The tension was palpable—what a display of “motherly love and filial piety”!
Wait, no—
Recalling how his Senior Sister addressed her, Su Chen was even more stunned.
I call her Sister, but Senior Sister calls her Mother?
That’s a huge generational gap!
Just as he thought an epic showdown was brewing, Ying Wuyan didn’t even acknowledge the jab, merely nodding with a smile.
Then—
Her piercing phoenix eyes landed on Su Chen.
“It’s been a few days, and Young Master Su’s charm has only grown.”
“Huh?”
Caught off guard as the target, Su Chen froze.
The surrounding crowd was equally shocked.
The officials already knew Su Chen’s background was extraordinary, but they hadn’t expected him to have ties with her.
Listen to that—“It’s been a few days, and your charm has grown.”
Clearly, Su Chen and the Imperial Consort were more than acquaintances; they were close!
You can’t even pick up on that? I’m disappointed in you all.
Su Chen mentally rolled his eyes.
People really do lose their wits when they’re busy gossiping.
At the same time—
Hearing Ying Wuyan’s words, Ying Qingge paused, then suddenly recalled the familiar perfume she’d smelled on her Junior Brother last time!
It came from this old woman!!
In an instant—
“System Alert: You’ve once again reached a critical crossroads in life. Be careful with your charm, or you might face the chopping block~!”
“Chopping block, my foot!”
“I haven’t done anything wrong—where are all these Asura battlefields coming from?”
Su Chen exasperatedly rolled his eyes.
Sure, he accidentally saw the Imperial Consort bathing last time, but he was completely innocent.
His conscience was clear!
Yes, not panicking at all.
Senior Sister, can’t you see the sincerity in my eyes? No need to doubt me!
As Ying Qingge approached him step by step, Su Chen was feeling “confident” when, unexpectedly, his Senior Sister yanked him into her embrace.
With an air of absolute dominance, Ying Qingge declared her claim,
“So, Mother, you’ve met my man?”
“I’ve been meaning to have him pay his respects to you~!”
This was an absolute counterstrike.
Even Ying Wuyan was stunned for a moment, not expecting such a fierce reaction from Ying Qingge.
Her phoenix eyes fixed on Su Chen, her interest in him growing stronger.
She and the Empress had clashed countless times, openly and covertly.
Yet—
Never had Ying Qingge reacted like this.
You value him that much?
What would you do if I took him from you?
With a light chuckle, Ying Wuyan gracefully took Su Chen’s hand under Ying Qingge’s watchful gaze.
“Young Master Su, we only met briefly, but you saw how lonely and pitiful I am.”
“If you have time, come keep me company and chat.”
Her wistful, plaintive words left the entire room dumbfounded, all staring at Su Chen in shock.
Calling you a kept man was an understatement.
You’re the real deal!
Ying Wuyan’s influence was no less than the Empress’s, always subtly rivaling her.
For such a powerful, alluring woman to claim loneliness?
Doesn’t your conscience hurt?
Ying Qingge, meanwhile, would’ve slapped this old woman if not for the officials present.
Taking advantage of my Junior Brother—have you no shame?!
Yet—
Su Chen’s expression remained unchanged. He subtly withdrew his hand from her soft grasp and replied,
“Maybe next time when I’m free!”
“I’ll visit you with Senior Sister.”
His impeccable response left no room for fault and greatly pleased Ying Qingge.
Retreating to advance—Junior Brother is so clever!
Giggle!
Ying Wuyan covered her mouth and laughed, her husky voice carrying a unique allure.
“Remember that. My name is Ying Wuyan.”
As she spoke, she extended her hand again, gesturing,
“Since we’ve met by fate today, may I invite Young Master Su for a dance?”
Su Chen remained unmoved.
“No, thanks.”
“I’m not used to dancing with strangers.”
“How about you dance with me, Senior Sister?”
He turned to the fiercely protective Ying Qingge, taking her hand主动ly.
This left the Empress’s mouth slightly agape.
Junior Brother won’t dance with a stranger but will with me?
What does that mean?!
Oh my, he doesn’t even see me as an outsider anymore!
Ying Qingge blinked.
“Can you dance?”
Su Chen winked back.
“I can learn on the spot.”
What an artful way of speaking—like an eager student, unafraid of looking foolish despite not knowing how to dance!
Ahem!
Ying Qingge shot Ying Wuyan a sidelong glance before saying,
“I can’t say no to you. Pay close attention!”
With that—
Hand in hand, they moved to the center of the stage as gentle music from an ancient zither began to play.
“Asura battlefield crisis successfully resolved. Host has triggered a chain mission—‘One Dance to Settle the Army’s Heart.’ Be bold—you’re the brightest star in the room!”