After Su Chen’s departure, a moment later, the Misty Rain Pavilion quietly welcomed another distinguished guest.
In an instant, a chilling aura descended upon the top floor of the Misty Rain Pavilion.
Most people in the pavilion didn’t notice the source of this coldness, only feeling a sudden drop in temperature.
Only the top-tier experts stationed there sensed the true danger, as if facing a formidable enemy.
“No need to worry. Let her in,” a gentle voice echoed, completely unperturbed by the impending threat.
At that moment, Jinghong leisurely prepared a pot of fresh tea and delicate pastries, eagerly awaiting her guest.
“You came quite quickly!”
“But you’re making too much of a scene. Are you really not worried about tarnishing Your Majesty’s dignity?”
As soon as the words fell, an icy chill—bitterly cold—swept through.
In that moment, the entire Misty Rain Pavilion seemed to freeze over, as if sealed in ice for a thousand miles, teetering on the brink of collapse.
A howling cold wind blew, accompanied by drifting drizzle.
With each step Ying Qingge took through the air, she carried an extreme frostiness, as if reflecting the displeasure in her heart.
A war without smoke was imminent.
Especially upon seeing Jinghong, Ying Qingge spoke bluntly,
“He is my man. You cannot take him.”
Her words were sparse, devoid of explicit threats, but they carried the weight of the fiercest warning.
Hearing Ying Qingge’s threatening tone, Jinghong remained unfazed, merely nodding slightly, as if she were easy to reason with.
But only seemingly so.
After nodding, Jinghong’s tone shifted, and she said with an innocent air,
“But he came to find me on his own.”
“…”
After a brief silence, Ying Qingge slammed her hand on the table.
“Have you no shame?!”
“You, a figure of moral authority, playing word games with me?!”
Though she had long known the other wouldn’t yield easily, she hadn’t expected Jinghong to shift the blame like this!
My junior brother came to see you for no reason? Do you think you’re younger or more beautiful than me?
Jinghong chuckled lightly,
“It’s been a few days, and your temper’s only grown.”
“Do you still remember our agreement?”
“You have the nerve to ask?”
Ying Qingge rolled her eyes.
“We agreed I’d go first. You jumping in so eagerly—how considerate of you!”
“And didn’t you also fail to inform me right away?”
“We’re even.”
In an instant, Ying Qingge was rendered speechless.
Finally, she let out a cold huff,
“Fine, neither of us has ever played fair. We both know that.”
“So, what’s your plan?”
Jinghong’s narrowed, alluring eyes glinted with a trace of danger beneath her kind demeanor.
“Stick to our previous agreement.”
“Or… from now on, we compete fairly.”
“!!”
In that moment, Ying Qingge’s phoenix-like eyes turned icy, staring at the courtesan with chilling intensity.
Even Su Chen, far away on his way home, felt a shiver down his spine.
Why’s the weather suddenly so cold?
I’d better hurry to my senior sister’s arms to warm up.
Joking to himself, he was completely unaware that two women were on the verge of clashing over him in the distance.
At the same time, after her talk with Jinghong, Ying Qingge’s mood didn’t improve—it grew even more sullen.
It was clearly my turn first, yet all of you are breaking the rules!
“Senior sister, what’s wrong?”
Suddenly, Su Chen’s curious voice reached Ying Qingge’s ears.
Looking up, she saw her junior brother with an innocent, harmless expression.
It’s all because of you!
As for why Ying Qingge was ahead of Su Chen, well, when you’re fast enough, you can do whatever you want—even tailing your junior brother daily without being noticed.
But at this moment, Ying Qingge wasn’t the least bit pleased.
Rolling her eyes, she glared at Su Chen with a hint of jealousy,
“Where have you been?”
“Oh, the Misty Rain Pavilion.”
Hearing this, Ying Qingge’s dissatisfaction grew as she pressed,
“Do you know what kind of place that is?!”
“I only found out after going.”
“I was supposed to help Brother Ji with something—winning the lantern festival—but who could’ve guessed… I ran into the wrong person!”
Su Chen then recounted the general events to his senior sister.
There wasn’t much to hide.
After all, his conscience was clear!
After hearing Su Chen’s explanation, though Ying Qingge’s face remained icy, her heart held no trace of resentment.
Except toward one person.
“Ji Hanqing, huh?”
“Hmph, leading my junior brother astray—unforgivable!”
Back at the Misty Rain Pavilion, the good-natured Ji Hanqing suddenly shuddered inexplicably.
Why do I feel like something bad’s about to happen?
At the same time, Su Chen pressed,
“Senior sister, about that courtesan… do you know her?”
Ying Qingge’s lips twitched.
“Feeling smitten, little brother?”
Su Chen clarified,
“Not at all. She just felt… familiar.”
Ying Qingge’s expression shifted slightly, but she gritted her teeth and said,
“Don’t you think every beautiful woman you meet lately feels familiar?”
Sensing the thick resentment, Su Chen couldn’t help but suspect,
“Uh… senior sister, are you jealous?”
“How could I possibly be jealous?!”
Ying Qingge hugged her ample chest, retorting instantly,
“Caring for my junior brother every day, only for him to care about other women—I wouldn’t get jealous over that!”
“…”
Alright, Su Chen was now absolutely certain: his senior sister was jealous.
In times like this, the best approach wasn’t to confront the issue head-on.
“By the way, senior sister, I got a gift today.”
Ying Qingge asked casually,
“Oh? Trying to cheer me up?”
“Uh… sort of?”
“A new song I learned. Want to hear it?”
Su Chen glanced at a nearby guqin and began playing Phoenix Seeking Phoenix, a piece gifted by the system.
At first, his playing was a bit rusty, but soon, a soothing, melodious tune filled the air.
However, he might’ve forgotten the meaning behind this piece.
Phoenix Seeking Phoenix.
Seeking…
A proposal!?
In an instant, Ying Qingge caught the profound meaning in the music, her beautiful eyes sparkling with surprise.
Is my junior brother hinting at his love for me?
“Oh my… how embarrassing!”
As for her earlier displeasure?
No need to dwell on it!
With her junior brother expressing himself like this, she couldn’t stay upset.
“Alright, I forgive you!”
“It’s getting late—let’s rest!”
“???”
Under Su Chen’s bewildered gaze, his senior sister dragged him toward the bed once again.
After Su Chen lay down, Ying Qingge naturally slipped under the covers.
Even with some distance between them, Su Chen could still feel the warmth radiating from her soft body.
The faint fragrance from Ying Qingge was especially intoxicating, stirring the heart.
Of course, by now, after so much time, Su Chen had grown used to his senior sister slipping into bed beside him.
Moments later, unable to hold back, Su Chen gently restrained his senior sister’s wandering hands.