The Empress spoke indifferently, her voice devoid of any emotion.
However, to Yan Peizhi's ears, it was as heavy as a thousand jins, crushing him so he couldn't stand straight!
Although the two factions were openly and secretly struggling for power and profit, heads bashed like dogs', the superficial obligations were still thoroughly observed, the ranks maintained without fault, upholding the basic order of the court.
Yet this term "rebel party" stripped away even the last shred of modesty!
It appeared that recent events had greatly displeased Her Majesty!
Yan Peizhi was also extremely frustrated.
He had never anticipated, not only had the Barbarian Slave case not blown over, but Chen Mo had managed to achieve such great merits.
His own failure was distressing enough, but the enemy's success was even more heartbreaking!
Comparisons were odious, like products, inferior ones must be discarded!
After several comparisons, his own incompetence was glaringly obvious!
"Your Highness..."
Yan Peizhi wanted to say more, but was interrupted by the Empress, "Lord Yan, as a pillar of the government, you have many duties, don't waste any more time here."
"I hope that next time you come, you can bring some good news to my palace."
With a few words, she dismissed him, seemingly without even the patience to hear him speak.
"This humble official takes his leave."
Yan Peizhi gloomily got up and walked out.
He intended to flatter, but instead, he shot himself in the foot, leaving himself battered and bruised…
Chen Mo...
Why was it always him?
Could this man truly be his nemesis?
...
After Yan Peizhi left, the hall lapsed into brief silence.
The Python Robe elder eunuch standing beside said softly, "Your Highness, aren't you being a bit too harsh on Lord Yan?"
These two issues, in essence, weren't that closely related to Yan Peizhi.
He just happened to be caught in the crossfire.
The Empress snorted coldly, "The Yan Family has recently been too close to the Prince Mansion, a sly old fox who turns with the wind, it's about time to give him a warning."
Speaking to this, she paused slightly, "But I also didn't expect that Chen Mo would have such capabilities... Chen Zhuo truly has a good son."
The elder eunuch replied, "This servant has made some inquiries; Chen Mo now holds high prestige in the Sky Scale Guard, not only has his strength skyrocketed, but his personality seems entirely different..."
"Sudden increase in power might be due to a fortunate encounter, but a person's nature surely doesn't change easily."
"With sharpness and courage, such a man is destined not to remain obscure."
"He must have been concealing his talents intentionally before."
The Empress shook her head, saying, "Unfortunately, he's chosen to forsake the light for the darkness, following that Demoness Yu Youhan."
The elder eunuch pursed his lips, choosing not to respond.
In the entire Imperial City, only the Empress dared to publicly call Yu Youhan a "Demoness"; he certainly didn't have the courage.
"So this time, in executing the Tenth Sky Demon, what are Your Highness's plans..."
"Of course, I will reward, and reward handsomely!"
"What Yu Youhan can offer him, I can offer too, and even more!"
"A murderous femme fatale who maintains loyalty through blood-cold maneuvers, how strong can that be?"
"To step back, even if we can't win him over, we can still sow discord among them... Given Yu Youhan's character, once suspicion arises, the charges stand..."
Speaking to this, the Empress seemed somewhat tired.
Her phoenix body leaned back into the chair, lazily stretching her waist, casting a graceful silhouette against the screen.
The elder eunuch stood with his head bowed, not daring to glance sideways.
"All those incompetents in the Three Divisions and Six Ministries, always requiring me to worry about everything."
"Huan'er, come massage my body a bit, I've been truly exhausted lately..."
...
Before the Imperial City Gate.
A handsome young man dismounted and strode forward.
The well-armed guards initially moved to stop him, but their expression suddenly changed upon seeing the Purple Phoenix Token in the man's hand, and they quickly kneeled on one knee to salute.
"No wonder the Empress has such authority."
Chen Mo shook his head in admiration, stepping into the Imperial City.
After returning from Tongling County, he didn't go to the Government with the others, but went directly to see the Empress in the Imperial Palace.
Reporting work was one aspect; subconsciously, he was also avoiding Li Yuan—
This woman had not only ideological issues, but physical problems as well!
Favorability Rating keeps getting higher the more fights there are!
Thinking of Gu Manzhi who was seriously injured by him, Li Yuan whose buttocks were swollen from whipping, and Her Majesty the Consort who was tied up with red ropes... Chen Mo has reasons to suspect that this world is a giant sadomasochism!
Ugh, scary!
"However, speaking of which, relying on free rewards is quite thrilling, only one point away from the next phase..."
"Should I find an opportunity to slap her again?"
Chen Mo stroked his chin, pondering in secret.
...
He took a familiar route to the Inner Court, letting a Palace Servant go in to announce his arrival.
Soon, a familiar figure came into sight.
"Director Xu, long time no see."
Chen Mo waved his hand in greeting.
"It hasn't been long; we just met a couple of days ago."
Xu Qingyi said coldly.
Chen Mo's mouth curved up, smiling: "As the saying goes, a single day apart feels like three autumns. Every moment without seeing Director Xu seems especially long, so in my heart, it indeed has been a long time."
"What are you babbling about now?"
Xu Qingyi's eyebrows raised, glaring at him in annoyance.
He's become more brazen, speaking so recklessly and daring to act frivolously in public!
However, looking at his handsome face with rosy lips and white teeth, her heart inexplicably panicked, and she quickly lowered her head.
Recalling the question the Empress asked her during her last bath, her heart beat even more intensely.
"Could the Empress be considering having me and Chen Mo..."
"No, absolutely not! I would rather die than agree!"
Seeing her distracted appearance, Chen Mo raised an eyebrow: "It was just a joke. You aren't angry now, are you?"
With the experience from last time, how could Xu Qingyi be fooled again?
She immediately shook her head: "I'm not angry!"
"I don't believe it."
"What?"
"Unless you smile."
"Chen Mo, don't go too far..."
Looking at the glaring Token in front of her, Xu Qingyi's expression stiffened.
After a long silence, she pulled a smile:
"Ha, haha..."
"That smile doesn't look natural, be mindful next time."
"..."
Arriving at Frozen Sky Palace, Chen Mo walked into the grand hall.
Watching his retreating figure, Xu Qingyi gritted her teeth and stomped, waving her fists in the air, her eyes full of indignation.
"Annoying fellow, always bullying me!"
...
The grand hall was filled with a light and fragrant scent.
On several occasions entering the palace, Chen Mo found that Consort Yu never used incense; this fragrance was naturally emitted from her pure jade body.
After the last foot therapy, the fragrance lingered on his hands for a long time; he almost didn't want to wash his hands…
Strangely, at the very last moment of the foot therapy, the fragrance suddenly became rich and smooth.
Like a cluster of blooming osmanthus flowers after a heavy rain...
"What brings you to this palace?"
Yu Youhan said indifferently.
Still in her plain usual clothes, she sat cross-legged opposite him, an aura of mystery surrounding her.
Though she was close at hand, she seemed extremely distant, like the moon hanging high in the sky.
No one dared to disturb Yu Youhan while she was cultivating.
Except for Xu Qingyi, only Chen Mo, who possessed the Purple Phoenix Token, was an exception.
"Of course, I came to explode gold coins..."
Chen Mo thought secretly, his face bitter, his voice trembling: "Empress, you almost never saw me again!"
Yu Youhan turned her head slightly, a strand of her black hair cascading down, her tilted head giving her an unexpectedly dazed look.
"Oh?"
"There's such good news?"
Chen Mo: "..."