“In a moment, remember this. Don’t speak carelessly,” Zhou Li reminded her once more.
“Alright!” Nangong Yan’er nodded firmly.
“And one more thing. Whatever my mother consort gives you later, you are not allowed to accept it!”
Nangong Yan’er paused in confusion and asked, “Why?”
Why? So that my mother’s treasure won’t end up in your hands, only for you to pass it to Chu Yun and use it against me?
Zhou Li flicked his sleeve and said coldly, “There is no why.”
With that, he strode straight into Consort Luo’s Palace.
Nangong Yan’er watched his back as he walked away, a complicated emotion rising in her heart that she could not put into words.
Inside the palace, a woman dressed in magnificent and luxurious robes sat upright upon a high seat. She appeared to be just over thirty years old, yet her beauty was breathtaking and her bearing dignified and noble. This was Consort Luo, the uncrowned queen of the Sacred Martial Immortal Empire’s inner court.
“Li’er, you’ve come!” Consort Luo said warmly, her eyes filled with maternal affection.
“Your son Zhou Li brings his wife to greet Mother Consort,” Zhou Li said as he bowed deeply and knelt on both knees.
“Your daughter-in-law Nangong Yan’er greets Mother Consort,” Nangong Yan’er followed his example and knelt as well.
Consort Luo’s gaze shifted to Nangong Yan’er. After carefully examining her from head to toe, she revealed a gentle smile.
“So this is Yan’er. Such exquisite beauty. No wonder Li’er is so devoted to you.”
After speaking, Consort Luo ordered someone to bring over a brocade box and handed it toward Nangong Yan’er. “Since this is our first meeting, consider this a small token of my regard.”
Nangong Yan’er was just about to reach out when Zhou Li’s earlier warning flashed through her mind. Her hand froze in midair.
Zhou Li immediately stepped forward and stood in front of her. “Mother Consort, Yan’er cannot accept such a generous gift.”
Consort Luo was slightly startled, then laughed softly. “Li’er, you child. Your wife has entered our imperial family. As her mother-in-law, how could I not give her a gift?”
“Besides, it is nothing particularly valuable. Merely a Scarlet Blood Dragon Crystal.”
Scarlet Blood Dragon Crystal?
Nangong Yan’er clenched her delicate fists tightly. This dragon crystal would greatly enhance Brother Yun’s strength…
Zhou Li remained firm. “Mother Consort, Yan’er has already received many fortunate opportunities. Please take this gift back.”
A flicker of displeasure flashed across Consort Luo’s eyes, but she quickly regained her composure and withdrew the brocade box.
Watching this unfold, Nangong Yan’er felt her dissatisfaction toward Zhou Li deepen even further.
As Consort Luo observed the two of them, a trace of confusion appeared in her beautiful eyes. Follow the newest chapters on novelping.com.
She blinked. At once, white spiritual patterns shimmered within her pupils, sparkling like countless stars in the night sky.
Consort Luo was a member of the Spirit Clan, born with a miraculous ability known as the Clarity Spirit Eyes.
This power allowed her to see through the essence of things, much like an all-penetrating gaze.
When she carefully examined Nangong Yan’er and Zhou Li with her Clarity Spirit Eyes, a surge of uncontrollable anger rose within her.
To her astonishment, the two of them were still virgins.
Zhou Li understood his mother’s abilities better than anyone. Naturally, he also knew about the Clarity Spirit Eyes.
The moment he saw his mother activate them, he realized that their situation had already been exposed.
However, Zhou Li had anticipated this. He took a deep breath, steadied himself, then lifted his head and met his mother’s furious gaze.
“Li’er,” Consort Luo said coldly, her voice carrying a trace of anger. “Why do I see that the two of you are still virgins? Did you not consummate your marriage last night?”
As her words fell, a powerful aura of the Dominion Realm emanated from her.
Though it was only a trace, it was enough to make the surrounding space tremble.
Nangong Yan’er had never witnessed such a scene before. Her face turned pale in fear. Her legs gave way, and she dropped to her knees with a thud, lowering her head deeply and not daring to look at Consort Luo again.
“Mother Consort, though Yan’er and I are married, I thought it best to let her adjust first. I did not wish to rush things,” Zhou Li quickly explained.
Consort Luo snorted coldly. “Li’er, do not deceive me.”
“Since Yan’er has married into our imperial family, she is now one of us. Yet the two of you remain so distant. What kind of conduct is this?”
Nangong Yan’er kept her head lowered, her heart burning with both shame and anger. Zhou Li’s obstruction had cost her the Scarlet Blood Dragon Crystal, and now she was being reprimanded by Mother Consort.
“Mother Consort, please calm your anger. Your son will handle this matter properly,” Zhou Li said, pretending helplessness as he could only give his word for now.
Consort Luo’s expression softened slightly. “Very well. I will let you off for today.”
“Li’er, treat Yan’er well. Do not let her suffer any grievances.”
“Yes, Mother Consort,” Zhou Li replied respectfully.
Looking at Zhou Li’s serious expression, Nangong Yan’er could not help but sneer inwardly.
Liar…
Inside the carriage, Nangong Yan’er looked at Zhou Li with clear dissatisfaction.
Zhou Li, however, paid her no attention. He simply turned his face toward the window and refused to look at her.
“Your Highness…” Nangong Yan’er took the initiative to break the silence.
Zhou Li gave her a faint glance but said nothing.
Seeing that he did not respond, Nangong Yan’er continued, “Your Highness, why do you now despise me so much?”
“I have always been this way,” Zhou Li replied indifferently.
“Your Highness!” Nangong Yan’er grew anxious at his attitude. “You were not like this before!”
Zhou Li turned his head and gradually leaned closer to her face. “Oh? Then how did I treat you before?”
Looking at his flawless, handsome features, Nangong Yan’er spoke slowly and clearly, “Before, no matter what I wanted, you would give it to me. No matter how I lost my temper, you would always find ways to comfort me. But now you feel like a complete stranger, as though you have suddenly become another person.”
I truly have become another person.
Zhou Li could not help but laugh softly. “Since I treated you so well before, how did you treat me?”
“I…” Nangong Yan’er found herself unable to answer.
Seeing this, Zhou Li lost interest in continuing the conversation and directly ordered, “Stop the carriage!”
As soon as he spoke, the carriage came to a halt.
Zhou Li stepped down at once and instructed the coachman, “Take the Princess Consort back first. I have matters to attend to.”
“Yes, Your Highness!” The coachman flicked the reins, and the carriage sped away.
Through the carriage window, Zhou Li caught a glimpse of Nangong Yan’er’s tear-filled eyes.
Crying again. She will probably run to her Brother Yun to pour out her grievances in a moment.
Zhou Li turned around and headed straight toward the direction of Falling Blossom Pavilion.
Falling Blossom Pavilion, as the name implied, was a brothel.
But he was not going there merely to enjoy music and entertainment. Within the Falling Blossom Pavilion was an important figure.
In the future, she would undoubtedly become one of his most powerful allies, and now he was going to perform a song for her.
“Hai Wenxiang, Saintess of the Joyous Harmony Demonic Sect…” Zhou Li revealed a faint smile.