86: Chu Ye's birthday banquet

In the face of absolute power threats and the shadow of destruction, so-called dignity and pride often need to be re-evaluated.

That Elder of the Heavenly Fragrance Hall took a deep breath and finally stood up, her voice calm yet carrying a hint of exhaustion: "This subordinate... understands."

"There are indeed several young Disciples in the workshop with excellent Aptitude and appearance, but this matter is of great importance. The candidates, gift list, and rhetoric all need to be... carefully considered."

"Thank you for your trouble, Elder Yun."

The Vice Workshop Master nodded, as if a heavy burden had been lifted, or as if a shameful transaction had been completed. "This matter must be carried out in secret; draft the regulations as soon as possible. Remember, keep your posture low and show enough sincerity. The survival of our Divine Craft Workshop... perhaps depends on this one move."

The meeting ended in a complex atmosphere.

Everyone dispersed with heavy hearts; no one felt at ease.

The decision of the Divine Craft Workshop was perhaps just a microcosm of the struggles and choices of many forces before the storm in the Middle Domain arrived.

The name Chu Ye had already become like an invisible mountain, weighing heavily on the heart of every ruler in the Middle Domain.

Whether to fight or make peace, to bow down or to resist, everyone had to make their own choice.

And the honey trap, this ancient and effective shortcut, had already quietly opened its curtains amidst the undercurrents.

One month later, it was Chu Ye's birthday.

This news initially started like an underwater surge, but by the time everyone noticed, it had already swept through the Five Regions, becoming a hot topic known to all under heaven.

Its wide spread and fierce momentum were by no means ordinary; there was clearly an invisible giant hand behind it, meticulously pushing it forward.

A birthday was never just a simple celebration.

For the Great Chu Empire, which now awed the world with its rapidly expanding territory and influence, and its core, Chu Ye.

It was more like a silent invitation, an open test, a ceremony to choose sides that would determine the future landscape.

Should they go?

In what capacity should they go?

What kind of gift should be prepared?

Every question was as heavy as a mountain, weighing on the hearts of all forces.

Those who sought to join saw this as a golden opportunity for advancement, racking their brains to offer a token of loyalty.

Those on the fence were anxious, fearing that if they went late, they wouldn't show enough loyalty, and if they went early, they might stand on the wrong side.

While those who harbored resentment and had previously clashed with Chu Ye were sitting on pins and needles; going would be a humiliation.

Not going meant they might become the next target to be "remembered."

Within the Great Chu Empire, it was already a scene of unprecedented clamor and bustle.

The Imperial Capital was being grandly expanded on its original foundation, with jade towers and pavilions rising from the ground, and the light of Formations shining day and night.

On the main roads leading to the Imperial Capital, flying boats, carriages, and exotic beast mounts from all over the Five Regions were endless, and magnificent processions representing different forces could often be seen streaking across the sky.

Chambers of commerce and inns were overcrowded, and the trading of rare treasures reached an unprecedented heat. Who would have thought that Great Chu, once tucked away in a corner of the Eastern Domain, could become the focus and hub of the entire continent in such a short time?

And the core of all these legends was precisely that Seventh Prince who was about to celebrate his birthday.

Throughout the Empire, the feast was being prepared with the highest specifications, surpassing those of past monarchs and even Chu Tianxing's birthday.

No one felt it was inappropriate, and no one dared to object. Everyone knew who was responsible for Great Chu's current brilliant state.

The center of a storm is often the calmest.

Inside Chu Ye's bedchamber, warm curtains hung low, and the scent of agarwood was faint.

The wind and rain of the night had just subsided. In his arms was the Empress of Great Qin, Empress, her hair slightly disheveled and wearing only light gauze.

Having shed the majesty of ruling the Four Domains and her Dragon robe and imperial crown during the day, at this moment, a trace of lazy passion remained between her brows, and her skin was whiter than snow.

In the dim light, it glowed with a warm luster; that exquisite body, full of power and beauty, was snuggling against him without any defense.

Chu Ye's fingers unconsciously toyed with a strand of her black hair draped over her chest, then gently tucked it behind her ear, revealing the elegant curve of her neck.

He looked down at the stunning face in his arms; her usually sharp Phoenix eyes were now closed, her long lashes casting shallow shadows like butterfly wings, and her breathing was steady.

The Empress, who was unapproachable and awe-inspiring in the eyes of outsiders, was now sleeping in his arms like an ordinary woman. The sense of conquest and satisfaction brought by this contrast was quiet and profound.

He knew very well that the person behind the scenes pushing the massive waves caused by his birthday was the one in his arms.

Publicizing his birthday on such a large and high-profile scale, inviting the whole world and turning it into a political feast and a review of strength, was all the work of the Empress.

His fingertips slid over her pert nose, and Chu Ye chuckled, his voice raspy with post-coital hoarseness and teasing: "Not only is it 'all-encompassing' here," he meaningfully caressed her full curves, "but I'm afraid the 'ambition' here is even more 'massive'? You even dare to use your own man as a pawn, utilizing me like this?"

The long eyelashes of the person in his arms trembled slightly and slowly opened.

Those Phoenix eyes were initially misty with the haze of sleep, but they soon regained their clarity and depth.

She showed no embarrassment at having her thoughts exposed; instead, maintaining her snuggling posture, she looked up and stared straight back at Chu Ye. The corners of her lips even curled into a faint, controlling arc belonging to an Empress:

"Isn't this exactly what you want, Your Highness?"

Her voice was also lazy, yet every word was clear. "The whole world knows Chu Ye is 'lustful.' This is not a stain, but a weakness, and also a preference."

"People from all sides, whether sincere or false, must start from here if they want to show goodwill. At that time, beauties will be like clouds, and rare treasures will be offered competitively for you to pick and choose... What, after getting the advantage, are you blaming me instead?"

Saying this, she gently pushed away Chu Ye's arm and sat up.

The light gauze slid down, revealing a large expanse of her back, as smooth as fine jade.

She did not shy away, and under Chu Ye's gaze, she began to methodically put on that complex and majestic black dragon-patterned imperial robe.

Every movement exuded the composure and elegance of one who had long held a high position. Soon, that formidable Empress of Great Qin was fully re-armed, though the slight flush remaining on her cheeks hinted at the intimacy from just now.

Chu Ye was stunned by her counter-question, then shook his head and laughed.

Indeed, Empress's move could be said to have utilized his little "hobby" to the extreme, and she saw through it completely.

His original intention was also to use this birthday feast to see clearly the movements of the world's forces. Those who came might not necessarily be remembered by him, but those who didn't come, he would definitely make a note of in his heart.

This was originally a tacit "loyalty test."

And with Empress's ambition and methods, what she plotted was likely far more than just this.

Through this grand gathering, she could legitimately contact, observe, and even secretly recruit or suppress representatives of various forces; she could further consolidate her position as the core coordinator of the "Co-ruler of the Four Domains" within Chu Ye's power group.

She could even use the pretext of "screening" gifts for Chu Ye to penetrate her influence into finer levels... This woman intended to turn his birthday banquet into one of the key chess games for her grand cause of unifying the Middle Domain.

"A woman's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea."