Why does this imperial concubine look so aloof and pretentious?

After a flurry of noise, the side hall doors opened again, and a slender figure in phoenix coronet and ceremonial robes walked in.

Her long hair was styled into a Morning Cloud bun, adorned with phoenix-patterned wing hairpins. Her fair, delicate forehead was embellished with pearls and jade. She was dignified, bright, and beautiful, possessing a noble temperament. Her movements were graceful, generous, and majestic. It was none other than the current Empress.

"It really is Sect Master Shao..."

Upon seeing the newcomer, Qi Yuan immediately felt the urge to run, but he forced himself to hold back.

Sect Master Shao Xuanji of the Linglong Holy Land was originally a Dao Integration Realm Cultivator; it was impossible for her to be trapped in an illusion for too long. If he showed any flaws now, he feared she would wake up on the spot, and then he would be ready to sing a song of "Cooling Down"...

After thinking this through, Qi Yuan calmed down and secretly pondered how to handle the situation.

Now that things had reached this point, he had to hold on even if he couldn't!

"This concubine pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress. May Her Majesty be blessed with eternal peace and well-being."

Seeing the Empress arrive, the Imperial Concubine quickly knelt and curtsied to the side, her demeanor extremely humble and submissive, showing no signs of being spoiled by favor.

The Empress didn't even look at her. Her cold, indifferent phoenix eyes swept directly toward Qi Yuan, with a faint flash of confusion and bewilderment.

Soon, she composed herself and stepped forward to bow slightly:

"This subject greets Your Majesty."

Although her tone was respectful, it carried a sense of alienation that kept people at a distance.

"Oh no!"

Seeing this, Qi Yuan was shocked.

As expected of a Dao Integration Realm Cultivator, her Dao Heart was firm to the extreme. Even while temporarily deluded by the illusion, she still maintained basic reason and judgment. She was definitely not someone to be trifled with.

From now on, every word and action of his must fit the persona. He must not let her harbor any suspicions!

Thinking of this, Qi Yuan took a deep breath and said with a calm expression:

"Empress, rise."

According to the memories within the illusion array, the Empress came from a powerful aristocratic family. Her father was a powerful official in the current court. While not quite at the level of Cao Cao or Dong Zhuo, he was powerful enough to influence half the court, with a deep Foundation.

Precisely because of this, even though the Emperor was a muddled ruler, he maintained a certain degree of respect and wariness toward the Empress.

However, while the Empress was beautiful, she was not very interesting to be around. She was not favored by the Emperor on a daily basis and had long been in a state of being neglected.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Hearing this, the Empress slowly stood up. After a moment of hesitation, she spoke with a tone of admonishment:

"This subject heard that Your Majesty was drinking and merrymaking with the Imperial Concubine yesterday, getting drunk in the palace gardens, and only rose at midday."

"Your Majesty's health concerns the common people and the stability of the nation; how can you treat it as a child's play?"

"I hope Your Majesty will take care of your health and not do such absurd things again!"

Before Qi Yuan could reply, the Imperial Concubine beside him immediately put on a tearful expression. She knelt on the ground without hesitation and said in a delicate, soft voice:

"Empress, please calm your anger. This matter has nothing to do with His Majesty; it is all this concubine's fault. Yesterday, His Majesty came to the Phoenix Palace for dinner. During the banquet, I was playful and fond of wine, and I insisted on dragging His Majesty to drink with me."

"His Majesty favors me and specifically stayed to drink and chat with me, which led to him drinking a few too many cups, and thus delayed the morning court."

"I beg Her Majesty the Empress not to blame His Majesty. This concubine is willing to be punished!"

The Imperial Concubine's words were sincere and heartfelt, as if the Emperor had suffered a great grievance. Anyone who heard it would feel that the Empress was far too overbearing, interfering in even such minor matters...

Qi Yuan was a bit dumbfounded.

Is this really the Linglong Saintess Xiao Yueni?

Why does she look so "tea-like"?

No wonder the Empress wasn't favored. Hearing these heart-piercing words, what man could endure it, especially when the man's status was that of an Emperor.

Good fellow, it seems this Imperial Concubine is not a simple character either...

At this moment, Qi Yuan already knew what he had to do.

He shook his body, immediately pulled the Imperial Concubine into his arms, patted her jade back with love, and comforted her:

"My beloved concubine, don't worry. With me here, I will never let the Empress bully you!"

Then, he looked at the Empress with a huff:

"I did drink too much last night, but what does that have to do with the Imperial Concubine? Empress, you are making a mountain out of a molehill."

"Besides, I am the true Son of Heaven; I can do whatever I want. I don't need you to point fingers at me!"

"Your Majesty." The Imperial Concubine wrapped her slender arms around Qi Yuan's neck, her eyes flowing with charm as she said, "Please don't be angry. Her Majesty the Empress is just worried about you..."

Although she said this, her face carried a trace of a sweet smile, her eyes gazing at the man in front of her with admiration, completely treating the Empress as if she were air.

"Heh, what a sharp tongue."

Seeing the Emperor's reaction, the Empress was stunned for a moment, then her eyebrows furrowed, and her voice suddenly turned cold:

"You cheap maid, you only know how to bewitch the monarch all day long and rely on favor to be arrogant. If one day you dare to cause chaos in the court or harm loyal officials, I will definitely have you beaten to death on the steps!"

"Ah?"

Hearing this, Qi Yuan's expression was extremely strange.

The Sect Master of the Linglong Holy Land actually said she would beat her precious disciple, the Linglong Saintess, to death. That scene was too beautiful; he couldn't bear to watch!

"Your Majesty, I am so scared..." The Imperial Concubine seemed to have been frightened, clinging tightly to Qi Yuan's embrace, her delicate body trembling, tears welling up in her eyes, looking pitiful.

Qi Yuan was speechless.

The acting skills of the Linglong Saintess are too exaggerated!

I am even more scared than you right now, do you believe that?

However, he subconsciously wanted to ease the atmosphere and immediately shouted toward the outside of the hall:

"Are you all dead? I am hungry! Quickly notify the Imperial Kitchen; I want to have lunch!"

"This old servant obeys the decree."

As soon as the words fell, a voice responded immediately, followed by a flurry of footsteps outside the door, apparently going to fetch the meal.

The Empress glanced coldly at the Imperial Concubine and said indifferently:

"Since His Majesty is going to eat here, this subject will return to the Changqiu Palace first."

After experiencing this very normal scene, the suspicion in the Empress's eyes dissipated quite a bit, and she seemed to be slowly blending into her current identity.

This made Qi Yuan breathe a sigh of relief.

However, the next moment.

"Your Majesty, why are you in such a hurry to leave? Since you are here, why not have a meal at my Phoenix Palace!"

While speaking, the Imperial Concubine stood up gracefully, walked to the Empress's side, and enthusiastically held the Empress's arm, completely acting like the mistress of the house.

"It just so happens that we sisters can serve His Majesty a meal together."

The voice was gentle and virtuous, clear and bright, but Qi Yuan clearly smelled a hint of provocation, and his heart skipped a beat.

Xiao Yueni, what are you trying to do?

...

Not long after.

Numerous palace maids filed in, their skirts fluttering, smelling of powder and perfume. Each held a golden plate in their hands, filled with various imperial delicacies, colorful and fragrant with Spiritual Qi.

The movements of these palace servants were extremely skillful, light and graceful, and they set up a sumptuous banquet without a sound.

"Your Majesty, Empress, please take your seats."

After the Imperial Concubine respectfully invited the two to sit down, she twisted her waist, leaned bonelessly into Qi Yuan's arms, and picked up a cup of spiritual wine with her small hand, gently bringing it to his lips, "Your Majesty, I am not hungry yet. I will just stay here and serve you wine."

After saying this, she swept a glance at the Empress, her eyes containing a hint of coldness.

You dared to threaten to beat me to death earlier; now I will feed the Emperor wine in front of you. Let's see what you have to say!

On the other side, the Empress expressionlessly placed a large mouthful of food into Qi Yuan's bowl and said in a deep voice:

"Your Majesty, haven't I told you? Drink less and eat more."

Qi Yuan was completely dumbfounded, his head buzzing.

Sitting in his arms was the Linglong Saintess, known as the number one beauty of the Righteous Path, and the Sect Master of the Linglong Holy Land was sitting right next to him, picking food for him...

If this scene were to spread to the Cultivation World outside, who knows how many male cultivators would be envious to death.

But why didn't he feel any excitement or thrill, but instead felt like he was sweating profusely?

This feeling was like jumping back and forth between life and death...