?

Ling Ningzhi didn't expect Consort Yu to be so straightforward, catching her off guard for a moment.

When she finally reacted, her face flushed red, and she stammered, "Your, Your Majesty the Consort, why do you say such a thing..."

Yu Youhan raised an eyebrow and said, "What, dare to do but not admit? Is this the tradition of your Tianshu Pavilion?"

While speaking, she glanced at Ji Hongxiu, clearly a veiled insult.

"..."

Ji Hongxiu looked slightly embarrassed, averted her gaze, and remained silent.

"Empress, actually Daoist Qingxuan she..."

"Did I ask you? Do you think it's your place to interrupt?"

Shen Zhixia just wanted to speak for her close friend when the light voice entered her ears, her throat tightened, but she couldn't utter a single sound.

Ling Ningzhi clenched the hem tightly, biting her lip hard.

Back then, Ye Zi'e drugged Chen Mo, intercepted by her midway, and the Empress watched the whole thing from the sidelines, naturally clear about their relationship.

Now mentioning it in front of Zhixia and master is merely to give her a hard time.

"The Empress is right,"

Ling Ningzhi took a deep breath, raised her head, met those cold eyes, and said earnestly, "I and Mr. Chen are indeed in love, and it's not something shameful, is it?"

"Ha, secretly hooking up with someone else's fiancé, and yet so self-righteous?"

Yu Youhan sneered and said, "Moreover, if I recall correctly, your Tianshu Pavilion should have a prohibition, right? As the chief disciple, leading by breaking the rules, yet shamelessly claiming mutual affection, truly it is disgraceful, like master, like disciple!"

These words were too blatant, striking a chord with Ling Ningzhi and Ji Hongxiu's scars.

Ling Ningzhi's cheeks instantly turned pale, void of blood, hands tightly clenched, tears rising in her eyes.

All along, she always felt guilty towards Shen Zhixia, yet couldn't suppress her feelings for Chen Mo.

Even though Shen Zhixia has accepted her, as a woman, she naturally knows that unless compelled, who would willingly share the man they love with others?

"Cough cough!"

Chen Mo frowned deeply, cleared his throat.

At the same time, his fingers subtly moved the red ribbon, signaling that her words were getting too much.

Yu Youhan's body slightly trembled, almost humming a sound, glaring at Chen Mo with resentful eyes.

How much suffering has the Empress endured because of these two master and apprentice? How much face has she lost?

And now, just a couple of remarks and he's heartbroken?

This ungrateful dog-like lackey!

Ling Ningzhi lowered her head in silence, but Ji Hongxiu couldn't hold back, said coldly, "Rules are set by people, the so-called sect prohibition has already been abolished by me, and Miss Shen doesn't mind, Consort meddling might be too excessive right?"

Initially, Yu Youhan considered giving a few words of scolding for Chen Mo's sake, but upon hearing this, her anger surged again.

"Chen Mo is part of the Empress's business, I naturally have to care!"

"As for you, don't you know the kind of indecent thing you've done in your heart?"

"I indecent?" Ji Hongxiu crossed her arms, mocked, "We're alike aren't we? Consort also being married, having private matters with the Foreign Minister, isn't this the true treasonous act?"

"Ha, disciples stealing best friend's man, master stealing disciples' man, is this the proud tradition of Tianshu Pavilion?"

"Stealing men behind the Emperor's back, are you any better?"

The duo continued to expose each other's secrets, passionately sparring, tension soaring.

???

Shen Zhixia and Ling Ningzhi glanced at each other blankly, faces filled with question marks.

Just as they were about to react, Yu Youhan waved her hand, and in a flash, they were already in the courtyard.

"What stealing men..."

"Could it be Consort and Brother Chen Mo have, have that kind of relationship?!"

Shen Zhixia's delayed realization, lips slightly parted, eyes filled with disbelief.

No wonder the matter of marriage is always denied by the Empress, this is the true reason?

She's the female demon with overwhelming power, even the Three Saints dare not easily provoke her, how could she possibly be with Brother Chen Mo...

Can't be!

"Master..."

Ling Ningzhi's heart was equally filled with complications.

Last time at Chen Mansion, she noticed a hint of something when Daoist Venerable and Consort Yu clashed.

Although not knowing how much truth lay in Consort's words, it's certain that the relationship between master and Chen Mo is far from simple.

"If it were Yin God, it wouldn't matter, master always despises men, can't possibly do such things."

"Must be a misunderstanding..."

Both having their thoughts, the air was quiet and silent.

...

...

In the room.

The two glared at each other, the atmosphere becoming increasingly intense.

"Seems the lesson I gave you in East Victory State wasn't enough," Yu Youhan narrowed her eyes, fingers swirling with green light, "Failing to learn even the basic respect, shall I teach you again?"

Ji Hongxiu shook her head, sneered, "Last time you talked about wife, family law or something, I hadn't realized... could it be you really wish to marry Chen Mo? Remember your status, isn't it that Consort cannot remarry?"

Upon hearing this, the corner of Chen Mo's mouth twitched.

Finished...

Indeed, Yu Youhan's gaze grew colder, her dress moving with no wind, "Sharp-tongued, hope you can remain this confident later!"

Ji Hongxiu knew well she wasn't a match, had no intention of colliding head-on, turned around swiftly hiding behind Chen Mo, patted his shoulder, "Chen Mo, tie her up!"

Chen Mo: "..."

Seeing her arrogant reliance, Yu Youhan's heart grew even more indignant.