After a brief flurry of noise from the corridor, the doors to the side hall swung open once more. A graceful figure swept in, adorned in a phoenix crown and ceremonial robes that shimmered like the dawn.

Her long hair was swept up into a “Morning Clouds Near Fragrance” bun, secured by a pair of golden phoenix-wing hairpins. Pearls and jade rested against her fair, high forehead. She was dignified, radiant, and possessed an aura of lofty, untouchable elegance. Her every movement exuded the majestic grandeur befitting the Mother of the Nation.

It was the Empress.

It really is Sect Leader Shao…

Upon seeing the newcomer, Qi Yuan felt a primal urge to bolt for the nearest window, but he forcibly cemented his feet to the floor.

Shao Xuanji, the Sect Leader of the Exquisite Sanctuary, was a Dao Integration realm powerhouse. A mere illusion couldn’t possibly trap her for long. If he broke character now, she would likely snap out of it instantly. And then? Then he could prepare to sing his swan song.

It’s GG.

Having reached this terrifying conclusion, Qi Yuan forced himself to calm down. He had to commit. Even if the sky fell, he had to keep acting!

“This Concubine pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress. May the Empress enjoy boundless fortune and golden peace.”

Xiao Yueni, fully immersed in her role as the Noble Consort, hurried to curtsy. Her demeanor was the picture of humility and submissiveness, showing not a trace of the arrogance one would expect from a favored concubine.

The Empress didn’t even deign to glance at her. Those clear, cold phoenix eyes swept directly toward Qi Yuan, flickering briefly with a hint of confusion and struggle.

But the confusion vanished quickly. She composed her expression, stepped forward, and offered a stiff, formal greeting:

“This Consort greets Your Majesty.”

Although her tone was respectful, it carried a chill that could freeze magma.

Crap!

Qi Yuan’s heart gave a violent jolt.

As expected of a Dao Integration cultivator. Her Dao Heart is solid as a rock. Even though she’s temporarily confused by the script, she still retains her basic rationality and judgment. She is absolutely not someone to be trifled with.

From now on, every word and action must be Oscar-worthy. I cannot let her suspect a thing!

With that resolve, Qi Yuan took a deep breath, puffed out his chest, and spoke with imperial indifference:

“Empress, rise.”

According to the background lore injected into his brain by the illusion, the Empress hailed from a powerful aristocratic family. Her father was a heavyweight minister who controlled half the court. It was precisely because of this political backing that even though the Emperor was a tyrannical, dissolute fool, he still maintained a degree of wary respect for her.

However, while the Empress was undeniably beautiful, she was also rigid, boring, and utterly devoid of charm. She was the “eat your vegetables” of wives, perpetually neglected by the fun-loving Emperor.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

The Empress slowly rose. She hesitated for a moment, then launched into her lecture:

“This Consort heard that Your Majesty was drinking and making merry with the Noble Consort yesterday, getting so drunk in the gardens that you only rose at noon today.”

“Your Majesty’s Dragon Body is not your own; it belongs to the ancestors and the common people. The stability of the realm depends on your health. How can you treat it as child’s play?”

Her voice grew sterner. “I hope Your Majesty will cherish your Dragon Body and refrain from such absurd, debauched behavior in the future!”

Before Qi Yuan could even formulate a retort, the Noble Consort beside him sprang into action. She put on an expression so pitiful that tears seemed to well up on command. She knelt on the ground without hesitation, her voice soft, delicate, and trembling:

“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. It was this Concubine who was being playful and greedy for wine. I insisted on pulling His Majesty to drink with me.”

“His Majesty, doting on this Concubine, stayed only to keep me company. We… we chatted and had a few extra cups, which delayed the morning court.”

She looked up, eyes glistening. “I beg the Empress not to blame His Majesty. This Concubine is willing to accept all punishment!”

Her words were dripping with sincere emotion, painting the Emperor as an innocent victim of his own kindness, while subtly implying the Empress was a domineering shrew for making a fuss over such a small joy.

Qi Yuan listened, dumbfounded.

Is this really the Exquisite Saintess, Xiao Yueni?

Why does she smell so… “Green Tea”?

Acting all innocent while throwing shade. No wonder the Empress hates her. If I were a normal husband hearing my wife get scolded like this by a “mistress,” I’d flip a table.

Good grief, it seems this Noble Consort isn’t a fuel-efficient lamp either…

At this moment, Qi Yuan knew exactly what the script demanded.

He straightened his back, snorted loudly, and immediately pulled the kneeling Noble Consort into a protective embrace. He patted her jade-like back with tender affection and declared loudly:

“My Beloved Consort, rest assured. As long as We are here, We will never let the Empress bully you!”

Then, he turned a glare on the Empress:

“We did drink a bit too much last night, but what does that have to do with the Noble Consort? Empress, you are making a mountain out of a molehill.”

“Besides, We are the true Son of Heaven! We do what We want! Since when does a woman tell the Dragon what to do?”

“Your Majesty…” The Noble Consort wrapped her slender arms around Qi Yuan’s neck, her eyes silky and seductive. “Please don’t be angry. The Empress is just worried about Your Majesty’s health…”

Although she said the words, a triumphant, sugary smile played on her lips as she gazed adoringly at Qi Yuan, treating the Empress like empty air.

“Hah. What a sharp tongue.”

Seeing the Emperor’s reaction, the Empress froze for a second. Then, her delicate brows knitted together, and her voice dropped to absolute zero:

“You lowly servant! All you know is how to bewitch the Sovereign and act arrogant because of his favor. If you dare disrupt the court or harm loyal officials, This Palace will have you flogged to death on the jade steps!”

Huh?

Qi Yuan’s expression twitched violently.

The Sect Leader of the Exquisite Sanctuary just threatened to beat her precious disciple to death?

That visual is too beautiful; I can’t even look!

“Your Majesty, this Concubine is so scared…” The Noble Consort shrank into Qi Yuan’s arms, her body trembling like a leaf in the wind, tears finally spilling over. She looked utterly, heartbreakingly pitiful.

Qi Yuan felt a headache coming on.

Saintess, your acting is too exaggerated!

Bro is way more scared than you right now, believe it or not?

Desperate to break the tension before Shao Xuanji decided to skip the flogging and go straight to “soul erasure,” Qi Yuan shouted toward the entrance:

“Is everyone dead out there?! We are hungry! Notify the Imperial Kitchen immediately! Pass the meal!”

“This old slave obeys!”

A voice responded instantly, followed by a flurry of footsteps retreating to fetch the food.

The Empress shot the Noble Consort a cold look, smoothed her sleeves, and said indifferently:

“Your Majesty may dine here. This Consort will return to the Eternal Autumn Palace.”

After navigating this typical harem conflict, the suspicion in the Empress’s eyes had faded significantly. She was slowly sinking deeper into the role of the jilted, stern wife.

Qi Yuan breathed a sigh of relief. Good, go. Please go.

However.

“Sister, why the rush?”

The Noble Consort stood up gracefully, blocking the Empress’s path. She linked her arm through the Empress’s with a warmth that felt entirely fake, acting the part of the gracious hostess.

“Since Her Highness is already here, why not stay for a meal at my Phoenix Palace?”

“It’s perfect. We sisters can serve His Majesty together.”

Her voice was gentle, virtuous, and magnanimous, but Qi Yuan smelled the gunpowder immediately. His heart skipped a beat.

Xiao Yueni, are you insane? What are you trying to do?!

…….

Not long after.

A stream of palace maids filed in, their skirts flowing like smoke, carrying the scent of expensive powder. Each held a golden tray laden with imperial delicacies—vibrant, aromatic, and steaming with spiritual energy.

The servants moved with practiced silence, swiftly setting a table fit for the gods.

“Your Majesty, Empress, please take your seats.”

After respectfully seating them, the Noble Consort swayed her hips and practically melted into Qi Yuan’s lap, acting as if she had no bones. She picked up a cup of spirit wine with a delicate hand and lifted it to his lips.

“Your Majesty, this Concubine isn’t hungry. Let me feed you wine instead.”

As she spoke, she cast a sidelong glance at the Empress—a look filled with hidden mockery and cold triumph.

You dared threaten to flog me? Now watch me feed your husband wine right in front of your face. Let’s see you try to beat me now!

On the other side of the table, the Empress’s face was a mask of ice. She picked up her chopsticks, grabbed a massive clump of green vegetables, and dumped it into Qi Yuan’s bowl.

“Your Majesty,” she said in a deep, warning tone. “Did This Consort not tell you? Drink less wine. Eat your vegetables.”

Qi Yuan sat there, completely paralyzed, his brain buzzing like a beehive.

In his arms sat the Exquisite Saintess, the “Number One Beauty of the Righteous Path,” feeding him wine.

beside him sat the terrifying Sect Leader Shao, force-feeding him vegetables like a stern mother.

If this scene were leaked to the cultivation world, countless men would die of envy.

So why… why don’t I feel a shred of excitement?

Why do I feel like I’m sitting on a throne of needles, sweating profusely?

This isn’t enjoyment. This is repeatedly jumping back and forth across the line between life and death…