I just reached the maximum level, and you want me to be a puppet emperor?

Chapter 490 A single word of concern can warm her entire day! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)
The interior furnishings were simple yet tidy.

A square pear wood table sat in the main hall, several landscape paintings hung on the wall, and a half-person-high medicine cabinet in the corner emitted a faint fragrance.

"Please sit down, young master. This is wild mountain tea that I picked myself. Although it cannot compare with the precious varieties, it has its own unique flavor." Tang's mother took out the tea set and brewed a pot of tea with her nimble hands.

Li Chen took the teacup, his fingertips inadvertently brushing against Tang's mother's fingers.

The tea had a smooth, jade-like texture, which made him take a second look: "Madam has excellent skills. This tea soup is clear and bright, with a long-lasting aroma. She must have picked it at the perfect time."

"Young master understands tea? Indeed, the leaves are freshest when picked before the dew dries at dawn." A hint of surprise flashed in Tang's mother's eyes, followed by a slight smile.

A beautiful woman's smile is truly delightful.

Seeing that the two were getting along well, Dai Xiaoyao, the wingman, rolled his eyes and said, "Godmother, Young Master Li is quite knowledgeable about herbs! Last time he even helped me recognize a few rare spiritual herbs."

"Oh? Young master, you also know about pharmacology?" Tang's mother became interested and unconsciously leaned forward, revealing an alluring slit in her dress.

Li Chen smiled calmly: "I know a little. Judging from the arrangement of these Seven Star Grass plants in Madam's courtyard, which subtly resembles the Big Dipper, they must be used to refine the 'Heart-Clearing Pill'?"

Tang's mother trembled, and the teapot in her hand almost slipped from her grasp: "How did you know, young master? This...this is my family's secret recipe."

Li Chen took a sip of tea, his gaze falling on the medicine cabinet. He said, "I guessed. Seven-star grass is cold in nature and needs to be neutralized with cinnabar, poria, and other medicinal herbs. Looking at the herbs on the third shelf of Madam's medicine cabinet, these are exactly the ones. As for the more than ten herbs behind, each alchemist has a different method. I think you should follow..."

Li Chen wasn't lying here; part of it was a guess, but the rest wasn't a guess.

The Tian Ce Dynasty has collected various pill formulas, and even though some families consider them secrets, they have actually been thoroughly studied.

Although Li Chen disliked alchemy, he still had some knowledge of it.

Since there was no system before, he had to create it himself.
Having cultivated to the Saint Realm on their own, of course they know these things.

Incidentally, Li Chen's dislike of alchemy doesn't mean he lacks the ability to do so; that's simply his talent.

Following his gaze, Tang's mother parted her red lips slightly, speechless with surprise.

The order in which the herbs were arranged on the medicine cabinet was exactly the order in which she prepared the medicine!

"Young Master is truly a genius! Even Xiaoshan doesn't fully know the recipe for this Heart-Clearing Pill," Tang's mother exclaimed sincerely, her eyes sparkling with admiration.

Seeing that the time was right, Dai Xiaoyao suddenly slapped his forehead: "Oh dear! I almost forgot that I need to go to the village chief's house to get something! Godmother, you talk to Young Master Li first, I'll be right back!"

Without waiting for a response, he ran away in a flash.

He must have seen Li Chen and Tang's mother getting along well, so he created an opportunity for them to be alone together.

This guy could be considered a pretty good wingman.

Suddenly, only the two of them remained in the room.

Tang's mother awkwardly straightened her clothes, unaware that this action only accentuated her curves.

She glanced at Li Chen and saw that he was focused on sipping his tea and not staring at her, so she relaxed a little.

"Young Master Li, you are so insightful at such a young age, it is truly admirable. May I ask where you hold your position in Tian Ce?" Tang's mother broke the silence.

Remembering that his son owned property in the capital of Tian Ce, he asked this question.

Li Chen put down his teacup, a half-smile on his face: "Just doing some small business. Silk and tea from the south, medicinal herbs and minerals from the north—as long as there's profit to be made, I'll dabble in it."

"Young master is too modest. How could someone who can be on friendly terms with the King of Xingluo be an ordinary merchant?" Tang's mother covered her mouth and chuckled, the faint lines at the corners of her eyes adding to her charm.

That statement is indeed too kind to Dai Xiaoyao; Dai Xiaoyao would never dare to call Li Chen a brother.

Only after becoming king did he have the right to fawn over Li Chen; under his previous status, he wouldn't even have been qualified to meet Li Chen.

"Isn't Madam also a hidden master? This Qinglin Village seems ordinary, but in fact, it is full of hidden formations. If I'm not mistaken, Madam must come from a prestigious family?" Li Chen's gaze swept over the few seemingly ordinary but spiritually imbued furnishings in the room.

Tang's mother's expression stiffened, then she smiled bitterly and said, "Young master has discerning eyes, but some past events are better left unmentioned." She lowered her head and fiddled with the tea set, her long eyelashes casting a shadow on her face, making her appear exceptionally delicate.

Li Chen didn't press further, but instead started talking about the local customs and culture of the South.

He was knowledgeable and witty, often making Tang's mother cover her mouth and chuckle.

Her full breasts trembled gently with her laughter, a sight that dazzled the eyes.

"Is what you said true, young master? Do those northern herdsmen really trade Tian Shan snow lotus for silk?" Tang's mother's eyes lit up like stars when she heard Li Chen recounting interesting stories about the north.

She lived in the south, so she was naturally very curious about things she had never seen before.

Li Chen had gathered a lot of information during the chat, which is why he started this topic.

When it comes to picking up girls, you naturally need to find things that interest them in order to get to know them better.

Li Chen smiled and said, "Absolutely true. Next time I go to the North, may I bring some top-quality Tian Shan snow lotus for my wife?"

Two red clouds rose to Tang's mother's face, and she quickly waved her hands, saying, "I can't accept this."

She loved alchemy, and naturally, she also loved these medicinal herbs.

Li Chen's gaze was sincere: "It was nothing. Madam lives alone here and must have little entertainment. These little things are just to thank you for your hospitality today."

This statement demonstrates just how experienced Li Chen is.

What does a woman living alone need? Care, of course!

Even a simple word of concern can warm her heart for the whole day.

Of course, this is all predicated on Li Chen being good-looking enough.

Li Chen never revealed his true intentions, which made Tang's mother lower her guard.

Tang's mother was no naive young girl; once she realized Li Chen's scheme, things would be difficult to progress further.

Therefore, Li Chen couldn't possibly suggest that she leave with him, as that would make it seem like they were just passing by, grabbing a meal, and having a chat, and Tang's mother wouldn't think much of it.

Perhaps by the time she realized what was happening, Li Chen had already finished chiseling away almost completely.

Upon hearing this, a hint of melancholy flashed in Tang's mother's eyes: "Yes, it's been a long time since anyone has talked to me."

She suddenly realized she had misspoke and quickly changed the subject, "Young master, please try this pastry. I made it with spiritual fruits from the back mountain."

Li Chen wisely refrained from asking further questions and acted normally when accepting the snacks.

"Mmm, sweet but not cloying, with a rich fruity aroma. Madam's skills are superb. This spiritual fruit is not only worth selling in Lin Yuan City, but even in the capital, it would be considered a top-tier dessert. I'm afraid only the emperor could enjoy it." Li Chen savored it carefully, praising it highly.

Tang's mother was overjoyed by the praise and unconsciously straightened her back.

This action made her already impressive bust even more prominent, stretching her clothes tightly: "Young master, you're exaggerating. But I'm glad you like it. I've prepared a lot more here."

The two chatted casually, from herbs to food, from local customs to human relationships.

Li Chen maintained a perfect distance, neither too close to make Tang's mother wary, nor too distant.

Before we knew it, the sun had already begun to set.

Dai Xiaoyao arrived late, and as soon as he entered, he exaggeratedly slapped his thigh: "Oh dear, the village chief kept me talking for so long, I'm so sorry to have kept Young Master Li waiting!"

Seeing the atmosphere in the room, Dai Xiaoyao knew that the next phase could begin!

He, as the wingman, needs to keep up the good work!
(End of this chapter)