I don't want to be trained by my senior sister!

......

Fine snowflakes began to fall outside the window again.

They fluttered down silently into the courtyard, adding a touch of cool elegance to the tranquil afternoon...

The room was warm and cozy.

Ning Qian sat by the small stove, where a ceramic pot was bubbling away, releasing a fragrant aroma of wine...

The heat on her face had not completely subsided, and her eyes were still slightly moist.

But she was trying hard to put on a stern face, attempting to project the authority of a senior student.

However, her shame and indignation made her look more like a cat with its fur standing on end and no real threat.

"Did I make a mistake?"

She picked up a glass of wine that had just been warmed and took a small sip.

We must... we must restore some of Senior Sister's authority.

Being bullied by my junior brother like that just now was... so embarrassing.

Fang Xuan sat on the futon opposite her, looking completely obedient.

"I was wrong, I was wrong, senior sister. I will listen to you from now on."

Ning Qian wasn't buying it. She glared at him with her cold eyes and said, "You said the same thing last time."

The last time I apologized, I promised to do it even faster than this time.

And then? Just a moment ago it wasn't...

Thinking back to how I had been kneaded and groped until my body went limp and I had begged repeatedly by the bedside, I felt utterly ashamed.

Ning Qian's face flushed again as the temperature on her cheeks rose sharply, and she quickly took another sip of wine.

Damn it, my junior brother is so disobedient.

Fang Xuan had no choice but to use his ultimate move.

My senior sister is not easy to coax.

He leaned forward and said, "Senior sister, you're so beautiful."

"Oh...okay, okay..."

Ning Qian quickly turned her head to the side, subconsciously raising her hand to tidy up the stray hairs that weren't actually messy by her ear, and her heartbeat inexplicably quickened a few more beats.

"No...don't change the subject."

Fang Xuan readily agreed and immediately changed his approach: "I like Senior Sister the most."

Ning Qian's heart skipped a beat again, and almost without thinking, she blurted out, "How...how much do you like it?"

She regretted it as soon as the words left her mouth.

That question is...it's like a child begging for candy.

She pursed her lips in annoyance, her toes curling up unconsciously.

Fang Xuan continued, "I like my senior sister just as she likes me."

Ning Qian's face turned completely red again.

She subconsciously wanted to say... that she didn't like her junior brother that much.

But when the words came to her lips, she couldn't bring herself to say them.

Saying this will hurt my junior brother's feelings...

Moreover, it was something I said against my will from the start.

She could only pick up her glass again and use the wine to cool the burning sensation on her face.

She's the senior sister, how could she be so easily thrown off balance and completely manipulated by her junior brother's few words...?

She absolutely must... she absolutely must turn the tables.

After thinking it over and over, I still had no clue what to do.

Ning Qian was frustrated to discover that she, as the senior sister, seemed to have no authority whatsoever in front of her junior brother...

She took another deep breath, trying to suppress the flush on her face and the chaotic thoughts in her mind, and steered the conversation back on track.

"Ahem," she cleared her throat, letting her voice return to its usual cool tone.

"Where were we? About the upcoming training plan..."

Before she could finish speaking, a respectful announcement came from outside the courtyard: "Chen Fan requests an audience with Senior Fang and Senior Ning."

.......

Fang Xuan stood up and straightened his robes: "I'll go out and take a look."

Ning Qian also put down her wine glass and followed him out.

She suppressed those emotions instantly, knowing that someone was coming to her door, and could focus her attention.

.......

In the courtyard, the snow fell silently.

Chen Fan, dressed in a plain brocade robe, stood in the snow. Upon seeing Fang Xuan and Ning Qian emerge, he quickly bowed and greeted them, saying, "Greetings, Senior Fang and Senior Ning."

"What is it?" Fang Xuan asked.

Chen Fan's face turned solemn, and he lowered his voice and said, "Just now, an imperial decree came from the palace, summoning all the princes to a banquet tonight."

He lowered his voice even further, speaking with concern, "The imperial decree came suddenly, and although the words were polite,... I still feel uneasy."

"Father's health has been deteriorating lately, and he has become increasingly lenient towards the infighting among my elder brothers. He is also... quite suspicious of me. I'm afraid this banquet will be... a banquet with no good atmosphere."

The implication is quite clear.

He felt this was a trap and wanted to ask Fang Xuan and Ning Qian for help.

Ning Qianxian spoke in a cool tone: "I understand."

Chen Fan was stunned for a moment, not expecting Ning Qian to agree so readily.

Ning Qian glanced at Fang Xuan, and seeing that he had no objections, she continued, "Since we're going to resolve this, let's resolve it all tonight."

"How are the troops I asked you to prepare?" she asked Chen Fan.

Chen Fan's spirits lifted, and he quickly replied, "Everything has been set up as instructed by Senior... However, time is short, the number of troops we can mobilize is limited, and the palace is heavily guarded, especially since there are several Foundation Establishment Grand Masters serving Father Emperor..."

Ning Qian interrupted him: "It doesn't matter, your soldiers are useless anyway."

Chen Fan: "..."

Although it's the truth, it sounds a bit harsh.

.......

The power to influence the change of imperial authority cannot be openly attributed to cultivators, nor can it be them.

In a mortal dynasty, appearances must always be maintained.

Therefore, they only need to resolve the matter secretly and then push the blame onto this open uprising and rebellion.

.......

Chen Fan was deeply shaken and somewhat excited upon hearing this.

Senior Ning, are you... going to directly intervene and clear away the obstacles for him?

.......

At first, she really only thought about getting some benefits along the way.

For example, half the national treasury's cultivation resources would be enough for her and her junior brother to cultivate for a period of time.

But now, her thoughts have changed.

Since we've decided to get involved, let's take even more.

Controlling a mortal kingdom doesn't seem to be of much use to cultivators.

But often, having such a not-so-small country behind her makes her plans much easier.

Gathering resources, gathering information, handling trivial matters that are inconvenient to handle personally... and even, if the future brings a complete reckoning with the Qingyun Sect.

These powers can also be cultivated and hidden gradually.

A mortal dynasty that is completely subservient to her will be a very useful pawn in her hands.

.......

"Tonight, play it by ear," Ning Qian said to Chen Fan in closing. "Just do what you're supposed to do."

"Yes! I understand! I will certainly live up to your expectations, senior!"

Chen Fan bowed deeply, his face filled with excitement and joy.

Watching Chen Fan's hurried departure, Fang Xuan moved closer to Ning Qian: "Senior Sister, let's make our move tonight."

"Hmm, the highest level is the Void Core stage, which can be easily destroyed."

Ning Qian turned around, took Fang Xuan's hand, and walked back.

......

She was thinking about things she cared about more.

Hmm... How exactly can I severely punish my disobedient junior brother?

It felt like all those things she'd imagined before... chains, bare feet on his chest, forced possession...

It seems like none of them are quite right.

......