Let me explain, it's not what you think.

"Hey, Lu Lang, I've just returned from an outing. Master isn't here, and with Su Ningxin in this predicament, I should at least go and pay my respects to her on Master's behalf. Come with me!"

Tantai Qingxue suddenly spoke.

"Huh? I'm going to see her?" Lu Chen was surprised.

"I think I'll pass. What would a grown man like me do in someone's harem? Maybe next time..."

"Lu Lang, are you just brushing me off?" Tantai Qingxue narrowed her eyes.

In her opinion, her love should be passionate and crazy. She wanted to tell the whole world that she, Tantai Qingxue, was Lu Chen's woman!

Lu Chen's hesitation made her very unhappy, and she wished she could wrap herself around his waist right then and there...

But Lu Chen clearly didn't think that way.

Master's wife Chen Xuejiao had seen his projection before, so why wouldn't Su Ningxin, who has an even higher status, have seen him?

If he goes, something unexpected might happen.

But Tantai Qingxue was not to Lu Chen's liking and insisted on singing this different tune.

She released Lu Chen's arm, walked around to face him, looked up at him, and her eyes held a hint of danger.

Lu Chen took a step back.

"Excuses! You're just making up excuses! You big bad guy!"

Tantai Qingxue took a step forward, her long legs appearing and disappearing beneath her skirt.

"You just don't want to go. You don't want anyone to know I'm your woman!"

"What nonsense are you talking about..."

"Then why don't you go? Don't you love me?"

Lu Chen opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but looking into her serious, almost stubborn eyes, he swallowed all his words.

He sighed and reached out to take her hand.

"Okay, okay, I'll go, alright?"

Tantai Qingxue didn't give him her hand; instead, she pounced on him, wrapped her arms around his neck, and clung to him.

A pair of long legs wrapped around his waist, tightly, like a snake coiling around its prey.

"That's more like it." She kissed him on the corner of his mouth, then loosened her legs, slid down, and took his arm again.

"Then let's not keep them waiting."

Lu Chen was pulled forward by her, and sighed inwardly.

This girl usually gives in to me, but once she's made up her mind about something, nothing can change it!

The two walked through the long streets of Yongning City and arrived at the foot of the imperial city.

The two stopped in front of a palace.

The palace doors were open, and Emperor Tang Xin sat on the dragon throne in the palace, looking at the memorials.

He saw the two of them come in, his gaze lingered on Tantai Qingxue for a moment, then shifted to Lu Chen, looking him up and down.

"Oh, it's Qingxue! And who is this?"

"My boyfriend is Lu Chen," Tantai Qingxue introduced him openly.

"He's from the Xuantian Sect, and he just broke through to the Golden Core stage."

Tang Xin's gaze lingered on Lu Chen's face for a moment before shifting away.

"Early stage of Golden Core, Five Elements Spiritual Roots. It's not easy to cultivate to this level at your age."

Lu Chen bowed respectfully.

"Your Majesty flatters me."

Tang Xin waved his hand. He knew what Tantai Qingxue was there for; it was just a routine matter.

"Go ahead, your Aunt Su is inside. You can also introduce her to your boyfriend while you're at it."

He wasn't worried at all about what would happen if a man entered his harem.

Putting aside the fact that he had his girlfriend watching over him, his empress, with her haughty and arrogant attitude, would never have any contact with this Golden Core cultivator!

A hat? He couldn't possibly wear that!

"Eh."

The two walked out of the palace gate and along the corridor. Soon, they stopped in front of a door, and Tantai Qingxue reached out and pushed the door open.

The moment the door opened, Lu Chen smelled a faint fragrance.

It's not the scent of flowers, nor the scent of cosmetics, but a subtle fragrance that is cool and pure to the extreme.

He looked up and immediately saw Su Ningxin.

She sat on a soft couch by the window, dressed in plain clothes, her long hair flowing like a waterfall, without any unnecessary adornments.

Her features were so exquisite they seemed unreal; her eyes were like autumn water, her nose was high and straight, and her lips were thin—every feature was just right.

Her proportions are exceptional; even when she's sitting down, you can still see her amazing figure.

She has a slender waist, a full bust, and exquisite curves, yet she doesn't appear vulgar at all. Instead, she exudes a sophisticated and ascetic beauty.

She looked up and her gaze fell on Lu Chen's face.

In that instant, Lu Chen felt his heart skip a beat.

"Oh, it's Qingxue! And who is this?"

"My boyfriend, Lu Chen." Tantai Qingxue pulled Lu Chen inside and sat down opposite her.

"I brought him to meet Aunt Su."

Upon hearing this, Su Ningxin's gaze lingered on Lu Chen's face for a moment before shifting away.

The corners of her mouth curved slightly, the curve was very shallow, and the light in her eyes suddenly became a little different.

"Sit down, don't just stand there like an idiot."

Lu Chen sat down opposite her, head down, not daring to look her in the eye.

Her temperament is so unique; it's not aloof or arrogant, but rather an innate and natural nobility!

Like a fairy from the heavens looking down upon the mortal world, she inspires no sense of disrespect.

Su Ningxin picked up the teacup, took a small sip, and then put it down.

"Lu Chen, is it?"

Lu Chen raised his head and met her gaze.

"How old are you this year?"

"Twenty-four."

"Twenty-four, five elements spiritual root, early stage of Golden Core, that's quite remarkable."

Lu Chen didn't know how to respond, so he just nodded.

Su Ningxin did not ask any further questions.

Tantai Qingxue sat to the side, looking at Su Ningxin and then at Lu Chen. Suddenly, she felt that the atmosphere was a little off, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.

Then, Su Ningxin took out a small jade pot, poured half a cup of tea, and pushed it in front of Tantai Qingxue.

The tea soup was golden in color, clear and bright, and a sweet aroma wafted from the cup, making one feel refreshed upon smelling it.

"Qingxue, try this. It's something good that Tang Xin brought back from outside. Auntie saved some for you."

Tantai Qingxue's eyes lit up, and she picked up the cup and took a sip.

"Delicious! What kind of tea is this? I feel like my cultivation is starting to falter!"

"Drink more if you like." Su Ningxin didn't answer, but a slight smile curved her lips.

Tantai Qingxue took a few more sips, and the more she drank, the more intoxicated she became.

Lu Chen sat down next to him, looking at the cup of tea. He felt that something was off, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Not long after, Tantai Qingxue suddenly yawned, and her eyelids began to droop.

"Aunt Su, I... I suddenly feel so sleepy..."

Before she could finish speaking, her head tilted to the side, and she slumped onto the table, her breathing even and deep.

Lu Chen's hands clenched tightly inside his sleeves.

Seeing this, Su Ningxin put down the teapot, stood up, and walked towards him step by step.

Her footsteps were so light that they were almost inaudible.

Finally, she stopped about a fist's width away from him, reached out, and gently hooked her fingertips around his chin.

"Lu Chen, tell me, how did you end up running into my hands at this time?"