123: Chapter 123 The Empress is Jealous, So Behaved!

Upon hearing those words tinged with a hint of roguishness, Chu Wanqing finally couldn't hold back. Her eyes reddened, and she nodded heavily.

"Mhm!"

At this moment, all the grievances, unease, and fear in her heart vanished completely.

Replacing them was an unprecedented sense of security and sweetness.

So, this is what it feels like to be shielded wholeheartedly from behind.

On the other side...

Witnessing this scene, Chu Chengdao felt not the slightest displeasure. Instead, stroking his beard, he let out a hearty, unrestrained laugh.

"Good! Very good!"

What he admired wasn't just Lin Yi's strength.

It was even more this domineering wisdom, this understanding of how to wield one's own authority to pave the way for one's own people!

With Lin Yi's words serving as a deterrent, for the next hundred years—no!

For the next thousand years, there won't be any discordant voices within the Chu family.

Wanqing's position is as solid as a mountain!

And he, this future father-in-law, can rest easy!

The storm had completely subsided, and the reckoning had concluded.

At Chu Chengdao's enthusiastic invitation, Lin Yi and his companions were ushered into the most core area of the Chu family.

The Imperial Garden.

Here, Spiritual Qi condensed into mist, and Dao Laws intertwined. It was the secluded cultivation ground for successive generations of Chu family heads.

All the servants were dismissed.

Within the Imperial Garden, only Lin Yi and the three women remained.

Lin Yi waved his hand, setting up a soundproof barrier.

Chu Wanqing was still savoring the domineering scene from earlier, her little face flushed.

Su Yuxi teased from the side, "Wanqing, now you're truly the little heiress of the Chu family."

Chu Wanqing fiddled with the golden jade ledger in her hand and snorted, "What's mine is Brother Lin Yi's."

She said this with even more confidence than before.

Lin Yi smiled slightly and didn't pursue the topic further.

With a turn of his hand, the two clusters of light refined from the immortal burial coffin appeared in his palm.

"Alright, now it's time to divide our own spoils."

As soon as his words fell...

Whether it was Su Yuxi, Shen Qingyue, or Chu Wanqing, their gazes were instantly drawn to the two clusters of light.

One cluster was crystal clear, pure and flawless, as if containing the mysteries of the dawn of life.

A wisp of golden Dao Law, as fine as a hair, yet seemingly bearing an ancient Universe within.

A single glance at it shook one's Divine Soul, threatening to make one sink into it.

Holding these two supreme treasures, Lin Yi's gaze swept over the peerlessly beautiful faces of the three women. In his heart, he had already decided on the distribution.

This wisp of an Emperor's insight, containing the essence of the Dao and its laws, is most suitable for Yu Xi, who is currently in the process of fusing with her past life's Dao fruit. It can help her advance even faster.

As for this cluster of energy refined to its utmost purity, its Foundation is Corrosive Yin.

It perfectly complements Qingyue's Primordial Yang, the two forming a balance of yin and yang. It holds immeasurable benefits for her in repairing her Dao wound.

Chu Wanqing was the first to lean in.

"Let's be clear upfront, I've already taken enough things today."

"Sister Yu Xi and Sister Qingyue's shares must not be shortchanged."

Su Yuxi gave her a sidelong glance. "You sure know how to play the good guy."

Chu Wanqing snorted.

"I call this being sensible."

Shen Qingyue, holding her teacup, gently set it down.

"If you were any less sensible, that entire pile of account ledgers outside would be delivered to your room."

Chu Wanqing's little mouth immediately pouted.

"Don't even mention it, Sister Qingyue."

"I just glanced at them, and my head is already spinning."

Lin Yi couldn't help but chuckle.

"Just secured your position and already trying to shirk responsibility?"

Chu Wanqing immediately clung to his arm.

"Brother Lin Yi, you help me look at them."

"I'll just be in charge of nodding."

Su Yuxi spoke up, "Your father practically shoved half the Chu family into your hands."

"And here you are, trying to pass it off immediately."

Chu Wanqing declared righteously, "What's mine is Brother Lin Yi's, after all!"

As these words fell, the room fell silent for a moment.

Su Yuxi picked up her teacup and didn't respond.

Shen Qingyue lowered her head to sip her tea, also not responding.

Chu Wanqing, a bit slow on the uptake, felt her ears grow hot.

"That's not what I meant."

"I just..."

The more she tried to explain, the more flustered she became.

Lin Yi raised his hand and gently tapped her forehead.

"Enough."

"First, finish the tasks your father assigned."

"Those old fellows outside knelt quickly today, but they might not be truly convinced in their hearts."

"If you don't go and preside, they'll start making trouble again."

Chu Wanqing was momentarily speechless.

Just as she was thinking of lingering a bit longer, footsteps sounded outside the door.

A female steward stopped at the entrance.

"Your Highness, the managers from all branches have arrived."

"The Family Head requests your presence."

Chu Wanqing gritted her teeth.

"My father really knows how to pick his timing."

She looked back at Lin Yi again.

"Then you're not allowed to play favorites."

Lin Yi raised an eyebrow.

"When have I ever played favorites?"

Chu Wanqing muttered under her breath.

"You were pretty obvious about it today."

Having said that, she ran off.

Reaching the door, she turned back to add,

"I'll be back soon."

With her departure, the room became much quieter.

Shen Qingyue set down her teacup and also stood up.

"I'll go keep watch outside for a while."

"You two talk."

Su Yuxi looked up at her.

"You sure know how to make an exit."

Shen Qingyue's voice was very soft.

"Someone's feeling a bit sour. We should leave her some space to speak."

Su Yuxi's expression stiffened. "Who's feeling sour?" she retorted sweetly.

Shen Qingyue didn't reply.

She pushed the door open and walked out.

Closing it behind her on the way.

Now, only Lin Yi and Su Yuxi remained in the room.

The fragrance of tea still lingered.

That wisp of golden Dao essence was also still there.

Lin Yi walked up to her.

"There's no one else now."

"If you have something to say, say it directly."

Su Yuxi took the teacup and took a small sip.

"You're quite straightforward."

"You were the one who gifted the Emperor's weapon."

"You were the one who shattered the Chu family's grand formation."

"And you were the one who, in front of the entire clan, shoved all of the Wang family's compensation and the Chu family's resources back into Wanqing's hands."

"After all that effort, you took all the spotlight."

Lin Yi looked at her.

"And?"

Su Yuxi placed the teacup back on the table.

"And that line of yours."

"Who dares to touch my people."

"You said it so smoothly."

After hearing this, Lin Yi actually smiled.

"So that's what's bothering you."

Su Yuxi turned slightly away.

"Who's bothered."

"I'm just keeping track for you."

"So you can't play dumb later."

Lin Yi took half a step forward.

"You remember quite well, then."

Su Yuxi didn't retreat.

"Things like that, who could forget?"

As her words fell, she herself fell silent.

The scene at the Chu family's Ancestral Hall today was impossible to suppress.

Lin Yi, his white robes stained with blood, arriving by stepping on a coffin.

That domineering statement had pressed directly against her heart.

She, the Reborn Empress, had never been one for low spirits.

Usually, she could handle Chu Wanqing's playfulness and Shen Qingyue's gentleness.

But today was different.

Today, Lin Yi had gone for Chu Wanqing, and for Chu Wanqing, he had turned the entire Imperial Clan upside down.

She wouldn't admit it verbally, but that sour feeling in her chest just wouldn't settle.

Seeing her silent, Lin Yi's voice softened.

"In today's situation, Wanqing bore the brunt of it."

"If I hadn't caused a big scene, she wouldn't be able to hold her position in the Chu family in the future."

"I gave her those resources, not to spoil her excessively."

"It was to shut everyone's mouths for her."

Su Yuxi looked up at him.

"I understand that."

"But understanding and feeling good about it are two different things."

Lin Yi found this amusing.

"Finally willing to admit it?"

Su Yuxi let out a cold hum.

"Admit what."

"Admit that I'm jealous?"

Having said this, she herself was momentarily stunned.

The atmosphere suddenly shifted.

Lin Yi looked at her, not continuing the jest.

Su Yuxi's fingers tightened, then relaxed.

She had lived two lifetimes.

Sat upon the Imperial Throne.

And transcended life and death.

Throughout history, an Emperor's side was never graced by only one beauty.

She had been aware of this fact from the very beginning.

But truly reaching this point, it still left her feeling stifled.

She didn't want to retreat.

Even less was she willing to yield.

But she also wouldn't push Lin Yi away over a few sour words.

No matter how she calculated this account, she couldn't let others benefit!

Lin Yi...

She absolutely must have him!