337: Chapter 337 Paying Homage to the Empress: Su Qingge's Dignity and Magnanimity

The afternoon sunlight filtered through the lush leaves of the enlightenment tea tree, casting mottled golden shadows on the white-jade paved corridor.

Xu Chen held Helian Yue's hand as they walked through the winding corridors of the Xu Family's inner residence.

Maids and guards passing by stopped in their tracks, bowing their heads respectfully.

Helian Yue walked half a step behind Xu Chen at his side.

Her small hand, held in Xu Chen's palm, was actually breaking out in a layer of fine cold sweat.

As a powerhouse of the Saint Realm and a former Foreign Domain commander who led an army of a hundred thousand, she had never even flinched when facing mountains of blades and seas of blood.

But at this moment, her heart was beating like a drum.

She was about to meet the true mistress of this massive Imperial Clan's harem, Xu Chen's First Wife.

In the Foreign Domain Royal Court, the struggles within a monarch's harem were a cruel and bloodless slaughter. Poisoning, assassination, framing—the victors stood high above while the losers were thrown into the Myriad Snake Pit to suffer endless torment.

As a surrendered general and an outsider who had just arrived, what kind of intimidating display would that First Wife give her?

"What's wrong? Your hand is so cold."

Xu Chen stopped and toyed with her soft palm, his tone carrying a hint of playfulness.

"The little wildcat who dared to lead an army to my doorstep is now afraid to even meet someone?"

"Who... who's afraid!" Helian Yue retorted with a stiff neck, but the confidence in her voice was clearly lacking.

Xu Chen gave a light chuckle and pushed open the carved wooden door of the Xu Family's inner cabinet.

A serene and distant scent of agarwood wafted toward them.

The decor of the inner cabinet was not extravagant, but every utensil exuded a profound heritage settled by time.

Before the tea couch in the center of the room sat a peerless beauty dressed in an elegant palace dress. Her eyes were lowered as she used a small jade fan to gently fan the fire on a small red clay stove.

Hearing the sound of the door opening, the beauty slowly raised her head.

Helian Yue's gaze instantly met hers.

Those were a pair of eyes as clear and tranquil as autumn waters.

Su Qingge stood up.

Her cultivation was only at the Quasi-Saint Realm, a full major Realm lower than Helian Yue's.

But as she stood there quietly, the aura belonging to the matriarch of a top-tier Imperial Clan naturally radiated from her. It was a type of composure and steadiness etched into her bones.

"Qingge, I've brought her back," Xu Chen said with a smile as he stepped forward, familiarly wrapping his arm around Su Qingge's waist. "This is Helian Yue. Her temper is a bit wild, but she's quite a capable hand at managing a household and accounts."

Su Qingge gave Xu Chen's hand a reproachful pat, then took the initiative to step forward and stop in front of Helian Yue.

Helian Yue's muscles instinctively tensed up. In her understanding, when the First Wife approached to this distance, she was either going to deliver a slap or establish the rules.

A pair of warm, soft, and delicate hands gently grasped her palms, which had been stained with countless bloodstains.

"Sister Yue'er, you must be exhausted from the long journey."

Su Qingge's voice was like a spring breeze turning into rain, instantly dispersing the faint sense of tension within the pavilion.

"Husband sent word back earlier saying you suffered a backlash from a blood sacrifice and damaged your Origin. My heart has been hanging in suspense."

Helian Yue was completely stunned.

Looking at the sincere concern in Su Qingge's eyes, her mind went blank for a moment.

There was no intimidating display, no sarcastic beating around the bush, and not even a single redundant probe.

Su Qingge led Helian Yue to sit by the tea couch, picked up a white jade porcelain bowl from the small red clay stove, and served a bowl of thick soup that had an amber hue and emitted a rich medicinal fragrance.

A terrifying life essence instantly filled the entire inner cabinet.

"This is the Nine-Revolution Fetal-Soothing Spirit-Nurturing Soup that I specifically ordered the medicine hall to brew," Su Qingge said, handing the white jade bowl to Helian Yue. "Its medicinal properties are gentle, making it most suitable for repairing Origin damage and nourishing the womb."

"Fetal... Fetal-soothing?" Helian Yue's fox-like eyes widened.

She had only just submitted; how had it already reached the fetal-soothing stage!

Su Qingge covered her mouth and chuckled, looking at her with a soft gaze.

"Our Xu Family has a great business and estate, and we value descendants most. Husband has a temperament that knows no restraint. With your current Saint cultivation, your foundation is excellent. It's better to regulate your body early so you can spread the Family's foliage for Husband sooner."

Hearing these words that were so candid they lacked even a hint of jealousy, Helian Yue's glamorous face instantly flushed bright red.

She looked down at the bowl of fetal-soothing divine medicine in her hands.

In the Foreign Domain, a life-extending treasure of this level would be enough to trigger bloody conflicts between several large tribes.

Yet here, the First Wife had brewed it personally and casually handed it to her, a newcomer and captive, just to nourish her body and prepare her for bearing children!

What terrifying Family heritage was this!

And what broad-mindedness and magnanimity!

The hardened heart Helian Yue had built up over decades of struggling in the Foreign Domain crumbled completely under this bowl of steaming medicinal soup and Su Qingge's gentle smile.

She finally understood how ridiculous her previous thoughts of competing for favor and being defensive were.

In the face of absolute tolerance and confidence, those unpresentable harem-struggle tactics didn't even have room to be deployed.

"Thank you... Big Sister."

Helian Yue lowered her high-held head and uttered this title with heartfelt sincerity.

She picked up the white jade bowl and drank the warm medicinal soup in one gulp.

The majestic medicinal power turned into a warm current flowing into her limbs and bones, completely dispelling the remaining Yin-cold Qi in her body. A warm sense of security enveloped her scarred heart.

"Good sister," Su Qingge said with a smile as she took the empty bowl and used a handkerchief to wipe the corner of Helian Yue's mouth.

"Once you enter this door, we are one Family. As long as your heart is set on Husband, the Xu Family will always be your backing."

Xu Chen leaned back in a large armchair, holding a cup of spiritual tea. Watching the scene of these two peerless beauties getting along harmoniously, he let out a comfortable sigh of relief.

This was why he favored Su Qingge the most.

With such a dignified and magnanimous First Wife presiding over the harem, he didn't need to play any balancing acts; the harem's cohesion was naturally as solid as a rock.

"Alright, the medicine has been drunk," Xu Chen said as he put down his teacup and stood up to stretch.

"Yue'er has just arrived. Qingge, take her to the back garden for a walk and show her around. While you're at it, tell her about the Family rules."

"Yes, Husband," Su Qingge nodded gently in response.

Helian Yue also stood up obediently, following closely at Su Qingge's side. The sharp edges on her body had now been completely retracted, making her look like an obedient little sister.

"Let's go, Sister Yue'er."

Su Qingge affectionately took Helian Yue's arm and led her out of the inner cabinet.

"The sunlight is just right at this time. Sister Mingkong is pregnant and loves walking by the spiritual lake in the back garden. She has a proud nature, and you are also someone who has commanded an army, so I'm sure the two of you will get along well."

Helian Yue nodded submissively, her fox-like eyes full of curiosity about her new life.

The two peerless beauties walked side by side out of the inner cabinet toward the back garden where a hundred flowers were in bloom.