169: The Empress's Thoughts...

Zixuan also sensed the changes in Li Shengyuan's body, and she, who was usually calm and composed, panicked.

She slowly raised her still-blushing face and looked at Li Shengyuan, asking, "Are we going to hang up?"

"Hang up what? You dare to hang up on your Senior Sister? You don't plan on going back, do you?!"

Li Shengyuan flicked Zixuan's smooth forehead irritably.

"Oh..." Zixuan responded, a little aggrieved.

Speaking of which, Zixuan's dazed appearance was quite cute...

However, what he needed to think about now was how to deal with Empress Senior Sister. Li Shengyuan took a deep breath and calmly said, "Looking at your face, all red like this, you definitely can't answer. Senior Sister will definitely notice something abnormal. Let's wait a bit and circulate our energy to recover."

"En, okay."

Zixuan nodded obediently. Whatever Li Shengyuan said, she would do.

She was also extremely flustered now, her mind constantly replaying the scene when she told the Empress that night about Li Shengyuan and Princess Pingyang being together, and the Empress's stance as if she wanted to crush her skull, and also the cold aura when she informed her about Li Shengyuan and Pei Shuyun...

She was even sent by His Majesty to supervise this scoundrel, Li Shengyuan, and yet she committed embezzlement?

She absolutely couldn't let His Majesty find out. If her skull was crushed, it would be over!

But why did she feel a sense of excitement, like being caught in the act?

No wonder Li Shengyuan knew His Majesty would be angry but still kept repeating his mistakes!

This is a matter of life and death, what am I thinking about...

Shaking her head, Zixuan cast the chaotic thoughts out of her mind.

Following Li Shengyuan's instructions, she circulated her energy to calm the blush and changes on her face. When she felt it was almost done, she looked at Li Shengyuan and asked, "Me... like this, His Majesty shouldn't discover it, right?"

Looking at Zixuan's recovered fair face, although there was still a faint blush, it was almost gone. He nodded and said, "You're good. Connect it!"

Li Shengyuan himself wasn't as flustered as Zixuan. After experiencing so much, he had long become accustomed to being a veteran!

Regarding some of his Senior Sister's questions, he could already handle them with ease.

Taking a deep breath, Zixuan took out the communication mirror and began to connect with Empress Mu Qingning.

The two sat upright, as if nothing had happened.

Soon, Empress Mu Qingning's majestic, cold, and beautiful jade face appeared before them. However, at this moment, Empress Mu Qingning's willow-like brows were slightly furrowed, with a hint of displeasure.

This made the two of them a little nervous, but outwardly, they remained calm, taking the initiative to bow and say, "Greetings, Senior Sister (Your Majesty)!"

Seeing Li Shengyuan, whom she hadn't seen for a long time, also with Zixuan, Empress Mu Qingning's brows relaxed slightly, and a faint hint of joy appeared, but she still asked, "Why did it take so long to connect?"

Zixuan's heart tightened immediately. Li Shengyuan also knew that she hadn't dealt with such a situation before and would inevitably be nervous, so he was the first to speak with a smile, "We were just discussing matters concerning the Demon Barbarians Outside the Pass with my father and them, so it was delayed for a while. I hope Senior Sister doesn't mind."

"En." Empress Mu Qingning nodded, accepting this reason.

But why did Zixuan feel a little strange today? Although she was the same as usual, she always seemed very nervous.

It must be because she just experienced a big battle...

Female Emperor Mu Qingning didn't think any further, but looked at Li Shengyuan with soft eyes and smiled, "Junior Brother, you've worked hard..."

"It's not hard. Compared to Senior Sister and Grandfather, who are far away in the capital and need to control the affairs of the world, my hardships are not worth mentioning!" Li Shengyuan smiled and shook his head.

Empress Mu Qingning's gaze towards Li Shengyuan became even softer, and she smiled, "When Junior Brother returns to the capital, Senior Sister will reward you well, personally welcoming you a hundred li outside the capital, so that Senior Sister's great hero can return gloriously to the capital."

Li Shengyuan was startled upon hearing this, "Senior Sister, isn't that a bit inappropriate?!"

For the Son of Heaven to personally go a hundred li outside the capital to welcome someone, few people have received such treatment throughout history.

They were all great meritorious officials who had expanded territory and suppressed rebels!

Empress Mu Qingning smiled proudly, "My Junior Brother went to quell the rebellion of the Yan King in the Northern Region, then resisted the Demon-Barbarian Allied Army at Shanhai Pass, destroyed the Insectoid Queen, and now has personally slain the Second Grade Six Demon Lords of the Demonic Cult, guarding Shanhai Pass and saving the people of the Northern Region from displacement!"

"Such glorious achievements are supreme honors. It's not an exaggeration to confer a marquisate and generalship upon Junior Brother. Speaking of which, Senior Sister hasn't even thought about how to reward you yet!"

Li Shengyuan smiled slightly upon hearing this. He hadn't even realized how awesome he was and how many merits he had...

Zixuan, who was beside him, secretly thought to herself: Your Majesty, if you knew about this scoundrel's romantic affairs, and how he spent a year alone with Yue Xiyan, and still exchanged flirtatious glances upon his return, you would probably be furious...

However, recalling being kissed by Li Shengyuan just now, Zixuan's face flushed again. She absolutely couldn't let His Majesty discover this scoundrel's romantic affairs!

What if she was also dragged into it?!

At this moment, Empress Mu Qingning's gaze was entirely on Li Shengyuan, and she didn't notice the change in Zixuan's expression. She smiled, "Junior Brother, just tell me what you want. When you return to the capital, Senior Sister will definitely satisfy you!"

Li Shengyuan raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, his heart warming. Looking at his Senior Sister's exquisite face, he really wanted to say, "Can I have you?"

But he thought better of it. Saying that would be a bit disrespectful.

Moreover, if Senior Sister really agreed, wouldn't that be the end of it?

As the husband of the current Empress, how could he still live a carefree and romantic life outside? Who would dare to approach him?

Although his Senior Sister was somewhat displeased and unhappy about his philandering now, she couldn't force him.

If the official status was truly confirmed, then she could righteously restrain him!

So, let's just forget about it. It would be better to conquer her by force when his strength surpassed hers...

What others give, after all, is never as secure as what one obtains by one's own strength!

After a moment of contemplation, Li Shengyuan smiled and said, "Let's talk about that later. I don't lack anything right now. The only thing I want is to see Senior Sister soon!"

Upon hearing this, Empress Mu Qingning's eyes overflowed with tenderness, and her tone was softer than ever before.

"Junior Brother, me too..."

Zixuan, who was beside them, felt restless. These two were actually flirting in front of her as if no one else was present?

She really wanted to say to the Empress: You are the Emperor, how can you be so engrossed in private affections?!

But why did she feel a bit annoyed and sour in her heart?

She had clearly seen this scoundrel flirting with other women many times...

Li Shengyuan and Empress Mu Qingning remained silent, only gazing at each other tenderly.

A moment later, what shocked Zixuan even more was that Empress Mu Qingning, like a young woman, said with a hint of a spoiled tone, "Junior Brother, Senior Sister's shoulders are sore..."

Hiss...

Zixuan gasped inwardly, looking at Female Emperor Mu Qingning, whose eyes held anticipation, thinking, "Is this still Your Majesty?"

Li Shengyuan also smiled softly, "Senior Sister, don't worry. The matters at Shanhai Pass will be resolved very soon. At that time, I will be able to return to the capital to report on my duties!"

"En, Senior Sister will wait for you!"

Zixuan: "..."