20: Pingyang's persistence! Massaging the Empress's shoulders!

As soon as Princess Pingyang spoke, everyone’s eyes were drawn to her.

However, Princess Pingyang bit her lower lip lightly, looking directly at her majestic Imperial Sister and Empress Dowager without fear.

This genuine emotion deeply moved Li Shengyuan.

The Empress Dowager, however, sternly said:

"There are plenty of young talents in our Great Qian. I don't believe we can't find a man more outstanding than him!"

"Princess Pingyang, be obedient and come back with me. Tomorrow, I will widely recruit a consort within the Great Qian!"

"No, no, I don't want anyone!" Princess Pingyang shook her head repeatedly, uncharacteristically resisting the Empress Dowager's decision.

Empress Mu Qingning looked at her stubborn younger sister, sighed softly in her heart, and, softening her tone, gently said:

"Empress Dowager, Princess Pingyang, it's not that I want to separate them, but rather that my Master's command is truly difficult to defy."

"When Master returns from her travels, I will immediately inform her of this matter and let her decide."

Then, Empress Mu Qingning looked at the cold-faced Empress Dowager and gently said:

"Empress Dowager, furthermore, Princess Pingyang is still young. If she truly desires to cultivate, now is the age for rapid advancement in cultivation. Marriage is not urgent; it's not too late to consider marriage when her cultivation progress slows down."

"You also shouldn't force Princess Pingyang's will."

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager's expression softened considerably.

She was so angry precisely because her suggestion had been rejected by the Empress, causing her daughter to feel wronged.

After all, she was the Empress Dowager who raised her, and Princess Pingyang was also her younger sister whom she watched grow up!

Now, seeing Female Emperor Mu Qingning lower her stance and explain in a soft voice, she also found it difficult to continue making a fuss.

So, her expression softened as she said, "Then let it be as Your Majesty says."

Then, looking at her daughter, Princess Pingyang, whose eyes were filled with tears, her heart ached. She held Princess Pingyang's small hand and gently said:

"Princess Pingyang, you go back to the palace with me first. I want to say a few words to you."

Princess Pingyang first looked up at Li Shengyuan, and seeing him offer an encouraging and comforting smile, she also nodded slightly and said:

"Oh, okay, Empress Dowager."

Her demeanor, however, angered the Empress Dowager, thinking how daughters, once grown, always turn their hearts outward.

Pulling Princess Pingyang, she bid farewell to Empress Mu Qingning, then glared fiercely at the innocent Li Shengyuan before leaving the Empress's bedchamber.

Li Shengyuan looked at the Empress Dowager's ample back, feeling somewhat innocent and bewildered.

It's not my fault, why glare at me…

Li Shengyuan truly had a headache over this; on one side was Princess Pingyang, whom he had raised, and on the other was his Imperial Sister, the Empress, who had raised him. He truly didn't know which side to lean towards!

Li Shengyuan truly didn't want to experience this kind of unique love triangle again.

After the noble and stern Empress Dowager left, his little sister, Li Ruotang, who had been holding onto him, also let out a long sigh of relief.

She let go of him, then dashed towards Female Emperor Mu Qingning, affectionately leaning against her, rubbing her round little belly, and softly asked:

"Imperial Sister, Tangtang is hungry. When can we eat?"

As soon as Little Fatty Li Ruotang spoke, the previously solemn atmosphere immediately eased.

His Imperial Sister smiled and rubbed his little sister's chubby face, saying apologetically:

"I'm so sorry, Tangtang, for letting you get hungry. Shall I have someone serve the dishes now?"

"Okay." Li Ruotang's eyes lit up as she nodded, her mouth nearly watering.

She felt that the food here at Imperial Sister's place was much tastier than at home.

After dotingly rubbing Li Ruotang's little head, and having her personal maid and guard, Miss Zixuan, order the dishes to be served, his Imperial Sister, the Empress, looked at Li Shengyuan and said:

"Junior Brother, you don't need to worry about the matter with Princess Pingyang. When Master returns, she will decide."

"As for the mission, you don't need to worry too much. The most urgent task is to cultivate well. Once your strength is sufficient, Master and I will inform you."

"I understand, Imperial Sister." Li Shengyuan nodded slightly.

Actually, regarding the mission his Imperial Sister spoke of, if he hadn't known his identity as a villain before, Li Shengyuan might have believed it…

But what kind of mission could a great villain like him have?

A bold conjecture couldn't help but surface in his mind!

Could it be that Imperial Sister doesn't want him and Princess Pingyang to marry?

Thinking this, Li Shengyuan's heart thumped incessantly. If that were truly the case, it would be too exciting!

Li Shengyuan truly found it hard to believe that his Imperial Sister was the person he imagined her to be.

Mainly, years of interaction made Li Shengyuan find it hard to believe that his Imperial Sister would fall for someone, even if that person was him, handsome and talented.

At this moment, his Imperial Sister leaned back on the dragon throne behind her, her phoenix eyes slightly closed, and calmly said:

"Junior Brother…"

"What's wrong, Imperial Sister?"

Seeing his Imperial Sister hesitate to speak, Li Shengyuan, who was currently serving food to Little Fatty and wiping her mouth, looked up at her in confusion.

What met his eyes was his Imperial Sister's exquisite and beautiful face, as well as her tall and full chest, which made his heart tremble.

Female Emperor Mu Qingning paused for a moment, then parted her red lips and said, "…Imperial Sister is a bit tired. Can you help Imperial Sister massage her shoulders?"

Li Shengyuan was stunned. Massage the Empress's shoulders?

Such intimate gestures had not happened since his Imperial Sister ascended the throne.

What was wrong with his Imperial Sister?

Just as Li Shengyuan was in a daze, Li Ruotang, whose mouth was stuffed with food, looked at Big Brother innocently and said indistinctly:

"Da… Big Brother, Imperial Sister is tired, quickly… help her massage, Tangtang is hungry and wants to eat meat, so she can't help Imperial Sister…"

Li Shengyuan immediately snapped back to reality and glared at his little sister, Li Ruotang, "Eat your food, don't talk so much!"

Li Ruotang immediately looked at Big Brother with a wronged expression. Tangtang just wanted to eat meat, she didn't know why Big Brother was being fierce to her.

Then, she lowered her head, glared fiercely at the deer leg meat in her hand, and started gobbling it down.

It was as if she saw the deer leg meat as Big Brother who had been fierce to her, and she wanted to eat it all to get revenge!

At this moment, Li Shengyuan had already moved behind his Imperial Sister's dragon throne, looking down at her curvaceous and delicate figure.

Li Shengyuan's heart rate gradually quickened, and he swallowed his saliva repeatedly.

Although it wasn't the first time he had massaged his Imperial Sister's shoulders, back then she wasn't the Empress of Great Qian, just the Eldest Princess. The difference in status was too great…

Then, his Imperial Sister's questioning voice came from beside his ear, "Junior Brother, what's wrong?"

"Is it because you haven't massaged Imperial Sister's shoulders in years that you've forgotten how to do it?"

Li Shengyuan took a deep breath, calmed his excited heart, and calmly replied:

"I've forgotten a bit, I need to think for a moment."

Female Emperor Mu Qingning nodded slightly, "Hmm, then Junior Brother, you should come often to help Imperial Sister massage her shoulders from now on…"

"No problem."

The two were silent for a moment. Just as Li Shengyuan was about to reach out, Female Emperor Mu Qingning calmly said:

"Junior Brother, I feel your heart beating so fast…"

Li Shengyuan, who had already calmed down a bit, heard this and his heart beat even faster…

However, he didn't hide it, but instead chuckled, "To massage the shoulders of the current Empress, naturally I'm a bit excited. This is something not everyone can experience."

Listening to Li Shengyuan's somewhat frivolous words, Empress Mu Qingning calmly and gently said:

"You'll get used to it later."

Then, she urged again, "Quickly help Imperial Sister massage, I don't know why, but my shoulders are really sore."

"Okay, Imperial Sister."

Li Shengyuan no longer hesitated, directly raising his hands and placing them on his Imperial Sister's fair and delicate shoulders.

Although the Empress's dragon robe was quite concealing, it still revealed her fair and slender neck, as well as parts of her exquisite collarbone.

As Li Shengyuan's hand touched the skin on his Imperial Sister's collarbone, he felt an astonishing sensation.

It was cool, and her skin was very smooth and soft…

He said he was massaging her shoulders, but Li Shengyuan felt more like he was caressing the Empress's fragrant shoulders and collarbone!

But his Imperial Sister didn't seem to resist.

Li Shengyuan's breathing quickened again.

When Li Shengyuan lowered his head, looking down along his Imperial Sister's snowy swan neck, he saw a hint of black lace between her full and perky breasts…

Li Shengyuan's eyes widened instantly, and he froze on the spot, a tumultuous wave rising in his heart.

This was… the lace underwear he had brought over?!!!