230: Master! Senior Sister, please help me relieve this...

Night, Bai Xiang Tower.

Candlelight flickered, illuminating Bai Yurou's slightly somber profile.

Li Shengyuan's seemingly carefree yet unfathomably deep gaze during the day, and his composure when he readily accepted the mo yu card, left an lingering sense of unease in her heart.

Coupled with Li Shengyuan's incredibly mysterious achievements in the Northern Territory, Bai Yurou felt an unprecedented panic.

Although Li Shengyuan came here with Song Zhen to gamble and have fun, Bai Yurou felt that things would not be that simple…

She felt like she was being watched!

Bai Yurou looked at the brightly lit streets of the capital city below, finished the tea in her cup, dismissed her attendants, and went alone to the deepest part of the secret chamber.

Her fingertips converged spiritual power, lightly outlining complex runes on a seemingly ordinary jade wall.

The jade wall glowed faintly, and moments later, a deep, authoritative male voice, as if crossing thousands of mountains and rivers, resounded directly in the secret chamber:

“Yurou? Why the late-night message?”

“My Lord!” Bai Yurou's voice was respectful with a hint of undetectable tension, “Li Shengyuan came to Bai Xiang Tower today.”

“Oh?” The voice on the other end seemed to show a hint of interest, “That Lord Li who just achieved great military exploits in the Northern Territory and is deeply favored by my Imperial Sister? He is also interested in this place of pleasure?”

“It's not that simple.”

Bai Yurou, with a serious expression, quickly revealed everything that happened tonight, including her giving him the supreme VIP card.

“Li Shengyuan acted too calmly, even… as if it was intentional. I suspect his purpose for this trip was directed at us… I just don't know if he can discover the mystery within that mo yu card.”

Silence fell in the secret chamber for a moment, with only the faint glow from the jade wall gently flickering.

That deep voice sounded again, carrying a hint of playfulness and cold calculation:

“Li Shengyuan… lives up to his reputation. He's seen grand scenes and personally killed a Second Grade Demon Lord. It's normal for him to remain calm even when mountains collapse before him.”

After a moment of contemplation, he continued: “Let him keep that mo yu card. He is close to the Imperial Observatory, and although the card is mysterious, it won't be difficult for him to discover its secrets. We can just follow his lead.”

“The Empress is unusually fond of him, and his strength is outrageously high. Disturbing him would be like stirring up a hornet's nest. Monitoring him is best, but if not possible, it's fine. Report any unusual movements to me immediately.”

“Yes, My Lord, Yurou understands!”

Bai Yurou responded, the light from the jade wall gradually dimmed, and the secret chamber returned to silence, leaving only her tightly furrowed brows and deeper unease.

The troublesome nature of Li Shengyuan had far exceeded everyone's expectations, and the Lord's attitude seemed to be allowing this dangerous existence to probe.

…

The next day, Imperial Study in the palace.

When Li Shengyuan stepped into the Imperial Study, Empress Mu Qingning was seated behind the dragon desk, reviewing memorials. Sunlight streamed through the window lattice, falling on her bright yellow dragon robe, exuding natural majesty.

However, under her lowered eyelashes, her gaze was colder than usual.

Although the morning court had just ended not long ago, she was already back at her desk. Such diligence would make even many male emperors feel ashamed.

Li Shengyuan smiled and said softly, “Don't be busy, Senior Sister. I brought some of your favorite pastries. Take a break.”

“Mm…” Empress Mu Qingning's voice was flat, but a hint of tenderness appeared in her eyes.

Then, looking at Li Shengyuan, she chuckled playfully, “I heard Lord Li had quite the elegant taste last night. Did the courtesans' fine wine at Bai Xiang Tower suit your palate? Could it be that these pastries were brought from Bai Xiang Tower?”

“Or rather…” Female Emperor Mu Qingning paused for a moment, the playful look on her majestic jade face growing even more pronounced, even somewhat teasingly, she said:

“Lord Li's many confidantes can no longer satisfy him, leading him to eagerly seek pleasure in those places of entertainment?”

Li Shengyuan's eye twitched repeatedly, then he rolled his eyes and said grumpily:

“Senior Sister, what nonsense are you spouting? What do you mean 'can't satisfy me,' 'eagerly,' and all that rubbish…”

After speaking, Li Shengyuan looked at his Senior Sister pouting, with a slightly angry expression, and a hint of understanding dawned in his heart, a smile gradually appearing in his eyes.

He walked in front of Female Emperor Mu Qingning, narrowed his eyes, and smiled, “Then if I really am a bit 'eager,' and Senior Sister won't let me go to those kinds of places, can you help me relieve it?”

“I… This… This is none of my business!” Female Emperor Mu Qingning's gaze was somewhat evasive, her phoenix eyes daring not to meet Li Shengyuan's.

“Senior Sister…” Li Shengyuan called out softly.

“Hm? Uh…”

Female Emperor Mu Qingning, still somewhat puzzled, gradually widened her beautiful eyes, and then slowly became lost in the moment.