333: The alluring figure of the queen of the night...

“Oh, you're back? I thought you were going to spend the night out!” Li Shengyuan teased with a smile.

Chu Chunqiu staggered slightly, waving his hand as he drank, “That place is fine for a bit of fun, but it's not a place to stay for long...”

Looking at the two, he approached cheerfully and let out a boozy burp, “So, how was it, Li Shengyuan, Junior Brother Song? Did you have your fill of fun?”

He patted Song Zhen on the shoulder and said mischievously, “Looking at you, you must have lost everything again, right? What did I tell you? Instead of giving your money to those gamblers, you’d be better off following your Senior Brother to listen to some music and look at beauties. How much more carefree would that be!”

Song Zhen curled his lip. Though he had lost all his money, he looked completely satisfied. “Great Senior Brother, what’s the point of your drinking and entertainment? It’s so noisy. It’s not nearly as comfortable as the gambling den. Following Brother Li today, I truly had a grand time!”

As he spoke, his eyes were still bright, clearly savoring the memory.

Li Shengyuan watched the two brothers bicker from the side and gave a faint smile, saying to Song Zhen, “It’s good that Junior Brother Song had fun. However, make sure to rest well for a few days and recharge your energy.”

He patted Song Zhen’s shoulder meaningfully. “When a bit more time passes and all sorts of ‘Big Spenders’ have arrived, I’m afraid... you’ll have plenty to keep you busy. At that time, there might be an even bigger ‘gamble’ waiting for you.”

Song Zhen was stunned upon hearing this, blinking his eyes as he looked at Li Shengyuan in confusion. “A bigger gamble? Brother Li, what do you mean?”

Though he didn't understand, he instinctively grew excited at the mention of a “gamble.”

Li Shengyuan didn’t explain in detail, merely smiling. “You’ll know when the time comes. Go back and rest first.”

Although Song Zhen’s curiosity was itching, seeing that Li Shengyuan wasn't speaking, he could only suppress his questions and nod obediently.

“Oh, okay.”

Chu Chunqiu listened from the side, completely lost, but he was lighthearted and had been drinking. He just assumed Li Shengyuan was humoring Song Zhen and didn't ask much, putting an arm around Song Zhen’s neck.

“Let’s go, let’s go, Junior Brother. Your Senior Brother got two jars of fine wine today. I’ll share one with you when we get back, consider it consolation for your lost money!”

When he had followed Song Zhen to the gambling den before, knowing he would lose money, Chu Chunqiu had never lent him money to gamble, only watching from the side.

Even so, some of his Luck would be siphoned away, leading to a period of continuous bad Luck... This time he hadn't gone to watch, so his Luck finally held out.

The three returned to their respective quarters, talking and laughing.

Once the courtyard doors for Chu Chunqiu and Song Zhen were closed, the relaxed smile on Li Shengyuan’s face gradually faded.

He glanced toward the depths of the Dragon Emperor Palace where the lights were still burning. After a moment of deliberation, he turned and walked in that direction.

In the dead of night, most areas of the Dragon Emperor Palace had fallen into a slumber-like tranquility, with only the rhythmic footsteps of patrolling guards sounding occasionally.

As a “distinguished guest” and having the Dragon Emperor’s prior permission, Li Shengyuan met no resistance and soon arrived outside the palace where Long Qingcheng resided.

Shortly after announcing his arrival, a Dragon Clan maid led him into a warm pavilion within the palace.

The light inside the pavilion was soft, the floor covered with a plush snow-fleece carpet, and the air was filled with a faint, soothing incense.

Long Qingcheng had clearly been preparing for bed, as she was not wearing the majestic and solemn imperial robes and crown of the daytime.

She wore only a moon-white gauze robe as thin as mist, with a silk nightgown of the same color visible beneath. Her full cleavage was partially revealed, and her long hair cascaded over her shoulders and back like a waterfall, brimming with charm.

With all her ornaments removed, the pair of small, delicate dragon horns on her forehead shimmered with a gentle luster under the warm light.

Stripped of the extreme majesty of the court, she now exuded a lazy, casual, and even slightly domestic beauty, though her eyes remained deep and calm.

Seeing Li Shengyuan enter, she did not rise, but simply reclined casually on the soft couch with her slender jade legs crossed, seemingly unconcerned about exposing her charms before him.

She toyed with a warm jade pendant in her hand and gave him a faint, sidelong glance.

“At such a late hour, instead of accompanying your Miss Pei, or... savoring the ‘sights and sounds’ from the Thousand Gold Workshop and the Pavilion of Many Beauties, what brings you to We?”

Long Qingcheng’s voice betrayed no emotion, her tone flat, but the meaning behind her words made Li Shengyuan rub his nose.

Clearly, the movements of the three of them today could not be hidden from this Her Majesty the Queen who controlled Holy Dragon City.

Li Shengyuan had expected this and felt no embarrassment. He stepped forward and, at Long Qingcheng’s gesture, sat in a nearby chair, saying frankly:

“Her Majesty the Queen, you joke. It was Martial Brother Chu who went to the Pavilion of Many Beauties; I only took Junior Brother Song to the Thousand Gold Workshop.”

Long Qingcheng gave a soft snort, her gaze lingering on his face for a moment as if trying to discern something, before finally saying indifferently:

“Men like to play; it’s only natural. We are not unreasonable. However...”

Her tone shifted slightly, carrying a hint of subtle seriousness. “Xiao Yun is a simple-minded girl, and her feelings for you... you are aware.”

Hearing this, Li Shengyuan showed a hint of a helpless smile, knowing Long Qingcheng had misunderstood something. He didn’t explain too much, merely cupping his hands.

“I, Li, have taken the Her Majesty the Queen’s teachings to heart.”

He paused, his expression turning serious as he got to the main point. “Actually, my late-night intrusion is not for trivial matters, but because there is an urgent matter I need to discuss with Your Majesty.”

“Oh?” Long Qingcheng sat up slightly straighter, a glint of interest flashing in her golden eyes. “What matter?”

Li Shengyuan did not answer directly but first asked, “What does the Her Majesty the Queen think of that young Disciple of the old Chancellor, Song Zhen?”

Long Qingcheng rested her chin on her hand and thought for a moment. “That child? Observing his aura, his cultivation is average and his Foundation is solid, but there is nothing particularly extraordinary about him.”

“But since he was taken in as a personal Disciple by the Chancellor, he must have some outstanding quality that We simply haven't noticed yet.”

Li Shengyuan smiled slightly, a strange light flashing in his eyes. “Junior Brother Song’s extraordinary quality lies not in cultivation or combat, but in... Luck!”