187: Each leading figure

Cao Bu walked helplessly toward Tang Shuying outside the courtyard.

Tang Shuying was crouching, vigilantly observing her surroundings. Only when she saw Cao Bu walking over did she heave a sigh of relief and stand up straight.

Before she could step forward, Cao Bu couldn't help but ask, "Seriously? Why did you also climb over the wall? Does my Cangfeng Residence not have a door?"

Tang Shuying answered righteously, "Isn't this just seeking thrills?"

"After all, coming to see you in secret is like having an affair; it's only interesting if it's done sneakily."

"If I were to walk in through the front gate, it would be bad if someone saw me, and there wouldn't be that nervous and exciting feeling."

Cao Bu was completely speechless.

Why was the logic of these women so peculiar, yet abnormally consistent?

He could only wave his hand helplessly, "Alright, alright, come in. I'll introduce two people to you."

As he spoke, he took Tang Shuying's hand, preparing to lead her into the house.

But just as he turned around, a light breeze came from behind, carrying a faint feminine fragrance.

Cao Bu turned back to look and saw a figure in black landing at a corner of the wall not far away; it was Mu Zining.

She was also wearing a mask, evidently having climbed over the wall as well.

Before the three of them could react, another black shadow leaped in from another wall, moving with crisp, clean motions and landing without a sound.

For a moment, the few of them stood in the courtyard, staring at each other.

This last person was none other than Qin Bingyao!

Seeing this usually cold and arrogant Empress now wearing a night-walking suit and secretly climbing over a wall, Cao Bu truly hadn't expected it.

Where did your aloof persona go?

How did it disappear just like that?

"Go, go, go, let's all go inside. Don't just stand there in the courtyard."

Cao Bu waved his hand helplessly, no longer dwelling on the wall-climbing incident.

Mu Zining and Qin Bingyao exchanged glances, no longer reserved, and quickly stepped forward to follow Cao Bu and Tang Shuying toward the bedroom.

As soon as they entered the room, the gazes of Tang Shuying, Mu Zining, and Qin Bingyao all fell upon the round table.

When they saw Su Li and Leng Yue sitting there, all three were stunned, their eyes filled with surprise.

For a moment, the room fell into an eerie silence, to the point where even breathing became audible.

Cao Bu turned to close the door, quietly watching the people in the room.

Not one was missing; it seemed his previous threat had been useful.

As for making them completely submit from the heart, it would require his persistent cultivation later on.

Su Li scanned the people before her and clicked her tongue, "Tsk, tsk, tsk. I didn't expect this. Back in the day, we were all figures who led our own eras, yet now we've gathered together."

Her gaze fell on Qin Bingyao, and she teased, "Empress Bingyao, didn't you refuse to marry Lu Chen back then? Now, not only are you married, but you've also cuckolded him. What's this? Is this revenge?"

She used to think Qin Bingyao was some chaste and virtuous woman.

Now it seemed she was just cold on the outside and hot on the inside.

No, this woman was clearly cold on the outside and lustful on the inside.

Qin Bingyao's expression shifted slightly, and she quickly retorted, "It was Cao Bu who forced me to come."

But when she said this, her confidence was clearly lacking.

If she were truly forced, she wouldn't have actively climbed over the wall to Cangfeng Residence tonight.

Su Li didn't expose her, instead turning her gaze to lock onto Mu Zining.

"Madam Mu, I was fortunate enough to witness a marriage proposal back then, and the scene was truly magnificent."

"The man said: 'Walking this path, I am increasingly convinced that the most beautiful scenery is not the vastness of heaven and earth, but every ordinary day spent by your side. Xiao Ning, please stay by my side, forever.'"

"The woman said: 'Forever is too far, but I am willing to entrust all my tomorrows to you. From the day you held my hand, I never thought of letting go.'"

"Later, the man said: 'Then let me wear this promise for you, okay? It is not a shackle, but a token of my heart. Let me walk through spring, summer, autumn, and winter with you; regardless of adversity or prosperity, I will never turn away.'"

"The woman was moved to tears and said: 'Okay. What I accept is not just this ring, but all your sincerity. From now on, your direction is my destination.'"

"The man put the ring on the woman and said: 'Thank you for entrusting your future to me.'"

"The woman choked up and responded: 'It is you who made me believe that companionship itself is the gentlest vow.'"

Su Li paused, her tone mocking, "Tsk, tsk, tsk. Back then, I thought that was love. Now that I think about it, I was too young and viewed emotions too simply."

Mu Zining was so ashamed she wished she could find a hole to hide in, and she forced herself to defend, "I... I wasn't willing either. I was also forced."

As she spoke, she couldn't help but retort, "How dare you talk about us? Aren't you exactly the same!"

Su Li said calmly, "That is why we are the same kind of people, destined to be good sisters."

Once these words were spoken, everyone gained a new understanding of Su Li's thick skin.

They had expected Su Li to forcefully defend her past with Gu Qingtian, but they hadn't expected her to simply and calmly admit it.

She even brought everyone to the same side with a single sentence; this level of mastery was truly impressive.

It immediately broke the barriers between them and eased the originally awkward atmosphere quite a bit.

The women exchanged glances and breathed a sigh of relief in unison.

So everyone was the same kind of person; there was no need to put on an act anymore.

"Sit, sit, sit. Why are you all standing? It's not the first time we've met; don't be so distant." Su Li warmly greeted the women to sit down, looking every bit the big sister.

Without psychological burdens, the women crowded around the small-to-medium-sized round table, and the atmosphere instantly relaxed.

Cao Bu watched from the side, dumbfounded.

This woman Su Li really had some skills; she resolved the awkwardness between them in a single sentence.

If she could keep these women in check, he would save a lot of trouble in the future.

"Alright, since everyone has confessed, let's reintroduce ourselves and talk about future plans."

Su Li put away her smile, her tone becoming serious, and took the lead, "Let's reintroduce ourselves. I am Su Li, Cao Bu's first woman."

Hearing this, the women tacitly called her Big Sister, and even Leng Yue was no exception.

Su Li's lips curled slightly, and she continued, "Cao Bu has a deep grudge against Gu Qingtian; you all probably don't know about this yet."

Once this was said, except for Leng Yue who already knew, the other women became interested.

The women glanced at Cao Bu calmly.

This was very interesting.

The reason Leng Yue knew about this was naturally because Cao Bu had told her.

For Cao Bu, this woman could even let go of her son, let alone a Gu Qingtian. Cao Bu naturally had no reservations and told her the whole story of the past grievances.

Su Li didn't beat around the bush and directly stated her plan: "My first goal as Su Li is to help Cao Bu destroy the Gu Clan."

As soon as these words were spoken, the women all gasped, shock swirling in their eyes.

How much did this woman love Cao Bu to destroy her ex-husband's Family for him?

They didn't interrupt and continued listening to Su Li: "Then, I want to ascend to the Immortal Realm with Cao Bu, kill Gu Qingtian, and completely end this grudge."

"Next, I will assist Cao Bu in raising my daughter, Gu Yingying."

"Once all of this is done, I will stay by Cao Bu's side and bear him a child or two."