Alright, it’s estimated that asking would be futile. My master is very reliably unreliable.
Li Mo looked up at the stage, where intricate carvings and phoenix motifs adorned the platform, and a melodious celestial music floated through the air.
Wanchun Courtyard was the extravagant and luxurious den under the emperor’s feet, where nobles gathered. Paired with the melody of the Penglai Sect, it became even more enchanting, especially with the dance performed by Tu Yan and Zong Zonglongying from the He Huan Sect.
It was as if high society was filled with lowbrow elements; this tune was simply driving him crazy.
But Little Li yawned. He had no interest in watching the rehearsal of the first act. His mind instantly conjured up the image of Ice Chunk earnestly teaching him martial arts.
Thus, Li Mo didn’t pay any attention to the performance at all, though his expression remained quite focused and immersed.
Before long, Song Baiyue and other officials from the Ministry of Rites arrived.
“Little Brother Li, who is this?”
Song greeted him and then curiously asked.
He was somewhat surprised that it wasn’t Cold Fairy sitting next to Li Mo.
“My master.”
“Ahh, so it’s your master. I’ve heard of her for a long time.”
Song Baiyue politely greeted her.
Shang Wu yawned rudely.
Li Mo cleared his throat to draw Song’s attention back to the stage. Everyone knew that his master had long harbored rebellious intentions, often thinking about becoming an emperor and having him as the Grand Emperor, while appointing Cold Crane Elder as the Crown Prince.
And apart from him, she was notoriously capricious towards others.
If she beat him up, he could only consider himself bitten by a dog.
“Oh, Little Brother Li, I naturally trust you.”
Song Baiyue said with a smile, “Come, let me toast you.”
As he spoke, he reached for the wine jug.
“Grrr… Grrr…”
Song Baiyue: “?”
Where did the sound of a dog guarding its food come from?
Li Mo: “…”
He looked over and saw his beautiful master baring her teeth, looking extremely fierce and glaring at Song Baiyue.
How fierce was she?
Even Song Baiyue’s colleagues and guards instinctively stepped back two paces, shielding their superior.
“Uh, this is Mr. Song, the Minister of Household Affairs of Da Yu, who has considerable fame in the literary world.”
Li Mo blinked and took out another jug of wine:
“Mr. Song is a scholar and can’t drink much, not enough to fill a tooth gap. Master, don’t worry about just one or two cups…”
“Tsk, looks like it.”
Shang Wu sized up Mr. Song, reluctantly giving face to her precious disciple.
“Hey—”
Song Baiyue stretched out the last syllable, standing up abruptly with wide eyes:
“What do you mean? The minister can compose poetry while drinking, and was known as a wine enthusiast in his youth. Didn’t I get you drunk last time? You even praised my tolerance! What’s this now?!”
Old Song hadn’t had a drink since the last time, and today too.
He was afraid of drinking during the Hundred Yi Festival and causing trouble, so he had been holding back for many days.
Now, seeing the music and dance, plus his colleagues praising his drinking capacity, he felt insulted by the look Shang Wu gave him.
Could Mr. Song endure it?
Li Mo: “…”
He couldn’t bear to tell Mr. Song that last time it was all acting, as he wanted to go home and sleep with Ice Chunk early.
Shang Wu waved her hand dismissively: “For the sake of my apprentice, I’ll let you off today.”
“Thank… wait, these are my words?” Song Baiyue stood up abruptly: “I might as well let you off!”
“What will you do then?” Shang Wu frowned.
“Mr. Song wants to compete with you. Whoever loses is the dog.”
Song Baiyue rolled up his sleeves, completely under the spell of the Fighting King’s First Technique.
Li Mo’s forehead twitched with black lines.
No, why compare who’s more like a dog, Mr. Song?
“Haha… Hahaha.”
Shang Wu’s laughter gradually grew louder, her smile becoming more audacious. She slapped the table:
“Grandma is giving you a chance today. Lose! If you lose, whenever you see me, you have to call me Master!”
“What nonsense is this? This is ridiculous.”
Li Mo was confused.
He was on friendly terms with Mr. Song, so if Old Song lost, he’d have to call his master ‘Master’.
Oh, right, he could remove the ‘if’.
Then how would they address each other? Master would call him ‘precious disciple’, and he would call Master ‘Grandmother’? They were both drinking his wine, so essentially he would be at a disadvantage!
“How can this be?” Elder Cold Crane enjoyed the show.
“You will have to call your master ‘Grandmother’ from now on,” Li Mo said.
“Oh my?”
Elder Cold Crane puffed up his cheeks, his voice drawn out: “Is there still room for me here?”
He was the oldest here, with white hair and beard, making him the lowest in seniority?
But who made him the Crown Prince?
Mr. Song and the beautiful master started drinking.
Little Li was discussing seniority with Elder Cold Crane.
All eyes turned to them, momentarily ignoring the beautiful performances. Everyone was watching their commotion.
Hundred Flowers: “…”
They were disoriented amidst the music, wondering who they were, where they were, and what they were doing. Should they leave?
“Pfft…”
On the upper floor, Ying Bing, leaning over the balcony, couldn’t help but laugh, her eyes sparkling like autumn water.
Unfortunately, this moment of laughter was unseen, otherwise, Hundred Flowers would pale in comparison.
She wasn’t avoiding the noise intentionally, as long as she stayed by his side.
Just…
Ying Bing raised her head.
Wanchun Courtyard was designed with an open center. From this vantage point, she could see the moon directly overhead.
It was almost midnight.
Today was the time for drawing new rewards… and punishments.
When the bright moon reached the center of the sky, it was the peak of Taiyin.
Ying Bing returned to her room, and the system timely sent a notification:
[Congratulations, Host. The next system ranking is imminent. The system has screened all punishments.]
“Screens?”
Ying Bing leaned against the soft couch, her skirt hem lifting slightly, revealing slender legs that looked like ivory pillars, glowing under the moonlight.
If one didn’t know what she was going through,
they might think the room was as splendid as the Moon Palace because of her moonlit beauty.
She pinched the big-headed doll’s head, her lips pursing at the thought of what was inside his head.
What else needed screening?
[The system realized that some punishments are no longer effective for the host, so some were removed as rewards.]
[Of course, some were kept to remind you of what Li Mo imagines…]
…
P.S.: Little Pusubro started writing around five in the morning, so I think I kept my promise. Please support me with a charge! -3-
