Chen Mo sat lazily in front of Consort Yu, leaning on the long table before her, looking at her with a playful gaze.
Consort Yu bit her red lips lightly with her silver teeth, knowing that Chen Mo was deliberately teasing her.
But she had no choice, after all, he was stating facts.
"You... sit properly," Consort Yu said.
"Letâs keep it like this, itâs more comfortable for both of us," Chen Mo replied, no longer leaning sideways, but resting his entire back against the table.
Consort Yu took a deep breath, raised her hands, and gently massaged Chen Moâs shoulders.
"Lady Yu Fei, I didnât expect your skills to improve, the strength is just right," Chen Mo said with narrowed eyes.
Consort Yu didnât finish speaking, but increased the strength in her hands, as if kneading a dough.
And this, was exactly what Chen Mo hoped for, the strength now was just perfect.
Chen Mo closed his eyes, but everything in the hall was within his control, and he chatted leisurely with Consort Yu: "Speaking of which, I donât even know your real name, Lady Yu Fei. Can you tell me?"
Consort Yu kept a stern face and remained silent.
"Qi Nichang, right?" Chen Mo said.
"You knew and still asked," Consort Yu said angrily, the strength in her hands increasing again.
"I just wanted to hear you say it yourself, Lady Yu Fei."
Consort Yuâs real name wasnât a secret, and Chen Mo could easily find out if he inquired, but he asked just to make small talk.
Consort Yu chose to stay silent.
"Lady Yu Fei, how about I call you by your name, then? The title âLady Yu Feiâ seems a bit distant," Chen Mo murmured.
"Whatever," Consort Yu replied casually, her tone indifferent.
"Nichang." Chen Mo opened his eyes, turned his head, and their gazes met.
Consort Yuâs face turned red because she unexpectedly saw deep affection in Chen Moâs eyes, and at that moment, inappropriate thoughts sprouted in her heart, frightening her into quickly looking away.
Indeed, with Chen Moâs current aura and charm, ordinary women found it difficult to resist such a gaze from him.
"You... presumptuous." This accusation of presumption carried no intimidating power.
Calling her Nichang in such a tone was blatantly flirtatious.
Chen Mo continued to engage in idle chatter.
Being just an ordinary person, after a quarter of an hour, Consort Yuâs hands began to feel sore, and her strength weakened.
Suddenly, Chen Mo turned around, and Consort Yuâs hands ended up clutching his front.
Consort Yu was stunned, and her face turned crimson.
She wanted to withdraw her hands, but Chen Mo grabbed them.
"You... what do you want to do?" Consort Yuâs face changed drastically; she was just a weak woman, and if Chen Mo intended harm, she wouldnât be able to resist.
Chen Mo leaned closer to Consort Yu, full and menacing.
Consort Yu hastily shrank back and shouted, "I am... the Supreme Emperorâs consort. If you dare to touch me, Your Majesty... wonât spare you."
Consort Yu was frightened.
Whether or not it was her words that worked, Chen Moâs forward motion halted, and he released Consort Yuâs hands, saying, "Nichang, have you slacked off after just a quarter of an hour?"
Consort Yu quickly distanced herself from Chen Mo, saying, "Who... who slacked off? I just... Iâm just tired, and you said... it could be done in installments."
"Then how long will these installments take?"
"Itâs none... none of your business," Consort Yu raised her neck like a proud swan and snorted.
"How about this..." Chen Mo suddenly looked Consort Yu straight in the eyes.
This made Consort Yu extremely uncomfortable.
Chen Moâs lips curled slightly, and he spoke with a voice full of magnetic allure, "If you kiss me, itâll offset half an hour, how about that?"
Hearing this, Consort Yuâs eyes widened in anger, "You... youâre shameless."
"If you donât agree, letâs leave it. Why get so angry? You can take your time repaying," Chen Mo lazily waved his hand, then added, "By the way, miss this opportunity, and it wonât come again."
"Get lost." Consort Yu was somewhat exasperated.
Chen Mo didnât leave; although the matter with Wanqiu was resolved, there were some personal affairs to discuss with Quan Qiyang.
After about another quarter of an hour.
Quan Qiyang returned.
He must have returned in a hurry, and after learning that his sister had already met with Chen Mo, his face showed undisguised panic. By the time he reached the guest hall, he was sweating profusely.
Since there were no maids around, Consort Yu didnât bother with propriety and took a handkerchief from her bosom and offered it, "Ah brother, what happened to you? Why are you sweating so much?"
Seeing that his sister was fine, Quan Qiyang breathed a sigh of relief, took the handkerchief to wipe himself, then quickly apologized, "Lord Chen, when did you arrive? Iâm sorry to have kept you waiting."
In terms of official rank, Chen Mo was higher than Quan Qiyang.
In terms of relationships, the Xiao Family, the Wu Family, and even the Huangfu Family had strong connections with him.
Quan Qiyang wanted to follow his lead, so calling him âLordâ wasnât inappropriate.
As he said this, he gestured for Consort Yu to leave.
"Ah brother, Iâve already spoken with him, and weâve reached an agreement," Consort Yu said.
Quan Qiyang was startled, then glanced at Chen Mo, who nodded, "Iâve had a pleasant conversation with Lady Yu Fei."
"Thatâs good, thatâs good..." Quan Qiyang relaxed a bit, although he was still surprised about Chen Mo truly being Chen Hong. But those matters were mostly unrelated to him; Quan Qiyang didnât want to ask more, knowing too much wouldnât bring any benefits.
"Someone, bring tea, and notify the kitchen to prepare some specialties, I want to have a good drink with Lord Chen," Quan Qiyang called out to someone outside.
Soon, a maid came in, respectfully acknowledging the command.
"Lord Chen, please take a seat," Quan Qiyang invited Chen Mo to sit.
Chen Mo continued to decline, laughing, "No need for such formality, Brother Qi. You are the elder brother of Lady Yu Fei, I dare not accept such an honor."
This time, he intentionally used both Chen Hong and Chen Moâs tones.
Quan Qiyang was startled; he didnât want to make it clear, but Chen Mo did, leaving him to squeeze out a few strained smiles, "Chen, you hid it well, really fooled us all."
"I didnât intend to, truly had unspeakable reasons," Chen Mo replied.
Quan Qiyang chuckled without asking what those unspeakable reasons were, then suddenly knelt before Chen Mo.
Chen Mo was startled and said, "Brother Qi, what are you doing?" as he tried to help Quan Qiyang up.
"A life-saving grace, to be repaid as a gushing spring; besides, Lord Chen saved me not once but twice. I regret not being born a woman, unable to offer myself, but I vow to follow Lord Chen, to serve tirelessly..." Quan Qiyang expressed his desire to follow Chen Mo by pledging loyalty for saving his life.
"Ah brother..." Consort Yu was stunned to see her brother kneeling to Chen Mo.