At that hug, all the women stared at Chen Mo in shock. Zhao Jiangning even covered her mouth with her hand, secretly thinking, Could aunt be one of Master’s women too...?

Zhao Qianyi’s body stiffened instantly, then she hurriedly pushed Chen Mo away.

Chen Mo quickly apologized, then said, "Your Highness, why are you here too?"

"Jiangning wanted to catch up with me." Zhao Qianyi twirled a lock of her hair, using it to cover her embarrassment.

"Oh, oh. Please, Your Highness, do come in." Chen Mo welcomed her enthusiastically.

The women all felt something was odd, but none pressed further.

"Jiujiu~~" Seeing Chen Mo wasn’t paying attention to her, the little Jiu at the back let out two howls to get his attention.

When Chen Mo really looked over, little Jiu suddenly turned his head away, ignoring him.

"Ah, my great hero." Chen Mo walked over, crouched down, and patted little Jiu’s head. "I really owe you for this one."

Chen Mo teased him a bit.

The previous displeasure was instantly forgotten by little Jiu, who immediately pounced on Chen Mo.

Caught off guard, Chen Mo was knocked to the ground by him.

Tsk tsk, hasn’t seen for a bit, he got a lot heavier.

...

Even though it was a banquet, the sky was still bright; it was only three-quarters past the Shen hour.

Inside the main hall, everyone gathered around the dining table, a joyful gathering.

To Chen Mo’s left sat Ye Wanqiu, and to his right was Yi Yao.

With only his own women present, Chen Mo relaxed completely, his right hand skillfully resting on Luo Zhen’s thigh, gently stroking her.

As for little Jiu squatting at the head seat, well... that didn’t count...

Luo Zhen’s body suddenly stiffened. Right next to her were Zhao Jiangning and Zhao Qianyi. She didn’t know what Chen Mo’s relationship with Zhao Qianyi was, so in this hall, Luo Zhen naturally saw Zhao Qianyi as an outsider.

In front of an outsider, Luo Zhen inevitably felt embarrassed.

Chen Mo didn’t consider this at all—he was just used to it.

Zhao Jiangning noticed Luo Zhen’s shyness, glanced over, and saw Master’s hand already on the inside of Luo Zhen’s thigh. Her face flushed, and she quickly shifted over to block Zhao Qianyi’s view.

Actually, Zhao Qianyi was uncomfortable, too. She’d had a relationship with Chen Mo, but it was a secret; it couldn’t be openly displayed.

Watching the other women cozying up to Chen Mo, acting coy and picking dishes for him, such flirty atmosphere obviously excluded her.

If it wasn’t for Zhao Jiangning occasionally chatting with her,

Zhao Qianyi really wouldn’t be able to stay.

During the banquet, it was the women who brought up all the topics, mostly asking Chen Mo about fighting the Desolate Kingdom.

Zhao Jiangning even asked about the Queen of the Desolate Kingdom.

Because she’d heard from her aunt that Master had even conquered the Queen of the Desolate Kingdom.

"Master, tell us, Aunt said the Desolate Queen has blonde hair and blue eyes, and her skin is so fair. Is it true? Is she as pale as Luo Zhen and Wanqiu?"

Zhao Jiangning couldn’t resist teasing Luo Zhen and Ye Wanqiu, making them both blush, but their eyes showed curiosity, wanting to meet Yue Yuxi in person.

Chen Mo, on the other hand, hesitated a little.

As soon as Yue Yuxi saw her, she’d call him "dog thing"; hardly elegant, not at all fit for the grand stage.

Most importantly, it’d really embarrass Chen Mo in front of the other women.

But with all their expectant looks, Chen Mo still ordered Yue Yuxi to be brought over.

And then Chen Mo froze.

Yue Yuxi stepped in dressed in a black robe, her face delicately made up. Every step she took exuded a regal aura that instantly outshone all the other women, making them secretly think, There really is such a noble and captivating woman in this world...

Isn’t it so? Yue Yuxi was a queen of Loulan; in terms of status and strength, she surpassed Luo Zhen and the others. Though now she was a prisoner and her cultivation sealed, that queenly aura simply couldn’t be hidden.

Yue Yuxi arched her brow; a barely noticeable trace of pride flashed in her eyes—this was all intentional, of course.

Her goal was to outshine the other women and embarrass Chen Mo—none of these women could compare to her.

But she was still a little surprised—judging by looks alone, the women present were not inferior to her; the only gap was in aura. Not everyone could be a queen, after all.

"So pale."

"Her eyes are a sudden blue—so beautiful."

"Her hair’s gold—and it’s curly, too."

The women whispered comments; this kind of appraisal instantly wiped away the satisfaction in Yue Yuxi’s eyes. Her expression turned cold as she looked at Chen Mo: "Did you call me here because she agreed?"

Yue Yuxi pointed at Zhao Qianyi.

Zhao Qianyi asked in surprise, "Agree to what?"

"You haven’t told her?" Yue Yuxi said to Chen Mo with a teasing look. "So you don’t need my help after all."

"Shut up." Chen Mo snapped.

This only confused Zhao Qianyi more as she stared at Chen Mo. She didn’t ask out loud, but her eyes said it all.

Zhao Jiangning was also getting curious; she sensed something unusual between her aunt and Master.

"Your Highness, could you step outside for a moment?" This was a sensitive discussion—there’s no way Chen Mo would speak of it in front of the other women.

Zhao Qianyi nodded doubtfully.

"You, too, come with me." Chen Mo shot Yue Yuxi a fierce glare.

Out in the courtyard, Chen Mo explained Yue Yuxi’s request to Zhao Qianyi.

Zhao Qianyi was stunned on the spot, staring blankly at Yue Yuxi. She’d guessed something before, but this was really happening? You actually desire my body?

She was also quite confused—how do two women even...

"You agreed to her?" Zhao Qianyi asked Chen Mo.

"Of course not. How could I agree to such an outrageous demand?" Chen Mo said.

"Then there’s nothing I can do to help." Yue Yuxi looked completely unfazed by pleas or threats.

"Fine, I agree."

Just then, Zhao Qianyi spoke. "But I have a condition too."

"What condition?" asked Yue Yuxi.

"He has to join in too." Zhao Qianyi pointed at Chen Mo, her face suddenly flushing for some reason.

Chen Mo’s eyes went wide.

...

Meanwhile—

Witch Mansion.

"Uncle, did you want to see me?" Wu Xin’Er said.

Wu Lu was pacing in the main hall. Seeing Wu Xin’Er arrive, he actually came forward in greeting, saying, "Xin’Er, you’re here. I have something to discuss with you."

"What is it?"

"I plan to betroth you to Chen Mo," Wu Lu said.

Wu Xin’Er frowned. "Uncle, why are you bringing this up again? He’s turned it down so many times. If he really wanted to, this would’ve happened already."

"This time is different. He told me himself—it’s impossible for him to marry you as his wife, but as a concubine, yes." Wu Lu said.

"You want me to be his concubine?!" Wu Xin’Er’s voice rose a few notches.

"In the past, of course that would be impossible. But now, he might just rise another level, replace the Zhao family, and become the new Emperor. Even if not, he’ll be a king. You would be his Noble Consort or at least his Consort," Wu Lu said.