Chapter 144: Eating the Princess Consort, Still Can't Break Her? (1)
"Think about it. How would someone who's already completely given up feel upon discovering that they still have one living blood relative?"
"Especially when that only relative turns out to be his own biological granddaughter."
Su Qing wasn't in a rush, speaking in a calm tone.
He knew the saying that villains die from talking too much, but he didn't see himself as a villain.
If anything, he was the righteous man who uncovered a conspiracy!
He was only saying this to deliver the deepest blow to this venomous queen.
"You... you threatened him?"
Princess Consort's voice carried a sliver of hope.
If it was really Yun Rong being used as leverage, then she might still have a chance!
The queen was like a drowning person desperately grasping at anything nearby.
"Aunt, are you really so unwilling to admit your failure that you'd ask something like that?"
"Fine, let me completely shatter your hopes. We didn't threaten him. We didn't need to."
"The only condition was to keep Aunt Yun safe and carefree for the rest of her life. That's all."
"That's why Eunuch Cao agreed to act alongside His Majesty, to further stabilize her position."
"So, Aunt, do you get it now? Do you still have questions?"
Su Qing raised a finger and gently wagged it.
That little motion completely crushed the Empress.
Everything that happened today, the emotional rollercoaster, was too much even for someone like her.
"How do you... know all this? Why does it feel like you know everything?!"
There was an unmistakable tremble in Princess Consort's voice.
She was thoroughly shaken by everything she'd just heard.
Even though Su Qing made it sound so simple, in reality?
Yun Rong's identity wasn't something anyone could possibly know!
In the entire world, only three people were aware of it.
The Heavenly Dao Sect leader, the guardian god of the rebels, and herself, who managed it all.
The three never discussed it, and even if someone eavesdropped, they couldn't possibly know!
How did he find out? The queen was completely baffled.
Could there have been a traitor among us?
But the Heavenly Dao Sect leader and the Martial God were tight-lipped. That only left herself.
Surely... the traitor isn't me, right?!
The venomous queen, always adept at manipulating hearts, almost collapsed at her own thoughts.
"I have my sources. You think I, the Empress's favored subject, just sit around doing nothing?"
Su Qing answered righteously.
As someone who'd cleared the game more than once, this was just standard procedure.
He remembered all major events and heroines clearly. Impossible to forget.
This battle, in the normal plot, was called the Battle that Shook the World.
But what kind of world-shaking battle was this?
It was just a staged play to fool the world and stroke some egos.
Without realizing it, Su Qing had just achieved a major feat.
He won his first encounter against the Martial God of the Eastern Lands and the once peerless Heavenly Dao Sect leader!
Those two puppeteers probably still had no idea what had just happened.
No doubt about it—this time, he won!
If you two lose again, you better prepare to be my slaves!
Su Qing's eyes were full of expectation, his chest swelling with confidence.
Though he couldn't touch the masterminds yet, that didn't mean he had no targets.
His gaze fell on the queen, and the mischief in his eyes said it all.
Princess Consort, already spiraling into an existential crisis, shivered under that look.
There was panic in her eyes—she clearly knew what was coming.
Her curvy body started to tremble slightly, curling up like she was feeling cold.
"Aunt, now that you've finished asking questions, shouldn't you keep your promise?"
Su Qing casually flicked the bell and spoke with a teasing tone.
Princess Consort truly regretted it now.
She should have seen this coming. He never did anything without personal gain.
She'd just bet her pride so confidently, and now it was too late for regrets.
Her gaze fell on the item in Su Qing's hand.
The collar looked exquisite, even had a bell on it—a pretty good design, honestly.
If one ignored what it was, it might even look nice.
But there's no such thing as "if" in this world.
A collar was a collar. It belonged around a pet's neck. No exceptions.
For a proud queen, there was no way she'd accept wearing such a degrading symbol.
If she did, there would be no turning back.
But going back on her word would also trample her dignity.
Neither choice was appealing, and worst of all—there was no third option.
"What? Struggling to decide? Is it really that hard to pay your dues after losing?"
"Whatever. If you're trying to back out, I can't stop you. Guess the grand Princess Consort really can't handle a loss. Pathetic."
Su Qing sighed, shaking his head as he went full provocation.
"Who says I can't handle it? If you want it, then come take it!"
Princess Consort snapped back, visibly irritated.
She knew full well if she tried to back out, he wouldn't let it go.
The timing wasn't right, so she had to bow her head for now.
"Alright then, I won't hold back."
Su Qing nodded and placed the collar on the table.
His hands moved slowly and deliberately, straightening her clothes, especially around her collar.
After all... he needed access to her neck. That was the main event.
Her long neck was smooth, pale, and perfect—a stunning visual.
If it had just a bit more on it, it would be a masterpiece.
Princess Consort stood motionless.
Like a puppet, she let him do whatever he wanted.
She acted indifferent, but her slightly trembling body betrayed her.
Compared to past contact and humiliation, this felt even more degrading.
She had played a dog before, yes, but that was just part of a mission.
This time... it was real.
"Why are you just standing there? Don't you know how to be a little more proactive? Got no sense at all?"
"Use your initiative. Make it convincing. Just like before."
Su Qing said as he sat back down again.
By "before," he clearly meant the times she put on an act.
Princess Consort caught on right away.
Her eyes flashed with anger, but she swallowed it.
Sometimes, you just have to bow your head under the eaves. And during her time with him, she had fully learned that lesson.
Silently, she walked over to Su Qing, only to see him calmly admiring a teacup on the table.