Chapter 196: Be Good, You Don't Want Her Majesty to Find Out, Right? The Empress Dowager Is Overflowing With Dominance! (4)
The Empress Dowager, dignified as she was, suddenly felt the full weight of her adopted son's maturity.
He still looked like a youth, still had a tender face, but...
Her lips parted slightly, as if trying to say something to ease the moment.
But her mind went blank, and no words came out.
Despite her maturity, she was clearly lacking experience in some areas.
At her age, she'd never had intimate encounters with the opposite sexâan undeniable truth.
This embarrassing secret was one sheâd buried deep, never telling a soul.
After all... from any angle, it was a bit shameful!
A flicker of conflict flashed in Su Mengxi's eyes.
Clearly, this little guy wasn't really "little" anymore.
Should she be keeping more distance?
The Empress Dowager hesitated, visibly torn.
"Mother, is something wrong?"
Su Qing chuckled inwardly, asking deliberately.
He couldnât hide the smile on his face, looking quite pleased.
Just moments ago she was all cold and dominant, now she looked like a flustered little bunny.
This is what you get for making such a ridiculous request. Regret it now, donât you?
"This little bratâs grown up a bit, huh? No wonder you're out charming all the girls."
That look in his eyes reignited her pride, killing any thoughts of retreat.
Proud as she was, there was no way she'd show weakness to this little rascal!
If she backed down now, how could she ever bully him again?
"Uh..."
Su Qing hadnât expected that kind of response and was momentarily stunned.
The next thing he knew, this supposedly noble and elegant Empress Dowager yanked him into her embrace.
The softness he felt was on a whole new level.
Bathrobes like these were meant to be thin and clingy.
Not to mention, most of it was underwaterâit might as well have been nothing at all.
"It was bad enough you go around teasing girls outside, but now you're even bringing them back!"
"How could you! Donât you care about your Empress at all? If she found out, she'd be heartbroken!"
"Spoiled bratâIâll teach you a lesson on her behalf today, you disloyal subject!"
Su Mengxi justified herself with a serious tone.
"Mother, this... this really isnât appropriate!"
Su Qing was completely stunned.
That line sounded exactly like his usual threats!
But now he was the one being threatened, and the one being held.
It was just... absurd beyond belief!
"Whatâs inappropriate about it? Sit still, Iâm doing this for your Empressâs sake!"
"Werenât you on your way to see her? You still smell like that other woman. Not cleaning yourself first?"
"To keep her from getting mad, Iâll make sure youâre scrubbed clean."
Su Mengxi spoke righteously.
One arm held her former little boy, while the other began to wash him.
Her movements were gentle, eyes focusedâputting on the image of a proper elder.
But that image was completely forced, held together with sheer willpower.
Steam swirled around them, and waves rippled beneath the water.
Su Qing's brow furrowed for a momentâhe almost said something.
But seeing the focused look in Su Mengxiâs eyes, he chose silence.
He knew sheâd already regretted things the moment he turned around.
But she still wanted to act like an elder, pretending her thoughts were pure.
If he said something now, it would only make things more awkward.
So the best he could do was act like nothing happened.
The bath fell into silence, the only sound being the splashing water.
In that stillness, an odd atmosphere began to grow.
The two of them held a wordless understandingâneither spoke.
But neither of them noticed that someone else was watching everything unfold.
The Empress slammed her hand on the table with a cold snort.
Her phoenix-like eyes narrowed at the water mirror, rage boiling beneath the surface.
You think you can hide this from me?!
Even worse, her own mother kept using her as an excuse!
Using her place, her name, yet they were practically clinging together.
What the hell was this supposed to be? Was she just some background prop?!
Fuming, she began pacing inside White Jade Pavilion.
Though her face remained regal, her eyes betrayed her restless mood.
Clearly, the Empress was deeply unsettled.
And the reason, of course, was Su Qing.
She couldnât understand it. Sheâd guarded him so tightly all these years, no one had ever dared make a move.
Yet lately, they were coming at him like weeds after the rain.
One after another, they all wanted a taste. How were there so many of them?!
And to make things worse, this bath left her feeling very uneasy.
Logically, a mother helping her son bathe was normal.
But context mattered, didnât it?
Even between real mother and son, this age would be pushing it.
And they werenât even related!
She couldnât shake the feeling that her motherâs behavior had lost its purity.
What was so special about that disloyal brat?
So what if he was good-looking, reliable, competent, and thoughtful...
Her thoughts screamed disdain, but every judgment was secretly full of praise.
So frustrating!
The Empress had never experienced anything like this before.
An hour passed.
"Sister Qinglan, Iâm here to beg forgiveness!"
Su Qing stood at the door to the Empress's chambers, speaking sincerely.
As he spoke, he dropped to his knees with a thud, displaying absolute sincerity.
Without showing some major remorse, he figured today might be his last.
As the saying goes: great joy brings sorrow.
Today, he finally understood what that meant.
It had all started so well, full of pleasant surprises.
Like being invited to bathe with Gu Hanyan, building tons of favor points.
At that moment, he thought this was the perfect day.
But once he got back, he found himself caught by the Empress Dowager, plunged into a bizarre battlefield of jealousy.
Then came the second round of co-bathingâa very... thorough full-body wash.
And after that came the friendly reminder from the Empress Dowager:
The Empress had seen everything through the water mirror...
So yeah, begging for forgiveness was the only option left!