Chapter 206: The Empress Gets Flustered, The Dowager Gets Wrecked, and Someone Hits the Jackpot (2)
The Empress's Current Situation!
The imperial beauty looked at the pair clinging to each other, her heart quietly simmering with irritation.
Right in front of her, showing affection to her most beloved little brother—so annoying!
If it were anyone else, she would've made sure they paid for it.
But the woman in front of her was her own mother, and she'd just turned her down moments ago...
In this kind of situation, she couldn't even find a reason to lash out.
Su Mengxi, meanwhile, was in a fantastic mood, and she was only getting bolder.
If they were alone, she'd never be so daring.
But right now... hehehe, it was all to provoke her disappointing daughter!
It was completely a mother's act of tough love—not even a little bit petty or shameless!
As they continued their outing, the two grew even closer.
What was once a trio outing had now become very clearly two plus one.
Basically, the two of them walked in front, laughing and chatting, while one lonely figure trailed behind.
The imperial beauty felt like a glorified bodyguard now.
She felt a little miserable, but she still held it in!
If she let it show, she'd never hear the end of it from her shameless mother!
At some point, the Empress quietly clenched her fists, her gaze darkening.
She had originally been surveying the surroundings, trying to get a feel for the common people's lives.
But now, her eyes were locked squarely on Su Qing.
If anyone else saw this scene, they might start whispering that this boy had bewitched the Empress into neglecting her duties.
Su Qing, for his part, was feeling seriously nervous.
He hadn't noticed anything wrong at first. But then it hit him...
The Dowager was clearly getting revenge!
What the hell happened while he was off buying something?!
That question would never be answered. But now his back felt cold.
He didn't have to turn around to know it—the Empress was totally off today.
If this kept up, something was definitely going to go wrong!
"Mother... maybe ease up a little."
Su Qing gently nudged the gleeful Su Mengxi and whispered.
"Little Qing, what are you saying? Aren't we on a date today!"
"Come on, there's still so much I want to see!"
Su Mengxi clearly had no plans to back down. She was on a full-speed path to chaos.
Ease up?
How about go even harder!
She had every excuse she needed, so why not cut loose a bit?
This absolutely stunning older beauty leaned even closer, her tone softer and more flirtatious.
Her supple body practically molded itself to his, letting him guide her along.
Su Qing: "..."
He looked at the stark contrast between the Dowager's mature looks and her playful behavior, and had no idea how to respond.
What was he supposed to do when his mother liked fanning the flames like this?
The best answer was to run far, far away—but she had him locked in so tight there was no escape!
After she said that, Su Mengxi glanced smugly at her daughter behind them.
Today, she was going to flaunt every love tactic she'd learned over the years and make his heart race!
She would prove her theories correct and openly scold her daughter while she was at it.
Opportunities like this didn't come often. How could she not make the most of it?
Just the thought of using all her book knowledge to make her daughter obedient made her want to laugh out loud.
The imperial beauty: "..."
She looked at her mother's smug, challenging gaze and felt dark energy practically swirling around her.
Patience had its limits.
Su Qing, meanwhile, was ready to cry.
What was that saying? When gods fight, mortals suffer.
He couldn't let this go on any longer. He had to stop it!
"Mengxi, cut it out. I'll go with you wherever you want, okay?"
Su Qing suddenly reached out and gently pinched the Dowager's cheek, his voice warm.
There was a note of reproach in his tone, but mostly it was indulgent.
Anyone listening would think this was a man lovingly teasing his woman.
But the person involved felt something new beneath the warmth—a pressure she'd never felt before.
That pressure? Pure boyfriend energy.
Su Mengxi's cherry lips parted, her previously playful gaze now surprised.
She had no idea how to react and, for once, was struck silent.
The clever Dowager quickly pieced it together.
All her so-called love tricks came from romance novels.
She'd read so many that she thought herself an expert, a master of love.
But now, compared to this... maybe she wasn't all that great after all!
What she didn't realize was that all those positive reactions she'd gotten before were just Su Qing spoiling her.
Now this—this was the real deal, love that crept in like spring rain, subtle and powerful.
Of course, even if she didn't understand it all, she could still sense the depth behind it.
"Could it be... my adopted son is actually a master at this?"
"Mengxi, why so quiet? Didn't you still have places you wanted to go?"
Su Qing chuckled inwardly when he didn't get a reply, and asked again.
"N-no more. I've had enough fun. And... don't call me that!"
After saying that, Su Mengxi suddenly stopped walking and moved to walk alongside the Empress.
Earlier, when facing pressure from her daughter, she had hidden behind her adopted son.
Now that the pressure came from him, she had no choice but to return to her daughter's side.
Her heart pounded, and she couldn't even look Su Qing in the eyes.
In those eyes, there was a timidness and retreat she had never shown before.
The imperial beauty glanced at her mother, feeling a bit speechless.
When they first set out, she had looked so confident, as if everything was under control.
And now?
Faced with one move, she'd collapsed completely, no will left to fight.
The Dowager clearly felt a bit embarrassed too, her gaze wandering everywhere.
Say what you will—this obedient and quiet look made it clear she wasn't planning to stir things up again.
Su Qing didn't know what was going on in the mind of this mature beauty.
But seeing her finally calm down and stop causing chaos, he let out a breath of relief.
Did that count as a good deed for the day?
Still, he needed to smooth things over with the Empress. Otherwise, she might never come out with them again.
He slowed his pace, trying to walk between the two of them again like before.
But what he didn't expect... was a repeat of earlier.
One of the people behind him slowed down, clearly refusing to walk beside him.