## Chapter 66: Subordinate in the Realm of Emotions - Ah? The Wives I Abandoned Turned Out to Be Real

## Chapter 66: Subordinate in the Realm of Emotions **[Upon hearing the Empress's words, your heart skips a beat.]** **[Uncertain of her intentions, you can only brace yourself and respond.]** "The woman I picked up was merely homeless, so I took her in and let her handle my daily chores like buying groceries and cooking." "She knows how to serve well, which is quite comfortable." "But our relationship is not what the rumors suggest." **[After hearing your response, you're not sure if it's an illusion, but it seems as though Xiao Huang breathed a sigh of relief.]** "Alright then, you may leave." "Thank you, Your Majesty!" "Hmm?" **[Your immediate reply catches you off-guard as you realize, was she just dismissing you so easily?]** **[This could be a rare chance to interact with the Empress, a chance you are not willing to forgo.]** **[Now, you must choose:]** - **Option 1:** Boldly approach Xiao Huang, aiming to make physical contact. - **Option 2:** Slowly, yet deliberately, approach her under the pretext of requesting a piece of calligraphy. - **Option 3:** Leave the palace immediately. --- Confronted with these three choices, Su Mo is taken aback. He realizes immediately that these options signify a critical turning point in the storyline; otherwise, they would not appear now. Leave? That's impossible. How can you win over the Empress if you leave now? Faced with a decision, only the first or second options seem viable. The first option is too risky; directly embracing the Empress might lead to a premature end of this simulation. Who knows if she has any contingencies? The second option seems too tame. It doesn't allow for the opportunity to emotionally sway the Empress. After much deliberation, Su Mo opts for the second choice. Just in case Xiao Huang has laid any traps in the royal study room, it would be wise to proceed with caution. However, just as Su Mo settles on his choice and adjusts his position to lay back, a sudden crash of thunder reverberates outside the inn, lighting up the dark night. Through the window, Su Mo sees rain mixed with snowflakes falling from the sky. Spring has arrived, and this timely rain and snow means the crops won't need irrigation. Ceasing to gaze outside, Su Mo returns his focus to the simulation screen. --- **[You chose the second option.]** **[After the Empress finishes speaking, you rise and stride to her desk.]** "What... what are you doing!" **[Seeing you approach, Xiao Huang visibly panics.]** **[She takes a nervous step back, the fabric of her silk dragon robe heaving with her breath.]** "Your Majesty, I merely wish for a piece of your calligraphy." "Could Your Majesty part with one?" **[You speak as you tentatively rest your hand on the freshly penned script.]** "No!" **[Angered by your audacity, Xiao Huang swats your hand away.]** **[But as she does so, a flush of red suddenly colors her face.]** **[You are taken aback by this sight.]** **[What spell did Yu Luonang cast on the Empress, that even the slightest touch has such effects?]** **[Surging with determination, you decide to seize Xiao Huang's right hand.]** "Ugh..." **[Gripping her hand causes Xiao Huang to tremble slightly, biting her lip as if enduring overwhelming turmoil.]** **[You notice, and with your fingertip, you playfully scratch her palm.]** "Ah!" **[Xiao Huang lets out a suppressed gasp, her exquisite face turning crimson.]** **[The sensation on her palm breaks down her psychological defenses repeatedly.]** **[Yet, the dignity befitting a ruler prevents her from yielding to you.]** **[With sheer willpower, she smacks your hand away.]** "Leave!" "Or face death!" "Yes, Your Majesty!" **[Seeing Xiao Huang's wrath, you decide it best not to push further and promptly exit the royal study.]** **[As you leave, Xiao Huang slumps powerlessly into her chair, her eyes wet and lost, following your departing form, her robe drenched in sweat as if she'd just emerged from a sauna.**] **[She cannot understand why it's you...]** --- **[Returning home by the usual route, Yu Luonang immediately flings herself at you.]** "My love, you're back!" **[With a welcoming warmth, she crashes into your embrace.]** "What did the Empress say? Is she appointing you to a position?" "Let's not talk about it." **[You recount your experiences to Yu Luonang.]** **[Learning that you missed such a chance, Yu Luonang's eyes show a mixture of frustration and disappointment.]** "My love!" "How could you miss such a golden opportunity!" "If it were me, I would have won her over right there!" **[Yu Luonang covers her forehead with her hand.]** "How sad, that all my skills in charming women are wasted on being a woman myself." **[Seeing her in such a state, you remain silent.]** "Better luck next time then." "There won't be a next time!" **[She insists while helping you change into a lighter outfit.]** "Xiao Huang is the ruler of a nation; opportunities like this are rare." **[With conviction, you retort.]** "We'll see about that." **[Regret fills you, but you maintain your bravado.]** "Alright, my great love, make sure to seize it next time." **[Reading your displeasure, Yu Luonang drops the topic.]** "What do you want for dinner?" "Dumplings." "Okay, I'll make some now." --- **[Feeling restless after dinner, you pick up a brush to practice calligraphy.]** **[But troubled thoughts twist your writing into something grotesque and devoid of beauty.]** **[Lost in reflection, you suddenly feel a warm figure embrace you from behind.]** "My love..." **[The alluring voice emanates like a deep whisper, charged with drowsy seduction, sending a shiver through you.]** **[Yu Luonang rests her head on your shoulder, her hair cascading around your neck like a waterfall.]** "Let me help you..." **[Her breath tickles your ear, almost irresistibly.]** **[Listening to this enchanting woman's voice, your internal defenses soften.]** **[Sensing your vulnerability, her gentle hands explore your chest...]** **[What will you decide?]** - **Option 1:** Subdue Yu Luonang and take control immediately. - **Option 2:** Seal all her powers first, then take control. - **Option 3:** Firmly reject her and retreat to your chambers to sleep. --- Faced with these options, Su Mo wavers. He doesn't completely trust Yu Luonang yet. If he acted on his impulses, who knows what might follow? Yet abstaining isn't in his nature. Therefore, he opts for the safest choice, the second option. First, seal Yu Luonang's powers completely! Decisively, Su Mo selects the second choice. **[You decide on option two.]** **[Immediately, you pull Yu Luonang closer, marking seals across her body with bold strokes of ink...]** Watching the scene unfold, Su Mo doesn't blink. --- --- **[The next morning, you wake to find Yu Luonang no longer in your arms, the air filled with the aroma of rice porridge from the courtyard.]** **[Dressing, you step outside to see Yu Luonang setting breakfast on a stone table.]** **[She looks more radiant than ever, contrasting with the previous day.]** **[Remarkably, your inner strength hasn't waned but seems to have grown even more.]** **[This delightful result vanquishes any former fears, casting a brighter light on the day.]** "My love, you’re awake?" **[Having crossed the last threshold, Yu Luonang gazes at you, her eyes full of affection, akin to serene spring waters.]** **[Yet the "seal" inscribed on her alabaster cheeks is somewhat of an eyesore.]** **[Upon realizing the situation, you promptly return to the study and gather the ink and brushes to fully unlock Yu Luonang’s powers. Once every bit of her skin is flawlessly clear without a speck of ink, she wraps your arm in hers, her voice sweet and clingy.]** "My love, you’ve unlocked it now. Aren’t you afraid I’ll run away?" **[You shake your head in response.]** "Yu, I am afraid, but people who wish to leave will, regardless." **[Yu Luonang gently presses her finger to your lips.]** "My darling, I won't run. Not until I've become the Grand Master of the Great Zhou." "Besides, I will always remain by your side." "Come, let's have breakfast." **[You glance at the stone table, where millet porridge, salted vegetables, fried eggs, braised beef, and six buns are laid out.]** **[The simple breakfast is perfect for cleansing the palate.]** **[Once you sit down, Yu Luonang teasingly nibbles a piece of beef with her red lips, delicately offering it to your mouth.]** **[The uniquely flavored beef fills your belly, leaving you refreshed and delighted.]** **[This privilege, this sensual pleasure, would surely incite envy in others!]** **[After the meal, as you contemplate pulling Yu Luonang back to the room to refine some skills, a loud knock startles you.]** **[Seems someone is at the door.]** **[You're unsure who it could be at this early hour, but Yu Luonang looks pleased.]** "My love, it’s those three from yesterday. They’ve returned." **[Surprised by this, you wonder why Xiao Huang has sent people again.]** **[Gently setting Yu Luonang aside, you move to answer the door.]** **[It's the same female official and two eunuchs from yesterday. You quickly invite them in, but the woman remains haughty.]** "Master Su, we shan’t sit." "The Empress has decreed that you must return to the palace immediately. She has prepared the calligraphy you requested yesterday and awaits your arrival to retrieve it." **[Hearing this, joy fills your heart.]** **[Turning back, you see Yu Luonang gesture a supportive fist pump at you, and with a nod, you leave with the trio.]** **[Empress, this time, I won't let you off lightly!]** *(End of Chapter)*