Fell for the childish trick

How valuable is a night pearl? Before today, Little Li had never sold one, but now he knew.

The Purple-Robed Eunuch calmly tucked his hands into his sleeves:

"Young Hero Li is indeed reasonable. This humble one cannot refuse you face. Please, take your seat."

"What about my carriage?"

"Ah, go ahead, go ahead. Since you’ve contributed to this grand event, you’re practically half a host. No need for formalities among family."

The Purple-Robed Eunuch’s expression shifted instantly, no longer giving Song Baiyue a hard time.

Truthfully, he couldn’t have truly made things difficult for Song Baiyue—he was just seizing an opportunity to skim a little profit.

Li Mo also felt the night pearl was well spent.

Everyone was pleased. The Purple-Robed Eunuch even personally assigned a palace attendant to guide them inside.

"Ice Block, come on up."

Li Mo hopped onto the carriage and then earnestly extended his hand.

The moment Ying Bing was pulled inside, he dropped the carriage curtain, completely blocking out prying eyes.

"You helped Song Baiyue just to bring the carriage in?"

"It was just one night pearl."

Li Mo casually drew the window curtains shut as well.

Now, the outside was completely obscured, sealed tight. Fortunately, the curtains were made of a special material, allowing those inside to still see out.

Ying Bing paused, her autumn-water eyes soft and gentle.

So was he generous or stingy?

A night pearl meant nothing to him. Organizing the Hundred Flowers Festival must have cost a fortune, yet he never seemed to mind.

As everyone knew, Young Hero Li was famously open-handed and magnanimous.

But now he was being oddly possessive, unwilling to let others even look at her for too long.

At this moment, the carriage entered the canopy-covered area, where high-ranking officials and scholars from the Imperial Academy gathered—right at the feet of the emperor, not far from where Emperor Jingtai himself sat.

Some ministers, too proud to lower themselves, hadn’t gone to the Meridian Gate earlier to catch a glimpse of the Hundred Flowers’ beauty.

After all, they hadn’t known the imperial consort would arrive from there, and no one else warranted such a grand welcome from the court.

But...

"Fairy Ying’s beauty transcends mortal standards."

"I want to compose something, but my literary skills fail me—how I regret not studying harder!"

"Li Mo... has he saved the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths in a past life or something?"

Since the Imperial Academy scholars had taken their seats, such murmurs had been incessant.

They never expected anyone to outshine the imperial consort.

Even the high-ranking officials were stirred, secretly regretting their earlier absence... though they’d have another chance soon.

"Eh? Is that carriage Young Hero Li’s?"

"With Lord Song following, it must be."

The entire court turned to look, only to see the carriage park among the seats... and then nothing.

The occupants showed no intention of stepping out. Even refreshments were delivered directly inside by palace attendants.

"???"

This was taking exclusivity too far!

Not even letting people look!

Soon, all attendees had arrived, and those who hadn’t brought their own snacks were left craning their necks skyward.

The "Rivers and Mountains Scroll" lit up with divine radiance, dimming the bright daylight into twilight, leaving only the stage brilliantly illuminated.

The Purple-Robed Eunuch once again presided over the event.

"This Hundred Flowers Festival, graced by His Majesty’s approval, owes its success to the united efforts of all officials, showcasing the flourishing prosperity of our Great Yu Dynasty."

"A special thanks to Young Hero Li for his exclusive sponsorship..."

After the usual formalities, Ning Jue took the stage, performing an immortal melody from Penglai, stirring the crowd’s excitement.

But the true climax came with the next act.

Tu Yan, a junior sister from the Harmony Joy Sect, took the stage for a mesmerizing dance...

Accompanied by ethereal music, she moved in the outfit she’d carefully prepared—originally meant for a certain young tyrant’s eyes alone. Every gesture, every glance, captivated the audience.

There was no denying it.

She wasn’t the most stunning among the Hundred Flowers, nor the most skilled, but her performance was undoubtedly the one that got everyone on their feet.

"Tsk... such refinement earlier, and now this vulgar display?"

"Indecent! Utterly indecent!"

"The Harmony Joy Sect walks the line between orthodox and unorthodox—their disciples even more so. Any more and I’d have to look away!"

"Hmph! Unfit for refined company!"

"In that case, might I borrow your telescope, dear brother?"

Whether dignitaries or self-proclaimed paragons of virtue, few could remain unaffected.

Most criticized aloud while stealing glances, reassuring themselves—appreciating both elegance and earthiness was only natural!

Inside the carriage...

"Li Mo, let me clean your ears."

Noticing Little Li’s intense focus on the stage, Ying Bing narrowed her bright eyes and retrieved an ear pick from her oversized pouch.

Then she patted her thigh.

"Ah? Sure."

As if snapping out of a daze, Li Mo prepared to lie down.

He intended to rest his head on Ice Block’s long legs, facing outward so she could clean his right ear.

"Let’s do the left first."

Ying Bing’s voice was soft.

The moment she spoke, Li Mo pivoted lightning-fast, now facing her flat abdomen.

Though he fought to suppress it, the corners of his mouth betrayed him, twitching harder than even the unruly Hammer Baby...

Ying Bing: "?"

The Frost Fairy finally realized.

Tu Yan had invited Li Mo privately to watch her dance, yet he’d shown no interest. Why would he stare so intently now?

Earlier, he might’ve just been setting up special effects with the Mirage Pearl. But after she offered to clean his ears—this was deliberate!

She’d let her guard down and fallen for the childish trick!

Now he was not only pillowed on her snow-white thighs but also shamelessly breathing in her scent, his face pressed against her abdomen...

His breath seeped through the delicate Hundred Birds Skirt, sending warm, ticklish waves across her skin...

"Don’t... don’t squirm."

"Huh?"

Li Mo, now blindfolded, was utterly immobilized by the heavenly legs.

With such intoxicating softness and springy resilience beneath his cheek, why would he move?

With fragrance this divine, resisting the urge to open his maw and take a bite already required heroic restraint!

"I’m not moving."

"You are." Ying Bing pursed her lips, her fingers curling around the ear pick.

"Well... I’ll try. But you try too, Ice Block."

"Try what?"

"Try not to make me go deaf in my youth..."