I Became the Devil Queen's Heart Demon

Chapter 647 - 246: Empress Baby Takes a Bath! Let’s Have an Exciting Game of Ball! _3

Until those hands found their way onto her shoulders, her body couldn’t help but tremble slightly.

"Your Majesty, I have overstepped."

Chen Mo lifted the clear water, cleansing the jade-like smoothness of her back.

A tingling sensation flowed over Her Majesty, making her limbs weak; only by holding the edge of the pool could she barely maintain her standing.

Chen Mo, however, didn’t make any inappropriate moves, diligently scrubbing her back, while gently massaging the acupoints, easing the fatigue of her muscles and tendons.

Her tense mood gradually began to relax.

"Fatigue injures the spleen and exhausts the vital energies."

"Your Majesty’s muscles appear somewhat stiff, weary, and spiritless, undoubtedly from recent overwork."

Chen Mo murmured as he pressed, "Come to think of it, I’m the one giving you trouble..."

Her Majesty lazily squinted her eyes, her voice languid, "Don’t start, you’re one of my people, if I don’t help you, who will? Besides, Chu Heng seeks to overthrow the state; even if you didn’t act, I wouldn’t spare him."

"Come to think of it, in my recollection, Prince Yu has been ill for years, never appearing publicly." Chen Mo mused, "What’s wrong with him exactly?"

Her Majesty shook her head, "I don’t know the specifics either, but the Chu Family all seem bound by this fate, whether emperor or Prince Yu, reaching a certain age means they can’t escape their doom..."

"The previous emperor was the same; it’s said he died a horribly tragic death, even the saints of the Medical Dao were powerless to save him. Prosperity must decline, like a curse hidden in the bloodline..."

"That’s also one of the reasons the Imperial Family’s lineage is so sparse now."

"Hence, there’s a saying circulating in the palace..."

Chen Mo was curious, "What saying?"

Her Majesty’s tone paused, then she spoke solemnly, "Fate runs its course; the True Dragon cannot live forever."

"True Dragon cannot live forever?"

Chen Mo felt a shiver in his heart.

Could this be the inevitable fate of the Imperial Family’s bloodline?

Then, does this mean there’s no need to worry about dealing with Chu Heng; in time, he’ll naturally die before my eyes?

"Wait..."

"Perhaps Chu Heng’s careful planning, his willingness to risk an alliance with the Demon Clan, isn’t just for the throne but to extend his life? That’s why he practices the Evil Technique, for this reason?"

"And what does the Eightfold Exorcism Array have to do with this so-called curse?"

Chen Mo seemed to grasp something vaguely but couldn’t confirm it just yet.

"However, knowing Wu Lie, he absolutely won’t willingly face death but will use every conceivable means to extend his lifespan." Her Majesty leaned against the pool’s edge, her figure overflowing, "That’s why I told you to be careful. Him having the Crown Prince approach you intentionally must have hidden intentions."

Chen Mo chuckled and said, "Could it be His Majesty wants to seize my body?"

Her Majesty pondered seriously for a moment, then shook her head, "That’s unlikely; otherwise, the previous emperor would’ve done so long ago. This ’curse’ shouldn’t be resolved by merely exchanging bodies..."

"But still, believe in its existence, better to be cautious; keep your distance from the Crown Prince, don’t get entangled too deeply."

"Yes."

Chen Mo replied.

His hand glided across the jade back, causing ripples to form.

Her Majesty’s cheeks flushed with warmth, her eyes rippled, exuding a fragrance of orchids and osmanthus.

"However, speaking of relationships, since you’re the Crown Prince’s mother, should I be considered his godfather or stepfather with our relationship?" Chen Mo suddenly asked.

?

Her Majesty was momentarily stunned.

Her face quickly reddened, as if a ripe tomato, and she snapped, "What nonsense! Godfather sounds awful! Besides, the emperor’s still alive, and we have no formal tie, so how could you be a stepfather?"

Chen Mo, with his expert comprehension, naturally understood what she implied, "So, you’re saying that once His Majesty passes, you’ll truly be able to be with me?"

"Pah, when did I ever say such a thing!"

Her Majesty glared at him, feeling this conversation was somehow odd.

She felt like an unfaithful woman, hoping her husband would pass early so she could fly away with her lover.

Thinking about it brought a strange sadness, and after a long silence, she asked, "Little thief, would you ever despise me?"

Chen Mo asked in confusion, "Your Majesty, why do you say this?"

Her Majesty lowered her head, mumbling, "Even though there’s nothing real between the emperor and I, I’ve still been married. Even if the emperor dies, I’ll remain a widow, belonging to the Chu Family..."

As a woman who lost her husband, should she truly be with Chen Mo, she’d only be considered a remarried woman.

This undermines the virtue of womanhood and can’t be seen as respectable.

"Hmm, true enough..."

Chen Mo stroked his chin, lost in thought.

Her Majesty’s slender hand quietly clenched, somewhat anxious, "I don’t care about titles, if you mind, then staying like this is just fine..."

Before she finished speaking, Chen Mo said, "Now that the good qualities are mentioned, shouldn’t we discuss the flaws?"

?

Her Majesty asked, confused, "Good qualities?"

Chen Mo offered a smile, wrapped his arms around her slim waist, leaned to her ear and whispered, "Your Majesty might not know, ’widow’ is a bonus here!"

???

Her Majesty’s head was befuddled, her almond eyes filled with shyness and shock.

This little thief is truly outrageous!

Before she could collect herself, her body suddenly trembled.

"Wait, wait a moment, what are you doing?!"

"I’ve finished scrubbing the back, naturally I need to scrub the front..."

"..."

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, please trust in my professional skills, no distractions, all technique..."

"..."

...

...

An hour later.

The door of Xuanqing Pool slowly opened a crack.

Chen Mo peeked out, looked around, and, assuring himself that there was no one outside, he pushed the door open and stepped out.

The Empress followed behind him, now properly dressed, her oval face still tinged with rosy blush, her eyes seemed both annoyed and reproachful as she glared at Chen Mo.

"I shouldn’t have believed this guy’s nonsense, he’s not honest at all... made me wash several times over, and now I can’t muster any energy..."

"Your Majesty, we should leave quickly," Chen Mo said.

The Empress nodded and replied, "Mm."

This place might have Palace Attendants passing by any time, it’s not wise to linger.

The two walked along a rather secluded path leaving the deep courtyard, and just as they reached the front of Zhao Hua Palace, they ran into Sun Senior Palace Lady.

"This servant greets Your Majesty."

Sun Senior Palace Lady bowed in greeting, seemingly unsurprised to see them together.

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is here, he’s waiting inside the hall right now."

"What did you say?"

The Empress was startled, "The Crown Prince is here?"

"Exactly." Sun Senior Palace Lady nodded, saying, "Fan Sigui brought him, saying he wants to pay respects to you."

The Empress and Chen Mo exchanged a glance, their expressions a bit strange.

They were just talking about the Crown Prince, and now he showed up...

It seems some matters can’t be avoided just by hiding...

"Let’s go, let’s take a look inside."

The Empress entered the hall, with Chen Mo following closely behind.

As they reached the inner hall, they saw a small figure sitting in a chair, his legs unable to reach the ground, swinging back and forth as his curious, shiny eyes roamed around.

Fan Sijin stood with eyes slightly closed, hands down at the back.

Seeing them enter, the Crown Prince’s eyes lit up, jumped off the chair, and quickly came to the Empress’s front.

"I greet Mother Empress."

"No need for formalities."

"Thank you, Mother Empress."

The Crown Prince straightened up, looked up at Chen Mo, and greeted with a grin, "Chen Mo, long time no see."

Chen Mo cupped his hands, "I greet the Crown Prince."

"Where have you and Mother Empress gone to?" The Crown Prince tilted his head and said, "I’ve been waiting here for almost an hour."

Went to give your mother a bath...

Chen Mo muttered quietly to himself, lowered his head, and said nothing.

The Empress said calmly, "I was discussing some official affairs with Chen Mo, Crown Prince came today without sending word ahead."

Fan Sigui stepped forward and bowed, "Replying to Your Majesty, Master Lv has recently taken leave to rest, and hasn’t been giving lessons to the Crown Prince. Qianji Palace sent news for the Crown Prince to come and learn the ways of governance from Your Majesty."

"Learn from me?"

The Empress furrowed her eyebrows.

This kind of situation had never happened before, especially since it coincides with Chen Mo’s visit to the palace, making it somewhat too coincidental.

The Crown Prince pouted, looking aggrieved, "Mother Empress promised last time to visit Linqing Palace to see your child, but no sign... Mother Empress, do you not want to see your child?"

"I..."

The Empress was momentarily at a loss for how to explain.

Chen Mo cleared his throat and spoke up, "Actually, Her Majesty often speaks of you, but recently official duties have been overwhelming, leaving no time... since Crown Prince has come this time, how about learning later, and first engage in an exciting ball game?"

The Crown Prince instantly brightened, his eyes sparkling, "Really?!"

"Of course." Chen Mo laughed and said, "I will team up with Her Majesty, you and Fan Sigui can form a team, let’s see whose ball skills are better."

"Great!"

The Crown Prince bounced around excitedly.

Empress: ?

Fan Sijin: ?