“Huh? Why do I suddenly feel full?”
“Eating too much for dinner isn’t good. Uh, I’ll go get ready first…”
“Ah, my mount is about to give birth—I’ll take my leave!”
Dinner wasn’t even finished, yet many of the brothers, who hadn’t even picked up their chopsticks, claid they were done and smoothly slipped away, their movents seamless.
Of course, they couldn’t help but sigh in relief as they left.
They had all been worried about Little Li.
After all, it was common knowledge that he was wealthy, formidable, ranked first on the Hidden Dragon Ranking, and had a wife-prospering aura. Who could withstand that? What if they ended up so enchanted by his “prosperous wife” spirit that they wasted their lives pining? Were they really here just to help?
Now, their anxieties were finally put to rest.
With Frost Fairy standing there, she alone represented the pinnacle of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.
Such an insurmountable peak should deter any thoughts of challenge. The question in their minds would shift from “Can his prosperous wife spirit benefit too?” to “What on earth does the Divine Hamr Tyrant deserve this for?”
“Ice Block, the candied sweet potatoes are delicious… Hm? This vinegar dip…”
“I prefer sweet and sour.”
Ying Bing stared at him expressionlessly.
Little Li’s scalp tingled under her gaze, and he had no choice but to dunk the candied sweet potato into the vinegar, making it let out a terrified screech.
“More.”
“…”
The sugar strands on the sweet potato lted, and the vinegar instantly enveloped it, staining it pitch black before it disappeared into Ice Block’s mouth, leaving her lips shimring purple.
Like so dark makeup from a TV drama…
“Ice Block, actually, there’s another reason I’m organizing this event.”
Li Mo’s expression turned serious.
“Oh.”
“Think about it—back in the Southern Border, the Southern Garrison Army lacked provisions and pay. I had wealth but couldn’t help them directly because it wouldn’t be justified. But by hosting the Hundred Blossoms Grand Banquet, I’ll have room to maneuver.”
Li Mo wasn’t satisfied with the current recipients of his investnts.
So, the genius Little Li had a sudden inspiration.
Why not find a pretext to drag the Southern Garrison Prince’s estate into this?
After all, those high officials only cared about money—they had no interest in supplies or resources…
Li Mo laid out his plan in detail, while Ying Bing listened quietly.
Well, Shang Qinqing was also eavesdropping not far away.
“Little Bing’er and that brat Li Mo seem to be at odds. What’s so entertaining about this?”
Qin Yuzhi swept the lon seed shells off the table, sighing.
“No, you don’t understand the thrill of a ‘chasing-your-wife-through-hell’ trope…” Shang Qinqing was utterly absorbed.
Qin Yuzhi: “…”
She suspected that if Shang Qinqing ever took control of the Dream Dao, she’d end up with three sword wounds in her back the next day, claiming suicide…
“So that’s how it is.” Ying Bing’s furrowed brows relaxed slightly.
“And since you’re ranked first on the Hundred Blossoms List, of course I’d want to personally oversee the event.”
Li Mo suddenly added with sincerity.
Well, that might even be the main reason.
Ying Bing glanced away. “I see.”
“Hey, Ice Block, if you’re attending the banquet, shouldn’t you pick an outfit?”
“Do you just want to see in black and white again?”
“You could just hold a private banquet for .”
---
As sumr approached, the temperature in the imperial capital didn’t fluctuate much. Thanks to the River Mountain Blueprint, the imperial and inner cities enjoyed eternal spring, while the outer city’s climate was milder than most places.
The streets were bustling now.
Though the Hundred Blossoms Grand Banquet hadn’t begun, its excitent had already swept through the capital. Lanterns lit up the night like an ocean, and giant portraits of the ranked fairies hung high—each with a devoted following. The atmosphere even surpassed that of the Hidden Dragon Ranking ceremony.
After all, this was the first Hundred Blossoms Banquet, and it drew far more attention.
At the peak of the Soaring Cloud Pavilion, the worldly clamor seed to recede, halting before the figure bathed in moonlight.
Until she was pulled into Little Li’s lap, her waist encircled by his arm, her legs finding their resting place…
Little Li was getting increasingly skilled at this.
With just a slight adjustnt, his posture perfectly accommodated Ice Block’s ergonomics.
If there was one flaw, it was that the position of Hamr Treasure was tricky—always poking Ying Bing and making her frown.
“You clearly liked all those outfits earlier.”
“Nonsense, none of them could truly highlight your elegance.”
“But I heard you.”
“??”
Li Mo froze.
When Ice Block was trying on clothes earlier, he had covered his nose and remained sternly righteous.
When had he said anything?!
“Hamr Treasure said it.”
Li Mo: “…”
Everyone knew Hamr Treasure was mischievous.
Damn it, no acting skills could overco such a weakness.
Ying Bing lowered her flawless face, studying him with narrowed eyes for a long mont.
Little Li looked every bit the upright gentleman, his breath warm—no one would suspect him of any ulterior motives.
But…
He seed unwilling to let anyone else so much as glance at her.
“You’re not planning to use your sponsor status to hide away, are you?”
“!”
Little Li’s heart skipped a beat.
How did Ice Block figure it out? Was he that obvious?
He looked up, eting her gaze.
The night wind, carrying the glow of the capital’s lanterns, tousled her hair, brushing against Li Mo’s neck like a teasing itch. Her stunningly cold yet soft features were lit with amusent—like an older sister catching her little brother sneaking treats.
Her beauty, a mix of light and shadow, was impossible to look away from. Averting his eyes for even a second felt like a loss of a hundred million. Yet her playful, scrutinizing gaze made his heart race, too guilty to hold her stare.
Cold elegance and teasing scrutiny intertwined, beauty and tension spreading like weeds in his chest…
Little Li suddenly realized—
Damn it, this ti, he was completely at the rcy of this wicked Ice Block!
How could the soft, pliant Ice Block in his arms exude such overwhelming pressure?!
He could only nod.
“Yeah, I don’t want others looking at you. The empress is also on the list, but you don’t see her performing, do you?”
“That’s because His Majesty wouldn’t allow it.”
“He’s just an emperor. If he’s unwilling, then I’m even more unwilling.”
Li Mo was all about rebellion.
Ying Bing opened her mouth, sensing sothing off.
But the emperor and empress were married, weren’t they?
So…
If Little Li’s words were translated, didn’t they an, “My wife is for my eyes only”?
The mont this dangerous thought surfaced, Ying Bing’s fingers curled involuntarily, trembling as if electrified.
Li Mo didn’t seem to notice how possessive his words were—or how fast her heart was racing.
She couldn’t et his eyes anymore, resting her chin on his shoulder instead.
“Then what if it’s difficult to handle?”
“If it’s hard? Then let’s scrap the whole thing!”
Li Mo imagined himself declaring this in front of the officials, his domineering aura radiating—undeniably cool.
But right now, only Ice Block could witness this grandeur.
Ying Bing pressed her lips together, silent.
Because she realized she couldn’t even muster a retort. She didn’t know where he’d learned to be this overbearing.
If Little Li’s next words were a marriage proposal, she knew she wouldn’t be able to refuse.
The ice in one's heart? What ice are you talking about?
This isn't about whether it's lted or not.
The water's nearly boiling—hot enough to cook rice already.
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