Chapter 84: Your Majesty Is Right Outside, Isn't This Inappropriate? (2)
"Master, this is the way I see repaying kindness. This is a perfectly normal form of devoted gratitude!"
Shenyue blinked, speaking in a serious tone.
"What devoted gratitude? Since when has gratitude ever been expressed like this?!"
Su Qing looked at his socially anxious bodyguard, who was full of indecent thoughts, feeling utterly speechless.
Anyone who knew her would understand that she wasn't thinking too much and was just showing her devotion. But to outsiders, it would look like she was offering herself up.
And calling it 'normal'—who in their right mind serves their master with their chest?!
"Is it wrong? But I feel like Master isn't rejecting it. In fact, you seem to be enjoying it."
Shenyue mused, as if deep in thought.
"…As your superior, it's my duty to accept your sincerity, no matter what."
"As a responsible leader, I can't reject you and make you sad, right?"
Su Qing paused before speaking.
This idiot… Why was she always so sharp at the worst possible times?
"Hm?"
Shenyue let out a puzzled sound, her eyes filled with doubt.
Though his words sounded righteous, his expression looked like he deserved a beating.
But soon, she had no time to dwell on it.
"The way you're showing gratitude is incorrect. It doesn't solve the core problem."
"Come, I'll teach you some things. Just follow my instructions."
Su Qing's lips curled into a subtle smile.
He was just relaxing here, and then suddenly, she launched an all-out seduction assault.
In this situation, if he didn't react, he wouldn't be human.
But since this fool hadn't even considered offering herself in that way, he wouldn't force her.
A different form of gratitude would suffice.
"…I understand. Though I've never heard of this before, I'll do my best!"
Shenyue spoke with determination.
As long as it made him happy, she was willing to do it.
With that, she submerged herself into the water.
A few seconds later, she surfaced again.
"What's wrong? Are you hesitant to remove your mask?"
Su Qing asked as he looked at the troubled Shenyue.
"No, it's just that the buoyancy is too strong. It's a bit hard to sink."
"I've never liked water, especially anything involving diving."
The masked assassin showed an expression of genuine distress.
Although she didn't like exposing her face in front of others, there was no one underwater to see it, so that wasn't the issue.
Her trouble was completely sincere, without any pretense.
Su Qing watched this earnest and straightforward older woman, his heartbeat quickening slightly.
Such a pure and innocent girl… It really made him want to lure her in!
Anyone who saw her would want to cherish this adorable and cool beauty.
—
Meanwhile, outside the bath, the lesson continued harmoniously.
As a bodyguard with strong execution skills, Shenyue naturally chose to overcome her struggles.
Resisting the water's resistance, she sank down, following Su Qing's guidance.
Outside the bath, a voluptuous and perfectly shaped figure quietly appeared.
She possessed breathtaking beauty, her phoenix eyes radiating an aura of majesty that made others too intimidated to look directly at her.
This was the natural presence of a ruler, seamlessly integrated into her daily life.
Even when alone, she effortlessly exuded imperial dominance.
Today, however, she wasn't wearing her imperial robe, only a simple palace dress.
Yet even in a more casual outfit, her elegance and nobility were impossible to conceal.
The Empress wasn't here for a bath.
She had noticed the unusual celestial phenomenon earlier that night.
Though it had been fleeting, as the ruler of an empire, she made sure to keep it in mind.
She remembered that one of her trusted subjects was in the vicinity at the time, so she had come to inquire about it.
As for how she knew Su Qing's whereabouts—
As an emperor, keeping track of her subjects' locations was only natural, wasn't it?
Standing outside the door, the Empress gave a soft cough.
Though not loud, she was sure the people inside had heard it.
Those above water had indeed heard it, but those below hadn't.
Su Qing heard it, but chose to ignore it.
Right now was his most relaxing moment—pretending not to hear was perfectly reasonable.
But the Empress wasn't so patient.
"Disloyal subject, how much longer do you plan to bathe? You've been in there for quite some time!"
Unable to wait any longer, the Empress spoke up.
Hearing her majestic yet melodious voice, Su Qing sucked in a sharp breath.
Honestly, the pressure was immense.
But since the Empress had spoken, his loyal and patriotic self couldn't just pretend he hadn't heard.
"Please wait a moment, Your Majesty. This humble subject will be finished soon!"
Su Qing's voice sounded somewhat stiff.
The Empress didn't reply, but her brows furrowed slightly.
Her keen senses detected something off in his tone.
Had something gone wrong because of tonight's celestial event? Was he injured?
She had to take a look—just a quick glance.
After all, she was simply concerned about her subject's well-being. Ensuring his safety was a reasonable justification.
With that thought, she activated a secret technique, capturing everything happening inside the bathhouse in full detail.
The moment she saw the scene, her expression froze completely.
Because she had locked onto Su Qing as the focal point, her perspective was incredibly vivid.
Half his body was above water, half submerged… and beneath the water, there was another figure…
Having seen something similar before, she didn't panic and deactivate the technique immediately.
Instead, she glanced around to ensure no one else was nearby, before blushing fiercely and choosing to continue watching.
Moments later, Shenyue hesitated as she surfaced from the water.
"Shenyue, what's wrong? Keep going."
Su Qing looked at his bodyguard in confusion.
The lesson wasn't over—why was she stopping halfway?
"Master, her Majesty is outside. Isn't it inappropriate for us to be doing this?"
Shenyue's expression was conflicted.
She had heard the Empress's voice clearly and now felt guilty.
"Shenyue, you're thinking about this all wrong. If anything, this is exactly why you must continue."
"If I meet the Empress in this state, that would be the true disrespect, wouldn't it?"
"But with your help, I can present myself before her in the best possible condition. It's entirely reasonable."
Su Qing coaxed her with a logical argument.
Deceiving such a pure big sister was far too easy.
Moreover, his reasoning wasn't even entirely false—it did make some sense.
"Hm… You're right."
The cool yet innocent beauty nodded and submerged herself again.
Su Qing squinted slightly, quite pleased with his obedient student.
The Empress: "…"
Taking everything in, her expression completely solidified.
This bastard… Not only was he making her wait, but he was also using her as motivation for his antics?!
Unbelievable!
She knew the best course of action would be to storm in and put a stop to this absurdity.
But... watching the fascinating scene through her secret technique, the Empress hesitated.
Just a little longer... just a little peek...
After all, for a ruler so eager to learn, her treacherous subject was providing quite the eye-opening display!
The imperial beauty felt as though she had been introduced to a whole new world.
Was this even possible?
She couldn't help but glance down at her own body, momentarily lost in thought. Perhaps she wasn't lacking either?
A subtle sense of competition arose within her. As a strong woman, she naturally sought to reign supreme in every aspect.
Lost in contemplation, she was startled back to reality when she realized Su Qing was now standing before her, fully dressed.
Not only that, but he was looking at her with an odd expression.