Chapter 207: The Empress Gets Flustered, The Dowager Gets Wrecked, and Someone Hits the Jackpot (3)
The high-ponytailed, cool and proud Empress tilted her head slightly and looked at him, eyes flickering.
"Qinglan sis, I—"
Su Qing didn't finish. He froze.
He looked down at his hand.
The Empress's pale, slender hand was lightly holding his.
Her palm was cool, and her delicate fingers felt like soft jade.
In that moment, he completely forgot what he was supposed to do.
"Don't think too much. It's crowded and chaotic, I just don't want you to get lost. It was like this before too."
The Empress spoke in a calm tone, as if holding a child's hand.
But her eyelashes quivered, and a faint blush spread across her cheeks.
Her breathtaking beauty at that moment made one thing very clear.
She knew exactly what it meant to walk hand in hand like this.
On the bustling street, the two walked silently.
The atmosphere between them was peaceful, undisturbed by others, and carried an unspoken warmth.
Dating the world's most perfect Empress?
The thought suddenly appeared in Su Qing's mind.
Then came a wave of guilt he couldn't suppress.
Not because he felt unworthy, but because it felt almost... too bold.
Was he pushing his luck by reaching for a goddess so far above?
He knew just how untouchable his sister was.
To be in a relationship with her? No one would even believe it if he said it aloud.
"Little brother, look. This is the empire I built—thanks in no small part to you."
"You've done well, but you ask for too little. Let me reward you with something more."
"You can make one reasonable request, and I will grant it."
The Empress was the first to break the silence.
She led Su Qing forward, gazing at the world she ruled, lips curving slightly.
Her sharp senses picked up on the subtle unease in her cherished subject.
After all their years together, it had been a long time since she felt this kind of connection.
His hesitation—was it because of her? Did he care that much?
A warm current seemed to flow through her chest, even her palm started to heat up.
It felt... pretty nice.
Honestly, compared to a certain loudmouthed showoff, the Empress handled things much better.
By contrast, the Dowager now looked like a beaten dog, totally grayed out.
She followed behind in silence, staring in disbelief at her daughter.
"Impossible... That can't be my daughter... She must've been switched..."
Her own failures stood in stark contrast to her daughter's radiance. The difference was too harsh.
But the two walking ahead were completely absorbed, paying her no mind.
Though the Empress tried to stay composed, all of this was really just a moment of impulse.
By any measure, she was acting beyond expectations.
As for what to do next—she had no idea either.
After all... with her mother watching, she wasn't about to lose face.
She glanced around, eyes scanning the street, and noticed a nearby shop.
Jinxiu Boutique.
A famous place in the capital, selling all kinds of fine silks and stockings.
Basically, Su Qing's personal heaven, full of everything that fit his tastes.
What if she took him in to pick out a few things?
Time to give her meddlesome mother a taste of generational shock!
She was planning just that when the boy suddenly spoke up.
"Qinglan sis, let me treat you to something yummy!"
Su Qing had recovered from his earlier hesitations and was now on the offensive.
There was no point doubting himself. Better to show her what he could do.
Someday, no one would question them being together—they'd say it was meant to be.
"Yummy? Didn't we just eat something?"
The Empress blinked and asked.
"That was then. This is now."
Su Qing said as he stepped over to a nearby stall.
What they had earlier were delicate pastries. Now? He was going for something different—a masterpiece of mortal invention.
The ultimate noble-killer: candied hawthorn skewers.
They didn't look like much, but for someone who'd never tried them, they were quite the experience.
Even better—they were perfect for feeding someone by hand.
Since he was taking initiative, he had to go all the way, right?
The Empress looked at the skewer offered to her and said nothing.
She leaned in obediently, brushed aside a strand of hair, and took a small bite.
Crunch~
The vibrant red of the hawthorn and her lips made it hard to say which was more vivid.
Her elegant and natural movement left the onlookers stunned.
Many forgot what they were doing, simply staring in a daze.
Su Qing was briefly entranced too, so it was understandable others would be.
If not for her overwhelming aura, someone might have dared to try flirting with her.
"Looks good? Brat, how many others have you used that old trick on?"
The Empress scoffed mockingly.
Clearly, she wasn't buying into the whole act and kept her composure.
But the blush on her cheeks was unmistakable—bright and breathtaking.
"Ahem. What do you mean by that, Qinglan sis? I just wanted to introduce you to a snack."
Su Qing felt a little awkward but didn't show it.
He calmly picked up another skewer and offered it to the other side.
As long as he wasn't embarrassed, someone else would be!
The Dowager bit down instinctively, then realized what she'd done.
That loser-aura clinging to her seemed to vanish on the spot as she lowered her head again.
The flush that had faded now returned, making the mature lady even more drop-dead gorgeous.
From any angle, the Dowager clearly had a soft spot for this kind of thing.
"You little brat, don't think I don't know what you're up to."
The Empress gently pinched his cheek with a half-smile as punishment.
"Honestly, getting Her Majesty to smile like that is already a huge honor."
Su Qing spoke with some emotion in his tone.
No matter what, seeing that kind of smile meant today was absolutely worth it.
"Hmph, then forget about the reward."
The Empress finally remembered her earlier offer and let go of his cheek with a cold snort.
Daring to tease her like that? That couldn't go unpunished!