CHAPTER 708: CHAPTER 267: THE PRINCESS’S CANDLELIGHT DINNER! EMPRESS, PLEASE CALM DOWN!_3

He silently muttered to himself.

At that moment, a slightly hoarse female voice came from within the hall:

"Don’t just stand there, come on in directly."

"...Yes."

Chen Mo lifted his leg and walked in.

The hall was cold and empty, even the furnishings were surprisingly sparse. Entering the inner chamber, he saw Chu Yanli sitting at the table, drinking by herself.

She seemed to have just bathed, wearing a thin long dress embroidered with gold cloud patterns. Her calves under the skirt were like crystal jade, her long black hair cascaded like a waterfall, and her porcelain-white cheeks had a faint blush.

By now, it was late, and there were no palace lamps lit inside the pavilion. Only a red candle on the table flickered, casting moving shadows.

Perhaps it was the lighting, she seemed less sharp and domineering than usual, giving off a gentle and serene vibe.

"Sit anywhere you like, there’s no one else but us here, no need to be reserved," Chu Yanli said softly, holding a wine cup.

Chen Mo sat opposite her with the cat in his arms and asked, "May I know why Your Highness summoned me here?"

"No rush, we’ll talk about it later," Chu Yanli lifted her eyelids slightly, "Why did you bring this cat?"

Chen Mo tried, "This cat is pretty clingy, so I just brought it along... Your Highness doesn’t mind, does she?"

"No problem, I like small animals too. I even adopted a stray adult Wind Thunder Cat in the camp before," Chu Yanli gestured with her arms, "It’s about this big."

?

That’s a Wind Thunder Tiger you’re talking about...

A Wind Thunder Tiger is a high-level alien beast. Once grown, its size exceeds two yards and weighs over eight hundred pounds, hardly what you’d call a "small animal."

Moreover, such a beast is incredibly powerful. It’s said to have Taowu blood, and a typical Fourth-Level Warrior is no match for it. In any mountain forest, it’s a Beast King type of existence. Where does "stray" come into play?

Obviously, it was forcibly "adopted" by the Princess.

"Your Highness is quite compassionate, huh." Chen Mo forced a smile.

Chu Yanli sighed, "Unfortunately, it accidentally fell into the pot... I mean, into the river and drowned, so I had no choice but to stew it to nourish the soldiers... Must say, the meat is quite chewy, I wouldn’t mind having a few more."

"..."

Chen Mo twitched the corners of his mouth.

If you’re craving it, just say so, no need to pretend to be a cat lover.

Chu Yanli placed a wine cup before him, "Have a drink together."

Chen Mo waved his hand, "I don’t have much tolerance and strength, if I act inappropriately after getting drunk, it might offend Your Highness..."

"I’m not negotiating with you." Chu Yanli interrupted, frowning.

Then, perhaps realizing her tone was too harsh, she softened it a bit, and said quietly, "I’m in a bad mood today, and there’s no one else here, so just join me for a couple of drinks... Alright?"

With the conversation reaching that point, Chen Mo couldn’t refuse, so he nodded, "Then I shall accept your gracious offer."

Chu Yanli’s lips curled into a smile, her brows bending like crescent moons, showing a hint of radiance.

She personally filled the wine cup, extolling, "This is the ’Immortal Burning Wine’ I specially brought back from the Southern Border. It’s very strong, unlike the soft and mellow wines of the Central State, it has more character when you drink it."

"Here, try it."

Smelling the strong aroma of the wine, Chen Mo suddenly thought of Qin Shu...

The wine wasn’t drugged, was it?

He raised the cup, accidentally spilling some drops on the table.

The cat stretched out its tongue and licked it. A moment later, it blinked at him, indicating that the wine was untouched.

Only then did Chen Mo feel assured and drank it down.

As soon as the wine entered his throat, he felt something was off...

It’s way too strong!

Like a scorching fire suddenly exploding, burning all the way down his esophagus, his throat was like being cut by a knife!

He’s a regular at the drinking table, but even he found it hard to handle.

Just as he was about to use his True Yuan to dissolve the wine strength, Chu Yanli stopped him, "This wine burns fiercely at first, but if you endure, you’ll experience its wonders."

Chen Mo had no choice but to endure it, and as the burning sensation faded, warmth rose from his stomach, gradually spreading to his limbs. All pores opened as if bathing in spring sunlight, the discomfort turning into pleasant intoxication.

"I didn’t deceive you, did I? Isn’t it quite intriguing?" Chu Yanli said with a smile.

Chen Mo took a deep breath and said, "Indeed, it is interesting, but ordinary people might choke upon entry and not last a moment."

"That’s why it’s called ’Immortal Burning Wine,’" Chu Yanli shook her cup, her gaze a bit dreamy, "Only by enduring the ’burn,’ do you experience the ’immortal,’ but ultimately, you can’t escape the intoxication... Thinking about it, isn’t life just like this?"

"To savor sweetness, one must endure its bitterness; to wear the crown, one must bear its weight," Chen Mo mused, playing with the wine cup, "Being human is like being the liquid in the cup, without trials, how can you taste a thousand flavors?"

Chu Yanli froze upon hearing this.

Her eyes stared blankly at him, murmuring:

"You, do you perhaps have the Heart Listening Skill or something? Why do you always say things that resonate with me?"

"..."

The cat noticed the atmosphere was a bit subtle and poked Chen Mo’s thigh.

Are you really putting on airs now?

Chen Mo shuddered and suddenly snapped back.

As a showoff master, showing off has become an instinct. Seems like he needs to control it a bit...

Chu Yanli brought out a sheet of Xuan paper from somewhere and placed it on the table, "Did these words truly come from you?"

Seeing the content about ’governing a country as cooking small fish,’ Chen Mo’s expression stiffened, awkwardly, "It’s just nonsense, not to be taken seriously. I’m insignificant and powerless, not in a position to discuss politics."

"So, you’re saying these words actually came from you?"

Chu Yanli said with a smile, "Even Lv Huaiyu, that proud old man, praised your remarks endlessly. I didn’t expect you to understand state governance... Chen Mo, I’m increasingly satisfied with you."

The cat’s paw poked harder at Chen Mo’s thigh.

Chu Yanli recalled, "Oh right, there’s another widely circulated saying that deeply appeals to me, ’A great chivalrous one, for the country and the people...’

Seeing this woman carrying on endlessly, Chen Mo interrupted, "Your Highness remembered wrong, what I said was ’A great lower limb, for the country and the people.’

Chu Yanli: ?

Chen Mo comforted the Cat Lady with one hand, casually speaking nonsense, "I meant that it’s good to visit brothels more often, it stimulates the local economy, it’s a good thing for the country and the people... It has nothing to do with chivalry or anything."

Chu Yanli: "..."