Chapter 236

Chapter 236: Who Favors Whom? The Empress Dowager Falls, Together into the Abyss!

Li Mo was dumbfounded.

What’s gotten into her?

Drinking all alone like this?

If she had gotten this drunk after just one pot, Li Mo would be full of disdain.

But having drunk three pots and still drinking, there’s definitely a problem.

The Empress Dowager isn’t poor at holding her liquor; she’s deliberately getting drunk.

Zhao Ji let go of her skirt, covering her smooth and fair legs and the two empty wine pots beneath it.

She cast a sidelong glance at Li Mo.

Who do you think you are looking down upon?

Even if my capacity for liquor is poor, one tiny pot wouldn’t be enough to get me drunk.

“Didn’t you hear me? I told you to get lost.”

After dropping her skirt, she reached out and grabbed the wine pot from Li Mo’s hands.

With shaky hands, she poured herself a full cup and downed it in one go.

As she looked at him, her gaze filled with hatred.

Seeing him sitting still, Zhao Ji inched her head closer.

A warm breath filled with the smell of wine and fragrance came out of her small mouth: “Liar!”

Her red, flushed cheeks were so close that one would want to lean in and kiss them.

Zhao Ji was filled with resentment.

When he forced her to surrender power, he made all sorts of sweet promises.

But he never visited her, not even announcing his trip to Han!

She initially thought it was urgent and that his haste had prevented him from stopping by.

Zhao Ji fretted both in anger and concern for his safety.

It took ages for him to return to Qin.

Surely this time he would come to see her?

For this reason, she had even informed the palace maids in advance.

If the National Advisor came, let him in without delay.

But what happened?

She waited and waited, and he never arrived!

Zhao Ji suddenly realized.

What he said about visiting her was merely to deceive her into relinquishing power.

Now that she had lost her authority, he couldn’t be bothered to glance at her.

Being alone for so many years, falling for someone once only to find out he was a liar!

Zhao Ji immediately felt disillusioned.

I haven’t even started, and it feels like I’ve already been heartbroken?

I will never believe in love again!

Because she’d never felt love before, her feelings burst out uncontrollably.

Even she didn’t realize how deeply rooted her emotions had become.

In this deep palace, there’s no one to talk to.

Whenever it’s quiet, she unwillingly recalls things she doesn’t want to think about.

In the dead of night, she can’t sleep.

Only when drunk can she avoid thinking!

Li Mo, feeling guilty, didn’t argue with her.

Instead, with full remorse, he said, “It’s indeed my fault; I’ve been busy recently and couldn’t come to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager. I’ll make sure to be more attentive in the future.”

With so many ladies at home needing attention, after every long trip, I need to satisfy them first.

How could I find the time to run to the palace?

The two faced each other, merely inches apart.

Zhao Ji’s face flushed even more as his breath hit her, making her body feel hot.

She pulled back a little to ease the discomfort.

Squinting her blurred eyes at him, she sneered, “Hmph, no need!”
“I couldn’t care less!”

“The Grand Preceptor has accomplished unparalleled feats, but I am merely a powerless Empress Dowager, how can I bear the honor of your visit, Grand Preceptor?”

The grievances in her eyes couldn’t be hidden.

It seemed as though Li Mo was a heartless scoundrel who had deceived her.

This was truly an injustice.

I haven’t even been with her at all, so where did the heartlessness come from?

Li Mo sighed lightly, “Indeed, I have been too busy to escape, that’s why I came over as soon as I got some free time.”

“I haven’t even had dinner yet.”

“It seems I also skipped lunch, really too busy.”

Zhao Ji lazily glanced at him and remarked sarcastically, “With so many wives at the Grand Preceptor’s house, they would let you starve?”

Li Mo confessed, “None of them are home.”

Zhao Ji’s scrutinizing gaze gradually relaxed, “You really haven’t eaten?”

Li Mo nodded, “I had my bowl in hand, but then I remembered I’ve been neglecting the Empress Dowager recently, how could I have the mind to eat? I put down my bowl and chopsticks and rushed over.”

It seemed as though Zhao Ji believed his nonsense.

Her expression finally improved a little.

She retorted with embarrassment and anger, “If you can’t speak properly, don’t speak at all. Neglect—do you think you can treat me like one of your concubines?”

“You speak as if I’m just waiting in the deep palace for your favor.”

“If there’s any favor to be given, it’s me that will favor you!”

Tipsy, Zhao Ji clearly had more courage than usual.

She spoke carelessly, ignoring her status entirely.

The previously assumed dignity seemed completely discarded.

Upon realizing Li Mo hadn’t intentionally neglected her, most of her grievances dissipated.

Li Mo raised an eyebrow and complied, “Yes, yes, so how exactly does the Empress Dowager plan to favor me?”

Zhao Ji, tiredly supporting her red-flushed cheek with one hand, propped herself up on the table.

With one hand, she lazily pushed a dish towards Li Mo.

Tapping her manicured fingertip on the table made a crisp sound.

“This is for you, eat up. How about this favor?”

Seeing the barely touched dish before him, Li Mo was moved.

The Empress Dowager always had a tough mouth but a soft heart.

If I show some misery, she’ll let go of even her biggest grievances.

“What? Doesn’t suit your taste?”

Zhao Ji raised her eyebrows and asked when she saw he hadn’t moved.

Without waiting for Li Mo to answer, she continued, “Forget it, it’s cold already, don’t eat it.”

“What do you want to eat? I’ll have someone make it.”

Saying this, she shakily tried to stand.

Li Mo quickly pressed her arm gently.

“No need, what I want to eat, they can’t make.”

…

Zhao Ji blinked in confusion, then sneered arrogantly, “Nonsense, the chefs here are the best in Qin State.”

“As long as you name it, they can cook it.”

This was indeed true.

She was picky and had high standards for food.

Her chefs were skilled in cuisines from various states and could cook anything.

Seeing her proud demeanor, Li Mo finally stopped holding back.

With a slight exertion of strength, he pulled her over.

Zhao Ji felt her body lighten and fell into Li Mo’s embrace.

Realizing what happened, she became furious.

“So, you intend to eat me?”

“How dare you disrespect me?”

Li Mo hugged her slender waist tightly and slowly leaned closer.

“Haven’t I disrespected the Empress Dowager enough?”

Zhao Ji went limp, even her mouth softened.

Melting in his arms like a puddle of water.

Thinking of what he had done to her, Zhao Ji felt conflicted.

Looking up at him with resentment, she said, “You traitor, you’ve ruined me, I can never be redeemed!”

Her luscious lips were like petals tainted with morning dew.

As she spoke, the strong scent of wine mixed with her unique mature fragrance tantalized Li Mo’s heartstrings.

Her helpless but enchanting gaze only made him want to cherish her more.

Li Mo gulped.

Softly, he said, “If that’s the case, why don’t I take you with me to the abyss?”

Just as Zhao Ji was about to say something, he silenced her with a dominating kiss!