CHAPTER 274
The Authority of the Rightful Consort
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"Now you're sulking? If you're sulking, just give the battle armor back to Xiao Ai!"
"Now you're calling Xiao Ai stingy? You like keeping score, huh?"
"Weren't you the one who ordered the Soul-Seizing City garrison to retreat? Your troops looted and pillaged, your men forcibly took women—who cleaned up your mess?"
“You even dared to sleep with Lord Xun Ye’s personal guard!”
"Now you accuse Xiao Ai of maintaining private armies, of wielding absolute power, of holding high office and immense authority, is that it?"
A pair of small hands tugged at the tall man's collar, making the seven-foot giant look like a wronged little wife at that moment!
"When Xiao Ai redeployed her personal guards to reinforce you, why didn't you accuse her of maintaining a private army?"
"When Xiao Ai pleaded for your mercy, why didn't you accuse her of deceiving the Lord?"
"When Xiao Ai pulled strings to get you equipment, why didn't you accuse her of forming cliques and abusing power?"
A thunderous slap echoed across the table as Xiao Ai roared with fury!
"Kumu, let me make this damn clear! Xiao Ai wields the King's authority! This power was granted by His Majesty himself!"
"The Lord declared it plainly: in all matters, Xiao Ai decides! Execute first! Whether to report it later depends on Xiao Ai's whim!"
Ku Mu wore a pained expression. What kind of situation was this?
Normally, Xiao Ai wouldn't speak to him like this; she usually carried herself with the grace of the upper class.
Ku Mu knew Xiao Ai was furious. He should never have made those flippant remarks, but who could have guessed she'd catch him red-handed…
"Xiao Ai, I was wrong. Please, don't be angry anymore…"
Especially now that Su Cheng had left without a word, Xiao Ai was brimming with pent-up frustration. He'd walked right into the line of fire!
What could he do? He couldn't afford to cross her!
"Cut the crap! I'm here to tell you: kiss him and get the hell out of here!"
"Why?" Ku Mu was confused. Why leave?
Xiao Ai looked utterly disgusted. Why the hell not?
Didn't he know his own worth?
"Because I have real business to attend to. Your presence is distracting me. Don't try to tell me you'll behave—you won't learn. If you don't leave, I'll have a few people escort you out."
Ku Mu wasn't genuinely afraid of Xiao Ai. He just found dealing with her a bit troublesome. But as for threats? A few people trying to kill the Godslayer King? That was clearly a pipe dream.
"Hey hey hey, Xiao Ai, you weren't always like this!"
Xiao Ai gave him a look reserved for fools. "You know that's the past. When you're done playing, get back to your own business. Stop messing with me—I've got important things to do."
With that, she grabbed Ye Qinghan's wrist, lifted the spatial curtain, and stepped into the void, leaving Ku Mu alone to question his existence.
"Master's wife, are you two on bad terms?"
Ye Qinghan surveyed the surrounding void, doubting whether sound could even travel within this space. She wondered if Xiao Ai could hear her at all.
What kind of space was this? All she could say was that she saw nothing.
Contrary to common misconceptions, the world seen by the blind wasn't black. Just like the void before her eyes, it wasn't a color at all—it was nothingness.
"You mean the old lecher? Not exactly. She and I get along fairly well—it's just that her mouth and legs have no sense of restraint!"
"Legs?"
"The middle one."
"Uh…"
Xiao Ai simply tugged Ye Qinghan toward an unseen direction. Within this space, Ye Qinghan could sense neither front nor back, left nor right—not even up or down, nor the presence of gravity.
What bore her weight beneath her feet? She had no way of knowing.
What was this sensation?
It felt like being turned into a suitcase, dragged along by someone else. Ye Qinghan sensed that even if her feet didn't move forward, her master's wife could still carry her along.
"Where is Master's wife taking Qinghan?"
"To have breakfast and catch up."
Seeing sunlight again felt like the Master’s wife had drawn back the curtains in a pitch-black room. The outside scenery and sunlight flooded into this space. Following the Master’s wife’s footsteps, Ye Qinghan stepped into this secret garden.
This is Mansion No. 11—my celestial palace, a Titan-class aerial garden, and Xiao Ai's home.
The landing spot was the grand garden before the mansion, where a fountain sculpture stood directly ahead. The sculpture depicted not a human or beast, but a sharp sword resting lightly against a shield.
It was clear the mansion's owner held a deep reverence for martial prowess.
Behind the fountain sculpture stood the mansion Xiao Ai had mentioned. Though it had fewer stories, it could absolutely be called a castle!
Its style resembled a Western-style ancient castle, with a hint of Western villa characteristics.
Behind it stood a gatehouse and bastion resembling fortress walls. To the left was a futuristic circular structure, resembling a vegetable greenhouse.
To the right stood a spire, radiating a distinctly modern, tech-inspired aesthetic.
"The left side is the office area, with the Celestial Hub underground. It's complicated to explain, so don't ask."
"The dormitory building is on the right, with the Wolf's Den below—don't ask about that either. You don't want to know."
"Up ahead is the mansion. Below it lies the vault. Xiao Ai's office is on the second floor of the mansion."
Grandma Ye was utterly amazed upon entering the mansion. Truly, she lived up to her reputation as the Master's wife!
This celestial palace was even larger than Lingxian Hall, though its spiritual energy was more ordinary, lacking the dense aura of Lingxian Hall.
Soon, a girl with golden-yellow short hair approached. She appeared to be about Xiao Ai's age and height.
"Her name is Amber. She's Xiao Ai's personal attendant."
Ye Qinghan lifted her gaze to the girl named Amber, thinking to herself, So this is the slut He Guang was talking about…
Amber appeared to be about five feet tall. At a glance, it was hard to tell whether she or Xiao Ai was taller.
Though Amber was also flat-chested, she seemed slightly better off than Xiao Ai?
Both had round, dumpling-like faces—classic loli features. Amber wore a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, giving her a timid, meek appearance. She was nothing like what Hakkou had described…
Ye Qinghan thought Amber seemed easier to get along with than Hakou—at least she didn't appear quite as…
"That old pervert already told you—Xiao Ai is that bitch's personal attendant. Likewise, Amber is also Xiao Ai's personal attendant. If you need anything, she can handle it for you."
With that, Amber slowly curtsied. After all, to Xiao Ai, Ye Qinghan was the junior.
"Amber greets Miss Qinghan."
The saying goes, "Three ranks of officials guard the chancellor's gate." After hearing Ku Mu's explanation, Ye Qinghan fully grasped the concept of a personal attendant and naturally returned the bow.
The key lies not in the attendant, but in the word "personal"!
How could anyone but a close confidant be permitted such proximity?
To be close, one must first be thoughtful!
Observe Amber's demeanor—every gesture, every glance radiates the professional poise of a seasoned executive assistant. His conduct is impeccably proper, yet carries an air of authority.
"My apologies, Qinghan~"
With that, Amber switched places with Xiao Ai and spoke.
"My Lord, Lord Hakou requests your presence. He awaits you on the second floor of the mansion."
Xiao Ai rolled her eyes. "He just wants to go out and play again, right? Last time he caused nothing but trouble. Looks like he's asking for a beating!"
"How many times must I say it? No meeting with that ditch-dweller! We came here for serious business. Does she have donkey hair stuffed in her ears?"
"Take this slutty fox to the dining hall and wait for me. I'm going to teach her a lesson!"
Amber immediately tried to intervene: "Please calm down, Master. Lord Hakkou is only…"
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