Fanli remained silent for a long time. Su Shiye was in no hurry, waiting for her with composed patience.
After a grueling forty seconds, she sank to her knees before him, yet she made no further move.
To Su Shiye, women doing such things for him—or even claiming they were pregnant with his child and required no child support—was hardly a novelty. In fact, such occurrences happened every few days. But because the person doing this was Fanli, he remained stunned for a long while.
"Su Shiye, there are three things I want to tell you."
"Speak."
"First, you have a girlfriend. To me, she is a stranger; if she suffers because of what I do to you, I will feel nothing. However, the one hurting her would be you. Think carefully about whether you truly want to go through with this."
"And then?"
"Second, I don't believe you will actually attack Light Sea." Seeing that Su Shiye merely watched her calmly without rebuttal, Fanli paused before continuing. "The Abyssal Empire is indeed the strongest military power in the Dark Sea, but it is still not unified. The Ridge of Wind-Song and the Wicked Shark’s Nest do not obey you, do they? The Shark tribes of the Dark Sea seem far more feral than those of Light Sea. Using their geographical advantages, they have resisted the imperial army's invasion. The territories of the Dark Sea aren't as easy to conquer as many imperial citizens think. You could take them by deploying the capital’s main forces, but the casualties would outweigh the gains. Moreover, given the legendary paranoia of the former Dictator Su Shiye, I doubt you could ever fully trust those subservient allied nations. In short, it is easy to be number one; it is nearly impossible to be the only one."
Su Shiye crossed his arms, neither confirming nor denying her words.
"So, if I were to guess, His Majesty Su Shiye is currently pursuing a strategy of 'befriending the distant and attacking the near.' Maintaining good relations with Light Sea and showcasing your international standing in the Dark Sea is a way to pressure those disobedient minor nations."
"A thorough analysis." Su Shiye arched an eyebrow slightly, speaking unhurriedly. "Since you are so certain I won't attack Light Sea, why submit?"
"That brings me to the third thing." Fanli took a sharp breath, holding it. "I am doing this voluntarily."
"What do you mean?" Su Shiye’s gaze suddenly sharpened.
Just now, Fanli had asked herself a question repeatedly: If the man making this demand were anyone else—even someone who could threaten Light Sea’s safety just as Su Shiye could—would she be willing to go this far?
The answer was a resounding no.
She was willing to do this solely because of her guilt toward him, and her love.
But she no longer had the right to speak of love to him.
"If doing this makes you happy, then I am willing to do it. There are no external reasons."
"So, you think this sort of thing makes me happy?" Su Shiye let out a cold sneer. "This is just a bit of fun. You don't actually think I still have feelings for you, do you?"
"Of course not."
"To prevent you from overthinking, let me be clear—I have no interest in the current you. I’ve remained single all these years simply because I’ve been busy with work, and because I’ve found that women are all the same in the end—a bit tedious. Don't go thinking I stayed single because I couldn't forget you."
"I know. I’m not overthinking it." Fanli placed her hands on her knees. Though kneeling, her back was ramrod straight. "By the way, this is my first time doing something like this. If it isn't comfortable enough, please don't blame me."
"Your first time? Now I am even more certain of what kind of person you are. For the sake of Light Sea, you truly will do anything. Anything at all. How spectacular." Su Shiye smiled, but his pupils were devoid of light. "The fact that I actually proposed to a woman like you... I’m quite spectacular myself."
Fanli didn't respond; she simply reached out to unbuckle his belt. But he moved away.
Realizing he hadn't achieved the effect of humiliating her, he clicked his tongue. "Forget it. I still prefer sensual women with a bit of flair. High Priestess Sui is so dignified that, forgive me, I simply can't find the interest." With that, he turned and walked away.
***
Gexi felt terrible. Su Shiye had disappeared for a long time before re-entering through a side door. She had slipped out through that same door, only to find Fanli leaning against a pillar, lost in thought.
Like Kannai and Feng Jin before her, Gexi had been told from the start that this was not a monogamous relationship and wouldn't necessarily lead to marriage. Every time Su Shiye expanded his territory, he inevitably flirted with new beauties, leaving them dazed and infatuated. Before meeting Su Shiye, some of those women had been paragons of virtue, but once they encountered him, they quickly surrendered, practically stripping themselves bare to wait for him in bed.
Yet Su Shiye’s behavior was exceptionally strange. He acted like a lecherous old man who teased but never touched, often handing the beauties over to his subordinates.
Later, Gexi heard whispers from old subordinates like Aize. They said that four hundred years ago, in Light Sea, he had been swindled of his heart and body by a woman who ultimately betrayed him. As a result, he had lost interest in women as a species, focusing all his energy on building the empire.
*Just a woman from Light Sea,* Gexi had initially thought, dismissive of the rumors. She had confidence in her beauty. As long as she stayed by his side and cared for his daughter, she would be his final destination.
But after seeing Fanli, she no longer thought so.
If "that woman" was Fanli... that was truly terrifying.
Gexi immediately found the Director of the Citizens' House, pulled him into a corner, and told him what she had seen.
The Abyssal Empire operated under a bicameral system: the House of Elites and the House of Citizens. The former consisted mainly of Su Shiye’s followers, while the latter was mostly comprised of local Abyssal leaders. The Director of the Citizens' House also served as the Parliamentary Minister of Finance and was Gexi’s primary backer. He was the former Prime Minister of the nation of Naixi. Because the Empire’s finances were largely controlled by the Royal Treasurer, Sephion, the Director’s role was largely ceremonial and carried little weight in the House of Citizens.
However, ever since Su Shiye and Gexi got together, the Speaker of the House of Citizens began to take the Director and his connections seriously. On the first day Su Shiye showed interest in Gexi, the Director nearly slapped himself silly, unable to believe the Naixi nobility had regained a chance at power so quickly. He had guided Gexi step-by-step in seducing Su Shiye, teaching her how to please a man and how to play hard to get—tricks she had never even used on her ex-husband.
What did this mean? Not only had they made a comeback, but they might even reach the pinnacle of power in the Dark Sea!
Now, he was full of hope for good news, only to be struck by a bolt from the blue.
"What?! His Majesty and Sui? Impossible! Sui’s husband is Moir Hejo, and she and His Majesty had such a massive falling out back then, how could..." The Director’s voice spiked before he quickly composed himself, thinking. "No. Wait, let me think..."
Granted, Moir Hejo possessed more than just money; he had the distinguished aura that came with success and wisdom. He was a pure-blooded Poseidonian—handsome, humorous, and well-bred. Even without his status, any woman in the Dark Sea would find him charming just by looking at his photo.
But compared to His Majesty Su Shiye? Setting aside his status as the Red Moon Emperor, Su Shiye possessed a dashing appearance enough to make any married woman stray. Even the Director’s own wife had once foolishly whispered to her friend behind his back: "I love my husband, but if I had the chance to sleep with His Majesty Su Shiye for a bit of fun—purely physical, nothing emotional—it would be a wonderful spice in this boring life." He had been so angry he nearly printed divorce papers on the spot. But then he realized the Emperor wouldn't look twice at her anyway, so he let it go.
If even his middle-aged wife would say such things...
High Priestess Sui was a world-renowned beauty from Light Sea. Given their equal yet opposing statuses, what were the odds of her and the Emperor catching each other's eye?
The Director felt a headache coming on. "This is truly difficult. Su Shiye is a monarch of great vision. To achieve his goals, he can set aside past grievances and focus on the task at hand. If his goal is an alliance with Light Sea, it makes sense for him to want a good relationship with Sui."
"What should we do now?" Gexi asked with a long face. "I don't know how to deal with Sui. To be honest, seeing her makes me feel so anxious, I..."
"Don't panic. Having a good relationship doesn't mean His Majesty is going to steal someone else's wife. If Sui and His Majesty truly had an affair, it would be a scandal if exposed. Let’s observe slowly. Don't be hasty. It might just be your sensitivity."
"Is... is that so?" Hope flickered in Gexi’s eyes.
"But don't get ahead of yourself. There’s something I must tell you: His Majesty Su Shiye will not marry you. Therefore, the best outcome for you is to stay by his side, bear his children—as many as possible—and actively let him go out and play. Let him be fickle and have flings with countless women. Once he grows accustomed to such a life, he won't feel the urge to give the Empire a Queen."
Despite his long explanation, she only caught the key point: "Why won't he marry me?"
"Do you have Sui’s background? Your anxiety told you the truth. If you want to be with a man so much stronger than you, you can only be a mistress. Don't even think about marriage."
"I don't believe it. There were so many rivals before, and didn't you teach me how to defeat them? Since His Majesty chose me over them, you can teach me how to make him marry me..."
"That was defeating rivals who were also potential mistresses. You have the capital for that. But to become Queen? Even if you were a debate champion and an Endless Film Festival Best Actress combined, it wouldn't be possible. Stop daydreaming. Just keep a close eye on His Majesty and try to minimize the frequency of their meetings."
This conversation left Gexi feeling utterly depressed. A moment later, she spotted Su Li chatting and laughing in the crowd. She tugged at Su Li’s sleeve and leaned in to whisper, "Princess, there’s some bad news about your father. Do you want to know?"
Su Li’s expression tightened instantly. "What is it?"
"Promise me you won't say I told you."
"Fine."
"He’s being targeted by our enemy." Gexi lowered her voice even further. "Sui likes your father. Even though she has a husband, she might want to divorce him to marry into the Abyss. You know how many times that woman has been married; you should know how manipulative she is. When the time comes, your father might stop loving you."
"Disgusting!" Su Li turned around in a rage. "Who does she think she is? My dad would never look at her!"
With that, she stormed over to Fanli, fuming.
"The High Priestess of Light Sea certainly thinks highly of herself." Su Li crossed her arms. "I was wondering why you’d attend my birthday party when you clearly don't like me. Turns out you had other motives."
"I don't dislike you," Fanli said with a gentle smile. "The Red Moon Princess is so lovely. They say you’re the most beautiful woman in the Dark Sea, don't they?"
Fanli’s beauty was already overwhelming, and her smile was like a breath of fresh air. Being praised by such a beauty was like drinking a magic potion. Su Li faltered, wanting to remain tough, but her momentum vanished. She instinctively looked at Gexi for help.
If Gexi had felt any lingering reverence for Fanli before, she was now certain that this High Priestess Sui, draped in the skin of a goddess, was her enemy. She glanced at her friend, Nini. Nini adjusted the fur shawl on her shoulders, lifted the hem of her black evening gown, and stepped elegantly between Su Li and Fanli.
"High Priestess, your husband just came to our Princess’s birthday party. What, you didn't even plan to see him before letting him go back alone?"
"My husband?" Fanli frowned.
"Yes, Mrs. Moir."
"What? Hejo was here?"
"It seems the two of you aren't as close as the news portrays." Nini wore a thin, fake smile. "I suppose you’ve married just about every powerful person in Light Sea. Finding an even better match must be difficult. Actually, I understand you. For a woman of such high status, finding a partner is hard. So, even if it means sacrificing geographical convenience, you’d want to find a man of high enough status who can bring you more benefits, right?"
She spoke at length and not quietly, drawing the attention of many.
"What are you talking about..." Fanli murmured. She looked at Gexi and quickly understood: Gexi was trying to protect her territory and drive her away. Having no desire to argue, Fanli simply shook her head with a smile. "You’re overthinking things." She turned to leave.
However, her path was blocked by two other women. They were Gexi’s friends, both from the Flame Demon tribe—quite beautiful, though a tier below Gexi.
"Sister Sui, could you help answer my question?" Nini looked at her with a pitiful expression. "We’re all women here; let’s have a heart-to-heart."
"Everything you’ve said is just your own assumption. I am here for work."
Just then, Gexi pulled Su Shiye over. Ignoring Fanli entirely, she leaned into his embrace like a delicate bird. Nini crossed her arms and said aggressively, "Work? Your last husband, the one before that, and the one before that—were they all part of your 'work'? When do you plan to schedule your next job?"
Fanli was already annoyed seeing the two of them so intimate, and these questions only made it worse. "This has nothing to do with you. You’re overstepping."
Qusha, Aize, and Chancellor Huange all cast curious glances their way. But men either don't understand the silent wars between women or simply don't want to get burned. Even though Qusha felt sympathetic toward Fanli, he didn't know how to intervene.
However, Nini was intent on humiliating her, pressing on relentlessly. "What made you come all this way to throw yourself at someone in Baman Boya? What makes you think a man would give up a clean woman who marries for love to be with you? Is it confidence?"
Fanli was never good at romantic power plays. Faced with such questioning, she didn't know how to respond other than with a cold refusal. And that approach clearly wasn't working. Many guests were watching and whispering.
"I’m sorry, I don't wish to discuss this further. Excuse me."
"Feeling embarrassed? If you’re embarrassed, then get this straight: I don't care if you’re a High Priestess or some fancy Academician—stay away from other people's boyfriends! 'High Priestess Sui'!"
At that moment, a gentle female voice rang out from behind Fanli.
"There is a type of woman who carries herself so lowly that even if a man won't give her marriage, she shamelessly tries to climb the ranks. There is a type of woman so delusional that even if a man isn't faithful, she will kneel on the ground and chase away every beautiful woman in the world just to beg for a moment of his pity. She calls it 'not for a political union,' when in reality, she simply *can't* get married... Oh dear, it’s truly hard to understand the mindset of such women."
Fanli thought she was hallucinating. Her ears practically perked up. But the murmurs of the crowd grew louder, and everyone’s gaze shifted behind her. She turned around and found it wasn't an illusion—the Lady standing at the door, looking like a celestial being in a white dress, was indeed Shengti Fengjin.
"Fengjin, why are you here..."
Fanli hadn't seen Fengjin in a while and missed her dearly. She moved to hug her, but Fengjin was full of fighting spirit tonight and had no time for pleasantries. She grabbed Fanli’s hand, tucked her behind her back like a child, and whispered, "I’ll handle this little matter."
Then, Fengjin raised her soft, harmless eyes and said softly, "Sui-Sui, tell me, why can't you empathize with the heart of a girl like this?"
Hearing the tone of Fengjin’s opening, Gexi’s circle of friends sensed trouble. They exchanged glances—this Shengti Fengjin was on a completely different level than High Priestess Sui.
Gexi decided to ignore Fengjin and focus on her target. She looked as if she were about to cry, leaning into Su Shiye’s chest and sobbing, "Your Majesty, I love you. Even if I lose you in the end, being with you for even one day makes me happy. I would never leave you for a political marriage. Even if you were penniless one day, I wouldn't abandon you for politics..."
Su Shiye merely smiled, appearing to understand everything yet caring about nothing, his thoughts unreadable.
Clearly, Gexi was using her old tricks again—repeatedly emphasizing "love" to highlight her own nobility and belittle Fanli’s political marriages.
Fengjin sneered inwardly. *When you lack background, you use 'love' to compensate.* How many of Su Shiye’s past women had used this same pathetic tactic?
She could see that Fanli didn't want to make a scene, but Fengjin wasn't afraid. In fact, she loved nothing more than testing her skills against a fellow "green tea."
"Some girls are born to have it so easy, aren't they? They can just throw themselves into love," Fengjin sighed softly, elegantly smoothing her snow-white hair. "She can mock political marriage with abandon because she doesn't even dare mention marriage to the man she’s clinging to. My dear, to look down on something, you must first possess it. How does the saying go? Ah, yes: 'Better to be a rich man's concubine than a poor man's wife.' These days, being one of many lovers is called 'love,' isn't it?"
Fanli winced, feeling that those words hit right where it hurt. She couldn't help but look at Gexi. Sure enough, Gexi’s face was pale. "I was born for love! I’ve done nothing wrong! Some women might have higher status and more resources than I do, but their heads are so full of profit that they’ve probably forgotten what love is supposed to look like. I have nothing to give my lover but this sincere heart. I’m useless, I’m just a weak woman who failed the choices of two monarchs, boohoo..."
"At least you have some self-awareness; you are indeed quite weak. Knowing you aren't a match for him yet still trying to steal the spotlight—just how desperate for attention are you? Hmm? My sweet little sister."
"How am I stealing the spotlight?!" Gexi cried out. "Is it wrong to pursue true love?!"
"How touching." Fengjin held Fanli’s hand, pretending to be moved as she dabbed at her eyes. "Every day it’s love, love, love. Marrying for love, living for love, throwing yourself at men for love, dying for love. Sui-Sui, tell me, as fellow girls, how does someone have so much time and such a lack of love? Are girls like us—born into traditional families, with our parents providing every security of spirit, status, reputation, and wealth—a bit boring? After all, we even save physical intimacy for after marriage. I truly... envy how they can burn with passion for love every single time."
Fanli couldn't help but press a hand to her forehead.
She had known Fengjin for years and knew exactly what she was like, but she was still stunned by her "tea-infused" rhetoric. In one short paragraph, she had attacked the opponent’s psychological flaws, family background, relationship history, and upbringing. It was a total sweep, a massacre. Though Gexi was malicious, she was clumsy, only knowing how to harp on Fanli’s marital history. By comparison, she looked like a toddler.
Gexi’s face flushed red and then turned white. She would likely be traumatized the next time she even thought about the phrase "born for love."
"Stop lying. You’re hundreds of years old; why are you pretending to be a virgin?" Nini was nearly exploding with rage. Dropping her act, she tried to pivot to a feminist stance. "What era is this? Is it so hard for a woman to face her past honestly?"
"She really is something," Aize whispered. "Shengti Fengjin is a Lady of the Winter Sea. Her status there is the same as the Red Moon Princess’s here. No man dares to be disrespectful to her; only a male Poseidonian descendant of the purest blood is qualified to marry her."
That simple statement made Nini’s face turn hot and cold; she looked like a clown.
Hearing this, Su Li stood frozen like a level-one novice dropped into a map full of max-level players, completely bewildered.
Fanli couldn't help but marvel once again: there are masters in every field. One must always maintain a sense of reverence for unfamiliar domains. Here, she paid her respects to the number one "Green Tea" of Light Sea—no, the number one of the entire ocean—Princess Fengjin.
Then, Fengjin delivered one final blow, her ultimate "tea art" finishing move.
"By the way, His Majesty Su Shiye’s beautiful girlfriend seems to love bringing up our Sui-Sui’s political marriages. That makes me curious about something. Did you know? Sui has a habit: she never sleeps with a man who isn't her husband." She smiled at Gexi. "So, tell me, you claim to be constantly in love and that your love is so great—has Sui married more men, or have you slept with more?"
Gexi’s face was now as white as paper. "You... you... you... for a Lady of your status, how can you even say such things?"
"Afraid to answer? Then you must have loved quite a lot of people." Fengjin shrugged. "By the way, Sui sometimes doesn't even sleep with her husbands; everyone in Light Sea knows that. If one day she sleeps with a man without being married, it would probably mean she’s found her true love."
Fengjin paused deliberately, as if giving Su Shiye time to process this, before smiling again. "Regrettably, no such person exists. So, you needn't worry about her stealing your man. After all, some women pursue the stars and the sea; they don't spend their lives wandering between love and sex."
Su Shiye knew that, were it not for his own exceptional existence, everything Fengjin said was the truth.
Though Fanli married frequently, she was exceptionally conservative regarding sex.
He couldn't possibly expose Fengjin’s lie, but he found himself remembering Fanli giving him her first time—both as a sea-dweller and a land-dweller. His brow furrowed, and he instinctively looked toward her.
But Fanli had already been led away by Fengjin.
***
**Glossary**
