The Emperor, with more men than women, made me his mistress.

When Princess Consort Chen held her first banquet, the ladies from aristocratic families who received invitations checked into their own family's hot spring estates in the suburbs of Beijing the very first day. The next day, they arrived early, all dressed beautifully and accompanied by their husbands. Some ladies who did not receive invitations even sent their husbands to Princess Consort Chen's residence to ask Steward Lian for an invitation in person when they learned that Princess Consort Chen was going to hold a chrysanthemum appreciation banquet at her estate in the suburbs of Beijing.

As a result, almost all the wives of officials in Kyoto attended the chrysanthemum appreciation banquet hosted by Yue Li.

With so many people, it's natural that Yue Li doesn't need to personally entertain everyone. With Steward Lian from Prince Chen's residence and the four people from Feng Chuan who can represent her status outside, Yue Li only needs to chat and drink tea with Princess Xian, Princess Su, and the other princesses and ladies who are traveling with her.

The man was entertained by Shao Qi and the other three, along with Qing Yun and the other three who had specially returned for the banquet. The lively banquet then began.

The main attraction of the chrysanthemum appreciation banquet is, of course, the chrysanthemums themselves. There are chrysanthemums of various colors and varieties, and even tricolor chrysanthemums specially cultivated by flower farmers. They are transplanted into flowerpots and placed on the path by the lotus pond, where they look vibrant and beautiful.

Yue Li then had two empty courtyards prepared separately. One courtyard was for entertaining the men who accompanied her wife, and the other courtyard was for entertaining the ladies. She took out the mutton and mare's milk wine that she had bought on the grassland from her spatial storage.

She had the chef set up a grill in the yard to grill lamb skewers, along with all sorts of seafood she had stocked up on in Linjiang City.

Everyone ate barbecue and drank mare's milk wine while chatting and laughing.

People in Kyoto have also drunk mare's milk wine, but it's not authentic, so people prefer plum wine and peach blossom wine.

Upon tasting such authentic mare's milk wine for the first time, many ladies couldn't help but indulge in a few drinks.

Lian Xinran and Yin Xiyue naturally came as well. They sat around Yue Li, chatting and laughing, eating roasted meat and drinking mare's milk wine, completely losing the demeanor of a lady from a prominent family.

Ever since Yue Li gave her the medicine that cured her little girl, Yin Xiyue not only considered Yue Li a good friend, but also felt even more grateful, and their words and actions became closer.

Of course, Yue Li prepared more than just these. She also asked Feng Chuan to invite many courtesans from Le Xiang Ge and set up a stage by the lotus pond for everyone to watch the performance.

It's the perfect time of year now, with clear skies and crisp air. A gentle breeze has swept away the last vestiges of summer heat and brought the sweet fragrance of chrysanthemums.

Knowing that Princess Consort Chen was their young mistress, the manager of Lexiang Pavilion personally led a group of people over, all of whom were popular courtesans in Lexiang Pavilion.

The novel dances, musical performances, and singing captivated the ladies below. The main attraction, however, was the attractive men, all between 16 and 22 years old, with skin so delicate it seemed like it could be pinched to release moisture, naturally winning the ladies' favor.

Lian Xinran raised her chin and gestured towards Yue Li, indicating that she should look at the ladies present, who were all watching the courtesans dancing on the stage with great interest. "See? I'm afraid these people will all be redeemed before they even get back. These well-trained courtesans are much more interesting than the men you find to train them."

Upon hearing this, Yue Li nearly choked on her saliva. She looked at Lian Xinran with surprise and asked, "Didn't you say last time that you didn't have a pet yet? How come you've taken a liking to one too?"

Lian Xinran waved her hands repeatedly, "I'm still far from it. My husbands are all still strong and healthy, and we're not at the point where we need to keep pets yet."

Lian Xinran's husbands range from older to younger than her. At this age, she's in her prime, and it's better to sleep with her husband than to date those greenhorns.

Yin Xiyue and the ladies sitting near them listened and smiled, then began to comment on the dancers on stage, saying which one was more beautiful, which one looked like she had a strong waist and hips, and which one had long arms and legs and was suitable to be hugged and slept with.

As Yue Li looked at them one by one as they spoke, she thought that as expected of a woman who had been around men, she could tell at a glance which man could make people feel comfortable and which man was just a pretty face.

Yue Li listened to these dignified and elegant ladies making lewd jokes, her ears turning red, yet she couldn't help but tilt her head to listen further.

As soon as the dance ended, Yue Li quickly interrupted the ladies and gave the performers on stage a reward.

Everyone here is well-off, so when they see a show or performer they like, they naturally don't hesitate to spend money. They throw silver ingots onto the stage, and the performers on stage immediately bow in gratitude.

After the chrysanthemum appreciation banquet, Yue Li and Shao Qi settled down at the manor. When they had nothing to do, they would stroll around the manor or instruct Shao Qi on how to use the spirit sword.

Just as Shao Qi was finally able to control the spirit sword with his mind and make it fly in the air, Jin Chenyuan also emerged from seclusion.

Yue Li calculated the time it would take Shao Qi to advance to the Foundation Establishment stage for Jin Chenyuan, but she didn't expect Jin Chenyuan to emerge from seclusion ahead of schedule.

When Yue Li sensed that the trace of her divine consciousness left in the valley had been touched, she immediately brought Shao Qi back, opened the protective shield, and retrieved the defensive array plate. She then saw Jin Chenyuan, who had an even more otherworldly air about him than before, walking slowly out of the cave.

His aura was also more lingering, and looking into his deep and wise eyes, Yue Li couldn't help but be captivated. Of course, it would have been even better if it weren't for the faint sour smell wafting from the cave.

Yue Li covered her nose and backed away, her eyes full of disgust.

Jin Chenyuan, who was originally overjoyed to see Yue Li after leaving the pass, turned helpless. He looked at Yue Li with doting eyes but did not move closer to her. Instead, he said, "Ah Li, why don't you go to the valley for some fresh air first? I'll tidy up the cave and come right away."

He has already advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage and spent several days consolidating his foundation, so there is no need for them to stay in the valley for the rest of the time.

"Alright then!" Yue Li didn't hesitate and turned around to walk into the valley.

Shao Qi watched from the side, a smug look on his face. See? A Yue doesn't just dislike him. Back when he had just successfully established his foundation, A Yue disliked him and he was sad for a long time. Now it's Prince Chen's turn. He just wanted to laugh.

Following behind Yue Li, she raised an eyebrow at Jin Chenyuan, who was standing still, and then walked away step by step.

Jin Chenyuan's well-defined fingers quickly formed hand seals and cast several cleansing spells into the cave. He glanced at Shao Qi out of the corner of his eye and shook his head helplessly.

It's been over two years since I started following Yue Li, how come Shao Qi's personality hasn't changed at all!

Meanwhile, after nearly two months, Leng Xuanling finally returned to the capital of the Southern Kingdom with Leng Leyu and Hua Meiya.