Playing Ji Qing in the hot spring?

Karina held the child in her arms and walked proudly through the grand main gate.

Letia followed behind, every gesture showing her noble grace.

Lily couldn’t help but be fascinated.

She didn’t expect Letia to have such an elegant and rare side.

Lily must not lose — she couldn’t lose in aura to Letia.

She recalled the ancient palace dramas from her previous life, imitating Wu Zetian’s demeanor — graceful and dignified, walking with her head held high, looking like a member of the royal family.

The surrounding guards were all stunned.

Letia was also a little surprised.

She hadn’t expected Lily, who usually acted cute and spoiled, to behave like this.

She thought Lily would embarrass herself, but unexpectedly, she didn’t disgrace the dragon clan at all.

However, Letia’s emotions gradually calmed down.

Seeing Lily’s slightly showy demeanor only made Letia more certain — Lily was trying to rely on her child’s status to gain favor and wealth in the Dragon God’s story.

“I won’t let you succeed. When the daughter grows up, I’ll kick you out!”

Lily, meanwhile, became fascinated by the guards.

They carried long spears and wore pale-colored armor — but the armor’s design exposed large portions of their shoulders, midriff, and legs.

Could such armor really increase defense?

The guards, in turn, became fascinated by Lily.

They had already heard that Princess Letia had married a princess-consort with silver hair and blue eyes.

Lily’s appearance perfectly matched the rumors.

And since Her Majesty Karina was leading the way in front, there was no doubt — Lily must be the princess-consort!

Thus, the guards knelt down to her.

“Greetings, Your Highness Princess Consort!”

“Wah!” Lily jumped three feet high in fright.

“Wh-what, Princess Consort?”

“Are you not Her Majesty Letia’s beloved?”

“If you must put it that way… I suppose so…”

“Then you are the Princess Consort! Greetings, Your Highness!”

“Wah, please don’t bow like that!”

Tears welled up in Lily’s eyes as she waved her hands frantically, looking helplessly at Karina’s back.

Karina smiled kindly and waved for the guards to rise.

“Lily is a common-born girl. You need not be so formal. Just show her proper respect.”

Lily nodded rapidly, while the guards glanced at one another before finally standing up.

“As you command, Your Majesty Karina!”

Lily let out a deep sigh of relief and smiled softly.

Letia looked at Lily in surprise.

She thought Lily would act arrogantly once given power — commanding the guards as if she were royalty.

Unexpectedly, Lily seemed completely uninterested in power.

Could it be that she was wrong?

Lily didn’t want to climb high by relying on status?

Or was she pretending — trying to win her mother’s favor?

No, after being so close to Lily so many times, Letia could read her expressions precisely.

Lily truly looked troubled.

She really didn’t want to be associated with power.

If that’s the case, could it be that…

“Letia,” Karina’s calm voice interrupted, “what are you doing?”

“Eh? I…”

“Lily feels uncomfortable. Shouldn’t you help her?”

“Ah, um…”

Letia looked at Karina fearfully, then unwillingly turned to Lily.

With a sigh, she reached out her hand.

Lily hesitated, then placed her small hand in Letia’s palm.

Their fingers intertwined.

Lily’s face flushed red, but she quickly shook her head, pushing away her flustered thoughts.

Karina nodded in satisfaction and continued leading them forward.

Strangely, once Lily held Letia’s hand, her nervousness vanished.

She no longer felt timid before the guards.

Lily walked along the cobblestone path.

Pavilions, towers, and painted beams decorated the surroundings — breathtakingly beautiful, impossible to look away.

Green trees, rock gardens, flower beds, ponds, and long corridors surrounded the elegant pavilions.

It felt like she had stepped into ancient times.

Lily was mesmerized by the scenery.

Unknowingly, dusk had arrived, and the golden glow of sunset illuminated the palace.

It was strange — just this morning she had been playing with her daughter in Glintie’s room.

At noon, she went to Grandma Monet’s for fortune-telling.

And now, by afternoon, she had come to the legendary Dragon God’s story world.

She had even been teased twice by Letia on the griffin, leaving her feeling deeply embarrassed.

It was like being harassed by an older woman on the subway.

If not for her daughter, Lily would have shouted loudly — she wanted to tell Karina that Letia was a pervert, always touching her!

Still, somehow, Letia’s embrace felt… safe.

No, no — what was she thinking!

She would never fall for Letia!

Letia was terrible — always trying to “train” her.

Wasn’t it Letia who first took advantage of her?

No matter what, sins committed can’t be undone.

Even if Letia apologized, Lily would never forgive her.

Unless… no, there’s no “unless”! She would never forgive her!

Lily pouted angrily at Letia.

Letia, completely confused, wondered why Lily was suddenly mad again.

And why should she care, anyway?

All she needed to do was “train” Lily properly — watching her teary-eyed face was enough satisfaction.

“Lily,” Karina stopped walking. “You’ll be staying here for now.”

Lily blinked and looked around.

They stood before a small side courtyard in the vast palace.

Though the main building was single-storied, it gleamed with gold and grandeur, covering about 150 square meters.

The yard had flowerbeds, a swing, and two red maple trees — simple, serene, and filled with a gentle sense of happiness.

“This is Yonghe Palace,” Karina said. “Nearby are the imperial garden and the healing hot springs.”

“The decorations here are modest — I feared you wouldn’t be used to too much luxury, so I arranged this place for you.”

“Thank you for your kindness, Mother,” Lily replied softly.

“So obedient,” Karina smiled. “If only you were my daughter instead.”

Then she glared coldly at Letia.

Letia’s face twitched helplessly — she hadn’t even done anything!

It was all Lily’s fault — why did Mother always like her more?

“Mother, perhaps you should rest now?” Letia said with a forced smile. “I still need to help Lily get familiar with the surroundings — like the hot springs, for example?”

At the mention of hot springs, Letia shot Lily a teasing glance.

Lily shivered, her cheeks burning red.

Could it be that Letia wanted to… do that in the hot spring?

Lily thought Letia had no shame before, but she was even more indecent than expected!

Always teasing her — playing “wooden doll” games one moment, and now wanting to “stick close” in the hot springs?

How shameless!

Absolutely unacceptable — she must not let this pervert win!

“Mother, may I stay somewhere else instead?” Lily asked nervously.

“Why?” Karina asked in confusion.

Lily panicked — she couldn’t think of a reason.

She obviously couldn’t say, “Because I don’t want to be stuck with Letia in the hot springs.”

“She’s just shy,” Letia smoothly interrupted. “Lily feels embarrassed to bathe with me, so she wants to move farther away from the springs. Right, Lily?”

“T-that’s not it at all!” Lily blushed furiously.

But her flustered face only made her look even more adorable.

Karina raised her hand to her cheek, smiling gently at the “loving couple.”

Lily had no way to explain — it seemed she would once again fall victim to Letia’s teasing.