Tang Bao closed her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling.
Yes, dignity.
What does dignity mean in the face of absolute power and the desire to survive?
They were once the pride of heaven, and they had their own kind of pride. But in Lin Feng's kingdom, their pride is ridiculously cheap.
"I understand." Tang Bao opened her eyes, her once gentle gaze now filled with a resolute determination. "Are you... ready?"
Shen Jiaqi and Ruan Mengtian exchanged a glance, both seeing the same resolute determination in each other's eyes.
They nodded emphatically.
“Okay.” Tang Bao took a deep breath: “Jiaqi, you are the richest among us, go and prepare a ‘gift’. A gift that will amaze him, even though he is used to seeing rare treasures.”
"Understood." Shen Jiaqi immediately understood.
“Mengtian,” Tangbao turned to Ruan Mengtian, “you are in charge of managing the relationships around Chengtian Hall to ensure that my request for an audience can be delivered to the leader’s desk as quickly and without obstacles as possible.”
“Leave it to me.” Ruan Mengtian’s tone also became calm.
“Then…” Tang Bao stood up, her gaze sweeping over the two of them: “I will arrange the audience. We… are going to offer our most precious loyalty.”
This dinner, which would determine the future fate of three women, ended in an atmosphere of tragic grandeur and intense desire.
They all knew very well that what was about to happen was a huge gamble.
If they win the gamble, they will gain the security and real power they've always dreamed of, becoming part of the pinnacle of this kingdom.
If they lose the bet, they will be doomed.
Two days later, at Chengtian Hall.
This miraculous palace, suspended in the air, has now become a forbidden area for the entire kingdom.
No one may enter without Lin Feng's personal summons.
Tang Bao stood before the magnificent palace gate, feeling even more nervous than when facing the most surging tide of beasts.
Today she was wearing a well-fitting white suit, the standard uniform of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, which made her look capable yet feminine. But her palms were already soaked with sweat.
Behind her, two royal guards pushed a huge box made of an unknown alloy.
The box is dark gold in color, with intricate and exquisite patterns carved on its surface, and it gleams with a mysterious luster under the light.
This "gift box" was created overnight by Shen Jiaqi using the most skilled craftsmen in his group and a huge amount of precious metals.
After going through layers of notification and rigorous checks, Tang Bao finally received permission to have an audience.
“Minister Sugar, the leader is waiting for you at the ‘Observatory’.” An expressionless housekeeper led her through a long corridor covered with a scarlet carpet.
On the walls on both sides of the corridor hang giant oil paintings, all depicting scenes praising Lin Feng's great achievements: from initially awakening telekinesis, to slaying giant beasts, to establishing a sanctuary, and finally, his reign over the world.
Each painting depicts Lin Feng as a god descended to earth, full of power and majesty.
Tang Bao lowered her head, not daring to look any longer.
The Star-Gazing Platform is an open-air platform at the highest point of Chengtian Hall.
There are no luxurious decorations here, only a floor paved with pure obsidian that shines like a mirror. In the center of the platform sits a seemingly ordinary recliner, which is actually carved from a single piece of warm jade.
Lin Feng lay there casually, wearing only a loose silk robe with the collar slightly open, revealing his muscular chest.
He closed his eyes, seemingly dozing, his face expressionless.
Su Wanqing was not by his side, Qin Lan was not there, and even Qian Xiaoxiao was not there.
On the empty platform, there was only him and the endless sky. That aloofness and oppressive aura that transcended all living beings made it almost impossible for Tang Bao to breathe.
"Leader." Tang Bao stopped ten meters away from him and bowed respectfully.
Lin Feng didn't open his eyes, but simply gave a faint "hmm".
"Your Majesty, Minister of the Ministry of People's Livelihood, Tang Bao, has an important matter to report." Tang Bao tried his best to keep his voice steady.
"Speak," Lin Feng said, his tone tinged with laziness and impatience.
He's losing interest in those tedious official duties. Every day, countless people want to see him, reporting all sorts of trivial matters that he considers insignificant.
"It concerns...the future well-being of the kingdom."
Tang Bao carefully considered his words: "Your Majesty, I observed the celestial phenomena last night... Ahem, while studying the kingdom's population data, I discovered that although our population is growing rapidly under the wise guidance of our leader,... the genetic diversity of the higher-ups seems to be somewhat lacking."
"For the sake of the kingdom's long-lasting prosperity and to ensure the supreme status of our bloodline, I believe that there should be more outstanding women to...bear children for Your Majesty."
These words were said with great care, flattering the visitor, clarifying the purpose of the visit, and packaging it under the grand guise of "serving the country and the people."
Lin Feng finally slowly opened his eyes.
His eyes were as deep as the starry sky, without a ripple.
He just stared at Tang Bao quietly, as if he could see right through her, inside and out.
Under his gaze, Tang Bao felt that all her thoughts and schemes were laid bare. She involuntarily lowered her head, unable to meet his eyes.
"So, this is your 'important matter'?" Lin Feng's voice was soft, but it struck Tang Bao's heart like a heavy hammer: "You, the Minister of People's Livelihood, are now starting to care about my private life?"
"Your Majesty dares not!" Tang Bao's legs went weak with fear, and she almost knelt on the ground. "Your Majesty... Your Majesty is only... only worried about the future of the kingdom!"
"Worried about the future of the kingdom?" Lin Feng's lips curled into a half-smile. "I think you're worried about your own future."
With just one sentence, Tang Bao's entire facade was shattered.
Her face turned deathly pale instantly.
“Tang Bao, Tang Bao,” Lin Feng sat up straight, his gaze falling on the huge alloy box behind her, “Do you really think I don’t know about your little tricks with Shen Jiaqi and Ruan Mengtian? Do you think you can hide every word you said in the Tranquil Garden from anyone?”
boom!
Tangbao's mind went blank.
So... he knew everything. Their self-righteous secret plot was nothing more than a poorly staged play in his eyes.
Their fears, their ambitions, their struggles—all were under his watchful eye.
Boundless fear and despair instantly overwhelmed Tangbao.
She finally understood what kind of being she was facing. It was not a mortal monarch who could be manipulated or flattered, but a god who truly controlled everything.
"Open your 'gift' and let me see it." Lin Feng's tone remained calm, yet carried an undeniable command.
Tang Bao's body trembled uncontrollably. She mechanically turned around and waved to the two guards who were already pale with fright.
The guards quickly stepped forward and used a special key to unlock the alloy box.
"Buzz!"
With a soft hydraulic sound, the front wall of the box slowly opened downwards, forming a ramp.
Inside the box was the softest white down from an alien "cloud beast".
Two stunningly beautiful women were kneeling between them in a humiliating yet alluring pose.
It was Shen Jiaqi and Ruan Mengtian.
They shed their powerful and capable demeanor as business queens, now wearing only light, semi-transparent gauze dresses.
Shen Jiaqi's long black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, making her skin appear even whiter than snow, and her eyes held a hint of resentment and determination.
Ruan Mengtian buried her head in her arms, her body trembling slightly, revealing the smooth and beautiful curves of her back, making her look pitiful.
They were like the most beautiful spoils of war presented to a triumphant general in ancient Rome, exuding an aura of waiting to be conquered and possessed.
It must be said that the visual impact of this scene is enormous.
Any normal man would feel his blood boil upon seeing two business queens, who are usually high and mighty, being presented to him like female slaves.
However, Lin Feng's face still held that playful, cat-and-mouse smile.
His gaze swept over Shen Jiaqi and Ruan Mengtian, and finally landed on Tang Bao, whose face was ashen.
He spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but it clearly carried throughout the entire observatory, shattering Tang Bao's last shred of dignity.
"Does this gift of yours... include yourself?"
Time stood still at that moment.
Tang Bao shuddered violently, as if struck by lightning from head to toe.
She suddenly looked up and stared at Lin Feng in disbelief.
His eyes were cold and aggressive, as if he were admiring an interesting toy and deciding how to play with it.
Humiliation, the ultimate humiliation.
A thousand thoughts flashed through Tang Bao's mind. Rebel? Denounce his shamelessness? And then what? Be wiped off the face of the earth like an ant being crushed?
She thought of the desperate yet hopeful eyes of Shen Jiaqi and Ruan Mengtian. She thought of her own fear of the future. She thought of the earth-shattering power this man possessed.
All pride, all restraint, all bottom lines were crushed to pieces at this moment.
With a "plop".
Tang Bao's knees buckled, and she knelt heavily on the cold, hard obsidian floor.
She lowered her head deeply, pressed her forehead to the ground, and with all her might, squeezed out a few trembling, tearful syllables from her throat:
"Please...please...grace."
As soon as she finished speaking, she seemed to have all her strength drained away and collapsed to the ground.
Her tears, which she could no longer hold back, fell silently, soaking the ground beneath her.
"Hahaha...hahahaha!"
Lin Feng finally let out a low, hearty laugh.
Laughter echoed across the empty observatory, filled with the triumph and satisfaction of the victors.
He slowly stood up and walked step by step toward Tang Bao, who was kneeling on the ground, and his two most beautiful "gifts" that he had just received.
The night wind blew his wide silk robes, making him look like a god-king inspecting his spoils.
That night, the lights in Chengtian Hall stayed on all night long.
As for what happened on the observatory, no one knows, and no one dares to inquire.
All people know is that starting the next day, three women who were once influential figures—Minister of People's Livelihood Tang Bao, business queen Shen Jiaqi, and luxury goods tycoon Ruan Mengtian—disappeared from the public eye.
They were neither exiled nor deprived of their wealth.
On the contrary, their companies and businesses flourished even more rapidly with the support of the kingdom's policies. However, no one ever saw them personally attend any public events again.
Inside Chengtian Palace, Lin Feng's harem now has three new mistresses.
Tang Bao still holds the title of Minister of People's Livelihood, but she has moved her office from the Ministry of People's Livelihood building to a side hall inside Chengtian Hall.
She spends half of her time each day dealing with those complicated documents and data, and then spends the rest of her time washing away her makeup, putting on a graceful long dress, and waiting for that man's summons at any time, just like other women.
Shen Jiaqi and Ruan Mengtian, on the other hand, completely gave up their business empire.
Their empires are managed by professional teams of managers; they only need to sign a few documents when necessary.
Their lives became simpler than ever before—or rather, emptier. Their daily task was to learn how to please Lin Feng.
They learned ancient court dances from Earth, exotic musical instruments from other planets, the most relaxing massage techniques, and how to cook all sorts of incredible delicacies.
Their world was shrunk to the magnificent, golden cage that was the Chengtian Palace. They gained the security they had always dreamed of, but they also completely lost themselves.
The harem wars, with the arrival of three new members, instantly entered a white-hot phase.
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