Chapter 237: Took the Punishment for Master, Woof~ Drinking Milk in Front of the Empress (1)
Su Qing looked at her body, as tense and motionless as a sculpture, and spoke in a calm tone.
Shenyue's eyes were full of emotion after hearing those words.
That sense of safety from being protected was something she had never experienced before!
The Jade Pavilion Master remained silent, but her assessment of Su Qing rose another level.
She indeed knew Su Qing's identity and that he held the White Jade authority.
But seeing how young he looked, she had almost instinctively underestimated him.
After all, he was too young.
That was exactly why she had subconsciously tested him.
Not to mention anything else, his temperament was certainly up to standard.
But he not only saw through her test—he also completely ignored her aura of intimidation…
All she could say was that His Majesty hadn't misjudged him.
Su Qing slowly walked up to the kneeling Jade Pavilion Master.
He was a laid-back person by nature, always easygoing.
As long as others treated him with respect, he was actually quite tolerant.
This woman had perfectly missed that condition.
She came in trying to test him, and then tried to bully his woman.
If he could tolerate that, even he would look down on himself!
The older woman in a tight leather outfit stayed completely still, her head lowered.
Su Qing looked down at the Jade Pavilion Master and directly lifted her chin.
That teasing gesture made Shenyue's entire body tense up.
She stared intensely at her master, terrified she might act out of anger.
But the Jade Pavilion Master didn't get mad.
She didn't say a word and even looked rather obedient.
This reaction finally let the bodyguard breathe a sigh of relief.
At least, it looked like what she feared wouldn't hap—
Smack!
Her eyes went dull.
She even wanted to rub her eyes to check if she was hallucinating.
But once she realized it wasn't a hallucination, her instinct was to pull Su Qing behind her.
Why… why would he slap her master in the face like that!
Su Qing looked at the red mark on the Jade Pavilion Master's cheek, his expression unchanged.
It was like he'd just said hello—not like he'd done anything excessive.
The Jade Pavilion Master, who had just been slapped hard, tensed up for a moment but did nothing.
She didn't move, didn't speak, like she was really playing the role of a perfectly sculpted statue.
"I hate people who threaten mine the most. Even if she really did something wrong, who gave you the right to discipline her?"
"Since you already did something like that, are you ready to be punished as well?"
Su Qing's tone was serious.
Though not loud, his words carried an arrogant dominance that left Shenyue feeling overwhelmed with affection.
She instinctively grabbed his sleeve like a little pup who'd found her master.
And the older woman was equally shocked.
Those eyes behind the mask were filled with doubt and scrutiny.
If anything she did was truly improper, wasn't it the surprise attack on him?
But he didn't care about that at all—instead, he stood up for Shenyue?
"Since you're not speaking, I'll take that as agreement. Shenyue, the tools."
Su Qing waved a hand behind him.
Time to give her a little shock—just a way to vent for Shenyue.
Shenyue was a little dazed but handed over a small pouch she always carried.
As his personal bodyguard, she carried all kinds of items he might use.
Some were proper tools… and some were, well, hard to explain.
Su Qing directly opened the mysterious little tool kit and began rummaging.
After just a few seconds, he found what he wanted.
The Jade Pavilion Master's body grew even tenser as she saw what he pulled out.
She recognized it—it was clearly a collar, the kind only dogs wore!
"This is it. Would you do me the honor of playing a good puppy?"
"No choice—you scared me earlier with all that, really made me doubt your loyalty."
Su Qing smiled as he gently shook the collar.
The little bell on it let out a crisp jingle.
That faint sound stood out starkly in the open wild.
"Are you… joking?"
Such a humiliating request— even someone as obedient as the Jade Pavilion Master couldn't accept it.
Her voice trembled. She simply refused to take what he offered.
She had come prepared to accept any punishment for her actions.
But this—this she couldn't bring herself to do.
If she really put that thing on, she might really have to play the dog!
Shenyue looked torn, wanting to stop Su Qing but holding herself back out of trust.
Whatever he wanted to do, she would support him—there was no question.
Su Qing said nothing, just smiled down at the Jade Pavilion Master.
The mood suddenly grew heavy and still.
The Jade Pavilion Master had incredible mental discipline.
But under the boy's gaze, she couldn't help but feel an unbearable torment.
The oppressive pressure from a superior—it was pure torture for someone with a strong sense of duty.
And as time passed, the torment only deepened.
"Haha, just kidding. How could I treat my subordinate's master like that~?"
Su Qing flashed an innocent smile.
With those words, the previously tense and oppressive atmosphere disappeared in an instant.
The Jade Pavilion Master couldn't help but feel relieved, like she'd just dodged a bullet.
The moment that thought hit her, she realized something.
That humiliating suggestion earlier—it wasn' t really a punishment.
It was just a way to put pressure on her.
She had come to test Su Qing… but she was the one who ended up being completely handled.
To toy with hearts so effortlessly—he really didn't look that old!
The Pavilion Master was now filled with wariness toward Su Qing.
And when her eyes landed on her disciple hiding behind the young man, they were full of complicated emotions.
Following someone like that… was it a blessing or a curse?