Chapter 46

Chapter 46: Human Relations

Leng Jiu raised an eyebrow: “What if I told you I personally designed that place and own half of it? Would that convince you?”

Mo Zhai and Mo Yi Na exchanged a surprised glance, but soon composed themselves. Knowing Leng Jiu was no ordinary person, this revelation didn’t seem so strange after all.

Leng Jiu, seeing them reassured, patted Mo Yi Na on the shoulder: “Come on! While I still have time, let’s start your training.”

“Training?”

Leng Jiu’s eyebrows rose: “What do you think that place is? Or do you think just dancing will attract men and elevate your position?”

Mo Yi Na blushed slightly: “Well... but...”

“If you can't even overcome your shyness, then I might consider finding someone else. I have no expectations from someone who can’t even conquer herself!” Leng Jiu’s voice was devoid of emotion.

Mo Yi Na bit her lip: “I will try my best!”

Mo Zhai felt out of place and turned to leave, but Leng Jiu stopped him: “You need to sit here and watch!”

Reluctantly sitting down, Mo Zhai heard Leng Jiu instruct Mo Yi Na: “Now! Take off your clothes!”

“Ah?” Mo Yi Na opened her mouth in disbelief, glancing at Mo Zhai, who sat there like a statue: “But my brother is here!”

Leng Jiu nonchalantly rested her chin on her hand: “There are only the three of us in this room. If you can’t dare to undress here, how will you handle being watched by many? Remember, beauty is a woman’s greatest weapon. In that kind of place, the bolder and more enchanting the seductress, the more she attracts attention, and the more men willingly succumb to her allure!”

Mo Yi Na, her face flushed, then bravely began to undress as if resigned to her fate.

"Enough!" Mo Zhai grabbed her hand, stopping her with a mix of anger and warmth, looking at Leng Jiu, "Isn't there another way? She's a princess; how can she do such a base thing?"

"Base?" Leng Jiu stood up, lightly brushing a strand of hair to her chest, her fingers skimming her eyes, turning her clear, cold eyes into seductive, narrow phoenix eyes. The simple gesture was incredibly languid and elegant, captivating anyone who saw it.

Leng Jiu slowly approached Mo Zhai, never breaking eye contact. She stepped closer, then stood on tiptoe, placing her hand on his shoulder, sliding it down to his chest, and kissed his icy thin lips, followed by a bite, full of ambiguity, "Is this what you call base?"

As Leng Jiu's voice faded, Mo Zhai snapped out of his daze, pushing her away abruptly and retreating several steps, his face cold as frost, but his heaving chest betrayed his emotions.

Leng Jiu dropped her seductive demeanor, her eyes clear and cool, "If I had intended to kill you just now, Mo Zhai, do you think you could have escaped?"

Mo Zhai looked troubled.

Leng Jiu glanced at Mo Yi Na, whose mouth was agape in disbelief, then turned to Mo Zhai, "This is what happens when you underestimate others. Besides, I didn't teach Mo Yi Na to entertain with her charm; it's to save her life. If she can't let go in such a place and lacks the skills to navigate it, it's like throwing her into the tiger’s den!"

"One last thing," Leng Jiu said coolly, "From today, there are no princes or princesses here. If you want to regain your pride, show me something worth it. Don't talk to me about status unless you can back it up. And I hope this is the last time I hear such talk from you!"

Mo Zhai left with a somber face, while Mo Yi Na tugged at Leng Jiu's sleeve, "Please don't be mad at my brother; he's just worried about me."

"Worry is one thing, but he must have the awareness of what's at stake. Otherwise, he will never achieve anything great," Leng Jiu sighed, then asked, "Still want to learn?"

Mo Yi Na blushed but nodded firmly, "I want to learn!" She leaned in excitedly, gossiping, "You just kissed my brother! I've never seen a girl kiss him before. He always hated women's touch, but he blushed when you kissed him! I admire you so much, so I must learn!"

Leng Jiu twitched her eyelid, speechless, "Just for that reason?"

Mo Yi Na nodded vigorously, "Just for that, I must learn!"

Leng Jiu sighed again, resigning herself to the situation.

Leng Jiu spent the afternoon teaching Mo Yi Na. As a princess from the grasslands, Mo Yi Na was unrestrained and knew little of court etiquette, her dance full of the grasslands' fiery spirit, far from seductive. Leng Jiu's goal was to soften her tough spirit from the inside out.

Leng Jiu once had a teacher who specialized in teaching women how to captivate men. Despite being over fifty, she exuded elegance and allure, attracting men's gaze wherever she went. From her, Leng Jiu learned to change her aura at will, mastering various postures and atmospheres, which are key to genuine allure.

Innocence combined with seduction, charm yet purity, elegance mixed with flamboyance, cuteness veiled with enchantment – each contradictory blend irresistibly draws men’s attention.

To master these, one must focus on everything from body language to the slightest gaze or smile, even the subtlest finger movement. Leng Jiu didn’t expect Mo Yi Na to become like her, but if she could charm her surroundings, it would be enough for her to navigate those circles.

Mo Yi Na wasn't a slow learner, but she still gave Leng Jiu quite a challenge. It was evening by the time they finished, leaving Leng Jiu feeling dizzy and exhausted.

The streets after the rain were clean, the breeze carrying a refreshing earthy scent. Leng Jiu looked up at the sky, preparing to return to the palace. Driven by an unknown impulse, she didn't take the usual route through the Prime Minister's residence but chose another path back. The innocent man she had left behind must be deeply hurt. She owed him, and if there was a chance in the future, she would try to make it up to him.

Among the men she had known, Gong Yuxuan was the only one Leng Jiu genuinely didn't want to hurt, the one she would have chosen if she were an ordinary woman. She believed a life with him would have been happy, but she was Leng Jiu, the Empress Dowager, and she couldn't afford or accept such a man.

Disguised as a palace maid, Leng Jiu realized she had never been on this street before. It was a residential area for high-ranking officials, with grand mansions on either side. In the midst of these residences, she saw the 'Dingguo General's Mansion' and was startled by the bold red characters, not expecting to find herself there.