"You… this…?!"
Ninth Princess Zhao Linger stood frozen at the doorway, her eyes wide in disbelief. The candle slipped from her hand and fell to the ground.
Inside the room—
Young Master Shen stood there, a faint red mark visible on his neck. In front of him, Su Jiuli knelt gracefully, her black skirt slightly lifted at the front. Her long silver hair cascaded down, partially covering her nearly flawless face.
Her head was lowered.
A faint collar rested against her snow-white neck.
At that moment, all her pride and dignity seemed crushed—she knelt in a posture so humble it resembled that of a servant awaiting orders.
"This… what exactly are you two doing?!"
Zhao Linger covered her mouth, her voice trembling.
Young Master Shen turned his head and forced an awkward smile.
"It's not what you think! This damned succubus almost strangled me earlier!"
He hurried to explain, afraid of being misunderstood.
Zhao Linger finally steadied herself, but as a woman witnessing such a scene, she couldn't help but feel indignant.
"Who is she?""How did she get here?""And what did you do to her?!"
Three rapid questions left Shen Jinghong speechless.
After a pause, he replied simply:
"She's a servant I summoned to fight for me."
Hearing this, Su Jiuli slightly raised her head, as if about to speak—but Shen Jinghong shot her a glare, forcing her back down.
She lowered her head again, looking wronged… even casting Zhao Linger a pitiful glance.
Zhao Linger's expression softened instantly.
"You see how pitiful she looks? She's clearly just a weak woman! I think you're bullying her!"
Shen Jinghong: "..."
Su Jiuli: "..."
Seeing the faint smile at the corner of Su Jiuli's lips, Shen Jinghong grew annoyed.
"Show her the slave mark!"
At his command, Su Jiuli bit her lip slightly, a trace of humiliation flashing in her eyes.
"…Yes."
After a brief hesitation, she complied.
Zhao Linger frowned, about to protest—
But then she saw the faint purple glow of the slave mark on Su Jiuli's thigh.
She froze.
"So… it's real…"
"Of course it is," Shen Jinghong said. "Why would I lie?"
Zhao Linger stared at the mark, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
Almost unconsciously, she reached out—
"Don't touch—!"
Too late.
The moment her finger brushed it—
"Ah—!"
Su Jiuli's body trembled violently. Her legs tensed, and a shiver ran through her entire body as if struck by electricity.
Zhao Linger quickly pulled her hand back, her face flushing.
"I—I didn't expect such a reaction…"
Shen Jinghong sighed.
"This is why I told you…"
"You still say you're not a pervert!" Zhao Linger shot back immediately. "Were you doing this when I wasn't here?!"
Shen Jinghong: "..."
Explaining only made things worse.
With a sigh, he took a coat and draped it over Su Jiuli, helping her up.
"Don't worry. The slave mark only prevents you from harming me. As long as you behave, I won't do anything unnecessary."
"Hypocrite!" Zhao Linger snorted.
"Two-faced…" Su Jiuli muttered under her breath.
Shen Jinghong: "..."
At that moment—
Ding!
[Succubus loyalty increased by 10%][Current loyalty: 20%]
Shen Jinghong blinked.
So it worked… somehow.
Meanwhile, Su Jiuli clutched the coat tightly, her emotions swirling—resentment, humiliation… and something she couldn't quite name.
After a moment, Zhao Linger regained her composure.
"So… can she go back?"
Su Jiuli immediately frowned.
"I've already been summoned. There's no returning."
"Then how were you summoned?"
After some hesitation, she replied:
"I was on the verge of death. A voice offered me survival in exchange for a contract… so I accepted."
She glanced at Shen Jinghong.
"Who knew I'd end up as the servant of someone like you."
Shen Jinghong scoffed.
"You were dying anyway."
"I was ambushed!" she snapped, her face flushing.
"Alright, alright," Zhao Linger quickly intervened, smiling. "We're all on the same side now."
The two exchanged glances, still dissatisfied—but finally fell silent.
Two stubborn mules, Zhao Linger thought with amusement.
Just then—
"Report!"
A servant rushed in and knelt.
"Your Highness, Her Majesty the Empress has arrived."
Zhao Linger was startled.
"Why would she come at this hour? Prepare to receive her—I'll be there immediately!"
She turned to Shen Jinghong.
"Come with me."
At that moment—
Ding!
[Side Quest Triggered]→ Assist Wei River County in resisting zombiesReward: 300 EXP + 500 EXP (Succubus) + potionsTime Limit: 7 days
Shen Jinghong's eyes sharpened.
"Accept."
Then he called out:
"Ninth Princess—wait for me!"