Investing in the Reborn Empress, She Actually Calls Me ‘Husband’
Chapter 182: Husband Ranked Sixth on the Hidden Dragon List

Meihua Pavilion.

This was an expansive and exquisitely decorated establishment—not ostentatiously lavish, but elegantly furnished. Those without a discerning eye might not even recognize the extravagance hidden within its classical charm.

Upon entering, the soft melodies of string and wind instruments could be heard, faint yet resonant, as if rising from the depths of one’s heart.

The trio settled in a private room on the second floor—the best seats for viewing the performance, usually reserved for wealthy and devoted theatergoers.

"Truly refined. Upper-class."

Li Mo reclined in a grand master chair.

After surveying the surroundings, he noticed that both the "ice block" and Little Jiang Chulong were intently watching the stage.

How strange.

Since when did the ice block take an interest in opera?

"Um... it seems... it’s about Big Brother Li and Sister Bing."

"Huh?"

Li Mo focused his gaze.

A female performer played the role of "Jiang Chen." Her appearance was commendable, though her makeup was slightly exaggerated, making the character instantly recognizable.

The backdrop depicted a courtyard.

Without even watching further, Li Mo knew exactly which scene this was.

Jiang Chen facing a broken engagement, with Liu Wuyan stepping in to defend him?

"Jiang Chen, my daughter has now joined the Snow Moon Sect as an inner disciple, while you’ve wasted years as a mere servant. You should know why I’ve come today."

The antagonist was a seasoned actor.

Despite the clichéd plot, his delivery didn’t feel cringeworthy at all.

(The Jiang family erupted in outrage.)

Then, "Jiang Chen" declared with unwavering resolve:

"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west—never mock the youth for their poverty!"

"Bravo!"

"Worthy of reward!"

Applause erupted from the audience. In a world where the "broken engagement trope" had never been seen, this scene was utterly exhilarating.

Li Mo silently covered his face.

As the play continued, Liu Wuyan made her entrance, and the entire audience knelt—except for Jiang Chen, who remained standing.

When Liu Wuyan approached him and called him "husband," the crowd froze in shock.

Then—

"Jiang Chen" smirked, the corner of his mouth quirking up.

Li Mo: "......"

He definitely didn’t remember scripting that smirk.

Artistic adaptation wasn’t an excuse for reckless improvisation, damn it!

Young Li felt like he was being publicly humiliated. Thankfully, his Cloud-Treading Boots were sturdy, or he might’ve dug a hole through the floor with his toes.

A glance to the side revealed Jiang Chulong listening with rapt attention, as if she could enjoy it a thousand times over.

And the ice block?

"Hus...band?"

Ying Bing’s serene eyes flickered slightly before she exhaled softly.

This was just a play, after all.

If the character were truly based on her, how could she ever utter such words?

She found it absurd and turned her gaze away.

Yet the performance continued, each line seeping into her ears.

The play condensed many events, focusing only on the highlights.

Scenes of romantic moments between the two, sharing a bed, even "baring it all" to help Jiang Chen cultivate his martial arts.

Meihua Pavilion’s professionalism was impeccable.

The immersive storytelling, paired with music and lighting, created an almost tangible experience, stirring endless imagination.

"Let’s... focus on cultivation."

Ying Bing turned her head toward the moon.

Yet her gaze grew unfocused.

The seductive melodies kept intruding, and the story’s protagonists in her mind kept morphing into herself and Li Mo.

As if... these were events she had lived through.

And this feeling...

She didn’t know why she suddenly looked at Li Mo.

But there the young man sat, his handsome face slightly flushed, like a dazed goose.

Strangely... she didn’t seem to mind?

"Bravo! This Liu Wuyan is phenomenal!"

A booming voice came from the neighboring room, followed by a shower of golden pearls raining onto the stage.

The audience gasped—who was this extravagant patron?

Li Mo paid little attention, but Jiang Chulong asked curiously,

"Big Brother Li, what... what’s happening?"

"They’re just rewarding the performers when they’re pleased. Too much money, too little sense."

Relieved the play was finally over, Li Mo chuckled.

"Oh... I see..."

Jiang Chulong rummaged through her pockets but found only a few copper coins, too embarrassed to offer them.

"Here."

Her hand suddenly grew heavy—half a gold brick now rested in her palm.

The little princess blinked in confusion.

Li Mo sighed. "That’s the smallest piece of gold I have."

"Thank you, Big Brother Li."

Jiang Chulong had little concept of the brick’s value, so she mimicked the neighbor’s gesture and tossed it onto the stage.

Then—

BANG!

The stage shook violently.

The actors initially thought they’d displeased the audience—until they saw what had been thrown.

The crowd erupted in uproar.

Who the hell brought a gold brick to a theater as a tip?

Were they trying to kill the performers?

The neighbor from earlier also turned to look. After a pause, he exclaimed:

"Jiang—Li Mo?"

"Zhong Zhenyue?"

Li Mo recognized the man—a young marquis clad in a serpent-patterned robe, wielding a spear, and undefeated in the arena like himself.

They weren’t close.

After a polite exchange, a woman approached—one of the actresses, now without her stage makeup. She stood beside Zhong Zhenyue, appearing demure yet maintaining a calculated distance.

Though her looks were merely above average, every glance and smile carried a seductive charm.

"Wait..."

Li Mo discreetly activated his Heavenly Fate Divine Eye.

[Name: Yin Mianmian]

[Age: 23]

[Physique: Heavenly Enchantress Demon Body]

[Cultivation: Observing Divinity, Eight Apertures]

[Fate: Purple]

[Evaluation: Saintess of the Drizzle Pavilion, ranked sixth on the Hidden Dragon Ranking. Has slain multiple prodigies from the ranking. Unaware she’s being groomed as a cauldron by the Drizzle Pavilion’s master. Her hobby? Watching men fight like savage beasts.]

[Recent Activity: Manipulating Zhong Zhenyue to infiltrate Hengyun Sword City. Now itching to see Li Mo and Zhong Zhenyue battle to the death.]

Huh?

Li Mo’s mind sharpened.

The moment he deciphered her, his vision blurred.

The music grew louder, mournful and intimate, as if whispering from within his soul.

Before him materialized a bewitching woman draped in translucent gauze, her sorrowful eyes locked onto him as she swayed closer with an otherworldly grace.

Any man would’ve been spellbound.

But—

A sword light, cold as moonlight and radiant as divinity, slashed through the illusion.

It was the ice block.

No—

To be precise, it was the "ice block" imprinted in Li Mo’s soul—his mental safeguard against illusions.

The entire episode lasted but a heartbeat.

Zhong Zhenyue wasn’t so lucky.

Already entranced by the woman beside him, his eyes glazed over, lost in lustful stupor.

"You’re quite interesting..."

Yin Mianmian’s eyes sparkled with surprise—and excitement—at Li Mo’s swift recovery.

Her every movement seemed designed to ensnare the mind.

She drifted closer, as if to whisper in his ear, to breathe in the scent of his neck—

"Old hag."

Li Mo suddenly spoke.

"?!"

Yin Mianmian's alluring demeanor froze, shattered by a surge of irritation.

The golden rule of the "Fight King's Code" speaks for itself, doesn't it?

In the blink of an eye—

Whoosh—

A spring breeze surged, sealing off her retreat.

Divine lightning descended like celestial punishment.

The Frost Sky Sword slashed down mercilessly, vowing to cleave Yin Mianmian clean in two!

.....

Drop some power stones if you're enjoying this, hehe. Mwah!