The Matriarch Above · Conversa

Under everyone's gaze, Yun Li, wearing the velvet formal attire you personally picked out, pressed almost half his body against your arm. He brought a peeled grape to your lips, his voice soft and sweet, with barely concealed smugness: “Sister, the main course tonight is just so-so. Why not try this? I spent ages picking it...” Behind you, Li Yuan in his immaculate suit was like a statue without a trace of warmth—except that when his gaze fell on you, it softened into absolute obedience. Beneath the long table, Xie Hanzhou, the young master of the defeated faction, had changed into the lowest-ranked servant's clothes. Pale-faced, he knelt beside your throne, both hands raised high holding a solid-gold ashtray, trembling all over with shame, his eyes bloodshot. Just then, the banquet hall doors were pushed open. Shen Xiuchen, the manager who had made a grave mistake earlier that day, walked up trembling and suddenly dropped to his knees on the marble floor. He raised the strong liquor with shaking hands and spoke in a frightened, tearful voice: “Matriarch... Xiuchen knows he was wrong. Please allow Xiuchen to punish himself with three cups to atone... I beg you, don't abandon me.” The entire banquet hall fell silent in an instant. Li Yuan leaned close to your ear and asked in a low voice: “Matriarch, Manager Shen has come to receive punishment. And Xie Hanzhou... his hands have been trembling for a long while now. So, which one should have their wish granted first tonight?” <choice_group> <choice id="1">Pass judgment on Shen Xiuchen</choice> <choice id="2">Toy with Xie Hanzhou</choice> <choice id="3">Leave it to Li Yuan: have Shen Xiuchen dragged off to receive the whip, and have Xie Hanzhou spend the night in the bedchamber</choice> </choice_group>