I just reached the maximum level, and you want me to be a puppet emperor?

Chapter 715 Mikhailovna finally made up her mind! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)

Li Chen had been staying with the Shuysky family for quite some time.

During this period, he reaped considerable rewards.

He not only completely won over Olga and Lyudmila, two sisters with very different yet equally charming personalities, but also through Olga's highly effective missionary work.

It was only natural that they "accepted" several beautiful noblewomen and young ladies from the Shuysky family, some of whom came because of their reputation and others because they were inspired by the "glory of the ancestral shaman".

His villa was filled with revelry almost every night, and was rife with an air of ambiguity.

However, in this territory that seemed to be under his control, there was always a piece of "ice" that had not melted – the mother of the twins, the still beautiful Mikhailovna.

No matter how much Li Chen indulged in pleasure with her daughter and other women in the villa, creating any embarrassing commotion, this worried noblewoman always held firm to her last line of defense.

She was like a frightened yet dutiful lioness, anxiously pacing the perimeter of her den, watching out for external dangers, but never venturing into the heart of that perilous vortex.

Li Chen's overt and covert hints, those provocative and coercive "excessive demands," were all met with her gritted teeth and forced composure as she resisted them, never agreeing to any of them.

Li Chen rubbed his chin, beginning to reflect on his strategy.

He realized that, perhaps in Mikhailovna's view, since her two daughters had already fallen and become her people, it would be meaningless and illogical for her, as a mother, to "sacrifice" herself to ensure her daughters' safety.

Moreover, those women who had already submitted to him, whether willingly or unwillingly, might have lost their value for Mikhailovna to "save," since such romantic affairs, though not honorable, were not uncommon in aristocratic circles.

“It seems we need a new ‘stimulus’.” A calculating glint flashed in Li Chen’s eyes. “I need a target she truly cares about, one that I haven’t yet ‘tainted’. I’ll strike at this target in front of her and see if she can still remain indifferent and unmoved as she is now.”

His gaze quickly settled on an excellent candidate: Valentina, the wife of the eldest son, Dmitri.

This eldest sister-in-law, known for her sharp tongue and beautiful appearance, holds a special position in the family.

She was deeply loved by her mother-in-law, Mikhailovna, after all, it was Mikhailovna who arranged and presided over her wedding.

Valentina was someone Mikhailovna had practically watched grow up from childhood, and their relationship was as close as mother and daughter. In Mikhailovna's mind, Valentina was a well-behaved, clever, and well-matched "virtuous daughter-in-law."

It was precisely because of Mikhailovna's favor and support that Valentina dared to be so arrogant and domineering within the family, even going so far as to ridicule her nominal son-in-law, Leonid.

“It’s her.” Li Chen’s lips curled into a playful smile. “Starting with this beloved sister-in-law will definitely yield extraordinary results.”

With the plan finalized, Li Chen began looking for an opportunity. He didn't rush to use any supernatural means, but instead chose a more "natural" approach.

That afternoon, sunlight filtered through the lush maple leaves, casting dappled shadows on the garden path.

Li Chen timed his walk perfectly, pretending to stroll in the garden, and "coincidentally" bumped into Valentina, who was picking flowers to decorate her living room.

"Good day, Your Excellency Wizard." Valentina was slightly taken aback when she saw Li Chen, but then she toned down her usual sharp tongue and gave him a proper bow.

Although she had privately heard rumors about the mysterious wizard and the women in her family and didn't take them seriously, on the surface, she maintained basic courtesy towards this guest who even the patriarch seemed quite wary of, and even harbored a hint of curiosity about mysterious powers deep in her eyes.

"Good day, beautiful Lady Valentina." Li Chen smiled and returned the greeting, his gaze gently falling on her beautiful face and graceful figure, his tone carrying just the right amount of praise, "You are like the most beautiful rose in this garden, even the sunlight seems a little dim in front of you."

No woman dislikes hearing praise, especially praise from a mysterious and powerful being.

A fleeting hint of pride and embarrassment crossed Valentina's face, but she still politely replied, "You flatter me."

Li Chen stepped forward and walked alongside her, naturally steer the conversation toward flowers, art, and some trivial anecdotes about the nobility.

He was erudite and witty, deliberately toning down his imposing presence and exuding the charm and approachability of a mature man.

Valentina was initially a little reserved, but under Li Chen's skillful guidance, she gradually opened up and started talking.

She found that this wizard was not as terrifying as the rumors suggested; on the contrary, he was quite charming and his words always seemed to tickle her sore spots, making her want to talk more.

The two stood beside a cluster of blooming roses, their conversation seemingly becoming increasingly congenial.

Li Chen would occasionally lean down, point to a flower, and comment on it in a low voice. From Valentina's perspective, the two were too close, almost able to feel each other's breath.

Sometimes, Li Chen would let out a low laugh, and Valentina would cover her face with a fan, letting out a soft laugh, her shoulders trembling slightly. From certain angles, the scene carried an indescribable, ambiguous atmosphere.

All of this was observed from afar by Mikhailovna, who was always uneasy and habitually patrolled the vicinity of the villa.

When Mikhailovna's gaze passed through the lush flowers and trees and caught sight of the two people standing very close together, chatting and laughing, her heart clenched as if it were being gripped tightly by an invisible hand!
Especially when she saw Li Chen lean down slightly, his lips almost touching Valentina's ear to whisper, and Valentina not only did not avoid him.

Instead, a blush rose on her face, revealing an expression that she had never seen before beneath the other person's mask of harshness—an expression tinged with shyness and pleasure. At that moment, Mikhailovna felt a chill run from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her head!
"He's targeting Valentina?!" This realization instantly threw Mikhailovna into a panic.

Valentina is different from her daughters who have already "fallen," and also different from those female believers who willingly throw themselves into her arms. This is the daughter-in-law she personally selected and carefully cherished. She is the young woman she is closest to in the family besides her daughters, and she treats her almost like her own daughter!

Moreover, Valentina has an outspoken personality. If she were to bewitch or be forced by this wizard and cause a scene, the consequences would be unimaginable!
What's even more terrifying is that, given this wizard's methods, Valentina's limited abilities are probably...
Mikhailovna dared not think any further.

Looking at the seemingly gentle yet confident smile on Li Chen's face, and at Valentina's gradually lowered guard under his charming offensive, a huge sense of panic and powerlessness overwhelmed her.

She could no longer hesitate. This demon was truly going to drag her family and everyone she cared about into the abyss, one by one!

Mikhailovna was restless and uneasy throughout the afternoon and evening.

The image of Li Chen and Valentina chatting happily played repeatedly in her mind, like the most terrifying nightmare.

As night deepened and all was quiet, Mikhailovna, after a fierce internal struggle, finally made up her mind.

(End of this chapter)