"That was fast this time," Zhao Wujiang said with a straight face.
Xuanyuan Jing walked over to the bed curtains. Dugu Mingyue lay there, eyes still blindfolded, the quilt half-covering her form. Her porcelain-white legs were exposed, radiating a charming and graceful allure.
"Empress." Xuanyuan Jing looked at the faint trace of blood on the sheets, her mind somewhat unsettled, and gently untied the thin silk veil covering Dugu Mingyue's face.
Suddenly.
"Your Majesty... we must reward Zhao Wujiang!"
Dugu Mingyue let out a delicate, coquettish moan that seemed to seep into one's very bones.
Xuanyuan Jing was startled. "Why reward him?"
*Oh no,* she thought. *Could the Empress have sensed something? That’s impossible, though—she has no basis for comparison, so how could she know?*
"If it weren't for Zhao Wujiang, how would I have known that Your Majesty is so... powerful!"
Dugu Mingyue wrapped her long, slender arms around her. At this moment, she was like a sated child, devoid of any other thoughts.
"So that's what it is... I suppose that little eunuch deserves a reward." Xuanyuan Jing offered an awkward smile. "We can discuss that later; I have questions I need to ask you..."
"Your Majesty..."
Dugu Mingyue let out another soft, seductive moan. "Why are you being so distant? You weren't like this just a moment ago."
Before Xuanyuan Jing could formulate an explanation, Dugu Mingyue had already proactively pressed her jade-like legs against her and said apologetically, "Did I do something wrong? Was it me... did I ask for too much?"
Feeling that softness pressed against her, Xuanyuan Jing sighed inwardly. She had no choice but to imitate Zhao Wujiang. "It wasn't too much. I was actually quite fast this time. By the way, are you aware of the death of Old General Zhao from the Northern Frontier?"
...
"Is Your Majesty referring to the General's long-standing illness?"
The flush had yet to fade from Dugu Mingyue’s pretty face. She hooked her arms around Xuanyuan Jing’s neck, brimming with charm, and whispered in a soft, sweet voice, "I heard they never found the cause. Is Your Majesty worried about the border defenses in the Northern Frontier?"
Xuanyuan Jing felt the faint, lingering fragrance as Dugu Mingyue held her, making her feel quite uneasy. *That guy Zhao Wujiang—did he act exactly like this the whole time? Do men really like women to be this way?*
Xuanyuan Jing had been raised as a boy since childhood and didn't understand such things. But she couldn't push Dugu Mingyue away either, so she frowned, her tone turning slightly cold.
"But I heard that General Zhao was suspected to be suffering from Loulan Gu Poison... Within this court, there are those colluding with the Loulan foreign power in the South..."
A cold breeze swept past the bed curtains, causing Zhao Wujiang, who was cleaning his long spear nearby, to pause for a moment.
Shaking his head, Zhao Wujiang let out a soft, amused sigh. *The Empress is quite direct, unlike me; when I’m with Empress Dugu, I know how to use both a soft and hard approach.*
Sure enough, Dugu Mingyue’s alluring demeanor stiffened for a moment. She naturally understood the hidden meaning behind the Emperor's words.
However, she did not panic; instead, ripples appeared in her soft, watery eyes. Remembering the feeling of being completely conquered by this "man" just moments ago, Dugu Mingyue snuggled into Xuanyuan Jing's embrace. She bit her red lips and said with a wronged, coquettish air:
"I know, Your Majesty, that you have always been worried about the Dugu Clan. But please rest assured—from this moment on, I have given my most precious thing to you; I am entirely yours. I can also guarantee that the Dugu Clan remains fiercely loyal to you and the Daxia Dynasty!"
Hearing the sincerity in Empress Dugu Mingyue’s voice, Xuanyuan Jing fell into deep thought. *It seems this woman has been completely subdued by Zhao Wujiang.*
*Could it be that someone else is the one colluding with Loulan?*
"Interesting," Zhao Wujiang muttered, sitting in a chair not far away. His dark eyes flickered. "It seems this Daxia Dynasty is far more intriguing than I thought."
On the imperial bed, the two women continued their post-intimacy conversation.
Dugu Mingyue had given her heart and soul to the Emperor. Seeing that she received no reply, she hurriedly and shyly said in a sweet voice:
"Your Majesty, I truly am not lying to you. I will do whatever you ask of me. You can tell me to raise my legs, to lie down... or even... anything at all. Why don't you... try?"
She wrapped her hands tightly around Empress Xuanyuan Jing, her lithe, boneless waist beginning to sway as she tried to tempt her.
"Again?"
"Pfft." Dugu Mingyue burst into a fit of giggles. "I'm just teasing you. After our bout of passion just now, I’ll need a few days to recover. Your Majesty, you really are too formidable!"
Xuanyuan Jing’s face darkened, indifferent and even slightly repulsed by the advances. She quickly pulled Dugu Mingyue’s waist, laid her back down on the bed, covered her with the quilt, and said earnestly:
"Regarding the Loulan matter, I trust you!"
Dugu Mingyue rose solemnly and knelt down. "On behalf of the Dugu Clan, I thank Your Majesty for your trust! The Dugu Clan will always be loyal subjects of Daxia!"
...
They slept together under the same covers until daybreak.
At the hour of the Dragon (7:00 AM), Dugu Mingyue returned to her Qifeng Palace.
Nourished by the encounter, she was radiant, her already stunning features possessing an even greater brilliance and allure. Humming a little tune, she sat before the bronze mirror at her vanity, cupping her face and admiring her own beauty, a faint curve appearing at the corner of her lips.
"It seems you were very satisfied with the Emperor last night, Your Majesty."
Her trusted maid, Qinger, asked this while styling Dugu Mingyue's hair. Having grown up with her, she was the only one in the vast palace who dared to ask such questions.
Dugu Mingyue did not show the slightest displeasure. Instead, a sense of triumph and joy appeared on her cheeks and in her eyes. She hummed softly, "Although the Emperor appears petite, she is a true Dragon Son of Heaven. So valiant—plucking my heart amidst a thousand flowers..."
Seeing her mistress so happy, Qinger also laughed softly. "The day of your first night with the Emperor was the perfect opportunity."
"Naturally. Fortunately, there is Little Zhao; Heaven is truly helping me." Dugu Mingyue gave a shallow smile.
The reason she was so impatient to serve the Emperor last night was that she had calculated the timing—these few days were the period in her cycle when it was easiest to retain the Emperor's essence and conceive an heir. She touched her lower abdomen, her red lips pressed tightly together, looking radiant and charming.
...
Meanwhile, the news of the Emperor's first time favoring the harem since ascending the throne had already spread.
Deep within the palace, among the harem.
Many neglected concubines grew restless.
In Imperial Consort Xiao’s palace:
"Sister Consort Xiao, have you heard? Last night, the Empress was favored by the Emperor..."
"Hmph. It’s just because the Dugu Clan is powerful... It’s not like we don’t have a chance!"
"Surely, Sister, you have made arrangements?"
"Naturally. I have already entrusted my family to help me vie for favor at court today. It’s not as if only Dugu Mingyue has such a prestigious background..."
Imperial Consort Xiao snorted, unwilling to fall behind Dugu Mingyue. Now that Dugu Mingyue was Empress, it was true, but if she could also be favored and become pregnant with a dragon prince before Dugu Mingyue, she could rely on her child to make a brilliant comeback.
...
In the Imperial Study.
Xuanyuan Jing sat upright, her features handsome and her expression majestic. She was discussing important matters with the Director of the Secretariat and the Ministers of the Six Ministries.
"Your Majesty, I shall do my utmost to fulfill the tasks you have arranged."
The one who spoke was Liu Zhe, the Director of the Secretariat. He was an elderly man, around fifty or sixty, with salt-and-pepper hair and a scholarly air, though the occasional gleam in his eyes revealed a cunning nature.
The Minister of Revenue stood respectfully with his hands crossed over his belly. He was a slightly short middle-aged man with a thin mustache, his eyes darting around in surprise as he looked at Liu Zhe. In his impression, this old fox of a Director usually prevaricated whenever the Emperor assigned tasks. Why was he so eager today?
Xuanyuan Jing narrowed her eyes, sensing something amiss. Just as she was about to speak, she saw Liu Zhe’s aged face break into a beaming smile. He leaned in, speaking with feigned sincerity:
"Your Majesty, I have two granddaughters, Liu Qingqing and Liu Meier. Do you remember them?"
Xuanyuan Jing furrowed her brows. "Noble Lady Qing and Palace Lady Liu?"
"Yes, exactly! Your Majesty has such a wonderful memory." Liu Zhe rubbed his hands together like a fly, his smile growing even more sincere. "Are you dissatisfied with them?"
*I've barely seen them since they first entered the palace, how could I be dissatisfied...* Xuanyuan Jing cleared her throat. "Just speak your mind, Minister Liu."
Liu Zhe rubbed his hands again, laughing like an old fox. "Your Majesty, since you have favored the Empress, what about my two little granddaughters...?"
Xuanyuan Jing’s eyes widened as it dawned on her, and her heart skipped a beat.
*Oh no! I was careless!*
Favoring the Empress could keep her from doubting her identity, but what about the other concubines?
"You are the Emperor; you must show great love. You should treat everyone equally, shouldn't you?"
"Your Majesty, I am also thinking for your sake. Aren't you worried about... a certain family becoming too powerful? You should favor the concubines sent by other ministers more..."
*You old scoundrel...* Xuanyuan Jing cursed inwardly, but her handsome face wore a smile as she nodded as if it were a matter of course. "Minister Liu makes a valid point."
"Your Majesty, I also have a beloved daughter who has been in the palace for two years..." The Minister of Revenue quickly knelt, his eyes burning with expectation.
Xuanyuan Jing gripped her fists tightly under the desk. If it helped court officials cooperate in handling state affairs, favoring other concubines was acceptable, but... but she was a woman!
*It seems I only have Zhao Wujiang to help me... For the sake of my Daxia court, I have no choice but to sacrifice him...*
Xuanyuan Jing rubbed her temples, then said warmly, "Rest assured, gentlemen, I will certainly treat everyone equally."
The Director of the Secretariat and the Ministers bowed. "Your Majesty is truly benevolent! We shall do our utmost to obey!"
"You may withdraw," Xuanyuan Jing declared with authority.
They bowed and left, pushing open the doors of the Imperial Study before closing them respectfully.
From outside, a joyful voice came from one of the Ministers. "It seems the struggle for the dragon heir is imminent! Those old clans all have daughters in the harem; surely, they won't be able to sit still for long!"
Xuanyuan Jing heard this clearly in the study. Her eyelid twitched as she rubbed her brow, preparing to go back and find Zhao Wujiang. She felt utterly helpless.
"To think that to stabilize the court, I still have to rely on that kid Zhao Wujiang."
...
In the Emperor’s bedchamber.
Zhao Wujiang sat brazenly on a chair made of yellow rosewood, eating snacks from the Imperial Kitchen. Surrounded by three eunuchs and two maids who knew he was the Emperor’s personal eunuch—a unique position—they were busy fawning over him.
"Master Zhao is so handsome."
"Master Zhao is truly handsome."
"Master Zhao is so, so handsome."
"..."
Zhao Wujiang choked slightly and muttered, "Can you use a different word?"
The eunuchs scratched their heads. They hadn't been to school and didn't know how to compliment him properly. It wasn't like they could call him a "Dragon among men"—that would be a beheading offense.
The two maids were smarter and sat on Zhao Wujiang’s lap to tease him. "Master, you are so mighty. Being near you, I can feel your warmth."
The three eunuchs rolled their eyes and moved to massage him diligently. In their view, Zhao Wujiang’s closeness to the Emperor meant he was blessed by the heavens. Although they were all lowly eunuchs, his status was now far beyond theirs. Having served in the palace for years without much favor, they were all eager to curry favor with him or seek his protection.
Zhao Wujiang looked relaxed. He ate his snacks, but he wouldn't be distracted by such trivial matters. On the contrary, he could use them to ask about "Third Uncle." Previously, to protect him, Third Uncle had hidden their relationship in the palace, and only a few people knew.
"By the way, brothers and sisters, do you know the old eunuch in the Empress’s palace who is skilled in medicine?"
*Master Zhao called me a brother... he cares about me...* The eunuchs’ eyes lit up, their minds racing.
"Master Zhao, you mean Eunuch Zhao Shou, who shares your surname?"
"Oh yes, he often helped us. How could we not know him?"
"He was incredibly skilled. Not only did he treat the Empress, but he often helped us with our ailments, too."
"Alas, it’s a pity. For lowly servants like us, when we get sick, the imperial physicians never care; we’re left to survive on our own. Thanks to Eunuch Zhao Shou’s help over the years, there were very few casualties among the palace maids and eunuchs."
"We all remember his kindness. But sadly, he passed away a few days ago... it happened so suddenly... he probably caught some terrible disease..."
"Hard to say." One of the maids lying in Zhao Wujiang’s arms pursed her lips.
Zhao Wujiang’s eyes brightened. He stroked the maid’s waist and hips, laughing, "Oh? Why is it hard to say?"
Feeling Zhao Wujiang’s large hands roaming, the maid cooed, "Master Zhao, you’re so bad. I won't tell you..."
Zhao Wujiang let go. "Then I won't touch you anymore."
"Oh, go ahead, you can touch me! Ping'er will tell you." The maid, named Ping'er, whose looks were quite decent, acted shyly and took Zhao Wujiang’s hand, placing it on her pert buttocks.
"I heard it from Little Li. He said that on the day he went to Imperial Consort Xiao’s palace, he saw someone from the Grand Eunuch’s office skulking toward Eunuch Zhao Shou’s quarters. The very next day, Eunuch Zhao Shou died suddenly. Don't you think that's a coincidence, Master?"
"But the Grand Eunuch is too powerful. Who would dare to speak up? The matter was never investigated. To the masters, it was just the death of a servant..."
*The Grand Eunuch...* A hint of coldness flashed in Zhao Wujiang's eyes. He didn't let his anger show, but instead playfully pinched the maid's nose. "You really dare to say anything."
"With your protection, Master, I’m not afraid." Ping'er pouted.
*Clack, clack, clack...*
Steady footsteps approached. Xuanyuan Jing returned and, seeing this scene, her brows furrowed instantly. She shouted angrily, "You have a lot of nerve!"
The maids and eunuchs were instantly terrified and knelt on the floor. Seeing Xuanyuan Jing, Zhao Wujiang gave her face in front of the others and stood up.
"Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!"
Xuanyuan Jing took a deep breath, her teeth gritted, before saying in a calm voice, "All of you, leave. Little Zhao, stay."
"As you command, Your Majesty."
The eunuchs and maids sighed in relief, scrambling to leave, feeling awe and fear toward Zhao Wujiang—to see the Emperor and not kneel was something they could never imagine doing.
After they left, Xuanyuan Jing sat in the chair next to Zhao Wujiang.
"Zhao Wujiang, you have a lot of nerve, actually colluding with subordinates."
Zhao Wujiang shrugged. "They were the ones sticking to me, what does it have to do with me? If you want to charge me with a crime and have me atone, just get to the point without beating around the bush."
"You’re quite smart, kid." Xuanyuan Jing sighed, then said solemnly, "Many ministers, having learned that the Empress was favored, are demanding that I treat the other concubines equally. You have to help me with this!"
She assumed Zhao Wujiang wouldn't refuse. After all, those concubines were world-class beauties; by logic, no man would refuse. But Xuanyuan Jing underestimated him.
"I won't help. You want to betray my love and burden me with a guilty conscience!" Zhao Wujiang shook his head with a straight face.
Xuanyuan Jing clenched her fists, threatening, "If you don't help, you won't have a place to stand in this palace!"
"Xuanyuan Jing, have you ever heard the saying, 'One drop of essence is worth ten drops of blood'?" Zhao Wujiang slammed the table. "I’ve bled for you!"
Xuanyuan Jing’s handsome brows trembled, her eyes flashing. Looking at the imposing Zhao Wujiang, she knew she needed him, so she softened her tone, coaxing him like a child. "I will grant you even more wealth and glory... A stable harem means a stable court. I won't mistreat you."
*I really can't deal with you. You’re the one asking me to sleep with your women, don't blame me...*
Zhao Wujiang put on a helpless expression. "You’re exhausted from handling state affairs, but don't you think I’m exhausted from 'handling' so many ladies? But since you are the Emperor, fine, I’ll agree."
Watching Zhao Wujiang agree with feigned reluctance, Xuanyuan Jing breathed a sigh of relief. Recalling how the Empress had clung to her yesterday, she knew it was indeed difficult to handle. She gave him a look of gratitude and patted his shoulder.
"You’ve worked hard."
Zhao Wujiang took the opportunity to press her smooth, tender hand, rubbing it. "It is my honor to serve Your Majesty, but please also sympathize with me. After all, this is a bitter task."
*Something feels wrong...* Xuanyuan Jing’s brows furrowed. She realized it a moment later and quickly pulled her hand back. The lingering warmth of Zhao Wujiang’s touch made her cheeks flush slightly. She cursed him internally, noting that Zhao Wujiang was so natural she hadn't even noticed.
"Then I’ll go back to prepare. Let me know when you need me to favor the other concubines."
"No need to prepare. Tonight."
"???"
Ignoring Zhao Wujiang’s widened eyes, Xuanyuan Jing clapped her hands.
"Bring it in."
...
An elderly eunuch with a kind face walked in, holding a tray. He walked toward Zhao Wujiang and Xuanyuan Jing without looking around.
When he got closer, Zhao Wujiang finally saw what was on the tray.
It was ten palm-sized wooden tablets, each tied with a colorful silk cord, and each engraved with flowing calligraphy—names.
"Imperial Consort Xiao, Noble Lady Qing, Lady Zhang, Palace Lady Liu..."
Zhao Wujiang read the names one by one. All the names on the tablets were concubines of the harem.
"Leave."
Xuanyuan Jing’s voice was authoritative. The old eunuch placed the tray on the table, bowed respectfully, and left, closing the door behind him.
"These are my concubines. Flip one to decide who I shall favor tonight."