Xuanyuan Jing shoved the tray, and the wooden plaques clattered as they slid across the surface.
"Why settle for one? I want them all!" Zhao Wujiang picked up one of the blocks—the plaque for Lady Qing. He tossed it in his hand and asked, "You have to tell me who they are and what they look like. Otherwise, how am I supposed to choose?"
Xuanyuan Jing pondered for a long moment, the stunning figures of the various imperial consorts flashing through her mind. Finally, her red lips parted.
"This one belongs to Imperial Consort Xiao."
Xuanyuan Jing picked up a plaque tied with a red silk cord and said slowly, "Xiao Wanjun, daughter of the Great General of the South, Xiao Yuanshan. Her older brother, Xiao Feng, is the current Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard—a bold and formidable man."
"Are there any distinct physical features?" Zhao Wujiang leaned back in his chair, rubbing his hands together.
"Hm? Why ask about physical features? Her family background is what matters!" the Empress replied, puzzled.
*I can't exactly admit I want to sleep with the pretty ones first,* Zhao Wujiang thought. He spread his hands and said, "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated. If someone were to assassinate you while wearing night clothes, wouldn't you be able to infer some clues from their physique?"
"That makes sense. You have a keen eye and think ahead." The Empress nodded earnestly, a thoughtful look on her face. "Xiao Wanjun has a tall, statuesque figure. The 'scenery' on her chest is quite... ample. That is perhaps her most prominent physical trait..."
*Oh, big breasts,* Zhao Wujiang nodded to himself and urged, "Next!"
"Lady Qing is the young granddaughter of that old fox, the Director of the Secretariat. Her name is Liu Qingqing, and she is just sixteen." Xuanyuan Jing’s eyes flickered. "As for her build, she is petite and lovely, though she is always a bit shy when interacting with others..."
*Youthful, the scent of spring,* Zhao Wujiang thought. He stared at Xuanyuan Jing’s flat chest and asked suspiciously, "She isn't as flat as you, is she?"
"What do you mean, 'flat'?" Xuanyuan Jing followed his gaze and realized he was staring straight at her chest. Her fury flared instantly. "I bound my... no! I won't argue with you. You're shameless!"
"Your Majesty, you've misspoken. I am Wujiang, not Shameless," Zhao Wujiang corrected her, his expression perfectly serious.
"Lady Liu!" Xuanyuan Jing’s pretty face still burned with anger, giving her an even more spirited look. She ground her teeth and said, "She is also the granddaughter of the Director of the Secretariat, Liu Zhe. She is eighteen!"
"Does she have bigger... assets than you?" Zhao Wujiang’s eyes darted around.
Xuanyuan Jing gritted her teeth: "Zhao Wujiang!"
"I was talking about her age..." Zhao Wujiang blinked.
"Heh..." The Empress sighed helplessly and slumped into her chair, defeated by Zhao Wujiang’s shamelessness.
"Go on, go on," Zhao Wujiang said, rubbing his hands together to signal her to continue.
Xuanyuan Jing rolled her eyes at him and resumed. "Liu Meier—that is, Lady Liu—is just as her name suggests. She also has a tall, statuesque figure. If I had to name her most memorable feature, it would probably be her long, slender legs. This woman possesses a natural, seductive charm; she doesn't flaunt it, but keeps it subtle. She is the epitome of inner allure."
*Long, seductive legs,* Zhao Wujiang nodded, filing that away in his mind.
"Lady Zhang, Zhang Mengli, the beloved daughter of the Minister of Revenue, Zhang Tuizhi. Unlike Liu Meier’s natural seductiveness, this woman was not particularly eager toward me when she first entered the palace. For the two years she has been here, she has always carried herself like a refined lady of high breeding, and her conversations are always brief and reserved. As for her physique... hmph, she always wears loose clothing, so it’s hard to tell..."
*Could she be a cold, icy beauty? A proud figure hidden beneath loose robes?* Zhao Wujiang pondered.
Xuanyuan Jing continued to speak eloquently, describing one consort after another. The fiery and generous, the cold and detached, the well-endowed, the youthful and lovely, the petite and voluptuous... Zhao Wujiang had a rough map in his head, a gallery of beautiful palace consorts dancing in his imagination.
"Start flipping the tiles," Xuanyuan Jing said, gesturing for him to begin.
Zhao Wujiang nodded. His right hand brushed over the face-down wooden plaques, and when he lifted his hand, he held one with a pink silk cord—Liu Meier.
***
Late in the evening.
The news that the Emperor had summoned Lady Liu had spread throughout the inner palace, leaving many consorts green with jealousy.
Empress Dugu Mingyue also received the news. She had originally intended to go and keep Xuanyuan Jing company, but she had to give up on that idea.
"Your Highness, is His Majesty trying to spread his favor evenly?"
Dugu Mingyue sighed softly. "As the Emperor, he must balance the imperial court. Those women have powerful families behind them; he is surely under pressure."
At the thought that the person who had been in her arms yesterday now belonged to another, Dugu Mingyue felt a strange bitterness in her heart. "Next time, I must do better and make His Majesty linger."
In the Emperor’s bedchamber, Liu Meier arrived with a graceful, swaying gait, her waist moving like a water snake—an innate seductiveness in every step.
When her pink bodice and red skirt were hung upon the screen and her undergarments removed, a black cloth was tied over Liu Meier’s peach-blossom eyes.
"Lie down. I am ready."
Liu Meier bit her lower lip, trembling all over. "Please, Your Majesty, be gentle."
"I do not like talkative people. I want to focus on enjoying you."
Liu Meier wisely closed her mouth.
Her exquisite, undulating body was suffused with a seductive, rosy glow. Though she could not see clearly in the dark night, she could feel the man’s scorching, burning breath drawing near. She pursed her red lips; amidst her intense shyness, there was a glimmer of yearning. Her long, jade-like legs hooked around Zhao Wujiang as if they had a story to tell.
...
The next morning.
In the Palace of Lady Liu, Liu Meier sipped her morning tea, her peach-blossom eyes brimming with hidden joy. The sounds of love from the previous night seemed to echo in her ears.
Kneeling before her was an old eunuch—the very one who had delivered the plaques to Zhao Wujiang and Xuanyuan Jing the day before.
"Eunuch Chen, it is thanks to you that I was chosen last night."
Liu Meier’s voice was soft and enchanting. She ordered her servant to bring a bag of gold ingots and hand them to the old eunuch. It was the rule of the inner palace; when one gained favor, one had to play the social game.
But Eunuch Chen hurriedly waved his hands. "Your Ladyship, I was only the one delivering the plaque. The one who truly suggested you to His Majesty was Eunuch Zhao. I heard him faintly suggesting to the Emperor that he choose you."
"That Little Zhao who used to be by the Empress’s side... I never imagined it was him."
"Eunuch Zhao is an expert in medicine, said to be even better than the Imperial Hospital. His Majesty kept him by his side to regulate the imperial body. It is precisely because Eunuch Zhao has been tending to His Majesty these past two days that the Emperor has been... so..." Eunuch Chen dared not continue.
"I understand."
Liu Meier did not take back the gold. She stood up with a smile. When she left the Emperor’s chambers this morning, she had caught a glimpse of that handsome Eunuch Zhao. He was the Empress's man; he had no reason to help her.
*Could it be that he is looking for a new master?*
Liu Meier smiled faintly. "Keep the gold, and thank you for your hard work. Someone, prepare more gifts. I shall pay a visit to Eunuch Zhao myself."
Her red lips parted, and the spring water in her eyes swirled. A person who could advise the Emperor—and have the Emperor listen—was no ordinary man. She needed to thank this Eunuch Zhao properly and try to win him over.
***
In the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Zhao Wujiang sat in a chair, eating the breakfast delivered by the Imperial Kitchen. Xuanyuan Jing had already left for the morning court session.
"Lady Liu is here to see you," a eunuch announced.
Zhao Wujiang hurriedly stood up, pretending to be busy cleaning.
Soon, Lady Liu Meier, who had shared his bed the night before, swayed into the room. She was followed by two maids and a eunuch carrying a nanmu tray piled with gold, silver, and jewels.
"Greetings, Your Ladyship." Zhao Wujiang bowed slightly. Liu Meier was truly a woman of inner allure, especially after he had experienced her intoxicating depths. He hadn't expected her to show up at the palace chambers so soon after leaving this morning.
Liu Meier also bowed slightly. "Eunuch Zhao, thank you for last night."
The maids and eunuchs behind her were in disbelief; their mistress, a Rank 2 Consort, was actually bowing to a eunuch.
Zhao Wujiang was shocked. *? ? ? Thanking me for what? Have I been found out?*
Liu Meier sat down beside Zhao Wujiang and waved her hand, ordering the servants to leave the gifts and retreat. When only the two of them remained, she said softly, "Eunuch Zhao, I hear that you have regulated His Majesty’s health and restored his vigor..."
Zhao Wujiang nodded, not yet knowing her intention.
Liu Meier smiled, her seductive charm overflowing. She looked at Zhao Wujiang intently, then slid a wooden plaque from her sleeve—a plaque with the character "Liu" engraved on it. "I know that a man like Eunuch Zhao surely wouldn't care for mere gold and silver. This is a token of my clan. With this token, you can ask the Liu family for one favor. As long as it is not an act of treason, anything is possible."
Zhao Wujiang’s eyes flickered. He did not take the token, but smiled. "Your Ladyship, whatever it is you want, just say it. As long as it is not an act of treason, anything is possible."
"Eunuch Zhao is quite an interesting man." Liu Meier covered her mouth and giggled, shooting him a glance full of charm. She feigned indignation: "I want to ask Eunuch Zhao to teach me how to conceive a royal heir quickly..."
***
*I want to ask Eunuch Zhao to teach me how to conceive a royal heir quickly...*
Hearing this, Zhao Wujiang was dumbfounded. Looking at this shy, stunning woman and recalling their intimate interactions from the previous night, his expression turned strange.
*Asking me how to get pregnant more easily? If we just do it more often, won't that work?*
Zhao Wujiang rubbed his fingers, a thousand scenarios flashing through his mind. Then, he put on a serious, professional face. "I must say, Your Ladyship, you have certainly asked the right person..."
Liu Meier’s eyes lit up, full of anticipation.
"I heard that His Majesty regained his vigor because of you, Eunuch Zhao. Your medical skills far surpass the Imperial Hospital. Please, enlighten me."
Zhao Wujiang looked at her with sincere eyes, as if to say, *You must remember this important knowledge.* "First, it has to do with posture..."
"Posture?" Liu Meier leaned in slightly, like a studious child. "What is posture?"
"A manner, an action, a form of expression!" Zhao Wujiang’s eyes gleamed, his expression solemn. He stood up, put one hand behind his back, and turned his head slightly to look at Liu Meier against the light:
"Whether it is the common folk or royal relatives, when they offer sacrifices to the gods, they spread their hands forward in a gesture of offering. This is a posture. They express their awe and respect for the gods. The gods feel this sincerity, and the seasons stay prosperous, and the country remains at peace. When you and I worship our ancestors during festivals, we clasp our hands and kneel. That, too, is a posture; it expresses our longing for our ancestors. The ancestors feel this, and in the unseen world, they protect us. Procreation is a matter of creating something from nothing and seizing the fortunes of heaven and earth. If your posture is wrong, if your heart is not sincere, how can heaven and earth perceive you? How can you conceive?"
Every word hit home, striking directly at Liu Meier’s soul. She stared blankly at Zhao Wujiang, seeing him with his back to the light, looking like a god in charge of the destinies of the world.
"Eunuch, what posture does His Majesty like?"
*What His Majesty likes is useless—he can't do it anyway. You’d be better off asking what I like.*
Zhao Wujiang cleared his throat and sighed. "To pry into the secrets of heaven, earth, and man is to go against..."
"Heaven is my witness, as long as I, Liu Meier, am in this inner palace, I will protect you, Eunuch Zhao!" Liu Meier promised eagerly.
"Very well... but you must promise me, never tell another." Zhao Wujiang stared at her, his handsome face filled with intense earnestness.
*How could I ever tell anyone such a secret technique?* Liu Meier was overjoyed.
Zhao Wujiang raised his eyebrows, his demeanor imposing. "The Emperor is a dragon of heaven and earth! When you are together, you must use the leg that is planted on the ground to wrap around his waist—this is called 'Clasping the Dragon’s Spine'! Then, use your hands to hook his neck—this is called 'Protecting the Dragon’s Head'! When the Emperor comes to you with his dragon energy, you must meet him with sincerity—this is called 'Receiving the Dragon’s Breath'!"
"Clasping the Dragon’s Spine, Protecting the Dragon’s Head, Receiving the Dragon’s Breath..." Liu Meier murmured to herself, the spring water in her eyes threatening to overflow. She was ecstatic and bowed to Zhao Wujiang. "Thank you, Eunuch Zhao!"
"Wait, don't thank me yet. I also have an ancestral secret recipe."
Zhao Wujiang took her hands and whispered in her ear, his voice so low that he feared others might hear. As they whispered, Liu Meier’s face turned pink. She listened to his words, then looked suspiciously at her own "assets," unsure. "Is it... really possible to make them... bigger?"
Zhao Wujiang held her shoulders, his tone sincere and earnest. "Your Ladyship, you must remember that growth permeates every stage of life. You can definitely do it! In this deep palace, every bit of advantage you have is another point of winning!"
Zhao Wujiang’s sincere expression gave Liu Meier a sense of warmth she hadn't felt in a long time. His words, which seemed to consider her every need, brought a smile to her face.
"Meier will surely remember Eunuch Zhao's words!"
***
"Your Ladyship, Your Ladyship, please slow down!"
On the palace path leading to the Emperor’s chambers, a maid was calling out in anxiety. In front of her, Lady Xiao Wanjun was walking with hurried steps. She lifted her bright red palace gown, her brow furrowed. With every step she took, the ample "scenery" on her chest could not help but sway, held back in vain by her robes.
Earlier that morning, she had heard that the Emperor had favored Lady Liu the night before. She also knew that the reason the Emperor had favored Empress Dugu Mingyue and Liu Meier in succession had everything to do with that favored eunuch, Zhao Wujiang.
This man used folk medicine to regulate the Emperor’s health, and now, all matters of the bedchamber were under his influence. And Lady Liu had gone to the Emperor’s chambers again this morning; it didn't take a genius to guess that she was there to consult Zhao Wujiang on something.
*I am already one step behind. I cannot fall further behind...*
Xiao Wanjun ignored the shouts of her maid. After half a cup of tea, she finally arrived at the Emperor’s chambers. Just as she stepped through the gate, she encountered someone coming the other way—Liu Meier, in her pink gown, radiating natural seductiveness.
"Greetings, Elder Sister." Liu Meier bowed to her, but her head was held slightly high, and her face was filled with uncontrollable joy, like a proud little sparrow that had landed on a high branch.
Xiao Wanjun’s eyes turned cold. *It seems Liu Meier has gained quite a lot...*
She nodded slowly and brushed past Liu Meier, her eyes turning as cold as frost. *Every woman in this palace is my competitor. Was the Empress not enough? Must I now deal with a Liu Meier, too? This Zhao Wujiang—I must win him over!*
She arrived at the door of the bedchamber. It was tightly shut, with two young eunuchs standing guard. Xiao Wujiang was about to push the door open, but the two eunuchs blocked her way, looking troubled.
"Eunuch... Eunuch Zhao... has been thinking too hard... he is exhausted and is currently resting. Your Ladyship, please wait a moment..."
"Hm?" Xiao Wanjun’s anger flared. "You two little eunuchs, how dare you..."
"Heh..."
Liu Meier, who had not gone far, saw this scene and curled her red lips, covering her mouth to giggle, whether in amusement or mockery, it was unclear.
The laughter drifted into the ears of Imperial Consort Xiao, making her chest tremble with rage. But she quickly regained her composure, berating herself for being foolish and impatient.
*To be able to make the Emperor favor Dugu Mingyue and Liu Meier in succession, and to be consulted privately by Liu Meier—he must be a man of great capability. Such experts always have their own tempers. If I am reckless, I will surely leave a bad impression. If he refuses to help me, the loss will be too great...*
*Furthermore, with Liu Meier’s wily nature, she must have prepared gifts. I came in such a hurry, empty-handed; I fear I lack sincerity...*
The more Xiao Wanjun thought about it, the more convinced she became. She smiled toward the room: "Eunuch Zhao, please rest. I shall return later."
*I must prepare a treasure that he cannot refuse...*
Xiao Wanjun calmed her heart and turned to leave.
Inside the room, Zhao Wujiang leaned back in his chair, listening to the movement outside. He hadn't thought that much of it; he just felt that if the palace consorts came one after another, it would be a nuisance. And he had to keep his "arrangement" with Xuanyuan Jing a secret. Fortunately, his eunuch status was still a sturdy shield.
The outside grew quiet. Half an hour later, another argument broke out.
"Sister Qinger, please stay back. Eunuch Zhao is resting."
"What Eunuch Zhao? Get out of the way... I have something urgent to discuss with Little Zhao."
*Hm? Qinger, the Empress’s trusted maid? What could she want with me?*
Zhao Wujiang slowly stood up.