Her heartbeat grew faster and faster, the lingering fragrance by her side sending her imagination wandering.
But she was the Empress—they were not suitable.
She ought to refuse Xunian.
Yet, completely contrary to her thoughts, her heart thumped madly with anticipation, exposing her true feelings for all to see.
Something pressed against her lips, and a sweet aroma filled her mouth.
The Empress opened her eyes to find a piece of white candy at her lips.
She felt a faint sense of disappointment in her heart.
Forget it. She opened her mouth to bite the candy, the rich milky sweetness and fragrance filling her senses, leaving her heart feeling sweet as well.
The Empress felt that she didn’t seem so uncomfortable anymore; physically she still felt unwell, but her heart was happy.
With the candy still in her mouth, she cheerfully announced,
“From today onward, you will attend to me personally. Without my permission, you are not to leave even half a step.”
What?!
She had become a personal Palace Maid?!
How was she supposed to find the other Players now?!
Xunian’s expression became a bit troubled, hoping the Empress would notice her difficulty and not force her hand.
Of course, the Empress saw it, but she pretended not to, taking the white porcelain bowl from Xunian’s hands and drinking it all in one go.
The empty bowl was shoved into Xunian’s hands, and then the Empress gracefully lay down and closed her eyes, feigning sleep.
Didn’t she say she had no strength in her hands???
Xunian held the empty bowl, her lips twitching.
She was speechless, wondering how she had once again been fooled by such a sloppy, obvious trick.
Xunian somewhat regretted drawing the Empress’s attention.
She never understood how the Empress had noticed her in the first place. It was a chance encounter; the Empress lent her a hand, and she naturally felt endlessly grateful.
But later, how did she end up catching the Empress’s eye again?
How had she become so highly valued by the Empress?
No matter how hard Xunian racked her brain, she couldn’t figure it out.
She only felt that, if the Empress were the Duke’s Daughter, it wouldn’t be strange for her to be favored like this.
She needed to find a chance to test the Empress.
Having been promoted to personal Palace Maid, Xunian dutifully stayed by the Empress’s side, remaining in the Main Hall until Xia He came to report,
“Madam, Consort Fu has come to pay her respects.”
Xunian gestured for her to be quiet with a “shh.”
The person on the bed opened her eyes, a cold light flashing in them,
“Xia He, bring her in.”
“Yes.”
Fu Ruxue followed Xia He all the way to the Empress’s Fuhua Hall.
Outside, on either side of the Jade walls, were carvings of a Dragon and a Phoenix.
The colored glass windows refracted brilliant hues onto the ground, while a row of exquisitely carved little divine beasts stood atop the golden eaves.
Fu Ruxue looked at them and immediately felt her own residence rather drab compared to this magnificent palace.
She’d have her Palace Maid paint a couple of paper divine beasts and paste them on her own eaves later.
Poor but ambitious.
“Madam, Consort Fu has arrived.”
Xia He brought her to the door and then stepped aside after announcing her.
Inside, the Empress’s gentle voice drifted out,
“Come in.”
This was the first time Fu Ruxue had heard the Empress’s voice, and she had to admit, it was quite pleasant.
She couldn’t help but grow curious about the Empress’s appearance.
Inside.
After calling Fu Ruxue in, the Empress hurriedly tried to get up to greet her.
But as soon as she rose, a wave of dizziness swept over her. Her frail body gave way, and she slumped to the side.
She fell into a warm embrace.
Supporting herself on Xunian’s arm, she nestled softly against Xunian, greedily soaking up her warmth.
Out of Xunian’s sight, a sly, satisfied smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
“Creak——”
The door slowly opened, and Fu Ruxue’s slightly surprised face appeared before the two.
What she saw upon entering was this scene: an enchantingly beautiful woman, cheeks flushed and smiling, leaning in Xunian’s arms.
Even with just her toes, she could guess that this breathtaking beauty leaning on Xunian must be the Empress herself.
Is this right?
Is this really right?!
Xunian looked at the shocked Fu Ruxue who had just entered and turned her head aside in embarrassment.
She wanted to push the Empress away, but the Empress was unwell, and she feared she’d fall if unsupported.
So she could only stand there and let the Empress use her as a crutch.
If the Empress knew what she was thinking, she’d probably be furious.
Throwing flirtatious glances at a blind man.
Despite her surprise, Fu Ruxue didn’t forget to observe the Palace Rules.
Once she regained her composure, she immediately gave a respectful bow to the Empress, “Greetings to the Empress, elder sister.”
The Empress nodded, then said to Xunian, “A’nian, help me to the bed.”
Xunian was taken aback by the address.
A’nian… what was that supposed to be?
Although she didn’t quite understand, she still did as told, helping the Empress back onto the bed.
Fu Ruxue was even more shocked. She thought the Empress merely valued Xunian, but didn’t expect their relationship to be like this…
Calling her by name so intimately right in front of an outsider—she dared not imagine what they were like in private.
She hadn’t expected Xunian to be this kind of person.
In the old castle’s horror world, she’d swiftly won over the peerlessly beautiful Duke’s Daughter, and now here, she’d captured even the stunning Empress.
This had to be! A heartbreaker, surely!
And rather picky too, always choosing to court the most beautiful one.
The way she looked at Xunian changed, regarding her as a notorious flirt.
Who would’ve thought, Xunian—so serious on the surface, yet so wild at heart…
Meanwhile, Xunian was looking at Fu Ruxue, wondering if she’d come here… perhaps to discuss something with her?
She looked at Fu Ruxue in confusion, and saw that Fu Ruxue was gazing back with a rather strange expression.
As Xunian and Fu Ruxue made eye contact, the Empress’s expression darkened. She covered her mouth and coughed, “Cough, cough, cough…”
Xunian anxiously looked at her and instinctively reached out to gently pat her back, “Madam, are you all right?”
“No worries.” The Empress smiled at her.
It was as if a wall had sprung up between them, leaving Fu Ruxue isolated and feeling as if she’d just been force-fed a bowl of dog food.
Fu Ruxue was speechless. Why did she have to play the third wheel being fed dog food even in this world…
Empress elder sister, the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet in a few days…
The Empress didn’t even look at her before entrusting her with such an important duty,
“You’ll be in charge of it.”
Wait, what she’d meant to say was… she didn’t want to attend the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet in a few days…
Fu Ruxue was stunned.
【Rule Two】: No one is allowed to refuse the Empress’s request.
It’s over. She didn’t even have the chance to refuse.
The Empress’s eyes looked at her with a trace of a smile, though her gaze was not warm. “Anything else?”
Fu Ruxue had no choice but to reply, “Nothing.”
The Empress tugged at Xunian’s hand, “A’nian, see the guest out.”
“Wait.”
Just as Xunian was about to escort Fu Ruxue out, the Empress stopped her.
The Empress pulled her close, leaning to whisper in her ear,
“I… want some tea.”
Her soft, sickly voice carried a hint of temptation, the warmth of her breath brushing against Xunian’s sensitive ear, making it turn pink.
Her heart itched.
Fu Ruxue watched as the Empress suddenly pulled Xunian close and kissed her, feeling so awkward she wanted to crawl into a crack in the palace floor and disappear.
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