“In that case, summon the Imperial Physician to examine Concubine Zheng. At the same time, inspect the wine and fruit at her seat, as well as Lady Si’s person, for any suspicious items.”
The palace maid took the order and left.
Luo Tiantian felt a bit guilty and moved away from Shen Xixi’s embrace, wondering if she should just log out of the game.
The Imperial Physician arrived quickly and first checked Concubine Zheng’s pulse.
The old physician’s fingers rested on Concubine Zheng’s wrist. His brow furrowed at first, then smoothed out as he probed more carefully. A strange expression appeared on his face.
He then inspected the wine and fruit platters in front of Concubine Zheng.
After completing his checks, the old physician walked to the center of the hall and bowed.
“Reporting to Your Majesty, Lady Zheng’s pulse is floating, rapid, and slippery. Her face is flushed, her mouth is dry, and she has a feverish body with slight perspiration. In my humble opinion, Lady Zheng has not been poisoned.”
“Not poisoned?” Concubine Zheng grew frantic. “Then why do I feel so miserable? This quack must have been bribed by Lady Si!”
The old physician remained calm and continued, “Her Ladyship’s symptoms are more consistent with the accidental ingestion of certain warming, dry, and tonic medicines meant to enhance pleasure—commonly known as an Aphrodisiac. Furthermore, the potency is quite domineering. As for the food and drink at Lady Zheng’s seat, I have examined them and found no toxins. However, on the edge of the fruit platter, there is a small amount of medicinal powder that matches the characteristics of the pulse.”
“A medicine meant to enhance pleasure?” Concubine Zheng was stunned.
Two maidservants stepped forward to search Luo Tiantian.
Very quickly, they found the paper packet with a small amount of residue in her sleeve.
The physician took it, identified it carefully, and reported, “Your Majesty, this medicine is indeed the same as the one affecting Lady Zheng.”
The evidence was conclusive.
Shen Xixi looked at Luo Tiantian’s slender, trembling figure, finding the situation both hilarious and intriguing.
‘She brought an Aphrodisiac to the palace banquet, intending to drug the concubine who hated her? What, did she plan to use some items to take revenge? But she got caught instead. This little Bao Si is really bad at the game but loves to play.’
“Lady Si.”
Luo Tiantian slowly raised her head, looking quite embarrassed.
“You brought such a medicine into the palace. What were your intentions?”
“I… I…” Luo Tiantian’s mind went blank; she couldn’t come up with an excuse.
“Is it because you think I cannot satisfy you, so you wanted to try it with Concubine Zheng? Or perhaps you dislike Concubine Zheng and wanted to watch her lose control at the Imperial Banquet so you could vent your anger on her? It seems Lady Si is quite the lustful little sweetheart. Since you are bullying her, you must receive an equivalent punishment.”
Luo Tiantian: “…Meh?!”
“Enough. Since Concubine Zheng is unwell, she should return to her palace to rest. As for this medicine, since Lady Si prepared it, why doesn’t she demonstrate the pleasure-enhancing effects for me personally?”
Concubine Zheng grit her teeth. “Your Majesty!?”
“Leave.”
Shen Xixi’s command was impossible to resist. Everyone in the hall obeyed and left.
As Concubine Zheng walked away, she gave Luo Tiantian a vicious glare and took several chopsticks that Luo Tiantian had used.
“My beloved concubine, why haven’t you come over yet?”
Luo Tiantian looked at Shen Xixi’s expression, which clearly said “I’m going to give you a hard time tonight,” and remembered the system’s failure penalty about being toyed with by King You…
‘Great. I went in a circle and still didn’t escape.’
Resigned to her fate, she shuffled toward the tyrant one step at a time.
‘Since the outcome of being toyed with by King You is inevitable, I have to find a way to maximize the benefits! My goal has never been clearer—make money! A lot of money! From this player who looks very wealthy!’
As long as she could satisfy her, game coins and rewards shouldn’t be lacking, right?
Luo Tiantian submissively went to Shen Xixi’s side and was pulled into her arms, where Shen Xixi began to stroke her wantonly.
“Your Majesty, I come from a humble background and do not understand the rules of the palace. I was afraid of making mistakes, and even more afraid of losing Your Majesty’s favor and having nowhere to go. That is why I lost my head and tried to use such underhanded methods to protect myself. Looking back now, it was truly foolish. In this deep palace, the only thing I can rely on is Your Majesty’s favor…”
**[Hint: Appropriately expressing a desire for rewards may trigger the target’s pleasure and desire to provide.]**
Luo Tiantian gave herself a thumbs-up in her heart.
‘Yes, act like this! A weak and helpless little white flower who pins all her hopes on the King, while also hinting that she’s poor and insecure and needs favor to fill the void. That favor should ideally be converted into solid game coins and rewards.’
Shen Xixi looked at the little fox in her arms trying so hard to work for her goals. Her mind was sharp.
‘This routine is far too familiar. What kind of lines won’t these NPCs use to squeeze resources out of players? Still, seeing Bao Si’s beautiful face making such an expression and hearing that soft, sweet voice saying she depends on me… it does feel pretty good.’
‘Paying for entertainment, right? Since the entertainment is actively asking for rewards, as long as it isn’t excessive, giving some sweeteners is fine.’
“Oh? Then tell me, how do you want me to favor you?”
“I wouldn’t dare ask for too much. The silks and jewelry in the palace are all wonderful things I have never seen before… Because I come from a small state, I lack experience and simply find them exceptionally beautiful. If I could have a bit more by my side, it would feel as if Your Majesty’s favor is with me every moment…”
Her voice grew quieter and quieter, and a blush crept onto her cheeks, as if she were ashamed of her petty wish.
Shen Xixi almost laughed out loud.
‘This little Bao Si is quite good at beating around the bush.’
‘She wants jewelry and silk? Fine. It’s just game data; I can give her as much as she wants. But that depends on her performance.’
Shen Xixi stroked the smooth skin of Luo Tiantian’s inner thigh. “Is my favor only worth a few bolts of cloth and some jewelry?”
Luo Tiantian shook her head quickly, her eyes frantic.
“Your Majesty’s favor is priceless! I am just stupid and can only think of such shallow things. I just want something tangible to remind myself, so I can feel a bit more at ease in this palace…”
As she spoke, her eyes turned slightly red. This time, it wasn’t entirely an act.
The medical bills in the real world, her mother’s situation in the game… she was, in fact, desperately craving tangible things—money.
Seeing her reddened eyes, Shen Xixi’s desire to tease her faded slightly, replaced by a surge of vanity.
‘Look, my Bao Si cannot survive without my favor. Even her sense of security is tied to the jewelry I bestow upon her. This is truly my possession.’
“Forget it. Since you like them, you shall have them. However, my rewards aren’t for free. Give me that medicine from earlier.”
“Yes. I am at Your Majesty’s disposal.”
Luo Tiantian handed Shen Xixi the Aphrodisiac given by the system, already prepared to swallow it.
‘As long as there’s money, never mind lying down and being dealt with by King You—I’ll even take the initiative. I’ll work my hardest!’
Then…
Shen Xixi took the medicine and, under Luo Tiantian’s wide-eyed gaze, swallowed it herself. Her throat bobbed as she gulped it down, her burning gaze fixed firmly on Luo Tiantian.
‘Meh??’
‘This is bad.’
Luo Tiantian suddenly felt a strong sense of unease. Her sixth sense was screaming at her to leave immediately, or she wouldn’t get another chance.
Shen Xixi licked her lips.
She reached out.
She grabbed her.
She pinned her down.
She pulled aside her clothing.
Looking, smelling, touching, and eating.
She devoured her… 😋
This medicine…
It was potent.
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