Chapter 126 - The Unfeeling Emperor

Chapter 126: Chapter 121: The Unfeeling Emperor"Lady, it is said that Prime Minister Xiao has requested to retire, and His Majesty has agreed. Also, for some unknown reason, Beauty Xiao has been relegated to the Cold Palace." In Ganlu Palace, the little palace maid joyously reported the news to Consort Rong. She knew of her lady’s plans against the Xiao Family, and thought that by sharing this, Lady would reward her!

Regrettably, upon hearing these words, Consort Rong didn’t show much reaction, primarily because the outcome was different from what she had anticipated. In her estimation, the downfall of the Xiao Family was inevitable, but in addition, shouldn’t the Empress be in trouble too? Otherwise, how could she incite a backlash from the Li family?

Yet now, the Empress, the Crown Prince, and the Princess all remained safe and sound, their favor stronger than before. Li Wan felt that perhaps she needed to devise another scheme to achieve her goal of destroying the nation.

At night, after Ye Qiu finished his official duties, he went to Weiyang Palace. Perhaps because she was his only daughter, Ye Qiu’s affection for the little princess surpassed that for his other children; he even named her Baozhen.

On the day of Baozhen’s full month celebration, coincidentally, there was good news of the pirates being wiped out. Overjoyed, Ye Qiu granted her the title of Princess Changping, bestowing upon her countless treasures. From then on, whether in the previous dynasty or within the harem, all regarded the Holy Emperor’s sole princess with special attention.

"Where is His Majesty?" Li Wan had just finished bathing, a blush still on her beautiful face as she spoke languidly.

"Your Ladyship, His Majesty has gone to Weiyang Palace."

After listening, Li Wan lazily lifted her eyelids, a flash of ruthlessness crossing the depths of her eyes: "It’s that little girl again."

She had always considered herself without rival in the harem, but ever since the birth of that little girl, her favor had been significantly eclipsed. Every time she sent someone to inquire, eight out of ten times His Majesty was visiting the little girl. It had already been five days since she had last shared His Majesty’s affection.

Even after overturning several dynasties, she still found this Emperor the most satisfying, be it his appearance or physique, both were top-notch. Thinking of those past nights, Li Wan felt a rising heat in her body.

But while enjoying herself was essential, annihilating the nation was also inevitable.

At that moment, Li Wan couldn’t help but think of the child she had deliberately miscarried. Was it also a little princess? If so, would His Majesty have come to her Ganlu Palace today?

But that momentary guilt quickly vanished, overpowered by the unrest over her fading favor and the fear of failing her Task.

She didn’t know why the System had chosen her, nor did she know the purpose of the System’s order to destroy the nation. However, she knew that the System could grant her eternal life, make her more perfect, and allow her to indulge in endless pleasures.

But should she fail to complete the ultimate Task, she would be forever stranded in this world, aging and disappearing just like any ordinary person.

Fearful of such a consequence, Li Wan immediately stood up agitated. No, she could not just sit around waiting for doom.

Li Wan personally applied a charming Taohua makeup on herself, draped a bright red cloak over her shoulders, a gold hairpin fluttering in her hair with the wind, and held a jade rabbit lantern in her hand. Under the intermittent lantern light, she appeared even more captivating and seductive. She didn’t allow any palace attendants to accompany her, heading alone towards the direction of the imperial garden.

Previously, she proudly waited for Ye Qiu to come to her, and even when graced with favor, she did not attend to him wholeheartedly, caring only for her own pleasure. But today, she was determined to demonstrate all her skills, and she was convinced that after tonight, His Majesty would not be able to leave her.

Although His Majesty cherished Princess Changping, he did not stay the night at Weiyang Palace, so Li Wan waited for him on the inevitable path between Weiyang Palace and Yangxin Hall.

Ye Qiu didn’t often travel by sedan chair, and as he walked near the imperial garden, he saw a beauty holding a palace lantern leaning against the fence. She did not put on an affected air but smiled openly and generously at him. Now deep into autumn, her hair and clothes fluttered in the wind, each and every frame could be painted.

Ye Qiu motioned with his hand for the palace attendants to stop and stay still, then walked towards Consort Rong by himself.

In his eyes, Consort Rong posed no threat at all now. The only reason he kept her around was to see what other uses her system had besides enchanting people.

"I pay my respects to Your Majesty."

"Why is my beloved concubine out alone at this hour?" Ye Qiu asked curiously as he helped Li Wan up, wondering what her intentions were.

Li Wan leaned against Ye Qiu, and immediately, a seductive fragrance filled his nostrils, making his mind waver.

Ye Qiu realized that this must be another effect brought about by her system.

"Your Majesty, I miss you," said Li Wan in a crisp voice tinged with timidity and boldness, her head slowly lifting and her beauty accentuated by the teardrop mole at the corner of her eye.

Ye Qiu sighed inwardly. Here it came again—that gaze, always compelling people irresistibly. He did not believe that the look in a person’s eyes alone could captivate the soul; this must be the work of her system again.

Furthermore, whenever she spoke, there was always an urge within him to fulfill her requests. And when they were intimate, the slippery smoothness of her pale skin was always irresistible. Consort Rong herself had other fine qualities, but compared to her skin, voice, eyes, and body fragrance, they always seemed to fall a little short.

Ye Qiu speculated that perhaps her system was intended to gradually empower her after certain requirements were met. But what were those requirements?

Ye Qiu, thinking of Consort Rong’s proactive flirtation today, had some guesses. Could it be an attempt to seduce him? What extent of success would count as a successful seduction?

Ye Qiu watched as Consort Rong was constantly displaying her charm and smiled meaningfully: "My beloved princess truly wins my heart. With such a fine moment and beautiful scenery, how could I disappoint you?"

The imperial garden was not far from Ganlu Palace. With a slight bend, Ye Qiu picked up Consort Rong by the waist, eliciting a series of giggles from the beauty, who remained restless along the way, mischievously using her hands without any regard for the presence of palace attendants.

Li Wan was exceptionally proactive that night, trying positions they had never attempted before—on the large bed, the soft couch, the dressing table, and in the bath... The two of them went at it for most of the night, both thoroughly exhausted.

After the torrent of passion had subsided, Li Wan fell into a deep sleep without even getting the chance to mention the request she had long pondered; however, the smile on her lips indicated her satisfaction with Ye Qiu’s performance that night.

The next morning, Li Wan felt her body had mostly recovered. This was one of the advantages brought by her system. Recollecting the past night’s events, she couldn’t help but smile knowingly.

She did not believe that after last night’s indulgence, His Majesty could still let go of her.

When he couldn’t do without her, she would be able to mold the Emperor into a licentious ruler, just like the storied predecessor Daji from the world she once experienced, leading to a nation in disarray and a dynasty’s downfall.

Ye Qiu did not disappoint her expectations, and that night he visited Ganlu Palace again.