People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 22, The Tide Demon's Feet, Xu Qing's Corruption
Upon hearing Chao Nu Yao's words, Xu Qing lowered his head and took two steps forward.

There was no incense in the room, and there were maids all around. Xu Qing was extremely nervous. He really couldn't figure out what the Tide Demon was going to do.
Is she dressed so scantily just to give herself a treat?

Seeing that Xu Qing still dared not raise his head, the Tide Demoness became even more interested. She shifted her position, changing from lying on her side to leaning against the small bed.

Her fair and rosy legs were placed side by side, and her delicate little feet gently touched the carpet on the floor, appearing right in Xu Qing's line of sight.

Her delicate little feet were fair and smooth, with black nail polish on each rosy toe, making them even more alluring under her flesh-colored stockings, like poisonous red grapes.

Even if it's poisonous, people will still be unable to resist eating it.

If foot fetishists saw this, Xu Qing believed they would rather be hacked to death than not lick it.

With a slight effort, the trendy woman raised her big toe slightly, revealing the faint outline of her white sole.

Xu Qing nervously swallowed and quickly spoke.

"I wonder where Madam is feeling unwell? Would you like to have her pulse taken?"

If she didn't speak up soon, Xu Qing was afraid she might do something monstrous.

Although he wasn't a foot fetishist, he couldn't resist the succubus's skill; her toes were like tiny baits, tantalizing Xu Qing, this little fish, and making him restless.

"Imperial Physician Xu, you really have a bad memory. Have you forgotten what I said the other day?" Chao Nu Yao teased with a light laugh.

"I have been in a bad mood lately, but I don't want to take medicine, so I would like to trouble Physician Xu to explain my illness and tell me some stories to ease my mind."

This morning, Hu Meiren asked Xu Qing to continue talking about her illness; she already knew about it.

She knew that Hu Meiren was worried that she had ulterior motives towards Xu Qing, so she wanted to use this method to protect Xu Qing. However, the more Hu Meiren acted this way, the more she wanted to manipulate and destroy Xu Qing.

If Xu Qing were to fall from grace, whether as a promising and handsome imperial physician or as he gradually falls into depravity in front of Consort Hu.

Thinking of this, Chao Nu Yao couldn't help but tremble all over.

Xu Qing glanced upwards slightly, looking at the two towering, snow-white mountain peaks and the abyss, which were not wide enough.

The sassy girl noticed Xu Qing's little action, but instead of getting angry, she subtly tossed her hair across her chest, whether intentionally or not, causing a slight surge of emotion.

Xu Qing quickly looked away; if he continued looking, he was about to explode.

"What would you like to hear, Madam?" Xu Qing asked.

"I have lived in the palace for many years and know nothing about what happens outside. I have heard that the world outside the palace is exceptionally vast. Why don't you tell me about it?"

The trendy girl leaned against the small bed, her slender hands playing with her hair, her beautiful eyes filled with laughter as she looked at Xu Qing.

Xu Qing's eyes darted around, and he realized that the Tide Demoness was either testing him or toying with him.

If I can't tell a story that satisfies the other party today, I'm afraid I won't be able to leave Mingzhu Palace so easily.

“Since Madam wishes to hear it, then I will tell you a story. The story is called The Sword of the Yue Maiden,” Xu Qing said.

"The Yue Maiden Sword? Could it be the Yue Maiden A Qing who helped the Yue Kingdom train three thousand Yue soldiers?" A hint of curiosity flashed in the eyes of the Tide Demoness.

She didn't want to hear Xu Qing tell her stories; she was just bored and wanted to tease the handsome young man to add some fun to her dull life.

It's like when a man is bored, he might want to visit a brothel.

"let's start."

"At the end of the Spring and Autumn Period, during the struggle for hegemony between Wu and Yue, King Goujian of Yue was defeated by King Fuchai of Wu." Xu Qing began to recount Jin Yong's novel "The Sword of the Yue Maiden".

Chao Nv Yao had no expectations for Xu Qing's story, but as Xu Qing explained it vividly, a look of surprise flashed in her beautiful eyes, and she gradually became engrossed in Xu Qing's narration.

The story of the Yue Maiden Sword was not long to begin with, and Xu Qing finished telling it quickly.

After Xu Qing finished telling the story, Chao Nu Yao still looked like she hadn't had enough, and her eyes held a strange smile as she looked at Xu Qing.

"I've heard of the story of Yue Nu A Qing, but I never expected that Physician Xu would know it so clearly," Chao Nu Yao said meaningfully.

The story of Yue Nu A Qing is widely circulated in the martial arts world. However, what is circulated outside is only the story of Yue Nu A Qing helping the Yue Kingdom defeat the Wu Kingdom. Chao Nu Yao has never heard of such a detailed story as Xu Qing's before. "When I was young, I studied Confucianism and did not like poetry, books, etiquette and music. Instead, I was quite interested in stories of the martial arts world."

"My father traveled to the State of Chu when he was young, and he heard some stories about Wu and Yue from the descendants of the Baiyue people. So I adapted them myself and wrote the story of the Yue Maiden Sword," Xu Qing explained.

He chose to tell the story of the female swordsman not only because it was short, but more so because the story was traceable and would not arouse suspicion.

"I see," said the Tide Fairy. "I never imagined that you were not only a skilled healer, but also had a unique talent for writing and telling stories. No wonder Lady Hu was cured by one of your stories."

"After hearing your story, I feel much better."

"Madam, you flatter me. I am not good with words," Xu Qing said modestly.

The trendy woman smiled slightly. The more interesting and outstanding Xu Qing was, the more she wanted to toy with him.

This way, she can not only satisfy her desires but also put Hu Meiren in a bad light. Why not do it?

“If Madam is alright, I will take my leave now. There are still some matters to attend to at the medicine storehouse,” Xu Qing said.

The fairy didn't speak, but got up from the small bed. She took a step forward, and whether intentionally or accidentally, her delicate little foot missed the mark, and her body leaned forward.

Seeing this, Xu Qing quickly stepped forward to help her up. Because Hu Meiren was there, Xu Qing was not as flustered as last time. He held the other woman's arm and steadied her.

"Madam, are you alright?" Xu Qing asked, bending down to help her to the bed.

"Thank you, Physician Xu. I am fine, but I have twisted my right ankle. I wonder if Physician Xu could massage it for me?"

The enchanting woman looked at Xu Qing with a charming smile, ran her fingers across Xu Qing's face, and slightly lifted his chin.

Xu Qing felt the lingering warmth on his face and met the beautiful eyes of the Tide Demoness. The Tide Demoness's eyes were like rippling spring water, captivating all who looked into them.

"This humble official is an outsider; Madam, you may have other maids massage you."

Xu Qing glanced around and realized that all the maids in the boudoir had left at some point, leaving only him and Chao Nu Yao in the large room.

"I do not like to be disturbed during my afternoon nap, so at this time there is no one else in the palace except for Physician Xu."

The sassy woman lay on the bed and deliberately stretched her twisted ankle out in front of Xu Qing.

Looking at that delicate little foot wrapped in stockings, Xu Qing felt a chill run down her spine, her mind racing with thoughts of how to prevent this from happening.

Seeing the anxiety in Xu Qing's eyes, the Tide Demon maintained her smile, watching Xu Qing calmly and slowly. The struggle that flashed across Xu Qing's face made her very satisfied.

After much deliberation, looking at the tiny foot dangling in front of her, Xu Qing helplessly closed her eyes, knelt down, and reached out to grasp the tiny foot.

When Xu Qing touched the small feet encased in stockings, she felt a silky, warm touch. She felt as if she was not caressing a foot, but rather a jade foot that had been handcrafted by a top craftsman with a lifetime of dedication.

Chao Nu Yao is not like Hu Meiren; everyone inside and outside Mingzhu Palace is her person. As long as she doesn't want him to, no one will tell anyone what he does with Chao Nu Yao. If she wants to kill him, nothing he says or does will matter.

Ever since he stepped into the Pearl Palace, the Tide Demoness has had him cornered.

Since we're already in a desperate situation, we might as well give in to their perverse tastes and perhaps there'll still be a way out.

Even if I die in the end, having experienced this before my death won't be too much of a loss.

Having thought it through, Xu Qing lifted Chao Nu Yao's jade-like foot with one hand and stroked it up and down with the other.

The succubus felt the warmth on her feet, her body twitched slightly, a strange glint flashed in her eyes, and her ears turned slightly red.

Feet are a particularly private and important part of a woman's body, especially in ancient times, when protecting the feet was also considered a way to protect chastity.

The trendy woman may appear open and alluring, but she still retains a certain degree of conservatism at heart.

Now, suddenly having her foot held and massaged by a man like Xu Qing, a sense of panic flashed through her mind. The warmth emanating from her ankle stirred a strange feeling within her.

"Madam, you have sprained your ankle. Wearing socks will hinder the proper setting of your ankle."

"Madam, would you mind taking off your stockings?"

(End of this chapter)