Ping Zhao Lu

"I heard that the Emperor met Concubine Liu in the Imperial Garden, and the Empress was ignored. Is that true?" Concubine Xian smiled and drank the nourishing soup elegantly. She was in a very good mood.

"What the eunuch said should be correct." Cuihuan responded happily.

The virtuous concubine stirred the soup in her bowl and snorted softly, saying, "The emperor's favor is only temporary. The queen must understand this."

"Your Majesty is right, but it's too easy for Concubine Liu. She happened to get the chance to sleep with you." Cuihuan said indignantly.

The virtuous concubine put down the spoon, raised an eyebrow slightly, and said, "What kind of trouble can a princess of a fallen country cause? It's a good thing that her country has been destroyed, so she can't put on her princess airs."

Cui Huan echoed, "That's right. She has been hanging around His Majesty from time to time for so many years, and only today has she won His Majesty's favor. It's really hard for her."

The corners of Concubine Xian's mouth curled up slightly, a hint of contempt and ridicule flashed in her eyes, and she said softly, "She only uses some seductive tricks. Normally, I would not let her off easily. But now, as long as I can make the Queen unhappy, I am too lazy to bother with her."

Cuihuan smiled flatteringly and echoed, "Your Majesty is merciful."

After hearing this, Concubine Xian was in a good mood, nodded with satisfaction, and picked up the spoon again to taste the food.

However, as if remembering something, Concubine Xian frowned and asked, "Strange, why haven't I seen Eunuch Yang these past two days? I usually run into him when I walk around the palace, but now I haven't even seen his shadow. This makes me a little uncomfortable."

When Cuihuan heard this, her expression instantly became serious.

Xian Fei noticed her strangeness, stopped what she was doing, looked at her in confusion, and asked, "What's going on?"

"I also found it strange, so I went to the laundry department to find Kexin and asked her. Only then did I know..." Cuihuan hesitated for a moment with a complicated expression, then leaned close to Concubine Xian's ear and whispered, "When the Queen offered tea, Eunuch Yang deliberately prevented the servants from offering it. So, Your Majesty imprisoned him and tortured him to death."

"What!" Xianfei was furious. She didn't even drink the soup and slammed the bowl down on the table. "For such a small matter, His Majesty has punished me so severely!"

"Your Majesty, calm down!" Cui Huan said hurriedly. "This servant finds this strange. Your Majesty has always been clear about rewards and punishments. Why would you start a war over a newly crowned empress? I think Eunuch Yang must have touched your Majesty's weak spot, which is why he ended up like this."

Upon hearing this, Concubine Xian's expression softened slightly. "Yes, Your Majesty has his reasons for doing this. He certainly wouldn't abuse private punishment for a male queen."

*

As night fell, the entire palace fell into silence, but Fengluan Palace was especially quiet, with all the lights extinguished.

Qing He cautiously entered the palace chamber and gently moved to Xu Zhouye's side. A hint of worry flashed through her eyes, but she mustered up the courage to ask, "Your Highness, are you really not going to invite His Majesty?"

Xu Zhouye sat quietly on the edge of the bed, his eyes calm and unperturbed. He shook his head slightly and said firmly, "No need. No one is allowed to disturb His Majesty and Lady Liu tonight."

Qing He couldn't help but be stunned, with a puzzled look on his face: "Your Highness?"

Xu Zhouye just smiled calmly and said, "You can go down. I'm tired and need to rest."

"Yes, I obey your command." Although Qinghe was full of doubts, she knew that it was not appropriate to ask too many questions at this moment. She responded respectfully and turned to leave.

The breeze gently blew through the willow branches outside the window, making a rustling sound.

Xu Zhouye looked out the window, his eyes turned slightly, and a dark light flashed in his eyes.

*

In just a few breaths, Shang Jiu teleported back to the Golden Palace from Fengluan Palace like a ghost.

His figure was graceful and his movements were as swift as the wind, so much so that even the guards on night watch were unaware of him.

At this moment, the Golden Palace was silent, with only a faint candlelight flickering.

Chu Yunxiao sat at the desk with a stern expression, like a cold sculpture.

However, in this tense atmosphere, there is another scene hidden - behind a beaded curtain, there is a seductive picture of a beautiful woman lying lazily on the couch with her clothes half covered.

That beautiful figure is as delicate and charming as a blooming flower, which makes people imagine.

"Your Majesty, the night is getting late. Please rest early."

Lady Liu's voice was gentle, and there seemed to be a hint of invitation in it.

Chu Yunxiao pretended not to hear and continued to review the memorials attentively.

Lady Liu felt bored and turned over to lie on her side.

After a while, Shang Jiu suddenly appeared in front of Chu Yunxiao.

He bowed and clasped his fists, saying solemnly, "The lights in Fengluan Palace have been turned off."

Chu Yunxiao's pen tip paused slightly, his face as cold as ice. After a moment of silence, he said in a deep voice, "Back off."

Shang Jiu glanced expressionlessly at the person lying on the couch behind the bead curtain, said nothing more, and retreated.

After a long time, the emperor walked slowly into the inner room and undressed slowly.

Just as he was about to undo his waist belt, Lady Liu suddenly hugged him from behind and said in a gentle voice, "Your Majesty, let me undress you."

The emperor's movements paused slightly, but he quickly returned to normal. A faint smile played on his lips, as if he didn't care about Lady Liu's behavior.

When Concubine Liu saw this, she was delighted, thinking that she had successfully attracted the emperor's attention.

So, she carefully reached out and gently untied the emperor's belt, then slowly took off his coat. Her movements were gentle and charming, and every move was full of teasing.

The emperor stood quietly, letting Lady Liu do whatever she wanted. After Lady Liu took off all his outer clothes, he was left with only his last thin nightgown.

At this moment, Lady Liu, with a smile on her face, gracefully moved around to the emperor's side. She extended her slender fingers and gently stroked the emperor's chest. Her eyes were filled with allure and charm, as if she were telling him something.

The emperor's lips curled up slightly, and a hint of subtle amusement flashed in his eyes. He remained unmoved and allowed Lady Liu to tease him as she pleased.

Concubine Liu did not notice anything unusual about the emperor. She thought she had successfully aroused the emperor's desire. She smiled triumphantly, and then lingered more brazenly on the emperor's heart with her hand.

At this moment, Lady Liu's smile suddenly froze on her face. She lowered her eyes, and the seductive smile gradually faded, replaced by a fierce look.

She suddenly pulled out a sharp dagger from under her sleeve, which flashed with a cold light, and stabbed it towards the emperor's heart without hesitation.

However, just as the dagger was about to touch the emperor's heart, her movements suddenly stopped.

She was still a step too slow. When the dagger was only an inch away from her heart, her wrist was tightly grasped by a strong hand.

In an instant, her body was thrown aside by a huge force and hit the hard stone pillar hard.

"you……"

Lady Liu fell to the ground, her face as pale as paper, a trace of blood oozing from the corner of her mouth. She stared at the scene in disbelief with her eyes wide open.

"When did you find out..." She uttered a few words with difficulty.

"In the Imperial Garden."

Chu Yunxiao's indifferent voice came from the outer hall, like a gust of cold wind blowing, making people feel chilled.

Lady Liu's pupils suddenly shrank, her eyes filled with astonishment and despair. She could never have imagined that the man in front of her was not Chu Yunxiao!

At this moment, the real Chu Yunxiao was slowly walking into the inner room, glancing coldly at the man who looked exactly like him.

The man expressionlessly tore off the human skin mask on his face, revealing his true appearance. He respectfully saluted the emperor and stepped aside.

"Ordinary people dance lightly and smoothly, but every step you take carries the inertia of a martial artist. It's better to call it martial arts than dancing." Chu Yunxiao said coldly.

"Ah……"

Lady Liu smiled helplessly, "It was me who betrayed myself." She raised her eyes and stared at Chu Yunxiao hatefully, "It doesn't matter. Today it's either you or me who will die."

After saying that, she stood up again, holding a dagger and attacking him directly, her movements quick and decisive.

But no matter what she did, she couldn't get close to the emperor, and every attack was blocked by another man.

The two were fighting fiercely, each move was fierce.

Lady Liu seized the opportunity and took advantage of the man's unpreparedness. She shouted angrily and pointed the dagger at Chu Yunxiao's throat.

However, Chu Yunxiao remained calm and dodged the attack easily by moving to the side.

Then he turned around and kicked Lady Liu in the abdomen.

Lady Liu groaned, flew backwards, and fell heavily to the ground.

"Out of control."

Chu Yunxiao sneered.

Lady Liu struggled to get up from the ground, with blood flowing from the corner of her mouth.

She glared at Chu Yunxiao fiercely, her heart filled with resentment and anger.

But she knew that there was no chance to do it again today.

"Father, Mother, I tried my best..."

As she spoke, she clenched the dagger and stabbed it towards her heart.