Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

"What troubles could I possibly have that require Empress Wu to resolve?"

Ji Yuxi was so unaware of Wu Li's appearance that she was already deeply wary of Wu Li's cultivation level.

Wu Li laughed and said, "Being threatened by a young empress who has just ascended the throne and is not yet eighteen years old, yet being helpless, the Empress Dowager must be very unwilling, right?"

Ji Yuxi: "This is a matter of my royal family, and Empress Wu need not concern herself with it."

"Is that so?" Wu Li smiled. "Does the Empress Dowager intend to use the power of the local officials, or to put pressure on Empress Jiang by borrowing the hundreds of thousands of troops of the Prince of Shu?"

But if I may be frank, none of these methods are the best solution. Even if we successfully force Empress Jiang to abdicate, it will only benefit a lurking third-party power.

This is a situation the Empress Dowager probably wouldn't want to see. Perhaps the simplest method would be to let the Empress fall into depravity and corruption.

Then the Empress Dowager's desire to control the court can be successfully realized.

Ji Yuxi frowned.

"Your Majesty need not be so nervous. I have no ill intentions. On the contrary, I share the same interests as Your Majesty."

I genuinely want to help you; you only need to agree to one small condition.

"what do you want to say in the end?"

Wu Li smiled and walked behind Ji Yuxi. Through the curtain of the palace, she looked at Shu Yingwen, who was faintly asleep inside, and couldn't help but lick her dry lower lip.

"Empress Dowager, where did you find such an exceptionally handsome male concubine? And how did you manage to tame him so obediently?"

Such qualities are truly rare in this world; even I admire them.

Ji Yuxi was taken aback, then turned around and said, "Empress Wu, are you planning to use this to threaten me? Don't forget, it's the Chu royal family that's taking you in now."

"If you anger me, I am confident I can handle sending you back to Wu."

"Cuckoo..."

Wu Li pursed her lips and let out a flirtatious laugh, then turned around and said, "Empress Dowager, you misunderstand. How can a woman avoid such a thing?"

I would never threaten the Empress Dowager with such a trivial matter. Actually, my request is very simple: I hope the Empress Dowager won't be stingy.

"Lend me your male concubine for a few days. Such a rare and exquisite man, I haven't tasted him in a very, very long time. Just one look at him makes my heart flutter."

Ji Yuxi's pupils dilated, somewhat unable to believe that these words actually came from Wu Li's mouth, and for a moment she didn't know how to respond.

"What's wrong, Your Majesty? Why aren't you saying anything? Are you unwilling? Then forget it."

"No, I was just thinking that the Holy Maiden Wu Li, the Empress Wu, who is the talk of the town throughout Jiangnan, is actually such a person who is fond of men."

This is completely different from the Empress Wu I know. If you hadn't said it yourself, I would never have believed it.

"Hahaha……"

Wu Li burst out laughing.

"Yes, in the eyes of the world, I, Wu Li, am a wise and enlightened monarch. Countless commoners bow down and worship when they see me."

Even though I was banished from the palace and forced into exile by rebellious forces, rumors of my wisdom and intelligence still circulated among the people, saying that if I had remained in power...

"Great Wu will surely replace Great Chu and become the empire with the most expansive territory in the East. This is how I, Wu Li, appear before the world—perhaps what is meant by manifesting my divine power before the people?"

Ji Yuxi frowned: "Could the rumors be wrong?"

Wu Li shook her head, saying ambiguously, "Yes and no, the reasons for this cannot be explained in just a few words."

I just want to ask the Empress Dowager one question: do you really want to control the court, rule from behind the scenes, and turn Empress Jiang into your puppet?

If you're willing, then agree to my conditions and lend me your male concubine for a few days. Don't worry, I won't keep it all to myself.

This will only make him stronger and more capable, which will also benefit the Empress Dowager in the future.

Ji Yuxi did not hesitate at all: "It's just a dog that amuses me. Since Empress Wu likes it, it's fine to give it to you. But how do you plan to help me?"

Although he failed to devour the domesticated dog on the first try, compared to wielding power, Shu Yingwen's status was utterly insignificant.

Wasn't he born for this day?

Wu Li smiled and took out a white pill from her sleeve and handed it to Ji Yuxi.

"What is this?"

"The Gu poison that the Southern Xinjiang Witchcraft Cult spent sixty years cultivating was called Yin Gu, or you could call it Lust Gu."

"Aphrodisiac?"

Ji Yuxi looked at the white pill in Wu Li's hand with a puzzled expression.

Wu Li explained, "This aphrodisiac can be mixed with spices and is difficult to distinguish. Once even a trace is inhaled, the poison's properties will remain in the body unnoticed and penetrate the brain."

As time goes by, the Gu's nature will become increasingly intense, eventually taking root and sprouting. With the slightest external stimulus, the Gu will penetrate deep into the mind's consciousness.

This, in turn, ignites a lifelong, inescapable lust, akin to being consumed by karmic fire. No matter how steadfast one's will, it is impossible to withstand the torment arising from the depths of one's nature.

At that time, the person afflicted by the curse will only have the desire for unrestrained lust, and will no longer have the extra energy or mind to think about anything else.

What are state affairs compared to the pleasure of seeking pleasure and abstaining from lust after the poison takes effect? ​​Even after regaining consciousness...

Even a woman who was once wise and intelligent can no longer live without that extreme form of sexual pleasure; this is the wondrous aspect of the lustful curse.

Moreover, this poison has the strongest effect on women; how many women in the martial arts world pride themselves on their chastity and virtue?

Under the corrupting influence of this lustful curse, they all became consumed by a thirst for satisfying their desires, utterly succumbing to the abyss of carnal lust, never to return to their true nature.

"Isn't this a good show of sincerity? What does the Empress Dowager think?"

Ji Yuxi remained stunned for a long time after hearing this.

According to Wu Li's description, this stuff is more than ten thousand times stronger than those common aphrodisiacs like Hehuan San.

only……

"Empress Wu, why do you possess such a thing?"

"Why should the Empress Dowager ask any more questions? Just ask whether you agree or not?"

"What else can I say?"

Ji Yuxi immediately took the aphrodisiac and put it into her sleeve.

The thought of Jiang Mengxuan's arrogant attitude towards her today filled Ji Yuxi with resentment.

She wanted to personally push Jiang Mengxuan into that pitch-black abyss, and then present her ugliest side to the world.

By then, she will be the de facto ruler of the Chu Kingdom, able to place her son on the throne while remaining behind the scenes, completely controlling the entire Jiang royal family and dominating the Chu Kingdom.

"The current Empress is very shrewd. What if she discovers something amiss?"

"Your Majesty need not worry about this. Once the Gu poison is inhaled, it will take time to settle and take effect. No abnormalities will be detected before the poison reaches the brain."

"How long will it take for the poison to take effect?"

"Depending on the amount inhaled, it usually takes one or two years, or seven or eight years. In short, once someone is infected with Gu, they cannot escape the torment of being burned alive."

"It's taking too long. Can it be faster? I really can't wait that long."

"Then external forces can be used to accelerate the growth of the Gu nature."

"What external force?"

"Giggle..."

Wu Li smiled upon hearing this.

"Naturally, it was on the Empress's wedding night that the perfect beauty of her palace was revealed to the other side, after the initial baptism of a swift rain."

The Gu-like properties will instantly rush into the mind and affect the depths of consciousness, making one completely unable to resist.

Upon hearing this, Ji Yuxi thought to herself, "So that's how it is. I understand now."

Wu Li: "Then, Empress Dowager, you promised me my male concubine..."

"Tomorrow night, I will have him wash himself clean and then send someone to Empress Wu's room to serve you."

"If you have any other requests, you may come to me. Once I have accomplished my task, I will certainly provide Empress Wu with the most worthy protection."

"Haha, very well then. I'll be waiting for the Empress Dowager to send this wonderful gift tomorrow night. It's getting late, so I'll take my leave now."

After saying that, Wu Li leaped onto the palace wall and disappeared into the snowy night in the blink of an eye.

Ji Yuxi held the aphrodisiac in her sleeve, her eyes turning extremely ferocious.

"Jiang Mengxuan, you bitch, how dare you dream of escaping my control? Hmph, that's just wishful thinking!"

Since you are so ungrateful, then I will make you taste what it's like to be worse than dead!

I will utterly destroy you, turning you into a woman addicted to having your jade-like arms used by thousands and your lips tasted by thousands, never to rise again!

By then, what face will you have to criticize me? You'll probably just beg me to find you dozens of strong men to satisfy your desires.

"At that time, I will make sure the entire court witnesses your most shameful moment, and forever nail you to the pillar of shame of Chu!"

……

On the other side, Ye Mo's residence was also crowded with aristocratic officials, all with worried expressions.

"Prime Minister Ye, the imperial army has returned to the capital and will arrive soon. The document impeaching Shen Lang for his tyranny is ready. When shall we launch our attack?"

"Prime Minister Ye, the cotton fabric from the Royal Textile Factory is driving us to the brink of collapse. You must think of a solution."

"Prime Minister Ye, His Majesty has recently been vigorously developing factories. More than 20,000 mu of land outside Jinling are starting construction almost simultaneously, and mines across the country are operating day and night."

Nobody wanted to perform the corvée labor; they'd rather pay the money than come.

Several projects planned by the Ministry of Public Works at the end of last year are now unable to proceed smoothly. What should be done?

The hall was filled with wails and screams, with everyone talking over their own words, resembling a bustling marketplace.

Annoyed by their noise, Ye Mo got up and started trimming the flowers and plants to distract himself.