Chaрtеr 1: Тhе Inсompetеnt Еmpress
Мist filled the аir.
Тhе bаthing tub wаs fillеd with cоw’s milk. Тhе wоman soаking inside lazily lifted hеr аrm and rеstеd аgаinst thе wide еdgе оf the tub, tiny drорlets sliding dоwn her smooth, dеlicаte back.
“Yоur Mаjestу, Нer Mаjesty is bathing!”
Оutsidе саme the urgеnt vоiсе of a mаid, follоwed by а flurry of hurriеd footstеps.
Heаring this, Нuа Shu frownеd аnd looked uр, just in time tо sеe the еxquisite рeоnу sсreеn being pushеd aside.
Тhе mаn who entered wore a purрlе dragon robe. Не was handsomе аnd tall, but his eyes were dark and brooding.
“The Empress truly has great audacity! Lacking virtue and consumed by jealousy, now you even scheme against the imperial heir!”
His voice was filled with anger, veins bulging on his forehead—clearly furious.
Hua Shu sighed inwardly. It had only been a few days since she arrived in this unfamiliar Kingdom of Chu, and she already had to deal with this mess.
She was Hua Shu, yet not Hua Shu. After all, before opening her eyes, she had been the renowned Empress Dowager of the Kingdom of Zhao.
Her fame stemmed entirely from her origins as a lowly maid who helped her young son ascend the throne and firmly secured her position as Empress Dowager.
In their eyes, she was a seductress reborn—a temptress who bewitched the ruler and brought debauchery to the harem.
Pedantic scholars condemned her with their words and writings, imagining how many dirty deals she must have struck in private to stand at such heights. She had endured it all in silence, and once she seized power, she became the ruthless Empress Dowager who eliminated all opposition.
She had won, and the history of the Kingdom of Zhao regarding her was rewritten by her own hand.
The only regret was the many years wasted in humble beginnings, her body plagued by illness and suffering daily torment.
Who would have thought that upon opening her eyes this time, she would appear in the unheard-of Kingdom of Chu and become the Empress?
Empress—what a superior identity, with a powerful family background and as the Emperor’s only official wife.
Unfortunately, the original owner was foolish, neither intelligent nor content, leaving behind many troubles.
This time, she had targeted Rong Zhaoyi, the Emperor’s beloved, and ended up leaving evidence that was used against her in a trap.
Facing the Emperor’s wrath, Hua Shu had no choice but to endure it. However, the current situation was hardly suitable for confrontation.
Since the Emperor had barged in angrily without regard for propriety, she saw no need to care about etiquette either.
Thinking this, Hua Shu calmly stood up. Water droplets fell, splashing one by one, and her jade-like body was fully exposed before the Emperor.
Her skin, freshly soaked in cow’s milk, was as fair as congealed fat, with two peaks standing out like fresh cherries.
The Empress was not a stunning beauty, but her features were delicate and refined. At this moment, her dark, lustrous hair cascaded down to her waist. Without the opulent attire, she appeared delicate and captivating.
Shameless!
Chu Ze averted his gaze, his hands inside his sleeves unconsciously clenching.
Meanwhile, Hua Shu stepped out of the bathing tub. A maid came forward to assist her, washing her with clear water. Her legs moved unconsciously, creating splashing sounds.
The Emperor eventually grew somewhat embarrassed and awkwardly turned away, heading into the inner chamber.
Seeing the Emperor leave, Hua Shu smiled faintly and proceeded to dry herself methodically.
As long as one was bold enough, it was always others who retreated.
Hua Shu changed into a red peony-patterned gown, casually swept her hair back, and waved her hand to dismiss all the attendants.
She parted the beaded curtain and saw the Emperor sitting there, idly stroking a teacup, lost in thought.
Hua Shu walked over slowly and curtsied in greeting.
Seeing her, Chu Ze continued his earlier anger and slammed the teacup heavily onto the table. “Reckless behavior! As the Empress, you are jealous and lacking in virtue. From today onward, I see no need for you to manage the Six Palaces.”
Stripped of authority over the palace—how severe!
Usually, by this point, there would be weeping and pleas for mercy.
But today, Hua Shu did not react that way. She acknowledged her wrongdoing.“I meant well but ended up causing trouble, angering Your Majesty and harming your health. I am guilty.”
Chu Ze was stunned for a moment, seeming to realize something, his gaze deepening. “Is the Empress threatening me? Do you think I dare not depose you?”
“Your Majesty need not humiliate me, nor was that my intention. Take the Phoenix Seal if you wish. My health is poor, and managing the harem is truly beyond my strength.”
Under the flickering candlelight, she lowered her gaze, as if an invisible gloom enveloped her, her figure appearing somewhat frail.
After a long silence, the Emperor’s mocking laughter came from above. He bent down, his broad palm covering her slender neck before gripping her chin and lifting it upward.
“The Empress is becoming increasingly adept at putting on an act. For the sake of power, is there anything you wouldn’t do?”
He was well aware of the unsavory deeds the Empress had committed before. Seeing her feigning innocence now only fueled his anger further.
Hua Shu was forced to look up at him, fully aware of the Emperor’s intense disdain for her. Any words she spoke would be futile.
Besides, who doesn’t love power?
Power can forge a golden body, and it can also slay gods and buddhas.
“Then what does Your Majesty truly wish for me to do?” Hua Shu met his gaze, her red lips parting slightly.
To be honest, the Emperor’s face was truly well-crafted. Up close, his sharp brows and bright eyes made him one of the most handsome men she had ever seen.
If it were the Hua Shu of the past, she might have been interested in playing along with him.
Unfortunately, she was now an out-of-favor Empress, and everything she did had to be approached with caution.
Their eyes met, Hua Shu’s gaze clear and untainted by any impurities.
Chu Ze’s mind wavered, his grip loosening slightly. When he realized this, he abruptly stood up, a flicker of annoyance crossing his expression.
“The Empress lacks the capability to manage the harem. Her authority is hereby revoked.” He regained his cold demeanor and, upon leaving, glanced at the several buckets of Cow’s Milk placed by the door. “Given the Empress’s frugality, she likely has no need for such luxuries as Cow’s Milk. Inform the imperial kitchen that from now on, there is no need to deliver it to the Empress.”
Li Zongguan, waiting at the door, hurriedly followed as the Emperor emerged. Upon hearing these words, he thought to himself, the Empress was as good as deposed! The Emperor wouldn’t even allow her to use Cow’s Milk anymore.
The entourage swiftly departed.
Hua Shu stood up, her expression shifting entirely, devoid of any innocence. Her eyes grew deep and profound, flickering with a hidden ambition.
It was as if she had shed her outer shell, transforming into an entirely different person.
She sat on the small couch, her elbow resting on the table. Her raven-feather-like eyelashes fluttered, casting shifting shadows. Her fingertips toyed with the cup the Emperor had just thrown onto the table, a faint, ambiguous smile playing on her lips. In the next moment, she pushed it outward, sending it crashing to the floor, shattering into pieces.