Сhарtеr 10: The Mоst Fаtal Tеmptatiоn Is Invisiblе
Оn thе mооn terrасе, сurtains flutterеd in the breeze аs tеa wаs brеwеd оvеr a stоvе.
Nеarby, Нuа Shu was рlucking the strings of а zither, аdjusting its tones.
“Your Мajеsty, this nеw mеlody уou comроsеd is trulу beautiful. Тhis sеrvаnt hаs never hеard suсh a livelу zither tune bеfore,” Yun Yuе said, genuinelу finding it dеlightful.
Нua Shu smilеd. Тhe melodiеs of Сhu-stуle zithers wеre prеdominаntlу mеlanсholic аnd sorrowful; рlауing them often led one into a mооd of self-inflicted glооm.
This little tune оf hеrs was created by the Zhao Kingdom musician Bai Ran. Whenever she listened to it, she felt joy.
Especially since musician Bai Ran possessed a handsome appearance and carried an air of ethereal grace when playing the zither.
A feast for the eyes.
Nanny Wen, as if sensing something, slowed her movements while pouring tea, moved closer to her mistress, and parted her lips slightly.
From the moon terrace, the outside view was exceptionally clear, particularly that conspicuous bright yellow dragon robe.
Noticing this, Hua Shu’s expression faltered slightly before she composed herself as if nothing had happened and continued plucking the strings.
“When it comes to musical scores, how could they compare to His Majesty? The Emperor gained fame at a young age and composed ‘Starry Sky’ himself—that is truly remarkable. It’s just a pity…”
She trailed off, leaving the sentence unfinished.
The Empress Dowager would return to the palace tomorrow, and the Emperor’s sudden appearance here at this moment likely harbored some intention.
“Pity what?”
That clear, cold voice echoed through the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, followed by a procession entering. Li Sheng ceremoniously announced, “His Majesty has arrived!”
Everyone in the Palace of Earthly Tranquility knelt in greeting.
Sitting high on the moon terrace, Hua Shu looked down at the figure who had appeared and couldn’t help but feel amused.
She had left just one sentence unfinished, and the Emperor couldn’t resist entering. He must have been here for a while.
Hua Shu rose and walked to the steps, just as the Emperor ascended. The two faced each other.
Hua Shu performed a proper bow.
“Pity what?” Chu Ze passed by her and sat directly on the small couch inside, his dark eyes fixed on her with a sharp intensity.
Hua Shu turned to meet his gaze. “In this humble consort’s opinion, Your Majesty is usually occupied with state affairs, carrying the welfare of the people in your heart. Such refined pursuits must, inevitably, be set aside.”
Chu Ze hadn’t expected her to answer this way, especially seeing her calm expression and the sincerity in her eyes.
His heart stirred slightly, and he uncomfortably averted his gaze, looking elsewhere.
Indeed, from the moment one became emperor, many things had to be sacrificed.
Nanny Wen carefully poured tea for the Emperor nearby.
Recently, whenever the Emperor appeared, everyone in the Palace of Earthly Tranquility felt their hearts race, fearing another misstep.
Hua Shu lifted her skirt and walked over, instructing someone to put away the zither.
“Stopping already? The Empress’s skills are crude; she should practice more,” Chu Ze said, picking up the tea, taking a sip, and then setting it down.
It was Biluochun tea, but he usually only favored Dragon Well Tea Before Rain.
Hua Shu raised an eyebrow. She then had the zither set down again, her eyes sweeping over the Emperor as she understood.
The Emperor had clearly been drawn by her zither music but was stubbornly refusing to admit it.
If he wanted to listen, why pretend otherwise?
She sat down, her fingers plucking the strings, and spoke nonchalantly, “This consort’s skills are lacking. I had intended to practice more, not daring to offend Your Majesty’s ears.”
Chu Ze remained silent, so Hua Shu began playing the same tune again.
The melodious sound of the zither filled the entire moon terrace. It was clear the Emperor was enjoying it, and a hint of a smile touched Hua Shu’s eyes.
People always harbor curiosity toward new things.
The Emperor was no exception.The final note faded, its lingering echo hanging in the air.
Chu Ze’s expression visibly softened, and he finally spoke, “The transitions in these few sections aren’t smooth enough.”
The Emperor pointed at the sheet music on the table, moving closer to her side. He leaned over and plucked the strings. His hands were slender, with distinct knuckles, quite pleasing to the eye.
Under his touch, the notes flowed smoothly and gracefully.
Hua Shu nodded. She had noticed the issue when she was writing it down. She could hear it, but that didn’t mean she remembered it clearly. She hadn’t expected the Emperor to pinpoint the root of the problem at a glance.
She listened while making corrections with her brush.
Chu Ze glanced sideways, finding her focused, revising demeanor much more agreeable.
This was the first time he had observed his Empress from such a close distance. She wasn’t as unbearable as he had thought.
Last time, she had said she would be obedient and well-behaved. It seemed she had kept her word.
The summer heat was intense. The Empress wore only a thin golden gown. As she sat upright at the desk, her brush in hand, the fabric clung to her, perfectly outlining her graceful waistline.
Chu Ze was close enough to catch the scent on her—not too strong, not too faint, just right.
His gaze lingered on her. Under the moonlight, her skin was flawless, seemingly without a single blemish. Her delicate, rounded earlobes made one want to pinch them gently.
A breeze stirred the curtains as the brush tip left a few strokes on the paper.
Hua Shu’s handwriting was elegant and neat, even when making corrections.
Sensing the gaze beside her, she calmly picked up the paper and blew on the still-damp ink.
Her lips were a tender pink, and that gentle breeze seemed to waft into his heart.
It felt… ticklish.
Chu Ze quickly realized his own impropriety. He turned his head away, yet felt a surge of irritation.
What was there he couldn’t look at?
He was the Emperor. Every consort in the rear palace was his woman.
The Empress was no exception. If she fulfilled her duties, he was still willing to give her a chance.
Chu Ze cleared his throat lightly. Li Sheng seemed to understand the Emperor’s intent, but before he could speak,
Hua Shu was the first to express concern, “Your Majesty, perhaps you’ve caught a chill from the wind? Eunuch Li, please escort His Majesty back to rest early!”
Back to rest?
Li Sheng’s words stuck in his throat.
What was Her Majesty saying? Had she lost her senses?
Wasn’t this clearly pushing the Emperor away?
Chu Ze’s face darkened completely. He looked down at Hua Shu, as if trying to bore a hole through her with his gaze.
Yet, her eyes held nothing but innocence.
Chu Ze was no fool. He could easily guess she was doing this on purpose.
She probably still resented him in her heart, which was why she dared to mock his taste last time.
Very well!
He had intended to offer her a way out, but it seemed she didn’t appreciate it at all.
“Return to the palace,” Chu Ze’s voice turned cold. He stood up, not sparing her another glance, and swept his sleeves as he left.
Hua Shu slowly rose and performed a slight curtsey, seeing him off.
Once again, the Emperor left the Palace of Earthly Tranquility in a huff.
Nanny Wen stepped forward, somewhat puzzled. “Your Majesty, the Emperor finally came for a visit. Why must you provoke him like this?”
Just moments ago, it seemed the atmosphere between the Emperor and Her Majesty was quite good. For him to stay the night would have been a natural progression.
“He came, picked faults, and clearly looks down on me. Why keep him?”
Hua Shu replied perfunctorily.
She had other plans in mind.
The Emperor could have whoever he wanted, but if it came too easily, it would lose its appeal.
His current interest in her was, ultimately, just a flicker of curiosity sparked by someone suddenly behaving differently.
And after that?If this curiosity is not properly utilized, it will soon be overtaken by the emperor’s wariness.
Hua Shu had long understood a principle: the more poisonous the flower, the more captivating it is.
What she sought was an irresistible, inescapable allure.
Knowing full well it was toxic, yet willingly indulging in it.