Skills?
Jiang Wan had mentally prepared herself before coming, but she still hoped to discuss things first if possible. After all, she knew absolutely nothing!
Before and after entering the palace, the matrons had taught her how to serve in the bedchamber. At the time, she thought she wouldn’t need it, so it went in one ear and out the other. She even complained that without a physical demonstration, she couldn’t imagine it at all.
It was difficult for a cat like her—she hadn’t even seen cats mating, so how could she know how humans reproduced?
Moreover, Xie Changlin was different from ordinary men now…
Jiang Wan couldn’t help but recall that indescribable storybook again. Her gaze fell on Xie Changlin’s pale fingers, and her face instantly flushed crimson.
It was said that women in the mortal world valued their chastity above all else. If a man took a woman’s chastity, he had to take responsibility. If she wanted Xie Changlin to protect her in the future and keep her from serving in the bedchamber, this ordeal was something she had to go through.
Besides, there was another saying in the mortal world: “Young master, your great kindness and virtue are beyond my ability to repay. I can only offer my body…”
Since she was already here…
Xie Changlin didn’t miss the look of determination in her eyes, as if she were facing death. A faint, mocking smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
In previous years, there had indeed been some foolish women who threw themselves at him, either for power or because they had no other choice, willingly degrading themselves to seek out a eunuch like him.
Those women were all disgusted to the point of vomiting inside, yet they pretended to be shy on the surface. However, they couldn’t hide the fear and disdain that leaked through. In the end, when they died, their eyes were wide open, as if they had seen a ghost.
He wondered if this little empress would look slightly better when she died.
Jiang Wan took a deep breath, forcibly calming her racing heart. She slowly walked in and even remembered to close the door behind her.
The room was filled with the scent of incense, light and pleasant.
Xie Changlin leaned halfway against his chair, watching as she slowly knelt beside his legs. His eyes remained calm and unreadable.
Jiang Wan reached out and tugged at his black robe, her voice soft and delicate. “Your Eminence, I don’t want to serve in the imperial bedchamber. Please take me. From now on, I will be Your Eminence’s person…”
“Did Her Majesty forget all the palace etiquette she learned?”
Jiang Wan: “I… This consort will undress and warm Your Eminence’s bed from now on. Is that acceptable?”
After she finished speaking, a soft, mocking laugh drifted down from above her head. “Is Her Majesty saying she’s willing to be a plaything for this eunuch to pass the time?”
Could she not even be considered a person anymore?
Jiang Wan bit her lip. “Yes.”
“But this humble servant sees that Her Majesty is not prepared.”
From Xie Changlin’s perspective, her slender neck looked as if it could snap with just a slight twist.
Should he say she was too bold, or that she knew nothing about Xie Changlin as a person?
Jiang Wan slowly stood up, her face flushed as she began to undo her clothes.
But as soon as she moved, the slender hand on the desk lightly tapped the table twice.
The door was immediately pushed open, and Jiang Wan was so startled that she covered her chest with her hands.
Two young eunuchs she had never seen before entered, bowing their heads in greeting. “Lord of a Thousand Years.”
“Knock Her Majesty unconscious and send her to Qian’an Hall.”
Jiang Wan instantly felt hopeless. “No, there’s no need to knock me out. This consort will go on her own…”
Xie Changlin’s eyes darkened, and his tone grew colder. “Tell that old fool that this move was utterly foolish.”
Jiang Wan suddenly understood—he thought her father had sent her?
She didn’t respond, only muttered sullenly, “This consort will come again.”
Without waiting for his reaction, she lowered her head and walked out.
Qiaoqiao saw her come out alive and finally felt relieved. But when she noticed the two young eunuchs behind her, she didn’t dare ask any questions.
Upon reaching the entrance of Qian’an Hall, Jiang Wan looked helplessly at the two of them. “Can we go back now?”
“Your servant takes his leave,” they said in unison, but only retreated to either side of the door, with no intention of returning to report their mission.
Jiang Wan gritted her teeth. Were they planning to stand guard over her all night?
Fuming, she followed Li Dequan into the hall and saw Huan Cheng, who hadn’t yet fainted at the appointed time.
Wait, that wasn’t right…
Jiang Wan furrowed her brows, scrutinizing Huan Cheng’s arms and head closely. “Your Majesty, these needles…”
Huan Cheng looked as if he were barely clinging to life. “I… haven’t fainted.”
Jiang Wan: “…”
He slowly turned his eyes toward Jiang Wan. “Empress… I… can do it.”
Jiang Wan: “…”
She really wanted to smack him on the forehead.
“De Quan, did His Majesty have someone come and insert these needles himself?”
Li Dequan nodded hesitantly, half-daring to confirm.
Jiang Wan twitched her lips, walked over, and under Li Dequan’s horrified gaze, swiftly pulled out all the needles from Huan Cheng’s head and body.
“Your Majesty, this method of prolonging life is truly a way to send someone to their death,” she said with a gentle smile. “Tonight, Your Majesty looks exceptionally well. I doubt you’ll faint again.”
Suddenly, Huan Cheng sat up as if jolted from the brink of death, panting heavily and widening his eyes. After a moment, he angrily exclaimed, “Empress! How dare you!”
Jiang Wan blinked innocently. “Your servant did it for Your Majesty’s own good.”
“Your Majesty, this… this…” Li Dequan snapped back to reality and hurriedly rushed out to summon the Imperial Physician.
After catching his breath, Huan Cheng turned his head and glared fiercely at Jiang Wan. “Empress, do you think I have no power to punish you? Or do you also wish for my death?”
Jiang Wan dropped her fake smile and calmly sat down on a chair. “Your Majesty, it’s best not to get too angry now. Be careful not to let rage overwhelm your heart again.”
The Imperial Physician arrived, examined Huan Cheng, and spouted a bunch of scholarly jargon Jiang Wan couldn’t quite understand before leaving.
Huan Cheng lay back on the bed, his expression having softened slightly, and asked stubbornly, “Empress, I asked you a question earlier, and you haven’t answered.”
Jiang Wan fell silent for a moment. “No one wishes for your death.”
“Hah.” Huan Cheng felt she didn’t even believe her own words.
“Your Majesty, think carefully. My father has always stood by your side. No matter what, you are the Emperor, the ruler of this nation. Regardless of how others see you, they must still show you proper respect.”
Jiang Wan knew that no one wanted to remain a puppet forever. After observing for a few days, she also felt that Xie Changlin’s current power was somewhat terrifying, and he acted without restraint.
Si Ming had said that her benefactor’s fate was marked by great misfortune, but someone with such misfortune could not sustain such immense fortune. Extreme fortune inevitably reverses itself, which was why Si Ming hadn’t told her what miserable end her benefactor would ultimately meet—though it likely had something to do with Huan Cheng and her father.
Was it possible, then, to make him rein it in a bit, to bring some balance among these three?
She wasn’t sure if this line of thinking was correct and felt somewhat troubled. In truth, she could also stand by and do nothing, focusing solely on climbing into bed. Yet, the thought of his possible miserable end made her uncomfortable.
Forget it. In the end, this was a trial. Once her benefactor returned to the heavens, he might advance by leaps and bounds.
Thus, the words of encouragement she had been about to offer Huan Cheng to strive for more turned into teasing. “But Your Majesty spends all day thinking about drinking and merrymaking. How can you expect outsiders to view you any differently?”
Huan Cheng, whose complexion had just improved, flushed red with anger at these words. “What do you mean, I spend all day drinking and indulging in pleasure? How dare you speak to me like that!”
“Then why hasn’t Your Majesty gone to the Xuanzheng Hall to see for yourself? I heard the families of those ministers who died during the ceremony are causing quite an uproar.”
Jiang Wan had intended to provoke him, but unexpectedly, Huan Cheng suddenly fell silent, letting out a low laugh—it was unclear who he was laughing at. “Families? By tonight, they’ll all be resting peacefully underground.”
Jiang Wan: “…”
Alright, that was likely Xie Changlin’s style—just kill them all and be done with it.
Huan Cheng exhaled, then turned to Jiang Wan with a sinister smile, as if switching faces. “Empress, truly worthy of being my empress. You dare to say to my face what others only dare to think. Come to bed quickly and share this spring night with me.”