Bai Fuxue made a decision that went against her ancestors.
Her eyes trembled as she looked at Xiao Shizhi, “Must we really do it here?”
Her clothes fell to the floor like an unwrapped gift box.
The entire study was now empty, with all the eunuchs and palace maids having withdrawn.
Bai Fuxue shakily picked up the exquisitely intricate and luxurious dress, putting it on like a marionette controlled by strings.
As she dressed, her heart ached with misery. What had she done wrong to deserve selling her body like this?
Even courtesans in brothels would demand extra payment for such games.
Xiao Shizhi watched with great interest as Bai Fuxue changed into the bright red dress, which made the young beauty’s skin appear even more snow-white and radiant.
While the outer robe appeared proper and dignified, the inner trousers revealed the true intention.
Bai Fuxue gritted her teeth, “May I ask why these inner trousers are made of transparent gauze?”
Xiao Shizhi smiled and gently touched Bai Fuxue’s wrist, pulling her close into an embrace.
She helped Bai Fuxue put on the trousers herself.
The transparent gauze inner trousers would remain completely hidden unless the skirt was lifted.
The problem, however, lay in the row of hidden clasps deliberately placed along the hem, easily undone with one hand. The seemingly elegant and dignified skirt could slither open like a snake.
The transparent gauze brushed against her legs, causing both itchiness and a tingling sensation.
Bai Fuxue’s eyes turned crimson, and a soft, distressed moan escaped her throat.
“Your Majesty, please don’t.”
Xiao Shizhi’s slightly raised eyebrows made her look even more captivating. “Don’t what? What have I done to you?”
Using her index finger, Xiao Shizhi lifted Bai Fuxue’s chin, forcing the kitten-like beauty to meet her gaze.
“Think carefully about your father and brothers. The borderlands are harsh and unforgiving, anything could happen there.”
As Xiao Shizhi moved, Bai Fuxue’s attention returned to the transparent gauze inner trousers.
Damn it.
Bai Fuxue felt her composure shatter instantly.
A tyrant, a true tyrant. If you don’t lead the nation to ruin, who will?
The transparent gauze inner trousers had a row of hidden clasps on the side, allowing them to be unfastened directly from the outer thigh.
Xiao Shizhi’s hand lightly brushed against the back of Bai Fuxue’s knee, her nail gently scraping the sensitive spot.
Bai Fuxue’s entire leg went weak.
Perhaps because she had pleased the emperor, Bai Fuxue was granted temporary freedom to stroll around.
Songluo supported her mistress, her smile stretching from ear to ear.
“I told you His Majesty holds you in his heart. Last night, he left the Empress’s chambers and came straight to you.”
It was a beautiful autumn day. Bai Fuxue had somehow obtained a kite and was flying it in the imperial garden.
Songluo covered her mouth with a light laugh. “Your Highness, look at this dress it’s the epitome of luxury. The fabric alone took skilled embroiderers half a year of diligent work to weave.”
As Bai Fuxue ran, she couldn’t help but feel a draft around her legs.
That damned scoundrel.
The swallow-shaped kite soared higher and higher, swaying gently into the view of everyone in the palace.
Noble Consort Rong arrived in the imperial garden with a bustling entourage to admire the chrysanthemums and osmanthus flowers.
From afar, she spotted Bai Fuxue wearing the new dress bestowed by the emperor, shimmering so brightly in the sunlight it seemed to glow, adorned with countless pearls and jewels.
A shadow of gloom flickered in Noble Consort Rong’s eyes. Beside her, Virtuous Consort Liu curled her lips:
“Your Highness, I’ve heard Consort Bai has been causing quite a stir lately. She even convinced His Majesty to confine the Empress to the small prayer hall.”
Noble Consort Rong cast a haughty glance at Bai Fuxue, her heart sour with bitterness.
Coincidentally, Bai Fuxue also looked over, their gazes meeting briefly in the air.
Bai Fuxue handed the kite string to the maid behind her and gave a slight bow. “This humble consort greets Noble Consort. May Noble Consort be at peace.”
Noble Consort Rong curled her lips into a cold smile. “Sister Bai truly has refined tastes, making us younger sisters quite envious.”
Virtuous Consort Liu covered her mouth with a light laugh. “Sister’s gown is so beautiful. Just the craftsmanship of this cloud-patterned brocade, few in the rear palace could afford such material. Look at the butterflies embroidered on it; they seem ready to take flight.”
Bai Fuxue felt a bitterness she couldn’t express, thinking inwardly, If you want this kind of “blessing,” you can have it.
Bai Fuxue said, “It’s nothing particularly important, just a casual gift from His Majesty when he was in a generous mood.”
Just His Majesty’s old lecherous habits acting up again.
Noble Consort Rong’s face twisted slightly, though her smile remained beautiful.
“Sister certainly has elegant tastes. However, I wonder if my sister is aware that General Bai is struggling at the border, lacking clothing and provisions, while you indulge in extravagance in the rear palace?”
“If word spreads outside, who knows what people will think.”
Bai Fuxue couldn’t quite understand Noble Consort Rong’s mindset, having food and clothing yet still seeking trouble.
Other sisters in the rear palace, like the three Beauties Xu, spent their days playing mahjong and pai gow from dawn till dusk.
Their lives couldn’t be more fulfilling.
Bai Fuxue replied, “In response to Noble Consort, these matters are beyond this humble consort’s control. If you insist on questioning, wouldn’t that risk probing into the Emperor’s intentions?”
Noble Consort Rong’s eyes turned sharp. Just as she was about to say something, Virtuous Consort Liu beside her gently tugged her sleeve.
Noble Consort Rong sneered, “The Bai family has long been precarious at court. Your status comes from your family, and sooner or later, His Majesty will discard you like worn-out shoes.”
Bai Fuxue said, “Even if His Majesty tires of me, this humble consort can still live peacefully in the palace for the rest of my life.”
These words grated harshly in Noble Consort Rong’s ears.
Virtuous Consort Liu beside her whispered, “Sister Noble Consort, perhaps Bai Fuxue genuinely doesn’t wish to compete?”
Noble Consort Rong let out a derisive snort from her throat. “How could that be? What woman in the rear palace wouldn’t want to compete?”
Bai Fuxue’s words also reached Xiao Shizhi’s ears.
In the deep of night, with red sleeves adding fragrance, Bai Fuxue stood beside Xiao Shizhi, attending to the ink and brush.
Xiao Shizhi held the brush with impeccable form in one hand, while the other slipped beneath Bai Fuxue’s skirt and undergarments, which were fastened with hidden clasps.
The legs were slender and smooth, the physique balanced and exceptionally supple.
Palace maids and eunuchs attended nearby, observing what appeared to be harmonious affection between the Emperor and Bai Fuxue.
No one noticed that their Empress was engaged in some indecent activities.
Bai Fuxue’s face flushed with both anger and shame, her teeth clenched tightly on her lower lip.
Utterly debauched and unrestrained!
Xiao Shizhi smiled ambiguously. “You’re different from others, it seems only seeking stability, not imperial favor?”
Bai Fuxue forced a stiff expression, pretending affection for the sake of her family.
“In response to Your Majesty, there are countless beauties under heaven. This humble consort is but a drop in the ocean. Your Majesty will always encounter someone more to your liking than me.”
Xiao Shizhi: “…”
Xiao Shizhi worked until the early hours again. Sitting in the study, she grew increasingly perplexed.
Why was Bai Fuxue so patient?
She clearly wanted to seduce her from the bottom of her heart.
After all, this adorable dodder plant would quickly wither whether separated from the late emperor or from her.
Li Dequan: “Your Majesty, please set your mind at ease. There are few ladies as understanding, gentle, and virtuous as Her Ladyship.”
Xiao Shizhi: “.”
I don’t want someone understanding. I want someone who can whimper and pout.
The next day, Xiao Shizhi returned from court with a gloomy expression. The study was already piled high with memorials,
Officials outside were all requesting an audience with the emperor.
The entire Zichen Hall was in an uproar.
“Your Majesty! Consort Bai intends to interfere in state affairs, disrupt court order, her crimes warrant execution!”
A man dressed entirely in black appeared behind Xiao Shizhi, kneeling on one knee.
“Reporting to Your Majesty, the provisions for General Bai have all been safely delivered. This is the detailed report from the Northern Garrison Army for Your Majesty’s review.”
Xiao Shizhi picked up the thin report with two fingers, flipped through a couple of pages, then tossed it directly onto the desk.
The Northern Court has repeatedly harassed our borders, yet we only know how to retreat or lure them to Ganzhou!
Useless as they are, they still consume vast amounts of imperial provisions.
Such a large army stationed at the border actually belongs to a prince.
Xiao Shizhi narrowed his eyes dangerously and said in a deep voice, “If those officials don’t want to leave, let them kneel there indefinitely.”
After a while, the more Xiao Shizhi reviewed memorials, the more he felt the study was empty.
As if something was missing.
Xiao Shizhi: “Li Dequan, summon Consort Bai for me. Tell her, I miss her.”
Does Bai Fuxue not know the court is in chaos? Isn’t she worried about offending me?
How can she remain so composed? (Why isn’t she coming to cling to me?)