Two streams of tears slid from the Empress’s phoenix-like eyes.
Wei Ran broke free from the Empress’s embrace, stepping back until a full ten feet separated them.
But when he saw the Empress’s expression clearly, his heart trembled.
This… wasn’t a seduction trap?
She was serious?
But even if the Empress was willing, he didn’t dare.
Wei Ran took a deep breath, calming his expression. “You are His Majesty’s Empress, the sovereign of the inner palace. If I were to defile your honor, forget His Majesty—even my father would not forgive me. I ask that Your Majesty restrain yourself.”
Tears welled up in the Empress’s eyes as she let out a sorrowful smile.
“But this is the most valuable thing I can offer right now. Prince Heir, your relentless pressure has left me with nothing but my body to offer in exchange for sparing my brother.”
Wei Ran hesitated slightly.
The Empress gave a self-deprecating laugh. “Could it be Prince Heir finds me unworthy—just a withered, fallen flower?”
Wei Ran shook his head. “That’s absolutely not what I mean. It’s just that this goes against…”
The Empress blushed faintly and bit her lip. Her voice was barely audible. “I’m still untouched.”
Wei Ran’s eyes widened, completely stunned.
“How is that possible? You’ve been married to His Majesty for nearly two years. How can you still be a virgin?”
The Empress turned her face aside, shame and helplessness mingled in her expression.
“There is a palace secret you may not know. I only learned about it after marrying His Majesty. Three years ago, when he was still the Crown Prince, he went on a royal hunt in the Three Princes Mountain. During the hunt, he was struck in the lower abdomen by a wild boar. The injury damaged his meridians… since then, he’s been incapable of consummating with anyone.”
Upon hearing this, Wei Ran’s lips twitched violently.
Good heavens… so the Emperor is basically a eunuch?
Looking at the Empress’s stunning beauty, Wei Ran’s heart was stirred.
With a beauty like her, how could any man not be tempted?
But then he remembered the many hidden bruises on his body and his current precarious situation—and the desire vanished instantly.
If the two really spent the night together, they’d be completely exposed. The Empress would definitely notice the injuries. And any sharp-eyed person could tell they were caused by violence. He wouldn’t be able to explain that away.
The Empress bit her lip, her phoenix eyes locked on Wei Ran with determination.
“The Celestial Phoenix Palace may be tightly guarded, but here in the Phoenix Pavilion, there are only a few palace maids and attendants. Prince Heir needn’t worry about being caught. As long as you spare my brother, I… I…”
She stammered on those two words for a long while.
Finally, she shut her eyes and slowly undid the sash at her waist.
Her pale-yellow and ivory-white palace dress slipped down from her shoulders, revealing soft, flawless skin as white as polished jade.
The Empress kept her eyes closed, a deep humiliation written across her face.
Cough cough!
Wei Ran cleared his throat and quickly turned around.
Facing away from her, he said, “After being hunted all night by assassins, I’m too tired for anything now. I’m not interested.”
“That said, your brother’s behavior truly displeased me. I’ll give Your Majesty seven days to consider.”
“If you decide, on the seventh day at the hour of Si, come alone to Chunming Lake at Furong Palace for a boat ride. I will be there.”
Having said that, Wei Ran didn’t linger. He turned and walked straight out of the Phoenix Pavilion.
Seven days should be enough to treat his internal bruises with trauma medicine. By then, he’d consider whether or not to accept this ticking time bomb of an Empress.
The Empress stood still, watching him leave, dazed.
She remained motionless for a long time, murmuring to herself in confusion.
“Are the rumors about the Northern Liang region true or false?”
“If they are true, then I was almost…”
“If they are false, then he must be hiding his true self, soiling his name deliberately.”
“Who would’ve thought—the notorious, vile Prince Heir Wei is actually a man of virtue?”
For a moment, the Empress saw Wei Ran in a whole new light.
At Prince Min’s Residence.
Wang Runlian looked coldly at Gao Ming, who was sitting there helpless, and sneered.
“Commander Gao, he’s just a stand-in. If he dies, he dies. Look at you, acting like your eyes are bleeding from worry.”
“If it’s such a mess, we’ll just return to Liangzhou. No need to stay in this capital.”
“I’ll go back and reopen my brothel, and you can run your gambling den again. Isn’t that a better life?”
Gao Ming suddenly raised his head, eyes filled with rage, and slapped her hard across the face.
Smack!
Wang Runlian was knocked to the ground, blood oozing from the corner of her mouth.
Gao Ming’s face was dark as iron. “Stupid wench. You have no brains. What do you know besides selling your body?”
Wang Runlian was stunned, finally showing a look of fear.
“Just because you served the Prince a few times, you think you’re a golden phoenix? A whore is still a whore.”
“Use your pig brain and think—right now, the city is under lockdown, filled with Imperial Guards. How do you expect us to leave the city?”
“W-what? It’s that serious?”
Wang Runlian finally realized the gravity of the situation.
Gao Ming said coldly, “You better pray that Li Baoshu is still alive. If he’s dead, everyone in this residence will leave the capital the same way—buried in a coffin outside the walls.”
“If I could run, I would’ve done so long ago. Why would I be sitting here waiting?”
Just then, a voice came from outside the door.
“No need to flee, but Li Baoshu is indeed dead. Wei Ran, however, is still alive.”
The voice pierced through the door, and then Wei Ran walked into the room.
Gao Ming’s face lit up, then immediately darkened. This story is hosted at novelping.com.
“You bastard, where the hell did you go?! Don’t you know the whole capital’s been turned upside down looking for you?!”
Wei Ran sneered. “Now you’re worried? Where was this concern last night when you left me behind and ran for your life?”
Gao Ming’s face turned dark red.
He took a deep breath and asked, “After I left… what happened there?”
“No comment,” Wei Ran replied coldly, casting a mocking glance at Wang Runlian.
“Wang Runlian, I used to think you were someone of worth. Turns out, you’re just a courtesan who clawed her way up by serving men. How disappointing.”
Wang Runlian trembled with anger. “What… what did you say?! Say it again if you dare!”
“I said: you’re just a courtesan who climbed her way up by serving men.”
“Since Prince Min gave you such a cushy job, you must’ve served him real well.”
“I’m tired. Go prepare a bath for me. And while you’re at it, show me the same tricks you used to please Prince Min.”
“Who knows? If I’m pleased, I might name you my concubine, and you won’t have to take Commander Gao’s abuse anymore.”
He laughed heartily and stepped out.
Wang Runlian shook all over and screamed, “You dog! How dare you humiliate me like this! I’ll kill you myself—”
Before she could finish, she met Gao Ming’s cold gaze.
“Wang Runlian, that kind of thinking is dangerous. I suggest you calm down.”
“But he just called me a whore! How am I supposed to stay calm?!”
Gao Ming asked coldly, “Isn’t that what you are?”
“I—”
“Do what he said. And if you dare not, I’ll kill you myself.”
Gao Ming’s hand was already resting on his sword. His face showed clear killing intent.
At a time like this, he had to serve Wei Ran well. If the Prince Heir decided to report that the Commander of the Guards abandoned his master and fled, no one would value his life—not in this empire.
With Wang Runlian’s pig brain, she couldn’t possibly see that far ahead.
Gao Ming knew he needed to flatter Wei Ran properly.
Letting Wang Runlian help him bathe? If necessary, Gao Ming would personally perform tricks to entertain him.
Inside the bathing chamber—
Wei Ran soaked in the tub, having poured trauma medicine into the water to treat his bruises. On the right side of the tub sat a dagger.
There was no doubt Wang Runlian had been forced to serve him—by Gao Ming.
Why had Gao Ming forced her?
Wei Ran didn’t even have to think. Gao Ming was afraid he would use the fact that he’d fled during the attack as leverage in the palace.
So he sent Wang Runlian to gain favor.
But would she accept it willingly?
On such an auspicious day… spilling blood was inevitable.