Chapter 734: Plan Change

Grand Eunuch Lu looked astonished, unsure why the empress had suddenly changed her mind.

However, the empress's taut body and peculiar expression in that brief moment did not escape his notice. As a man—or at least, having once been one—he understood that, at least for that instant, the usually proud and strong-willed empress had been completely overcome.

The thought filled him with a mixture of heartache, jealousy, and an indescribable emotion. His face alternated between dark and light, and several times he felt like rushing in to kill that detestable man, but he feared provoking the empress.

Finally, he let out a despondent sigh and decided to respect the empress's wishes.

***

After an unknown period, as the "clouds dispersed and the rain cleared," the empress lay limp, nestled in Zu An's embrace like a small cat, gazing at the man beside her with an incredibly complex expression.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Zu An secretly nursed a headache. Now, in his post-coital clarity, he realized how incredibly impulsive he had been.

If the emperor ever found out he had thoroughly transformed the empress "into his own shape," he would surely be obliterated.

The emperor would relentlessly pursue him, no matter where he fled.

However, he had to admit, the empress was truly... voluptuous.

For such a stunning beauty to be left in the deep palace for so many years by the emperor, what was the point of his being "unrivaled under heaven"?

The empress's red lips parted slightly as if to speak, but she hesitated. Finally, she couldn't resist, and in a soft, languid tone, she murmured, "I'm beginning to understand why Miss Chu is so utterly devoted to a rogue like you."

"Rogue?" Zu An was quite displeased by this appraisal and gave her a sharp pinch.

"Oh!" the empress exclaimed, her eyebrows arching with infinite charm. "I was just complimenting you."

Zu An's lips curved slightly upward. He had to admit, coming from such an exceptional woman, and given her unique status, the compliment was deeply gratifying.

The empress's chest rose and fell slightly; she seemed still to be in the afterglow of their intimacy. She traced the scars on his shoulder. "Does it hurt?"

Zu An retorted irritably, "Your nail guards are so sharp. You just clawed me so hard, of course it hurts!"

The empress giggled softly, "It was you who engaged me so intensely first. I couldn't help myself..."

She paused, her moist, phoenix eyes gazing at him sensually. She sighed faintly, "Everyone says the Emperor is invincible, but only I know that, at least in this regard, you are even more invincible than him."

This statement was like a battle drum or a charge horn. Zu An could not resist, and immediately "flipped over and mounted his horse," re-engaging in the "battlefield."

***

As dawn approached, Grand Eunuch Lu finally entered the empress's bedchamber. Zu An had only recently departed.

His gaze involuntarily fell upon the empress's skin on the soft couch, once fair but now flushed as if with rouge, and his breathing quickened.

The empress pulled the brocade quilt higher, scoffing derisively, "What are you looking at? It's not like you can do anything."

At her words, Grand Eunuch Lu's expression twisted, a mixture of pain, vexation, and regret, before dissolving into a long sigh. "Ning'er, I know you still blame me for being unable to protect you back then."

The empress suddenly became agitated. "It's normal not to be able to defeat Zhao Hao, especially since he's the emperor! Who could stop him from taking any woman he desired? I never blamed you for that!"

"The only thing I blame you for is that you... you willingly entered the palace and became a eunuch!"

Grand Eunuch Lu's face contorted in pain. "I was in agony back then. I didn't know what else to do to protect you. This was the only way I could think of to stay by your side, to be with you long-term."

"What's the point?" the empress said coldly. "It's not as meaningful as Zu An's company tonight."

"I'll kill him!" Grand Eunuch Lu's eyes were bloodshot. No man could endure such humiliation, even if he was no longer a man.

Rage points from Lu Qi +1024 +1024 +1024...

Elsewhere, Zu An was startled by this sudden surge of rage points. Had he somehow offended Grand Eunuch Lu?

The empress snorted, "Kill, kill, kill. If you're so capable, why don't you go kill Zhao Hao instead!"

At the mention of the emperor's name, Lu Qi immediately deflated. "It's all my fault for being useless..."

The empress waved her hand, speaking with a touch of weariness. "What's the point of dredging up old memories? I've long since let them go. I'm tired. You may withdraw."

Grand Eunuch Lu seemed to awaken from a trance. "Oh, by the way, why didn't you follow the original plan and kill him? If he's allowed to leave and this matter is exposed, Your Majesty will have no place to be buried."

The empress rested her chin in her hand, her eyes half-closed. "Don't worry, he's more terrified than we are. How could he possibly expose this?"

Grand Eunuch Lu frowned. "After all, dead men tell no tales."

Then, with a jealous gaze, he asked, "Has Your Majesty become infatuated with that brat?"

Recalling her impassioned demeanor from earlier, he felt both jealousy and envy.

"That boy certainly has his talents," the empress chuckled. "But do you think I'm the kind of person who can be so easily conquered by a man?"

She opened her eyes, and the tender affection she had shown Zu An earlier was replaced by coldness and majesty.

Grand Eunuch Lu secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Indeed, this was the Liu Ning he knew. However, he inwardly scoffed, *At least for that one moment, you were conquered by that man.*

Of course, he wasn't foolish enough to voice his thoughts then. Instead, he asked, "Then why did Your Majesty stop me from acting earlier? Were our previous conjectures incorrect?"

The alluring charm on the empress's face gradually faded, replaced by her usual haughty demeanor. "I previously learned from Chu Chuyan that her meridians were unexpectedly severed in the secret realm, yet when she emerged, she was completely healed, and her cultivation had even advanced a major rank."

"Both Chu Chuyan and Zu An attributed it to the Phantasm Lotus, but you and I both know that while the Phantasm Lotus can enhance cultivation, it has no effect on rejoining severed meridians."

"Out of curiosity, I subtly probed Chu Chuyan with more questions. From her evasive and shy responses, I inferred that she must have become a true couple with Zu An in the secret realm."

"Intelligence gathered previously indicated that before this, their relationship was merely nominal, but afterward, their bond progressed rapidly, and Chu Chuyan fully accepted him. I don't believe a favored daughter of heaven like Chu Chuyan would be conquered simply by having relations with a man. There must have been another reason."

"Considering her inexplicably healed severed meridians, I surmised it was likely connected to her union with Zu An. You know my own injuries have persisted for years with no hope of recovery. Even a tiny possibility is enough for me to try."

"Even if I'm wrong, it doesn't matter. Zhao Hao has left me a 'living widow' for so many years; I'll simply consider it entertainment."

"And it turns out I was correct. That man's vital essence can indeed nourish damaged meridians."

The empress's monologue seemed to be both an explanation and a way of organizing her thoughts, while simultaneously venting the dissatisfaction she had suppressed under Zhao Hao for years.

Grand Eunuch Lu, also excited, asked, "Since the great task is accomplished, why not follow the original plan and kill Zu An? I can still catch up to him now."

The empress shook her head, her expression growing a little strange. "Things are a bit different from what we imagined. This healing method isn't a one-time thing; it requires long-term nourishment. After that intimate encounter just now, my meridians, damaged years ago, have been nourished and show signs of recovery, but once or twice is far from enough. No wonder Chu Chuyan became so inseparable from Zu An after the secret realm; for an inexperienced young girl to be engaged with so passionately daily, it would be a miracle if she didn't fall in love with him."

Hearing that "long-term treatment" would still be required, Grand Eunuch Lu's eyes held a mix of pain and excitement. He couldn't help but ask, "What about Your Majesty? Will you gradually fall in love with him because of this?"

The empress said coolly, "I am not an inexperienced young girl. You know my nature, you know what I desire. Even Zhao Hao, the strongest man in the world, could not conquer me. What is a mere Zu An? At most, he's just a rather useful 'medicinal dreg'."

If Zu An had been there, he would have been astonished to discover that this woman was a completely different person from the compliant, kitten-like one he had just been with.

Indeed, the prettier the woman, the more deceitful she can be.