Chapter 334: Then Coax Me, Big Sister

Xiao Li never catered to men. She gave what she *wanted* to give, not what others wanted from her.

Lou Yan was certainly seductive, but once the pervert got a taste of the flesh, he developed a craving for it. He was addicted and insatiable.

She couldn’t just let him run wild.

’Then again, a little wildness now and then wasn’t entirely out of the question.’

She sensed someone stealthily lie down beside her. He seemed afraid of waking her, lying stiff as a board at first, not daring to move.

After a good while, seeing no reaction, he finally dared to gently place a hand on her waist and press his body lightly against her back.

Yet even with his arms around her, the man was restless.

He kept kissing her hair and inhaling her scent. Though he was trying to be sneaky, his breathing grew heavier and heavier, as if he were afraid she *couldn’t* hear him.

Suddenly, he froze. A low voice, like a demon’s whisper, purred by her ear, seductive and taunting, "Since Your Majesty is awake, why not kick me out of bed?"

’This pervert...’ Xiao Li thought. ’If I don’t hit him, he’s annoying. If I do, he gets off on it—which is even more annoying!’

Xiao Li tried to ignore him, but Lou Yan took a mile when given an inch. He pulled her firmly into his arms, his hands starting to roam, clearly having no intention of letting her sleep.

Xiao Li’s patience snapped. Her eyes flew open as she abruptly threw back the covers and sat up.

Lou Yan immediately tried to press closer, but Xiao Li snatched an embroidered satin ribbon from the bed canopy. Eyes blazing, she turned back to him and forcefully tied his hands together.

Lou Yan didn’t resist in the slightest. He was completely compliant, his eyes even holding a hint of anticipation.

Xiao Li knew what he wanted, and she wasn’t entirely unwilling to give it to him. But she’d been woken from a sound sleep and was in a foul mood. She needed to vent her frustration somehow.

In the faint glow of the Luminous Pearl, she gazed at the delectable Mr. Lou, a wicked, dangerous light slowly gathering in her dark eyes.

He was prey who had delivered himself to her doorstep. She had no intention of being gentle.

Her long, slender fingertip tapped his sensual, thin lips. Mr. Lou’s face was bewitchingly beautiful, exuding a wicked danger. A single look was enough to stir one’s darkest desires.

Xiao Li smiled, the demon in her dark eyes now unleashed. She was dangerously alluring, wanton and wild.

She suddenly tightened her grip, watching in satisfaction as a pained expression crossed his face.

"I hear Mr. Lou is an expert at interrogation," she purred. "Heh... what a coincidence. I happen to know a thing or two about torture myself. This is a perfect opportunity to compare notes with you."

She lowered her head and gently bit his ear, her voice intoxicatingly dangerous. "Mister~ Lou~~ don’t you go crying... later~"

Hong Yue and Lan Yue, clutching their blankets, huddled by the door, exchanging helpless glances with Yang Jun and the others on night watch.

It wasn’t that they didn’t want to stand guard for Your Majesty, it was just...

"Mmmph~~"

"Nghh~~"

"Your Majesty, I beg you..."

"Don’t...~..."

Never mind Hong Yue; even the usually stoic Lan Yue was blushing beet-red, covering her ears and wishing she couldn’t hear.

Yang Jun cleared his throat awkwardly. While this wasn’t the first time, a certain someone... was being utterly shameless.

He turned and took two steps back, pretending he’d heard nothing. Then he ordered his men to tighten security, ensuring that no one would be allowed to disturb Her Majesty’s... recreation.

After a tumultuous night, by the time things finally quieted down, dawn was already breaking.

Xiao Li got up to bathe. When she returned, a certain someone was still lying on the bed, his eyes glistening and hazy, the very picture of a sated, lazy beast that had eaten its fill.

Seeing Xiao Li return, he rose languidly from the bed. The blanket slid away with his movement, revealing a body covered in marks that would make one’s blood race.

----

Without Xiao Li’s express command, no news from the Empress’s bedchamber could possibly leak out.

The Empress’s face had a distinct, newfound radiance, as if dusted with the rosy blush of peach blossoms. It was quite noticeable, but few officials dared to look directly at her.

Only Song Junzhan, who had eyes only for the Empress, was observant enough to notice. A suspicion bloomed in his heart, and when he glanced to the side, he saw a smug, triumphant expression written plainly across Lou Yan’s face.

The hand hidden in Song Junzhan’s sleeve clenched into a fist.

No matter how good his composure usually was, he was on the verge of losing it and cursing someone out.

He’d personally seen Lou Yan leave the palace last night. That scoundrel didn’t play by the rules!

At noon, the Empress had Song Junzhan stay for a meal in the palace.

The other officials were used to this and saw it as a matter of course.

An official was an official, but the Prime Minister was the Prime Minister. There was a world of difference.

In truth, Xiao Li really did just want to have a meal with Song Junzhan and discuss matters of state.

Xiao Li had given Rong Qing a month, but not for him to conquer Yizhou and the other territories within that time.

The fighting itself would have only taken ten days. In fact, Rong Qing hadn’t even needed that long; he’d captured three cities in seven days. They were now in the process of securing the occupied areas.

Xiao Li was discussing with Song Junzhan who should be dispatched to govern them.

With the imperial examinations just around the corner, it was difficult to spare the manpower, but the three new cities could not be left ungoverned.

Moreover, because the local scholars there were running rampant, the officials sent would need to have a sufficiently high rank and firm methods. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to keep them in check.

After some discussion, Xiao Li selected three Assistant Ministers for the posts. She gave one of the positions to Wang Yizhu.

Wang Yizhu was a woman, but the power she wielded was in no way inferior to that of a man.

There was another reason: she had been in the Capital City for a long time. It was time for her to gain experience in the provinces, and it was time for people to see what a female official with real authority looked like.

Wang Yizhu had no objections to the Empress’s arrangement. "This humble servant accepts the decree."

Xiao Li looked at Wang Yizhu, dressed in her official robes, her expression composed and growing more authoritative by the day. She couldn’t have been more pleased.

She personally handed a Token to Wang Yizhu, then cupped her cheeks with both hands. "Go and do what you must. Three hundred Silver Armor Guards will ensure your safety. Remember, I am behind you. If you don’t know something, learn it. If you make a mistake, correct it. But you must not retreat, and you must not be afraid. Do you understand?"

Wang Yizhu wanted to reply with grave formality, but with her face being held, it was impossible to remain serious. She broke into a gentle smile. "Rest assured, Your Majesty. I will not let you down."

As the highest-ranking female official, in whom Her Majesty had placed such great hope, the burden on Wang Yizhu’s shoulders was heavy indeed.

She constantly strove to outperform her male counterparts, wanting to prove her own capabilities and validate the Empress’s faith in her.

She held herself to such a high standard that she was in a constant state of tension, and it had been a long time since she had been able to truly laugh from the heart.

But the Empress had this magical ability to make her relax completely in an instant.

The next moment, Xiao Li pulled her into a hug, stroking her back as if comforting a child. "You’ve worked so hard, Ms. Yizhu. I’ll treat you to something good when you get back."

Pfft.

Wang Yizhu couldn’t help but laugh at being coaxed like that, and she returned the hug. "Your Majesty, you’re younger than I am. Why are you the one comforting me?"

Xiao Li was nothing if not adaptable. She immediately played the part of the younger one, resting her head on Wang Yizhu’s shoulder. "Then you can comfort me, Sister."

Wang Yizhu laughed even harder, unable to stop. "Your Majesty, you’re really..."

For a moment, she was at a loss for words. But as they held each other, she was suddenly overcome with emotion. "It is you who has had it hard, Your Majesty."

Xiao Li hummed in question. "Hm?"

’Why is she saying that?’

Xiao Li tried to lift her head, but Wang Yizhu gently held it in place, hugging her tightly as she spoke with immense sincerity. "Thank you for the hardship you’ve borne to expand our territory. Thank you for sparing the Wang family. And of course, thank you most of all for giving me this opportunity to become your subject and to stand proud in this world."

"I know of Your Majesty’s great ambition to secure a fair position for all women. I will never let you down."

With that, she lowered her head slightly, then stepped back and bowed formally.

After Wang Yizhu departed, Wang Wanqing, watching from a corner, looked like she was about to start chewing on a pillar in frustration.

’Shocked. Dumbfounded. In utter disbelief. I can’t believe it.’

’Did Aunt just kiss Her Majesty? Did she?!’

’She did! She absolutely did!’

’Waaah! I haven’t even dared to kiss Her Majesty! Aaaahhhhh!’