Chapter 18: The Majesty of the Empress

The foundation of the Qianyuan Hall stood high above the ground. To enter the main hall, one had to ascend a gentle flight of fifty steps made from lustrous Han white jade. For the emperor’s safety, two hundred Imperial Guards were posted from the foot of the stairs to the threshold of the main hall. These men were the elite of the army, each with striking features and imposing physiques.

Their discipline was unyielding; even after standing for half a day, not a word would pass between them, nor would they stir without cause. Yet their eyes were ever watchful, their ears attuned to the faintest sound.

What was that fragrance drifting on the breeze?

It was spring’s breath, and every guard felt it. Look—approaching, whose procession was this?

It was the Phoenix Carriage.

So, it was the empress’s retinue.

How could it be? The empress would never parade herself so wantonly, scattering flower petals with every step.

What did she mean by this? The sight of her cortege—petals strewn, laughter and allure—resembled nothing so much as courtesans parading before a festival, vying for the coveted Flower Queen.

The Phoenix Carriage came to a halt, and the empress alighted.

But—every guard’s eyes widened, mouths agape, throats working as they swallowed hard.

Her face, luminous and bewitching in its delicate beauty;
Her eyes, sparkling with a seductive glimmer at each blink;
Her bosom, soft and creamy white, irresistible even to a fleeting touch;
Her waist, bound in crimson silk, supple as a water snake;
And most of all, her hips—each step a swaying charm, more enticing than the subtle grace of a willow in the wind.

There was none of the courtesan’s affected coquetry, none of the noblewoman’s feigned modesty, none of the palace beauty’s calculating ambition; her allure was utterly natural.

A subtle, mesmerizing beauty radiated from her every gesture—a kind of enchantment never seen among mortals.

Some of the guards drooled, some leaned unsteadily, others even dropped their weapons, all struck dumb as if poisoned by her charm.

Daidai swayed as if no one were watching, while Qiuyun and Chunmo led two teams of maids, scattering petals with practiced ease. They had already noticed the sorry state of the guards and found it both amusing and secretly a point of pride. Yet, glancing at their mistress, whose undulating hips drew every eye, their expressions turned anxious.

To scatter petals as they walked was not a mere affectation; throughout the palace, realgar had been spread to ward off vermin. Without the flowers’ fragrance to mask the pungent smell, the Lady would quickly break out in a rash—a last resort, nothing more. Now, the two maids could only pray that their mistress would not fall ill during her audience with the emperor.

Li Fuquan awaited her at the door of the main hall. He had seen Daidai’s approach and had been momentarily stunned.

It had only been a few days since he last saw her, yet the empress’s forced dignity—the awkward imitation of virtue—had vanished utterly. In its place, she exuded a dangerous, seductive aura, as if she meant to draw the very marrow from the emperor’s bones.

Where had this enchantress come from?

He almost blurted the words aloud, but swallowed them hastily as the empress drew near. Bowing, he greeted her: “Peace upon you, my lady. His Majesty awaits you in the Eastern Warm Pavilion.”

Daidai unconsciously flicked her tongue across her lips, nodding in satisfaction, her heart racing as if a grand feast awaited, with hungry guests eager to devour.

Seeing that Qiuyun and Chunmo were about to follow inside, Li Fuquan hastily smiled and stopped them. “Ladies, there’s no need for you to go in. Don’t you see? The emperor has dismissed all the servants from the hall. Let their majesties have a private conversation. Please wait outside.”

With that, he ushered Daidai in and gently closed the great doors behind her.

To Daidai, the golden splendor of the hall meant nothing; it simply felt vast—just like her own Shuyi Hall, empty and imposing, but never warm.

A golden incense burner filled the air with dragon musk. Daidai sniffed, and a faint blush crept across her cheeks.

Pure dragon musk was a potent aphrodisiac. Even though the incense here was a diluted blend, it was still enough to stir Daidai's senses, far keener than any human's.

Her bones melted, her limbs softened, and her movements grew languid, boneless.

Within the Eastern Warm Pavilion, Ji Ye half-reclined on a pillow, head resting in his hand, brows furrowed, eyes closed. If one approached, they would sense the tension in him—the tautness of a drawn bow, a lion poised to strike.

He was filled with pent-up pressure, and his calm was only maintained by sheer force of will.

Daidai was keenly attuned to danger. She swiftly abandoned her earlier plan of pouncing to claim her prize and instead approached with gentle submission, as if offering peace to her prey before the hunt.

“Majesty, I am here.” Daidai settled herself quietly at his feet, arms folded atop the soft cushion, chin resting on the backs of her hands, motionless and docile—an innocent, harmless kitten.

Ji Ye opened his eyes and looked at her, a cold smile on his lips. He tossed the memorial impeaching her father toward her face. “Read this. Your good father, my Grand General of Cavalry—such loyalty, indeed.”

The imperial yellow petition struck her head and fluttered open, absurdly fanning out above her like an oversized fan.

Ji Ye had expected her to burst into tears, to protest and cause a scene—he was more than ready to exploit such an outburst.

But she did not. She remained there, quietly sprawled before him, as submissive as a newborn kitten.

Her eyes glistened, wide and innocent, as if to say, “Your Majesty, no matter how harshly you treat me, I will love you as I did from the start.”

For a moment, Ji Ye was at a loss—after all, who could bring themselves to rage at a helpless young creature?

“Majesty, you’re angry, aren’t you? Daidai is here, you may scold or strike me as you wish, I’ll be very good, I won’t tell a soul.” Her voice was soft, sweet as honey, coaxing him gently.

A wave of shame swept through Ji Ye, and with it, half of his anger dissipated, though he still spoke coldly. “Don’t try to distract me. Look at that memorial. Has the You clan truly honored the trust and glory I have bestowed upon you?”

Daidai climbed onto the couch, curling herself into his arms, making herself as small and unthreatening as possible. Her voice was a gentle whisper. “Majesty, he deserves death, doesn’t he?”

Ji Ye blinked, feeling that something was off. He shifted away from her on the couch and said, “He is your father. How can you say such things? He cherishes you like a treasure, and yet you treat him with such ingratitude.”

“But he made you angry, so he’s in the wrong. He deserves death. Majesty, Daidai only listens to you. Please, don’t be angry.” Her little hand caressed his chest, her tone soothing, considerate, melting away his frustration.

Ji Ye’s temper ebbed further. He frowned, glaring at the little woman in his arms. “Who told you to climb onto my couch? Get down and kneel.”

Daidai’s gaze fixed on the pulsing artery in Ji Ye’s throat; her eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint flashing within. Then, just as his words faded, she suddenly lunged and bit down hard, mouth full of flesh.

Ji Ye instinctively cried out, then reacted in an instant, gripping Daidai’s nape like a vice, his eyes flashing cold. “You Daidai, do you dare commit regicide?”

If Daidai the snake had ever studied in Japan, only two words could express her feelings at that moment—Nani?!

Where were her fangs? Where was her venom? The steps of the hunt had not been wrong; what she forgot was her current state—a human. And her purpose here—to seek the emperor’s essence, to lay her eggs.

With a muffled yelp, Daidai quickly released the flesh from her mouth and licked the wound obsequiously, paying no heed to the pain in her neck as she snuggled back into Ji Ye’s arms, her body limp and sweet. “Majesty, I was just craving some meat.”

Ji Ye ground his back teeth, sneering coldly. “So, by the empress’s words, it’s my fault—a grand imperial harem and I can’t even provide a morsel of meat for you? Were you so famished that you had to bite my neck and feast on me?”

“Majesty, you’re magnanimous; you won’t hold this against Daidai, will you? Let Daidai kiss it better, and the pain will go away.”

In truth, her bite had drawn blood, and Ji Ye’s grip on her nape was as unyielding as iron. In that instant, he truly meant to crush her throat, for in that moment, he felt a genuine threat from You Daidai.

His simmering anger returned in a rush. Ji Ye straightened, his presence menacing. Daidai instantly tightened her arms around his neck, her voice honeyed and seductive. “Majesty, I’m yours—do with me as you like, won’t you?”

With that, her pink tongue flicked out, trailing slowly across Ji Ye’s throat, his chin, his lips.

Wet, soft, tingling—he felt every sensation clearly. But how could he indulge a woman who had just tried to kill him?

His grip on her nape tightened, and Daidai winced, gazing up at him with pitiful eyes, her voice pleading, “Majesty, please let Daidai go. I’ll be your mount, all right?”

“Were you just trying to kill me?” Ji Ye stared coldly into her eyes.

“No, Daidai only wants you. You’re so noble and aloof—Daidai can’t help but love you.”

“Love me?” Ji Ye’s smile was chilling. “Isn’t it because I threaten the You clan that you wish me dead?”

“Majesty, Daidai’s love for you is as true as the sun and moon. That bite—was only because…”

“Because what?” Ji Ye waited for her to invent another lie.

“Because Daidai wants to lay eggs for you. No, I mean, wants to bear your children.” Daidai hastily corrected herself.

“Utter nonsense. You Daidai, don’t think that acting like a fool will make me trust you.” Yet as he spoke, Ji Ye slowly relaxed his grip.

He had always felt guilty for not being able to give You Daidai a child.

He pondered: her love was genuine, her desire for a child sincere, and the thought of her clumsily attempting murder struck him as more ridiculous than threatening.

But had that moment of danger truly been his imagination?

Yet… how could he misremember such a feeling?

A lake of water, a slick, cold touch—suffocation, pain.

He clenched his fists suddenly, shook his head, and tried to banish that shadow.

Then, abruptly, a chill and a heat at his loins—he stared in astonishment.

Beneath his waist, the crowned head, its warm little tongue, was working diligently to please him.

The imperial root, taut and glistening with dew in her mouth.

You Daidai, empress—how far you have fallen.